Decorating for Valentine's

(Screen shot from a Google search)

This is just a sampling of what I found on Google as I was looking for inspiration to decorate for Valentine's Day.

I've seen so many pretty things on so many blogs, that I decided to get busy, decorate for Valentine's, and invite guests in for dinner.

So what's on the menu?

Black sunflower seed, an assortment of other seed, suet, and cranberries. This is Cranberry Morning, after all.

It was an extremely bright day and a bit difficult to get decent photos.

One of our first guests - rather cautious...

...followed by his mate and a couple brave little finches

If I already told you this story, stop me. But when our five year old grandson was staying with us, we were looking through the bird book, looking first at woodpeckers and blue jays. Then we came to the cardinal. 

Me: Do you know what this bird is?

Him: It's a Red Jay

Me: Hmm. Well actually, it's a cardinal.

Him: No, it's actually a Red Jay. It's just called a cardinal.

How can you argue with that?? :-)

It was SO much fun to have a five year old with us for the week. I love the five year old mind. It's a chuckle a minute.

Either the chickadee was having second thoughts once he saw the cardinal, or this is just before he landed. I'm not sure. I was several yards away, hiding behind a wheelbarrow, trying to be invisible.

Mr. Red-bellied Woodpecker and Chickadee

 Mr. Blue Jay
Not to be confused with Red Jay.

Crab Apple Tree Feeder

Spooked. Birds in flight!

Suet Feeder
Mrs. Hairy Woodpecker

Have you decorated for Valentine's?

Are you inviting guests for dinner? Let me warn you: Mine had terrible table manners and there was even some bickering, but I'll have to admit that they were all dressed beautifully for the occasion.

I'm going to go work on my Valentines. I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Oh wait!  Before I sign off, I hear that some of you missed Downton Abbey last night. Here are a couple photos from the most recent episode:

If those girls of his would ease up on the wardrobe,

Lord Grantham's finances might not be such an issue.

Mary's and Edith's costuming has been fantastic this season.

photos Telegraph.co.uk

I think she's only got a couple more episodes to decide to marry Tom.

This is not looking good, is it.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

Cooking and Crafting with JJ 

You're Gonna Love it Tuesday

Roses of Inspiration

A Creative Princess
Freedom Fridays

Saturday's Critters

Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE
 

Midnight Jasmine
Natural Vegan Soap

Large 4.5-5 oz. bars
Only natural colorants, no oxides
Moisturizing, with a delicious fragrance


...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch


and at


Our ETSY Shop

Evening and Morning at the Bird Feeders

 Juncos at the Bird Feeder

See the little fella perched on top?

What? A lamp in the bird feeder? I took this photo about 4 PM. Check the photo below to see 'the rest of the story.'

 I loved how the sinking sun threw light onto the glass of the bird feeder, and of course I had to grab my camera. Late afternoon light is fleeting, and a few seconds makes all the difference.

Finches, Junco, and Chickadee

They're eating what the others kick from the feeder.

 You two can actually eat together?

Desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess.

Bluejay and Cardinal

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The four preceding photos were taken early morning.

Do you feed the birds?  It's not exactly cheap, but our first real snow arrived November 10. Where else would the birds find food with all this snow cover? Birds are such beautiful creatures.  I'm so thankful that our loving and generous God gave us birds to enjoy. I'm also thankful that my husband has never called bird seed 'shredded money, ' as he has nicknamed the dog food. Grrrr.

***

Check out my handcrafted, vegan soaps!

Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE

Mandarin Orange Spice

Olde Thyme Christmas

Figgy Pudding

Christmas Soaps

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

HomemadeSoapNSuch

and at

Our ETSY Shop 

Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters