Around Here, Lately

Falling snow fascinates Muning {our cat who thinks she's an ancient Princess!} to no end. For me, its the serene beauty after a snowfall that stirs my soul .......

Our First Christmas at Birdsong {Home for Christmas}

Happy New Year everyone!

The "pixie dust" of the Christmas season is slowly dissipating as everyone tries to get back to the daily grind. I'm sure there are people out there like me who clings on to the Christmas spirit as long as I could. This year is no exception, in fact even more! Hubby and I spent our first Christmas in our new old house. This house, as some of you know was originally called The Rooster's Inn (a former vegan B&B and farm animals sanctuary). Now that this house is simply a home to hubby and I + Muning {A.K.A. Miming, the princess cat} + 15 hens + 2 Muscovy ducks + 1 chukar + 3 nosy chipmunks + 2 bullfrogs and their entire family and last but not the least ... countless birds of different kinds, we decided to rename our home THE BIRDSONG!

The snow came a week or two earlier so it was not a white Christmas this year yet the air smelled like Christmas nonetheless with all the pines on the grounds.

Keeping the spirit of Birdsong, we decorated the trees inside the house with things that are near and dear to our hearts - the creatures who complete our growing "family". Yes, even the nosy chipmunks are represented!

Its been our tradition to wrap gifts together while enjoying  a cup of hot chocolate.

This year at Birdsong was no exception. With Christmas carols playing, we wrapped and tied ribbons on simple gifts but this time Muning joined the fun {well, she tore papers and chased ribbon spools!}

On Christmas eve, we went to our new Parish to celebrate the most important part of  Christmas - "Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord. Come Let us adore Him"!

Its no secret that I love to cook. What day is more special to prepare food than Christmas? I also put out some of my "plato-platuhan" to go with the feast ....

It was a holly jolly Christmas morning when we opened our gifts in our jammies! Muning has more gifts than the two of us combined. BUT she ignored them all and still preferred her "tansan" {bottle cap}.

Meanwhile in the La Maison de Poulet, our beloved hens are treated with medley of  fresh cabbage, carrots, apples, celery, corn and barley. 

As a write this post, fresh snow covered the grounds and the temperature dropped to -15. It is cold and windy but my heart is still full of joy and warmth brought by Christmas .... wherever we are, new or old home, big or small, far or near, Christmas is where our family is!

"May the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts!"

All is calm .... all is {b}right

The morning after a snowfall is always a sight to behold. I love it when we were living in the suburb. Now, I love it even better here in the countryside. The stillness of  of the fields covered in white is calming to the soul!

The the midst of calmness, I can hear the soft whisper of cold breeze in the air ... and from a distance I can see home where the promise of warmth is waiting.

All is calm ... all is {b}righ!

@ Home, Lately {Budget-Friendly Spring Decorations}

It really felt like spring yesterday! With the sunlight peeping through the glass door at the breakfast nook, I was inspired  to embellish our little breakfast buffet table.  Nothing fancy, just the little things that make me happy ... a little reminder ... that no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

It didn't cost me much to put these things together. Look around your house and take advantage of what you already have. For more tips on how to put up a spring decorations without breaking your piggy bank, scroll down ....

•  Make your own bird's nest from twigs from your backyard, that is if you can't find a real bird's nest. Mine was courtesy of the sparrows that made our backyard their home last spring. As soon as Mr. and Mrs. sparrows and their 3 little chicklets left, I took care of the nest. I have collected 3 nest in the last 2 years - they are free {I guess its the birds' way of thanking me for the nice stay :-)} and add a nice touch to any spring or Easter decorations.  
• Use colored glass serving plates you already have in your kitchen. I love using cake stand because they add height to something you want to be highlighted on the display.
• Garage sales are excellent source of cute decorations for any season and you pay almost nothing. The glass lamp and the metal bike plant holder were already somebody's "trash" but now treasures in our home.
• Always add plants in your spring decorations. Spring is not complete without them. Again, they need not to be expensive plants (unless you already have them). I got my Hyacith and Kalanchoe from Wall-mart for 2 bucks. The key for them to last is to re-plant them using better soil {thanks to my hubby for re-planting all my 'spring' babies}.
• Last but definitely not the least, add fun or little surprises to your  decorations. Mine are the little chocolate eggs on the nest. I know how my husband loves these little goodies so it was the fist thing he noticed. Sure I have to replenish the eggs regularly because they will 'hatch' every time my husband is near. Who cares? that's part of the plan!

Spring to life! It is a new beginning! Thank God for spring!