Sheltering Trees & a little on Audrey

Just over the fence, on our neighbour's property, are many beautiful Douglas Fir Trees. They are spectacular to look at and are shelter for many birds and squirrels, especially inside their bottom skirts.

This one is very old as I remember it as a child. (and I'm old) When I would visit my grandmother we, the cousins, would play hide and seek in the bush and this type of tree was great for hiding. Now it shelters many birds from the heat of the summer or the cold wind in the winter. The Mourning Doves have made this tree their home.

This pretty Mourning Dove spent much of the day there

Here she is showing off her polka-dots.

While the others fed from the feeders.
This is another Red Poll that flew in for the day.

and the sweet Chickadee.

 You can see how thick the Fir trees are behind the feeders.
That is a Wood-pecker that dropped in for the suet.
I've been told they LOVE suet and home-made suet is the best.

It is obvious to me that many birds have made the comfort and shelter of the neighbour's trees their winter home.
I noticed my elderly neighbour also feeds the birds; placing her feeders very close to her house. I'm sure she enjoys watching them from her front windows during the cold, wintry days.

It is very cold here today but the sun shone all afternoon. We are expecting a warmer weekend with lots more of that beautiful sunshine.

The mouse-house is coming along great. The apt. is now insulated and dry-wall went up today. Which, by-the-way, wouldn't take too long in a mouse-house.  Time to pick out some paint.

Audrey has lost her wine cork. She was having the time of her life with it and then just like that....gone.
"It's not in the cupboard, Audrey. It's probably under the couch."

"Oh, of course. Silly me. I'll wait here while you fetch it."

:(

Did you know Audrey has a twin?
Drop on over to Woke Up Got Out of Bed http://linda-keaveney.blogspot.ca/ and see what Linda has crocheted for her Audrey look-a-like.

Enjoy your weekend &
stay toasty,
Deb

"I'll just wait"

A re-post.

Sierra..."I love this bowl. It should have my dinner in it.

Please, someone, fill this bowl with stinky goodness."

"I'll wait patiently until someone hears my plea.

I have nothing else to do, nowhere else to go, so I will wait.

I'll just wait"....

"I'll wait....I will"

"Yep"...

=^..^=

=^..^=

=^..^=

=^..^=

=^..^=

.

.

.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

;-)

I'm joining http://camera-critters.blogspot.ca/

Play with your cat

Our dear cat, Annie, is a little over-weight. When she first arrived with her three two-day-old kittens from our local animal shelter back in 2011, she was emaciated and ill. Once we had her diagnosed with a bacteria that needed anti-biotics she began to eat better and gain weight. Unfortunately, because she was deprived of food in her previous home, she eats any time the opportunity presents itself. Saying that, she will steal the other cat's food and gorge if not stopped. Since Joe and Rae-Rae moved in six months ago I have been feeding them upstairs so that Annie cannot get into their food. Needlesstosay, I am sometimes busy and did not notice her sneaking her way into their dining area and helping herself.  So, now she has to move more and curb that appetite just a bit.

We have play-time, which she thoroughly enjoys, every day. Her favorite toy is the wand that has pom-poms and feathers attached. Yes, I imagine if she was an out-door cat she would quickly become a hunter of birds. But she is happy to be an in-door cat so it is up to us to help her to slim down with extra play.

Having a scheduled play-time is a wonderful way to bond with your cat. They love nothing better than to have you all to themselves.

Stay toasty,
Deb

A winner & some winning birds

The winner of the tea-cup and saucer is

Tanna

http://thebrickstreetbungalow.blogspot.ca/

"Congratulations Tanna. Please send me your mailing address and thank you so much for following Just Cats & Tea-cups."

"Hope you enjoy your tea in your new tea-cup."

The sun was out today and the birds were enjoying the feeders at our property.

I think by the looks of it the favorite is my pumpkin bowl I placed on our fence post. It had a lot of visitors today.

Such as...

This adorable little American tree sparrow.

and my all time favorite Chickadee

'ol Gumpy-Face Bluejay was back again. 

I had a new visitor today. This is a Red poll. I had to ask my walking-buddy, Susan from http://proseccoandpolkadots.blogspot.ca/ just what this little bird was called.

By the end of the day I had probably 30 of them visit.

I had to be quick as they are very shy.

and this gorgeous Mourning Dove posed for me as she soaked up some sun.

Isn't she adorable? I could just cuddle her like a cat.

Before heading home today I hung up one more suet cage with four home-made suet bars. I read that in order for the birds to find a new feeder it is good to add a colourful ribbon, but since I didn't have any ribbon I just moved the red wreath. That should do it.

"Did she just say she wants to cuddle a dove?
This new bird obsession is getting way out of control.
I demand more attention."

"Settle down, Audrey. It's all about YOU now."

Stay toasty,
Deb

Enjoying the sun with a new tea.

It is a busy day at the mouse-house. The retired-guy was there early to lend a hand finishing the interior of the building and signing for our order from Ikea for the kitchen cupboards. Now that the apt. is insulated it will be fun to put these pieces together. We really like the cupboards and shelves we chose and you can't beat the price.

The sun is out in all it's glory. Sun-puddles are being worshiped today all through the house.

Some cats prefer the couch and some prefer the window seats.

(Do you see the little tea-pot in the background to the right? I'll tell you the story on that soon.)

But, it is frigid out there. Everything has turned to ice.

It is impossible to walk a 14 year old dog in this weather. The roads and sidewalks are full of chunky ice and your footing is very unpredictable. I can't take a chance with him as a fall could be very serious for him. He sits around the house, moping and bored but there is little I can do for him. A combing, lots of pets, a hardy lunch and a few extra snacks will get him through another cold, wintry day. We'll get out again on the first nice day. Perhaps a drive in the car is on the agenda this afternoon.

Of course, being 'National Hot Tea Month' I would like to introduce a new tea to me. It was a gift from a friend at Christmas and turns out it is an amazingly delicious blend. It is a black tea from South Africa called...

It is delicious.

These are two books I am presently reading. 

It is a smooth black tea that goes well with milk if you prefer it that way.

My tea company today was Joe. Or, as Audrey likes to think, Big Bad Joe. But he is one of the most charming felines I have met and full of personality. Or would that be 'piss and vinegar'. Whatever...I love him. For those who are new here, Joe is my daughter's cat that is living with us presently along with his buddy, Rae-Rae. When we move, they will be staying at the old house.

I found this little box tucked away in a cupboard and will ship the tea-cup and saucer in it to it's new home. It's a good sturdy box and will help it to arrive without damage. And since tea is just so darn good for you....I snuck a bit in with the gift.

The winner of the give-away will be announced tomorrow. Just leave a comment here if you are interested.

Stay toasty,

Deb 

Coming to the rescue & a tea-ny give-away

My morning started out very early with Audrey on the bed; her expressive eyes on me (much like this photo) and she was miffed. Big bad Joe had chased her and she wasn't happy. She needed some attention.
Of course this wasn't the first time. It's been on-going for months. I expect that until we are in the mouse-house this face will greet me most mornings now. She just needed a cuddle and some reassurance that he'll be left in her dirt in the not too far off future.

(Audrey)

I had lunch with my good friend, Sue, today and then packed up a few more things at home.

I came across this tea-cup and saucer that I would like to give to YOU. If you like it, that is.

All you need to do is leave a comment and I'll have the retired-guy pick a name from a toque. That's right...a toque, as there are no hats sitting around right now; only warm woolly toques.

Since this is 'National Hot Tea Month' I'm sure you tea-lovers will make good use of it.

It's one where you can hold up your pinkie while you enjoy the beverage. :)

(source)

The cup and saucer are made in England. It is marked Shefford and it is hand-painted.
All readers may comment.

The sun has been hiding all day today. Annie lay in her favorite spot waiting and hoping.

I didn't have the heart to tell her it was a 'no go' today.

Stay toasty,
Deb

Something's new on the bird menu.

What a cold winter day it was. The wind had died down but you sure did need your woolies on.

Breakfast out and a drive to the country was in order.

Of course, we dropped by our property, delivered some chairs and left our trailer next to the mouse-house. I brought some home-made suet for the birds and set it up for them to enjoy. One fit in the apple holder and the suet cases held two each. We'll see how fast they go.
The feeders were once again almost empty so they were filled to the brim. It wasn't long before I heard the familiar sound of the chickadee above me. Our little flock of resident birds should be good for another few days. I'm hoping to see some wood-peckers join the group now that their favorite food is available.

I'm pretty sure these will disappear faster than the apples. I find the afternoons are busier for bird- action at the feeders but we left before they arrived.

If you are interested in the recipe for this suet, here is a link to my friend, Susan's blog where she gives you the ingredients and instructions. Just scroll down a few posts to Jan. 8th. http://proseccoandpolkadots.blogspot.ca/

It should be a busy week at the mouse-house. It's all strapped up now and ready for some siding but first there's some work to do in the apt.

                                                          Looks cold out there.

Back at home, everyone's keeping warm inside but not out of trouble.

Stay toasty,
Deb