Slow-going spring...

 It might say spring on the calendar but we still have snow and nights that go below freezing to contend with. March is like that. We do have robins though and that's a sure sign of spring.

April will bring us green grass and wild spring flowers pushing through the ground. That's what I look forward to. The birds, squirrels, chips and our crows are beginning to gather material for their spring nests. I often see one of the crows fly by with her beak full of dry grass. Up to the tree-tops she goes. The beauty of nature coming to life right before your eyes.

Hoping Flo made it through the winter.

It's been a very long winter and an extremely cold one. Now the sun is warmer and fills our main room with sun-puddles for the cats and the slow-going dahlia sprouts I have started.

Wilson

                     My pink loft. lol It will be good to get the plants out to the potting shed in April.

Some of my plants are happy in the loft under grow lights. I will have lots of dahlias to add to the veggie garden area, grow in pots around the potting shed and to also start a new garden near the house.

The cats are doing well and their friendship grows deeper with time. Cora will be three in June and Wilson is five now. They are young, healthy, beautiful creatures who we adore.

Cora...the loft snoopervisor.

I hope you are loving the start of spring in your area. Most of you are far ahead of us here in Eastern, Ontario and I really enjoy looking at your gardens come to life. It gives me hope that it won't be long now for us.

Enjoy and be kind,

Deb

Merry Christmas 2021

 

Santa is right on schedule.

It's time to get the cookies and milk out and carrots for the reindeer.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone and a Blessed and festive holiday.

hugs, Deb

Preparing for Christmas

 My five wooden, moveable ornaments will be hung on the staircase at Christmas.

I have yet to find the right foliage to hang them on and freezing rain is in the forecast so I'll have to wait a day or two.

My children, and now my grands, love to play with them as they head up to the loft to the Christmas tree.

I'm not sure how, but I managed to get my wrapping done today with the help of this maniac.

Her job, I presume, was to stand on the bows so they were on good and tight and lie across the tissue paper to keep it perfectly flat. The chewing on the ribbon was short-lived.

"Thank you, Cora."

                                                                  "Oh, Christmas Tree"

I spotted a 'new kid on the block' today looking out the sliding door window. He/she was obviously hunting  and quite comfortable with it all. Looked well-fed (hopefully not with my birds) so I won't worry about it.  I'll just watch for the hunter again.

And the glorious mourning dove is here now for the winter. How I miss them all summer long. They have arrived in a large flock, close to thirty, and I will gladly keep them fed all winter.

And the junco is back, too. Cutest little birds. They are about the same size as the chickadee and seem to get along with them well.

I hope you are all enjoying these days up to Christmas.

I've been watching lots of Christmas movies and drinking far too much hot chocolate

in between the shopping and wrapping of presents.

All good, all fun.

But I best go.

The branches are vibrating and I just heard a bell ring under the tree.

Be kind, Deb

Christmas preparations

Hi everyone. Hope you are enjoying the Christmas season so far.

We have had a heavy snow overnight; our second big snowfall this season. December is in full swing around here.

The house is looking quite Christmassy. I chose the loft for the tree again this year. I like that I don't have to move furniture around to accommodate it.

Once the tree is up I really get into gear. I also needs eyes in the back of my head. Cora and Wilson are very interested and so far four decorations have been seen flying across the room but no casualties as yet. They love to sleep beneath it and look at the lights. I don't blame them.😍

She plans to scare the cookies out of Santa. She's surely on his NAUGHTY list.

Look at the snow and there is more falling.

'Ol Nellie (tractor turned snow-blower) is working overtime.

My little potting shed is now covered with snow as I took this a few days ago.

The mourning doves congregate on the roof when its cold and eat from the feeder to the left.

They also come to the house, too

Then our twelve wild turkeys come by to clean up. I always give them a little extra.

I love these guys. I find them so comical.

The house is all decorated except for the stairs. I'll wait a bit because I want to put cedar branches along the railing.

My favorite Santa

The birds are being remembered where there is no feeder in the woodlot.

My girls and I did our traditional Christmas shopping day together and stuck to small towns only.

                                                                            Jess & Allie

Oh my goodness, the snow is heavy and constant today. One good thing, it keeps this monkey out of trouble. She is fascinated by it all.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas season.

The days are flying by and I know it can get stressful but I hope you take time out for yourself and enjoy all that it brings.

Take some advice from these two...stay cozy.

Hugs,

Deb

 "Happy Thanksgiving" to my Canadian followers.

I am so thankful for my family, friends and my comfortable home.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Deb

Fall is here

 

I'm not sure how it happened without me noticing but here it is; Autumn. 

I thought I'd show a few pics of what fall brings here at Fox Grove.

collecting seeds in the  shed from the garden.

Cat grass is always growing for the cats.

dahlia bouquets for anyone who wants one, :-)

Harvest time

My Greeter

Dahlia Eveline

Dahlia Sylvia

Back-to-back Eveline

And feeding my stone-wall chips.

Fastidious Wilson

And I'm sure I have a photo of Cora awake.

Nope...

Nope...

There you go.

There's a bug on the floor.

So "Happy Fall" to everyone. There will be lots of beauty ahead with this season. I'm about ready to take a break from gardening although I'm going to cry when it's time to dig up the dahlias. They are what got me through this crazy pandemic this year. And next year...look out.

Nothing escapes fall around here. :-)

be kind

Deb