Inspiration for our nest

I love bird nests. They are such beautiful works of art, with each one so unique, and each one woven with different found objects from nature. I started a small collection of nests when I lived in Maine. When I was packing up to return west, I gave my collection to my dear neighbor, who had a collection of her own. 

My husband Mike comes across a lot of abandoned nests when he's in the field for work. All of these nests are ones he has brought home to me over the years, which I tucked away for safe keeping. 

They are all so distinct, equally rugged yet graceful. Each fragment of their construction is so fragile on their own, yet woven together they collectively become strong.

This wirey nest is woven together with a mix of fine thread-like branches, what looks to be horse hair, with a little fishing twine thrown in for good measure. I found the robin's egg on one of our walks. On its back is a sweet little hole from which the robin chick popped out. 

This nest is an intricately woven wheat vessel.

 I love the wheat flower tucked in along the rim. 

Plastered with dry dense mud on its exterior, this clay nest is sturdy and strong. Feathery golden grass blankets the interior.

The plastered exterior. 

When Mike brought me this moss nest, it was almost electric green. Even now, several years later, it still smells like the damp lush Pacific Northwest woods. 

The downy moss. 

This is a Maine nest. It was the very first that I collected, and it is the only one I brought with me when I moved back west. She is one of my most sentimental momentos from Maine, reminding me of the many hours I spent in the Maine woods. 

This nest also reminds me of my dear neighbor in Maine. When I gave her my collection of nests, she shared with me a story about her mother who had recently passed away. Her mother loved birds, and made it her practice to always set the hair from her brush outside for the birds to use in their nests.

Her mother had been ill for several months and finally passed away in summer. By fall, my neighbor was closing her mother's estate and while walking in the garden, noticed a bird's nest visible through the barren autumn trees. When she looked closer at the nest tucked safely between the cradling branches, she saw that the sweet little nest was woven with beautiful white shimmering strands of her mother's hair. 

I'll never forget that story, especially when I see a nest and recognize all of the beautiful unique items used to create it. 

As someone who is passionate about the warmth and coziness of our home, I admire and respect the birds loving devotion to creating a warm and safe place to cradle their young. 

Lego Chess Set

Michael had a fever and a cough and missed one day of school this week. When the medicine kicks in and the fever is gone, usually the kids act like nothing happened and they are all fine.

I told him that his body still needed to rest, so I wanted him to go to his room and get some sleep...

While I was working in my room, I heard small noises coming from his room.

I immediately knew he was going through his Lego bin and was making something. I wanted him to be in his bed, but hey, he is quiet, I can get some work done... I just let him be.

A while later, he came to me with his creation in his hand and proudly said;

"Mom, look what I made!"

I wanted to tease him a little, so I said “I thought you were supposed to be in bed." with a straight face; but laughing inside. I felt like I was Candice from Phineas and Ferb... and said this out loud "BUSTED!"

His eyes were swimming in the air and had that look on his face like, "Ah... what do I say to get out of this."

I giggled and said "I am just kidding...You did awesome on this (even though there are two rows too many :) ) He gave me a big smile exclaiming, "MOM!" then asked me "Can you put this on your blog?"

I happen to be just like many of you that think my kids are awesome... I wanted to make his wish come true. That is why you are looking at the Lego chess set today. :)

---

If you haven't enter to win a $100 gift certificate to Olive Garden, go here to check it out!

Master Bedroom Progress Report

Over the past several months I have been slowly making changes to the master bedroom.  I thought it would be fun today to share a progress update as I have not shown any of the modifications that have been made except for the sneak peak teaser photo of the floor.

You may remember, the main reason for this redo was the “matchy matchy” furniture.  We purchased it years ago as a set – bed, two dressers, bench, mirror, and side table.  Since my decorating style has changed and I now prefer a collected look, I decided it was time make this room more in keeping with the rest of the house.

The first thing to go was the bench at the end of the bed.  It was replaced by a Craigsllst find which looks to be French and fairly old.  I loved the way the new to me bench looked when I bought it so I have left it as is. We then relocated the old bed to my son’s room and traded out bedside tables.  As you can see we still do not have a bed and it will most likely be months before we do.

We switched out the shiny brass ceiling fan for a pretty chandelier, replaced the dark wood shelf above the bed with a vintage starburst mirror, and removed the large mirror over the long dresser in favor of a painting by Jennifer Lanne.

The biggest change occurred a few weeks ago when the carpeting was replaced with hardwood floors in both the bedroom and the closet.  It is hard to tell from the pictures but the room looks and feels so much bigger and brighter.  I may change my mind later, but at this point I do not have plans to add a rug.

Besides the furniture, we also repainted the entire space.  We lightened up my favorite SW Aria Ivory paint by 50% and painted the ceiling BM White Dove.  Painting made such a big difference we have also decided to repaint the bathroom as well.

Below is a reminder of where we began.

Here is what the room looks like today.

Although I still have a few things I would like to do, overall I am so pleased with the progress we have made.  Thanks for following along.  I will be sure to let you know when more changes are made!