My Everything Corner

I have a new animal at the top of my favourite list.  Llamas.  They were at the bottom of my favourites list before last week.  One scared the dickens out of me when I was a small child by snatching the ice cream cone out of my hand. That was nearly 40 years ago, and it left a such an impression on me that I haven't gone near them since. I thought they were rude and unpredictable, but have since learned that it was more than likely the poor animal's situation that made him like that. I'm not a big fan of travelling petting zoos. Visiting animals at a happy farm is a much different experience than visiting them under the very stressful circumstances that travel and crowds put them under. These llamas are lucky enough to not only have more than enough space, but also they are cared for by an exceptional farmer who loves them, understands them and treats them as her family. When I heard there was a baby there, I invited myself over for a visit and was welcomed warmly n...

I mentioned several posts (and months) ago that I had taken up knitting. I've made several items since then; dish cloths, toques, scarves. This one has been on the needles for more time than I'd care to admit. I didn't lost interest in knitting, but in TV and so here it sits. There have been no real road trips either, so without those two activities, it waits.  The yarn itself leaves quite a lot to be desired, but those colours are delicious, and not wanting to pay a fortune for great yarn, here we are. Oh, and warmer temperatures are on the way, so if I get this done before next winter, we may have a miracle on our hands. I love pottery. Who doesn't? I received the lovely little yarn bowl for Christmas.  The artist is local and I think I may just have to start a collection of his work.

One photographs the world around them, and for the past several months, my little world is filled Chickadees. There are Jays and Nuthatches about but they are not nearly as cooperative. Besides, no one really ever tires of these little guys, right?

I'm so glad to be nearing the end of February. Spring is so close, I can almost taste it! It's time to order seeds and get some babies started under those grow lights.   We've been making the most of the cold months in our home this year. We painted and upgraded the trim in the basement and then promptly attacked the upstairs which is currently in chaos.  Up there we are doing new paint, flooring, trim and a countertop.  It's all going to look very fresh for Easter and Spring. Also, we are planning a two week road/tenting trip to the Yukon. We plan to go in July and I can hardly wait to visit the North again. I've been visiting my feeders nearly daily all winter and those little chickadees are becoming quite tame. One even landed in the pail of seed I was still carrying.  The photo was taken with my phone and I was less than a foot away! The amaryllis is full bloom. It's an out of place beauty upstairs where everything is turned upside-down. ...

I received this jigsaw on Christmas Day and I thing I started it on Boxing Day.  I finished it before the New Year.  It's 1000 pieces, and upon studying the image, I thought it would be fairly simple. I was wrong. Progress was slow at first because it seemed everything was green. I'm glad I persevered though as it is a beautiful scene.  Now if I could only figure out how to move in.

I don't notice the cold when the cold looks like this. I can't feel the freezing in this wonderland of bliss. Winter, knowing His visit can be quite unpleasant... Once in awhile, offers this exquisite present.                    Andrea Ostapovitch

For those of us connected on Instagram, this will be a repeat performance in photos. How is December treating you thus far?  As per our family's tradition, we all get colds to varying degrees.  But so far, the illness has been mild as has the weather and so December has been mostly quite joyful.  After my daughter's 16th birthday this past weekend, I put the tree up and have worked my way through wrapping quite a few gifts, a job that continues today, along with decorating the rest of the house.  Then the baking begins. Now there, in the baking department, I must file a complaint. Why have the mint chocolate chips disappeared off the shelf?  I have a recipe of whipped shortbread with mint chips that we simply cannot live without! I haven't attempted it yet, but I intend to make my own.  If you have any experience at all in the art of making flavoured chocolate chips, please share your knowledge.  I would be most grateful. Besides the shortbrea...