Winter Birthday Making . . .

I've started a little birthday tradition of making a frozen flowered banner to hang in the garden on my birthday. It's a fun way to celebrate * use up flowers from the flower press that have broken* and embrace the blessings of a Winter birthday!

Just like with candle making, I have set aside old tins for making the frozen flower discs.

The night before my birthday, I place a ribbon across all the muffin tins.

Next, I place flowers on top of the ribbon, and then, fill each muffin cup with water.

The tins then head out to the porch where they will stay overnight to freeze.

In the morning, a minute or two on the kitchen counter is all you will need 

and the frozen flower discs will pop right out.

Flowers pressed and dried from my garden, returning back to the garden.

They have only shrunk in size a wee bit since I strung them in the trees as our temps have been frigid!

Beautiful Orange tulips from my family

And gorgeous white roses with a hint of pink

from my hubby

Petals that will be pressed and find themselves in next year's banner.

Don't just count your years...

Make your years count

xo 

Happy New Year ...

Happy 2026

The Year of the Horse 

May the        

 Year of the Horse

bring you energy

ambition 

and joy.

Ride boldly toward new achievements

and bright beginnings this

New Year! 

I can hardly believe that this September will mark my 20th Anniversary of blogging!

Back in September 2006, after chatting back and forth with my BFF in England, we decided it would be a fun way for the two of us to catch up on all the things that were happening in our daily lives.

Even though we were writing letters back and forth monthly, this way we could post pictures to go along with the stories. I don't think at the time I imagined still stopping by this little online space to jot down thoughts and upload photos. 

January

I love winter and the month of January.  

New journals have been opened and with anticipation, I have filled in the first page ~January 1st, with thoughts and dreams.  Along with affirmation journals, a devotional journal, and art journal, I have a nature journal sitting on the window seat in our kitchen. This year I will keep a better record of the birds that stop by our garden. I will record the time of day, weather, eating habits etc ....

The first bird of 2026 to stop by the feeder was the Downy Woodpecker.  

I rarely make new year's resolutions,

although this year I hope to bring out my ukelele and practice more!  

I do, however choose a "guiding word"

..... this year the word I spotted most often was Joy.

Gratitude is the gateway to joy

I hope you Dance

(original sold)

And I've lots of ideas for joy filled paintings :-)

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the world.

Wishing you a New Year filled with love, luck, laughter & joy!

deb & the sparrows

xo