Tis The Season

Yes, it's that time of year. 

I've finally finished all my Christmas knitting projects, and mailed them.  Now I can relax a bit. 

Kim and I cut a tree this year for the first time.  Our cutting area was about 10 minutes down the road from us, in the Flathead National Forest.

After quite a bit of looking around this was our choice.

And the final result!

We've been enjoying all the snow.

Frankie's not so sure...

But he and Felix are in love with Santa.

The big news has been my newest grandson, Perry, who was born last month near Seattle.  Isn't he a sweet looking baby?  It's not just me, right?

I am missing this guy.  Scarface used to enjoy the Christmas tree so much.

Chicken Update:  Brazil is back in the chicken coop and doing well.  The hens have survived -24F so we hope they're getting acclimated to Montana weather.

Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas/whatever you celebrate to all!!!

Random Stuff

Pictographs just a few miles down the road from us.

We seem to have six regulars;  deer, hanging around our house.  They provide a lot of entertainment.

Very curious about Felix who was out chasing squirrels.

Yes, Scarface may be gone, but Chelsea is still hanging in there.  (Minus 10 teeth).

We've had foggy mornings.

And frosty mornings.

We've had some snow on close hills.

The hens are roaming and seemingly becoming more comfortable with their new surroundings.  Still no eggs though.

We're relieved at how well the cats are adjusting.

I've been doing a lot of knitting.  Felix thinks too much.

But so far so good for our retirement.

Welcome to Spring

Can't Get Enough

I'm so enjoying spring.  I especially love this time of year between "official" spring and the beginning of "official" summer.  As we watch the garden unfold, and before the heat sets in.

Clematis 'Macropetala Markham's Pink's' blooms look papery and fragile.

This pink tree peony, unknown variety, has opened its first bloom.

Kim caught me putting my nose into it.  But who can resist?  They're not just for viewing, they're for the scent also.  And peonies smell fantastic.

Speaking of enjoying the smell of spring, Felix does so in the front yard with the phlox.

He looks sweet, doesn't he?
But I wonder why I bothered planting anything in this planter box out front, which has turned into a "cat box".

The phlox out front are still hanging in there.  And now with the Antoinette tulips in bloom, it's looking lovely out there.

Out back again, Felix takes a cat nap among the soon to be blooming Peachleaf Bellflowers.

An allium starting to push open.

And Scarface has met the hens.  He gets protective of his tennis balls, but otherwise it's been uneventful.  I think it helped that he has been exposed to them through the fence for so long and has come to accept them as part of our "pack".

Another lovely miniature tulip out back.

And a picture by Kim, of Scarface reflected in a wine glass.

And waiting patiently, or not, for someone to throw his tennis ball.