I Finally Got a Picture/s!

I finally was able to get a couple of pictures of my Western Bluebirds.  They only visit me in the winter and all they want is the birdbath.

Isn't he beautiful!

Even a sparrow decided to join them.

They take their bathes and then they skeddale.  I know if we had some birdhouses made for them, they would hang out more.  Maybe this spring we can put a couple up.

More Christmas Baking

I started fruitcake right after Thanksgiving and brushed it weekly with brandy.  We just had a taste this week and it's delicious. I had always relied on my mom for fruitcake, but this year she wasn't baking so I decided if I wanted any, I'd better make them myself.  I'll make them again next year.

Fruity Fruitcake

 I've made a couple batches of cookies already.  I had planned on making up plates for the next door neighbor, mail lady, and a couple people from Doug's work, plus my son.   But...... I only have a very small cache of cookies left.  Doug has been eating them like they are going out of style.  So I have cinnamon roll batter in the fridge and those will go as gifts instead of cookies.  I did get these made but they are gone now.
Cowboy Cookies and Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

All that's left of my cookie baking are Peanut Blossom Cookies.  They are disappearing fast though.  Oh well, I'm glad he likes them and it gives me a reason to bake.  I love to bake.

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Ramblings from last week

I worked 4 days last week, then I'm off (from work) until January 3.  I've never had a staycation before.  I always went somewhere.  This time off kind of took me by surprise,  I guess I didn't plan my summer time off very well.  Well I have lots to do.

I have several quilts I'll be finishing.

This is my daughter's quilt.  It's on the longarm now with only the borders and binding left to do.

Not a quilt but I have two of these to finish for my grandson's cub scout troop.  They are using them to put their badges on.

My number two granddaughter's quilt.  She's graduating from a lap to a double size quilt.  The top is all that is done at the moment.

This quilt top will be donated to Saint Paul's Parochial School auction in February.

This one, when finished will be for a co-worker of Doug's.  She picked it out so it's not a surprise.

So, I have a lot to do this week and next.  I really need to get the last two done first, but my daughter's quilt is already on the longarm, so that one will be first.

I have just a small amount of baking to do.  I've made my fruitcake, and several cookies already.  I had planned on making up plates for the next door neighbor, mail lady, and a couple people from Doug's work, plus my son.   But...... I only have a very small cache of cookies left.  Doug has been eating them like they are going out of style.  So I have cinnamon roll batter in the fridge and those will go as gifts instead of cookies.

Cowboy Cookies and Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Fruity Fruitcake

Yesterday, we sort of took the day off and relaxed.  We got a used roll of fencing from a friend of mine and plan on using it to expand the chicken yard.

You can't even see that it's fencing for all the weeds in it, but the chickens love it.  PJ (Plain Jane) the white chicken is climbing up the fencing to see if there is anything edible up there. We hope to get the fencing put up this week.

Below are the newest additions to our coop.  We got these from my son.  One is a Red Wynadotte, Black Wynadotte, and an Ameracona.  They are assimilating but it's a slow go.  

Below is Olive Oil.  She is about six months old and a regular layer.

Peeping Chickens

The chickens want to see if I'm home or not.  They're checking me out, wondering if I have any goodies for them.  Doug (DB) would be right out there scramming them off the patio and out of the backyard.  I'm a push over.  I like them right where they are, but I won't tell him that I let them wander wherever.

We got 3 hens from my son's roommate this past weekend.  These chickens are a little discumbobulated.  My Cleo (black hen behind the sex-link is the top chicken) but I fear she may loose her post to a huge black Wynadotte.  They've been mixing it up.

I'm on vacation now until the first of January.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm planning on finishing some quilts.  I have 4 or 5.  One for my daughter, granddaughter, quilt for the local parochial school here, and one for Doug's dispatcher.  I'll post pictures when they are completed.  Wish me luck.

Christmas Baking

I started baking last week with a Fruity Fruitcake, then yesterday with Cowboy Cookies and Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies.

I plan on making some more sweets but haven't decided yet what.  We love them but this time of year they go directly to the waistline.  I'll probably make more and give away to Doug's work and take them to my work.

Winter Storm

I'm home nursing an ear infection and my DB calls and asks if it's snowing at the house. I look up and what do you know, yes it's snowing and I was going to go into town for groceries. Not now.

This is the front yard and drive. You can almost see the road.

The back yard. Even the birds took off. They are probably under the Red Hot Pokers. Good cover for them.
Time to put another log on the fire and hunker down. Maybe I'll head for the sewing room and get something accomplished.

It's a Balmy Day

We are finally out of the cold snap here. You wouldn't even know we had around 6 inches of snow. We were commenting about a week ago about being grateful we hadn't lost power when around 1 am we got up to stoke the fire, the lights were out. That was Christmas Eve morning. It lasted until around 1pm Christmas Day. I'm so glad it wasn't longer. The only bright spot was watching the birds in the backyard scratching for food. We helped them out there with what was left of the oatmeal, cornflakes (which they don't like) and finally we gave them some chicken scratch. Now back to work on Monday, but first I want to finish quilting a quilt for a coworker.