Happy Belated Birthday Spencer!

I meant to post this yesterday on Spencer's birthday but it was a crazy busy day. But yes, my Spencer is 12. Happy Birthday Bud!

Feed the Birds

It's been a cold, snowy winter here in Utah. And after watching some little birds foraging in the Target parking lot, I just couldn't resist trying to ease their hardship. So I picked up an inexpensive bird feeder and a bag of bird feed. (I sought the advice of a cute little elderly couple in Target who also believe in feeding the birds). I hurried home with my bird feeder, told the kids what we were going to do and proceeded to fill it up with bird seed and hang it in my tree. And then I waited for the hungry little birdies to come and feast.

And I waited. And I waited. And after two days and no birds, I started to feel sad.

And then, one little bird found my feeder. And he told his friends.

And they told their friends.

And soon, my lonely little feeder became quite a popular spot. And this brings me joy.

I love to watch out my window to see the birds feasting. So do Lucy and Ethel, my cats. They would love to share in the feast, except that really would be sad for the little birds.

We had a woodpecker at the feeder the other day. I wish I had a picture for you but by the time I grabbed my camera, switched to my zoom lens and got ready to take the picture, he had gone his merry way.

So if you want some cheap entertainment and a simple way to feel like you're doing some good in the world, Target has a pretty good selection of bird feeders. I just wish bird seed was only tuppence a bag.

Bah Humbug to Resolutions!

It's the beginning of a new year. Everybody is making their resolutions. I hate resolutions. Now, don't think I confuse resolutions with goals. I am a goal setter and I believe in goals. I just don't believe in resolutions. I think resolutions set us all up to feel bad about ourselves within a few weeks. And I think the mind set of resolutions is that you can only better yourself with the beginning of a new year. So I say Bah Humbug to resolutions.

Now, I do believe a new year is a great time for reflection. Last year, I was reading a blog by Ali Edwards. She made a suggestion that in place of resolutions, you choose a word that sums up what you want for yourself in the new year. Then you filter the choices/goals, etc. you make through the year by this word. I LOVE this concept. Interestingly, I heard a similar concept mentioned on the Today show this morning. Ali lists a whole bunch of word suggestions on her blog. She also talks more in depth about the word concept here. I did this last year and plan on doing this again this year.

I'm also taking a great class called A Life Well Crafted by Kolette and Jason Hall online at Big Picture Scrapbooking. Even if you aren't a scrapbooker, you may want to sign up just for the month by month audio version. In January's audio, we were reminded to break things down into Baby Steps, as per What About Bob. I love What About Bob. And I love Baby Steps.

So here's to reflection, defining words and baby steps. And Bah Humbug to Resolutions. Happy New Year Everyone!