Bergamot

Bergamot

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Saying Goodbye to Henry

Hello dear friends, yesterday was a very sad day at the farm.  As he was walking to the barn my husband saw Henry sleeping in the shade under the cedar hedge.  On closer inspection however he discovered that Henry had in fact passed away.






Henry joined our family 5 years ago as a very tiny kitten.  He was found my friends that lived a couple of lines away from us in a pile of wood chips.  Thankfully our friends are also animal lovers and immediately brought him inside.  After unsuccessful efforts to find his owners he ended up here.




Although he started out small Henry grew into quite a large cat, weighing about 10 pounds.  He had very long silky fur and enjoyed being brushed.




Henry and his brother Horatio never developed much of a relationship with each other.  Horatio ruled the main floor of the house and Henry was the ruler of the second floor.  Random cat scuffles were usually instigated by scrappy little Horatio.



Even though he was very affectionate Henry was also a very accomplished hunter.  He had recently taken to bringing offerings into the house during the night with ensuing chaos if the victim managed to escape.  In the end Henry was always the victor.


Henry was our eighth cat which netted him the "Henry the Eighth" nickname.  Our previous cats were Tigger, Zachary, Liza, Sylvester, Chantalaria, Charlotina, Horatio and of course Henry.



Henry had lovely big eyes and would admire himself in the mirror while I was putting on my makeup.


Henry also liked to sleep with me at night and was a very accommodating afternoon napping companion as well.


Henry was a healthy cat and we had no indication that he would be taken so suddenly.  It is always hard to lose a pet but especially when it is unexpected.  We have so many questions that wont be answered.  


Every pet we have ever had has been buried here on our farm so they are always with us in sprit.  Henry was buried yesterday in our new little coniferous forest with his resting place marked with a new shrub.  Rest in peace sweet Henry.
 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Winter Scenes


Hello dear friends and Happy New Year!  We have had a few busy weeks here at the farm so there is much catching up to do.  

Last year's winter was a non-event but this year we are having a good old fashioned Canadian winter!  Although I will tire of the snow and cold eventually for now I am really enjoying it, especially as being a Retired Person means I dont need to drive in it!


 

A few weeks ago we purchased a great "herd" of grapevine deer. I absolutely love them however as they are currently buried under snow it is hard to see them.






The little gazebo is nestled in snow.  I usually put a Christmas tree in the gazebo but this year for whatever reason it didn't happen.




Our kitchen deck is also snowed under as is this Christmas tree.  I had originally put the tree up in the corner of our front veranda but the wind was blowing out the ornaments and garlands.  It is much happier in this location.







Our evergreens didnt produce many pine cones this year.  I had wanted to use pine cones to make little feeders for the birds, especially as we have had some very cold temperatures.  As luck would have it though we found this large (slightly worn) pinecone wreath at a thrift shop for $5!  We immediately brought it home and added suet and bird seed and it has been a great success.














The pine cone wreath was originally hanging on our wooden gate but at within a few days it vanished.  We found it back, added more feed and hung it horizontally from a tree.  The chickadees and woodpeckers are quite happy to eat from it while hanging upside down.





A cozy little shot of the wrought metal bench on our portico deck dressed up for Christmas





A view from our pergola dining terrace.




A view of our koi pond and lower deck.




Our snow covered fire pit.




My husband added this picket fence along our driveway this past fall.  The arbour was originally located at our vegetable garden but became collateral damage when we had our garage constructed.  It has been repaired and will now give access from the driveway to our front gardens.




Looking towards our front veranda.






Kodiak Gate guards the laneway to our barn.





A different view of our pergola dining terrace.





The vegetable garden and holding beds are buried in snow.




We added lots of big ball ornaments to our trees.




The driveway is buried in snow.






 Our old house is snuggled in the snow.

 
I hope you enjoyed this little winter update!  Thank you for visiting my blog!