I can't believe it's snowing again! But I still love it.

Was I ever surprised this morning when I woke up and it was snowing like crazy! Big fluffy flakes and lots of them. If I hadn't been on my way to the Dr. I would have taken a picture. The trees look very pretty all snow covered. You can tell it's not going to stay around. As I returned home, it was a drizzling rain. Ah...the second day of spring!
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The Black Capped Chickadee

Black Capped Chickadees are found both deep within forests and at forest edges. They are also found in rural and suburan areas where there are scattered trees, old fields and parks. Their breeding season spans from early April thru mid May. In the southern part of their range, the season begins in April with the northern regions beginning in May.
Typically, the houses should be placed in yards with mature hard wood trees where there is 40-60 percent sunlight. Black-capped Chickadee houses should be mounted 5 to 15 feet high and spaced one per 10 acres with the entrance hole facing away from prevailing wind. 1 inch of wood shavings can be placed in the house.
The black capped chickadee is a friendly little bird and usually one of the first to appear when a new feeder is placed outdoors. These houses should be placed one per 10 acres. In suburban areas, one may not be able to determine this type of placement. Putting out the house is still a great idea. If the chickadee frequents your yard, they will be looking for nesting sites so it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. Sometimes, as in my own experience, other birds come and take over the house you intended for a particular type of bird. I personally don’t worry about it. I welcome which ever bird wants to use the house and thoroughly enjoy watching the nest building process, the setting, the feeding and the departure of fledgelings. No matter how you slice it, birding is great fun and a fabulous learning experience.

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Bluebird Houses

Bluebird numbers have decreased 90 percent over the past 60 years in the eastern United States. The four reasons for this are: widespread insecteside use decreasing the food supply, severe winter which have increased winter mortality, changing agricultural practices reducing nesting sites and House Sparrows competing for the remaining nesting sites making nesting more difficult.




The best way to help increase the blue bird population is to provide wooden houses for them to nest in.

Bluebird houses shoule be placed by the end of February in areas around open fields, pastures, golf courses, cemeteries, gardens and large lawns which provide excellent bluebird habitat. These areas usually provide plenty of insects to eat. Avoid areas where insecticides are used heavily.

Place houses 4 to 6 feet above the ground and 50 to 100 yards apart. Face the houses to the south or southeast, if possible. Try to select places where trees, shrubs, utility wires or fences are within 25 to 100 feet of the houses. Bluebirds use these structures for perches when feeding. These perches are also helpful to young birds during their first flights.



If houses are located near woods and brush piles, other species of birds, such as chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and wrens, will use the bluebird houses. These species, like the bluebird, are welcome additions to the area and should not be discouraged from using the bird house. These birds are also helpful in controlling insect populations. It may be possible to get a bluebird to nest in the same area by placing another house about 10 to 20 feet from the one the other bird is using.



Now is the time to get out there and clean out your bird houses. If you already have bluebird houses in and around your yard, they need to be cleaned out. Bluebirds won't typically nest in a house that has left over nesting from a previous year. Swallows are notorious for taking over these nesting sites. If your bird house doesn't have a proper clean out, you'll need to take the bottom off or replace it with one that does. All or our bird houses are made with vents and clean outs so the birds don't overheat in hot weather and they can easily be cleaned out.

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Lip Balm Golore!

I just finished making just about all of the lip balm needed to complete the fund raising order. Tonight I made Summer Honey and  Berry Lip Balm. Making this is great fun! Everyone seems to really love my lip balm so that makes it even better. Tonigt I'll make the rest and get them all labeled and sealed with shrink wrap.

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Stranded Guests and the Gift Shop Website

Well today was very busy. This morning I spent getting ready for guests. I had an appt. and then groceries and other things. As I was out and about, my guests began calling to talk about the weather. Although the weather here wasn't too bad and their weather was ok, there were white out conditions in the Adirondacks. I'm so glad they all decided to wait and head out early tomorrow morning. I think a fun time will be had by all.

Tomorrow I will await the arrival of our guests, Tim will be doing another tasting in Tupper Lake and Sarah will be skiing. I'm hoping to make it up there on Sunday and go cross country skiing and snow shoeing. We'll see how the time goes.

Very exciting news regarding the gift shop website....more and more is getting on there all the time and if you have a chance, please do check it out! http://www.northforkgifts.com/  I'm very excited about this!! Well it's off to sleep. Tomorrow will be another very busy day!

New Pressed Flower Candles

The pressed flower candles are all done. I have spent quite a bit of time organizing. I've gotten way behind so I'm trying to get things in order so I can make all of the things people are waiting for from our recent fund raiser. My shop was in a shambles. We've run out of gas twice. Both times it was really cold so I had to grab everything that couldn't freeze and run it into the house. The bringing back to the shop part was where I fell down on the job. Having to rush to put things back out and head off to work, things were not in order at all. All of the new products were here and there. Hopefully now it is straightened enough to get some much needed work done. It certainly feels better out there! Here are some pictures of the new pressed flower candles....enjoy!

A New Style Bird House and Pressed Flower Candles

Today I worked on pressed flower candles which I always enjoy. This time I made  some of the shorter pillar candles which are 3x3. Pictures will follow. We had a wonderful ski today as well. Of course, because I didn't have my camera, we saw porcupine. One was wide awake sitting up in a hemlock, munching away. As soon as I can get back out there, I'll have my camera. Warmer weather and rain may prevent my going out there today. The temp is due to drop to below zero tonight so Tuesday looks promising.

I wanted to share this picture of the new bird house style and also some of the other houses that will be upcoming on our gift shop website http://www.northforkgifts.com/  We've started loading products so keep checking to see what's new.

We'll be putting these and more onto our gift shop site. Great time to begin planning for spring and what new and exciting things to put in your yard and garden!