How's The Weather

How's the weather where you are? I'm telling ya, It's just crazy here. Mother nature can't seem to decide if its Winter or Spring. Well, I have already put away the coats so I declare Spring.
One day it will be in the 80's and then the next day it will be in the 40s.

This past weekend we were expected to have a storm. Now, let me just tell you how I get when we are expecting a storm.
First off, I love thunderstorms. We do not have any trees around our house so I do not fear a good storm. But when I hear we are going to have a thunderstorm, I start scurrying around my house cleaning. I have not figured out why I do this. But I get this anxiety were I have to get my house tidy before the storm hits. If we are out somewhere and the sky turns dark, this will bother me to the end. I just don't know what makes me do this but it has to be done.
[You can guess the look I'm getting from Nick. He probably wished we had more storms.]

Sunday as me and Nick sat watching TV, our phone alerts went off. We just looked at each other , Like, "Is that your phone or mine? Well it was both of our phones. So we stopped watching TV and looked to see what was the matter.

It was a tornado warning.

It warned us to take shelter but this only made us run to the windows with curiosity and watch as the storm blew through. We had some strong winds and hard rain, but no tornado. I have not seen a tornado in my area since about 1975ish. However, some parts of the city reported tornado like damages and hail. We didn't even get one hail ball. Our trash can blew over and my gnome made a dive into the bushes. Other than that, we are all fine.

We had a freeze warning for this morning and it's currently 68 degrees.
Maybe we will get some steady temperatures soon.

Loui

Meet Loui.

Loui lives in my window shutters. Every year he comes out of hiding and spends the summers working for me. 

He is my bug catcher. 

I had a little scare this Winter. I saw a cold stiff lizard in my carport. It was around the same time I read about lizards dropping from trees in the cooler temperatures as if they were dead, but not really. I even read on The ShipsLog (I think) where he warmed a lizard up and got it mobile again. Maybe he can confirm that in his comment.  

So what did I do? Promise not to laugh? 

Well, I actually warmed an old wash cloth in the dryer, went outside and picked up the stiff lizard, wrapped in the warm rag and put him in a safe place under the carport. I was hoping it would come back alive.

It never did. After a week, I placed him in a little sandwich bag and threw him in the trash just in time for the trash man to dump him in the big truck and off they went. I was sad. I thought it was Loui. 

I got a text the other day. Nick said “Loui is back!”. I was so excited. 

I’m still not sure if the dead one was the original Loui or his brother but they all are named Loui so I guess it don’t matter.

When I come home from work, I walk up to the window and say “Loui Loui” and the little guy will actually leave his work station and walk down close to meet me as he lets out a big yawn. He is not shy. 

I’m sure the neighbors think I'm a crazy woman. From their view, it looks like I’m standing there talking to the bricks. So, I now go inside and open the window and we talk through the screen. 

Easter Run Down

Saturday my daughter came home to spend Easter. We spent the morning doing a little shopping until the crowds started getting on our nerves and we ended up coming back home. Nick took us up town for some ice cream and coffee. Yep. I had ice cream and she had both. Seriously, even the jingling ice cream trucks around here sell ice cream and coffee. I find it weird, but whatever.

After ice cream we met up with a neighbor and purchased some fresh eggs from her lovely hens. I just love how they look in this vintage basket that mom gave me last week. Just look how colorful they are by nature.

Me and my daughter dyed eggs later. I boiled some regular store bought ones and some of the fresh ones. I decorated a few of the fresh ones and she dyed the white ones using the dyed rice method. Its so easy. You just drop some food coloring in a small bag of rice and shake the egg around to create a unique look. 

While I made a cake with the some of the fresh eggs and will eat some of the eggs for breakfasts. While I made a cake, my daughter made some marshmallow Easter fluff. The recipe can be found HERE.

Sunday morning it was rise and shine at 6 am to make it to church in time for sunrise service on the church lawn. This is one of our favorite things to do on Easter. After the service we all headed into the fellowship hall for a hot breakfast that included biscuits, gravy, eggs, bacon and grits. My oh my was it good! My mom and dad made the breakfast so that made it even more better. I love my moms gravy. She makes it dark and so thick that a spoon will stand in it. 

When we came home from church, My daughter had an Easter basket waiting for her. Did I mention shes 26? I mean, your never to old for an Easter basket are you? She also surprised us with our own basket full of goodies. 

After a short rest, we put on our Easter outfits and headed out to regular church services .

We did not do our usual Easter dinner with Nicks side of the family. Instead, we headed to my moms house where my Sister in law created a large delicious meal. It was a change from the normal but it was great to spend time with family. 

Now it’s late and I'm typing this blog with one eye open as I’m about to fall asleep. (or coming off a sugar high). So excuse the rambling. 

It’s back to work tomorrow and the morning will come quick. 

Happy Easter! 

Sunshine and Snow

I was just bragging last week how warm it was around here in North Carolina. I spoke to soon.

Thursday I woke up to temperatures in the 30’s. I have already put my Winter clothes to the back of my closet and packed my boots away  actually gave my boots away to the local thrift shop. I was done!

While I was at work I peered over to my tiny window of my office and noticed blue skies and sunshine. Then I seen puffy white flakes dancing in the open air. I said to myself  “what? Is that snow?”  I made a post on my facebook to let everyone know it was snowing (as if I was the only one that saw it). I had to get the news out. Then I ran outside to get a photo of the falling snow (you know, as proof) because no one is going to beleive me. I mean, it has been warm all the other days.. 

As I positioned my little 6s to snap a photo, It stopped. I didn’t even get a picture. I had no proof.

Everyone started sending me messages that I must be going crazy. However, there were some that commented on my post that they too had seen it snow for a brief moment. 

My sister sent me a photo. Thank sis! It was of the ONE little cloud that passed through like a rain cloud, dumping a powder of snow across some of the viewing area. 

Yep that was the extent of it.

Crazy huh?

Don't laugh at the exitement. We don't get to see much of the white stuff around here. 

Now its back in the 50’s on this beautiful Saturday morning. 

Snow Really?

Here in North Carolina the weather has been unseaonably warm. Its been as high as the 80's already and its still Winter.

After dinner Friday night, my husband asked if I wanted to go walking or go shoe shopping? Well, there was no question there, so off to the mall we went. I wanted some new tennis shoes and flip flops for summer. I had Spring fever and we are planning a trip to the beach real soon. 

We walk through Belks department store and low and behold, they have free wine tasting and free cupcakes! Needless to say, I never got any shoes. We went back out on Satuday and tried it again. I got some new shoes, new jeans and a new shirt. I went old school on the shoes and bought some white leather Adidas just like they wore in the 80's. I couldnt afford them then but can now. Ha. 

We went to a family dinner Saturday night and I want even mention that double layer German Chocolate cake that my Mom made! 

Ooohhh it was soo good, it would make your tongue slap you forhead.

When we got back home, it was late, we took our showers, turned our clocks up and went to bed. 

I got up this morning and looked out the window. I said, "oh no! Snow! It was snowing like crazy! It had powdered the ground and was coming down like a pillow fight from heaven. I jumped back into bed , whining and complianing. Im so ready for Spring. 

Here was my view this morning.

 

If you slept late you probably missed it because by noon the temps were back up in the 40's and there was not even a sign of snow. 

The news station pretty much summed up the day with this meme.

 

Spring Nesting

Spring is finally in the air. Looking around you can see the flowers and trees blooming. Before long, everything will produce pollen and the town will turn greenish/yellow.

I love to watch the birds play in my yard. During the winter months I keep them fed with bread, seed or suet. Never fails though, the squirrels will ruin it. They eat the bird feeders and somehow figured out how to get into the suet cage. I almost give up, then spring arrives. I will no longer put food in the feeders because I know the birds will get enough bugs, worms and berries. As for the squirrels, they probably have a little hiding place full of the bird feed I put out all Winter.

I will sit back now and watch as the birds work franticlly to find just the right twig to build a nest by full spring. I'm going to help them with that this year.

I took the suet feeder and filled it with some scrap yarn pieces I have been saving up just for this purpose. Each bird will take her share of colorful string and use it in her nest construction. I was worried about doing this at first, thinking it may cause them to get tangled. Lets hope not. I would feel so bad.

I think its rather pretty hanging there in the tree. I cant wait to see how it works out. I can picture this fall after the leaves have fallen from the trees, I will see little colorful nest embedded between the branches as the renters leave and await for the next spring.


I've shared this at:
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage

Crochet Bird Nest

I just made another attempt to help the birds. Its now springtime and they are all over the place trying to find a place to nest. I have only one tree in my back yard and its huge! It is full of birds of all types and its fun to watch them from my kitchen window. However, there are still some that refuse to nest in the trees and want to use parts of the house, plants, and even my car. I can leave for 3 days and come back to a dove nest on the hood of my car. They are so silly.


While looking on Pinterest the other day, I found a really cute bird nest. You can find the pattern HERE. I just knew I had to make one of these and see if it really works. I followed the instructions, but for some reason, it did not come out looking as beautifully egg formed as hers.

Its ok though. I kind of like the "gourd look" or "Pear shape" that mine took shape of.

I carefully placed it on a limb, hidden deep inside the tree and now I will wait to see if I get any renters on this unique home. I do not know how well it will hold up in the rain but hopefully the thickness of the shrub around it will protect it from damage. So far it has withheld strong winds.

I hope to get an update for you all in a couple months. Meanwhile, Ill stick to making hats.






Ive shared this at:
cityofcreativedreams
nifty-thrifty-sunday at niftythriftythings
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy  

This Place

This Place

There are no sounds of sirens of emergency vehicles

There are no sounds of cars

I can hear birds gathering

I can hear sounds of the waves

and children laughing

This place

I can be alone in my thoughts

and pray as if I'm sitting beside God.

I feel whispers of hopes and dreams.

I am at peace here

and marvel at the beauty of it all.

 

 

This Place

I keep positive thoughts

I think about the good things

and let go of the negative people and things in my life.

 

This place

I hear no disrespectful words

no complaining co-workers

no whining customers

I do not hear a phone ringing

or keyboards clicking.

  

 

This place

I can relax

There are no talks of politics

no TV

no internet

or a clock
 

 

This Place

Is where I love to be.

Finally Spring

Its the beginning of April and we are finally seeing signs of spring here in North Carolina. In the Winter, our temperatures hardly ever get below 35 degrees, so we never really have it cold here and Spring temperatures usually begin in March. But not this year, we have struggled fighting the ups and downs of the weather since February. It will be 35 and sleeting one day and 70 the next. Its crazy.

 

Me and my husband went for a walk around the neighborhood like we often do, when I noticed spring is finally here.

 

I'm glad I took my IPhone so I could take a few pictures and show you the beauty around us if you only take the time to look. Sorry for the lack of quality pictures. Wish I would have taken my camera instead.

 

 First it looked drab with the trees barely blooming, but I took more notice as my walk continued.

 

I saw spring! Flowers were popping up everywhere, bees were kissing the azaleas, and the dogwoods were finally opening up.

See the busy bee?

 

I love the Yellowbells

 and the Dogwoods

White Buttercups

 

Tulips are my favorite flower next to Daisies

 

and I'm pretty sure these came from a store. Ha!

 

HAPPY SPRING!

Sea Shore Treasures

When people are walking on the beach, most of them have a handful of tiny sea shells and will look so diligently for the perfect one to pick up and keep. I always wonder what they do with them or what particular shape and kind they are actually looking for.

I love finding things on the beach too, but I'm not that hard of a "looker". I usually have to stumble on something to see it. We go to the beach quite often since we only live 4 hours away and have a camper.
Here are a few things found while me and family have took our daily walks on the beach. Enjoy.

 We found blackberries on the sand dunes.

I'm sure they don't tastes as good as the ones in my area.



 I have found a total of about 15 sand dollars.

 Makes me feel rich. ha ha.

 We found this in a tide pool.

When I picked it up, it had a creature inside and it spit water on me

so I put it down, snapped a picture, and left it alone.

 Bottle washed up on the beach.

There was nothing in it except for maybe memories of someones crazy night  before. haha.

Now this was found on our walk far away from where people are. We took it in and opened it up. We could tell it was not old. It contained several little hand written letters of what

appeared to be from children that lost their mom in a tragic accident

and one note asked if anyone found this bottle to please put it back to sea.

So, later that night, my husband tossed it back out to sea as far as he could throw.

We have found other things but I didn't have my camera with me. Like the time my husband found a live starfish. And we had a sand crab come up from a hole between our beach chairs once and spent the day with us in the sun. yuk, and the Jelly fish.  I could go on but without pictures, its no fun.

What are some interesting things you have found on the shore? And if anyone knows what people are really looking for out there, please share it. 



Birthday & Beach Weekend

I just celebrated my 43rd birthday on Wednesday. And guess what, I finally got a new camera! Yes! My sweet husband and daughter knew that I wanted needed one. Then when I got to work that morning, the people I work with got me a birthday cake and card. The rest of the day my family called to wish me happy birthday and my facebook wall was filled with friends telling me happy birthday. It was a great day. The next day we went to the beach for a long weekend.

It was cold, windy and gloomy at the beach this time, but that didn't stop the excitement of just being away from home and spending time with my husband and daughter. We did a lot of walking and me and my daughter enjoyed one morning doing an hour of aqua zumba. While I was there my best friend had left me a gift to enjoy during my trip.

It was a cute bracelet and cool cup. Thanks Robin!!

We did not see the sun until it was time to pack up and go home. Meanwhile, I took some pictures of things I often take for granted and never really notice when I'm busy soaking up the sun and waves.

Out of all the shells on the beach, I notice this little broken piece of a sand dollar and it was showing some love.  

Here is a view from under the pier where it looks like there is a door to the sea at the end of it. 

This is a "crabs eye" view of the sand and sea.

Now its time to get back to the real world and hope to visit the beach again soon.

Twig Necklace

I have seen several of these cute little branch/twig necklaces. I tried to make my own. Since its near Easter, I used a branch from a dogwood tree. The dogwood is said to be the tree used to build the cross that Jesus was crucified on.

First I will show you the twig necklace that inspired me to make one.

$60.00 from cursive design.com .

 And below are the ones I made and it cost me nothing.

This was my first attempt at this. I think they turned out to pretty good, kinda, and I think the green one will go with my Easter dress the best.

Linked on under-100-linky-party at beyond the picket fence ,simply-link-party at simply designing ,made-by-monday at skiptomylou , lil-luna-link-party-71 , friday-fun-party-features at craftionary

Bird Feeder Idea

One thing I like to do is watch birds. I find them to be so cute and funny. We have a big dogwood tree in the back yard that has been taken over by Ivy but will still bloom in the spring and continues to keep getting bigger. The tree is beautiful and full of all types of feathered friends all summer and winter long.
I have a hanging feeder near my kitchen window and I enjoy seeing them eat from it in the mornings while I eat my breakfast. However, Ive noticed that a lot of the intimidated birds enjoy eating the seeds from the ground that fall from the feeder as the larger birds take over. So I decided to come up with a  little idea from an old sea shell I found.

I placed it on an old wooded stool under the tree and so far its worked great.
Now I hope the squirrels don't find it!

Linked on nifty-thrifty-tuesday on coastalcharm