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.

  

A Bright Sunshiny Day!

We've had our first real snowfall.  Aside from the fact that I don't like the stuff, I have to admit that it looks very pretty. 

A few pictures taken yesterday morning.   The sky was so blue and crystal clear.

We went to Gander earlier this week to do our monthly shopping.  I was dreading it because I figured this time of year the stores would be blocked with people and the lineups at the checkouts would be unbelievably long.    I was nicely surprised to see that this wasn't so.   We got back home by early afternoon.  

There are so many birds at the feeders these days as it's been terribly cold and they need to bulk up on food to keep warm on these cold nights.   This Northern Flicker was here the other morning.  I've only ever seen one a couple of times.  He didn't stay for long so I only managed to get this one picture.

Speaking of birds, it's just getting daylight and I must get outside to fill the feeders for the day.   It's so cold out, brrrrrrrrr!

Back Again!

My brain feels like it's been all over the place lately.   It seems that I have no time but of course I do.   I believe it's because I'm thinking too far ahead about things I have to do instead of concentrating on today.  I've been fairly busy......I spent three days painting our bedroom.  Not an easy task as I had to move so much heavy stuff around then haul the ladder all over the place to get at the walls.   My body was a wreck with all the twisting and turning.  I can honestly say it's the worse job of painting I've ever done.  However, it will suffice.  It was a rather dull colour, now it's a warm yellow and when the sun comes in through the windows the room brightens up considerably.

What else have I been doing......I did three mini paintings on 3" x 3 " wooden blocks to give as gifts.  Also painted four wooden boxes to fill and give as gifts.  Spent part of a day painting the tips of huge pinecones white to use as decoration for the holidays.  Then, I'm in the middle of sewing a, hmmm, I suppose it's a sort of dressing gown, in a patch work design.  Maybe a lounging coat would be a better name.   It's time consuming as each bit of material has to been sewn on. 

I also spent a morning clearing out the small storage room/pantry.   It was  filled with stuff that had been hanging around for years, stuff that was never used, and I was getting fed up with it all.  So, I packed up about seven boxes and lugged them up to the shed.  I have to go up a bit of a hill to get to the shed so bringing these boxes up there was no mean feat.

Another bear came around and knocked down a feeder that was nailed onto the top of a post.  That particular post had four wooden signs with the four directions and elements associated with them.  Two of those were hanging off.    That has now been repaired. 

Lots of birds around now.  You can set your watch by when the crows come flying in for breakfast.  7:15am I hear them cawing in the distance and within seconds big black shadows appear.   I do love them so.  The Juncos have arrived and will hang around for the winter.

Well, I really must take off.   We will be cleaning the chimney shortly.  We're just waiting for the sun to come up.   A few pictures.......Sleepy Stanley, Little Freya waiting for her treats and handsome Frankie posing for his picture.