I revisited the Old Farmer’s Almanac site and noticed their recommendations re: Backyard birds.  With gardening tips, and birding, I have an enormous amount of reading!!  ~~  Isn’t that picture cute??  Not one of my pictures.  It arrived with dozens of other interesting pictures–from one of my blog followers.

My dreams–and plans–just get better (and bigger) every day!!  I read about “hanging gardens“ and think I’ll graduate to several pails and several plants!!  Hard to believe but I already have a pipe framework similar to the one in the picture.  I bought them (pipe) in 2004 when I was camping in Quartzsite, Arizona, selling EcoQuest air purifiers and water filters.  Reportedly, over a million RVers congregate near Quartzsite, on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, November through February.  Folks flee the harsh weather in the Northern states, and Canada, for Arizona’s wonderful winters.  Back to the topic of pipe framework(s): I bought… from hardware stores, in tents, with everything imaginable.  I bought, and created, extra signs.  I improvised an awning to protect my merchandise from the occasional rain.

It is irrational when you think about the fact that long links of galvanized pipe, and fixtures, were moved from Quartzsite to Lancaster, California, to Ohio, and Ohio to Shelby, North Carolina.  From a PODS storage to Waxhaw, North Carolina.  This Spring and Summer I may put them back in service!!  At least, at this moment, the project is intriguing.  Yes, I already suspect that my furry and feathered friends might steal my veggies.  ~~  I think I’m ready for the challenge!!

Too cold to work outside in the yard!! Extremely cold weather after months of a mild Winter. So I did a few “creative” things with baskets–in preparation for Spring. I recently purchased The Joy of Birding, A Beginners Guide, by Kate Kowinski. I’m learning a lot for my bird watching experience. Cardinals will nest in a cavity with an open front. (The last picture [above] is a decoration [from Garden Ridge] of a Cardinal on a nest.)  I’m creating such an environment with baskets and a wood bowl (on the left, first picture). Next to the bowl, a bamboo box that entered my apartment full of exotic tea bags.  I thought it would be nice to return the bamboo to nature.  The basket on a limb is just an example of what I will do in the nearby woods.  In the future I should be able to report back regarding the birds’ acceptance of my offerings.  ~~  While working on projects, a big kettle of homemade beans was simmering.  Yum yum!!  Smells good, too!!

Forty-four degrees when I ventured out (briefly) at 3:00 PM to fill the sunflower seeds feeders. My weather channel reports 44 “but feels like 34.”

Scrapes of paper, cotton from nutritional supplement bottles, string, and ripped rags to assist the birds building a nest–in a new clean suet feeder. I read this suggestion in The Joy of Birding, A Beginner’s Guide.

Postscript, 1:00 PM Sunday 2/12/12: A cold and windy 37 degrees when I drilled a hole, for the hook, for the nesting material. I was anxious to complete another project!! The container is outside my patio door, under the eave (so things [hopefully] won’t get wet) where I’ll be able to see the birds appropriate stuff for their nest.

Actually, it is 5:00 PM, Monday, February, 13th.  I wanted this to follow Burr-r-r-r it’s cold!!  ~~  I shopped three Thrift Shops today (after my trip to the chiropractor).  Here are the purchases that were quite inexpensive (compared to my previous retail-store purchases).  What a stroke of good fortune to find the wreath of straw.  I anticipate the birds will take straw for a nest.  Several more woven-wood baskets.  A new “top” for one old wrought-iron post.  (You’ll see it in use, in the near future.)  A small butterfly house that may never house a butterfly.  That one was one-tenth the cost of similar houses at bird supply retail stores.  The scarecrow is so cute; I couldn’t resist him!!  ~~  Do you think I’m entitled to say: “If I supply it, they (birds & butterflies) will come”??  Time will tell!!

Postscript, 6:00 PM: The sun is down but there is still some daylight.  There are–without exaggeration–over fifty birds on the feeders and scratching for seed in the grass.  I throw bird seed in the yard early each morning and hope the birds have found  all… before evening.  The squirrels, raccoons and possum search, too, and (frankly) I want to ration the furry critters.

I’ve spent a small fortune on bird feeders and “seed & feed” for my fine feathered and furry friends. Now I have some major medical expense so my elaborate spending is curtailed!! Instead of a $45. umbrella stand (at Sam’s Club), I spent $11. for two “bells” (as in bar bells) from Goodwill. I know that hanging baskets can be heavy and I don’t want to risk hanging them from the eave. (I don’t want to create damage to a rented apartment.)  I’m planning to attempt planting tomatoes in one of those upside-down planters. So-o-o-o, poles pounded in the ground might topple over in the wind, or from their own weight. It is my hope that the “bells” will help hold the pole in place. Time will tell!!  The pictures are simply an illustration of something I will do in the yard–when the weather warms up.  My upside-down planter was “free” from another JAARS resident.  I have a $5. bag of organic planter soil.  Tomato plants shouldn’t cost very much?! If you read the link (above) you’ll see that the planter can do double-duty. So I’ll transplant one or two Nasturtium plants to the top of the planter!! ~~ Question: Have I taken my backyard projects to the extreme?? Is it time to say “enough”??

Three superfood recipes.  You’ll only find me trying the following recipe.  I’ll eat my beets plain; I’ll skip the cobbler!!

Kale and White Bean Stew
Serves 4

This is the “three-year anniversary“ of a major revelation.  I was so sick, I thought I would die!!  On February 9th, 2009, I sat at the computer determined to find a solution to my health problem.  Click on the “anniversary” link (above) and read the details.  My Acute Ozone Poisoning Experience Published on Consumer Affairs web site.  All the details were published in an article titled Indoor Ozone Poisoning from EcoQuest Ozone Generators. (Of minor importance: The last reference should not have brought up the document in a word-processing program!! Another change [previously unknown to me] that Google inserted into Blogspot. It just reinforces my frustration with Google Blogspot!! I’m “counting my blessings” that I found WordPress!!)

Did you see the segment regarding whole grain on ABC Evening News with Diane Sawyer??  She directed the viewer to a web site with additional information.  I’ve been an advocate of reading labels.  Diane’s piece reinforced how “sneaky” the manufacturers are!!  Check out this guide to decoding ingredients on grain products.

Yesterday I purchased organic potting soil, and some inexpensive planters.  Today I planted nasturtium seeds.  Nasturtium flowers are good in salads!!  Dandelions are good to eat, too.  I almost picked numerous dandelions that bloomed overnight. Maybe tomorrow?!  FYI: I’m growing Alfalfa sprouts, too.

Are you bored with my trivia??