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,

Give Away Winner and Top Visited Links from Be Inspired

Time to share the top visited links from last week's Valentine Party. Numbers of visitors were down because we all were busy lovin' on our sweethearts, but we had a great turn out in party links. Nothing could be better than making our families feel the love!

 Olive Out shared her wonderful thrifted curtains in an

English Cabbage Rose created with a no-sew method.

Just Beautiful!

Jennifer's home from Town and Country Living 

was featured in an Italian Magazine.

Such a gorgeous photo spread of her wonderful home!

And Julia from Vintage With Laces  had been busy creating her beautiful signature hearts with Valentines and Vignettes. I know what an artist she is...I have one of her lovely lacey hearts!!

And congratulations to Tina from Ruffles and Relics! She's our lucky winner of the Gift Certificate from EpicLinen. I'll be in touch Tina, with your special Gift code.

And just a note about tomorrow's Be Inspired Link Party. It's predicted that we're in for a whopper of an ice storm, as I think many of us across the U. S. are hearing. The Weather Center is predicting power outages due to heavy ice buildup and wind; something Missouri is familiar with. We've had two major ice storms in the last six years, so at least we know how to prepare and what to expect. One storm we were out for 3 days, the other for 5 or 6. Anyway, I'll try to get a link party up and scheduled even if it's a little on the light side. Join in if you aren't one of us that's hunkering down with the shivers. Stay safe and warm!

xoxo,

A little touch of Spring...

Nothing like a day or two in the 50's to get me started thinking about Spring. And since Easter is a little early this year, I thought I'd try to get a few things changed up. My hallway sideboard is where most of the Valentine goodies had been displayed so naturally, it had to be first. I like to start with clean slate, so I just take everything off of it and hopefully, I come up with something different.

The outside of this wreath was the one I had up during the Holidays, just a basic organic, mossy wreath, but for Spring it needed some color, and before I knew it a moss covered bunny had nestled itself inside. A small forsythia wreath and a petite bundle of blooms filled it out. If you remember, this big gold frame held the faux chalkboard, that now I just popped out to be open against the old window.

The galvanized chalkboard drawer also stayed, and now it's holding my sweet Easter Greeting and an ironstone pitcher filled with faux mini tulips.

This is a moss covered rabbit I found at Michael's a few years ago, who fits perfectly inside the old wicker basket.

Not a good photo, 

but my rabbit casserole on an old ironstone platter.

This is as far as I've gotten with the Spring decorating, as yesterday I got knocked down with the flu. I thought that maybe I was going to escape it...but no... At least I've had my Downton Abbey Season 2 to keep me company. Between a fever and all those episodes, I've found myself  "thinking" in Mrs. Hughs voice. sad...so very sad. And I won't even start on Matthew's tragic demise.

OK, happier thoughts!!!

Have you entered the Give Away for the Gift Certificate?

It ends tonight!

just click here

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Timewashed for Blissful Whites

No Minimalist Here for Open House Party
Stone Gable for TTT
Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt
The Charm of Home 
Jennifer Rizzo
French Country Cottage

xoxo,

The Marketplace: Etsy and Online Shopping Party

Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Time to join  the party
with all your Etsy items and Online Shops.
Here are just a few of the fun links from last week:

Moss Covered Chalkboard TableMarker

Karen Mary Butterfly

Shabby Cottage Serving Dish

from StellabyStar

Dreams Heart Pendant

from Mammabellarte

Rustic French Country Key Holder

from Where the Grass is Green

Rose Floral Tole Trays

VintageGoodness1

Just checking to see if you've entered 

the Give Away with EpicLinen 

for a $30 Gift Certificate and 20% off Discount Code.

just click here!

Remember, this is a link party for items that are For Sale, only. Link up to 3 items from your shop or store with individual links to purchase, if possible. A blog post about your items will also work, if you're selling. And if you're here to shop, then we're so glad to have you! And since this link is open all week, be sure to check back throughout the week for new listings.

Have fun browsing...