as the days quiet down & "Happy New Year"

Now that all but two of  my charges have their people home after the holidays, I was rather slow to get moving this morning. This home requires just one visit a day so I prefer to make myself present mid-day to break it up for the felines. Then I keep the routine going.
These beautiful cups were a gift from my daughter Jess and Mike. Jess keeps my collection of white dishes interesting and up-to-date. I love them as they will be perfect for hot-chocolate and herbal teas. I have a cupboard full of new teas to try and I am ready to get at it. Today I brewed up a pot of Pomegranate Hibiscus Tea. Delicious!

The fire is burning in the wood-stove and the cats and dog are enjoying the quiet.

We are once again in a deep-freeze here in Ontario. It's too cold to walk Kane so he goes on many car rides throughout the day and runs around his yard instead. Five minutes in these freezing temperatures is enough for him. The poor ferals at the sight are hiding out and only receive dry food these days. I give them lots and two different kinds to please them all. I hear by Friday the temp. will rise and I can give them soft food once again.

                           "BLAH! to freezing cold weather."

I hung out another beautiful feeder for our birds today and put up some fresh suet. This one holds seeds and is placed at the back patio door where Audrey can be entertained by our local birds.

 "Thank you Susan (my walking buddy) and owner of the blog   http://readymadecosmos.blogspot.ca/ for this thoughtful gift. I love it and hope the birds do, too."Your yard is always full of our feathered friends so send some over." (Susan is a knitter so if any land in our yard sporting tuques I'll know they are from her way)

2013 has been an emotional year for us. Our home is still in the planning because of unforeseen issues with our design and designer but we look forward and pick it up where we left off in the spring of 2014. On the other hand, we were thrilled to see our daughter Jess become a mom as we welcomed our beautiful grand-daughter Gwyneth into our family and we enjoy her immensely.
Sadly, we said "good-bye" to our beloved Mr. Ed and just typing this brings me to tears. But that is life as we know it.

We wish you all a "Happy New Year" and thank you for stopping by so often throughout the year. I hope you drop by in 2014 for tea, cat-tips and the goings-on of our family and felines. Audrey is in the mirror every day practicing some new faces for you  that she hopes will 'thrill' you. She's bigger and bolder than ever. Here's one from this morning that she asked to send your way from her
 hidey-hole on the couch.

I have so enjoyed visiting your blogs and look forward to dropping by in the new year.

Do take a peak at Molly's kittens in the previous post.

"All the best, everyone. See you next year."

hugs, Deb