Month: December 2012
Tray DIY
I drop off donations at the back door of the Hospice Thrift Shop in Homosassa Springs and then go in the front door and look for things I don’t need. Such a silly cycle. But I’m always on the hunt for trays. They are so useful, can be updated easily, and are really expensive at retail. This treasure was marked $12.50 but the store was having a 20% discount. I was especially thrilled with the really cool lucite handles.
So thrilled that I let it sit on my workbench for about six weeks. Finally yesterday I had some inspiration to get it DONE! (Nothing like having a party looming to get me inspired!) First the handles had to be removed. Some sanding, a coat of primer on the inside of the tray since I wasn’t sure what the material was, then a couple coats of Krylon Metallic paint. When I put the handles back on I realized that they were brass. Really tarnished but I could see the brass color inside the lucite part. Cool. Got the Brasso out. Shined those babies up. Perfect!
I love it sitting on the liquor cabinet. I picked up that little pretty while shopping with Michelle at Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza in Mt. Dora. I wanted to just clean up the cabinet and restore the original finish but it was too damaged. Some wood putty, sanding, a couple coats of Kilz Primer followed by Pewter Gray spray paint. Voila! Bar!
I posted about the magnetic chalkboard back in August. I’ve been browsing Pinterest and the blogosphere looking for something Christmasy to put on the chalkboard–clever but not gushy sentimental. I found this idea on one of the many blogs I follow, Our Fifth House. Basically, just draw a tree and use clipon earrings as ornaments. I took old broken jewelry and stuck magnets on the back and onto the tree. So much easier than the real thing–but doesn’t smell as good!
Went to a “wine” tasting at ABC Liquor in Crystal River with a bunch of neighbors this week. Fun! Along with wine, there was plenty of beer and liquors to taste. Picked up these yummy liquid delights for the holidays!
And these are my drunk reindeer. Thought it was appropriate that they be included on the bar!
So happy I was finally inspired to finish the tray. I love how it looks and will love using it for all my festive gatherings over the next month. Cheers!
Birds in the Back
My yard was a crazy hub of bird activity yesterday. We always have many more birds hanging out in our backyard in the winter than in the warmer months.
This robin is on lookout. He doesn’t actually eat from the bird feeder. He’s here because of the bird bath and our cedar trees. There are dozens of robins hopping around the yard and perched in the trees. I call these guys the “scouts”. They’re checking out the water and food supplies for the masses of robins migrating through in a few weeks.
Cardinals like the sunflower seeds in the bird feeder. I’ve tried different mixes of bird seed but the birds usually just push it out–to the greedy fat squirrels waiting below.
When we put up our first bird feeder the squirrels were getting quite chunky. They not only climbed the pole, they jumped out of trees and launched off of a light fixture to get to the seeds. Our neighbor, Ernie, suggested that we use a large diameter PVC pipe painted with glossy paint because the squirrels can’t climb it. Ernie, who passed away this past summer, also made the bird feeder and liked to bring me plants–along with all kinds of advice.
These black vultures were checking out something in the sawgrass. While I was trying to see what they were watching, I didn’t notice the bald eagle flying overhead until it was almost too late.
The vultures moved to the dead palm trees to get a better view.
My last bird sighting yesterday was a pileated woodpecker.
It was a good day in Maggie’s Big Back Yard.