....looking rather decorative on my bamboo....
...then we got the first "named" snowstorm. (Our local forecasters like to name snowstorms like hurricanes. I think it's dorky, but to each his own :)
Sure thing, during the day and afternoon we got more....
...making the night noisy with crunching snow, yet quiet and peaceful too.
All my stuff looks cool covered in snow, IMO...
...as well as less "cluttered and junky" as my mom would say. (However I like it all, and since I'm the boss around here then mine is the last word on the subject!)
The snow brought my third cardinal sighting in all these years too...he's the red blur on the fence there. (I took this through the window and didn't get a second shot.) I just don't understand why I don't see more of these birds in my yard, but I have plenty of other kinds hanging around so whatever.
Bentley has his favorite winter spot mapped out! Seems his fur coat doesn't help as much as I'd expect it to.
I decided to try and make my own wreath this year, since I have so many of the materials at hand right outside my door. I started with a wire frame from a purchased wreath I'd bought a few years ago, add some greenery...
....I used an assortment of conifer cuttings...
...then bent the wire thingys to hold it all down.
Add some red twigs from local willows...
....add some more coniferous greenery to hide the wire thingys, and some artemesia sprays...
...then some high bush cranberry branches (with berries, of course). Not too bad! Let's hang it on the door...
....looks pretty, but there's a thin spot on the right side...
...add more greenery...there! It could probably use a couple pinecones too, but I don't mind it without them, either. What do you think?
In houseplant news, my dicentra scandens 'Athens Yellow' looked very lush when I brought it in this fall. I was hoping it might not die back as usual, and just keep on blooming...
...however this was not the case.
But like clockwork, it sprang back to life after a dormancy of about a month. Now if I can get the cats to leave it alone, it should be well on its way for next summer camp on the porch.
I discovered a new "design element" for my home, courtesy of my feline room mates. See, I wanted a blanket rack for my throw blankets to keep them from becoming "cat hair blankets". But when I looked online and in catalogs, the cheapest I could find was $50, which I'm just not willing to pay. Then I noticed this ladder in the garage...I had cut it in half to keep my mom from continuing to use it, cuz' it's super old and dangerous. (She's still mad at me about it, too.) Well I think it works just fine for a blanket rack...
.....and after Bentley checks it out...
...it gets his approval for a chin rest!
The waterways still have open places, so it's too early for ice fishing...
....but never too early to peruse garden catalogs. I got three more the other day!
But my biggest winter news to date? I'm going to see Metallica!!! My friend won tickets from a radio contest to see them in January in Milwaukee, and I get to go too! YAY!!
So bring on the snow I say! Yay winter! Woot, woot! *~<];-)
...it gets his approval for a chin rest!
The waterways still have open places, so it's too early for ice fishing...
....but never too early to peruse garden catalogs. I got three more the other day!
But my biggest winter news to date? I'm going to see Metallica!!! My friend won tickets from a radio contest to see them in January in Milwaukee, and I get to go too! YAY!!
So bring on the snow I say! Yay winter! Woot, woot! *~<];-)
...despite cold temps, the window box above was blooming away, and more appropriately these fall-blooming crocus were at it too, despite having to fight through the weeds and grass...
....this lantana is protected on the porch, but I was still amazed at the bloom (sorry so blurry, it was windy when I took this).
Of course the houseplants enjoy warmth indoors, so they were blooming also, like this african violet...
...and this begonia, still blooming since 
This dianthus was still blooming on November 15th, right out in the open, despite the cold...
...and ironically bacopa was blooming almost better than it did in the summer warmth!
And here's "Bloody Cranesbill", living up to its name. I grew this baby from seed, which is exciting for me because I hadn't enjoyed much success with seeds until 
...and bought some from this place I found on the internet, 
Water plants won't need replacing next year, because I managed to bring them in before they froze to death, along with the fish. I may still get a lilypad though, I kinda missed having one this year.
I got in a little bit of planting earlier this month before I got sick. These irises were freebies from my friends, so I made a row of them for now, and I can move them after I see what colors I have. Doesn't the one farthest to the right resemble 
...and his pal Gizmo, explain and demonstrate the essence of "Chillax". Yes, "chillax" is the combination of the words "chill" and "relax". And as you can see, these two are certainly built for comfort and relaxation. But it's not that simple: true chillax requires real dedication, and the proper attitude.....
....and just for the record, this is not chillax....
......but this is more like it!
Bentleys' particular affinity for chillax lies in his ability to use anything for a pillow...
....including the food bowls...
.....anything (wish he'd learn to use that appliance!)...
....my mail, atop my purse....
...cardboard, anywhere, is a favorite...
.....again, atop my tote bag from work...
....anyplace his chin can rest, Bentley can chillax.
As for Gizmo, either the right position or location can help him chillax....
....to the point of snoring!
....from the logical....
.....from the usual kitty-is-napping pose....
....to what my son calls "Praise Jesus" kitty....
.....and this "I'm ready for my closeup"....
....it's a lesson we can all learn from our kittycat friends.
And even though dozing in front of the TV can help you relax....
...true "chillax" is best enjoyed when you snuggle up next to a friend...
....wherever you can....
...and just enjoy a cozy moment in time.
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