A good cuppa and this week's bird notes -

 

This week I discovered a package of loose Darjeeling tea in the far

 reaches of my armoire. As I haven't been to England to shop in Harrods

 (or their Heathrow Airport shop) I must have bought this tea at least three

 years ago, the last time I was able to travel to the UK. Actually the Best By 

date was 2020 which is now part of the more serious early COVID history

 days and months. Anyway, I opened it one afternoon and having been

 stored double sealed, in a dark place, it tasted just fine.

While sipping tea I tried to wipe sad thoughts of another week of

 war - yes that's what it is - and the devastation of Ukraine and its

 innocents seen each day on the TV or computer screen.

 

I also thought about each of you who sent kind words to Bob and 

myself in regard to our health blips, which are quite insignificant 

compared to what so many men, women and children are facing

 in Ukraine. We thank you so much and are managing well.

I haven't strayed far from the comfort of home this week.

Things were somewhat off kilter, with expected visitors unable to 

make it - but at least the house got a little much-needed extra

 dusting and titivating. 

More low-sodium recipes were pulled together which meant a lot 

of healthy veggie chopping, but we ate less, and drank nothing

 stronger than water! This afternoon I'm trying my hand at a fish

 stew with haddock, salmon and clams - will get back later to

 share the results.

Last but not least, I picked up the framed birds from Hobby Lobby.

I'm thrilled with how they look and the entire job was done so well.

Currently hanging in the bedroom, I'm considering moving it to the

 lower stairwell later.

Below is a close up of the antiqued wood frame I chose as I 

thought it perfect with the 1927 trade cards which are 

showing some age.

 

The weekend is upon us and it will be a very cold one - a fire on our hearth

the next few nights. Many of you here in the east are in the path of even more

 severe weather with a possibility of more snow - definitely not springtime yet!

Take care and stay safe.

Singer Sewing Machine Birds -

Words on a Singer Sewing Machine Co. Inc. trade card ~ circa 1927.

Personally, I grew up around my dear dressmaker mother's treadle

Singer machine and she was my sewing teacher!

I took a few hours this past week to work on organizing and getting rid of stuff!

Now and then I find myself doing this, mostly on good days when my back

and right leg aren't hurting so much. I'm actually getting some relief at last.

We need to have some work done to refresh our upstairs - mainly replace

 10 year old carpet in two rooms, the landing, and the staircase itself. 

If this was an empty house it would be such an easy project, however it's

 thirty five years old and holds thirty five years of our life including some

 heavy furniture! 

Some items need to be sent away permanently to other places, such as

 Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and a thrift shop, the remainder packed into

 boxes and stored somewhere out of the way of the carpet installers, 

a big job for us.

While searching through several boxes of supplies from those long ago

 creative endeavors such as scrapbooking, card making, decoupaging

 terra cotta flower pots etc., I came across these really beautiful

 Singer Sewing Machine Co. Inc. 'trade cards' depicting American Song

Birds . . . . . . six out of an apparent total set of 16 and printed in 1926-27.

You already know garden birds are a big hobby of mine - I really love

birds, watching them, photographing them, feeding and caring for them.

The cards are in good condition for being almost 100 years old. Each bird is 

shown against a lovely background, and its egg is shown in a little twig frame. 

The reverse has small b/w illustrations, a little story, and details of

 Singer sewing machines. 

The artist was J.L. Ridgway.

John Livzey Ridgway (February 28, 1859 – December 27, 1947), 

was a nationally prominent bird illustrator who worked for

 many years at the United States Geological Survey, as well

 as the Smithsonian, the California Institute of Technology, 

and the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science, 

and Art.  

via Wikipedia

Each card measures 6 X 4-1/2 inches and could easily be framed

 individually, however I'm on the hunt for a collage style frame, 

preferably with clear glass so that both front and back are visible

 between the two pieces which would be great. That way, anyone

 who may own it in the future will also be able to read the backs of

 the cards and learn their history.

If I can't locate a readymade frame, another option I will consider 

is having them framed by a professional.

 I will then have to decide whether to display them vertically or

 horizontally. . . . . any thoughts on which you think best will be

 appreciated of course.