I'd rather be bird-watching

Annie, being Annie, has no problem with having to move over on her blankie to make room for our 18 years old, Lily. They are together now like old friends and where you find one you find the other.

Annie has taken over for our late Mr. Ed.

We were at the property again today. Look who came to my feeder.

So far I have seen Chickadees, Sparrows, A woodpecker, Blue-jays and Juncos. And...a little-bitty baby red squirrel.

I couldn't make hide nor hair of the instructions for the garage-doors to be installed today.

"wt...."

but guys always seem to know what to do so he was having fun.

All together now folks....."BORING!"

I'm going back to bird-watching.

Stay cozy,

Deb

A vision

While working at the property I took a few minutes to check on things where we have a little grave-site for our deceased but still much-loved cats.

Looking from that spot you can see the house through the apple orchard. I really like this photo because for years It was a wish of mine to someday visualize a house there.

I would often stand at this little spot and imagine a home to walk back to where it was warm and the tea-pot was full.

Now that we have the first stage of our building plan almost completed I feel that the wish is coming true. The carriage-house will keep us cozy for the winter and coming Spring.

We are off to install the garage doors. The retired-guy is so excited about this. It doesn't quite 'do it' for me; I guess it's a man thing.

"Happy 28th Birthday" to my youngest daughter, Allie.

                     Enjoying a glass of wine in New York city.
We are so proud of her and wish her a wonderful day. Tomorrow we celebrate. :)

Stay toasty, Deb

Filling feeders & through the kitchen window.

My poor birds missed me being out at the property for a few days so I filled the feeders again today.

  It didn't take long for the Chickadees to show up and...

this little guy.

"Awwwwwwwwwww"

This is a very young squirrel who now will most likely become a regular around here.

He was nice and pudgy and looked like a 'junior'.

He hung around all afternoon. I think he's got my number. :)

I'm standing in my kitchen corner. 

It's big enough for a few cupboards, shelves, one sink, a small fridge and stove.

Here's what you see from the window.

The first load of gravel arrived as I took this photo. Then he got to work spreading the gravel on what will become a drive-way in the Spring. Just look at the mud out here. Before we started this little project it was all grass. We'll be a long time landscaping.

That beautiful 'potty' is in every photo. *grin*

Audrey is resting at the moment. I told her today that we are moving into a mouse-house. She almost fainted. Once she pulls herself together I'll explain to her that it is not actually full of mice.
At least....I hope not.

                                           "Grab me a cold cloth will you, deary."

Stay toasty,
Deb

Views from the windows.

We are finally upstairs with our tape measure since the stairs were built last week. Here's a little peak for you. Actually, don't blink or you'll miss the tour.

This little apt. is all one room broken up into areas. The bedroom and bathroom have doors (of course) but the rest is all open. Love, love and love some more these nice big windows. The cats will be able to watch the birds in the tops of the near-by maples. They'll love that.
I, will get to sit at the table for two with my tea and admire the view.
Above, to the left is the dining area window. The right is the bedroom window.
Here's looking out the bedroom window to the road.

Now you see the bathroom to the right and the sitting area to the left. You can see where the stairs to the garage are just below the left window.

The cats will have a cat-door that will allow access to the garage while supervised. When we don't want them down there we just close the door.

                                                                   (screens)
The insulation and dry-wall will happen soon.

We had the garage floor poured this week.

Pex-pipes installed for when we want to heat the floor.

Planing the floor.

I'll be adding a window-seat for the kitties .

It's still very messy out here.

We will have mud until they arrive with our gravel for the drive-way.

That happens tomorrow.

You should see my boots....ahhhhh!

Heaters were put on to help keep the cement floor warm.

Without that you worry about cracks developing.

This is the view from the garage window tonight.

I will show you the kitchen corner and the view from that window next time.

The Chickadees are making good use of the suet and seeds.   

I couldn't leave without placing one little Christmas decoration in our teeny mouse-house.
Santa sits on my kitchen window frame.

I just felt it needed some Christmas spirit up there.
So that's the mouse house today. It will look very different by next week.

Before signing off, I want to give you...

an easy apple pie recipe.
9 inch pie pan
375 - 400 degrees
1  3/4 cups of pealed, sliced apples
1/2 c sugar
1 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3 tabs of butter
pastry for double-crust pie.

Combine first four ingredients. Prepare pie shell. Fill with apple mixture. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust. Slit with knife to allow steam to escape. Bake 'til filling bubbles and crust is golden.

This one is out of the Canadian Mennonite Cook Book. Well worn, mine is.

I think it's time to put the kettle on.

Wishing all my American friends a Very Happy Thanksgiving.
Stay toasty,
Deb

Festive Stair-case

I thought I'd show you our staircase at Christmas all decked out for the grands.

These were taken a few years back with a different camera so the quality is not that great.

Each step had a Santa on it and the railing was dressed with garland and hanging ornaments.

The ornaments on the railing had all moving parts that the kids could play with.

The kitty's legs and tail go up and down.

This little girl's arms move up and down.

Santa's reindeer moves as if he is flying. I've always loved these ornaments that are made of wood.

I'm sure I can find a place to hang them in our new dwelling. It wouldn't be Christmas without them.
Oh yes, Audrey thought they were 'the cat's meow'.

I'm joining Brenda at http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/ for Tweak It Tuesday.

Stay toasty, Deb

Family time and woodland critters

Joyce, Joe (brother), Frank (brother-in-law) and the retired-guy

We had a fun time at my sister and brother-in-laws home last night. A delicious dinner, home-made pumpkin pie and whipped cream (also home-made) and a game of Rumolli which I lost big-time.

Meet the resident cat, Carmen. Is she not a beauty? She is one of those rare orange females with an enchanting personality, too. She is shy but within minutes I had her posing for a very quick photo. I love this little gal.

I added a few little things to my dining-room today.

I enjoy all the holiday decor but I especially love woodland critters at Christmas. 

Do you remember this photo of Audrey meeting the reindeer for the first time?

(Stand- off)

We are off to the property to do some measuring. The stairs are in so I'm a happy-camper. I'll show you around the mouse-house next time.

Have a peaceful, fun Sunday, folks.

Stay cozy,

Deb 

Minimal decorating begins

This gal is a dreamer

of falling snow, peace on earth and red felt mice filled with cat-nip.

Once again, it's a cold day today. I spent much of the morning in the local shops enjoying all the Christmas decor. With the up-coming move, decorating our present home will be at a minimum this year. I will hang the grandittles stockings, though, just because I love to look at them (and fill them too.) I'll put out just a handful of favorite things and that's it. We will wait 'til we move to put up a very teeny tree this year. That will be a challenge to decorate since I like to do it up big.  I always bring out these three little ceramic fir trees to greet the season. These were once my mother's and were passed on to me many years ago. I love them so much and will always consider them my favorite Christmas decoration.

They are heavy and breakable.

I'll just pop them in here for now.
Audrey spent her precious wake-time with me this morning as I got a bit of dusting done. I can only get the back of her without her getting angry at the camera. haha!

"Hey Audrey, your butt looks kind of ginormous from this angle."

"I'll not live that down."

*grrrrrr*

If you are looking for a nice book to give to a child for Christmas this one is adorable. It is about a little girl and her rabbit preparing for the Christmas season. They not only decorate the house but they remember the poor little birds in the yard that need some Christmas, too. It is a sweet, precious story with beautiful illustrations.  It shows the innocent kindness of a child. Any little one would love this book.

Time for a cheese & herb scone and a hot cup of tea. Wish you could pop over and join me.
I'm writing out my Christmas list and checking it twice.

Enjoy your weekend and stay cozy,
Deb

Dreaming of mice

on this cold, wintry day. Our Annie, snuggled up by the fire, has the right idea.

Spending time with friends over a hot coffee. Enjoying conversation and catching-up.
That was a good idea, too. I don't see these ladies enough. Hope to see friends, Martha and Bobbi, again soon.

Then off to Robin's Nest Tea Room

“Quiet tea room, best lemon meringue”

Reviewed 15 October 2013

Quiet little tea room offers wide array of teas.
Nice setting, very friendly service, great servers.
Call ahead to make a reservation for lunch though before the old timers take it over lol.
Always fresh picks such as quiches, sandwiches and soups.
Can't go wrong with any pie, but I will share a secret, they make mind-blowing lemon meringue pie.
Each three elements are exceptional and together outstanding:
Flaky pie crust, light perfect meringue, but the filling....oh man, never tasted anything more lemony or even more flavour concentrated, 

Any lemon meringue afterwards is not the same, standard is set here.

where we had lunch with baby Gwynn and her mommy.
Her newest favorite thing in the whole wide world is to high-five her peeps.

Then a little Christmas shopping, hot chocolate treat and back home before the sun set.
Now it's time to snuggle up to the fire again. It's a cold one tonight.

Hope you had a good day, too.

Just in case you have not had the pleasure of visiting this very special blog, I am sending you over to meet Susan Branch. I suggest you grab yourself a tea and get comfy first as you'll want to spend some time there.
http://www.susanbranch.com/

Enjoy &
Stay toasty, Deb

Remembering

Please take a moment to listen to this song. It is so beautiful.

It looks like the middle of December today. Everything has a blanket of snow and Christmas lights are popping up everywhere. We put our Christmas lights up today, too, since we spent the day at home instead of running here, there and everywhere. Once the lights are up I am in full Christmas mode.

I was looking through some photos from last Christmas and thinking how much the grandittles have grown in the last year. Riley is now in school, Bradley, at two, carries on a conversation with us and keeps us in stitches and Gwynn is now running around and repeating everything you say to her.

Last Christmas...
                                   Gwynn at 3 months enjoying Nana's table tree

Bradley and Riley at one and three enjoying Nana's kitchen tree

We are so blessed to have them.

I'm not sure how this Christmas will work out with our move in the next few weeks. I do know that we will gather together and enjoy it to the fullest no matter where we celebrate.

Today is my mom's 96th birthday. She is no longer with us but remains always in my heart. These are for you, mom, with love.

hugs, Deb