Tiny Nest

With spring just around the corner all things new and fresh are on my mind. The new leaves on the trees, the daffodils lining the walkways, the robins turning their heads to listen for the noisiest worms.  All these things we look forward to each year.  This year I could help but hurry up spring just a little by creating the sweetest signs of springs which are bird nest.

These tiny nest are my latest creations.  Made from wire, pearls or beads.  Turned into jewelry with a pin back or earring hoop.  A sure sign of the wonderful things to come.

Nests

Think Spring

Nothing speaks spring better than a bird nest.  When walking this morning through the neighborhood, I noticed many trees with the tiniest of blooms. Just waiting to burst into the world and welcome spring with their bright greens.  But as I looked through the many trees that I passed, I again noticed the empty bird nests left over from last spring and summer.  I have enjoyed these nest in the dreary months of cold weather.  They are a constant reminder of what is to come but also a reminder that things are always changing.  It may be the weather, or seasons or it could be the home that you are living in.  Whatever the changes that you are going through, remember the bird nest.  Always visible when things may be dark and dreary but a small reminder that with every winter comes spring and better days ahead.

Find the Joy in you

I might not be the most beautiful or the sexiest...Nor have the perfect body...I might not be anyone's first choice...but I am a Great choice...I don't pretend to be someone else...cause I am too good at being me...I might not be proud of some things I've done...but I am proud of who I am today...Take me as I am or don...'t take me at all...COPY AND REPOST IF YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE BEING YOU!!

　

How many of you have ever had a bird build it's nest right at your front door? It always amazes me that that little creature has searched the area, she has probably made an assessment of other places and has found your front door area to be the best spot to "raise a family". Years ago, I had a nice big bird feeder standing on a pole right outside of our breakfast window. My daughters and I watched in amazement as a robin spent a couple or more days fashioning the most adorable nest on our bird feeder. It was one of those feeders with the food all stored in the middle and a sort of wrap around porch for the food to spill out on. Well, that robin spent alot of time scaring off the other birds as she brought in all the materials for her new home. Our favorite part of the building of the nest was after she had woven a beak full of straw and sticks into the nest. She would then sit inside the nest and press down the materials with her body. She would spend much time with that little tail high in the air as she pressed and smoothed and made sure that that nest would be prefect for the family she was planning. We watched as she sat on her little eggs so loyally. Hardly every leaving those little blue eggs. When the baby birds emerged we watched in awe as she fed each one and kept their nest clean. We were observing one morning when she had left the nest to get food for her precious cargo. One of the little chicks was evidently feeling adventurous and stepped out of the nest. He was half around the wrap around porch when Mom came home with his lunch. What we witnessed has ever been ingrained into my and my children's minds. That mother Robin "gave that little chick the NEWS". All the squawking and goings on! It was quite comical but also a lesson to me and my kids. Moms have a big responsibility to their families. This mother Robin put on quite a display making sure that baby knew what he had done wrong and who was in charge. The amazing thing is that I never saw that baby leave the nest again. Then one morning they were just all gone. I saved that little nest as a reminder to me.

It is a reminder that the home is worth what you put into it. No matter how large or how small. Each home is there to show love and security to those we raise. There are hard times and thank goodness alot of wonderful times. Nevertheless, our homes are precious. As we decorate our homes to make them our own little paradise I hope that you will remember Shabby Lane Antiques for maybe somewhere to go and find some piece of heaven to take back to your little nest.

27 Dresses

27 Dresses

This past year before my middle child was turning 16, she came to me one night, notebook in hand, to discuss her Sweet 16 Birthday Party. Quite a shock to me since I still view her as 6. And quite frankly believed that Jesus would come back before I had to face the fact that any of my children would drive. Anyway, she sat down on my bed and said she wanted to have a themed party but wanted for me to help her out with a theme. She had come up with several ideas. Several of those ideas were good, but not different. Not something that had never been done before or would be something fun and exciting. Also, challenging was the fact that I had little or no money. So, after several days of contemplating and going through party books and the internet we found nothing. Then, somehow, it hit me. 27 Dresses. Don’t know if any of you remember the movie where she was a bridesmaid 27 times. The idea was a hit.
So we sent out 27 invitations. The invitations stated that the dress could not be new and could not be something that they had worn before. She especially liked that idea because, like me she if very cost conscious and did not want parents to view this party as a big expense. (Thoughts like, OH NO, another expensive party to go to)
Well as you might imagine, the party was a hit. A picture was taken as each of the girls arrived. Each dress, was adorable. And surprisingly, each girl had followed directions. At the beginning of the party each girl had to reveal where they got their dresses. Many had borrowed the dress but over half had found their dress in a thrift store like GoodWill. And each of these girls was amazed that their dress had only cost a few dollars and most stated how much fun it had been to go out with their mom to find the dress.
And so, my hidden a agenda was a success. As an owner of an antique store, I am quite aware of the stigma that might go along with only having things that are old and used.