Critters at Sunsplash Gardens

 Gracie likes to sit under the Christmas tree.

Recently I washed some blankets, folded them and set them on the table. Gracie found it an appealing place to rest.

 Just back from the groomer - Josey Rose, my miniature schnauzer

 I added the Santa hat in PicMonkey.

 I put out corn for the squirrels. They will eat a whole ear every day! We call them "piggy" squirrels.

 This blue jay likes corn too.

 Female (left) and male goldfinches on the niger feeder

 The Red-bellied woodpecker likes corn too.

Tortie first came to our yard as a kitten with her mother in 2008. She never left!

We also have seen fox and deer in the yard, and there are two stray cats that come every day for Meow Mix!

Josey, before and after

 Animals at rest

 Josey, before her first grooming

I'm a cute little Schnauzer! 

Snowy Josey!

This is what 14" of snow looks like - the result of a 6" snow followed by an 8" snow just 5 days later.

Notice the many shrubs/trees/grasses/garden art features in my winter garden. Shrubs and small trees, as well as objects d' art and grasses add a great deal of interest in my cottage garden.

The red twig dogwood looks lovely covered in snow.

 A few berries remain on the purple beautyberry - the robins were all over these a few weeks ago.

Close-up of the callicarpa

 Too bad dogs cannot use litter boxes! They must be taken outside, whatever the weather. Actually, Josey kind of likes the snow. (When we get inside, though, she's working hard to get the little snowballs out of the long hair on her legs.)

Cute, cute, cute!

Snowy Josey!

Linking to Seasonal Sundays

My first Valentine's Day Tea for 2013

Welcome to my Valentine tea!

 I made brownies and used my heart cookie cutter to make these chocolate hearts. The plate is 'Landon' by Noritake.

 I added a scoop of French Vanilla ice cream topped with cherry pie filling. The plate is from Mary Engelbreit, who creates such cheerful designs. Cheerful chocolate and cherries!

 These are my Valentine placemats. I have some just like these for St. Patrick's Day too.

Today's tea is Coconut Chai from Zhena's Gypsy Tea. I got this tea for Christmas from my daughter.

 A bouquet of store-bought tulips would add a springy touch to the Valentine's Day table.

This is a Valentine's Day card tree; I took this photo two Valentine's Days ago at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

Linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Tea Time Tuesday, A Return to Loveliness, Friends Sharing Tea, Tabletop Tuesday

Josey (10.5 weeks old at time of photo, Miniature Schnauzer) and I thank you for stopping by today.

Winter in the garden, and giveaway winner

Winter in Sunsplash Gardens...it's green, and brown, and white...and just to clarify, the tulips in my last post are from a previous spring...it's still very much winter here in the heartland.

 Lamium

 Callicarpa (Purple Beautyberry)

 A larkspur seedling

 Primula

 Rosemary

Conifers, yucca, stones, and snow 

 Under the snow, the grass is still green.

Also seen in the garden: raccoon tracks 

 Just to show you, the cat and dog are getting along. Gracie sits beside me on the couch while little Josey sits on my lap.

 Another shot of Gracie, my Ragdoll cat

Also, I was the lucky winner of Diann's giveaway at The Thrifty Groove. I received this Kroger giftcard! Thanks, Diann!

Diann sent a note written on this pretty stationery too. Be sure to visit Diann; she has a lovely blog that tells you how to live well on a budget.

I hope you will stop by here Friday, where I'm participating in the Grow Your Blog party at 2 Bags Full.

Meet Josey Rose

I am happy to report that Josey Rose has arrived!

 Josey is a 7 1/2 week old Miniature Schnauzer.

 Josey came home Saturday. She is doing fairly well with potty training, likes to explore, and absolutely adores being held.

Josey has her own play pen, which, of course, she DOESN'T love. Being contained is an issue for her and we are hopeful that she will soon be able to settle herself down and entertain herself in a crate or play pen.

An Iowa Christmas Card

 This year's tree

 I decorated very simply, using dried hydrangea blossoms from the garden and faux poinsettias interspersed with red balls and a pretty lace angel from a special friend.

 There is an abundance of goodies in the house this time of year.

 Holly china and a glittery silver tabletop tree

 Last year's tree: last year, it was the large artificial tree with colored lights and white poinsettias; this year, it's the slim tree with white lights and red poinsettias.

I like the large, full tree better, but it's a BEAR to carry up from the basement!  lol

 I have three types of Christmas china, which I have a great deal of fun using.

 A greenhouse full of colorful poinsettias

 The one that I brought home; this is just one plant; I think you can see it is trying to revert to its parentage. Pretty, though, isn't it?

 It was SNOW beautiful when I captured this photo last winter. Look how big those flakes are!

 A chippy-paint barn in the snow, framed by ice-covered tree branches

A garden visitor

 My sweet Tortie

 Snow in the cottage garden

Merry Christmas from Sunsplash Gardens!

Jesus is the reason for the season. Let us honor Him and love our fellow man.

Linking to Home, Open House, and Home and Garden Thursday