snow day mitten repair clinic and bird-watching

Well, we definitely can't get back to the garden just yet, folks.

I'm not even going to dream about it today, 

because the garden is buried several feet deep with snow,

and I may as well just enjoy what is.

So, after a long bout of winter chores this morning, 

it was time to kick back, relax, 

and enjoy the snow day off from school / work.   

Snow days mean staying warm by the fire...

and after all of those morning chores,

it was great to warm up wet boots, hats, socks, and mittens.

Upon inspection of my favorite mittens,

it was clear that they had seen better days, 

er, better years..!

Thumbs and fingers were poking out.  

Yarn had worn thin in several spots. 

They were no longer doing their job 

of keeping my hands warm and dry. 

So, what better way to spend a snow day than by the fire

having a mitten repair clinic?

That's what we've been up to today.

Well, not exactly "we" because 

I'm not the "mittie" repair lady, 

but I've been observing the work-in-progress.

 

This winter I've gotten into the habit of doing a read-aloud while she knits away.

It's really fun to do a read-aloud by the fire.  

I highly recommend it.

If you've never read The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, I highly recommend that, too.

There's a sequel that we're onto now, The Rosie Effect.  

Both are great stuff.  Lots and lots of laughs.

Voila!
Now I have some even funkier patched-up mittens!

Warmer than ever before!

It almost would have been easier to knit another pair of mittens!

But I really love the wacky piecemeal patching approach.

One of a kind...

Just like my little lady!

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Another great thing to do on a snowy day is to watch the birds.

They really feed heavily around storms and during cold spells.

Some make it to the feeders...

while others go for seed that has fallen from the feeders above...

This morning I saw a little junco standing at the edge of some ice on the pond,

drinking from a thawed part.

But before I got my camera, he was gone.

It's fun seeing birds dip their faces in the snow to eat / drink it. 

Check out this snowy-faced cardinal:

I love watching birds crack down on sunflower shells!

This female cardinal blends beautifully into the branches of our willow bushes...

What a gorgeous tail feather fan!

and here she is again:

Bigger birds like bluejays and woodpeckers have been eating suet like crazy.

The squirrels have helped out, too!

We've got to get out there and give them some more!