Archive for November, 2009
Often times, when buying someone a gift, the thought you put into purchasing it matters more than the gift itself. For example, if someone loves birds, try finding that perfect decorative birdhouse to shelter their flying friends! I know that I love animals, and if anyone were to get me a gift, I would be impressed if it was something addressing my favorite creatures. This could be anything, from a birdhouse to a cat tree, it matters most that they had my thoughts in mind.
There are some many pet gifts available in the stores these days that it can be hard to choose which one is best for your loved one. Find something out of the ordinary, like a cute little casino-themed bird house. The recipient will be charmed that you spent the time to pick out something perfect for the feathered friends in their back yards.
In the past few months, my husband and I have been remodeling and improving our home in the hopes of selling it. We had attempted to do the very same thing around this time last year, but the housing bubble burst and the economy forced us to change course. This time we’re determined to make the house as desirable to potential buyers as possible. As much as interior design and amenities matter, I realized that the exterior of the home must look good for people to even set foot through the front door.
We began with a small landscaping job in the backyard and garden area, then bought solar lighting to highlight the new dimension and depth of the space even at night. To spruce things up even further, I found some decorative garden stakes that truly complemented the flora I had planted earlier in the year. At this rate, we should be bringing potential buyers to the property in droves.
Every day there are many negative events in the daily news and stress in our lives. Making or buying garden décor will help to counterbalance these. A whimsical wind chime, a decorative stake, a garden statue or a birdhouse gives us something pleasant focus on when the stress starts mounting up.
Garden accents help a person to create meaning and inspiration in their lives as they put time and effort into their lawns and gardens in such a way to reflect their deepest thoughts and feelings
Your Garden Decor is only limited by your imagination. As an ardent potter, I have many beautiful vessesl that don’t make it to the final finished stage without a mishap. Sometimes the casserole lid is glazed on tight, or the piece develops a crack in the firing. I decided to create a ‘Garden of Injured Pots’.
I can use some of the cracked vessels as flower pots - one holds my gazing ball. The shallow containers become birdfeeders - or should I say ’squirrel’ since they are so easily accessable to the little critters. So let your imagination soar, and make your garden a reflection of your personality!
Along with your birdfeeders, Suet is an important winter food for birds. It provides the fat and energy they need to survive the cold weather. Suet can be purchased raw from a butcher.
To render suet, finely chop it and heat in a large pan over medium heat until it liquefies. Strain through fine cheesecloth into a bowl and let cool until it hardens. Heat and strain suet one more time to ensure that it will cake properly when mixed with birdseed.
Mix together 5 pounds mixed wild birdseed, 2 pounds rendered suet, 1 pound dried cranberries and 1 pound raw peanuts (shelled). Firmly pack mixture into plastic containers, placing a loop of twine down the center of each container, for hanging. Freeze until hard (minimum of 2 hours to overnight). Unmold and hang each using twine loops.
When you think of lawn décor, do you think of gnomes and birdbaths? Garden décor can contain a wide variety, from birdhouses and birdfeeders to wind chimes and banners.
Your own personal touch in your yard and garden will highlight natures beauty while adding flavor to you overall garden design.