Sweet "Tweet" Retreat

The Yankee and I have decided that one of the best ways to declutter

around the farm...is to get busy with the projects that the clutter

was originally intended for.

So, once again this week, we pulled various items from the barn...

and got to work!

Even though my blogging friend, Tammy @ Tattered & Timeless, took a great

 deal of stuff like this off my hands, there were still a

handful of pieces tucked away in the barn.

The Yankee selected an old oil can and a rusty funnel—from the stored 

stash—for our latest creative project.

I grabbed an assortment of vintage insulators...

and a basket of rusty, crusty bits and bobs—

salvaged from discarded antique trunks.

While the Yankee was welding various rusty, vintage

 tractor parts together and deciding where he wanted to use

the old chicken feeder top,

I was gathering the embellishments to add even more

character and charm to our newest creation.

The piece used at the top was, at one time, an edge bracket to an antique

trunk, while the piece in the middle—with the hole—was part

of the trunk's lock.

Can you guess what the black curved piece used to be?

Here's another view.  Now can you figure it out?

It was the handle of an antique coffee mill—one of several we

had stashed away in the barn.

And, of course, I'm always looking for ways to "pretty up" our projects,

so this vintage aluminum butterfly and old furniture

knob rosette were just the ticket.

Here is the result of our day's effort—

with a bit of decluttering to boot—

a whimsical, sweet retreat...

for some very special

little tweet!

Do you notice anything different in this image? 

After the Yankee had put all the tools away and had gone inside, I found

 this in one of our bins.

And I really want this piece added to the base of our

"found object" birdhouse.

But...

I figured I would let my honey get a good night's sleep first. 

Then tomorrow morning...

 after he has eaten a hearty breakfast, I'll spring the news that he'll

need to drag all the welding equipment back out...

 to finish the project he thought was complete.   ; )

Joining Susan's Outdoor Wednesday, Mary's Share the Love Wednesday,
Leigh's Thrifty Thursday, Gina's Transformation Thursday,
Becky's Under $100.00 Party, Allison's Hookin Up With HOH,

 LaurieAnna's Farmhouse Friday, Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday,

Cindy's Show and Tell Friday, Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday,

Donna's Saturday Nite Special, Cindy's Oh-la-la Link Party,

Meg's Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Tips and Tricks Tuesday #14 - Remembering Our Feathered Friends

Fall is in the air...

at least in some parts of the country.

Believe it or not, it's still in the upper 80s during the day

here, in my neck of the woods.

 The upper 80s...and it's the middle of October!

It's hard for me to even think of fall decorating right now...

because of this intense heat.

But a certain crafty lady is right on top of things.

Lindy @ Cottage Hill made these huge acorns from a recent thrift store find,

and you won't believe what she used for the base of her creations!

Seeing Lindy's giant acorns made me think of all

the squirrel activity going on around the farm these days.

They've been quite busy scampering about, collecting scores of acorns

and storing them for winter.

But the birds around here rely on my help for winter sustenance...

well, except for those who "wisely" build their homes near a natural food source—like the

dogwood in my front yard, filled with bright red berries.

Others know a good thing...

and want to be first in line for the freebies.

The bird that built this nest—in the feeder beneath the pines in my side yard—

determined it was the perfect size for a cozy bedroom...

 AND a dining area.

And though I choose to feed the birds around my cottage year-round,

I know that come spring, the abundant insect population will more than offset

the need for an increase in food for the numerous

new additions to the flocks.

It was such fun to watch Momma Robin dutifully feed her babies

 this year—after she had had her fill from the feeders.

In fact, I have feeders set up thoughout my yard

for the birds to freely come and feast.

They get their little bellies filled, and I, in return, am

rewarded by their beauty and with their melodious songs.

Even wild birds—like this momma turkey and her little ones—make their way

to a free food source on a regular basis, once they find it.

So if you're wondering about a good time to start feeding

the birds near you, late summer or early fall is a great time to start.

It presents plenty of time for them to find the food and

establish a habit of feeding at your feeders before

 the onset of winter—when they will most need your help.

Be sure to offer fresh, clean water, as well.

It's much harder for wildlife to find...

 during fall and winter.

Then, no matter the weather, you'll have

 a bevy of beautiful feathered friends

 to enjoy...even in the coldest weather.