A Bird Tree For Winter

Hello everyone and Happy February!  I just read that our little buddy Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, so six more weeks of winter.  People have mixed feelings about Phil (depending on what his verdict is in February), but I think he's mighty cute. 😊 However, I think he and his kin are much cuter when they're not in our yard.  They can sure make a mess with all their holes everywhere.     I wanted to share our small bird tree in the den, which I put together after taking down the Christmas decorations. This tree is in our den where we can enjoy it in the evening.  It's decorated with ornaments that I've collected over the years and previously hung on our big Christmas tree.  My mom has a winter cardinal tree that sits on the floor at her house from winter until spring, so that gave me the idea to do a bird tree of our own.     

January 2026

Hi Friends!  How are you today?  I hope you're having a good 2026 so far.  We have snow and ice in our part of North Carolina today, and it really is quite lovely.  Hal and I have been hoping for a pretty snow for a few years now, so this is just perfect for us.  I know a large part of the country has been hit with a major winter storm, and we were quite nervous a few days ago, I can tell you.  The forecast was for lots of freezing rain, sleet, and snow.  We were out there with the rest of North Carolina stocking up on food, bottled water, and gasoline in the car.  The worst part of our forecast as of Thursday and Friday was a good chance of losing power and we were told that the power outages might be for an extended period.  I know a lot of people who enjoy a pretty snow, but I don't know any who wish for their power to go out, especially as cold as it was here for the last three days.  Bitter cold wind and temps. in the low 20's down into the teens.  We were extremely fortunate -- our power didn't so much as blink at all during the storm, so we stayed quite comfortable.  Today is actually very pleasant, but the cold temperatures are supposed to return starting tomorrow.  Here are some pics from our front porch this morning.  Notice the blue, blue sky out there, often the case after a big storm.   

Merry Christmas 2025

Merry Christmas, dear Friends!!  I hope you are all having a joyous Christmas and I wish you happiness in the coming year.  Thank you for reading House at Forest Manor, your visits make my day. 😊     

   

A Ralph Lauren Table and Dining Room

Season's Greetings!  I hope you are all well and busy.  Thank you for your kind words about Hal's hand injury; he saw the surgeon again today, and unfortunately, the top joint of that finger will have to be amputated.  We are sorry that has to be done, but we know it could have been much worse.  Today is his birthday, and I love him dearly.  Happy Birthday, Hal!!      

First Christmas Post 2025

Hello sweet friends.  The season of Advent is upon us, and it's such a special time.  We hung our Moravian Star on Sunday, the first day of Advent.     

Another Autumn Table

I almost didn't share this table today because we're all so busy at this time of year.  I enjoyed setting it up, though, so I decided to go ahead and write a quick post to go with.    

A Fall Apple Tablescape

Down through the ancient StrandThe spirit of October, mild and boonAnd sauntering takes his wayThis golden end of afternoon,As though the corn stood yellow in all the landAnd the ripe apples dropped to the harvest-moon.~William Ernest Henley, "London Voluntaries," 1892

Hello Dear Readers!  Are you happy to be in the midst of fall?  I definitely am!  This is my favorite time of year -- so many things to do and so much beauty to enjoy!  Do you have autumn color yet where you live?  We have some, but not a lot.      I set a fall table in the dining room a few weeks ago, and I've enjoyed looking at it, along with our other autumn decor around the house.  This is sort of a re-boot of a fall tablescape I put together the first year of my blog (2011).  I always liked that table, and I think I like this one even better.