TUNNEL DIGGERS

Our red squirrels have started building tunnels, searching for fallen seeds burried under our bird feeders.

I suspect it's much like miners who follow a coal vein deep underground. The squirrels find a seed burried in the snow and keep digging and soon they have themselves a complex tunnel system deep in the snow.

Every now and then they pop their head out, look around and disappear again down the shaft to hide or search for more food.

They are a great sorce of amusement and keep us occupied as we enjoy breakfast on the warm side of the window.

Lots of spilled seeds thanks to the bluejays.

Although we are a long way from seeing spring flowers;  it's a beautiful morning here in the bush.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

MORE SNOW

Another 30-40 cm of snow is expected by the end of the day. This morning I plowed and had to dump the snow in front of the snowbanks as my machine can't lift the snow any higher. So glad to have the bobcat.

My truck was buried but easily cleaned off with my snow broom. Next I'll have to clear the solar panels.

It's an easy job cleaning the panels but you do stand underneath the snow as it comes off. You get a little chilly and wet doing this job. Mary took this picture from inside where she was warm and dry; lucky her.

Enjoy the day and safe travels everyone.

TriMetric TM 2030

I'm installing the TriMetric TM 2030 battery meter tody. It will give me a more accurate reading of the state of charge (SOC) of my batteries and just how healthy they are. Their web site states:

"Measures battery % full, based on amp hour measurements for accurate information on state of charge (SOC). This method is more accurate than monitors that use only voltage to determine how full your batteries are—especially when they are between 30-90% full. Battery system size: 10-10,000 amp hours."

The TM 2030 uses a shunt to measure the amp hours that flow in and out of the batteries during the day. 

Of course the installation forced me to drill holes in the walls and run wire to the hall where the meter will eventually be mounted.

The shunt is located inside the battery box and one must be careful to connect the correct wires to the left and right terminals accourding to the instructions.  Once all this is completed I will have another set of "eyes" keeping track of the batteries and recording their charging history. Hopefully I will be able to improved the SOC with my batteries and longer life from them as well.

I'll post more pictures once everything is connected and working.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

Meter has been installed and is working fine.

QUILT DESIGN

Mary is back in her design studio busy working on her next creation.

Every shade of colouring is a different strip of fabric carefully selected to produce the depth and shading she is after.

I suspect it will be somtime next year before this quilt is done and ready to be hung. Of course she may need more fabric, which means more excursions across the border to Joann's. She quilts I like to travel so we both are happy when more fabric is needed.

CUPCAKES and PIZZA

Kate and Sherri went home on Sunday. The dust has settled, the place is quiet and we miss them already. Before she left Kate made cupcakes for Valentines Day.

Once the cupcakes were cooled Kate sprinkled her favourite sparkels on top.

She was very particular on how the sparkles went on.

Then she helped Mommy and Oma make pizza.

Can you tell she's excited?

It was a delicious pizza, so good we ate it before I could get a picture.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

MAKING DONUTS

Yesterday Oma helped Kate make donuts.

Kate used a funnel to cut the dough under the watchful eye and helping hand of her Oma.

The dough was then cooked in avocado oil for just a few minutes.

Kate then rolled them in sugar and cinnamon to give then that delicious home cooked taste.

Needless to say they disappeared before they had a chance to cool.

It was a fun way to spend a winter morning. Thanks Kate, you make delicious donuts.

Now Grandpa needs to get back to salads and yogurt.

Happy Valentines Day Everyone.

Safe travels and thanks for stopping by.

HAULING LOGS

Winter is a good time to haul in firewood for next year. The trees are clean and sap free when they land which makes cutting them into logs so much easier. Keeping you chain out of the mud keeps it sharper all day long.

I move down the trunk marking each section (buck) I will cut. I also trim off any branches before actually cutting the bucks right through.

Kate keeps an eye on me.

I attached a fiberglass rod to my saw so I can quickly and accurately measure the distance between each cut.

Time to load the sleigh and haul the wood over to the splitter.

Kate hepled Grandpa push the load up the hill. She's only three but didn't stop pushing until we got the load to the splitter.

On days like today I have no need for a gym membership. It was wonderful to be outside getting some exercise and making memories with our granddaughter.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

SNOW MOUNTAIN

Plenty of snow up here at the present time which makes for lots of "Snow Mountains" beside the laneway.

For a three year old climbing a snow monutain is best done on a sunny winter morning.

Several attempts were made from different sides of the mountain with Oma giving encouragement every step of the climb.

The summit was the goal but there was lots of fun on the way up.

Covered in snow but still smiling.

Success!!!

Kate spent the morning up and down the driveway climbing every mountain she could find. We had to drag her in for lunch, she just wanted to play outside.

Enjoy the sunshine wherever you are and safe travels everyone.

Thanks for stopping by.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

February is a busy birthday month here. We have three birthdays in the first week alone.

Cake is essential at every birthday party and this cake did not disappoint; rich, creamy and delicious.

Before the party we gathered at the "Play with Clay"shop in Hamilton to show our artistic skills at decorating different ceramic pieces we each selected. Here daddy helps Kate get the paint on her jewelry box.

Back home it was time to open presents and celebrate all the birthdays. Kate likes to help and open the presents for everyone. So much fun!

Owen turned discarded wrapping paper into a costume with the help of is Aunt Leanne.

Everyone wants the perfect picture of Frankie. Here Jamie who knows a few tricks for great pictures uses a white card to add some light on Frankie's face.

Oma happy to hold little Frankie. Note, they both are wearing their "Bancroft dinner jackets"

It was a wonderful time together. We are already looking forward to the next birthday gathering. I think Owen is the next one to celebrate a birthday in April. We will be there for sure.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

DRYING CLOTHES

When it comes to drying clothes Mary prefers the clothesline. Even when we lived in the city she frequently used the clothesline over the dryer in the basement.

We do have a convential washing machine (front loading) which gets used 3-5 times a week depending on what we are doing and how much company we have.

Living off grid doesn't mean one has to forgo the conveniences technology offers.

Stay safe and warm and thanks for stopping by.

SCHOOL LONG AGO

Last week we headed north to Lake St. Peter.

Along the way we spotted this old school now a museum in Highland Grove. It was a one room school built by hand over 100 years ago. It would hold students in grades 1-8 and the older students would often be responsible for getting the wood stove started each morning. We've come a long way with education since then.