OMG, I missed this also! I saw a couple of *beginnings* in an email but these are great, absolutely, you better keep an eye on that combed bird when I leave next time, lol 8^) I don't have any bottles, the only thing I ever did with them was border the big beds at the old place I asked my neighbor to start saving his beer bottles and in less than 2 months I had more than I needed, hehehe They weren't small beds either Pam I love your tree, where are these beautiful blue bottles coming from, I saw the bud platinum, where else?

Hi everyone. Hope you are all keeping warm. I have to admit, we haven't even really seen winter at its worse, but already I am sick and tired of snow. I am seriously considering moving somewhere where there is no snow. I can always come back to visit. All the boxes are great. Love to hear what everyone has sent and the enthusiasm of the recipient. I agree Shirley, it's like Christmas. Speaking of christmas. My tree is still alive and going strong. I put it outside in the stand, of course the water is frozen solid and under a foot or two of snow. We strung berries and oranges and nuts, pinecones slathered in peanut butter and then rolled in seed, all over the tree. The birds are going insane to say the least. I haven't wintersowed a thing. i decided this year i'll just go out and sprinkle seeds everywhere. i was getting prepared but then we got hit with the first snow and then the next one and then the cold and then more snow...so i said the heck with it. It sure is another cold one tonight. I think we are going down to about 9 degrees. guess i'll take that as opposed to minus any degree. hoping i will be able to join in february's swap. love the simplicity of it, but then i can execute on that...that's what craps me up with swapping LOL just an issue i need to get over. well, that's it for now. i have an early morning tomorrow. be well everyone, stay warm and remember....Spring is on Monday, 21 March 2011...56 days, 19 hours remain. maryanne p.s. mellen, i would love that website/link as well.

I love the idea of melting stuff in the oven to make wind chimes or garden art. Yes, any fumes would be dangerous, but that is what open windows and fans are for. I will just arrange everything in the oven, open the windows and put a large fan in a window taking all the fumes out. Then while it is baking, I'll work in the garden outside. When the time is up, just turn off the oven, leave the oven door open but take my "art" outside to cool. Keeping the fans on all the while. After an hour I am sure the fumes will be pulled out. What a fun, inexpensive idea. I'll probably add some of those glass stones. To make sure nothing explodes, I'll put some lid or cover over the glass, tho. Let us know if anyone does this. I cannot do photos but I would love to see your photos.

OK, after I saw MagdalenaLee's shower curtain I don't feel so bad about my insect themed bathroom. This is kind of my "reveal" from another post. I was looking for a small bathroom rug because my space is too small for most of the over-the-counter rugs out there. I was initially thinking of a "northwoods" theme but found this rug below, loved it, and decided to go with it. It was PERFECT (except for when it wasn't) Really toned down the blue/pink vibe in the room from the flooring that has to stay for now. BUT, once I washed it, it faded, and now won't lay flat, ends curl. Color variation not due to lighting, due to fading. Big disappointment. But the colors and general aquatic insect theme are working for me, so I'm just going to wait until the next good rug comes along. The picture below is of a little stream called the Weise, in our town's sister city in Germany. I have hiked along the stream, and the picture was a gift from some exchange visitors my folks hosted many years back. Not great art but meaningful. It doesn't have a searing hole in the middle, that's just my bad photo lighting. My mom went to the photo exhibit for the caddisfly picture and brought me back a poster which I framed. I have another picture of a spider web but don't have a photo of it yet.