ARTFUL Nesting~

"A house is made with walls and beams. A home is made with love and dreams."  Author Unknown 

We humans have nothing on our feathered friends when it comes to making a nest. What better place to take our homemaking "cues" from than birds? I think we can learn a thing or two from them when it comes to creating a home that gives it's inhabitants a feeling of safety, functionality, comfort and beauty.

We found this nest in our back yard still attached to a fallen branch.

Birds are smart, CREATIVE, resourceful and efficient when it comes to home building. They use what materials are " on hand " and they build with intention and purpose.  They use only enough materials to get the job done and they never go over budget. The bird who built the nest above struck gold behind our shed when she came across some lovely strands of blue tarp. Its carefully woven into the over all design and adds just a touch of panache'. Our feathered friends have an instinct for comfort and safety with an eye on esthetics's, while at the same time providing a strong foundation for their young hatching's until it's time for them to fly away...Sounds like the ideal home doesn't it?

There's an ART to building a nest and no shortage of books and TV shows to advise and inspire us in our own nesting efforts. 

Fall is a natural nesting time for homemakers. Much like spring cleaning but with thoughts of  soft to the touch blankets, quilts, throws and comforters. If any of these treasures are handmade and hold special memories all the better. It's always a comfort to reuse an old favorite! Although, purchasing something new that gives you the feeling of handmade or timeworn will work too! Mary Jane Butters has created just that in her BED-room collection.

This duvet with it's washed blue back ground in combination with the faded warm autumn tones in the flowers did it for me! It's from this years Pottery Barn Bedding collection and when I saw it, I knew it had to be mine ours! How long has it been since you updated your bed linens? If it's been a while, perhaps it's time to start looking around for something that makes YOUR heart go pitter- patter too!

It's a great time to DE-clutter ( a work in progress here) and make room for only those things that will nourish, enrich and comfort you during the coming months of late fall and... dare I say the W word ?

You know. Things like a soft fleece robe, or your favorite pajama's. If you have neither, find the next sale at your nearest department store and treat yourself. No more tattered robe and slippers for the head home maker. A heated mattress pad for the deep winter ( there I said it ) months takes the edge off of cold sheets and makes it easier to get comfortable before falling to sleep. I'm all for Soul Mama's hot water bottle idea too for a sever case of frosty toes.

There's nothing better than glowing candlelight on a stormy night when the electricity has gone out. Or just because to cast a romantic glow over the room. 

Kerosene lanterns (antique if you can find them) throw out more light than candles and work great for lighting an entire room if you have more than one. It's fun to play games by candle light too! 

Create a quiet corner just for you to gather your thoughts, write a note by hand, a poem, blog, book, screen play, musical, plan a garden or day dream about how you can make small changes in your home to cozy things up! Nesting is not just for the BIRDS! 

Bring a little more
safety, functionality, comfort and BEAUTY home. 

•  Clean out a drawer or a closet and donate or toss unused items.
•  Paint a room or freshen the paint on your trim and doors.
• Clear a book shelf, add a new one, or both.
• Help your children clear and organize so they can transition into the next season with zest too! 
• Create a mini gallery of favorite photos and art in a hallway or stairwell wall. ( children's art makes a wonderful addition to a family gallery ) 
• Study a birds nest up close and let yourself be amazed!
• Now your ready for those new fuzzy slippers and a cup of hot ??? 

Happy Nesting! 
I'm linking this post top Heidi's Fall Harvest Blog hop!

Deborah Jean...