Spring is showing her face.

We are still waiting for our snow to leave here. It's taking it's time but the weather this weekend is doing some damage. We are having temperatures up in the teens and sun; glorious sun.

I have been back in the woodlot picking up branches, checking the trees and looking for any signs of spring. There are many. :)

The snow is only a few inches deep now. Only weeks ago I needed snowshoes.

The snow is piled up along the stone wall but throughout the paths it is melting. It's wonderful. 

I have met one of last years chipmunks and she spent much of her time watching me work.
Of course she was rewarded.
Imagine looking this cute while eating lunch.

Painting is still going on at the house. Poor Wilson has been hell bent on helping and I see now he is finally exhausted.

I had to step in and remove a broom that he was munching on; something on it held his interest and I also had to remove him from the top of the cupboards in the new kitchen. It was a piece of cake to get up there, I guess, but to get down was another story. 

The sun pours into the main room throughout the day. When the retired-guy stops for coffee Wilson grabs a few minutes in a sun-puddle to re-charge.

I'll just say I'm glad we aren't paying him by the hour.

The sun is so warm now.

                                                Annie

I'm getting ready for Easter. We have the annual egg hunt in the woodlot scheduled so I hope we lose the snow. It won't be the first time if not. The grandittles don't care. It's all such fun for them but it can't be easy for the Easter bunny to hide the eggs in melting snow. :-(

"Happy Sunday" to all.

be kind, Deb

Waiting impatiently for spring.

Hello everyone.
Spring is not showing her beautiful face too quickly this year. We are still covered in snow everywhere. I've struggled to write a post; I'm probably just fed up with winter.
This is the ugly time of year when the snow is dirty and the ground peaks through wherever the sun shines. We have no greenery anywhere and no buds yet on the trees. I anxiously wait for the lilac buds to appear. But...the sun is warmer, brighter and beautiful and we are happy for that. And these little guys are everywhere. :)

The spring birds are returning to our region, bless them, to only be disappointed and have to look for food in the barren trees. Our feeders are extremely busy as the starlings have returned in large numbers to compete with the blue jays, chickadees, nuthatch, doves, woodpeckers, sparrows, cardinals, 3 spoiled crows and all my squirrels. The chipmunks are rising up from their dens one by one. I hope to see Simon soon.
It's such an exciting time of year. A new awakening. Spring is my favorite season with Easter celebrations drawing near.

Every Easter we like to have an Easter hunt for the grandittles in our woodlot. 

Last year we still had snow as Easter was early. This year it is later in the month and that gives us a bit more time to watch the snow disappear. I'm already planning the hunt :-) and as soon as I can I will start chopping away at the ice and snow at the entrance.


Construction continues on the new house.

 Kitchen is in,  main bathroom tiled with heated floors, laundry area is tiled, living area walls are painted both main colour and complimentary colour. It is open-concept so once the floors are in it will feel wonderful. These photos are from February mostly. Will post some new ones soon.

Hanging the fan.



Annie and Wilson are enjoying the spring sunshine; making the best of the sun puddles. And Wilson is often watching for the crows to fly in.

 He chatters and calls us over to witness the exciting event; well, maybe for him as we are pretty used to them. They keep him happy.

His Scottish Fold wannabe look.

Joe and Rae-Rae are still with us; living in the basement of the new house. They have all their needs met and our full attention each evening with a grooming session. They are both good-natured beautiful cats. 

I've met some fabulous felines this winter while cat-sitting for our area. I have new clients and I'm very content with how the business is growing.

I hope everyone is well. I have been reading blogs but not commenting as much as I should. I hope life slows down a bit soon so I can take more time to chat.
I am on instagram at Life at Fox Grove. Drop by if you can.
Enjoy your week.

be kind,
Deb

A little catch-up.

I won't go on about how time flies because I know that you all feel the same.
January seems like a blur although we had one storm after another and it was as cold as blazes.
That I remember. :-b
We are enjoying a bit of a reprieve from the low temperatures as February moves along.

I have been busy cat-sitting for my vacationing clients and, of course, the house-building continues.
We have been caring for our two grand-cats, Joe and Rae-Rae for a month while a family member and his dog stays with our daughter who is owned by Forrest, the big black dog.
That's too many dogs as far as our grand-cats are concerned. So...they are holidaying here. =^..^= =^..^=
And because our two pampered felines, Annie & Wilson, prefer to be the only cats in the mouse-house the free-loaders are staying in the new house. We have the basement set up with cat trees, toys, a couch, tv, a warm pellet stove and gourmet food.
It's not a bad gig.
And they don't seem to mind the sound of a hammer.
(music to my ears. :)

I don't have a lot to say because it has been a time to hunker down, work inside, cook comfort food, bake and drink a ton of tea. It's been quiet.

Here are a few photos of the goings-on at Fox Grove. :)

Watching the crows fly in.

                                                                                   Wilson

Keeping our birds and squirrels well fed.

 Our friendly and sweet chickadees

The cats are staying comfy.

 Annie & Wilson

And our workers always have a smile. :)

This one especially.

                                                                       SIL Mike

 I'll gather a few more pics soon. We are having another inspection on the house this week so lots of little fiddly stuff to do. And the main bathroom is being tiled today. :-)

I hope I have a more colourful post next time.
I need some yellow and green in my life. As many of you do, too.

 Wilson just popped up to say..."here, take a pic of this." lol

Stay cozy.
Be kind, Deb

Snippets of Christmas.

In the blink of an eye it was over.
And the cats are moving even less these days after regular meals plus a smidgen of turkey in between. How can they be so lazy? :-b

We enjoyed all five of the grands over Christmas. The excitement of new toys and normally forbidden treats had them spinning. And the meals that my son-in-law and son and daughter-in-law cooked were superb. We were very spoiled this year. And any time spent with my kids is gold.
                                                My girls

Brunch at my son's home

                                             Our five grands.

The days following boxing day were quiet and a time for me to put much of Christmas back in the boxes. When you live in a small space you can only look at it for so long and then you crave quiet spaces again. The tree will stay up for awhile or until Wilson destroys it.
Although right now he's not doing much of anything.

We have had snow, rain, freezing rain and up and down temperatures for days now. It is just so typical for a Canadian Christmas.
Today it is mild with rain falling. The ice is treacherous and best to be avoided.

My critters have been well cared for over the holidays and even received a gift from a friend to enjoy. Thank you Susan from Tales from the Raspberry Patch.
The wreath was a big hit and to make sure they get to enjoy it for awhile I bring it in at night and away from the bandit hands of our resident raccoons. They would easily remove it from the branch and high-tail it to the wood-lot.

Cat-sitting was fun over the Christmas holidays. I will show you some of my charges in my next post because this one is long enough and I don't want to bore you. =^..^= (is that possible my cat-loving friends?)

I have a special blogging friend to send a "thank-you" to this Christmas. Henny from Henny Penny Lane gifted me a beautiful hand-made clothespin doll; the sweetest thing ever.
She is so pretty with long brunette hair and a gorgeous pilgrim dress made only more beautiful with a bird apron and bonnet. Henny makes the body in the shape of a  wooden clothespin. Imagine! 
She also sent me a sweet bag holder that I will photograph next time. It is so pretty for a pantry. All hand made by Henny. She is so talented. She seems to be able to turn a hand to anything if you read her fun blog. Do pop over and meet her and Poppy. My linky thing isn't working but you can find her at Henny Penny Lane.
I will treasure this, Henny and she will live in my new kitchen soon.

It is dark today so the photo is dull but I will soon have a bright picture to share.

                                                            She's as cute as a button.

I hope you enjoyed Christmas. I'm wishing 2019 to be the best year yet for all of us.

be kind, Deb

Merry Christmas

                           "Merry Christmas" 
                                    from our home to yours.

The stockings are hung and the eggnog is ready.
'Breath of Heaven' (Mary's song) plays in the background.

We will have a white Christmas, as the snow is falling ever so softly as I type this; maybe even the 'Winter Wonderland' we are used to.

Annie & Wilson wait impatiently for their cat-nip-filled little red mice and a chance to snag a bit of turkey. They have been good little kitties for the most part. :-) Santa will be good to them.

We will celebrate both Christmas and Boxing Day with family. 
I see a lot of fun and food in the next few days. lol

We wish you a very Happy Christmas with family and friends
and hope Santa is good to everyone. 

Enjoy and God bless you all, 
Deb, Gary,
 Annie, Wilson & Simon. (waving from his underground den)

The week before Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching.
Wow...like a whirlwind, really.

                                         My critter tree 
                             complete with an out-house. lol
                     The book is titled How To Avoid Hunters.

The week before Christmas is my favorite time with friends gathering, scrumptious dinner parties and the last of the mad rush. I love it all.

I've been warning this guy that 'good enough' might not cut it with Santa so he's really trying to behave for the big guy. A catnip mouse has been requested along with his freeze-dried chicken pieces. I hope he gets it. lol Why? Because my little tree is still standing. Bless his little heart.

                                   "I've been good....I think"

My birds have been treated with Christmas cheer at the feeders. This sugar pine-cone made the perfect addition to their feeding station as it holds peanut butter, seeds and large shelled nuts for those that like to eat on the fly.

Some of our family returns from Disney World on Friday just in time to prepare for Christmas. Lucky us that they will drop in on their way home for a pizza dinner so we can hear all about the trip. :)

construction...

 The cheater bath looking through the walk-in closet through to the bedroom.

Today the mudding is completed and the scaffolding comes down for now. 

I hope everyone is allllllmost ready if not done. It's good to take a bit of time-out before Christmas (even a few hours) to relax and take in all the beauty of the season.
I so look forward to having all the family together; especially those five little grandittles.  

Clawdia and Picatso have just left to buy Christmas bags. Wrapping gifts without thumbs is very tedious. :-[

Enjoy the next few days but take some time out for you, too.

be kind, 
Deb