Otis The Spool Opossum...

Otis the Opossum is finished! I added tiny bead buttons to his jacket, and he's holding a Brynwood acorn charm in his paw. (Remember you can click on the image to enlarge it.) I think he's a rather dapper boy!

I completed him Monday night after spending the day baking bread and doing laundry. I'm starting to prepare for Handsome's return, and I want the whole place to be tip-top when he arrives. I still have a week, but I'm nearly ready.

I have immediate ideas for two more I'll be making soon. One will be a squirrel, and the other a Corgi. I also want to make a strawberry sachet for Tag, like the one I did for Bella last year. It will have a paw print. I just have to decide which colors I want to use and which flowers I'll stitch. Any ideas?  

I've decided I'll get back to the bluebirds after Handsome is back home. Once I start stitching, it's hard to stop to let dogs (or cats) in or out. If I wait, Handsome can take on that task while I stitch away. Ulterior motive, right?

Come back tomorrow. I have no idea yet what I want to share with you, so we can both be surprised. lol See you then!

Opossums and Friends...

 

I spent Monday working on swapping closets so the contents match the purpose of the room. My clothes are now in my new bedroom, and sewing supplies are in the room that is now my studio. I have much to sort through and purge, so this is going to take longer than just one day. I was gassed mid-afternoon and called it quits for the day.

I put a leash on the Corgi, and took him and Bella for a short walk and then let them run around a bit. These fabrics were waiting for me in the mailbox. When I feel the sewing machine calling to me (maybe next week), I'll turn these into new Matty Two-Zip bags. For now, I'll just look at them.

A Pair of 'Possum Pouches...

 

I managed to make a couple new zippered pouches today...'Possum Pouches! I purchased these fabrics as samples from Spoonflower a few years ago and knew I had to pair them with the new opossum zipper pulls I just got.

One of these (of course) is mine, and my sister has already claimed the second. (She feeds opossums around her property, too.)

 

While I know that only baby opossums hang from their tails (adults are too large to use their tails this way), I think they're perfect for this fabric combination.

 

I paired the opossum fabric with a grey cork fabric. 

I went through my fabric bolts and decided on this fox print (yes, I have others) to use with my fox zipper pulls. The fabric behind this is going to be used for the lining. Same sister said I need to make more than just a zippered pouch with this combination. I guess I may need to make another handbag, or perhaps a Bryn wallet? What do you think?

My finger still hurts, so I'm going to avoid cutting with my rotary cutter for a while. (Not the best ask for me when the quilt show is breathing down my neck!) The down pressure while cutting fabric is almost unbearable. Instead, I'm heading up to Larsen today for this month's Sewcial Sisters. I think a little needlework will be just what the doctor ordered. 

Our twin nieces celebrated their 7th Birthday yesterday, and they'd like me to make bears for them, too. I'll be taking fabric and fibers to stitch the apron/tummy embroideries while I'm at Primitive Gatherings. I'll sew the bears another day. I found patterns for unicorn stuffies, too, so I may change my mind on what they'll receive. Either way, I'm doing needlework today!

New Hardware...

 

I received my newest hardware order yesterday, and I'm anxious to use them in upcoming bags and other creations. I just love them! They're really high quality and heavy weight, and I love the detail.

Looking at them from top left to right: opossum, fox, mushrooms, Tree of Life, cat, treble clef. Front row:

White owl and Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows symbol. I've already got so many ideas in mind for these. I think you're going to love them!

I sewed today, but stopped before dinner time. My right index finger knuckle is killing me. It feels like a red hot poker in the joint, and even wakes me up at night. I've been taking ibuprofen, but it doesn't always help. I only tell you this so you know why you haven't seen any new finished bags yet. I have an appointment first thing this morning, but I'm hoping to actually finish the bags I started last week.

In the meantime, I'm going to plan what I'll be doing with these just as soon as those bags are finished. I promise the finished products are definitely going to be fun!

RIP, Otis...

Kitty and Opossum Prints

Otis' footprints first appeared on the driveway in early February of this year. Later in the month, I saw him snuffling around in the lawn in search of birdseed. Then, one day, I saw his footprints in the snow near the overhead door of the Compass Barn, along with the cat prints. I knew he'd been in the barn - at least overnight.

Soon, he was making himself at home in the barn. I shared photos with you once Otis moved into Crystal's bed. He loved her bed. I had a non-electric warming pad in it, and that seemed to suit him just fine. No one else has slept there since. 

Otis Moved Into The Drum

Next, he discovered the 55 gallon drum next to the workbench, likely when on the bench to eat Claudette and Crystal's evening leftovers. 

I'm Trying To Sleep

I laughed to see the bed I'd put into it for Claudette moving around while I was putting out their breakfast. I guess he smelled the food and it woke him up. He liked sleeping under the bed, rather than in it. I think he felt safer that way.

I went to the barn to feed my cats yesterday morning. As always lately, I check to make sure Otis and Big Grey are comfy, too. Claudette's bed didn't move as it usually did when I put the morning food out for the girls, so I lifted the pad to see if Otis was there. He was, but he didn't look at me this time. I finished feeding the girls and then went to grab a pair of my work gloves.

I went back to the barn and moved the board, then the bed, so I could get a better look. I felt him and he was still, but I wanted to make sure he wasn't just "playing 'possum". I lifted him, and realized he was stiff and lifeless.

Sadly, Otis passed away sometime between the prior evening's dinner time and breakfast. Opossums have a rough life and a short lifespan in Wisconsin, but I'm happy knowing that he live a pretty cushy life the last month or so.

Laid To Rest

Wearing my gloves, I gently lifted him out of his bed, along with some of the bedding he'd grown fond of. I carried him like a precious package up the hill and into the woods, where I found a lovely spot for him. I placed his bedding down on the leaves. Then, I gently placed his body onto the bedding.

Otis' Resting Place

I gathered branches and more leaves and made a shelter for his remains. I'm sad he's gone, but grateful that I got to watch and care for him. I'm glad I could make his life comfortable after he found our barn. I know he was "just a wild animal", but when you have a chance to interact with one, it changes you. I cared about this little opossum.

Yesterday, I cried over his passing, and treated his remains with respect as I gave him back to the land. Claudette had followed me partway up the hill. As I came out of the woods, she meowed her silly meow and bounced across the tall grass to walk back to the barn with me.

I checked the other shelter to see if Big Grey was still okay. He looked at me as I smiled and returned the shelter roof back in place. I put a little extra food out for him last night. The girls and dogs all got extra cuddles from me all day and into the evening.

RIP, Otis Redding.

Change of Plans...

Feeding The Birds

I'd originally planned to be on my way to another craft day with my dear friends in Portage today. Plans changed last night when I got a message saying there were some sick kiddos at the hosts home. Better to take care of babies instead of crafting, to be sure.

That means I'm going to get another full day to work on the petit point canvas I showed to you yesterday. It appears that most comments on my post yesterday are leaning either to black or blue. So, I'm going to do a little of each on the canvas and see which one I like best. (These were both my choices, too, by the way.)

I'm sharing this photograph today from last weekend. After the snowstorm, Otis Redding (the name I gave the little black opossum who visited this area before the snowstorm) moved into the Compass Barn with Claudette and Crystal, and the birds were looking for food. I filled their feeders, and it didn't take long for the word to get out. He hasn't left all week. Otis has taken over Crystal's bed, and during the day, he snores away while Crystal and Claudette snooze right above him in the southern exposure window (in the sunshine).  

Not only were these red-wing blackbirds happy to see the smorgasbord, but cardinals, bluejays, morning doves, chickadees, purple finches, nuthatches, and woodpeckers (two different varieties) showed up, too! We also have two large crows that show up a few times every day. I've taken to calling them Heckle and Jeckle (for those too young to know, they were cartoon characters from my childhood).

Had we kept craft day for today, I would have left home by 7:30 am. Instead, I could sleep a little later, and devote my entire day to working on my needlepoint piece....as soon as I feed my barn girls (and Otis). Time to go...

Goldwork Floral Wreath...

ClaraStitching Goldwork Wreath Class Piece

I received an email today from @clarastitching (on Instagram) with a pre-offer to her new class offerings. She's going to do another Zoom session for the Four Leaf Clover class that I took last month. When I took that class, we asked her about a piece that was behind her in her work space. The gorgeous embroidery shown above was that piece.

We asked her if she'd teach it, and if she did, to please offer it to her former students first. (We were pretty cheeky on that point, I admit.) She did just that yesterday, though. I immediately signed up and paid for my kit. I'll have the opportunity to prepare my materials prior to the start of the class in early April. 

If you're interested in taking this class, you can go to Instagram and follow @clarastitching. She'll soon offer the class to all, and you'll get signup links for both classes.

In the interest of full disclosure, I didn't get any stitching in today. I ran errands in the morning, went with Handsome for our hair appointments, and then went for a late lunch with my girlfriend, Wendi. We tried a new bar/restaurant that offered Caribbean fare, and it was delicious. We sat and visited with the owner until the after work crowd started arriving. His restaurant is in Kewaskum, WI and it's called Caribbean Joe's. (He's from Chicago, IL, and his mom grew up in Mississippi. He explained to us how he came to this specialty, let us taste his personal season blends, and then we placed our orders.

Everything he brought to us was fabulous. Some was spicy hot, and others were flavored with the perfect blend of seasonings to compliment the dish. I had what I think was the best mac and cheese I've ever had. I'll definitely order that again (when I take Handsome to check it out).

Wendi and I sat and visited for a couple of hours, so I got home in time to air the dogs before Handsome got home. I think I told you about him slipping on the ice a week ago. When he went to Urgent Care right after the event to say he was in pain, they sent him home with meds, but they never did x-rays.

Handsome got his hair cut before me, so after he "got his ears lowered" he went bakc to Urgent Care to find out why he still hurt. They did x-rays, which revealed that he actually has two broken ribs. I felt so bad for him. The doctor sent him home with a new pain killer prescription, and instructions for a bit of breathing therapy to help him. 

We also kept track of our two loved ones who were hospitalized yesterday. My niece is stabilized now, and will be hospitalized and monitored over the weekend. She'll possibly go home on Monday. They'll determine that after Sunday.

Our friend has been admitted to the hospital, too. She was diagnosed as having an "ischemic stroke" last night. I had to look it up, and my search revealed good explanations. She had speech therapy today and her husband said she did well. We're waiting to see if she will regain use of her left side, and what we can expect for that issue. She's in her early fifties, so we're praying that she heals completely from this scary diagnosis. 

Thank you to all who lifted prayers at my request. We all appreciate it, and know that every prayer is heard and answered. We know their families are grateful, too.

Oh!! before I go, remember the opossum photos I shared last week? Well, the little black one is sleeping in the Compass Barn during the day. It seems that my concerns about him (or her?) being bullied by the cats were unfounded. They're all in the barn together, and they're not bothering each other one bit. Cool, right? 

I'll get back to the teddy bear soon enough, and you know I'll share photographs as soon as she's finished. I'm going to have a little coffee and then go out and feed my girls and their house guest. See you tomorrow with my Sunday post.

Tuesdays With Tag - These Aren't Cats...

Little Black Opossum

 

Hi, Everybody!

Sunday brought the most awesome warm(er) temperatures, and even the wild critters were takin' advantage of it.

Mom was in the kitchen in the mornin' and called Dad in to see this little guy scarfin' up birdseed that had blown out of the feeder over the past few weeks. The meltin' snow revealed a real smorgasbord for the 'possum.

Claudette and Crystal had him cornered by the big rocks for a while, but Mom went out and shooed them into the barn, eventually lockin' them in the garage until the 'possum waddled off. It was only about thirty minutes, and Mom went out and released the cats. She just wanted to make sure they didn't gang up on someone their own size.

Well, Hello!

My favorite place to hang out when it's sunny is in the back stairwell. The window on the storm door is perfect for a vertically-challenged, handsome guy such as myself. I can see the whole yard - even when I'm lyin' down, so I was out there all mornin'.

Mom told Dad when the little black opossum waddled down to The Habitat so we thought all the excitement was over. Imagine our surprise when a larger, light-colored opossum showed up next!

We all watched as this one hoovered up more of the bird seed, but Mom started giggling because he/she proceeded to cross the driveway to check out the kitchen garden (where there were more birdfeeders/seed).

Big White Opossum

 

Next thing you know, it was snufflin' right under my nose at the back door! You could have knocked me over with a milk bone! That guy never even looked up to see I was there. Just kept on workin' his way to the pole barn and up the hill.

I was pretty excited, but I didn't make a peep. When Mom and I first moved up from Florida, we used to sit in the dinin' room every night and watched these guys come up onto the porch to steal birdseed. I learned then that, if I was very quiet, I got a real good look at the wild things around the farmhouse. 

I even came nose-to-nose with one that winter. Mom had let me outside to do my private business, and there it was. It stood lookin' at me, and I looked at him. We were practically the same size! We sniffed each other, and when the opossum turned to head back into the bushes, Mom had to call me to come back to the house ('cuz I was gonna follow him home to meet his family). 

That winter was awesome, but Sunday was definitely a day to remember. Mom was happy to see that these guys looked healthy, and they hadn't lost parts of their tails to frostbite. We'll keep puttin' fruit and nut mix birdseed down at The Habitat in case they need a little extra sustenance. 

Last night we got freezin' rain and snow. Mom says Mother Nature must have some ragin' hormones. Cold one day; meltin' the next; and then crazy cold, causin' dangerous road/driveway conditions. Mom isn't lookin' forward to shufflin' across the driveway to take care of the Barn Girls this mornin'. She'll wear her best ground-grippers to make sure she doesn't fall. She doesn't bounce like she used to. 

I'm low to the ground, so it's a little easier for me to deal with the ice (snow is not so easy), but we'll be makin' sure Bella or Carly don't get hurt either. Dad took a tumble last week, and bruised his ribs. He's sore, but he's gonna be okay. We just want to make sure no one else gets injured. We're all dreamin' about Florida these days, and lookin' forward to warmer weather. But bein' able to see sweet opossums and our family makes up for it. I hope the critters visit again soon.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Possum Socks...

They're Finished!

As I write this post, I'm doing a happy dance in my finished socks! I completed my possum blend socks on Sunday (finally!), and immediately put them on.

Before I show me wearing them, I want to clarify something I needed to learn, too, about the critter that contributed to the composition of my yarn.

On the left of the image above is the North American Opossum - the only North American native marsupial. I have watched and fed them on our property since the first winter we owned the farmhouse. These are nocturnal and beneficial, eating up to 5,000 ticks each per season. They rarely carry rabies because of their low body temperature. They carry their babies in pouches, much like kangaroos, and they're docile - even though they look fierce when they're cornered. They'd sooner "play possum" than attempt to harm a dog, cat or human. I love them.

The New Zealand Possum on the right, is "A native of Australia, the southern hemispere possum is an introduced pest to NZ that destroys native wildlife, endangered birds, forests & spreads disease to livestock.  Heavy culling is required to keep possum numbers under control." (The copy in quotes is from the Skeinz website that produced this yarn.) The two skeins I received were a gift from my long-time friend, Marrianne, who lives in New Zealand. 

Now that I've cleared that up, I know you want to see my new socks!

They're A Perfect Fit!

As soon as I completed tucking in the tails from beginning and ending these socks, I slipped them on. They were a perfect fit.

I Love Them!

The yarn is a blend of wool, alpaca, nylon, and possum. The combination makes for a perfect sock yarn. They're so soft and warm...and I love the color.  Can you tell I love them? Squeeeee! I'm also very happy to be finished.

Handsome thought they were nice, too. I thought he'd be asking for a pair of socks, but rather, he asked me to make a warm winter cap for him. I have just the yarn and will share more later this week. For now, I'm going to enjoy this finish.

I Have To Do This...

Brynwood Needleworks - Inspirations Magazine Issue 109

 

My latest issue of Inspirations Magazine arrived last Saturday and I've been enjoying paging through it. The cover design features a gorgeous butterfly designed by British needleartist, Emillie Ferris. I actually have a few of her designs.  

This was just the first of the designs that caught my eye. There are a few lovely designs with crewel embroidery tutorials, and so much "inspiration"!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Inspirations Magazine Issue 109 Baby Blanket

 

You have to know I fairly squealed when I turned the page to see this project. It's a beautiful wool blend baby blanket with a wee opossum front and center!! This piece was designed by Jenny McWhinney of Australia using a technique called threadpainting.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Inspirations Magazine Issue 109 Opossum Embroidery Project

I have a brand, spankin' new great-niece, born yesterday (her name is Wynter Carol), and she's gorgeous. I think I may have to do this blanket project for her. I know I'm absolutely going to make the project, at least once!

 

I have to locate the blanket fabric first (the kit from the magazine is a bit pricey for me at $276.25.) I have lots of supplies (threads, needles, hoops) but I need to purchase the blanket and backing. I don't think that will be a problem. Once I locate that, I'll be ready to work on it in no time. 

 

Isn't it just adorable? I've come to really love the Hickory Hill opossums, and this little critter will be a perfect tribute to them.

 

The Sky Was On Fire...

Brynwood Needleworks - Sunset Last Night

Last night's sunset was like seeing the sky on fire. It was so fabulous, I had to share it with you. We've had mostly cloudy days for about two weeks. The sun peeked through on only about two days, and then ducked behind the clouds again. 

 

Yesterday was mostly cloudy, too, but the sun came out for a little bit before it went down behind the hill above the farmhouse. It was so cold and windy all day, that seeing this sunset made up for it. Handsome even helped me fill the birdfeeders (our feathered guests need extra support when it's this cold!), and then we took food down to the Habitat for the opossums, raccoons, and ahem...cats...who visit every night.  I was happy for the help, because I could get back into the house sooner. I got inside just in time to see this sunset and take a picture for you. 

If you live where it gets cold, I hope you're warm and snug inside. If you live when it's warm, don't rub it in! (Florida sure looks like a good idea again right now.) Let's hope tomorrow is sunny and warmer.

 

An Interesting Visitor...

Brynwood Needleworks - The Habitat

 

This is what "The Habitat" looks like on our property this year. This is where we take all our yard waste - grass clippings, fallen branches, and leaves - when we're working outdoors. After the new porch was built, I had to rethink the feeding station, as we didn't want the critters coming up onto the concrete. This seemed like a good alternative...away from the house, and of course, the dogs. 

 

Adding more clippings this year helped cover up the little tunnels and cubbies that the opossums and chipmunks seem to favor. I imagine them sleeping warm and dry when winter finally takes hold.

I added the covered feeder that the largest opossum, "Biggie" marked as his own last winter. I decided to raise it up on a small barrel planter to further keep the contents dry when the snows arrive.

I've been taking down birdseed that the bluejays and cardinals (and chipmunks) can enjoy now. I've also taken down a few treats to see whether or not the opossums were still coming around. (They are!)

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Late Night Visitor

Since turning the trail cam on again (and finding that I'm still having issues with the camera! grrrr), I've managed to capture three opossums (Biggie, Ralph and Squirt); two raccoons (although there may be more, only two come in at a time); and...this elusive visitor!

I have the date and time set on my camera. This young coyote was photographed once, and by the time a minute had passed for the next photo, it had left. Minutes later, the opossums were back in frame.

Last summer I was thrilled to catch a deer on the camera, and this year, a coyote. We heard them all summer, sometimes quite close, but in spite of the fact that I had the camera out, I never saw one on the camera...until now. Interesting was the fact that we never heard the pack that night. Just this curious loner stopping by.

I'm going to have to find out what's wrong with my camera, but I've still got it out because even a bad picture is better than nothing. I may need a new camera, and if that's the case, it sure won't be a Browning model again. (Remember all the grief this one gave me within the first month I had it? It was a gift from Handsome for Christmas, and was nothing but trouble. He was so upset! I finally got a new replacement from the company. Here we go again.)

For now, I'm going to download my images every day to see what other wondrous critters stop over for a visit. I'm like a kid, nearly giddy when I see each and every one of them. I'll be sure to share more as I capture new - or returning - faces.

Biggie and Squirt...

Brynwood Needleworks - Biggie 'Possum

 

I received my brand, new replacement trail cam from Browning last week. I unpacked it, held my breath and installed it outside. It's been working like a charm since I put it up, but with the cold, cold weather, the only thing I was seeing at night were some hardy little mice, braving the weather to feast at the banquet I put out every afternoon. There's always a little something for everyone.

 

I've been putting out peanuts-in-the-shell for the birds and squirrels, along with birdseed; corn-on-the-cob for the squirrels; and then goodies for the opossums. The 'possum food went untouched, because they were sticking close to home to stay warm.

The temps came up on Wednesday night, bringing snow and the two opossums back to the "habitat". After pulling my SD (memory) card for my trail cam, and plugging it into my laptop, I smiled to see they were in multiple frames.

I know they'll never hear these names, but I named them both today. This is the larger of the two opossums, so I've named him "Biggie". I'm not sure if it's a boy or girl, but Biggie showed up around 9 o'clock Wednesday night. 

 

"He" (because I just don't know) covers the whole area while here...preferring to hang out under the little roof tasting a bit of everything. In this photo, most of the eating has been accomplished, and there's a little preening and cleaning up going on. I learned last winter, when they came to our porch to eat, that they always clean up after eating, reminiscent of the way cats clean themselves after every meal.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Squirt 'Possum

 

Almost immediately after dark, this little one shows up. I've called this one "Squirt" because he's so small. I leave food up in the cubbies and crevices of the habitat, and that's where Squirt prefers to snack. Even so, he also likes the nuts and fruits in the birdseed mix, so he'll come down into the foreground of the feeding area.

 

I've learned that, while opossums are little trash eaters, they love pears, grapes, and cat or dog food. Dog food, I'm told, has more food value for them, so I put that out for them to help keep them nourished in the coldest weather. Of course, the pears, grapes, banana I cut up for them is always gone in the morning after they visit, too.

 

During the day, I watch the squirrels facing off the crows to get to the peanuts; and before the sun is up, a small flock of mourning doves descend on the birdseed. I've counted 25-30 doves showing up just before dawn. I've got some great pictures of them in flight, and I love how the light shows through their feathers.

 

This really is the best Birthday gift...it keeps on giving with every image. Does this count toward my "extended" Birthday timing? Hmmmm. I wonder. I might extend this one all the way to the next one, if that's the case.

All the fabric for the dresses for the twins is washed, waiting to be ironed today. After that, I'll be cutting out the pattern pieces. I almost never cut patterns and sew the same day, so I'll plan to sew tomorrow. Then, I'll be off to the races. Their Birthday party is the 31st, so I have a deadline. I hope you'll follow along.

Photographing "The Habitat"...

Brynwood Needleworks - "The Habitat"

 

One of my commitments in 2020 is to spend time outdoors - no matter the season or weather. I'm out nearly every day to take birdseed and cut-up fruit to this spot on our property. This is also where I have set up my trail cam. (The trail cam is back at Browning for repair or replacement, by the way. The night vision wasn't functioning properly.) I've already seen some interesting shots before the infrared feature gave out. 

The area I refer to as The Habitat is on the left side of this image. Last summer and fall, when we lost some large branches and parts of the old lilac bush, we hauled the brush out to this spot. Later in the fall, we let our grass grow longer, rather than mow the late season clover, Queen Ann's Lace, and other wildflowers that were providing a nectar source for the bees and butterflies. That grass got really long, so when we mowed it, I took about ten trailer loads of grass to this same area and tossed all of it over the brush. A few rainfalls, and the grass clippings were well incorporated into the habitat I was trying to create.

Brynwood Needleworks - Opossum Footprints

I must have done a pretty good job, because the critters really like this area. These are opossum prints. Aren't they cute? The remind me of little starbursts. They were actually all around the entire area as our snow is melting yet again.

Brynwood Needleworks - Critter Shelter

This is one of the shelter areas that was created by my late fall efforts. As you can see, there's even a back entry/exit. It's high and dry, so it's perfect for keeping a variety of critters warm and out of the elements, should they want to take advantage of it. Of course, more snow equals more insulation. 

I like taking a peek into how the wildlife lives around the farm. Sadly, the solitary squirrel that's been living in our large maple tree was killed by a local hawk. We saw the hawk in the snow out in the neighbor's field to the east of us, so I used my new binoculars (a Christmas gift from Handsome), and identified his prey. I was sad, but hawks need to eat, too.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Artwork by Jenny Kun

One more thing before I go today. I was snooping around on Etsy yesterday and found THIS wonderful site. Jenny Kun's artwork is so sweet! She creates art for her shop, TheCrownPrints, and all of her designs are downloadable! 

Of course, I purchased her opossum print, and plan to download and frame the print for the farmhouse. Like the bluebirds who return every spring, I hope the opossums will also choose to hang around here. I think they're both beneficial and adorable. Her print captures their charming personalities perfectly.

Have a great weekend! I'll be busy doing laundry, and other mundane household chores, but I'll also be sure to get the dogs outside to enjoy all our little farm has to offer. I'll even work a little bit in the studio. (I'm setting up new projects to work on, too.) I'll be back with a Sunday Scripture tomorrow, and will see you again on Monday.

 

Already In Service...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Birthday Gift

 

Handsome asked me what I wanted for my Birthday this year, and the answer was easy. I really don't want for, nor need, anything, but I thought this might be fun.

 

I love feeding the birds, and as you know, last year I also fed the opossums that came to my bird feeders. In fact, they've already been back to visit this year. Rather than have them hanging out near the house, where Bella might harass them, I've put wild bird mix out in an area away from the farmhouse, where I also know they have shelter. The only thing is, it's out of view from the farmhouse, and I do enjoy watching them. So, I asked for a trail camera...and Handsome got one for me!

 

By noon on my Birthday, I'd read the instructions, loaded the batteries and the SD card (for storing images and videos), and had it installed where it could capture images of whatever might visit my feeding station. Sure enough, the next day when I retrieved it, one of the small opossums had visited. 

 

After reviewing the images (and proving the camera was actually working), I reinstalled the camera and have decided to leave it out for a few days. If I find something interesting when next I check, I'll share pictures with you. I'm so excited!! Isn't it the greatest?