Snow

It's been snowing off and on for three days. We are presently in the midst of a blizzard. And the sun has been hiding for weeks now. It's too dark all day and it's getting colder.

Do you feel sorry for us yet? 

It's not that bad, I guess.

The little white Christmas lights will stay in the window to add some cheer to the mouse house.

I used to love the snow just like all Canadian kids. I wish I still felt like dressing up in a snowsuit and heading out to build a snow fort or a snow man like I did then. In and out; dressing and undressing. It was all fun and games. Now the dressing for cold weather is annoying most days and the driving on icy roads treacherous.  Cold walks with or without the grand-dog (although he loves it)

and shoveling is for the birds. Oh...and the birds. :((( Well, I need not tell you how I worry about the birds.

So, I'm just waiting on spring now.

I've been reading more and am presently half way through A Cure for Death by Lightening. (fiction)
It took me twice starting this book as I hesitated to go forward after reading lines scattered here and there on animal cruelty.  I eventually did pick it up again and am now enjoying the read; albeit some bits are difficult.

I am doing some research on line on bird friendly plants and shrubs to add to the garden this year. It will be fun to carry on with our landscaping.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/the-best-plants-and-trees-to-plant-for-birds-a-starter-list/

Audrey always hovers when I am on-line as if she finds the whole thing fascinating.
Can you believe that face.

Plus she loves the heat from the lamp above.
But, her sweet and endearing personality :-b changes when the camera appears.

She becomes possessed; the hunter inside is released and my life is on the line.
Which undoubtedly cracks me up.
Cats don't like to be laughed at.
Poor Audrey.
The evening ends with her compulsive need to scratch at her favorite pottery dish that holds her beloved little nuggets of stinky goodness.  Then, once again, all will be right with the world.

hugs, Deb

Enough, already!

I'm dreaming of spring

while we wait out a prediction of nine straight days of snow ahead. Good Grief...

Our grandittle, Gwynn,

had some fun with the tiny country cottage cluttered china cupboard yesterday.

It road around in a wooden wagon pulled by a plastic goat.

Then we made a Valentine card for her dad which she promptly hid in a bag so daddy wouldn't see it.

She had lots of fun and went home with banana pecan muffins and a big jar of seed for her birds.

Annie was thinking ..."why, oh why, are small people so quick and unpredictable?"

"I'm exhausted."

I prepared the feeders today for the next few days as I expect we will have lots of birds here.

NINE DAYS OF SNOW!

Our neighbours are still away and the birds that would normally feast in their yard will be here, I'm sure.

I have hung commercial suet as I have gone through the home-made batch.

It's on my 'to do' list, though.

The chickadees are so friendly

as they gather around and watch me fill the platform tray and feeder.

They're very chatty.

And rather demanding. lol

We'll be seeing wood-peckers, nuthatch, juncos, blue-jays, chickadees, mourning doves, cardinals (male and female), sparrows and crows.

No hawks, I hope. :-[

There's lots for you too, Red. 

This tree is right behind our most popular feeders so that is where many of the birds and Red go for shelter.

And a dozen or so squirrels.

I do hope they get through the next few days and are still here to tell the 'tail'.

=^..^=

"She has all the birds she can manage but not once, NOT ONCE, has she delivered one on a sesame seed bun like I requested."  :(

"Life's the pits. I'm up for adoption, by the way."

(don't tell the 'ol gal)

=^..^=

Around the mouse-house today.

We did have a snow storm, as predicted, but not one that left much of an impression.
It was kind of a wimpy one.
But, no complaints here as I have had it up to my eyebrows with winter.
And so have these guys.
I caught this fella taking shelter during the worst of the storm.

Cardinal

Some birds are camouflaged well here.

Mourning Dove (left) and two Starlings.

Cardinal with sunflower seed.

I saw more tracks at the feeders and expect now that it is

a local bandit.

(source)

No big surprise there.

We have lots of them around.

Carry on...

The trees in our area are showing some damage

from the recent snow storms and ice.

This was taken along the road where I walk daily.

Brrrr...it was so damp and cold today.

Audrey had the right idea to look at the outdoors from her favorite perch

as there is no lack of entertainment at the mouse-house 

for a house-bound

pampered cat.

A New Year's Resolution...

Drink a smoothie a day filled with blueberries, banana, apple, pineapple, mango, carrot, greek yogurt, organic honey & flax.

*Heaven*

Now if we can just stick to it. :-b

Stay warm

Stay healthy

hugs, Deb

Charming clutter & a recipe.

I swear if I ever have an animal come on our property that needs tending to I'll just send Audrey out to stare it down.  That oughta do it. :)
 She really is a cat of many faces.

I call this my 'distraction' feeder.

 If I keep it filled with peanuts in the shell and seeds it keeps the squirrels busy and gives more time for the birds to feed at the other feeders without them interrupting.
And it's funny to watch the squirrel eating inside, out of the rain, acting like they are pretty special.

                                   Dishes

I found a cute addition for my country cottage cluttered china cupboard today. A teeny country cottage cupboard.

Of course, it had to have some blue and white added.

I know some grandittles

that will love to find it the next time they take a peek.

They can play with the wee dishes without any worry of breaking them.

:)

And, I could not pass this little beauty up, either.

Calico -Staffordshire, England

=^..^=

Annie listening to her favorite song

by The Rankin Family

Fair and tender ladies

My favorite, too.

Would you like a muffin recipe?

I'll bet there's a few frozen bananas in your freezer.

Best Banana Muffins

1/2 c butter

1 c sugar

2 eggs

3 med bananas mashed

1 3/4 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup crushed pecans (or walnuts, if preferred)

cinnamon and sugar for topping

(1/4 tsp cinnamon and 2 tsp of brown sugar)

Here we go...

Cream butter & sugar together

Beat in eggs

Add mashed bananas

In another bowl

stir flour with soda, powder, salt & nuts

Add to banana mixture

Place in muffin tins

Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and sugar mix on top.

Bake at 350 deg. 25 min.

So delicious with tea, of course. ;-)

And butter, says the retired-guy.

It's getting chilly here again and a snow-storm is expected tomorrow.

I'm heading out to fill the feeders and wish them all luck.

"Stay safe, birdies."

hugs, Deb

Dreary days of January

So far, January has not been bad, weather-wise. Oh, we've had the odd snow storm and there is lots of snow on the ground but the temperatures have been rising again and for that I give this month two thumbs up.
Any time it is above freezing for days at a time in our winter it is considered a good winter. But, I miss the sun-shine.

I told the girls that they won't be enjoying many sun-puddles in the next few days. Annie was fine with that and went right back to sleep. Audrey was mortified. It didn't help that I took her picture. hee hee.

She hates that.

"For heaven's sake, Audrey. That look could take paint off the wall."

The chickadees are sooooo adorable. 

(at our feeder this morning)

I wish I could keep them all and give them names. :) They love my suet but really go for sunflower seeds. And, they love when I stand at the feeders and talk to them. They are such friendly little things.

I am trying to identify these animal tracks that came up the drive-way and right up to the garage entrance door last night. 

(about 3" long)

The animal walked around the feeders and I expect helped itself to an apple. It could be a fisher, small coyote or a dog of some sort. I'm considering putting out a web cam to find out. We have at least two dogs that are missing in our area and flyers are out with the details. :( I hate to see that. I couldn't imagine the grief of losing a dog. I'll keep them in my prayers.

We have not seen sun for days now and it is getting to us. My walks are dreary and there are very few birds or turkeys about. I do miss the wild turkeys that always look like they are heading to an all-you-can-eat buffet. They are comic relief.

I'm looking forward to some brighter days.

Enjoy your day.
hugs, Deb

The country cottage cluttered china cupboard look.

I'm sure, to many readers, my old step-back cupboard is very cluttered-looking.

I change it up often

and love to cram all my favorite dishes in there.

I love the 

country cottage cluttered china cupboard look.

ha!

It makes me think of my grandmother's kitchen cupboards

in the old clap-board farm house that once stood on our property.

Now, I can't be the only one that likes the 'cluttered' look in her china cupboard.
I know there are people who think my cupboard isn't so cluttered; that I could use a few lessons in creating                                                                                                  'beautiful clutter'
So....how about showing off your country cottage cluttered china cupboard. :) I'd be thrilled to see it and I know lots of bloggers that are right there with me.

If I only had a longer, taller cupboard I would have more fun than a cat with a feather wand.
And just think of all the treasure hunting I could do. Ahhhh....fun!

Would you look at this...

*love*

I could spend all morning there.

With a big 'ol cup of tea, of course.

I'd feel like The Mad Hatter.

Maybe you prefer a calmer look.

Or you might prefer pastels.

It's all very pretty.

Well, if you are a dishaholic, that is.

These photos were from Pinterest

under China Cabinets and Hutches.

I look forward to the spring blue and white china hunt

in all the little antique shops around.

"Oh, for crying out loud...

I fear someday you'll find me 

at the bottom of a 

country cottage china 

heap."

"Save me now, someone."

"Oh...and this bed goes where I go."

                                                                       =^..^=

hugs, Deb

Craving comfort.

Comfort food around here includes scalloped potatoes and today's dish had a twist. I made it with three layers, the middle being thinly sliced sweet potato. It was delicious so I recommend you try it.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
In your buttered casserole dish layer one row of sliced raw potato.
Add 1/4 diced onion, one tbsp. of flour, salt and pepper to taste.
Then layer one thinly sliced raw sweet potato and cover with shredded cheese of your choice. I use Gouda and Cheddar.
Top with one more layer of sliced raw potato, a pinch of salt and pepper and cover with cheese. You can top this with fresh parsley if desired.
Carefully pour enough milk over this to come half way up the dish. Bake uncovered for one hour at 375 degrees.

We aren't the only ones who crave comfort these days.

Our birds are eating up a storm. I bought a bag of bagels that were on the stale side so out they go, a little peanut butter added, for the wild-life. And the home-made suet is really appreciated by all the birds. I have a real love-affair with our little brown squirrels. They are much smaller than the grey and black ones and seem much less afraid of humans. They make the best of my offerings, too.

I must be bored. I'm moving dishes around again. 

It's time to get out for a walk and make the best of -2C with sunshine. 
It is hard to pull myself away from reading all the fun blog posts today. Even Audrey was curious. And, the retired-guy has my camera again.

I'm sending you over to visit a favorite blog of mine. Meet some beautiful cats from all over the world.

http://www.traveling-cats.com/

Enjoy your day,
Deb