SPRING, ALREADY???

It's not officially Spring for

22 more days. But things around here

are definitely getting an early start.

• the geese have flown North (see earlier Geese Watching post)
• There are tons of tadpoles in our back lake (we put out a minnow trap and when we hauled it up, there were like 10 big tadpoles in it!
• I found a ladybug on the edge of Abe's water bowl yesterday
• the fruit trees are budding
• and tiny little flowers are appearing everywhere!

So we decided we better get some stuff planted in the garden. We put the little plants in the trooper, and Abe of course, and off we went. Abe was so embarrassed that I was taking his picture. He refused to make eye contact.

On the way, we stopped by to see my sister-in-law, Donna.

It appears that David was sitting on Purdy's sofa. (Purdy is the big, white english setter next to David) Bonnie, the chihuahua needed to sniff David's collar.

Here's a picture of some cabbage plants about

to go in the ground. We love cabbage.

Yep, there it goes. Grow little cabbage grow!!!

And let's hear it for the onions that have survived the

single digit temperatures earlier this month and are

still thriving.

Everyone appreciates a pat on the back for a job

well done, even onions.

ABRAHAM

Here's Abe, in his favorite place, as close as he can get

to us at any given moment.

(There's something so endearing about that.)

What a face! Who could say no to such a face!!

Abe: Are we going for a walk?????

Abe: Daddy, excuse me. Are we going for a walk??

David: What did you say? Did you say you

want to go for a walk?

Abe: I really do, really.

HURRAH!!!! Snow is my favorite thing ever!!!

Abe after an hour walk in the snow. Yes,

He's lying in the snow, brrrrrr.

Abe: Okay, I'm ready to go in now.

Oh Abe, Abraham, Abra-hambone-areena, Abey-Baby.

GEESE WATCHING

This is one of the grandest sights in the world to David, geese flying, on their way North in the spring and South in the winter. Doesn't matter. He just wants to watch them.

And He wants me to watch them. I can be in the middle of the most interesting story.

Me: And then Carol said....

David: LOOK! GEESE!!!

Me: Is that a shotgun shell?

I do occasionally glance up at the geese. I mean, I don't want

to be rude. And sometimes they are pretty magnificent.

But to David they are a wonder.

They are a miracle!

They are fascinating beyond belief!!

He just has to look.

He has to.

Wow.

(Yeah - more geese, I know David - good, wonderful)

You just keep watching them sweetie.

I'm going inside to watch Nate Berkus. It's 2 o'clock.

RE-PURPOSING (AFTER)

This is a classic country style carport, made of 100% re-cycled materials. It's not quite finished yet, as you can see. We need 8 more 2 x 4's and David is loathe to actually buy new ones.

This tin on the roof (don't you loved the rust and blue color of it?) came from our friend, Bill Klein, who invited us to come over and glean building materials as he was demolishing a house and some outbuildings on his mother's property. Yeah!!! And thank you Bill!!!!

Ah, and do you recognize those telephone poles??? This is going to be our little horse barn.

And then there's this wonderful old screen door from the aluminum section

of one of Harold's categorized dumping areas. Thanks Harold. You did know what you were doing after all. Sorry I never got to tell you that.

RE-PURPOSED (BEFORE)

When I was a young bride, I used to think my father-in-law was nuts to always be saving things. Endless coffee cans of nuts and bolts, old screen doors, old posts, bits of iron, string, etc., etc. Back in the 70's no one ever heard of 'going green' or 're-purposing'.

Since moving to the farm, I have a whole new respect for Harold. Anytime we need to build something or repair something or even create something artistic, we visit Harold's categorized dumping areas on our property we inherited from him and David's mom.

David doesn't remember exactly where his dad got several old telephone posts, but they have been back here in front of our woods for literally decades now. We are quickly using them up.

Then there's these wonderful old railroad cross ties. They have a variety of uses, mainly to do with landscaping.

And here is a stack of steel fence posts left over from my brother and sister-in-law's emu farming days. Aren't they are tempting little pile?

FOR TESSA

Just for you, Tessa (my chicken loving granddaughter). I just wanted to let you know what the chickens have been up to today. Here's Loretta and Whoopi, taking their big chance to go in Papaw's shed when he's not looking. Notice Loretta is the brave one.

Here's Dolly. She's a bit upset because I am taking her picture.

She's trying to hide from me here. She thinks I can't see her, silly chicken!!

Ah Ha!! What have we here. (She's really not happy about having her eggs

discovered)

It's okay Dolly. I'll let you sit on them for now. But I'll be back later, so enjoy your time with them.

Tessa, the chickens miss you and so do we!!

RUSTIC IS GOOD

I've always appreciated

the rustic look. There such

texture and character about it, isn't there?

Give me texture over slick any day,

except on maybe like a bra strap.

This is a picture of our entry way. David decided to give it a new look. We've been here a year and have not had much time for things like entry ways.

Earlier this week David cut down a huge cedar on the back of our place. It got 'hung up' in some other trees and we like to never got it to fall down on the ground. There was lots of figuring, throwing ropes way up in the tree, ropes snapping, tree not falling, David climbing up half felled tree (cracking noises!!!), David climbing down real fast and FINALLY it came crashing down. It was sad in a way, to see a tree fall. But it's not really gone, It has a new life in our entry way. It will welcome all our friends and customers. It will be the first one to say "Hello, we are so glad you are here!"

And yes, you are right, it's not finished yet, but it will be soon, if I know my David. The only problem is that Abe, beautiful, soft, freshly bathed and smelling so sweet, Abe, wants to help with gathering the small cedar (what would you call those? tines? posts?). Well, those skinnier posts that go between the big posts. And he has gotten at least four big drops of cedar sap on his hair!! Oh Abe!!!

New Piece in the Works!

So here it is February...ummm yes, 17th! Here at BurdenStudio things have calmed down a bit since the Christmas season, which, by the way, was wonderful and hectic. In the relative calm, I have been able to sculpt a new piece and wanted to share it with you.

She is 10 inches x 5.5 inches x 4.5 inches and her flute is brass. I am going to call her

"Heavenly Melody"

This is the original terra cotta sculpture and she is obviously in progress and drying out to be fired. This progress usually takes about two weeks. Then we will be able to do a mold on her and then start casting! I'm excited!!!

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I've also done a couple of small pieces for fun. They are also sculpted in terra cotta and I am offering them for sale for $35 each. No molds on these - they are originals.

This one I call

"Weenie with a Twist"

This is dedicated to our dear, departed weenie dog, Sister Burden. It is 5 inches x 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches, sculpted of terra cotta.

Obviously this one is in the drying process as well.

And then there's
"Ben"

He's 3.5 inches x 4.5 inches x 2 inches

He was inspired by my mother-in-law's little donkey, Ben.

Isn't he adorable??

Oh, and he's been fired and is just natural terra cotta, no patina.

And then for the BIG finish, this piece is one that I have had sculpted awhile, but have just finished off properly. I will be entering her in a couple of juried competitions, but wanted to let you see her, and of course, she will be for sale. The price is $450.00

She's titled:

"Her Daddy's Chin"

(with base) 16" x 6.5" x 6.5

"Base is rough cut oak, sealed with clear acrylic. The base can be changed to suit your particular preferences.

(without base) 8.5" x 6" x 6.5"

If you'd like to order, just give us a call at 972-486-3389 and we'll be glad to help you! Happy February!!!

Blessings,
Cindy