I BEEN PLAYING INSIDE, WAITING FOR SPRING...

It's been a while since my last post. My heart goes out to the people of Japan for the lost of lives, and the devastation and to all those in far away places like Hawaii and even on the west coast of Canada who have been inconvenienced and to those who can't reach their love one. The devastation is so immense and the lost must be astronomical.

My youngest daughter lived in Japan while she was in University  and I was always worried about earthquakes while she was there.   Even her husband travelled to Japan just a couple of years ago on business. I'm so glad that they are both in Canada right now.  The world seems to get smaller and smaller  all the time.

I haven't blogged for quite a while as I've been busy and I've been working on my Grandmother 's Trunk Challenge rug. I've got it all designed and actually got quite a bit hooked on it and I've been dyeing wool for it  for the last few days and need to dye some more tomorrow because I can't find the colors I need in the amount I need and I don't want to use the ones in my color palette just yet. I don't want to show pictures of that mystery rug yet, not until the after the beginning of April.

This just reminds me that in the beginning of April, I'll be at the Atlantic Fiber Art Retreat in Nova Scotia with my artist daughter and her friends. That should be interesting.  I'm looking  forward to meeting Sara.

I've set up my grow lights in the spare bathroom upstairs because I can control the heat without having to heat a big room. My husband made these for me a while back  and I've used it every year to start  my plants. It's not the right type of fixture but I make due with these.

I've started some tiny begonia seeds called Beda Boom and if you look closely, you can see tiny green leaves coming up from the pelleted seeds.  The seeds are so very tiny that they need to be coated with a substance to make them more manageable. I've sprinkled the seeds on top and covered the pot wit a plastic bag and put in under the lights at about 80 degree F. the seeds might not all take as some were purchased last year.

Today I planted these sweet pepper sprouted seeds  that I had started on March 2nd. I placed some pepper seeds between a dampen paper towel and placed it in a Ziplock bag and  placed the plastic bag in a brown paper bag in the family room so it would stay warm near the wood stove.

I scrubbed and sanitized my recycled pots and turned them to drip.

I use these bakers pans that my husband purchased for me secondhand from a restaurant equipment retailer. I use some cardboard boxes under to bring the pots closer to the light and lower the pots as the plant grows.

To make sure I have a constant heat, I use this very old temperature and moisture reader and it works like a charm.  The door is kept closed to keep the heat in.  I start all my seeds that needs special care with these lights.

Yesterday this cardinal came to the feeder. Usually the Mrs is with him. But this time only a baby squirrel showed up. This is only the second winter that they spend here. They have plenty to eat and plenty of shelter. I put  seeds directly on the snow as I was having so much trouble with the squirrels. This way everyone gets to eat any time it suites them.  These photos are taken through the window and I don't use the flash of course. 

Of course, the mourning doves come very early in the morning to feed. During the day a floc of the smaller birds comes to feed too.  They are pooping on my deck, oh well, nobody is perfect.  

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to count your blessings.   JB