Operation Bluebird

Before moving to our slightly more rural lodgings here in Rockland County, we lived in Brooklyn, NYC. Some might think there isn't much in the way of wildlife to be had in the city - but they'd be wrong. A little wrong anyway! Growing up in Scotland where wildlife is abundant, I certainly had that opinion of city living, enforced after a spell living in London where all I saw were pigeons and on one occasion a fox. However in Brooklyn we regularly had a large possum in our back yard, so much so we named him Pete! We had the (dis)pleasure of meeting several racoons, and the joy of being able to feed Cardinals and Blue Jays most days. There were the usual finches and once even a bright yellow Goldfinch. One of the draws for me about moving out of the city was definitely being able to see more wildlife. We haven't been disappointed. So far we've been treated to many visits from deer, rabbits, skunk (not so welcome!), groundhogs, turkey vultures, hawks and coyotes. But it's the small birds I love. Apart I might say from owls which will always be welcome, especially of the Great Horned variety. In the bird department we have many different Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Carolina Wrens, Hermit Wrens, Tufted Titmouse, Hummingbirds, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Black Eyed Juncos, Oriole,  Robins... and a lot more that I'm forgetting! But there is one we do not have, even though they are all over the Hudson Valley - the Bluebird. So my mission this year is to finally get one here - you know how it goes - photo or it didn't happen!

I'm going to start by putting a nesting box out front on a very large, old maple, it faces the house and has an expansive piece of grassland out there, conditions I've heard they like. The pond is in sight if they fly around a bit, and I'll put out some meal worms.. apparently that's what they eat. Not sure what else to do but I'm crossing my fingers that will be enough!

a chill in the air

To consider we had temps touching 80f last week brrr not so this week! It's in the 40s today and there was a hard frost last night.  According to the weather forecast tomorrow on is to be back 60s high 50s.. and I'm really hoping that this is the absolute last cold day of Winter - or Spring as it is now! I have racks of plants waiting to be planted outside, and some are starting to get a bit leggy argh. I will be planting more today some lovely Canterbury Bells, Snapdragons and Asters. Tomorrow I'll be out all day sorting out where my raised beds will be going, as I want to get them ready for planting after Easter.  I need to take measurements for edging too, as right now I'm doing it with logs - and with the threat of those nasty termites ever present - don't want to keep that there for long! There are beautiful Hyacinth popping up all over the place, daffodils, tulips, bluebells and the peonies that sprung up last week are now a good 12 inches tall!

Haven't seen a hummingbird yet - but I'm ever hopeful! Spent most of the weekend choosing patio furniture - so hard when they all seem to look the same - but I think I've settled on this Martha Stewart set from the Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202497395&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=202497395&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D28X-_-202497395

I like that all the chairs are swivel, I also like the tabletop very much. Not sure I'm keen on the linen effect chairs but at least I don't need to buy cushions for it! I also want a small bistro or what they call a conversations et for the top deck - basically a sofa, 2 chairs and a low table.  Then there's the BBQ to consider.  We have a gas hookup outside - but there's something about cooking on coals that makes it more authentic - after all I have an amazing 5 ring burner in my kitchen so why would I put one outside too? I'm launching a new hair flower range - Maribella Rose next week.  Really need to step to it picking what colors and themes I'm going with, and I plan to do the first show of the season at Spring-fest in Nyack, so there's that to organize too.. then there's always laundry and cleaning, and unpacking, and making lists for the home side of the renos - back to the grindstone!

Happy First Day of Spring!

It is finally here - it's official! Although it feels like it's been Spring here in New York since January, today is the day. The first day of Spring! I had quite an exciting day, put up my Hummingbird Feeder, after seeing they've already been spotted in Connecticut - so any minute they could be at my feeder! The chain I had bought was silver, and knowing that birds don't like silver I spray painted it red - the Hummingbird attractor color.  I can see it from my desk, so I've been glancing out every time I sit down!  Spent around 4 hours clearing cleaves and branches out back, and reset all my paths with stones.  I took down the bird feeders over the deck, going to put them lower on the tree so we can be a poop free zone (well as much as possible).. Oh and when I walked up the path to get the children from the school bus - boom - there they were - around 5 or 6 peony bushes, each with loads of shoots popping up! I love Peonies - they are my favorite flower, so to discover there are Peonies here just about made me day.  Now to thoughts of tomorrows excitements and adventures,  I can't wait.

Happy Mothering Sunday

I feel blessed and lucky to have had and still have my Mother.  She is a whole ocean of knowledge and creativity, and without her constant support and advice I wouldn't be the person I am today. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there - not just the ones across the pond in the homeland I miss so much. 

In bramble cottage news - I planted my first rose yesterday! It felt good to see it there, next to the 1/3 dug pond, with a good 3 feet all around it - plenty of room for it to flourish into something wonderful.  I'm to plant my second today - and hope to blow all those now ugly brown leaves off the space I'm working on.  Maybe I'll do more of the pond too. As it's cloudy today I can't chart the sun as I was going to - need to make sure I have the morning light for my area I plan to make into the vegetable garden before I build the picket fence and raised beds.  The Hummingbirds are almost in Virginia! They've come so far, so fast, that I keep glancing out the window expecting to see one at any minute.  I want to put a big hanging basket of Fuchsias outside the front door - so I can catch glimpses from my computer desk.  Also need to hang the chain and hook for the feeder outside the living-room window.  Have a wonderful Sunday.