An Evening in the Garden

I'm so sorry for the absence.  It's summertime and both girls are out of school.  I'm lucky if I turn my computer on each couple of days. Tonight the girls and I planted some new seeds in the garden and I noticed the lighting was nice so I ran in to grab my camera.  Here are a few shots.  I hope to be back sooner rather than later!

Pollinating the cucumbers....

A topside view of Sophie's sunflower.

The zucchini forest.

The lovely pot that Sophie & I planted.

Red geraniums are one of my favorites.  Look closely and you'll see a spiderweb that appeared overnight.

I planted my tomatoes super late this year but they're coming along....

And my most favorite gardening project of all.  Milkweed.  I hope it works.  Won't you help me help the monarchs?  Seen any so far? 

What's up in your garden?

Space for Rent!

It's not that unusual to see bluebirds hanging out in the yard or at the feeders.

....So I thought it was about time to put up a bluebird house that my Dad made for me.

I should probably tell you that he gave it to me in, I think, 2011.  But I had a newborn and no idea how or where to install the house.  Fast forward to early March of 2014.....and I realized I really wanted the bluebirds to nest in our yard.  I headed to my favorite bird store and was amazed to find that they sell a kit!  I even managed to install the birdhouse myself!  Notice the little blue feeder I bought so that I could try to entice the bluebirds with mealworms.

Within a few hours of putting the house up, the bluebirds found the mealworms and started feasting.  Much to my delight, they spent about a week checking out the house.  I'd walk out into the yard to find a bluebird hanging on the house with his/her head sticking in the hole (and I know I took a picture of just that but I now can't find it anywhere ~ I just spent 30 minutes looking through all my files!).

Well, much to my dismay, the bluebirds passed on my house.  I was so bummed.

But then....

.....a sweet little wren decided the house was just perfect!

I've been studying her ever since.  She stays very busy!  For the first week, I watched as she carried stick after stick after stick into the little hole.  It was truly fascinating!  The girls and I would sit chairs out on the lawn and drink juice and eat snacks as she worked.  I mean honestly....who needs TV?

One day, while the sweet wren was away looking for food, we opened the house. I couldn't believe my eyes.....

I don't know about you but I've never seen a nest like that before!

It took a little while but, within the last few days, I heard the first sound of babies calling out to their Mama.  The sweetest sounds.

Now Mama's on double and triple shift.  I've never seen ANYONE work that hard, except for maybe myself.  Ha!

Last night, I was so pleased to take the below photos after she captured a grasshopper. Those babies must have LOVED feasting on such a gourmet treat!

I'm so happy she came to live at our house!  

Am I a little disappointed that the bluebirds didn't choose to stay?  I can't lie, I am.

But then I go outside and watch this Mama hard at work.....and I listen to her beautiful song.....I try over and over again to take her picture.....and I realize that she is also a gift.  The sweet little wren makes this Mama incredibly happy.

I can't wait to meet her babies!

Thank you, Dad ~ the bluebird/wren house is truly one of my favorite gifts ever.....and it means so much to me that you built it yourself!  XOXO