Forest

We are dog-sitting our grand-dog, Forest. All 85 lbs. of him.

The Canada Geese are returning.

(loves his car rides)

 He's a fun, goofy and over-the-top friendly dog that seems to like it at the mouse-house. There is only one very big issue with Forest....he chases unfamiliar cats. So, he is staying downstairs while Annie & Audrey, with nose in the air, reside in the apartment above. Oh, he's very comfy with his couch, blankies, toys, food, water and listening to his favorite radio station. And, the retired-guy spends most of his waking hours down there. They have become quite the buddies.
"No play-time in the garage for a few days, ladies."

                       "WHAT is that smell?"

I look so forward to planting and cleaning up this spring but I know it will be with a heavy heart. I will miss our dear old Kane wandering around the property, sniffing every corner of the front acre, wondering what mom's up to. He loved his freedom to stroll around here at his leisure. He owned this place; he protected it. It will be lonely for awhile as I work around and I expect I'll have those 'moments'. So, Spring is bittersweet to me.

Simon has found a friend. The chase was on over the weekend and early this morning. The little visitor would run around the old pump and then stop in it's tracks under the old maple. Then Simon would chase. It was fun to watch them. As you know, we are really not sure if Simon is a he or a she so this new relationship may solve that mystery. ;-)
Fingers crossed for baby chippies. We'll just call her 'Simone'. :)

Prime Real Estate...'cheep' rent

"Happy First Day of Spring."

:)

I thought it would never get here.

This gal actually follows the sun around the mouse-house and it is puddling up everywhere this morning. Sun, sun, sun...glorious sun.

I am walking around the property today wondering what I can do to entice our fine-feathered friends to nest here.
We've got it all..
pretty houses only seconds from two 5-star bird cafes and watering holes

boutiques with many styles of bedding
2" pieces of wool
2" pieces of string
feathers
twigs
lush balls of cat hair from two unknowing cats
and for the more feminine shopper...lace of various colour

                                         

Any bird that nests here will have some very colourful neighbours.

Did you know that blue-jays love 

blueberries and apples?

This guy was first to the feast.

I'm really hoping for some nesting birds this spring.

I didn't expect any last year as I had just put the houses up and it usually takes time for them to trust them.

Now, after feeding them for over a year, I hope they find this a safe place to settle in and start their families.

There are five houses

hanging on the maples.

The crows stole all the glass beads from the white one.

And, I have provided some nesting materials in the suet cages

to help them out.

So, I hope some little momma-to-be chickadee, dove, wren, downy woodpecker or sparrow finds that this neighbourhood meets with their satisfaction.

There are lots of bushy fir trees to build a nest if that is their cup of tea.

We do love babies around here.

:)

hugs, Deb

A safe spot.

Audrey knew what was up.

 

It was show time at the mouse-house

at least for a little while.

 

"Hey, where's all the breakable ones?"

"I think we'll stick to wooden ones for you, Audrey."

 

But, soon the delicate ones came out and it wasn't long

before the tree found a safer spot

for now, anyways.

Am I nuts? Will she find it?

Remember, my cats have wings.

Simon is out and about again.

So great to see the little guy.

I called him and placed some peanuts at his door.

Only seconds later he popped out.

(this morning) 

Haha! Isn't he something.

hugs, Deb

Music to your ears

                   Rain Rain Go Away...

This week? Where did it go?

It's no wonder I have a list as long as my arm of things to do at the mouse-house.
I haven't been home much. ;-)

It's been raining non-stop up until yesterday. We did have some spring-like weather and then it rained again. Keeping the feeders dry and cleaning up the wet spillage is a job in itself.

We have been having new visitors to the side feeder every night; the one outside the garage door. Two very large racoons along with two very sweet grey bunnies show up after dark each night and feast on what has been spilled by the birds. I won't pretend I haven't put some extra treats out for them now that I know they come by regularly. Heck...everything is hungry and they are here looking for food. I have great respect for wild-life and know not to get too close but I do love to watch them go about their business.
What harm is there in treating them a little. I'm probably asking for it here. lol

The birds make quite a racket now at the feeders and around the maple trees. I noticed yesterday that it was like an orchestra playing until I got close to the area. Then...silence.
Aren't they amazing. They watch and react to everything around them. The silence continued while I added peanuts and sun-flower seeds to the platform feeders and a fresh mac apple to the holder. I threw a bit of dry 7 grain bread on the ground for the crows. Then I walked away.
It was like the conductor raised his wand (that's what I'm calling it) and the performance resumed. It was almost deafening and absolutely beautiful.

From the bedroom window

Someone was really lovin' that sun today.

But then it was time to sit still and contemplate the death of an Easter ornament on the dining-corner table.

The snow is melting fast.

It was time to open the kitchen window and take in that orchestra.

I wish you could hear it. It's pretty sweet. :)

hugs, Deb

"Happy St. Patrick's Day"

Our dear Sierra always loved St. Patrick's Day.

It gave her an excuse to wear green to match her enchanting emerald eyes.

You can see just how accommodating this wonderful cat was when I couldn't resist showing her off with accessories.

So, we are thinking of her today (and everyday)  as we wish each and everyone

a very

"Happy St. Patrick's Day."

She could out-shine any super-model, in my opinion.

Our beautiful Sierra.

"Wishing you all the luck of the Irish."

hugs, Deb

On a dark & rainy day....

...you can lie around just like BIG ED here at the Perth Flea Market.
Nope, that's not a woolly vest he found on the old vintage floor; that's all him. He's a Persian-mix and a very unique-looking feline. Where is my cat brush when I need it? He was a very curious, friendly and lazy fella.

OR

Pick up two of your favorite lunch buddies and 'do lunch' at a popular family restaurant.

Pulled-pork on a pretzel bun for gramps

fish & chips for nana

&

Grilled cheese & fries for two cutie-patooties

Grandittles Riley & Brad (the ham)

and

finish things off with a DQ

while checking out the photos of all the Easter ice-cream cakes.

Three cheers for rainy days.

hugs, Deb

A little Spring sun-shine, cookies and Simon

The last week has been a bit of a blur with a new baby joining the family. To say the least I haven't been home most days and don't plan to be around much this coming week, either. It's March break here, too, so Riley is home from school and we can take them all out to lunch.
It's all fun and a time I will cherish.
So, Sunday I stayed put and got caught up on some things around the mouse-house. 
It was a gorgeous day so I couldn't stay in for too long.   I did take a run out to the local nursery just to look around as the greenhouses are filling up fast with spring plants. And, I was looking for a special addition to the mouse-house entrance door-way. It was long past the time to take down my Merry Christmas sign, ya, I know.... :-b, and show off a little spring lovin'. I also had to wander around taking down Christmas wreaths from some of the surrounding trees. Geesh!

Here's my new welcome sign. No words; just lots of sunshine. :)
I hung it just to show you but it will come down until the batons are added to the mouse-house first.We ran out of time late winter to finish the side of the  building.

A sun-flower sun-shine.

It will take us a few weeks to complete the exterior and then maybe by then we'll have blue-prints in our hands for the addition of the house. 

I am so ready for a normal-sized home. 

And so are the cats.

The retired-guy would be happy in a tent.

Meanwhile, I'll try to stay calm. Living through construction is not my 'cup of tea.'
I wish I had a little calming hide-away to crawl into when the need arises.
I guess I could join Audrey if necessary.

                                                  "As if!"

 

               That's white hair you see on the back of her legs. She has quite the bloomers; spots of white from her under-coat.

Simon surfaced again this afternoon. It's a muddy mess at the old pump where he has been hibernating but at least the snow is leaving.

 I have only seen him once since Christmas and I expect he will stay out now. He looked very thin and was scared off  quickly by a grey squirrel. He went right back in his hidey-hole; poor little guy. I left him some peanuts and sun-flower seeds.

Here's a good cookie recipe for my new readers. 
I have posted this before as it is a great tea or coffee cookie. Not too sweet...just right.

         Applesauce Oatmeal Walnut Cookies 

1 3/4 c All purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp powdered cloves
1 c unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 c rolled oats 1 c walnuts (or raisons)
Measure together the first 5 ingredients
Mix together in another bowl the butter, sugar & egg. Cream together.
In another bowl, combine applesauce and soda
Blend into creamed mixture, alternating with dry mixture. Fold in oats and nuts
Spoon onto parchment paper on cookie sheet.
Bakr 18 - 20 minutes at 350 'til golden. 

Enjoy!

We had many red-breasted finch arrive this morning. So cute.

 

hugs, Deb