Spring is in the Air.

This afternoon the sun is shining so I thought I'd go out and do some work in the garden.  Yes, there are still patches of snow around but the garden is calling me.  So, I bundled up and started to work on the medicinal and magical perennial herb garden.  I raked a bit and pulled up some grass that had gotten in among the plants.  It's amazing how easy it is to pull up grass this time of year.  I can see signs of the lemon balm showing and the lovage is just about ready to break ground.   The cats were all out cavorting around and seemed quite excited to have there human outside with them.   What a great feeling to be out at the earth once again.

I'm not long back from another week in the city.  Himself is still hospitalized.  The infection in his wound appears to be healing and he sounds and looks much better.  Unfortunately he got hit with another thing, a Super Bug.  So he ended up with a blood infection.  I don't know how he's managing to cope with it all.   We still have our fingers crossed that he will be able to get the defibrillator put in soon and then come home.

Robins have been sighted and the woodpeckers are drumming so it surely must be spring.   The redpolls have been here each day lately.  We had snow one day last week and they were filling up on the sunflower seeds.  

That's about it for now.  Hope you're enjoying Spring where ever you are.

Cats

This cat.....showed up a while back.  I don't know who owns him but he looks well fed, was looking in the window,

at this cat.

Cats are funny!

Another Update.

So, here I was, just as daylight was coming over the horizon, up on the roof laughing at myself.   The chimney needed cleaning so nothing for it but to do it myself.   The reason for my laughter was that I realized how I must look.  Holding the long chimney brush with an old ragged jacket belonging to himself, full of burn holes from being around bonfires and full of spruce gum and murr from the wood and heaven only knows what else, with an old toque on the head and big old boots on, standing on the roof.   The jacket being way too big, hanging down to my knees and over sized gloves.   Thinking back to when I use to be a bit of a fashionista, I couldn't help but laugh at myself.  

I had been back in the city once again for another week because another incident happened to himself and he was once again on life support.  Thankful it was only for a couple of days.  It's been a dreadful time for all involved.  He is now starting to get his voice back and each day I saw a tiny difference for the good.  He's very weak and not eating much.  They are trying to exercise him now a little step at a time but it's going to be some time before he's anyway near normal.   He's been moved from the Cardiac Care Unit and is now in the Special Care Unit where I can talk to him on the phone a couple of times a day. 

Yesterday we had a snowfall.  About six inches fell so this morning the deck had to be shoveled and I had to get the snow off the wood to bring it inside.   Fortunately it's been covered with tarpaulins but still, had to get the snow off those.   Then put wood in the sleigh and haul it down to the house, take it off the sleigh and bring it inside.   I'll be so glad when this winter is over.   I've heard that we are to have 25 cm of the white stuff on Friday but fingers crossed that they are wrong.  

So, with thoughts of spring and summer in my mind, here's a picture of some of my roses.

Update.

It's been a rough couple of weeks or more for himself.  He's in the hospital in the city and finally seems to be making progress.  I'm not going to go into all the details, he had a double by-pass, after that his heart stopped and he had to be shocked, he was on life support for about a week but is now off it and he still has a long way to go before he can come home.  Luckily my daughter could come here to look after things which meant that I could go to the city for a week to spend time at the hospital.  His two daughters flew in, one from the States and one from Spain.   I'm hoping to get back to the city again, maybe in a week.  It's been very stressful. 

The weather has been spring like which gives me a boost.  A lot of the snow has gone but as you can see through the window, there is still a fair bit left.  Of course we can still have snow but at least there are signs of spring.

On my return home a few days ago, my daughter had bought me this sweet teddy called Grace to welcome me back.

The cats were glad to see me back I think.  Two of the darlings.....

And last, the Frog Fairy. 

You should be able to click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.  Well, that's about it for now.  Thank you all for your lovely comments on the last post. 

Sunday.

Two weeks ago himself had a heart attack.  Friday past he had a double by-pass.  He's doing well at the moment and will feel a bit better as each day passes.   I'm anxious to get him home but that won't be for another week or so.

We've had more snow but today and the next few days are to be sunny.  It's been a beautiful day today with a good bit of warmth coming from the sun even though we are still in February.  

A few pictures after the last snowfall.

A blue jay enjoying the suet.

Malachi loves having his stomach rubbed so when he wants this, he lays on his back and looks up with this sweet face.  Who can resist!

That's about it, not much else happening these days. 

Brrrrr! Cold!

On the way back from shopping on a rather bleak day.   As you can see in the first picture, the ocean is frozen over.

So, winter goes on and on......   We had some terrific wind last week and the house, at times, was literally shuddering.   The power went at some point over night but was back on when I got up the next morning.   We've been having some clear nights hence the nights have been terribly cold.

Poor little birds.  One wonders how they get through it all.  The only thing I can do is provide suet and fatty seeds to help them through the nights.   A nice surprise the other day, I was on my way out to fill the feeders when I saw that a group of Redpolls had arrived.

Nothing much happening with me.  Seems we're in the winter doldrums.  Time is flying though and once March arrives, things seem to brighten up.  At least that's the feeling I get.  Guess it's because Spring is just around the corner. 

One more picture of my favorite bird.  Sitting in the sun.

Snow and Cold

We've had some bitterly cold days and nights.  Temperatures plummeting down to the -20 s at night and not much warmer during the day.    It's improved somewhat but not enough for my liking.  The only bit of cheeriness is that the seed catalogues have arrived.  A friend was telling me that he's already sent away for his seeds and they've arrived.   Gardeners.....we're all quite mad.  We won't see the ground for a matter of months yet and here we are, excited about planting. 

I got up one morning this past week and Jack Frost had paid us a visit.  The fire had gone out overnight and I can tell you, it was pretty cold in the house. 

We had a lovely blanket of snow on top of what was already there.  I must say with the sun and shadows on fresh snow, it does look pretty.

The cats, of course, are not at all happy with the situation and spend a lot of the day sleeping.   Malachi in one of his silly moods.

Stanley, wondering what to do with himself.

Two new additions.  A beautiful fairy given to me as a gift.

And.....a funny cow that I found in the Goodwill.  I have no idea why I bought it.  The only thing I can say is, well, just look at that face, haha.

Loads of Juncos here everyday.  All the regulars of course.   Well, that's about it.  Nothing much of note happening.  Waiting for spring.....

First Storm.

We've had the first real storm of winter.   Some areas received up to 75 cm of the white stuff.  Winds were so high that the snow was blowing down the road sideways.  Power was out through most of the island.  We lost ours early in the morning and didn't get it back until mid afternoon.  Actually this wasn't so bad as sometimes it can be out for much longer.  Phones were out as well.  Times like this I can't help but think of people who have electric heat.   Fortunately we burn wood for our heating so we're toasty warm without electric power.   I was talking to my parents before the phones went out and they said there was about four feet of snow against their front door and figured it would be a couple of days before they could get out. 

Picture, not mine, of one doorway blocked. 

We went out at one point when the storm seemed to have abated somewhat and tried to shovel out the car but, alas, the driveway was filling in as fast as we were shoveling. 

Find the car!  lol

I did manage to get to a couple of bird feeders.  Loads of little Juncos were waiting for food. 

A few shots of the snow.

Luckily when it was all over a friend came with his plow and cleared the driveway.  The snow was so heavy that there was no way we could have done it ourselves.   So, it's all over until the next time.  Hurry Spring!!

NO MORE SWEETS, PLEASE!

If I see any more chocolates, cookies or cake I think I'll be sick!    I've gone well over the level of insanity with regards to eating this stuff and there's still lots around.  Ye gad!! 

It was a good Xmas with my daughter and two grandchildren here.  They arrived on the 23rd.  Fortunately the weather cooperated.  We sat down to a meal of lasagne and salad that night.

The afternoon of the 24th. I had an open house from three to six.  That went well with people stopping in for a drink and some food. 

So many presents under the tree, two trees actually.  I put one up in the living room and one in the sitting room.  This is the smaller "sitting" room and tree.

The night of Xmas Eve, Andrew brought in a huge basket filled with gifts and had a blanket over it to hide what was inside.  He put it near a table in the living room which was fine.   The next morning I was the first one up.  It was still dark so I found my way across the living room to switch on the lamp, forgetting about the basket.  I tripped over it, fell into it, the lamp on the table went flying along with old bones in his sleigh and some wooden coasters.  What a racket!  I managed to haul myself up and was in tremendous pain with my arm and leg.  While sitting on the chesterfield waiting for the pain to subside, I was thinking, I could have fallen with a heart attack and be dying here when the rest of the household are snoring away in there snug little beds.  haha.  Unfortunately I broke a beautiful wine glass that was one of the gifts in the basket when I fell. 

Everyone got up fairly early and we opened all our gifts.  It was a great day.  Laurie and the kids left on Boxing Day for home.  It was the first time that I can remember that we were all together for the holidays. 

We've had some snow.

My friends waiting for breakfast.

Some Goldfinches arrived and took advantage of the feeders.

Loads of Juncos around these days.  No unusual birds to be seen.  The woodpeckers weren't around for some time and I found that upsetting but I've seen a couple at the feeders this past week.

One of the presents I got was a Santa to add to my collection.  I just love him.

 And last but not least, Stanley snuggled in the old fellows arms.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and wishing you all a wonderful New Year.

Monday Morning.

So there I was early this morning sitting at the computer enjoying my first coffee when I hear an "ahem" behind me.  I turned around and there was himself stark naked with a Xmas elf hat on saying "See what Santa brought you for Xmas."  To say I nearly choked on the coffee is putting it mildly.  No picture!!

Speaking of pictures, the on/off button on my camera has bitten the dust.   I can still take pictures but to turn the camera off I have to hold down the off button and while doing this, take the batteries out.  A real nuisance.   I've had the camera for a good many years so I suppose it's time it started breaking down.  Himself tells me that I can use his camera, the one sitting on the shelf since he bought it.

I have all the decorating done.  To be honest my heart wasn't in it for some reason but now that I'm finished and look around, I'm happy.   I spend a morning making Nanimo  Bars and a truckload of shortbread.  I used my grandmothers old cookie cutters on the shortbread.    So many memories came flooding back.  

So, next on the agenda is to make a variety of finger food that I can freeze.  I'm thinking of having an open house Xmas Eve like I did last year so I like to have food already made then I'm freed up that day and it's off my mind.

That's about it!  A few pictures.....

Crows waiting for breakfast.

Blue Jay.

Just Cats.