Just checking in

It seems that I have a big job ahead fixing photos. From what I understand, for some reason or other the Postimage hosting service that I use for my pictures has suffered some kind of attack on their .org domain address and it is being blocked. Their backup server domain (.cc) still works but it appears that I would need to change all the .org picture urls to .cc

Not being real technical on these matters, I don't know how to make this change on a global basis in my blog, and it's too much work to go back and edit each post, so at this time, my pictures just won't show up until the folks at Postimage get around to figuring out why their .org domain is being blocked. ( If anyone really wants to see any of the old pics in my blog for some reason, just copy the url for the image and edit the .org to .cc ).

I'm so busy with other more important things right now, this annoying little glitch will just have to wait. Why do these stupid things happen at the busiest times?

However, there may be some good news!  While playing about in Blogger, I discovered that there is now an option to upload my images directly to my blog... no hosting service required it seems. So at least for now, my new blog posts should work (we'll see when I publish this one). I have no idea how long this will work but we'll give it a go.

Spring has really arrived and this time I think it will stay. We have had warmer temperatures and above freezing at night. It was warm enough to be out raking and cleaning up the property all last week. And around here that includes a bit of an audience.  Even Simon and his friends were out and about.

Our neighbours' cat David is here every day.

 I'm out no more than a few minutes when I hear  "Yeow" behind me. Then he flops to the ground and does his infamous roll in the dirt. He's getting older and today I noticed that while walking behind him I startled him when I touched his back. I don't think his hearing is what it used to be. I know the resident critters will rejoice.

I'll make this a short post just to see if it works.

Have a great night everyone!

Deb

No pics?

I am having some issues with my site where photos are not showing up, I have been through this before. :(
If you are on Instagram drop over to Life at Fox Grove for some up-to-date photos.

I'll be back.
Be kind,
Deb

Easter fun.

 Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt for the grandittles was a much darker day than last year but at least the rain stopped early that morning. 

Off to the wood-lot...

 

 It was fun, as I never doubted it would be, and all one hundred eggs were filled by the Easter Bunny with delicious surprises. 

The adults always get right into it, too. My daughter scored an old $5 bill that she found under the leaves. lol

Pizza, fruit and cupcakes were gobbled up for lunch

 and then it was a free-for-all as they ran around the property playing and eating chocolate eggs. 

                                                                  Two of my kiddos

                                                     Easter in Canada's North  

Easter is my favorite time of year but this year Spring is playing tricks on us. She's very fickle, indeed, but as I look out the window the birds fly over-head with beaks filled with twigs and grass and that's enough for me. 

We had an unfortunate incident at the mouse-house this morning involving a European Starling. One hit the window and was stunned on the ground. 

We brought it inside the garage to keep warm and then discovered the wing was damaged.

 Off to the Wild Bird Center we went. I'm always so thankful for these wonderful volunteers that greet you with a smile even on a long holiday weekend.

                                      Wild Bird Sanctuary
We left the starling there for a complete examination and hope that it is without further internal damage. I'm to call in a few days and, if I wish to, I can bring it back to our property to return it to the flock. I will do that since many more seem to be staying.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter.

                                                  Annie
                               Audrey was hiding on the kids.
It's time now to think Spring (cheeky thing that she is) and start planning.

Be kind,
Deb

As Easter draws near

I want to say our snow is over with but I know better. Here in Ontario it's nothing to get a big storm in April so we will just stay quiet, cross our fingers and hope we have seen the tail end of it.

It's been cold but sunny this last week and we still have a pile of snow to get rid of before Easter. Last year we started the Easter Egg Hunt in the Wood-lot tradition and it was a beautiful, sunny, warm day then. This year might be a wee bit different. I have visions of poor old Peter Rabbit hopping around with his collar pulled up around his neck, unlaced snow-boots just a flyin' leaving his tracks behind for the kids to follow. He'll probably wear a toque and woolly mittens. And hiding all those eggs in the snow might be tricky. "Good luck, Peter."

But no matter what we will have fun. :) There are five grandittles just waiting to start the hunt.

There's lots of baking going on at the mouse-house.

 

Cupcakes are on the to-do list. They'll be fun to decorate. 

The girls are waiting on the sun-puddles.

What's happening at the feeders?

The birds are busy gathering nesting materials and making decisions just where to place it. I hope we have all seven of our houses filled with babies this spring. Wow...that would be fabulous!

Our red-winged blackbirds have returned along with the robins. Downies, Mourning Doves and Chickadees are plentiful. The bluejays and crows are flying over our house regularly with filled beaks and our Pileated Woodpecker is a regular here now. 

I'm filling feeders at the wood-lot and staying out of their way so they can feel safe here. We have some very shy birds here. :)

You can see how much snow we still have. Today they call for rain and that's exactly what we need to get rid of it.  

I hope your Easter preparations are going well. 

Be kind,
 Deb 

SNOW - add it to the four letter words around here.

 

Annie thinks..."UGH! more snow."

We've had more than our share this winter. It just keeps coming.

Oh well, we just shovel it and go have a party.

These two sweeties celebrated birthdays on the weekend.

Our son, John (34) and grandittle G (2).

We all had a great time.

 

Two cuties.

There is no way to make plumbing look pretty but I think it's beautiful. :)

 

This is the loft bathroom at the top of the stairs.

 

I'll get in tomorrow and take a few pics on the main floor.

The snow has kept the roofers away until this week.

We finally have the steel going on. :)

That's the kitchen window to the right. It will face the garden. Bathroom windows both main floor and loft.

We had another dumping of snow on day two of the roof going on so this ended up taking over a week to finish. My photo taking is sporadic to say the least but I'll show you a photo of it completed from the front next post.

Are you having fun preparing for Easter? We need lots of sun to melt away our winter. I think the Easter Bunny would much rather hide eggs in the grass than in the snow.
 Four more days 'til spring. :)

Audrey says "Howdy."

She's just waiting for a moth to fly in. Doofus.

'Til next time...
hugs, Deb

Bye, bye February.

 

Annie xo

 

Audrey xo 

she is doing so well

almost two months with no seizures. :)))

We had her levels checked today and will see 

if we can bring down the amount of drug daily.

 

I think she is saying "thank you" for the sun-puddle today.

Wow...that has been some winter we have had; almost five months of snow and ice. Lots of ice. But this week we have been having some amazing spring-like weather here in Ontario. It's been well above seasonal temperatures and lots of glorious sun. And best of all the snow is melting away.

And there has been much activity around our feeders this week. Spring is certainly in the air.

 

"Weeeeeeee"

Our resident chickadees are happy, healthy and full of beans these mornings. It is common now to have them fly right over and land on my hand for a quick taste of what's to come in their bird feeders. Some are still shy but some are very bold. :)

 

 I will never get tired of this. It is always such a thrill to feel them land on my hand. :) Those teeny little feet.

Aren't they so beautiful.

And if anyone is a violet lover, well, just look at these beauties.

Three out of my six plants are bursting with blooms. The others will soon catch up. Another sign of spring. 

And a sign that made me smile today...Simon and friends were out and about at the old pump. I expect to see them at the feeders tomorrow if this weather continues.

Hope you are seeing signs of spring, too.

hugs, Deb

Checking in to say hi.

I hope everyone is well and looking forward to spring. Living in Ontario, Canada means another 4 weeks to go but I am counting the days. 

It's certainly not a pretty time of year at the mouse-house. We've had many snow storms and now it's melting and dead grass showing through. The drive-way is a skating rink still as we wait for the much needed sunshine. Today it is once again dark, wet and dreary.

Bunnies and little red squirrels are showing up at my messy feeders daily. My chickadees are very tame now and some will even feed from my hand. It never ceases to be a thrill to feel those wee feet on your hand. :))) I LOVE IT!

                    (taken last week on a very rare sunny day)

Valentines Day has come and gone again. 

We had breakfast out and looked after two of our five grandittles so my daughter and hubby could have an evening out; a needed break for them and lots of fun for us.

I'm on hawk alert again as one has been hanging around the property.  As you know, I tuck the feeders in close to the trunk of the trees so as to give the birds a bit more protection.  I also chase it off if I am out and around at the time it shows up. I do what I can.

                                          =^..^= =^..^=

Audrey and Annie are doing well. Each day is like a gift to see Audrey seizure-free and adjusting a little better to her medication. She has been enjoying time at the new house when I am there to watch her and having her fits of madness running up and down the stairs. Her and Annie make good use of the pellet stove. She is eating well, seems content and only wakes me occasionally in the night.
We have been noticing squirrels climbing the board and batten on the mouse house trying to find a way in, I suppose. 

Someone has been watching guard ever since.  Man, she would love to take care of this business. lol

                                                     Annie

A few new updates have been done on the house but nothing that is worth photographing. Electrical and plumbing jobs do not make a pretty picture. We still have soooo much to do. 

On a country drive last weekend, I found a little treasure to add to the house when the time comes. This planter will hang at the entrance to the breeze-way filled with beautiful summer flowers. 

How do you like my sunflower hat. haha!

Well, I have to now grab a tea and start to visit you. I have missed checking on my favorite blogs and find I only have time to publish a photo or two each day on instagram. If you have an IG site please let me know.

Hope you are enjoying the warmer temps of the last few days. 
Spring is in the air.

hugs, Deb