Bogieblog

Nuts to the Squirrels

I've had to order a new birdfeeder. Why? Because Squirrels destroyed the other one - it used to look like this (picture taken two days before Christmas):

By the Saturday after Christmas it was a little worn, the bottom plastic piece had split, but by today it was obviously in distress!

I couldn't find one with a cage locally - or at least not one that has dispenser holes large enough for the nut and seed mix I use - so I had to go online to find one. Hopefully it gets here soon as I don't think the current one will make it too much longer!

Packing it Up Redux

Cop Car wanted me to take pictures of the new style packing "peanuts" that I wrote about yesterday to show the 3Dishness (yes I just said that; I just made up a new word). I was way ahead of CC, but just didn't post them becuase they needed a little exposure correction. Here is one that shows the strip

then a picture to show how it is put together and used 3D

Just doing my duty to put inquiring minds to rest.

Pretty in Red

We have lots of birds visit the feeders; chickadees, tufted titmice, white and red breasted nuthatches, purple finches, juncos, blue jays, and woodpeckers. We rarely see cardinals in winter, so I got all excited when WS told me there was a cardinal out there.

Apparently the cardinal was not liking all the fuss the blue jays were making on the platform feeder (I had put out peanuts not too long ago), so decided that the seed that had been flung to the ground was just fine by him.

Packing it In

Fuzzy took it seriously that the box containing the Omaha Steaks delivery was his - he sleeps in it regularly now.

I added packing papers to the box this morning to make it more cushy. Not that the lack of cushioning was causing him any apparent angst . . .

Packing it Up

We got a box of stuff that had these new packing "peanuts".

Must admit that it was ingenious - little strips of recycled cardboard folded in a triangular shape cushioned the contents of the box. And, if you aren't the type, or don't have the room to, store peanuts until they can be used again, just recycle them along with your normal cardboard.

Wrapping it Up

WS was wrapping a present for Jimmy. He had a whole long roll of wrapping paper and he measured out the sides of the box against the top and bottom edge of paper and satrted cutting.

I questioned "Really?"

"Who is wrapping this, me or you?" WS asked.

"OK"

Don't know what he was thinking, but he never measured the length against the paper that was unrolled.

So he cut another piece to fill in the gap, and we had pretty much the same conversation ("Really?, "I'm just filling in the gap.", "OK"). Too bad I didn't get a good pic because that one filled in the gap at the top, but only covered the top so there was a gap at each side.

Yes, WS took 3 pieces of precisely cut wrapping paper to wrap a bunch of oil and oil filters for Jimmy's bike. I must admit that by the time he was done, it looked fine.

Christmas 2012

Here is just some of what we will enjoy today: too bad everyone we love can't be here to share it!

To all my Blog Friends and Family, a Christmas wish: May your Christmas be filled with family, good friends, happiness and good food!

Food and Toy for the Big Day

The mail produced an awesome package, Meats from Dudette and Wichi Dude. Okay, they had the meats sent from Omaha Steaks, but that does not diminish the expectations we have of eating well in the near future!

The added bonus was they also sent a cat toy:

And proof that the cats enjoyed it:

Yep, it is shaping up to be an awesome Christmas!

A New Twist on an Old Saw

I'm sharing this little ditty that HarleyTrish posted on the Queens of the Road portion ot the HDForum.

Merry Christmas to all of the QOTR.

Twas the night before Christmas, and all throughthe pad,
There was nada happenin', now thats pretty bad.
The woodstove was hung up in that stocking routine,
In hopes that the Road King would soon make the scene.

With our stomachs packed with tacos and beer,
My guy and I crashed on the couch for some cheer.
When out in the yard there arose such a racket,
I ran for the door and pulled on my jacket.

I saw a large bro' on a '56 Pan
Wearin' black leathers, a cap, and boots (cool biker, man).
He hauled up the bars on that bikeful of sacks,
And that Pan hit the roof like it was running on tracks.

I couldn't help gawking, the old guy had class.
But I had to go in -- I was freezing my ass.
Down through the stovepipe he fell with a crash,
And out of the stove he came dragging his stash.

With a smile and some glee he passed out the loot,
A new jacket for him and some parts for my scoot.
He patted my fanny and shook my right hand,
Spun on his heel and up the stovepipe he ran.

From up on the roof came a great deal of thunder,
As that massive V-twin ripped the silence asunder.
With beard in the wind, he roared off in the night,
Shouting, "Have a Merry Christmas, and to all a good ride!"

Prep for Christmas

As we did on Thanksgiving, we will have several people here Christmas - in fact, the usual suspects. So, I have been getting ready for the feast. Today I brushed Missy so her hair doesn't end up in all the food, then vacuumed the whole house and cleaned restrooms. Then, I decided to make wheat-free pie crusts and perhaps the pies to go in them, and suddenly realized I had absolutely zero pie pans. Off to the store I went. I had my choice between Pyrex or ceramic or aluminum foil. I started to get one of each, when I turned the ceramic plate over and noticed it was from China.

After the rash of dicoveries of lead in just about everything from China the last couple of years, I decided I didn't want to find out the hard way that the paint on the ceramic was contaminated. Bonus - the Pyrex and aluminum foil plates were American made! I got two Pyrex pie plates along with a 3-pack of aluminum foil (in case I need to send some home with people).

By the time I was done making two different batches of dough and getting them in the fridge to "rest", then doing the dishes, I decided I wasn't going to be making pies today. since the oven wouldn't be used, I struck up a fire in the woodstove (the sun has kept the house at 66 degrees with the heater only going on once).

So, I decided to share a picture to help you relax.

Your welcome.