A VISITOR ARRIVED YESTERDAY...

...a White-throated Sparrow. This is the first time I have seen one since the beginning of the year. I was delighted.

They are fascinating little birds and there is a wealth of information about them if you do a search. I read that "on average a female lays four pale-blue or greenish-blue eggs that are speckled with purple or chestnut. She incubates her eggs for around 12 days. Both parents feed the young birds, which leave the nest seven to 12 days after hatching. 

After fledging, these 'youngsters' still depend on their parents for an additional two weeks or so. White-throated sparrows occasionally mate with Dark-eyed Juncos, with the resulting offspring resembling extra gray White throated Sparrows. A hybrid's song combines the trill of a junco with the triplet notes of the White-throated Sparrow.

White-throated sparrows measure 6 to 7.5 inches (15 to 19 cm) long.”

You can read all about it at this website.

There is a very interesting article at this link telling us how it developed a new song. I added the following video from YouTube, so that you could hear its call. A word of warning, it sings very high- pitched notes. When I showed it to Gregg to listen to, he said something akin to, "Wow!"

If the link doesn't open for you, here's the full address that you can cut and paste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXsiA6wcdSA 

 

More information by asking Google AI Mode which I also found fascinating:

"Unlike many birds where males are bright and females are dull, male and female White-throated Sparrows look nearly identical. Their primary difference is not based on sex, but on a unique genetic trait known as color morphs.

The Two Morphs (White vs Tan):

Both males and females come in two distinct color forms, or "morphs".

White-striped morph: bright white stripes on the head, high contrast black stripes and a very crisp white throat patch.

Tan-striped morph: dull tan or brown head stripes and a less defined white throat.

Key Differences Between Males and Females:

While they share the same color morphs, subtle differences exist in behaviour and minor physical traits:

Subtle Coloration: males may have slightly darker head stripes and brighter yellow "lores" (the spots between the eye and bill) than females.

Singing: males of both morphs sing frequently to defend territory. While white-striped females also sing, tan-striped females rarely do.

Size: females are slightly smaller on average.

Nesting roles: only females build the nest and incubate the eggs. Both parents feed the chicks, though tan-striped birds (regardless of sex) are generally more nurturing and provide more frequent feeding than white-striped individuals.

The "Four Sexes" Phenomenon:

White-throated Sparrows are famous for a "disassortative" mating system. Almost exclusively, white-striped birds mate with tan-striped birds. This creates four distinct reproductive roles:

White-striped Male: highly aggressive, sings often, less parental care.

White-striped Female: more aggressive than tan-striped females, sings occasionally.

Tan-striped Male: less aggressive, focuses more on protecting his mate and feeding chicks.

Tan-striped Female: quiet, nurturing, and dedicated to parental care.”

Thanks for visiting me and I hope your day goes well.

IT'S OUR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TODAY

All shared before but perhaps some have not seen them. Taken at my village church, in the County of Devonshire, U.K.

It was very cold and windy. We were married on the coldest day in the UK in 200 years.

You can see another photo at this link from our 49th. 

On our 40th anniversary we celebrated in Hawaii. That post can be found at this link.

This year we are spending it more quietly. We are waiting to celebrate in the warmer weather. 

50 years on from our wedding day. My goodness, how the time flew.

Thank you for visiting and 

I hope your day is a great one.

BACK TO THE GARDEN CENTER ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 2025...

and what a lovely time was had. I wanted to purchase seed packets to pop into the Christmas cards for gardening friends. The usual spot I always found them had other things on display. A lady came over to see if she could help and when I told her what I was looking for, she showed Gregg a place on the other side of the center. He disappeared for a couple of minutes, and I pottered around while waiting for him to come back. That’s him on the left just before he follows the nice lady. I really can’t say enough about the staff here. In all the years we have been coming, all have been super friendly and helpful.

I asked Bear if he would like to come home with me, but as often happens, he said no. He was far too busy greeting people and offering them refreshments. The deer below gave me the same answer. Ah well, there were other things to occupy my line of sight.

The raccoon was as interested as I was as he poked his head through a hole in the wall.

Hmmm.....he said. I know....I said.

Trinkets...I said.

How I love trinkets, like a moth to the flame...but I have more control than the moth as I left the flame and went on to look at other things.

Still rabbiting on here…hmmm....shiny objects. What am I, a jackdaw? Not really but how I love browsing around shiny, glittery things.

I went through one of the double doors into the greenhouse and had a browse around there too.

You can see what drew my attention this time. I also like rusty animals…

and while getting in touch with my inner child even further, decided to look at fairy things.

Not buying anything but seed packets, just browsing today!

I wonder if Santa is visiting later?

So, with seed packets in hand thanks to my dear other half, it was time to leave. We had passed turtle on our way in. 

We made our way to our drive-thru and ordered a coffee. They were offering their snowman cookies and one actually did make its way home with me. I ate it while drinking my coffee and writing Christmas Cards. I'm late sending them as always. Maybe next year I will be earlier! But then again, snowmen may fly!

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day!

MONDAY RECIPE POST - BEEF, NOODLE AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

You can brown the casserole a little more for a more golden appearance. We usually make it in the colder months.

This is another recipe I have long forgotten where it came from. All I know is we give it a 10 out of 10 every time we make it.

1 pound ground beef

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained

8 ounces egg noodles (we used the butterfly kind)

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup cottage cheese

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celcius). Lightly grease an 8 x 13 inch baking dish.

Cook the noodles in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until beef is browned and onions are soft.

Drain excess grease.

Add the garlic, salt, pepper, Italian Seasoning, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, mixing gently until well combined. 

Let simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. 

Assemble the casserole: 

Combine the sour cream and cottage cheese in a separate medium bowl. 

Put half the noodles into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Spread all of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.

Add the remaining half of the noodles on top of the cream cheese.

Pour all the meat sauce over the noodles.

Put all the grated cheese on top of the meat sauce.

Cover the casserole with foil and bake 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, slightly golden and bubbly. 

Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. A little chopped parsley sprinkled over the top would add a little more color but I forgot this step.

Notes I jotted down.

You can use Rotini or penne pasta (or in our case the butterfly pasta) instead of the egg noodles. Directions/timing might differ a little. Try not to overcook.

You can pre-prepare. Assemble the casserole and cover tightly. Refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Freezer friendly.  You can wrap the unbaked casserole in foil and freeze, or make two, one to eat that night and one to freeze for later. You can freeze portions up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven or a microwave until warmed through.

I prefer the oven for reheating, but microwave works if you want to put food on the table in a hurry for anyone who is super-hungry.

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

We added a veggie salad and a crusty roll.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, CREATE A CAPTION?

 I thought I would ask if you would like to put a caption on this little dog. I found him on Pinterest and think that expression is adorable. 

I got the idea for this from a conversation I had with my dear other half a couple of years ago, when he read how wolves had become domesticated, maybe a cartoon added to my memory box also a few years back. So, it is not entirely my own idea, tweaked a bit, and thought about when I found this adorable photo.

Pup speaks:

“I am descended from wolves and once, a long, long time ago, on a very cold and wintry night, one wolf sought warmth from a human’s camp fire. He offered the wolf a treat and a nice, cozy bed and well, here I am, a descendant of wolves.”

Thanks for looking and may you be sitting by your own cozy fire on these chilly nights.

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - TOO EARLY?

No, no jokes today.

Oh you remind me of Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol dear little Cardinal. He said, "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."

~Charles Dickens

Well, my dear friends, Santa is a little bit early, so I'll keep knitting more red Santa hats (only in my imagination as I never learned to knit - shocking I know). It's been jolly cold around here lately. They do need them. 

And that as we say here, is how it goes on a 

Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder.

Thanks for visiting and looking at this week's attempt at a little bit of whimsy.

Have a great weekend!

For our international friends to translate the words in the photos:

Photo 1:

"I am trying to ignore the man with the white beard. He keeps asking if I've been naughty or nice. What a cheek! He is way too early! I need more time."

Photo 2:

"Offer him milk and cookies, and maybe a wee dram. No, don't do that, he's driving."

"Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Photo 3:

"I have heard he is a jolly old elf. Why don't you tell him a joke."

Photo 4:

"Where did these hats come from?"

"You have to ask?"

"I am hiding."

"Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Photo 5:

"I may be very naughty but I refuse to wear any strange looking red hats.

"He has always been a bit of a rebel."

"I don't have to worry. I was born with my own little Santa hat. I feel Christmasy all the year round."

A BIG THANK YOU TO ANN...

 for her delightful Christmas Card. 

Thank you Ann, always a joy to find one in the mailbox, and a wonderfully thoughtful and kind gift you send each month.

Love and hugs my dear friend, 

 

SHOPPING MALL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FROM 2009

From my archives, photos taken December 2009. I loved going to this shopping mall just to see the decorations (I am no longer a mall shopper, not that I ever was). Unfortunately, the mall changed hands many, many years ago and that was the last I saw of them. I am thankful I have these photos to remember them and being reminded of the great pleasure of showing them to my own son when he was very young, and later to visiting family and friends.

Anyone who knows me will need no guesses as to why I enjoy these Christmas decorations. They have been put out on display for many years, I feel like they are old friends. We got on the elevator and went down to the ground floor.

I don't go to the mall very often, as I'm not one of the keenest shoppers, only when it's absolutely necessary. I always carry a camera in my purse and was prepared knowing that they would be once again on display. 

Smile! 

Don't worry, this tiger might look fierce, but the bunny is safe. I have it on good authority that he is a vegetarian. They are in fact very good friends and share cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

I enjoyed these quotes from "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling...

...which may also not be a surprise that it is my all-time favorite children's story.

"A brave heart and a courteous tongue. They shall carry thee far through the jungle."

"Oppress not the cubs of the stranger but hail them as sister and brother...

...for though they are little and fussy, it may be the Bear is their mother." Rudyard was a pretty smart man.

Last one of a window display.

I hope you have enjoyed your tour around the jungle.

Thanks for dropping by 

and have a great day!