A "Bird Nerd's" Patriotic Tablescape

 I recently became a "bird nerd".  I have always enjoyed watching the birds and I usually kept food in a feeder, but last fall my husband and I, looking for something different to do on a Saturday morning, signed up for a "Bird Walk" at a local nature preserve.  We walked through the woods and along the creek, seeing all sorts of local birds and enjoyed it so much that we pretty much became "bird nerds" (at least I did!).  A later "Owl Prowl" cinched it for us! 

Going through my crystal cabinet the other day I found these plates from Pier One (I still miss that place!). While the eight piece set has multiple colors I thought that the blue and white ones would be perfect for our evening dinners during "Patriotic Season" from Memorial Day through Fourth of July.  

I wanted to show this tablescape outside, but IT WILL NOT STOP RAINING! It has rained at least some of almost everyday for weeks now (certainly every weekend forever!). So, I set the table on the back porch where we sit for our meals most of the year.  It is just the two of us at home most of the time, so in the spirit of "Keeping it Real", I set the table for the two of us, not the typical four.  

The carnations and baby's breath are from the grocery store, but the beautiful blue hydrangeas are from my back yard.  This has been another excellent year for hydrangeas around here.  I know that not everyone loves carnations, but I do. They bring a lot of color and are so easily accessible. 

The birdhouse is paper, made from a cut I purchased off of Etsy.  It is supposed to be a gift box, but I glued a shish kebob stick to the bottom and it worked well in this bouquet.  You will probably see projects made from the cut in future posts- I can imagine its use in many different scenarios. 

Yes, that is a pair of binoculars on the table.  That pretty much stays there, along with the bird books.  The binoculars get us a closer view of the bird feeders and the books help us to determine what type of bird we are looking at (although we have gotten pretty good at that ourselves!).   I also downloaded the "Merlin" app which will listen to birdsongs and tell you what bird you are hearing.  

As you can see- the books are well used!  I have had the Beginner’s Guide for years and the Birds of Virginia book is a recent gift.  Both of them are very informative and easy to use. 

While I was taking these pictures, I looked out at one of the feeders and caught this picture.  Not a great photo, but in it you can see my arch nemesis- the squirrel.  A group of them recently discovered this feeder and have figured out a way to use my "squirrel proof" bird feeder as their own personal buffet.  I recently switched to a squirrel proof food, but that doesn't really work either.  They also broke my bluebird feeder so that it cannot be hung up- who knew squirrels like mealy worms? 

This sweet little bird and her little babies were bought separately years ago.  As I get older I find myself more inclined to “shop” my house for decor items more than buying things.  This little bird has been used in tablescapes for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Welcome Spring, etc.  In the spirit of using what I have, everything on the table is fairly old and I cannot remember where it was purchased!

After originally setting the table with the plates across from each other, I decided that we could sit closer together and both of us would have  a better view of the feeder.  While this may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, it is honestly, the way we eat most nights on the porch.  

Even if you are not a “bird nerd” like me, I hope that you occasionally take a quiet moment to look around and watch (and listen to) the birds that are native to your location.  It is so restful and quite entertaining!  Take a moment to find out events going on around your town- you may find a new hobby! 

Thank you for stopping by today! 

Cynthia