Winter Bird Book Freebie

One of my hobbies is to photograph birds that come to nest and eat seeds at my house. The picture above is of a male cardinal that came to visit during the snow last winter. The cardinals were the inspiration for the "Winter Bird Book" that is available for download HERE.

Among the printable pages are questions to answer, as well as blank writing pages.

I hope that you enjoy it!

Happy bird watching!

Snow 2.0

 

 

I like snow days. Today, it began snowing again. This time, it wasn't as blizzard-like outside. The animals are all tucked away in their warm barns.

The day of the blizzard (Christmas), a small kitten was displaced by the storm. I "think" it is out of the Mother cat that I feed on my deck. (I have her 4 last kittens, now grown that live in my barn). The kitten somehow got under my house. I still haven't figured out how that happened. The underskirting on my house is tight, and the one space where the adult cats creep through was covered in snow.

I heard this kitten mewing. It would follow my voice, and I tried very hard for 2 days to rescue him from under the house. Standing outside in freezing temps, trying to figure out how to coax him out. I was able to slip food into him, of which he'd quickly start eating. (His "nom, nom, noms...were adorable!")

Yesterday, I was able to get him to stick his head through the small space where the heat pump/air conditioner goes under the house. Such a small cat could have fit in there ok, but he was scared. He'd come right to the opening and then not come out. When he did pop his head out, he'd nuzzle my hand and meow.

When I left last night, I heard him meow and I saw him run toward me in the snow. He ran back and was rubbing on the other cats. (Which are his brothers and sister). I was relieved, but wasn't sure what to do with him. I came home late, and he was no where to be found.

First thing this morning I went out to face the snow, and I heard the little guy mewing again. This time, he came right to me at the opening by the water heater. After a few minutes of coaxing, he came out. His mother hissed, and smacked him. Apparently, she was ready to wean him.

I scooped him up, and he cuddled into me and started purring. I called my Mom and asked her if she could take him. She lives across the road. I would have brought him into my house, but my 2 dogs may not appreciate it. :)

Happy news... the little cat has been accepted by my Mom's barn cats and he's made himself at home.

Snowmaggedon 2012!!

Who doesn't love a white Christmas?   We were blessed yesterday with a bit of the white stuff. :)  It began spitting sleet around 3:30 yesterday evening.  The Snowcasters were wonderful to let us know ahead of time to expect some snow (8-12 inches).  The snow began to fall around 7:30 and kept snowing on into this morning.  We have approximately 12 inches in the level ground, and almost 2 feet in areas where the snow drifts were.  The snow was blowing on a horizontal, but the wind was also coming from different directions.  Thankful we didn't lose power! :)   Ever since we had the ice storm in 2009 (no power for 14 days!!)   I get a little creeped out about the possibility of losing power.

 

The picture above is of Tilly.  She was the only one brave enough to come out into the snow. She was eating it.  I told her to watch out for the yellow snow. :)    The picture is a little deceiving.  The gate in the background has about a foot and a bit high in front of it.  The goat is standing in my tracks and it's still up to her knees.  The water troughs are 18 inches high, and the snow was up high enough to cover it.  (The backside of the barn had more snow drifts).

 

What a way to end the year?   I don't mind the snow - especially with the blue skies and no wind!  Whew!   It's already starting to melt an slide off the roofs.  It will be gone in a day or two.

 

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas.   I spent the evening with my parents who live across the road.  My Mom made her traditional holiday meal - turkey and all the trimmings. :)  LEFTOVERS!!!  Woo hoo! :)    I look forward to the new year.  I am SOOO glad that the Mayan's were wrong! :))

 

Until next time!

Merry Christmas...

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas!

I hope that you enjoy time with family and friends, celebrating what is truly important.

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

The Unthinkable...

When I first read about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, my first thought was what the children must have been thinking in their last moments of life.  NO CHILD, (teacher or admin.) should EVER have to be afraid to go to school.  I can only imagine the chaotic, horrific scene that the children and faculty at Sandy Hook Elementary had to endure.  To those who survived, they will always carry it with them.  For many, their fears will be compounded with questions of why, and how many of their friends were lost.  

School is supposed to be a safe place! 

My thoughts and prayers go out to the children, the teachers and staff and their families, as well as the victims families.  There are no words adequate enough to express the deep sympathy and sadness felt around the world tonight.  If there is any comfort, we are crying and praying with you. May God bless you and keep you. RIP little ones.