Forage Friday

It's time! I may be back to blogging regularly, but I have yet to reestablish my routine visits to other bloggers. I have never felt that blogging is just about me. The blog-blessing is in the sharing and exchange.

I am calling this FORAGE FRIDAY where I will visit fellow bloggers and then share five finds. I love the thrill of the hunt! Don't you?

{oc cottage}

"Where Bloggers...Uh...Create"

With no apologies, this blogger shares her creative chaos and the vices that see her through.

The Graphics Fairy

"Vintage Clip Art - Engraved Roses - Printable Labels"

Karen is a go-to source for vintage and copyright free clipart.

The Feathered Nest

"Bird Notes"

Susy's charming home doubles as a bird sanctuary. 

Cherry Menlove

"Apple Crisp Breakfast Muffins"
Cherry Menlove, author of The Handmade Home, has a website brimming with enticing photos and sparks of inspiration.

Bailiwick Studios

"Our Hummingbirds"

My previous post celebrated my very first hummingbird feeder. At Bailiwick Studios, Jill shares some incredible photos of a hummingbird nest in her own backyard. I learned a few things.

[NOTE: Scroll down one post to read more about hummingbirds.]

And now I wait...

Mountain life has introduced my want-to's to my doer. It could be the altitude or the slower pace. Or maybe my want-to list is running out of brain.

My friend, Jennifer, has a mountain home that overlooks a gorgeous ridge in the Boise National Forest. The large window in her living room is more like a picture postcard with the bonus of birdwatching. The array of Northwestern birds, especially hummingbirds, create a delightful distraction. In fact, Jennifer's home has been designated as a tagging station for hummingbirds. 

While attending Jennifer's Movie Night last month, I was seated beside the ample window, wondering why I wasn't inviting birds to my little half-acre of forest! So, I obtained a Ruby Red Hummingbird Feeder Hanger from Ramona Teagarden at Etsy. The ruby red spheres, made of recycled glass, are designed to attract hummingbirds without using red dyes in the nectar; and the pure brass hooks are enchanting. I then acquired a sturdy hummingbird feeder from Duncraft.

Today, I mixed my first batch of nectar, added it to the glass bottle, and suspended the feeder directly in front of the kitchen window on the back porch. A hummingbird vibrated past my left ear just as I was snapping the above photo. Drats! I scared it away.

Calliope Hummingbird
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff

Calliope Hummingbirds are plentiful up here. I had the opportunity to see one being tagged while assisting at Mountain Kid's Camp this summer. It is the second smallest hummingbird in the world and the smallest in North America. There is an excellent chance that they will be attending my feeder.

P.S. My first wee guest arrived one hour after posting.

Estival

"I thank God for this most amazing day,

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees,

and for the blue dream of sky

and for everything which is natural,

which is infinite, which is yes."

—E. E. Cummings

One of my favorite adjectives for summer is estival. It means "belonging to or appearing in summer." I can do without mosquitos and extreme heat, but those things aside, estival is a festival!

Periodicals inspire us with outdoor entertaining, mindless meals, dripping slices of watermelon, lobster boils, languid lounging on porches, touring, travels, and treasures. And though there is more inspiration than we can possibly manage, our activities will always filter through fresh ideas.

I have been sipping Arnold Palmers through a metal straw and listening to the audio version of My Name is Mary Sutter for Book Club tonight. I work at the Museum today, so finishing the book will be an undertaking. Although I cannot play the audio while guests are present, the story takes place in the 1860's, just as our gold rush was gaining momentum. So apropos.

HAVE A GRAND AND GLORIOUS DAY!