JBigg: Life in Kentucky: May 2016

Looking Out the Window: The Dark-eyed Junco

As I was looking out the window, this cute little Dark-eyed Junco was hopping around on our deck. He wasn't on a feeder or sitting on a branch but instead just hopping around on the deck.

He looked dark gray with some brown and a pretty pink bill.

He has outer tail feathers but they aren't too visible in my pictures.

I read here the Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow and are birds of the ground. They hop around looking for fallen seeds. That explains why it was hopping around on the deck and not on a feeder or branch.

I read they are one of the most frequently reported birds at bird feeders. A day or so later, another Dark-eyed Junco was on one of the feeders and my daughter took some pics of this one eating nyger food.

Thanks for stopping by another day of Life in Kentucky - Judy.

Linking to:

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Mosaic Monday @ Lavender Cottage

Show and Share @ Coastal Charm

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods

Our World @ Our World Tuesday Meme

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ Stone Gable Blog

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With an E

Swing Into Spring@ DIY by Design

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention Gallery

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern

Favorite Things Thursday @ Katherine's Corner

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson

Photo Friday

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen

The Bird De'Pot @ I'd Rather Be Birdin

Camera Critters

The Bouquet of Talent Party @ Life on Lakeshore Drive - Saturday

Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life on Saturday

Barns, Blooms and Birds

I'm covering a few topics today in my post. Since I moved to Kentucky in November, I have been fascinated by the old tobacco barns. This one is a local barn in the Murray area. I love the painted barn quilt.

I attended the Memorial Day service at the Mound City, Illinois, National Cemetery to honor fallen soldiers. The skies were overcast and it even rained right before the service began. Then it stopped and held off until after the service.

The magnolias are blooming here in Western Kentucky and the blooms are huge.

The Stella D'Oro Daylilies are blooming in my front beds.

I'm seeing Momma birds and their babies at my feeders now. Momma grossbeak on the left and right behind her is baby grossbeak on a branch.

Thanks for stopping by for another day of Life in Kentucky - Judy.

Linking to:

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods on Monday

Our World @ Our World Tuesday Meme

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ StoneGable Blog

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With an E

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention Gallery

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern

ABC Wednesday

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson

Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm

Photo Friday @ Pierced Wonderings

Skywatch Friday @ Skyley

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Camera Critters on Saturday

I'd Rather Be Birdin' on Saturday

Tom's Barn Collective @ The Backroad Traveler on Sunday

Memorial Day with a red, white, and blue tablescape

On this Memorial Day weekend, we honor and remember those who died while serving in the U.S. military. The graves at Arlington National Cemetery are decorated with flags for this weekend.

The National Cemetery at Mound City, IL, will honor the soldiers buried there with a Memorial Day Service. Below is a picture of a previous service at the cemetery. Flags will also be placed on each soldier's grave. My father is buried at this National Cemetery. This will be a tearful day for me.

In honor of these soldiers, I have a tablescape that I designed previously but have never shared. Today I am sharing this red, white and blue tablescape with you.

I loved creating tablescapes on my round glass-topped table but I don't have room for it in our Murray, KY, home (remember, I have that big peninsula). I do have the table in the covered deck area attached to our shop. It will be a great place for eating outdoors with a roof over our heads out of the weather. He is already grilling out and we sit around the table and tell funny stories from the day or the past.

The bread rack was decorated with red, white and blue too. My Peggy Karr Glass flag plate is such a beautiful piece then with a stack of small red plates and bowls added. I'm not using the bread rack any more either but it made a great dessert center. I may move it to the covered deck area also.

Each of the bowls has a star at the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by - Judy.

Red salad plates are Fiesta
Blue luncheon plates are by Tag
Red bowl with the star in the center are by Tag
Dessert plates are Fiesta and Tag
Red dessert bowls are by Today's Home
Dinner plates are Dollar Store
Red Goblets were a gift from my Dad
White stemware is Fostoria Heritage
Flatware is Oneida
Red centerpiece bowl from TJ Maxx
Tablecloth from TJ Maxx
Red Napkins from Tuesday Morning
Navy Blue napkins from Pier One
Placemats by Tag

Linking to the following parties:

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Mosaic Monday @ Lavendar Cottage
Show and Share @ Coastal Charm
Celebrate Your Story @ Sweet Sensations

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday
The Scoop @ Stone Gable Blog
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With an E
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Swing Into Spring@ DIY by Design
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style on Tuesday evening
Share Your Style Link Party @ The Essence of Home on Thursday evening
Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wed. evenings
Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Favorite Things Thursday @ Katherine's Corner
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home on Thursday
Inspiration Thursday @ In The New House
Feathered Nest Friday @ The French Country Cottage
Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm
The Bouquet of Talent Party @ Life on Lakeshore Drive - Saturday
DIY Sunday Showcase @ The Interior Frugalista - Saturday

Sundays at Home @ Love of Home on Saturday

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda

Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home

Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays

Flowers and Blooms - a gardener's delight

Today I am sharing the flowers and blooms in my front flower beds. Here's a view from the road looking at my azalea blooms with my house in the background.

Although this area isn't huge, it is packed with color and texture from late March to late Spring.

In early spring, the trees in my yard and the daffodils were in bloom.

Then the Irises started to bloom ...

and the dogwoods bloomed.

The wagelia buds opened to gorgeous flowers.

The rose buds opened.

My favorites, the azaleas were covered in buds and I couldn't wait for them to open.

The white azalea below is new in the bed. It will need time to grow.

Although not in my garden, the magnolia trees by the driveway are now in bloom and the aroma is just so sweet.

Thanks for stopping in to see my flowers and blooms. Another day of Life in Kentucky - Judy.

Linking to:

A Garden Party @ Share Your Cup on Monday, May 23

Blue Monday @ Backyard Neighbors

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Mosaic Monday @ Lavender Cottage

Show and Share @ Coastal Charm

Celebrate Your Story @ Sweet Sensations

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ Stone Gable Blog

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With an E

Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Swing Into Spring@ DIY by Design

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style on Tuesday evening

Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme on Wednesday

Share Your Style Link Party @ The Essence of Home on Thursday evening

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Favorite Things Thursday @ Katherine's Corner

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home on Thursday

Thoughts of Home on Thursday @ Poofing the Pillows

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson

Inspiration Thursday @ In The New House

The Creative Circle @ Domestic Charm

Photo Friday @ Pierced Wonderings

Feathered Nest Friday @ The French Country Cottage

Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm

The Bouquet of Talent Party @ Life on Lakeshore Drive - Saturday

DIY Sunday Showcase @ The Interior Frugalista - Saturday

Sundays at Home @ Love of Home

Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home

Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life

Looking Out the Window: where are the goldfinches

Goodness, I have been concerned. My goldfinches have been so faithful to come to my feeders. Now they have been gone for over a week. What's going on?

I decided to do a little research and see if I could find the answer to my question.

I read here, that during the summer months, the goldfinches begin to shy away from the Nyjer feeders. The reason is they have young birds to take care of, and the young birds need something meatier to eat than Nyjer seed. They suggested to start serving black oil sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts.

Ok that makes sense. but I do put out black oil sunflower seeds but have recently started putting it in a different type of feeder to deter the black birds.

I'm sure hoping that those of you who have been bird watchers longer than me can share your thoughts, suggestions, or ideas.

Thanks for your help - Judy.

Linding to:

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Mosaic Monday @ Lavender Cottage

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods on Monday

Our World @ Our World Tuesday Meme

The Scoop @ StoneGable Blog

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With an E

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention Gallery

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern

ABC Wednesday

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson

Photo Friday @ Pierced Wonderings

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen

Camera Critters

I'd Rather Be Birdin'

Looking Out the Window: The Carolina Wren

I recently had a new visitor to my suet feeder. I only got a few pics of the Carolina Wren and immediately began reading about this small chunky bird.

At All About Birds, I read both the male and female are a bright, unpatterned reddish-brown above and warm buffy-orange below. The bill is long, slender, and down-curved.