Monday, January 11, 2010

nesting

I'm nestling back into our cozy old farmhouse. Yesterday, in between sledding and eating bowls of snow drizzled with maple syrup, we cleared out almost all signs of the holidays. No matter how many times I swept, I still kept finding hidden pine needles! I love the feeling of a clean slate . Out with the old and in with the new! My thoughts for January are all about clearing clutter and feathering our nest with elements from outdoors and a couple of new (to me) items. This little corner is coming along nicely. A giant glass vase (from a summer garage sale) is filled with fallen branches. I printed some of my birds onto recycled card stock (boxes, etc.) and punched a hole in the top. After packing away all of our Christmas ornaments, it was fun to have a new "tree" to decorate. Behind the delicate branches peeks the three vintage bird prints I found last fall.

I frame 99% of my pictures and photos in black. It keeps things unified throughout my house, which is filled with such a hodgepodge of used and handmade furniture and decor. Because we have SO much exposed wood in our downstairs, I've always preferred the walls to be simple and white. Yes, those are black beans at the bottom of the vase... I threw in a handful to steady the branches.

This corner is in the midst of our living room... which sees a lot of action. It's feeling very peaceful and meditative, especially with candlelight and my collection of covered stones from Resurrection Fern. Ahh... come on in 2010, I'm ready.
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17 comments:

  1. I agree this looks very peaceful. I love the silhouette of bare branches. We use similar branches to make a wishing tree - thought you might like the idea http://nurturestore.co.uk/make-a-wish-tree

    Happy new year maya - I'm looking forward to following all your art this year.

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  2. A lady after my own heart. I always have little candles and my Japanese zen stones to bring balance and tranquility to areas of my home. Your home looks wonderful, enjoy it.:)

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  3. I love this! I have some nesting happening on my mantel. It is such a lovely aesthetic to bring nature inside.

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  4. amazing. Someday I will be allowed to have pretty things. Someday when I don't have a 3 year old...

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  5. A clean slate and a tidy , calming corner sounds delightful. I'm slowly working my way around the house decluttering and it feels so good.

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  6. ooh, i love this corner!! your birds are so lovely.

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  7. Love the peace and serenity you've created. Our tree this year was a large fallen branch placed in a vase-similar to what you have. We hung white lights and decorations and we loved it! We are going to take off the Christmas decorations, but leave the white lights and leave it up all year-maybe hang hearts at Valentine's! *Sherri*

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  8. Lovely, makes me think that Spring is just around the corner - goodbye winter!

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  9. FoyUpdate (Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat.)January 11, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    I like the black beans! So much cheaper than glass or "polished river stone" and just as pretty. I'll have to remember that one.

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  10. your nest is fresh...filled with lovely!

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  11. Those crochet-covered rocks are just oh so pretty

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  12. You said that you ate snow drizzled with maple syrup?? Is that something you do in the states? I'm really curious! In my country only children when they are playing outside try to eat snow when their from their parents don't see...

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  13. I love your idea of decorating a few branches like that - beautiful! I think I will do something similar (again!), if I may, to let us down softly now that we have taken down our Christmas tree (which is a big bare branch, in our house). Thank you, for sharing, again, your wonderful ideas...

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  14. I just wanted to say "thank you" for all the love and beauty you offer on your blog.

    I have listed you in my TOP 10 most inspirational blogs. Thank you for what you do, Robin

    http://wellofcreations.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunshine-award.html

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  15. this is so lovely...very peaceful!

    I had just placed a nest under an old glass cloche..we all must be nesting!!

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