The squirrels got a good deal on 120 tiny little snacks this fall!

Squirrels -- cute, right? I used to think so, too!

So, my 175 bulbs that I planted -- the squirrels didn't touch the daffodils, but it looks like they dug up a fair amount of the crocus bulbs. "Nice little snacks, and how nice of that lady to bury them just where we could find them!" Arghh!

On Veteran's Day, one of my daughters and I went out and replanted another 60 bulbs. Then we covered the whole shebang with landscape fabric and weighed it down with stones. At least if the squirrels do find the bulbs, they'll have to work a lot harder this time, if they want to eat any. And so far, the fabric has not been disturbed. I'll pull it back up in February, and sprinkle with whatever I can come up with (cayenne pepper is supposed to deter squirrels), until the bulbs develop roots.

The crocus in our front yard are never bothered much by the squirrels. That may be because the rooted plants make it just difficult enough to not be worth the effort (especially when the nice lady's neighbors so kindly toss out peanuts for the squirrels).

Finally, a use for the landscape fabric that the previous owners left in the garage, 18 years ago!

Girlfriend gifts: ribbon and charm key rings

These are what I call girlfriend gifts, something small, that you might give to a gal pal. My "girlfriends" this time are, again, my two daughters. These will be stocking stuffers, for a house key, now that they come and go whenever.

They are super simple to make, taking me about 20 minutes, each, and the only skill required is a little hand-sewing. Materials are just a 9-inch length of ribbon (grosgrain), a charm I used initial charms), a plain key ring, and some Fray Check, or clear nail polish.

To make:

Take one 9-inch length of ribbon,

and cut the tail ends at angles.

Brush the cut ends, lightly, with Fray Check or nail polish, and lay on waxed paper to dry.

When ends are dry, slide key ring onto ribbon.

Fold ribbon in half, even in length, but just slightly off in centering, so that you can see a bit of the bottom half of the ribbon, beneath the top half.

With a needle and thread, use the running stitch, close to the ring (but allowing a little wiggle room, for moving keys and ring around). Pull the ribbon slightly with your left hand, while stitching with your right (to make your stitches somewhat close to the ring).

After making stitches across and back, back track to the center, with more stitching. Then make 1 stitch down length of ribbon, to place the charm slightly lower than your stitching.

If your charm has a jump ring attached, remove it.

Sew the charm in place with 3 stitches, finishing inside the folded ribbon.

Knot 2 or 3 times, then cut thread. That's it.