Chipping Sparrow's BIG Baby

     For a couple of days, we've been watching this busy little duo from the patio. This morning I had time to snap a few photos and identify the species. The mother was so tiny and sprightly that I had assumed she was a wren when in fact, she was a chipping sparrow, but the baby was a puzzle - he was way too big to be hers! So I did some investigating and found that brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites, laying their eggs in other bird's nests. The chicks monopolize the parent's feeding and grow faster than their nestmates. I'm pretty sure that's the scenario we have here.

Garden Welcome

     Our average-sized suburban back yard is nothing too special. There is a lawn of mixed types of grass that is pretty lush this June, thanks in part to the recent generous spring rains and to the removal of a very large ash tree that was split by lightening last year. We've always been limited to total shade plants so the additional light has also allowed us to include a few sun-loving flowers to the garden areas as well. Our very small vegetable garden, which was restricted to a strip on the side of the garage, has been extended along the fence line a few more feet. These are small but significant changes for us. Of course we still enjoy the shady expanses - the three hosta plots, the begonia beds near the pond, the "snowball corner" that is lined with hydrangeas, and the patio with comfortable chairs that always boasts a leafy canopy and a breeze.

     

     A gray picket fence and gate separate the backyard from the front. I think it is appealing in its simplicity and it begs a sneak peak beyond more so than a privacy fence would allow. So perhaps the small bejeweled oval sign that says "Welcome to My Garden" should include in fine print, "That is Very Special to Us"!

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake

     It's not quite blueberry season yet but I had a frozen cupful left over from last week's pancakes (Pop's favorite). Incorporating them into a yellow cake mix along with some sour cream and an extra egg produced this lovely bundt cake. A generous lemon glaze boosted the citrus flavor. This cake may be MY new summer favorite!

Eastern Bluebird

     It was Easter. It was also April Fools Day. We were enjoying a sunny morning on the patio but snow was forecast for the afternoon. So why were we surprised to see the first ever bluebird at our feeder?

     

     On this day of incongruities, when a flash of vivid sapphire flew across the yard and lit on the feeder, I immediately ran into the house for my camera and was amazed that the chap remained in place long enough for a very focused photo. I was pretty sure this little guy was an Eastern Bluebird but my supposition was confirmed when I uploaded the photos and was able to fully distinguish his field marks - which included a white belly, rusty throat and short bill. I've seen bluebirds in non-urban areas but never inside the city limits. Our pretty pint-sized visitor didn't stay long and we haven't seen him since but we certainly enjoyed a little Easter April Fool!

New Dresser Top

     The dressers in our master bedroom posed somewhat of a dilemma. They were old but not antique ...the wood finish was in good shape, except for the tops...and nobody ever saw them but us! We could afford a new set but the frugal little gnome that sits continually on my shoulder whispered, "They're perfectly good so why spend the money on new ones?!"

      I tossed around the idea of refinishing or painting them but couldn't come to a decision. And then I happened upon a solution while scrolling through ideas on Pinterest. Put a marble top on them! Well a marble finish anyway...actually a contact paper that looks like marble. Husband was skeptical until we agreed that something was better than nothing in this case. And it certainly was! We love the new lighter, cleaner look - no more ugly dents or scratches.

     There was very little prep work involved - just minimal sanding of the scratches and water damage followed by a good scrubbing to removed dirt and any other residues. Accurate measurements were critical and applying the sticky paper was challenging but not horrendously difficult. I did use a credit card to push out bubbles and smooth some wrinkles. A few imperfections remained but they are almost undetectable because of the marble print. I think we'll keep this bedroom set a few more years.

Vintage Hand-Colored Portrait of Mom and Meema

     This beautiful photograph of little Joan and Phyllis, is a glimpse of maternal love and the comfort of a child in her mother's arms. It is also a splendid study of portrait techniques of the very early 1930s. In the midst of the Great Depression and in the midst of a failing marriage, Phyllis has a simple but polished look; Joan, who was born in June of 1927 and appears to be about four years old, is dressed in a pretty yellow dress with a frilly collar and a matching big bow, typical of the era. The coloring, which at that time was done by hand, is subtle but beautiful, with only the use of very soft shades of yellow and pink. 

     This is also a personal treasure because it is my mother and grandmother (who have both left this earth), at a time long past.

BIG Flat Oatmeal Cookies

     It's February...it's winter...but the weather is hardly cooperating. The sky has been the same shade of gray for about six days, with rain falling a good bit of that time, and the temperature is holding in the boring forties. Housework is finished but I did notice the cookie jar is empty. Since Christmas (and all the requisite special cookies), we've cut way back on sweet eating so the only baking I've done recently is a loaf of French Bread. Therefore I decided it would be appropriate to make a batch of "ordinary' oatmeal cookies (oats are nutritious, right?) Pop doesn't care for soft cookies - he likes big flat ones with crispy edges and chewy middles, so I obliged him with these beauties and even drizzled a glaze over them for good measure. I thought we would ration them to one a day, but I'm pretty sure a couple went missing mid afternoon!