Your birdbath can be a wonderful addition to your garden setting, in summer as well as winter months. While your plants sleep away cold, birds still need water and many local watering holes may be frozen over and not provide liquid they need. Also, there are different birds in each season, and you will be amazed that you never noticed them before. If your bath is shallow, simply knocking out ice and providing clean water will keep them happy during coldest days.

A fun project is to keep a diary of birds you see in any given season. Compare notes and see which ones are just passing through and which take up housekeeping. The colors are a sight to behold, and their activities will entice both adult and child to watch and enjoy. Birds can be a very welcome addition into your spot in world. Treat them with a few amenities and they will reward you handsomely. Wherever you live, there are birds that will take delight in necessities you have provided, and listen very carefully - you will hear them thanking you with their song - a chorus of chirping, singing, and other bird sounds is very entertaining. They have different songs for difference occasions. See if you can tell difference and soon you will know if they are sending out an alarm to other birds, courting a possible mate, or just enjoying afternoon. It can become a lifelong hobby, and a very enjoyable one at that. Your picture perfect garden just got a little prettier, and a lot more musical. ENJOY ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 June http://www.arleenssite.com http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com

RASPBERRY PUNCH 4 cups ice-cold water, 1 envelope unsweetened raspberry-flavored soft-drink powder, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 6-oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate, 1 10-oz. pkg. frozen raspberries, thawed, or 2 cups fresh, lemon-lime carbonated beverage, such as 7-up or Sprite, and ice cubes Put 2 cups of water, soft drink powder, sugar, and lemonade into a blender. Blend until smooth and sugar is completely dissolved. Blend fresh raspberries until blended but not pureed. Combine drink mixture with fruit and 2 cups water. Stir, and chill. Just before serving, add carbonated beverage. ************************* Try other fruit combinations and see what you can create! Fresh fruit is naturally sweet and sherbet and ice cream will add to your summertime drink creations. ENJOY ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 June