Urban Birdwatching Is My Zen...

There is nothing more relaxing to me than the sound of birdsong.

I love the days when I am home alone, with the windows open and I can hear the sweet sound of finches or the call of a quail to it's mate.

Monday was amazing. I have 2 hummingbird feeders and an oriole feeder. I remembered visits from orioles last summer and I wanted to make sure that they had a feeder that they would respond to. Apparently, they are attracted to the color orange.

This is a Hooded Oriole. He and his mate have been by a lot lately.

This Titmouse loves safflower.

This guy is a Towhee. 

You see them a lot scratching around looking for something good to eat.

This creepy Raven hangs out in my Redwood trees. 

There are a couple of quail that come by everyday. 

I expect there will be sweet little quail babies soon.

 These Honeysuckle vines are a favorite of Hummingbirds.

I love all the little Hummingbirds zipping around.

Sweet Finch sound 

Frankie looks bored with the whole thing.

Here's the Oriole again. 

He doesn't like anyone to get near his feeder.

So, yesterday I had Bluejays, Finches, Quail, Titmouses (titmice?), Ravens, Orioles, Towhees, Juncoes and Hummingbirds all visiting my yard. 

I was definitely in my glory!

Panic At The Market...

Every April the panic starts.  I worry about the following

1) I won't have enough jewelry to sell

2) No one will like what I have made

3) I will forget everything and get to the market without any jewelry (that actually happened to me twice)

4) I won't be able to get up in time

5) It will rain and/or be windy and/or freezing

You see, I am a craft show vendor. I sell mostly at our wonderful farmers markets in Napa and St Helena. They are both really nice upscale markets with wonderful managers, wonderful vendors and WONDERFUL visitors. And, this will be my 12th year participating. I consider myself a "veteran" of the market. An old-timer. Experienced.

But every year I start to think about getting up at 5:30. I have to get there at least a half hour before the market opens, set my canopy up, set up my tables, tablecloths, busts, jewelry, say hi to everyone, go to the bathroom, get some breakfast, etc. It's really hectic. (The breakfast part is pretty fun though.)

Here is what I do to get ready.

1 month before

panic

order business cards, bags, etc.

figure out what jewelry I am going to have ready and start to make it

2 weeks before

really panic

make sure I have my jewelry done and packed up

start to tweet and Facebook about the market starting

converse on facebook with other vendors about how we are all panicking

1 week before

freak out and stay up really late making that last bit of jewelry you just know someone is going to love

send out an email reminding folks that the market is starting

clean my tent, tablecloths, tables, busts, etc

start packing it up

the night before the first market

don't get any sleep because I will be afraid I won't hear the alarm in the morning

pack up the car, trying to remember how you got it all in the year before

panic about not having enough change

stay up really late because I want to get that last pair of earrings done

the day of

get to the market on time and see everyone!

It's a happy day

The Farmers Market is a unique and special place. It is where you can get organic produce, listen to music, see your friends for coffee, take your little ones to story time, and shop for unique and original crafts and yummy specialty foods. If you don't visit your local farmer's market you are missing out. 

Here is a link to my market schedule just in case you are around Napa Valley and want to check it out sometime this summer. www.sherrigallagherbeadwork.com

Hope you see you there!

A ballon flies over the farmers market tents in Napa