Jumbo Cookies, Owl Watching, Cross Stitch Finish, EPP Stars

When we drove home from Robbie's hockey game last Saturday evening, we couldn't get over how light it still was for 5:30. The season is moving along we happily agreed. 

I had the pleasure of spotting and watching a young Barred Owl recently. There is one wooded area here where I've photographed Barred Owls a couple of times. I always look at the tree tops when I walk through there. This time I was lucky to spy him because this owl was quite tucked away, snuggled against a tree trunk and with its colouring, blending in quite well. Can you spy him?

He turned his head and watched as we walked past him. I had to hurry home, put Ned inside, grab my camera, race back with the hope he'd still be there. He was and watched me as I set up the camera. He then became unconcerned, closed his eyes for a little nap even. This is the smallest Barred Owl I've seen.

Always a thrill to watch these large birds- a bird that can actually watch you back...that fact is a little bit eerie actually.  

I've finished the cross stitched Cozy Into Winter piece which I will share with Kathy's Quilts Sunday party. It would make a cute little cushion.

                     

I've made an order to 123Stitch for the floss for Summer Quakers. At that time I took advantage of a sale and purchased a pattern called British Quakers; I found out later it is not available which was disappointing. But it really is fun to have a look online...so many beautiful patterns. It's hard to choose just one.

I've been enjoying my other form of slow stitching- EPP Stars in blues including navy. I will link my stars to the So Scrappy Blues Parade.

I've been asked how I keep my plants alive during our harsh winter. Besides keeping them in a large window with lots of light and feeding them the Plant Booster Juice, I also spritz them with a water mist every couple of days. I do this even though using the wood stove is probably not as drying as using the furnace all the time would be. I bought that water bottle at the Dollar store and I like how big it is and it spritzes great too. I never over water ever. I also don't add any plant food as such but these are all sitting in my own composted soil which I know is also good for them. 

With Valentines in mind...Cassandra at this post at The Not So Dramatic Life gives a tutorial including free heart templates on how to recycle fabric scraps to make greeting cards. Hers are lovely. I'm not sure if I have the creativity but I know many of you do. 

I read Barbara's post at her chatty lovely Cat Patches blog where she made Breakfast Cookies. The ingredients intrigued me so I looked up the recipe and made a batch myself. Tony, who loves a bikkie with his afternoon cup of tea (but not breakfast), has eaten several and gave them two thumbs up. Breakfast Cookies sounds like an oxymoron, is that what you would call it? Anyway, the recipe for Jumbo Breakfast Cookies is at that link. Great if you need to use up cereal for whatever reason. And I switched and cut back the white sugar amount for a combination of brown sugar and honey. I think next time I would rather use Rice Krispies than Multigrain Cheerios and cut back the sugar a little more. The recipe makes a lot of large cookies which delights Tony. 

On that sweet note, I'll end today's post. My week has filled up so will be busy...well, busy for us. Hopefully I'll get back at the end of the week to tell you more of what is happening here at the wooden house. 

Check out LeeAnna's party at Not Afraid of Color, Frederique's at Quilting Patchwork Applique and Alycia's at Alycia Quilts. Also sharing with Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts party, as well as the lovely Home Matters party at Days Filled With Joy.