The snow on the ground means the feeders are a busy place. Here are my favourite recent pics.

Yesterday was my birthday. I took the day off work, but because we had Furby’s vet visit smack dab in the afternoon, it was mostly a quiet morning. Around noon, I got the ambition to finally go through the food cupboards and reorganize them (something I’ve been wanting to do for a while).

Just before two, we packed Sir Orange up, and took him to the vet. It was a quick easy visit (though yes, he’s still grumpy about it). We dropped him off back at home, then headed out to celebrate.

We started out with a late lunch at my favourite chain (Swiss Chalet), where I got the Festive Special! Dave got Chicken and Ribs and it was delicious as always! We followed it up with finishing up our Christmas shopping (I’ll get everything wrapped today), and thrifting – though we didn’t actually buy anything at the thrift stores.

But that doesn’t mean I didn’t get any presents. Dave bought me some new bras from my favourite site (no pics for obvious reasons)

Mom sent a package full of goodies.

As did my brother. Some of you know my love for Coca Cola… you might not know my brother works for Coke.

He sent me a box full of cool Coke swag, including this lovely hat and mitt set. They will come in very handy for shovelling snow. Which is good because…

It’s been a very snowy December so far! I hope it lasts until Christmas. Then I want spring again.

The life of a house cat is hard…

Don’t tell him, but we have a booster shot booked for him with the vet this afternoon. It’s just one, instead of three like last time, so hopefully it won’t hit him as hard.

The curtains didn’t take very long on Sunday, and Burton was still keen on working in the studio… so I went stash diving again.

These were fabrics (bolt ends) I bought on clearance last year (or maybe the year before) with the intention of making a bag for former neighbour Krista. But I never got around to it. Her birthday is this month so I figured now was a good time to finally do it.

The pattern I had in mind is one I’ve made once before. It’s a freebie called Pick-A-Pocket Purse.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of making bags. I often find them fiddly… and they make me angry. But this one is very easy and it goes together quick. The only thing, is if you’re using directional prints (like the birds) you do have to make sure you’ve got your fabric cut the right way.

But the result is a nice little bag. I did make the pocket shorter to show off more of the frog print. There are a couple things I would add, including some top stitching. I did some around the top of the bag, but if I do it again, I’ll add it around the pocket too. I just think it makes it look a little more finished!

Last week, Dave came to me and asked if we had any curtains for the laundry room window.

When we moved in, we just stuck a pillowcase on the curtain rod that was there. Overtime, it got rolled up around the rod because to be honest, a covering isn’t really needed. That window is up high (it’s at neck level for me and I’m 5’7″; and it overlooks the back yard. It’s up high enough, that no one can look in it. It’s also the window I take a lot of my bird pics from.

I figured we’d worry about a proper window covering when we got around to reno-ing the laundry room. But for some reason, Dave was adamant we needed a window covering ASAP.

I do have a studio chock full of fabric, and intended to go stash diving. But then we were out thrifting the next day and I came across this.

It was in the “fabric” section, but it was actually about half of a twin sheet. Some enterprising seamstress probably reused her sheets for something. I quite liked the print, it said “laundry room” to me. I got Dave’s approval and it came home with us.

And Sunday, I hit the studio.

I don’t make fancy curtains, so it didn’t take me long. I think I had them sewn up in under an hour.

And another few minutes to make some tie backs so I can still photograph my birds. And the main thing is… Dave is happy.

Under the watchful eye of his Lordship

Many more stitches were added to the All Hallows Eve sampler

The second witch has a body, if not a head and a second arm. They will follow shortly. His Lordship has decreed it, so it must be so…

I cast off Wingspan just before the weekend.

It’s a pattern I’ve knit before, and it’s one that’s great for gradient yarns. Which this yarn is… it’s Bernat Wavelength. It is a subtle gradient, but for some reason, my phone camera really doesn’t want to show it.

As mentioned, I modified it a bit to work better with the chunky yarn. That mostly meant less stitches on the needles, but also more repeats. It’s not super long, but long enough to wrap a couple times around the neck.

Now we just have to wrap it up! That’s Burton’s favourite part.

I’d like to say this is the last thing I have to knit for Christmas. But Dave just told me he invited his uncle for Christmas dinner. That’s not a problem, but it means I should get something together to tuck under the tree for him. So before I do any wrapping, I have to go stash diving.

It’s going to be a fairly quiet Christmas here this year, so I’ve kept the inside decorating a minimum

The tree is up, and of course high enough that the cats can’t reach it because Lemmy cannot be trusted. And something tells me Furby can’t be either.

Skiing sock monkey is counting down the days. And we have a new addition…

Bagpiping Santa. We found him at a thrift store and Dave fell in love with him. Unlike me with Carl, no side-eye was involved.

I swear, I find the best garden items while thrifting in the off season! Probably because just before winter, people clean out their garden stuff and donate it!

Recent thrifting trips have resulted in several great garden prizes.

It’s hard to see, but this little butterfly has an eye on the middle of her back… so you can hang her up. And when you do, those bells flop down and clatter against each other in the wind! You may not know, but I absolutely LOVE garden decor that makes noise! Probably because Dave does not! LOL. He gives me side eye every time I pick up a wind chime.

Next – this pretty little casting that I fell in love with for obvious reasons. I will find the perfect little nook for it in the catio come spring.

Now… let me preface this next one with…. I have been wanting a sundial for AGES. But boy are they expensive! So imagine how thrilled I was to stumble across this one on the shelf for just $5!

And with a cute frog too! I’m going to have to find/make a pedestal for this one and give it pride of place.

This next one could go in the garden or stay inside….

She stands on her own – just pop a pot in her ring, and voila! Perfect little garden lady! I have a feeling this one will probably end up with a houseplant in it before long.

And last… my absolute favourite find so far…. (though I think Dave is starting to question my sanity…)

I can’t tell you why…but I was immediately drawn to him. I knew I just had to bring him home. I was getting more than side-eye from Dave. I think his exact words were…. “Seriously??? Why???”

But he didn’t protest much more than that… except to say something about it possibly being possessed by an ancient deity… (and wouldn’t that be cool???!!!!) So he came home with us.

It’s actually hollow…. it’s a vase (the opening is at the top of his head/hat) Some quick research has told me it’s a replica of anthropomorphic pottery found in the ancient Santarém culture of the Lower Amazon, which flourished between roughly 1000 and 1600 CE.

Whatever he is… I think he’s going to look great taking up residence in the garden. I’ve called him Carl.

Behold!

The Super-Floofs!