Winter is about to start and I think I'm pretty much ready for it. Snow tires are on my car and my winter bird feeders are up. Looking forward to months of quality couch time. I call this my holiday time because yard work is suspended until Spring.
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| Jays are now making frequent feeder patrols. |
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| The colder it gets, the more demand for suet. |
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| Shelling a seed on a comfortable perch. |
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| The tray feeder is a favourite of everyone! |
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| Christmas colours. |
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| There are about a half dozen of these little guys. |
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| No feeding station is complete without a squirrel or two. |
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| This crow quite often uses this exact spot for a lookout. |
I have both ravens and crows here. At the moment, there is plenty of food for them. Since most of the grain farmers have harvested their crops, there is plenty of spillage and exposed mice nests for easy pickings. Not to mention road kill and garbage dump opportunities. But I did give handouts to a pair of ravens last winter and well, precedent has been set. Plus I love how they swoop past the house and call out in their raspy language. Lately I've been cutting up hot dogs for them. Their favourite treat seems to be rotisserie chicken scraps.
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| There may be dog kibble among the gravel. |
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| One of the two ravens who make regular visits. |
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| The raven on the right has raised and bushy eyebrows. |
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| It usually stands by while partner does the picking up. |
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| Hey! Not for you! |
An update on my cell phone signal booster. I got a line of sight of the actual relay tower closest to my house and fine-tuned the aim of my indoor antenna. I'm now getting a full five out of five bars. Yay-y-y. So I'll know that if my call is suddenly disconnected, it will be my caller or callee's fault.
Turns out that my introduction to knitting has been a sort of gateway drug. Thought I'd be happy if I just learned how to knit a pair of socks. But then I started hanging out with the knitting crowd on the street corner of YouTube. Oh my gosh!!! So many pretty projects to tempt the weak! Add in some podcasts or an audiobook and time simply streaks by.
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| Pair number two in progress. |
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| Pair number three in waiting. |
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| Knitting paraphernalia including a neck light. |
When I finish my THIRD pair of socks, I'm very tempted to knit this yummy mitred square throw. And I've discovered a very nice yarn shop only a forty minute drive from home. Yikes!!!
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| Photo nabbed from Louise Tilbrook Designs |
Ellie Mae takes a break from mouse hunting.
Ellie Mae, you are the queen of the home. Only 40 minutes? Off you hop and get that yarn, those shades are so beautiful. I still have sets of steel needles my Gran used, way back in 1939 or so, the tips are worn, a set of 5, for a sock with fine wool.I have been told she knitted socks for the soldiers in WW2, in NZ, maybe before they went overseas? Fancy you meeting that crowd on the corner, I'm sure they gets lots of people looking in !!!
ReplyDeleteI've already put a big order in to the wool store (It's called Wool-Tyme) which I'll pick up next week. I want to browse in person and let my fingers feel the different wools and wool blends. How touching that your Gran knitted socks for soldiers to wear. They surely would have appreciated them. Like you, my sister loves to quilt and has made dozens of them. It's snowing here now so you can guess what I'll be doing tomorrow. Yes, knitting!!!
DeleteFlorence, your nature photos were so beautiful they honestly startled me. How do you capture those birds like you do? Also enjoyed the backstory on those ravens (haha Ellie Mae!) and your hand-knitted socks look so cozy and awesome. Your blog here is the textbook definition of quality over quantity. Thank you so much for keeping your wonderful site going. PS The final photo of Ellie Mae and your guitar.... gorgeous! 🙂🤎👍👍
ReplyDeleteAs always, thanks for the moral support, Doug. Wish I had some human drama to spice up my report but it's pretty rare in my patch. Birds are an easy camera target and the ones here are almost tame. I like the idea of wild pets that require no cleaning or vet bills. Unlike you, my shoe collection is pretty meagre. But socks are another matter! Ha! Wish I could play a guitar, Doug, but that is actually my tenor ukulele. Ellie doesn't mind me playing the piano but usually leaves the room when I start strumming. Snow falling outside now. Pittsburgh might be getting some of it soon. Stay warm! 🤎🤎🤎
DeleteHi Florence, love your bird and critter photos! Haven’t seen any cardinals here yet but we have lots of others. Sadly so as the number one hunter at my feeders passed away a couple weeks ago. Snowball loved to sit by the feeders and wait for the birds. Only “good “ thing about his passing.😢
ReplyDeleteYour knitted socks are incredible! Love the colours. Goodness, look at Ellie Mae, so beautiful.
Holiday time here too now that the weather is cooler. I have a basket full of good books waiting to be read.
Take care Florence!❤️❤️
Robin
My condolences on the loss of Snowball, Robin. I remember pictures you had posted of the lovely boy. Ellie Mae had caught the occasional bird when she was younger but now specializes in mice. She has never been pregnant but meows for her fantasy children when she carries a freshly caught mouse. The need to nurture seems to be in us all. Enjoy your 'holiday' and that basket of good books! ❤️❤️❤️
DeleteThank you Florence. Snowball was a handsome kitty. He and Miss Kitty had finally got too old to tussle anymore and could actually sit close to each other. His parents came over and thanked us for taking care of him all these years. He was one of seven animals they have! Miss Kitty has a little stuffed mouse that she loves and will carry around in her mouth yowling the whole time.
DeleteTalk soon!❤️
Robin
How interesting that Miss Kitty's maternal instincts kick in with even a toy mouse! My sister had a hen that would call for her imaginary chicks when the scratch was good. Caring and sharing in us all.
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