Winter doldrums

It's a dark and rainy day today.

(my oldest grandittle at two sipping pretend tea. :)

"There are no cat-treats in this cupboard. " :-(

If you are knee-deep in snow, I expect you, too, are craving the look of flowers.

I picked this little violet up to add to my group that refuse to bloom for me right now.

I'll give her a good home and I need this today.

I'm done with winter.

As I'm sure these three ladies are, too.

                             

                                   =^..^=





I have been owned by cats all my life and I have come to the conclusion that in order to be able to trim kitty nails you have to make it a daily habit to play with their paws. When I trim my cat's nails I only take the sharp tip of the nail off. I am very quick but very careful, which comes from experience, and can have three nails done before they even realize what's happening. Then if they begin to move I just speak calmly to them and get their attention on me as I snip a few more tips. If the cat becomes stressed I stop and pick up where I left off the next day. I never have to and never will hold the cat down against it's will. There is no law saying all the nails must be trimmed at the same time. Pushing the limit will only enhance kitties fear and may even break the bond you have worked hard to form.

Stay warm,  my friends.

hugs, Deb

Wintering birds and a recipe

As the cold winds blow...

Mourning Doves

only a nut like me would stand in one spot for any length of time to get a few bird shots.

I know the European Starling are hated by many but they do have beautiful feathers in the colder months. They need to eat, too, and really go for the suet.

Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer. 

And this cutie took his sweet time figuring out how to get inside the squirrel feeder. He's used to eating at the bird feeders but will soon realize that he can be out of the cold wind while dining.

It was too cold to stand there waiting but I did see him inside later from the kitchen window.

Our female cardinal showed up. 
A few hundred chickadees and juncos joined in and our mourning  doves stopped by for lunch.

I walked to the back of our property to clean up some fallen branches. The snow is deep but hard so it was easy to walk on.

All the birds now feed at the front feeders.

Our stone wall is covered in snow.

It borders two sides of our property.

Time for tea

Black tea, that is, and cookies

and I'm showing off my favorite milk pitcher.

named

Rural England.

The cookies are 

chocolate chip pecan

and they are made in one bowl. :)

you will need...

1/2 cup soft butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 c flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tsp corn starch

1/3 c chocolate chips

1/3 c pecans

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Think like a cat

and do stay warm.

Deb

Simple Sunday

The snow at the door of  the little white bird house has been 

removed so as to offer a place out of the cold wind for any bird that needs refuge.

Thanks, Rian. ;-) from http://olderbut.blogspot.ca/ for reminding me to keep as many bird houses open for them as possible in the winter.

I do have five other bird houses that are available to our wintering birds that do not get covered with snow.

But, this was a favorite so now I have six. :)

=^..^=

Today Audrey and I baked 3 dozen cookies

(chocolate chip pecan)

 while Annie baked in a sun-puddle.

They both had a long list of things to do today...

nap

play with mousies

eat whenever the opportunity presented itself

snack on cat-nip

solve this bird-tasting issue

nap 

And someone got her nails trimmed and a full grooming this afternoon.

She looks beeeeautiful.

I always say a prayer before I start to clip her nails. :-[

"Can I eat you?"

I got my walk in and tidied up the mouse-house.

Here is my favorite photo I took at our feeders early this morning.

This female cardinal is a regular here.

Yes, it was snowing again.

It's now dark and -17C.

Where did the day go?

     Stay warm.

hugs, Deb

Acorn suet and remembering Tink.

Here is another idea for feeding your birds this winter. I bought this to use as a model to make my own. Start with a large pine-cone and tie a piece of covered wire to it.Then shape home-made suet over it and roll it in some peanuts on top. This makes a really cute addition to your feeding area. So cheap; home-made suet can be as simple as lard, seed and peanut butter or you can fancy it up with corn meal, oats, flour & fruit such as cranberries, apples or raisins. I add Cheerios and Shreddies, too, to make it go further.
 Of course, the chickadees were first to find it.

Someone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of those plump and delicious-looking mourning doves.  She really, really, really wants one with all the trimmings. ;-)
                                   "on a sesame seed bun."

                           Or a can of stinky goodness will do.

This little bird house at the back of our property is covered in snow and vacant 'til spring. Then I hope we have another little family move in. 

Last year it was Mr. & Mrs. House Wren. I was so excited it was ridiculous. :) It was the first time I have ever had a bird nest in a bird house.

She looked like this...

Adorable, right?

I named her Tink.

The male arrived last summer first and placed twigs in different houses. Then soon after, she arrived, and after checking out the different possibilities, she chose the little white house that was adorned with ten blue jewels.

She obviously settled on the flashiest house in the neighbourhood.

She sang her little heart out

and made gardening all the better. :)

I hope she returns this summer.

I'll be watching for her.

It is -17C tonight.

God bless and keep our wild-life safe and warm.

hugs, Deb

Facing winter and slowing down on the job.

I have made a new year's resolution but I am having trouble getting started. It is to walk more; every single day if possible BUT it has been freezing rain here and another resolution I made was to fall less so as to not break bones so it has been put on hold a few more days. I will get at it soon.

Morning at the mouse-house ... a few hungry mourning doves arrive at the feeding station. I hate to see the feeders covered in snow and will get out there to brush it all off after my first cup of coffee.
But I can't get over the beauty of it all.

Looks cold, doesn't it?

And another 'duty' I must fulfill is to serve up the stinky goodness for someone who will, and did, fling heavy dishes off the counter when I wasn't quick enough.
The retired guy asks, "how does she do that?"
I say, "with a joyful heart."

"What do you want from me? I have needs."

It is beginning to snow again. Oh, it is beautiful to see in the trees and across the land so I won't complain today. Everything looks clean and fresh and covered in glitter.

Winter in Ontario is a long and arduous time that we Canadians pull up our boot socks and face head on. :) We are used to the cold but love to complain. Other than head south what else can we do?

Next post I'll show you another easy way to feed your birds. *cheap, cheap*

hugs, Deb

As winter moves along.

The thought of a whole new year unfolding in front of us is quite exciting, isn't it. I have so much to plan and a business that I hope will begin to grow in the next few months. I did have some cat-sitting over Christmas which I enjoyed immensely. Three kitties, Leroy, Neo and Serena; all fabulous felines. I hope to share photos of them soon.

We have had extreme weather lately; cold with a copious amount of snow. I think I have already had enough of the white stuff and am longing for spring. Oh, beautiful spring. But we have months and months of it ahead here in Ontario, Canada. I must buck up and face it head on as we Canadians do. At least I can enjoy the surroundings here at the little mouse-house.
                                          Annie grooming.

An apple for the woodpeckers and blue-jays.

These apple holders are found at most bird supply shops and of course on-line, too.

We go through an apple a day here.

The birds and wild-life around our property are a big concern during these cold months but they are coping well. The squirrels and rabbits look healthy and the hundreds of birds are a daily delight to see at the feeders.

Just a few photos for you from our wintry wonderland. The birds are really enjoying the peanut butter suet and the black sunflower seeds.

nuthatch 

Chickadees

'Bottoms up'

I'd like to send you over to visit The Marmalade Gypsy. If you have not followed along with her over Christmas you may want to read back a bit on her posts. Jeanie loves Christmas and entertained her followers with her glittery decor and festivities. She is a very busy lady as you will soon find out. Jeanie's blog is one I recommend highly as a fun and joyful place to spend a bit of time. And you'll meet Lizzie who happens to be a favorite of our audacious one. :)

"She looks like a pistol like me."

Here you go...http://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.ca/
Enjoy!
Well, it's a new year and I'm bound and determined to get healthier so time for a smoothie.

hugs, Deb