Oops - Towhee Bird Nest ..with eggs

During tree trimming, birds nest discovered in thick center of smaller oak tree (kept relatively small on purpose).  Pulled it out, not thinking July would have eggs.  Oops ..three eggs.  Gently removed the pokey leaves that had fallen in during the trimming, and stuck nest back in the tree, albeit a trimmed tree.  

Thankfully Towhee went back to incubate, and has been for last day or so.  Bird parents must have been "nervous" with the tree trimmers surrounding their nest here...never thought they would nest in there, kind of a low tree, but apparently they like nesting closer to the ground than some.  Clever their decision making with the nesting layers. 

Crawdads here?

How did this guy (and lots of his friends) end up in the cheese factory pond? Have been going there for decades, first time have seen them there. 

Box to cover Pipes at Side of House

Box to cover the pipes at side of house.  My handmade tiles (except for the skinny greens and the two squares at bottom). Had made the tiles a year + ago, and took this long to tackle the project of making box and all the rest. Yes, a bit rustic with the uneven tiles, uga too white-ish on the burgundy, and grout separations, but , likely beats what was there before.  Will see how the quails respond. 

  

Doll -- 85 years ago -- comes to get reacquainted

My cousin came to pay a visit to my Mom with some precious gifts. First gift, her love in person.

Second, a quilt she had made of fabrics leftover from past sewing projects of my Mom's -- dresses from grade school, etc.  Then a photo album of images of my Mom and her sister (Mom of my cousin). And, then a fourth gift, this doll that the sisters had as kids in the 1930s. 

Looking through the album -- WOW -- we saw a picture of Mom and Auntie Gina with their dolls and teddy bears displayed.  I recalled hearing that they didn't have many toys growing up, but, that looks like a lot of dolls and bears to me! 

So, Mom got to hold her doll from 85 years ago -- and the doll got to look at how she looked back then as well. 

Walk nearby

Walk ..the vacation 15 minutes from front door. 

Test tiles -- a little more subtle?!

Trying some different glaze techniques and finishes..to be less shiny. The yellow is still yellow, but although not super glossy...non-super glossy was goal.  Have a lot of outside mortar to use, so may figure something out. Or..that outside mortar may get donated somewhere!

Tile Project...screen pipes at side of house

Laying out the tiles that will become part of the box to be made to cover this pipe thing on one corner of house. Made the tiles a year+ ago, put them away, but June shall be the month to complete!