Wren Without a Tail

This little Carolina wren comes to our feeders. 

It doesn't have a tail!  

Wren tails are a big part of being a wren. They flick them around when they perch. They bounce them up and down when they sing. 

This Carolina wren is still a wren, even without a tail. 

It still sings loud. VERY loud. It still bops around the yard. It's not shy. 

It probably doesn't miss its tail. But I do. 

Wildflower Seeds

 Last week I joined the Friends of Latodami to collect wildflower seeds from a meadow. This was my first time volunteering with this group, but I have loved the bird walks they host every two weeks. I was happy to show my gratitude by gathering flowers. 

My assignment was Mountain Mint. At first I thought it was called Mountain Men. I still call it that in my head. I was later corrected. 

My friend Julie gathered blue vervain. 

It was a lovely way to spend an hour on a late summer day. 

Happy Birthday!

 I'm 45 now, but I still feel like I'm 44. 

I did some fun things for my birthday. I made homemade orange marmalade buttercream icing for my birthday cake. I went birding - for three hours! I did some art. I played board games with family (I lost, but I had fun). I ate delicious food. I went for a run. I did more birding. I wrote some new stories and ate more delicious food. I'm sort of still celebrating, because as you know September is my birthday month. 

It's Been a Great Run

 This week, I said farewell to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile run committee. I've run the race for 10 years and volunteered for nine of those! This race will always hold a special place in my heart. I want to thank everyone who has ever donated to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and supported my fundraising!

What Do You Call a Group of Hummingbirds?

 I never thought I'd see so many hummingbirds in one summer. But this feisty little bird has been all over the place! 

A group of hummingbirds is called a charm, and it's true. They are so charming. 

We spotted on one a walk around Gordon's Pond in Delaware. I captured one with my iPhone while watching a heron in Graham Park, in Cranberry. 

We have at least two that visit our yard. I was able to get a slow motion video of one visiting a feeder.  

A few days later it returned to explore our soccer goal. We now spot these little charmers on walks in North Park, or at the Audubon trails.  

Of Cabbages and...Cakes

I'm no food blogger, but I do love to blog about food. I'm also a pretty amateur cook and baker. Every once in awhile I can say I "nailed it."

Recently I had some success with parmesan rosemary crackers. No photos because they were eaten fast.

I tried a Victoria sponge (again) and could not get the cake quite light and fluffy enough. But I did experiment with my first fondant covered cake, and honestly, it's so cute. It was pretty tasty, too. The homemade buttercream was a hit.

A few days later I decided to do vegetable prep. I roasted squashes and whipped up a crustless quiche and then stared at a bright purple cabbage and decided "coleslaw."

But not mayonaissey coleslaw. I can't stand the stuff.

So this coleslaw has four ingredients: cabbage, of course. Then apple cider vinegar, sugar, and TAJIN!

It is a tangy, tingly taste sensation! I'm thrilled and so were the family diners.

The cooking and baking adventures continue.

Happy 20th Anniversary!

Happy 20th Anniversary to the love of my life! 

This photo is from when we were 16 years old. Usually we celebrate by going somewhere fun for dinner. We've had memorable anniversary meals. Some of our favorites were at Tamari, Bridges and Bourbon, and even in Vancouver!

But this year's meal was unforgettable. Our boys cooked us a special dinner. It started with made from scratch non-alcoholic cocktails, included a homemade sauce for our pasta, a unique cabbage salad, and custom dessert parfaits. After dinner we enjoyed a hilarious improv and stand up comedy show.

It was the perfect way to celebrate our family.