No time like the present.

Sunny, simple days. How we longed for them only weeks ago. Now we are expecting beautiful days right through until next week. There's no time like the present to get the outside work done.

Well, for some of us anyway.

I mentioned many posts ago that a tree had broken and fallen part-way down, lodging itself into the branches of another large maple on our property. It was hanging over the little grave-site for my beloved cats at the back along the old stone wall. I was unable to get back there for safety reasons after the fall leaves had fallen to clean up so over the winter things got very messy.

                               No-Go Zone

(taken last fall)

 Finally, we ( yes, the retired guy and myself) took the 40 foot tree down with the help of our tractor, 'ol Nellie. Another first for me and just a grand old time for him.
Future fire-wood. :)

The stone fence in this photo was built by my ancestors (on my mother's side) over one hundred years ago.

So yesterday I raked for an hour and tidied things up. I noticed some of the head-stones need to be re-painted, as I had used the wrong paint for outdoors, so I have another project ahead.
We will be laying Sierra to rest here in May. I don't need to tell you that the thought already brings tears to my eyes.

Our resident bunnies were out early this morning playing together. They are fun to watch as they hop towards each other and then jump straight up in the air.  And away they go....................

                                                    (taken from the mouse-house window)

Here's a peek into the funny little greenhouse.

Mmmm...Peppers.

"Hi Red"

&

Simon

"Nice to see you, buddy."

Hope you are all enjoying 

some sunshine as we head towards the month of May.

hugs, Deb

David in disguise

While talking with my sister on the phone last night the conversation went something like this...
Her..."Have you ever seen those huge tea-cup and saucer planters?"
Me..."Yes, they're cute, eh."
Her..."I saw one the other day for sale that had kittens all over it. I wondered if you'd like that. Would that be something you would like for one of your gardens? Maybe for your birthday?"
Me..."Uhhhhh, yaaaaaa."
Her..."OK...just act surprised."

She kills me.

The sun is out but it's cooler than we are used to at the end of April in Ontario.
Yes, folks. It should be warmer here by now. Apparently, the warmer weather is on it's way and more sun; glorious sun.

I think I may have to name our white-tailed bunny that now calls the mouse-house home.

and Red was back at the feeder bright and early this morning.

My favorite visitor came by as soon as I headed out to the greenhouse.

And I barely recognized the king of the wild frontier this morning.

He was so dirty from rolling in the gardens that he looked like a grey tabby instead of a brown one.

"David, is that you?"

"Mornin' Deb. You may rub my tummy now."

"But wait, let me get a bit more dirt on my coat first."

Of course, David got his tummy rub and then off he went back to the neighbourhood farm. He probably came by to do a bit of bird-watching but by the time he had his massage he had forgotten why he came by in the first place.

And that's how Red and the resident birds like it. ;-)

hugs, Deb

Simple sunny day

It's fun to check on my potted plants and sprouts each morning as the sun fills the greenhouse.
I always have the sweetest company as they stop by to see what's on the breakfast table. It's been a busy drive-thru this morning.

Annie will be happy to know her cat grass has broken through the soil and in two weeks she will have fresh grass to munch on in the mouse-house. I have two pots growing for her.

Catalpa tree.

Chickadee

Thank you for all the nice comments yesterday. I know we all have those days where we miss our loved ones so much.

Those days hit you out of nowhere.

Time to get out and do more raking.

Planning for the veggie garden has begun. :)

hugs, Deb

Just thinking of him today.

Audrey has a new favorite hidey-hole. Perhaps she's missing our old dog, Kane, like I am.

No matter what I am doing; raking, cleaning summer furniture, picking up rocks or filling feeders, I look around and miss seeing my dog snoopervising. I guess it will take a long time before I stop thinking of him each and every day.  Perhaps I always will and that's ok, too. Today just happens to be a hard one.

These are a few photos taken of him last spring as we moved to the country and worked so hard to make this land our home.
Even in his advanced years and deaf as a door-knob he took on the job of being a country dog very seriously.
I only wish he had had more time to enjoy his new life.
We moved here when Kane was 14 1/2 years and he left us last November at 15 1/2 years.
He had been our one and only dog since he was 11 months old.

Now Kane rests in peace on our property.

So, his spirit lives on here and I will feel him protecting and keeping me company as I continue to work this little piece of land.

I'm so thankful for the years we had together.

Just thinking of you today...and always, Kanie.

hugs, Deb

My funny little greenhouse.

 

I'm in the portable greenhouse after a good rain-fall.
Don't laugh at my home away from home. lol  It's a rugged little house but my plants love it in here and that's what matters. Until our house is built this will have to do . Then I can decide where I want to permanently place a real potting shed; you know the kind...one that makes me happy. :)

 My tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini are up and I'm patiently waiting to see my herbs pop through the soil. I'm growing basil, chives, thyme, sage & rosemary for the kitchen. I have two pots of cat grass growing for my little peach, Annie.

                                                              That would be Audrey.


Did you notice the big 'ol rain barrel in the corner of the greenhouse? The sun warms the water that I use to water the sprouts and the warm water raises the temperature of the greenhouse over-night. It's perfect.
And I can be as messy as I want in there because it's a dirt floor.
I do clean up every night before closing up my little home away from home, though. I'm fussy like that and I want it all neat and tidy for the next day. :)

I have the best company as I putter and pot up more veggies & flowers. Right beside the greenhouse is another feeding station for the birds and they love it there.

 

 Red

All closed up for another day.

I've been showing off cats that I cared for through my cat-sitting service that I provided for the area that we have recently moved from.

So

Let's look back a bit...

Meet Bella

She is Tigger's side-kick. A shy and gentle little soul. She kept me on my toes with her personal diet due to tummy issues. She was pampered and loved so dearly by her owners and her cat-sitter.
I hope she is enjoying the sun-puddles on her deck today.

Time to get outside and enjoy some sunshine.

hugs, Deb

Make your heart happy

Anyone with their wits about them will be outside today.
Sunny, warm and +22C.

If not, they'll at least find a sun-puddle to nap in.

Audrey

It's been a busy few days working around the property and entertaining visitors at the mouse-house.

"Oh please, Gramps, can lambie and I have a ride on old Nellie?"

             
And they're off...

"Again, pleeeease."

                Do something that makes your heart happy
                                        every single day.

I've been showing off cats that I cared for through my cat-sitting service that I provided for the area that we have recently moved from.

So

Let's look back a bit...

 This handsome fella is named Tigger.

He was quite shy at first but we soon became good friends. Tigger had a lovely balcony/deck that he would ask to spend time on each and every visit. There he would bask in the sun and stop to smell the flowers. :)
Tigger had a more mature side-kick that I will show-off next time.
I hope they are doing well. I miss those two beauties.

hugs, Deb