More birdies and presents to myself...

You all know how much I love me some birdies, and you've heard me sing the praises of the UK Edition of Country Living. Put them both together in this month's February Issue, and you have me looking forward to Spring more than ever.

Once you've experienced one of these gorgeous monthly magazine publications you'll be hooked. The UK Edition is true to it's name. It's all about life in rural Britain; farms, businesses, crafts, entrepreneurs, cooking, traditions, and lifestyle.

This month they featured bird and nest illustrations

 from the Natural History Museum, London.

The illustrations in the layout look like watercolor exhibits on faded papers,

with dimensional identification tags. a very vintage look.

This month's issue is still available at bookstores. 

And I have to share this wonderful breadboard that arrived in the mail this week. Being sick and delirious ;) I'd forgotten that I'd ordered it, and when my husband brought the monster box to me I was clueless. (That happens to me every once in awhile and it has nothing to do with a fever)

 It's a big boy breadboard, that I ordered from "Decor Steals" as my Valentine present to myself. When I ordered it I didn't have any idea where I'd put it, but I wasn't going to let it pass by. It's not as heavy or well made as the real thing, but it has the look of an old one, and the price was right.

And this interesting reproduction metal sign came from "Antique Farmhouse" before Christmas. The distressed creams and browns are really pretty....and it says "Paris"... what's not to love?

I think I like them together...

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. I've been working on more Springification around here. The sunporch was Saturday's project...I'm just getting started. And please don't remind me that another snowstorm is scheduled for Tuesday!

I'm joining in at these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

xoxo,

What you do if you're iced in...

Well, you hang around your kitchen window

 looking at all the critters and birdies who are looking for a snack...

Critter feeding is pretty messy business.

This is the frosty view outside my kitchen window above the sink.

It seems a certain little somebody was trapped when the icy rain started coming down in buckets. She had to take cover under the wagon. Looks pretty chilly...and uncomfortable.

can you see her?

As soon as it let up the bluebirds were back. I've lived here 10 years and only seen bluebirds a handful of times, but a little Bluebird "couple" have taken a liking to the feeder up here, so now they're regulars.

Now, look who's back...

She didn't like all the ice pellets in her food pan.

It was a battle all afternoon, 

birds vs. squirrel.

I don't have a zoom telephoto lens, so I just had to use my regular lens. These aren't the best photos, but if you look closely you'll see the variety I had on the feeder. Purple finch and Sparrow on the feeder, a goldfinch on top of the faux evergreen and a little wren waiting turns.

...got some fluff going on here.

My little female bluebird on the feeder again.

The bluebird is the Missouri State Bird

 and speaking of "state birds" we couldn't leave out the Cardinals...

And yes, I had a little help from the "Official" Bird Watcher.

We never lost our power, but it did cut out off and on for awhile.

This has been a long week of feeling lousy, 

but I'm better now.

I think I slept about 16 hours a day most of the week.

and that's with having a flu shot.

I guess if you are going to be sick it's best

when it's snowy and icy,

...a good time to be snuggled up at home.

I hope the rest of you are making it through the snowstorm.

Stay warm.

Spring will be here soon...

I think.

p.s. EpicLinen is still having a discount 

on all orders until March 3.

Head over and look around.

xoxo,

Be Inspired Friday # 127 Creative Inspiration

Hi Everyone, there were so many great posts last week, you all are so talented, and I could feature so many more of your wonderful and inspiring posts. Loved all the Valentine ideas, hope you had a sweet one! Thanks so much for coming by each week to join in on the party. We're in for some wicked weather today, here in the Midwest. I know that so many of you have had more than your share of  "winter", but so far we had been spared. I'm going to post early in case we lose power. So, here are a few wonderful links from last week:

Amanda from One Girl in Pink created this

 lovely and feminine Trunk Transformation with ASCP.

Jeanette from Creating a Life shares a tutorial 

of her adorable Spring Baskets from Egg Cartons

uh huh...I'm really ready for Spring!

Sue from Country Roads Antiques 

always shares the great vignettes and spaces in her store.

She had me with these old watering cans...

 Yep, one of my weaknesses!

Melissa from DaisyMaeBelle

shared the inspiration behind this adorable fabric heart garland

Maryann from Interior Salvage recreated

a scrappy little bargain chair with a RH look.

And Kelly from Eclectically Vintage

shares her recipe and the "how-to" in making these 

yummy birdie treats.

Hope you'll join in today for the party with any inspiring post, vintage or new. 

Please have a link within your post to be featured.

And while you're out partying,

 please check out my other Friday Gal Pals.

See you when the storm is over...

xoxo,