Laowai

We had our first outside diner of the year. It was chilly.

I took some photos at the Chicago Botanic Garden – it was so sunny and colorful!

We're beginning to have some shade.

I've started working on another of our windows. Got all the glass out and all the scraping done in two days (not two whole days – usually I work for a few hours in the morning.)

Here's a project that I've been slowly working on for some time. It's a paper mache frame for a picture in our basement. I was inspired by Corrie Beth Hogg and the beautiful things she makes. I wanted to make the decorations in sort of a folk style. And I used black because I thought some contrast around the picture would be good in our dark basement. 

Before, I always had this picture just leaning on the mantle and while that is "a look"  – I wanted something a little less informal – a little more special. I really wanted to elevate this picture (which is, sadly, just a copy of a painting on canvas).

I'm pretty happy with it. It adds more character to the picture. Plus, I just love the idea of making something out of nothing. Or at least making something pretty out of cardboard and flour paste and paint. Here it is in the basement – it's so hard to take photos here.

And here's something else that is making me happy lately. I made a new bird bath fountain. I was reminded how the sound of water attracts birds and so I bought a little pump and a big plant saucer and I set it up with lots of rocks. And it really works! 

I see so many more birds than I did with my simple saucer of water bird bath. I put it on the ground and I added a stick so they can perch before they decide to get in the water. I'm embarrassed to admit how much time I spend gazing at the birds. Our pachysandra was trampled this winter when we had a tree removed. Hopefully it will fill in soon and look a little more natural and green around the bird bath.

One more photo from a little hike – a very big fungus growing on a tree.