Snow, snow and more snow................

It came just before Christmas and stayed. It is beautiful that's for sure. Looks terrible when it melts and you see all the crap under it. Literally as well as figuratively. The poodles had a great time the last couple of days. Gerry cleared paths in the back so they could run. It's too cold to be out there. Has been in the negatives or just a couple of degrees above and with the wind chill it has been bad. So they go out and little feet get really cold. They come in on 3 legs. Still, the suns been out and they go out and yell at people walking by, chase each other and run back inside for a treat. I sometimes have to remind them before they get too cold and forget to pee.

They are always looking for trouble. Brea and Bijou are the conspirators, the noise makers. Bodi, poor girl can't get down the steps on her own and it has been too cold for me to stand out longer than to fill the bird feeders. Have not seen many birds but the squirrels don't seem to mind the cold. I am afraid of slipping on the ice so dare not carry Bodi down last couple of days.

I am always surprised to see my fish come Spring. The pond gets buried under a blanket, we keep the pump going. I am down to two fish now.

At least the snow blower is working again. That means poodle paths stay open.
The garden will be a big mess come Spring. The snow covers the mess. I didn't take in the glass ornaments and they look pretty in the snow

I left the wind chimes up too and will make more come Spring because I liked how they turned out. Oh the list of stuff to do keeps on growing


Loads of work to do on the house. We need to sell the house that Laura was renting and then find out what we want to do with this one. To renovate or to sell? I was thinking of a smaller house. This one is too big. Thing is it is chock full of stuff. Every room. Five bedrooms and all the rest, even the storage and garage/shed are filled to the brim. However, to renovate it would be major disruption and work. Money. I would like to sell as is, let the new owner figure it all out.


If we sell, will the new folks cut down the pines and undo the gardens?

I liked the way the light was twinkling on the leaves of the oak tree.

Well until the birds decide to come visit I probably won't have too many decent pictures. Roll on Spring.

December 2017.........

The garden is dead, dead as a door nail. The snow is coming down every day. The next week may warm up to the 30s. The snow is piling up. Look at my rose bush, does it look happy

Well what can I say, not a whole lot. The birds are not cooperating at all. I am getting Blue Jays and not much else. It has been so cold that I think they are all frozen to posts somewhere. The cats don't go out much so it's not that. Miss Bessie is a pissed off pussy cat. She does NOT like staying inside, but hates the snow. Boots goes out and comes right back in disgusted.

The plants I brought inside are happy though, they are blooming with happiness.


Some I cut way back and they are thriving. I put some upstairs but think I will have to move them because I keep forgetting to water them.


I did get some cuties come in one day but that was about the only day



The squirrels on the other hand, goodness. What pests they are. All varieties. I have bought critter food so guess I can't complain really. I need to put up another hanging feeder so the squirrels concentrate on the table tops and leave the hanging feeders alone. Yeh like that would happen.

The poodles really don't mind going out when its not too cold, they get to run on the trails that Gerry makes for them. They have enough fur to keep them warm. Later on when there is way too much snow we close the gate to keep them on the deck.
Waiting for daddy

I left most of my garden stuff outside this winter. Oh there is so much to clean up come Spring. When Gerry finally quits work he will have so much to do here he will wish he was working The garage needs to be emptied out. I can't do much in the garage because I can't see well enough. The glass bottles look pretty in the snow.


I can make some more wind chimes come Spring. I may sell them in my yard sale given chance. I suppose that means I have to be productive this winter. I still have not got down to working on my quilts, the sewing machine is set up it's just not doing the job. Oh, well, I suppose it does need someone to actually run it doesn't it? I have been painting in my sketch book. That's my problem I get focused on one thing. Justin and Carrie want me to paint some pictures for them so there's that too..........I really must make the most of Winter right?

Inside in November............................

The plants I brought inside for Winter, well, some is good and some is not. Already threw out the Basil. Dang it, that was one I wanted very much to keep. Ah well. The Rosemary is not looking too good either. I will have to cut it and save what I can and see if it revives.

The Parsley is wilting but is trying to survive. Pity I don't use parsley more.

The Lavender is doing quite well so far. I have no idea whats up with that. I never have luck with Lavender so do not expect it to survive, but one never knows.

Now The Geraniums survived last Winter so maybe those will survive this one. I hope so because once they did bloom they were spectacular.


I brought in 3 Geraniums. Sure will save some money next year if they do well again.
I did bring in the Boston Fern its stringy but well, if it likes it's spot maybe it will perk up. Trouble is this spot is by the back door and although there is a heater next to it, I wonder if it will be fussy

I did keep some of the Begonia again, same ones that got through last year.

Some died right away and some are doing Ok. Time will tell. I need some potting soil to top up the pots guess I should do that pretty soon, I have to be in the mood for that. Should get myself in the mood before they dry out.
The couple of weird things I brought in were the peppers. They are so bloomin hot to eat but they are pretty and will be even better if I prune it back I think.


Now some of my regular house plants are blooming. Jason's plant I brought in early was happy to be back in it's window in the Kitchen. It is blooming happy


Tristen's little gift to me is struggling but still trying hard. I should re-pot that one.

The Christmas Cactus is also happy, I don't know why because its in a tiny pot that often drys out.


Some of my African Violets are reaching their end, it's hard to know. Some go on and on and others dry up and blow away. I love the Violets most of all I think. I was given the basket of them when Button's died. I kept those going through thick and thin. I did eventually replace one I think and again, they all need re-potting. I just don't like doing that job. Still if I don't I could lose them.

Spider plants doing well, at least these two are. I have a couple more upstairs along with some Begonias and the other flowers I brought in..........didn't picture those and I should probably also take care of those. It was hard enough getting them inside before the cold spell. Now its time to take care of them.

As you see I have a house full again. I do so hate to see things die if I can save them. Made room by using the bedrooms this year and once I know they will be OK I will move more up there. Right now I have a few who need nursing a bit. Outside is so blah. The weather has been so good I should get my lazy self out there and dig up the garden and put away the garden ornaments. It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow so maybe that's what I will do and decorate the back deck.........

Rainy Days...................

We have had a lot of rain, maybe a good thing. Better than snow. Although.........it's been cold enough. Tomorrow in fact it's supposed to get so cold that it will be icy in the morning so probably a bit of snow can be expected. I will have to be sure to fill up the feeders. I bought critter food as well as bird seed. The Squirrels LOVE it. So do the Blue Jays. There are peanuts in shells as well as corn and bird seed in the critter mix.

The squirrels were soaked through but still enjoyed their feast. I bet they were shivering poor little critters.


SO the little blighters enjoy the food I provide all year and so they built their house right handy like.


They also enjoy the grapes.

I couldn't catch pictures of anyone else this day. The blue Jays sent out the the news and there was plenty of family squabbles as well as the squirrels fighting. It was certainly noisy for awhile. The ever present Mourning Doves were picking up the falling bits


Well there were not many birds that wanted to get wet and so this is it for today. I will leave you with this little pest enjoying lunch.

Hoping for more interesting visitors soon.

End of Autumn.......................

The garden is just so boring now. The leaves are just about done, Gerry just raked out back and there were huge piles. I still have to put all my garden stuff away but it snowed so I have to wait now until that's gone. Should get done this week all being well.


I just got bird seed and critter food, the Blue Jays love the peanuts

I also got the blocks in hopes of getting Woodpeckers and a bit of variety in the visitors. Usually in Winter there is not much else to report on. The cats don't like being outside so with a bit of luck we may get a lot of visitors.

I didn't really see too many birds all Summer and have not seen the Crows last years Winter. I wonder why they moved on ? If I hear them I will call them down in hopes of giving them food again. They loved our left over foods.
This Chipmunk is pushing his luck, the cats go after them and they get too bold and get caught


They get way too complacent

Any way, I am hoping things pick up now it's cold, and it IS cold for sure.
I brought in some plants and put some up in the bedrooms. We will see how that works out. The Basil did not survive. So far the Rosemary is doing OK. I brought in Geraniums and a few other things and I may have to take some cuttings to ensure plenty come Spring. I brought in the Lavender but have never had success before but I will try to keep it going. I have never had luck with that inside or out. So for now, that's it. Hope I can find some more interesting subjects.