It’s coming along. I’m in the tedious part of this puzzle; trying to figure out where the leaf pieces go. Once I get those in, along with the blue background, I’ll work on the edges. This is the kind of puzzle where, if I figure out where 5 pieces go during a session, I’m thrilled.
I just heard a Carolina wren calling from our maple tree. Soon enough his/her partner appeared. And they perched right outside the birdhouse. I think one went in. Now, I’m wondering: we haven’t got around to neatening up the nest that was turned on end when the squirrel knocked the little trailer out of position last year. That’s an awkward sentence, but I hope you get the idea. We were going to attempt to do that this week. When the squirrel incident occurred last spring, they never came back. Do we mess with it? Should we clean it out? Or should we just leave it? Last year they started adding materials to what was already there from the previous spring. Then, once the nest tipped a bit – even though we righted it – they didn’t come back. They’re perfectly capable of pushing everything back down and adding material.
I’ve googled this and some birds come back to the same place and add to their previous nests and some don’t. The jury is out on Carolina wrens. Some sites say yes, they’ll come back, and some say no. I do know that the male will show his mate 3 or 4 options. She picks the nesting site in the end. They left very quickly after they had briefly checked out the birdhouse. But it is perfect for them, and safe.
Any thoughts? I’d sure like to have them back this year.
Thank goodness, it appears to be sunny out there. Yesterday was gray and messy and downright depressing. Hopefully, more of the snow will melt and we can say goodbye to the slush on our driveway.
Petra: this is the wig that Katie arrived in. I like the braids, but the back of the wig is sort of messy. I still have it and I suspect I’ll use it again at some point. I did undo the braids and it looked cute, but it was too thin and wispy. Wigs slip, even with a silicone wig cap in place. So, every time I pose her, I have to tweak the wig a bit. What she really needs is a scalp which is attached to the face plates. But I haven’t found one I like yet.
Okay. Don has to tape an audition and I suspect he’s waiting for me to finish this post, as I read all the lines that aren’t his.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
Exciting that Don has an audition. I wish him the best. Petra looks cute in pigtails. A lot of the snow from the storm melted yesterday in the sunshine. It’s sunny again today so hope the snow will continue melting. I’m thinking the old nest is wet and soggy so I would let the wrens build a new nest but if
the old nest was sheltered in the birdhouse, I would leave it. You’re almost finished your puzzle. You’re on the home stretch. Hugs, Elsine
Thank you, Claudia. Now I have an idea. I like the short curls!
Thank you, Petra.
Stay safe.
Good luck to Don! I also like Petra’s braids, very cute! We’re getting lots of rain…started about 3 am and really coming down again now…a wet day. Enjoy your sunny Sunday!
Thank you, Barrie.
Stay dry!
best wishes and prayers for don’s audition to lead to a great job!
no expert here (we use a great “birds of iowa” book as well as audubon society and iowa department of natural resources for help), but i agree with elaine and would want to make sure the trailer birdhouse is level and dry. best wishes for birdhouse neighbors soon!
puzzle looks good. you’ll get it done soon!
glad the ice/sleet is getting warmed up to melt. nice when weather changes help get rid of the parts not wanted (like ice/sleet).
overslept this morning so i need to hurry for (online) church and time with members of my family.
happy, safe sunday to everyone!
kathy
The “level” part can be only what the niche in the tree allows. But it isn’t tilted forward like it was when the squirrel ran on top of it.
It stays dry – that’s a small opening for the birds, which is why it’s perfect for Carolina wrens.
Stay safe.
Good morning Claudia. Here in Colorado we have house wrens. Wrens will continue to stuff the houses until nest material is poking out the front and anywhere else it can escape and they can no longer even get in the house. It can be rather funny. My bird store instructed me to remove old nests and give the house a cleaning if needed, that way the eggs are down from the opening where they won’t roll out (which has happened and they are better protected.
Wigs. I was surprised for some reason. Haven’t seen a wig on a doll since my Barbie! Or so I thought.
Good luck to Don on his audition!
I don’t know if I want to clean it at this late stage – I’m fearful of any big changes! I can at the very least, push the nest material back down to the floor of the house.
All dolls have some sort of false hair. But Katie is the only one with a removal wig. All the rest, like most dolls, have hair that is attached to the head.
Stay safe.
https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=9ec929df-07f1-4a60-81f6-6f624f6b2a7b&v=sdk
Thought you’d want to see the LA Times article
Thank you, Debbie.
Very sad.
Stay safe.
I hope the wrens come back! I do love having the birds around. Good luck to Don.
Me too. But they’re finicky!
Stay safe.
Love the puzzle. Good luck to Don. Prayers…I am quitting reading the last five blogs I read, except yours. I am tired of the politics…and am tired of the preaching…I have taught Sunday School to children and ladies…started two churches…but am so tired of those who know what they know and expect others to accept it…sorry just venting. I will read yours…I love the books etc. Have a great Sunday my friend.
You too, Brenda!
(It’s okay to vent here.)
Stay safe.
Your blog is the best ever ever ever as are YOU
xoxo
Do not touch the nest. They will straighten it out for themselves. I have had wrens for years in a house and they don’t care. In my experience only bluebirds prefer a clean house. Next fall it’s ok to clean it but if they’re casing it out just leave it.
Good luck on the audition!!
Thanks so much, Betsy! Appreciate the advice
Stay safe.
You constantly amaze with your doll house patience and creativity, the puzzles, and the Blythe surgery. You go girl! You are my hero!
Oh, thank you, Christine! How nice of you!
Stay safe.
Well done on the puzzle — it’s a pretty one. And I like Kate’s braids. She’s a cutie. Welcome back, Jenny Wren (or whomever!). Wish I had good thoughts on the house — I don’t but good luck!
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia,
I don’t clean out my wren houses and the wrens nest in them every year. They’ll rearrange them how they want to. They also nest in a house I have on a chain hanging in a tree—don’t seem to mind spinning around when it’s windy!
Oh, good to know! I hope they decide to nest in our little birdhouse again!
Stay safe, Robin.