This National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America will come in handy – even for the estimated 60 million people who identify themselves as bird-watchers, and most hone their skills right in their own backyards.

Vivid illustrations of 150 common species make identification a snap.

And how many times have you spotted a tree and had no idea what it was?

The National Geographic Field Guide to the Trees of North America will certainly help!

Ideal for backpacks and back pockets, this indispensable reference makes it easy to identify any tree commonly encountered in North America—more than 350 species in all. It’s a natural for birders, hikers, and other outdoorsy types, but even confirmed urbanites will find plenty of information on city trees as well.

Hundreds of gift ideas and titles for you at the National Geographic Online Store:

+ Shop National Geographic’s Best Selling Gifts!

+ SAVE $30 on The Complete National Geographic! Every page of every issue in digital format.

+ Great Migrations DVD & book: buy them together and SAVE 50%!

You can take a walk through an entire nursery-worth of products without leaving your chair! And through February 11, 2012, find out how to get all orders for only $5.95 shipping from Nature Hills Nursery…

When possible, I want to pay shipping charges just once – I don’t want to have to buy from 3 vendors for 3 items. I think most savvy online shoppers do the same.

Sierra Trading Post fits my requirements and the selection never disappoints. They have a great sale going on now – that runs to February 8, 2012.

And as for multi-tasking?

Save 35-70% on ski and snowboard gear at Sierra Trading Post!
Save on Outdoor Gear at Sierra Trading Post!
Great deals on ski boots at Sierra Trading Post!
Save on Pet Supplies at Sierra Trading Post!
Sierra Trading Post Gift Cards!

Add to this brand name clothes and accessories for fishing, hunting, camping, climbing and cycling – you’ve found a great resource for all season’s outdoor activities.

This Asian architecture inspired feeder features dramatic scrollwork details along the base.

Constructed of western red cedar for its striking roof and kiln-dried pine. There are two separate feeding trays, along with a drain hole at the base. Will attract all types of wild birds.

Dimensions: 22″ H x 14″ W x 12″ D

DECORATIVE BIRD FEEDERS: Home Bazaar Summer Palace Feeder

From The Bird Shed

The Celtic Failte Bird Feeder is a unique feeder with a real Irish welcome and a enchanting addition to your garden.

Beautifully detailed with Celtic knots and painted in soft colors. Side roof lifts to fill.

Hangs by 7″ chain or by back keyhole. Imported.

Boxed Resin/Stone.

Size: 10″ x 5″ x 5″.

This delightful Garden Leprechaun is at home in the garden, patio or porch.

Perched on his pot of gold this wee fellow captures the essence of Irish charm.

Weather resistant resin. 14″ tall.

Celtic knots and bouquet of orchids that adorn this
Personalized Celtic Orchid Engraved Stone will offer a tribute to a loved one, pet, or just feature a special spot in your garden.

This cast-stone concrete marker is made from the mold of an original, carved piece of artwork. Weatherproof and can be left outdoors year-round. Made in USA and gift boxed.

Measures 9″ x 2″ x 7″. Choose up to 2 lines of personalization with a maximum of 19 characters per line letters or numbers.

The Claddagh Garden Stake Weather Vane is made from hand-cast aluminum and hand-painted in weather-resistant paint.

Claddagh made from original wood carving with black with gold highlights.

24″ W x 12″ H ornament with 5′ garden stake.

I’m renovating an older house on a 7 acre property with a 4 acre lake. This provides many opportunities to show some of the work that is going on, provide some hopefully helpful hints, and share a few “lessons-learned” on our various DIY projects.

If I find an advertiser who offers something I am discussing, say as example my thoughts about the purchase and use of a wood stove, I’ll provide links to their site so readers can review and make their own decisions about whether a product is right for them or not. This seems a legitimate “referral” of searched-for info for anyone who is interested.

Unfortunately, some advertisers are NOT interested in my attempts to review or discuss their product lines…they just want you to buy, buy, buy. Well, I hope you buy something too – but only if it is the right choice for you.

Rose Cottage Ltd was just “terminated” by an advertiser this morning – one of which I have a fair amount of links to from this blog. I thought they wanted to be a good “go-to” resource for my readers. Apparently not. They’d rather I push you hard to buy versus just providing you with some user info that might make your buying decisions easier. It seems I won’t push hard enough to suit this advertiser – which means they don’t suit Rose Cottage.

They are not interested in good content. They are not interested in what a purchaser actually has to say about a product. They just want sales. If I had known this was their focus, I would have NEVER promoted them.

It will take me about 2 weeks to remove all their links from both the Rose Cottage Ltd. website and blog but trust me, I will do so.

In the meantime, here’s a link to an advertiser that DOES belong on Rose Cottage! You can shop there with confidence for many of the products covered on the Rose Cottage blog. This is all I expect from a company – and it’s the least we deserve.

Is there any more potentially depressing time of year than right after the holidays? Whether good, bad, or indifferent – the after-Christmas and after-New Year’s time frame can sometimes leave you just feeling exhausted.

In many areas, cold weather first hits hard during this same time – as does the flu. It’s 15 degrees here this morning in Central North Carolina – after a high temperature one day last weekend of 73 degrees. I can’t work outside because it’s too cold – although I am working rather diligently to keep that wood stove fed! The lack of physical activity during cold winter months can have a negative impact on a person’s mental and emotional health. Lack of sunlight and Vitamin D are also often cited as main culprits in seasonal depression.

10% OFF Fireplaces of $599 or More with Coupon Code: FIREPLACES10 @ HomeClick.com!

Add to this that if my father was still alive, today would have been his 77th birthday – and January seems to me a less than stellar way to start a new year.

Time to Re-boot!

Seed catalogs for Spring planting will soon be arriving in the mailbox!

Since it is dark by 5:30pm, I have more time now in the evening to read books or watch movies I don’t have time for on long, outdoor summer evenings. I am always looking for ways to improve my outdoor living environment and now is a great time to do some research and get some new design ideas – instead of trying to find time to do this while the grass is waiting to be watered or mowed.

If I get too bored, I can start planning my defense on the coming assault of tax season in April. Or in a more pleasant light – I can start planning a summer vacation. This winter “downtime” is also a great time to get your inside life organized. A good old-fashioned “throw-away” can be uplifting. Go through a room, or a closet, or a file cabinet that needs a clean-out and get it done.

Don’t be too tied to New Year’s resolutions. Too many people set themselves up for failure the very first day of the year – and then get discouraged. Instead, know that if you are alive and breathing this morning, you have a shot at 361 more days this year to change what you want to change and make any improvements you can as you go along.

If all else fails, maybe these Hyacinth images will help – and the fact that they bloomed before the end of February 2011 – not that long to wait for this season’s color. There’s also the clarity of a winter sky – which can not be seen in the more humid months of summer.

The first day of Spring is March 20, 2012…you can make it!

From Rose Cottage Ltd…

FedEx 2-day air – Today at 2pm CST
FedEx Next Day – December 22nd at 2pm CST

Premium Shipping – Today at 3pm Eastern
Express shipping – December 22nd at 3pm Eastern

Check out Dunhill’s E-Gift Certificate Program – Great for you “emergency” shoppers!

Next Day Air – December 21st at 8pm Eastern

FINAL DAY! FREE 2-day air upgrade!

And the best-selling garden fountain of 2011…