Foto Friday For the First Time in Forever!

Before I check my photos to see what was happening one year ago today I'm going to predict there will be snow. And cats. And maybe a creative project. Yes, I am pretty predictable! Okay, drum roll please..........................

.......I called it! Luna and Lily are curled up together on the futon in the TV room. Sadly, they no longer curl up together; instead they fight over my lap!

Awwwwwww.....!

Not a lot of snow... I thought there'd be more. On another sad note we are getting next to NO birds this winter at our feeders as they are able to feed themselves. So CAT TV is a bust so far this (non)winter.

Carvings from the workshop:
-a couple pieces that haven't been hand sanded to a glossy polish yet...

Should I put them together as a pair? That was my original plan...

Polished!

Which way to display it?

Instead I decided to use a shadow box to display this piece because it was a very thin slice of soapstone and I carved it in relief; ie it has a flat side. You can see my hands taking the photo :)

My life needs an injection of excitement! What should I do to spice things up a little?

Dreams and Treasure

My two cent bird feeders are working well - I made two new ones yesterday and the chickadees have been dashing back and forth from the huge cedar trees behind my house and the super deluxe feeders.

I am a technician of the highest order. Take two empty toilet paper rolls, slather in peanut butter, roll in birdseed  and stick somewhere that hopefully squirrels won't be able to access. I stuck mine onto a butterfly garden ornament - the antennae to be exact.

They work well for small birds, not so sure about larger birds.

Luna and Lily are thrilled that CAT TV is back and running once again! I mean, this is riveting stuff!

Speaking of larger birds a dove kept them captivated all morning. While I watched, a black squirrel came into the back patio and tried to scare off the dove, but the dove was having none of it. She stood her ground and the squirrel left in a hurry. I assumed the dove would just continue to munch on the seeds that fell to the ground...

 ....but no siree that dove was able to perch on the butterfly and have a lovely lunch - it was a bird's dream come  true!

And the black squirrel?
Relegated to sifting through the dove's droppings! (Note wee kitty ears at the bottom of the photo!) Don'tcha just love free entertainment?

And the treasure?

I thought I'd check my gramma's sewing box for any scraps of ribbon for Luna. She keeps losing (and I keep hunting for)  the Christmas ribbon that she fell in love with. I found some ribbon but even better.........my gramma's crochet hooks! I've been wanting to buy more and have a piece of paper in my purse listing the few sizes I already have so I won't purchase duplicates. I may have enough now after uncovering this treasure trove!

My gramma was a master crocheter - she could look at a picture of a doily or afghan and reproduce it without a pattern. Looks like I have a few crochet hooks to use with crochet cotton if I ever make it to that level of skill.

Ignore my spool knitting - it is sitting on a crocheted table cloth that my gramma made for me using crochet cotton years and years ago (she died in l986 at the ripe old age of 94). This is the sort of work she could do with her eyes closed. They almost were closed as she had cataracts that were removed in her 80's.

I think it's just incredible!

Plus there were a number of needles similar to the plastic one I bought for finishing a crocheted piece, tucking in the last bit of yarn. I'm sure they have other uses as well.  How lucky am I??

I've gotten out for a couple hikes this week, pictures to follow on another day. The temperature continues to rise above 0c most days and today we're getting some drizzle. Seems kinda weird for January. Lots more to tell but his post is already long enough!

Hello

I can't get Adele's latest single out of my head! I. LOVE. IT. There's another version of "Hello" I like too, it's a more rocked out sound sung by Lukas Rossi who back in 2006 won "Rockstar Supernova" and the chance to play with members of Metallica, Guns n' Roses, and Motley Crue - a superband of sorts.  (Obviously they didn't have much commercial success). I don't usually watch shows like that but because Lukas was (and still is!) Canadian and super talented I got behind him and he won! Then I promptly forgot all about him, yes, I am fickle like that. I never thought of him again until his youtube version of "Hello" went viral. It's Adele's song so I prefer her lung power but Lukas really turns it on its head and gives it an amazing sound.

There endeth the music trivia for today. (Anyone tired of Christmas music yet??)

Well, what's happening in this wee corner of the universe? I've started to dream about crocheting so maybe it's time to put that aside for awhile! But lookee lookee! I've actually finished something!

Aren't I just a crocheting wizard?? My first ever dishcloth/washcloth in Christmas red. I saw on a website one of these folded twice with a lovely bar of soap on top secured with a Christmassy ribbon. It looked really cute - that's where I'm headed and I have another halfway done in green. If I can figure out how to add a border in white then I will. Otherwise- I won't.

I've made a wee bit of progress in Christmas preparations, though not much. I find it's much more fun to wait until the last minute and stress-buy instead! Hah! Okay people, I have the whole year now to prepare for Christmas so what gives? I was more prepared than this when I was working full-time! It seems the older I get the less Christmas spirit I have.  The worst part for me, I think, is trying to figure out what to get for the people on my list - everyone is OLD and already has a house full of stuff! People don't want or need or have the space for another doodad. So the past few years I've stuck to consumables - wine, homemade treats like cashew brittle or Christmas Crack and so on. Things gradually get eaten and drunk (HAH) and therefore take up no space. Sooooo I'm making a list today of what I need to buy to make said yummy treats and Kazi and I will bake next week.

Cards I have written and sent out, the house is decorated and semi-clean, get togethers planned with friends and family.

I received some really bad news the evening of the Mardi Gras and I know that has me feeling really sad. One of my friends that was at the dinner found out that day that she has two tumours in her uterus and will be having a biopsy this week. While she was at the cancer clinic she saw her sister-in-law, her brother and nephew. They had just found out that their three year old boy has leukemia! It's very serious and he's had a blood transfusion, samples taken from his bone marrow and spine and has already started on chemo. I went online to register for donating stem cells but was declined - they are only registering men between 17 and 35 who have an ethnic or idigenous background. I have to keep checking back.

Send out prayers my friends for this family as they go through a horrendously difficult time.

On a happier note...

CAT TV is back on with Luna and Lily being teased by Mr. Black Squirrel on a daily basis. He often comes right up to the patio door and pushes his rodent nose up against the glass and gleefully gives them the raspberry. They are not amused! But they are entertained!