Almost February!

Here we are, almost the end of January and we haven't had any snow worth talking about. Not much showing in the long range forecast. This is good as each day that goes by without snow is one less day of winter.

Laurie was here for five days. She arrived last Wednesday and left yesterday. We met her at the bus and as we were walking towards the bus, the driver was opening the luggage place under the bus and was laughing and talking with Laurie as he pulls out her computer chair. I couldn't believe my eyes, lol. She had some work to do on my computer so brought along her own comfortable computer chair. When she was leaving, I asked her if the taxi that she was getting when she got off the bus would take the chair along with all her luggage. She said that she had phoned ahead and ordered that a van pick her up. lol.

Its very windy today which makes it chilly outside. Himself bundled up to go for his walk this morning and about 15 mins. later was coming in the door again saying that when he got down the hill and around the corner the wind was so cold it was cutting. Prior to that I had let the chickens out as the temperature was around zero. I wasn't thinking of the wind chill factor. There was nothing for it but to get them back in their greenhouse area again.

Still not a lot of birds at the feeders. I have seen a couple of nuthatches though which pleased me. Normally I have lots all year round but last year I don't think I saw any which was really strange.

Sweet Stanley.


Chicken in winter.

Jay

Chilly Day In January

It seems ages since I did any blogging. To be honest, I've been busy. I had a sewing project to finish and now have a couple of more that need to be done as soon as possible. I had put all the materials away before the holidays as I was up to my ears in xmas decorations, etc. I went to look for it all a few days ago and tore the house up trying to find it. I was totally thrown as I couldn't imagine what had become of it. I gave up the search two days in a row and finally unable to chuck it all to the wind I figured I'd have one more look. Again with the flashlight searching under beds, in cupboards, in linen closet...then finally...there it was in a large bag in my clothes closet. I thought I had put it all in a box...duh!

The weather has turned cold now. Well, colder than over the holidays. No snow worth talking about though and the longer that keeps away the happier I'll be. It got above zero today so the chickens got out for a while.

The seed catalogues have arrived so I have to sit down soon to make a list of what I want. I always find this exciting. I swore I wouldn't buy any more seeds but I see a couple of things I'd like with just a quick look through the catalogues. I want to order a couple of Patchouli plants to grow as a house plant. One for me and one for Laurie. Apparently they smell devine.

Not many birds around these days. I don't know why. I guess once it gets colder the feeders will be getting lots of attention.

A friend had her old Jack Russell, Mouse, put down a short while ago. I went with her to the vets. Needless to say there were tears from both of us. My friend was very upset as you can well imagine. She's contacted a breeder and will have a Jack Russell puppy in early Februray. His name will be Stuart.

I haven't been keeping up very well with the blogs that I read so must try to get at that soon and catch up.

A few pictures on the beach a short while ago. Not very exciting but it looks cold.

A new year. 2010

A new day, a new year. We had such an exciting evening.....watched a movie and were in bed by 9:00 pm. It can't be because we are getting old surely, my mom 85 and my dad 89 were out at a dance, tripping the light fantastic til all hours. Daughter probably didn't get home until daylight either....

We have been eating so much over the holidays. Lots of sweets, cakes, chocolates, etc. Monday is the day of reckoning. It all has to stop. Got to get back to healthy eating again and LOOSE WEIGHT!! Saying this while I'm here at the computer pushing more chocolates into my mouth.

Santa was good to me....I got a new printer, scanner, copier, a dvd player that takes those sticks. ie: you can down load movies, series, etc. onto the stick and then it goes into the player. I'm also waiting on a new computer. The one I have now is very slow and is getting to be a pain in the rear end at times. Of course I got lots of other wonderful stuff, too much to mention.

We woke up this morning to some flurries. It's suppose to warm up by tomorrow with some rain I believe. The chickens have been able to get out and about the property as the snow we did have had melted and the ground was showing up again.

One of the girls.


A welcome at the back door.


The Fat Cat. I couldn't resist getting this picture.


There are still lots of juncos and chick a dees around and of course always the woodpeckers.




Now, after finishing a wonderful bowl of bean soup, I'm going to get the latest seed catalogue, settle back and dream of spring.

End of year 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR


Wishing all my friends a very happy new year.

Tis the Season.

We had to go to the shop yesterday afternoon to pick up a couple of items. Himself went ahead of me to clear some ice off the windshield of the car. A minute later I followed behind and got half way down to the car when I heard a noise. I recognized it as a Grouse so gave a shouted whisper, you know what that is.....when you try to whisper loudly so you don't scare the bird off, lol. A shouted whisper saying "There's a grouse there I'm going back for my camera." I just had that out of my mouth when himself yells loudly "There's a grouse over there." So, got the camera and walked slowly back to get as close as I could before it took off. I got one shot when himself yells, "There's a cat stalking the bird." and before I could say "Bobs your uncle", the bird flew over my head and up into the woods. Then I saw the neighbours cat quite near where the grouse was. If you look closely at the fence rail, in the middle of the photo, you should see the bird. Not a great picture but the first grouse I've seen this season.



It's been a lovely few days. We had friends in on Xmas Eve then the next day we were invited out for dinner. We've been eating so much and if I see another chocolate I think I'll up chuck. Far too much food and sweets on the go. Serious dieting begins after New Years. The weather has been quite nice with just a brush of snow on Xmas Eve. In fact, the snow is gone around a lot of the property so the girls have been able to get out each day and wander under the bird feeders to pick up the dropped seeds. There are many Juncos and Chick a Dees about now. And of course the dear crows, my favorite bird, always here to give me moments of joy.

Here's wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

Winter Solstice

HAPPY YULE

Sunday in December

We've had two lots of snow in recent days. I was saying yesterday morning that my body was aching all over and figured I must be coming down with something but then remembered that the day before I had been shoveling snow and realized that was the problem. Just one of the joys of getting older.

It seems that I've been very busy but can't exactly say at what. This morning I tied some spruce branches around the archway coming onto the property and all I need now is a big red bow to hang on the top. I hung two more suet feeders in the trees, that makes five in all. The birds like to fill up on the suet blocks on very cold days. There have been lots of Juncos around along with the regulars. It's mild today...well about +4 C. A lot of the snow has melted off the trees but the ground is still covered.

I'm trying to contain my excitement about Laurie coming for the holidays. It's so close to that time now. As far as having everything ready....it's all done. Just a waiting game now.

A few pictures.

Cat in Hat.


Looking out of kitchen window....tree on deck.


Woodie.



Underside of Chick a Dee.


Juncos.




The last snow fall.

Busy Days.

I've been very busy this past couple of days. It took me almost all day yesterday to decorate inside. I don't know why, other years it's all done in a morning. One of the brothers, Stanley, was giving me grief. He was not only knocking ornaments off the tree as I was putting them on but he was also trying to run up to the top of the tree. I expect one morning we'll get up and it will all be on the floor. Here are a few pictures of some of the decorations. Most of you have seen them before as I tend to do the same thing each year.

The Tree.




The Mantle.



One of the many Santas.


One of the Wreaths.


Himself was saying that the holidays just wouldn't be the same with out Old Bones in his Santa hat and Sleigh.


We've had some lovely sunny days lately. Temperatures around +5 C. So much nicer than the overcast snowy days we had been having. Lots of Juncos around now. I expect the Evening Grosbeaks will soon show up. This morning it's -6 with a wind. One wonders how the little birds manage to survive it all.

Speaking of cold.....this picture was taken by himself in the 1980's in the older part of St. John's. I think it's a pretty neat photo. Enough to make you shiver.

Click on any photo to enlarge.

Wintery Day

The first winter storm of any significance hit yesterday. While we only got 20 cm, St. John's got 38 cm. I phoned my parents to see how they were making out and my mother says that my father just came in, he had shoveled out four cars and cleaned them off.

"Put him on the phone," I said
"Hello" he says
"Are you out of your mind, don't you realize that your almost 90 years old and you shouldn't be doing stuff like that."
"Well", he says, "One poor old fellow is 92 and then there's this old lady who's 80."

I could only burst out laughing. Maybe that's what keeps him young.

Still dark but shovels at the ready.

Himself shoveled the driveway while I filled the bird feeders.

Blue Jays.




The crows came for breakfast just before full daylight.


Stanley looking out at all that white stuff.

Snowy Day.

It's been snowing all afternoon and still continues tonight. Shovels are at the ready as I expect there will be some shoveling to do before it's all over. The plow has been up the road twice.

The Juncos have appeared at the feeders and lots of Chick a dees as well. I had to go out and clear the snow off the platform feeder as the little birds were trying to get down to the seed. Replenished the seed and it didn't take them long to fill their bellys.

A few pictures of some Chick a Dees. Not the best pictures I'm afraid but here they are.




And, one taken tonight.

Rainy Tuesday.

It's a wet chilly day so thought it would be a good time to do some clearing up and cleaning inside. I can't....and why? There are cats asleep all over the place, on the chesterfield where I want to straighten. In the linen closet where I want to put clean linens. On the guest room bed where I have to take extra blankets off. On my bed with himself so I can't work around in there. Any moment at all now I'm going to give a great shout for everybody to wake up and move out of my way.

It's hard to believe that we are in December already. I really don't know where this year has gone. Time goes much too fast. I have to say that the month of November as far as weather was concerned was lovely. We did have a fair number of wet days but the temperatures were spring like.

Not much going on except my mind figuring what I have to do for the holidays coming up in a few weeks. Oh, there is one bit of excitement, my granddaughter has a new pet. A beautiful Rat. She got him at a pet shop where he had been for some months as no one liked his colour so he couldn't find a home. I just don't understand humans at times. He loves being petted and she is getting him use to being out of his cage. She's going to get a friend for him once he gets settled. Here's a picture of the little darling. I think he's just adorable.


A few pictures of the area. Not very exciting I must admit.





The only reason I took this picture of our "fat" cat is because her little toes are curled so prettily.


I'm still trying to get a good shot of the crows but not happy with what I've gotten so far. They come for breakfast most mornings between 7:20 and 7:30 am.




That's it! I hear movement behind me so time to get at it.