Our Resident Robin

This year we are sharing our back yard with a mama robin and her nest of eggs. I've never experienced living side by side with a robin before. I think it's pretty darn special. It's mostly a matter of mutual ignoring from what I can see. She ignores us fervently; we do our very best to ignore her back.

I had no idea she even existed until Lo pointed her out to me a few weeks ago. I don't know how I missed her. Her nest is built quite precariously on our trellis a foot away from the patio table. It is about 6 feet off the ground, too high for anyone to easily see inside. Lo took it upon himself to take a little "egg inventory" the other day with the step ladder and binoculars. It turns out there are two very blue eggs in there. From all accounts, she has the patience of a saint. She sits on her eggs many hours every day leaving only to get a lickety-split meal of worms from the garden before getting back to work. It's pretty cute how still and focussed she seems to be while sitting there.

I'm getting a little worried though. The incubation period seems to be lasting quite a while. It's supposed to range from between 9 to 15 days for robins. I think it's stretched beyond that... All we can do is wait I guess... And hope.

In the meantime I drew up two robin outlines, and The Boy and I sat quietly colouring them in.

It's a good way to keep busy while patiently waiting for little ones to hatch... Come on birdies, you can do it!

♥M

Nest? Basket? I Do Not Know...

Is there a simpler way to ask it?

Is this nest or is it basket?

'Tis true that in its heart eggs rest.

So is it basket or is it nest?

It's made of paper, so you've guessed.

I have re-used again, no jest.

Yet I am flustered, I cannot mask it.

Don't know if this be nest or basket.

I think I may just blow a gasket.

This quest may send me to my casket.

How do I know which name is best?

Nest or basket, basket or nest?

Perhaps it's best to let it rest,

For this has surely left me stressed.

So I will leave YOU one small task:

That is to name my nest slash basket!

Thank you.

(A silly poem by Michele, March 2011)

Alright, here's the thing to make the thing...

Tutorial - Basket? Nest?

You will need:

• Empty cereal box
• Yarn ends
• Scissors
• PVA glue (the white stuff)

1. Using your scissors, cut off the flaps from both top and bottom of the cereal box.

2. Cut your cereal box around and around creating a continuous piece of cardboard "twine". One small basket will require you to cut up at least half the box in this way.

3. Begin coiling the cereal box twine around your finger. Tie it with a piece of yarn so it holds its shape.

4. Continue this coiling and tying process until you've built a flat disc-like object of the desired diameter. This is the bottom of your basket nest.

5. Now build the walls of your nest basket by coiling the cereal box twine around the edges of the disc and building up. Continue using little pieces of yarn to hold the walls in place every now and again until you've built up the walls to the desired height. Trim the yarn ends or tuck them into the basket nest.

6. The handle will require several lengths of cereal box twine. Make them as long or short as you like. Mine were roughly 16 inches (~40cm) long.

7. Twist the lengths together.

8. To keep the lengths twisted, tie the handle at regular intervals with short pieces of yarn. Trim the yarn ends. Now fasten the ends of your handle to the nest by tying them on with pieces of yarn. Nest basket done. Check.

9. Make eggs by balling up some yarn ends and rolling in glue. Let dry. Place in basket. Victory is yours! Your cute "thingie" is complete!

The finished product!

Now have yourself a fabulous day, and I'll see you again soon!

♥M

P.S. Here's a second little paper Easter basket for you!