Well, It’s about time!  Right?  I decided to paint my “Martin House” with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (R) in Old White.  With Annie’s paint there is no need to wax or seal it for outside.  One less step!  I set it on a side table painted in Provence (also Annie Sloan).  I added a thin trim along the top edges of the table so that I could pour bird seed around the house itself. 

I placed one of Grandma’s painted birdhouses amidst some newly planted ferns and hosta.  When you transplant ferns they often look very dead for the rest of that season.  Don’t worry.  They should reimerge in the spring wholeheartedly.

 I have not noticed any birds living in the house yet but several have enjoyed the buffet including chickadee, tufted titmouse, junco, blue jay, robin, cardinal, and chipping sparrow.