And finally, baseboard heat...

After my poor Lasko (the tower heater behind Ron, here) couldn't raise the overnight heat above 32 degrees and water froze in the cats' bowl, I'd had it.  Baseboard heat it is.  Here's old friend Ron Davenport checking directions...

Putting the breaker box back...

And of COURSE I was sketching madly all the time he worked!

I don't leave the faux woodstove on overnight--too much traffic in our alley and it looks too real--I thought someone might call the fire department!  You can see how much more room there is and how unobtrusive the baseboard heater is. 

I added notes and called it done!

 And what's really nice is that the baseboard heat doesn't even come on in the daytime when I'm out there (I use the cute "woodstove" heater, what can I say?!).  It's set on very low at night and still brought the temp up to almost 60 last night--it was 9 degrees outside!

I believe we have finally solved the heat issue.

Birdwatching in the snow

The snows we've had lately have really brought out the birds in numbers!  I didn't get a thing done one day but watch the snow, watch the birds, and sketch...the shed is a great place for that.  I am SO glad I chose the big French doors and the window on the opposite side so I can watch from both directions. 

Our feeders are getting a workout! 

Sketching at the Shed...

It's been a busy month, but I've taken time every day for "sheditation."

And sketching in my journal, of course!

OK, the guy with the ink and the flood on the Missouri River aren't at the shed...but we're having a great time watching the birds!

I love my little Moroccan majmar, a pottery stove/grill that is fun for morning tea or for cooking.  Or just to have a fire when the morning is cool enough!  My robe smells all smoky...

Love sketching the leaves and flowers...this was done for the watercolor pencil mini-class I'm working on!

Yes, this IS a footstool, it only looks like a crate...

My best look...in shadow!

More photos to come...I've discovered lots of useful wild plants in my wanderings...

The Shed's a great observation blind

He came cautiously down the tree, then peered around the vine, then stood at attention near the platform feeder until he was SURE the coast was clear.

Normally when I reach for my pencil the squirrels scatter, but not this time. I got to do a LOT of quick sketches in various mediums...soft graphite, ink, a mechanical pencil...even got a few photos through the big French doors...

I've been told that gray squirrels and fox squirrels won't inhabit the same territory, but no one's told the squirrels!

Christmas Day + One

Christmas Day +, originally uploaded by Cathy (Kate) Johnson.

What a glorious way to start Christmas Day, sitting in the shed and watching the feast of birds and animals...