dive-bombing momma & pretty pottery.

"Hi Folks...Audrey here
I'm starting to hear "Chicka..dee..dee...dee...dee...dee"   in my countless dreams all day.
We have a psycho bird living on our porch that is scaring off all visitors.  Who knew there were dive-bombing, hell-raising Chickadees in our neighbourhood. It's the most exciting thing that has happened in this dull town in ages but apparently the screams from our visitors is causing some disruption.  If someone would let me at it I could take care of things pronto but apparently that ain't gonna happen."

Deb says she saw the mom poke her head out of the hole yesterday, jump out and hang on the hanging plant and then fly off. I'm thinking if I just stand at the door with my mouth open she just might be dumb enough...oh never mind!"

"AUDREY...BEHAVE YOURSELF. Oh yes, and it's time to trim your nails."

"Audrey."
 "Well, that took care of her."

I'd love to show you inside the nest but I have yet to go that close to it. I think, although the bird was dumb enough to make her nest at our front door, she just might be smart enough to be startled and then she may leave the eggs or birds, not sure what is in there, and not return. I will do whatever it takes to not be the cause of that. I will, though, try to photograph her head peaking out one of these days.

Would you like to have a peak at a new piece of pottery I treated myself to? Maybe it's not as exciting as dive-bombing birds but it's pretty, that's for sure.

"Audrey...you really don't hide well."

This bowl was made by Victoria Jenkins who has a studio just outside of our town.
If you would like to take a peak at her work go here...Victoria jenkins pottery
See...isn't she amazing? She also shows off some of her favorite potters' work.

The bowl is a soft cream colour and the flower is apricot. Gorgeous colours together.

It's nice and deep and will hold a multitude of things. Victoria signs all her pieces.
I have one more piece to add to my collection of pretty pottery.


Well, it looks like someone else is interested in the comings and goings of momma bird. That's Rae-Rae and she's just out of the bathtub, hence the wet coat,  where she loves to get a drink from the tap.

Thanks for stopping by and we'll keep you posted on the baby birds.

hugs, Deb

Bright-eyed Rae

I would love to be

this bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 7am every morning.
Rae-Rae has made the main bedroom her boudoir which is just fine with me. I like to look over and see this beauty catching a few winks at all hours of the day. When you make eye contact she begins to purr.

I am off to care for new kitties and some regulars, too, this morning.
It's a bit of a drive on back roads with fresh country air and a nice cool breeze. Maybe If I'm lucky I'll spot some wild-life. 

I already saw momma Chickadee stick her head out of her nest this morning. She screamed some profanity and then flew up to her Maple as I headed out the door to feed the birds.  *hmph* Such gratitude. Oh well, she's only doing what all good mommas do - protecting her little ones.

It looks like rain today and then we are promised a sunny weekend. Not that I hold any weatherman to his promises.

Hope YOUR day is going well.

hugs, Deb  

Chin up and cats-in-windows

Chin up, chin up, everybody loves a happy face. Wear it, share it, it will brighten up the darkest place. Twinkle, sparkle, let a little sunshine in. You'll be on the right side, looking on the bright side...up with your chinny, chin, chin.

This quote from Charlotte's web appeared in my head when I saw this face.

Annie in deep thought.

There's the sweet face I love.

It's a real treat for me to see Addy in her window today as she is a hard one to find in the house when I cat-sit her. She's even hard to see in her window today. For a long time I referred to her as the phantom cat but it is a bit better now. At least I get to see the south end of her heading north most days.

This beauty was spotted while out walking Kane this week.

and this little one in amongst the tv cords.

I could not get his attention away from the dog.

I think I woke this fellow up.

We are still waiting on rain today. The gardens need watering and it will help green up the lawns. 

Hope all is well where you are.

hugs, Deb

For the love of dishes

I did some dusting today.

I do that on dull, rainy days.

It's not a chore for me. I actually have fun and appreciate the excuse to play with dishes.

"Hey Audrey, want to help me dust?"

"In your dreams, woman."

You can see some of the many pieces of pottery I have found in different thrift shops and antique shops in the last few weeks.

I have boxed up many other bits of china and sent them off to thrift shops to find a new home.

All but my blue and white which I adore. 

You'd have to pry them out of my hands.

The late Linda McCartney and I had two things in common.

We both loved blue and white dishes and Paul. *grin*

Did you know she was a wonderful cook?

 I still use her cook-book to this day.

I'm joining Sandi at  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca/ for Tea-Time Tuesday.

 Share Your Cup Thursday at http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/

and Tweak it Tuesday at http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/

hugs, Deb

Lunch out in fashion & a recipe

I wasn't surprised when a request for the Cinnamon Loaf Cake recipe was included in a comment yesterday. Trish from http://katniplounge.blogspot.ca/

is in the mood to bake.

As requested, Trish...

You will need

1/4 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 cup sour milk  (add 1/2 tsp of vinegar to milk and let stand 2 minutes)

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. vanilla

Mix 1 tsp. cinnamon and 3 Tbsp. brown sugar (set aside)

Mix the dry in one bowl

Mix the wet in another

Add dry to wet and mix

Put 1/2 of cake ingredients in pan then a layer of cinnamon and brown sugar.

Add the other half of ingredients and another layer of cinnamon and sugar on top.

Bake 1 hr. at 350 degrees.

I'll bet she has a lot of feline helpers in her kitchen. Trish is owned by 13 fabulous felines and if you have not popped over to meet them and see their amazing digs then you should get on over there right now.

I had lunch out today with a gal that can really sport a hat.

Not everyone can wear a hat but Gwyn's suggestion is to go light on jewellery and flash a beautiful smile. It helps if you have bambi eyes, too.

Works every time.

and now a Bird Tip for the day...

If you're wondering what to do with those old boots hanging around the closet this might be a suggestion.

I know if there is a Chickadee in your area, she would love these digs.

I'm now off to meet two new kitty-clients. You know I'll show them off soon.
Have a great day!

hugs, Deb =^..^=

The smells are heavenly inside and out.

It's another sunny day today and

Annie and Audrey are enjoying the ESS.

"Sorry, Peach. Did I disturb you?"

Have you seen this type of Lilac before?

(source)

Two-toned.
We spotted some on our walk this morning

(photo taken this morning)

                                                             Aren't these gorgeous.
                                                            And they smell amazing.

And so did this Cinnamon Loaf cake while it baked in the oven . This is one of my favorite tea-time loaves and is enjoyed with tea or coffee.

There is a layer of cinnamon-sugar in the middle and then it is topped with more.

Can you ever have too much cinnamon sugar? I think not.

I'll indulge while I enjoy a cup of coffee in my new pottery mug that I found this week.

Can you see my kitchen company today? That's lovely Lily (looking quite perky today) and audacious Audrey sitting at the window. Audrey is about to steal some of Lily's food while she's busy watching me. Audrey's motto is...
'Always eat when the opportunity presents itself.'

Sounds good to me.
hugs, Deb

Stop the madness!

This harried lady that sits on my dresser is a constant reminder to get the message out to Spay or Neuter your cat.

She's absolutely frazzled...

trying to find loving, forever homes for all these kittens that her cat keeps producing.

She's tearing her hair out. (Actually Audrey did that but I'm ok with it...it added to the message.)

 I loath the words 'Free Kittens'

We see this in our paper all the time.

Free Kittens

Handing them out like they were inanimate objects.

What does it take for people to learn, to care, to spay?

I know I am preaching to the choir here but this is now 'kitten season' and our local rescues are already full and expecting to be full of kittens all summer. It boggles my mind that we do not have a Free Spay and Neuter clinic in this area to stop the madness.

Here are 10 reasons to Spay or Neuter your cat...
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/top-10-reasons-spay-or-neuter-your-pet

=^..^=

On the hunt.

I knew if I sat long enough on the front bench with camera in hand I would catch momma Chickadee on her way to the nest.

 And here she is swinging on the hanging plant that I hung just for her. :)

Here she is flying into the nest. (top right)

I plan to put a few more flowers around so she will feel like she lives at The Ritz.

It was pouring rain yesterday so after a bit of cat-sitting I headed to the antique shop in Almonte for a look-see.  I found this sweet little piece of pottery; a tiny vase; and scooped it right up.

I also found a beautiful pitcher and a lone coffee mug that was made by a potter in Perth.

Isn't this pretty?

More apple blossoms to enjoy.

Total spent $15.00

I also sent a bag to the thrift shop in our town yesterday of dishes I have grown tired of.  I'm hoping that those items find a new home, too.

That evens it all out...NO GUILT.

TODAY...while driving along the back roads looking for lilac trees at their best I spotted another antique shop just off the side of the road.  It was called Wilson's Woodland Antiques which really caught my eye since my maiden name is Wilson.  A quick turn into the driveway, that faced the most beautiful log home with colourful gardens, brought me right to the shop door.  After being greeted by the cheery owner,  I spotted another teeny weeny pottery vase. I scooped that up along with another gorgeous jug. Now I have two beautiful miniature vases for the table. This antique shop caters to those who love vintage dishes so I will have to pass this info along to some local dish lovers. And the retired-guy found the perfect bread knife for his home-made bread.
                                                                 Total spent $20.00

                                                        My two miniature pottery vases.

What do you think, Joe?  Did I do good on my 'hunt'?

"HUNT!..you are so lame." Let me outside and I'll show you how to hunt.

"Nah...I think I'll not do that."

Hope you are having a fun weekend & the sun is shining where you are.

hugs, Deb

Do apple blossoms make YOU sleepy?

The sun was shining again today.

Annie says the smell of apple blossoms makes her very sleepy.

"What are you dreaming of, Annie?"

                  "Apple blossoms, hummingbirds & Wellness Chicken in gravy."

Yes, it's that time for apple blossoms and our tree in the yard has exploded since yesterday. I guess the overnight rain really helped. We can see it from our deck door.

It was time to drag out the statue that I love to see amongst the flowers.

St. Francis of Assisi

 I have yet to plant around the apple tree but have placed the bench there anyway. Sierra will appreciate that. :) I'll soon find her sleeping below the apple blossoms.

Apple blossoms on the table will fill this house with a heavenly fragrance. That is, if Joe doesn't demolish them.

If only they would last forever.

Rae-Rae is watching for the momma Chickadee to arrive soon. She is great entertainment for this love-struck cat.

We are expecting a beautiful weekend of +20 temperatures and lots of sun. I guess we've done something right to deserve this glorious weather. I have lots of kitties to pamper. All regulars... all beauties.

=^..^=
hugs, Deb