While I was cleaning out and working yesterday- not a good combination of efforts!- I came across this old storybook of birds at the back of the shelf. I was wondering what to do with it when I stumbled upon this.
The day I started this blog, I chose quickly from a scribbled list I made of possible names. Honestly, I didn't give it all enough thought and might have chosen differently if I had allowed myself more than 10 minutes. But the neighborhood wren was outside the studio window, her little bird house swaying with her movements, catching the sunlight and shadow. House Wren Studio seemed a good fit. And I often feel like a little house wren in here, only I can't sing.
Reading on, it looks like I got the rest of it right too. Clearly, I'm all about the tiny crooked sticks. Time to ask Father Wren to show me some more of those nests he's reported to have all over town.
Just the big, roomy ones, please.......... yeah, how about one with an extra tin can or cute clothespin bag out back. Pretty much done with brown-speckled eggs, but really, what's an old Mother Wren to do?
Nature fact: it's always going to be about the sticks. xoC
Thank you - I love wrens - one of my favourite birds (hence I visited your blog initially!) - in Celtic mythology they were symbolic and connected to the Druids as a sign of augury plus just the (un)coolest latin name!! Cxx
Posted by: caireen | January 08, 2008 at 11:34 AM
lol. what a great book. it was meant to be. i love your name. and those female wrens know how to handle there mates. tee hee.'
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | January 08, 2008 at 12:09 PM
What a cute story! I agree w/ Jessi...we {smart birds} know how to handle our mates... Have a great day!
*heidi*
Posted by: *Heidi* | January 08, 2008 at 12:27 PM
House Wren is the perfect name. It is funny how we come about these things though....scribbling madly on a pad of paper and then narrowing down the list.
Posted by: the farmers wife | January 08, 2008 at 12:30 PM
What a neat book! Just out of curiosity, what is the title of it? My grandmother used to carve birds out of wood and I just happen to have the wren that she did sitting in my china cabinet.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 08, 2008 at 01:19 PM
I feel bad for poor Papa Wren! But I tend to be the same way as Mama Wren -- I guess the women of the nest like it a certain way. :-)
Posted by: Barbara H. | January 08, 2008 at 01:21 PM
I love this post Charlotte! I've always wondered what the genesis of your blog name was and kept forgetting to ask. And how fun are those nesting habits of wrens!
Posted by: Sally | January 08, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Isn't that the truth! Love the story..cute! Now can we get the Papa Wrens to CLEAN the nest? :)
Posted by: whendi | January 08, 2008 at 02:22 PM
What a great find, great book!
I also wondered how you chose the name of your blog
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | January 08, 2008 at 03:52 PM
I love this post - it's a charming story about the wrens. And yes, it is all about the crooked sticks, isn't it?!
Posted by: Jill | January 08, 2008 at 04:50 PM
How sweet! Love your blog name and it fits so well. What a wonderful coincidence that that particular book turned up. And those graphics are gorgeous...would love to make a card out of them or a rubber stamp!
Congrats on cleaning up. I promise to do the same sometime this month...er...year!
Best,
Laurie
Posted by: The Glitter Fairy | January 08, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Charlotte what a wonderful book! The illustrations are beautiful! Lovely post.
Smiles...
Beverly
Posted by: tea time and roses | January 08, 2008 at 06:33 PM
one of today's l.a. times' puzzle answer was "housefinch"...at first I was sure it was going to be "housewren" and I got all excited and thought of you (until I counted the letters!) oh well...I did get to have a good "think of you" out of the whole experience, so whatever.
love.
Posted by: suzi finer | January 08, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I always thought House Wren Studio suited you so well that you had taken hours to come up with the exact right name. Just goes to show that intuition and spontaneity are often the best and most revealing choices.
Posted by: vintagecate | January 09, 2008 at 09:47 AM
That's so beautiful. Isn't that incredible that you found something so FITTING?
Blessings,
Posted by: Kimberly C. | January 09, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Wow, how perfect is that story!! So you and so wonderful!! :)
Posted by: teresa | January 09, 2008 at 05:59 PM
I love the part about tiny crooked sticks. How fun that you ran across the book...
Posted by: Jessica | January 09, 2008 at 10:15 PM
serendipitous...
This is the word that comes to mind with this post.
...and crooked sticks, yes.
Love the bare trees at this time of year for the patterns of the branches against the blue and grey skies.
Thanks for sharing this story.
Posted by: wendy | January 10, 2008 at 03:47 PM
How fantastic that she chooses a nest and then tears it apart to make a new one. Poor Father Wren. He gave it his best shot. Ah well. She's a choosy little bird. Whatever makes the Mrs. happy.
Posted by: Heather Bailey | January 18, 2008 at 03:12 AM