Who Would Have Thought?!?!

We have enjoyed watching American Idol Season 10 from the auditions right up to the finals. It's fun to follow a favorite contestant throughout the competition. This year I became of fan of Scotty McCreery right from the start. Country music has never been at the top of my playlists. Well ... maybe when we vacation in eastern Oregon. I'll turn on the radio and that's about all there is to listen to in Enterprise : ) But while this competition has been going on, the songs Scotty has selected have become some of my new favorites. Today while strolling through Borders with my 50% +10% coupon/deal I discovered this CD and checked out at the service desk. Final price $4.09! LOVE it ... and I'm enjoying the new music. Who would have thought?!?!?

Spring On the Corner of Nighty-eighth and Siletz

Yes ... despite a season of cooler temps and ongoing rain our property is bursting with color and new life. I love getting out in the yard ... planting, weeding and tending the plants and flowers. It's amazing what a few hours of "garden therapy" can do for your mental health on a stressful day; the joy of listening to audiobooks and music as you dig, rake and clean flowerbeds; a moment to visit with a neighbor after a long winter of isolation; the satisfaction of a garden well tended. I am looking forward to sunny days but in the meantime I will have to make the most of each opportunity.
"The fair-weather gardener, who will do nothing except when the wind and weather and everything else are favorable, is never master of his/her craft."-- Henry Ellacombe

Easter Art

This year while shopping for Easter basket goodies we were looking for something fun ... not necessarily sugar-laden treats. Since Colin loves arts & crafts we discovered Crayola Washable Window Markers. They are perfect for decorating and drawing on windows, frames and mirrors ... and the colors wash off.
Colin wanted to try them out so he left a cute little message on our patio door. What grandma wouldn't love this great artwork?!?!
I wish we would have had these when our kids were young. I recall one son in his creative toddler years drawing green grass on our white baseboards. Just think of how much he would have enjoyed this instead!
Check out this fun product here.

Angry Birds ... LIVE

I have been addicted to the Angry Bird app on my iPhone ... I love playing and have nearly beat all levels including Rio and Seasons. But we have also been dealing with a live version of angry birds this spring with the attack of Flickers on our home!
One of the first signs of spring … waking up at daylight to Flickers drumming on our chimney. These birds drum to communicate/attract a mate or proclaim territory. They will return year after year to the same house and they are hard to get rid of.
After much research on the internet I found many suggestions from homeowner to pest control company strategies. Here are a few things to try:
• hang strips of Mylar foil/balloons in front of the area of activity
• hang aluminum pie pans
• staple large black rubber spiders to your siding
• scare the flicker by shouting and banging pans
• play loud rock music
• squirt water with a garden hose
• create a barrier by covering/wrapping gutter, downspout etc.
• repel flickers by applying a commerce, nontoxic spray
• plastic owls
In reviewing all the suggestions listed above my biggest concern would be ... what are the neighbors thinking about our new behavior?!?!?! We do have foil strips hanging on the south side of our house and boards nailed here and there ... already that is enough to make fellow homeowners wonder, "What in the world is going on at the corner of Siletz?"
If you have a great idea for discouraging these birds from taking over our home, please share! We are running out of patience!
Credits:
Font: CK Fraternity, CK Keystroke, Crunchy Taco, Diesel
Paper: Papercamerontags Moonletter3
Journaling Tag: Redju Journaling 2

Easter Celebration

This year we hosted a family brunch after Easter church service. Our menu revolved around a Waffle Bar theme. I did a little research online and found some great topping ideas and side dishes. Here's a few of our favorites: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas, fresh pineapple, peaches, creamed honey, peanut butter, Nutella, candied pecans, crushed waffle cones, powdered sugar, raspberry jam, whipped cream, maple syrup, buttermilk syrup, fruit syrup and colorful sprinkles. What fun we had customizing our own waffle delight! In addition we had a spiral ham, Homebased Mom Breakfast Potatoes and egg casserole.
And to top off our family event we celebrated April birthdays with a layered cake and ice cream ... a very filling day.
The Waffle Bar was a great idea and something I would repeat with company for brunch after church one Sunday. If you think of any toppings, please let me know. I would like to expand my list. Just thinking about it ... doesn't caramel topping sound wonderful?!?
What a great day to be with family and celebrate "He is Risen!"
Credits:
Template: LJD 122
WordArt: AEdwards Easter Blessing
Font: Georgia, ChromosoneLight, An Unfortunate Event
Paper: CC Cook gokit paper stripyellite