around here.

today i made a batch of these tasty cookies.

i used cranberry and strawberry jam and i bypassed the hearts.

just simple thumbprints.

here is a gourd birdhouse i purchased in farmville the other day.

i walked into a store that i thought would be up my alley and it definitely was not.

the minute i walk in, i see an older woman to my left painting a gourd birdhouse and then an older man to my right weaving a basket.

it's a small store and no one else was in there.

i tried not to panic and decided to just walk around for few minutes and pretend like i was interested in what they were selling.

unfortunately, there was not much there to peak my interest.

a lot of painted blocks of woods with different sayings on them and painted birdhouses.

just not my style.

and then i saw this gourd birdhouse for $4.50. 

simple and beautiful to me.

come to find out most everything in the store was made by their hands...and the gourds were grown by them.

i was impressed and glad to support them.

i am happy with my little purchase. 

come spring i might put it out for the birds but for now, i will happily keep it displayed in my kitchen.