Before I Die

 It may look like just another run down building, but it is a constant source of inspiration for locals. 
The wall is called Before I Die and it gives strangers a common question.  It doesn't matter what path you are in life, but it will get you thinking.  What really matters most to me in this world and what one thing would I want to happen, before I die.

This is the brainchild of Candy Chang and this is what she had to say about her project. 

"It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget what really matters to you. With help from friends and neighbors, I turned the side of an abandoned house in my neighborhood into a giant chalkboard to invite people to share what is important to them. Before I Die transforms a neglected space into a constructive one where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us. If you’re in New Orleans, stop by the corner of Marigny and Burgundy (900 Marigny Street) to add your thoughts to the wall and discover what matters most to your neighbors. It’s a question that changed me over the last year after I lost someone I loved very much. And I believe the design of our public spaces can better reflect what’s important to us as residents and as human beings."

Source

Crafting with Kids

 We decided to make bird feeders that were easy to see if the birds loved them.  The squirrels really couldn't violate them!

They are just made with a red disposable cups, some thick string, peanut butter, and bird seed.

We caked the peanut butter all over the cup, after we fed and knotted the string through the top of the cup.  We took a plate and laid some bird seed on it, then rolled the peanut butter cups in the seed!  So easy and fun.

We made a scarecrow version of my daughter.  I think it turned out great.

Her body double is just her clothes, some clothes pins, pine straw, and a few sticks.

Hello Ladies

I received these ladies in the mail to combat some issues in my yard naturally.  I used to kill kill kill in my yard, before I knew any better.  I found out that the beneficial bugs take longer to repopulate than the pests we dread.  So over time well I am sure you get the picture.  Bad bugs gone wild. 

I have been adding butterflies, bees, praying mantis eggs, ladybugs, and lacewings the past few years and have seen a huge change in my yard and the bugs that inhabit it.

Most of my purchases are from Planet Natural.  We added two thousand of these beauties to the yard and some ladybug lure to keep them around.  My daughter loved playing and releasing them for hours.