SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - DOUGHNUTS?

That’s how it goes on a Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder. 

Do you have a favorite doughnut? 

Hmmm…apparently the worms were very grateful it was doughnut day. 

For our international friends to translate using my widget on the side bar.  

Photo 1:

"We should start an exercise class."  "Who is fetching the doughnuts tomorrow?"

Photo 2:

"I thought we were getting fit?"  "We are! I suggest wing stretches, branch squats and a few laps around the bird bath."  "Someone has to be fit enough to fly to the doughnut shop and then fly back again."

ANOTHER PHOTO FROM THE GARDEN CENTER - GOOD DOGGY!

I saw this cute dog inside the gift shop and he was very well behaved. But like any child I think he was bored and was wondering how much longer his Mama was going to keep him waiting. 

Oh, Mama dear, how long will you be?

There’s nothing here of interest to me.

You have shopped and browsed in every aisle,

And I’ve been patient for quite a while.

But standing here is such a pity.

Please hurry Mama, let’s be done,

I’ve squirrels to chase and places to run!

Thanks for looking.

Have a great day!

A FEW GARDEN CENTER GOODIES…

Not much today, a few wooden birds, bird houses and a whole lot of browsing around. I was at my favorite garden center this time, but not for plant buying. I was drawn to wooden carvings of birds. Except for one whirligig outside. I really coveted that! In the top middle photo above, I concentrated on its center. It was as pretty as all get out, and I imagined what it would look like when the sun was shining on it as it twirled.

They were also setting up for Christmas and a lot of trees were adorned with the prettiest ornaments. I will go back to enjoy them more in a week or so. 

I didn’t do much today, just puttered around the house. We made a Meatball and Penne Pasta Casserole yesterday and we ate leftovers at lunchtime. I will be sharing the recipe on Monday. 

Take good care of yourselves everyone.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

VETERAN'S DAY PLUS FARMER’S MARKET - STRAW HORSES, MUMS, HONEY AND THINGS

It’s Veteran’s Day today and I want to thank all of you who have served and are still serving. Mere words don’t seem enough to express the gratitude I feel. I also want to thank the families of those Veterans who make their own sacrifices while keeping things going at home.

Last time I posted photos from here, I shared the goats and a potbellied pig. You can see those at this link. We had a very nice look around and I will enjoy going again sometime. 

It was a beautiful bright, sunny day and these very interesting horses made of straw greeted us. These are the autumn harvest celebrations and modern versions of traditional scarecrows. They serve as seasonal decorations that celebrate local agriculture, the end of the growing season and the Thanksgiving holiday.

  A very pretty display…

trays of pansies...

and dozens of planters filled with mums...

and all kinds of interesting looking pumpkins.

of types I haven't seen before.

These were small enough to almost fit in the palms of my hand.

I saw a few of these scarecrows...

and then there was this old barn where you could buy all kinds of things.

We went inside and there were a few Halloween decorations already on sale.

I was looking for one thing in particular.

Local raw honey…

Some time ago I bought a local honey from another apiarist (bee keeper). It was the best tasting honey I have ever had and it feels good giving business to local farmers, or a local apiarist. 

I was curious about the words at the top of the label, “processed and prepared without state inspection”, so I looked it up.  It means that the honey was produced on a small-scale by a local beekeeper - typically in a private home or non-commercial facility - rather than a state-inspected or commercial food-processing plant. Under state agricultural and cottage food laws (such as in Virginia), small scale beekeepers who produce and sell a limited amount of honey (usually under 250 gallons per year) from their own hives, are legally exempt from commercial kitchen or facility inspections. 

Beekeepers operating under this exemption are required by law to place this exact wording on their labels so consumers know the product comes from an uninspected home or apiary setting. However, it does not mean that the honey is spoiled or unsafe. It simply indicates it is local, artisanal or farm-gate honey rather than mass produced.

There is a warning at the bottom of the label which, warns us not to feed honey to infants under one-year old, due to the natural risk of infant botulism. You can consult your own department of agriculture and consumer services if you need more information. For us we can also consult with the Northern Virginia Beekeepers Association. The best person to ask about these things is of course our own doctors and, where small children are involved, pediatricians.

Raw honey is considered superior to regular, pasteurized honey because it is minimally processed, and retains the natural nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants that standard heat-treating and filtering remove. I read lots of other information but will leave it for now. If you want more, it’s easy enough to find on line.  

As I usually do, I got all this information from Google, but I have read similar articles elsewhere too. It is another refresher (for me) as many know this information already. I just like easy access to read up on things, and if you find it interesting what I have shared, I am happy for that too.

It was a very enjoyable trip to the farmer's market. 

Thanks for visiting and 

I hope your day is a great one. 

AN OLD FAVORITE - HIBISCUS

 

“Every flower blooms in its own time.” 

~Ken Petti~

A yellow Hibiscus, also known as Rose Mallow, Hawaiian hibiscus, Shoe flower and perhaps a few others.  Botanical name: Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis. They always remind me of crepe paper.

MONDAY MORNING RECIPE POST - QUICK AND EASY CRUNCHY PARMESAN CHICKEN

An old recipe done a while ago as once again I made no new recipes this week and fixed old standbys. I actually burned/overly browned the chicken, so tried to clean it up a bit using a photo app. No matter, it still tasted very nice. Mental note: don’t get into any conversations on the phone when I have something in the oven. It still tasted very nice after scraping off the burned/overly browned bits.  This was done quite a while ago. The blog where I found it is no longer available, therefore no link.

Crunchy Parmesan Garlic Chicken

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Serves: 2

2 large chicken breasts
2 teaspoons chopped garlic (fresh or jarred)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup whole wheat Panko crumbs
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the chicken and brush all over.

Make thin slices into the top of each chicken breast and stuff with the chopped garlic.

Mix Panko and Parmesan together in a shallow dish.

Dip each chicken breast into the Panko/Parmesan mixture.  Next place them into a baking dish. 

(Be sure to grease it if it's not nonstick.  I use parchment paper so I don't have to grease my dish.)

Top with a sprinkle of black pepper.

Bake for 30 minutes and check to see if chicken is cooked through.  If it isn't done, check the chicken every five minutes until there is no pink running out of the chicken.

Served with a mixed veggie salad and it was a quick, easy meal.

What did we think of this dish?  We will make it again as we both enjoyed. I ended up cooking one for 45 minutes as the chicken breast I bought was quite big. We shared one and put the other in the freezer for another day.  

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - TO BEGIN WITH…

To Begin With, The Sweet Grass by Mary Oliver

And I have become the child of the clouds, and of hope.

I have become the friend of the enemy, whoever that is.

I have become older and, cherishing what I have learned,

I have become younger.

And what do I risk to tell you this, which is all I know?

Love yourself. Then forget it, then love the world.

Mary Oliver, Evidence: Poems

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRDFEEDER - SANTA???

 The birds are twittering furiously today. They don't understand. First Esme the witch arrived early a few weeks ago, though she was very pleasant, and now....

So, who were they staring at? That would be...

What??? Isn't he a little early?

Well, he was his jolly old elf/self. Apparently, he flew next to the kind witch Esme for a mile. He is on an early reconnaissance mission, checking his route out twice. She told him how nice the birds were and wanted to meet them. Apparently, he stopped at the wrong house, but the birds flew down and brought him over.

I hope he does a lot better the next time he flies down. His North Pole GPS was a little off today, but he assured them his elves would fix that, no problem. He also assured them they had been such good little birds, so kind and welcoming, that he would bring them plenty of extra birdseed, to the correct address. She of the House missed him again but she was out flying her broom somewhere, or so the birds said. 

And that's how it is going at this week's

Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder, where yet another early guest has arrived for an hour or two. They were all surprised to see him in the neighbor's front yard, but the birds made him very welcome.

Have a great weekend everyone. 

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs from the birds, hugs from me and... 

Bird Photo

“Who is the man in the red suit?”

“???”

“We should fly down there and introduce ourselves.”

“He is way too early!”

“I could fly down and tell him a joke.”

“I could offer him a cup of tea.”

AND NOW FOR THE GOATS...

 A while ago our son took photos of a real pretty goat at a farmer's market he visited (I posted those here). I asked Gregg if he would take me over there a few days later. I always love looking around a farmer's market. After we parked our car the first thing that greets you is the enclosed area where they keep the goats. The goat I was looking for was not there, and in a way I was glad because they had probably taken him back to the farm and put back in the field. There was plenty of space for them here, but it gave me a good feeling that they weren't kept here permanently.

The first one that ambled over was this cutie. And talking about cuties I had the feeling that we were being stared at and I looked up.

Cutie No. 2 ambled over. 

It wasn't long before his companion welcomed him, and I had a great time chatting to them.

I expect they were looking for food. Later I realized that you could purchase a small amount to feed them. I didn't realize this until we had left and I was talking to Gregg about it.

They were so much fun!

I saw a small pig in the same enclosure and was surprised to see it had a tusk. He seemed friendly enough and he was snoozing! 

This handsome fellow is a spotted mini pot-bellied pig. City girl that I am, I only thought that wild boar had tusks. In fact, all domesticated pigs are descended from wild boars, but potbellied pigs trace specifically to various types of Southeast Asian pigs, and it's a regular thing for them to have tusks. Pigs are also very smart animals.

Our interaction was with the goats, but I noticed him get up after a while. He must have been hot as he wandered over to a small shed to enjoy the shade underneath. Pigs don't sweat, that's another thing I found out.

I will have more photos from the rest of our visit in a day or so.

Thanks for looking and 

I hope your day is a great one.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY SEEN AT RESTON FARMER'S MARKET

I was delighted to see a Monarch butterfly among the Johnny Jump-ups. Not the greatest shot but it is my first photo of one in 2026. I have seen a rare sighting but didn't have an opportunity for a photo, and wondered if this was because of a decline in there numbers or was it because I have cut my trips down to the gardens this year? They have a lot of challenges to contend with in their short lives and didn’t expect to see any this late. It had tattered wings - some close calls from birds perhaps, or was it general wear and tear? A stalwart little one for sure.

I am always curious about what I see and take photos of. I more often than not go online for a refresher of what I forget. Then as time goes on, I come back here for another refresher. This is what I learned online about our tattered little stalwart. 

“Monarch populations are in a multi-decade decline, down more than 80% since the 1990s. Fairfax County parks - like Hidden Oaks Nature Center - have openly warned that wild monarchs are increasingly difficult to spot during their annual late summer programs. 

Despite overall scarcity, the over wintering eastern monarch population actually saw a substantial 64% increase during the recent counts. Millions of butterflies migrated south along the East Coast this Fall.

You likely missed the peak waves. In Northern Virginia, the main migration midpoint occurs between late August and late September. By late October, the vast majority have already moved through, leaving only a few stragglers 

Finding a late October monarch butterfly in Fairfax County with heavily tattered wings is a beautiful yet poignant milestone - and both historical population declines and seasonal timing explains why you haven’t seen them until now.

The butterfly you photographed belongs to a legendary, biologically distinct generation known to scientists as the “Megalus” or “Super Generation.” Unlike summer monarchs - which rush through reproduction and die in just 2 to 6 weeks - this specific butterfly was born with its reproductive organs entirely paused (in a state called reproductive dispause). Instead of spending energy finding a mate, its sole evolutionary mandate is to fly thousands of miles to the oyamel fir forests in central Mexico.

By late October, this traveler had likely been on the wing for several weeks, flying up to 80 miles a day. Its faded, tattered wings are badges of honor. They represent narrow escapes from birds, rough flights through autumn cold fronts, and hundreds of miles of friction against wind and foliage. Remarkably, a monarch can still fly, navigate and feed successfully even if it loses up to 70% of its wing surface area. Its wings will never heal or grow back, but its determination remains unbroken. 

Because it is part of the long-lived Super Generation, this butterfly has a natural lifespan of 6 to 9 months. The regular Summer Generation of Monarch butterflies have a much shorter lifespan of only 2 to 6 weeks. 

The generations born in the spring and summer have completely different biological purpose than the migratory generations born you photographed. Instead of flying to Mexico, their sole job is to breed and expand the population northward. They hatch, reach maturity, find a mate, lay eggs on milkweed and die shortly after. This quick cycle repeats 3 to 4 times between May and August as the butterflies march across North America. Because they spend massive amounts of energy developing their reproductive systems and constantly mating, their bodies wear out rapidly compared to the winter generation, whose reproductive systems are entirely paused during their journey. However, its immediate survival depends entirely on the upcoming weather. If it can continue riding the remaining autumn wind currents south before a hard Northern Virginia freeze sets in, it has the biological capacity to live into the spring of next year. Once it safely reaches Mexico, it will spend the winter resting in a colony before waking up in March to mate, fly north into the southern United States, lay the eggs of the next generation, and finally complete its life cycle. If it remains stuck too far north as the winter sets in, its journey will cut short, making your photograph a precious record of its final, heroic stand against the elements.

While milkweed is famous for feeding monarch caterpillars in the summer, fall stragglers need rich, heavy-blooming, frost resistant nectar sources to survive cold autumn nights. To provide the high calorie nectar fuel that late-season traveling monarchs desperately need in late October, these specific perennials best choice for a Northern Virginia garden is Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-Anglian) or Blue Mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum). These would also do well in deep containers and bloom exceptionally late in October. They also love the open sun exposure a deck provides.”

Thanks for looking and happy Thursday!

AN OLD FAVORITE - A FLOWER OF THE LILY KIND

“A flower does not use words to

announce its arrival to the world, 

it just blooms.”

~Matshona Dhliwayo~ 

This pretty flower is a Lily Magnolia seen at Meadow Lark Gardens a few springs ago. I dare say I will share other flowers as the weather gets chillier. 

ODDS AND BODS - WITH A LITTLE AROUND AND ABOUT AND A BIT OF A RAMBLE

Good Morning!

“Some people wake up cheerful. I wake up…eventually.” and “My coffee said I could do

anything today. We both laughed.”

However you wake up, I wish you all a peaceful and very blessed day. Ours started early as we got our Covid Booster. We saw the same pharmacist as last time. Hardly felt a thing. Such a lovely young lady. So warm and friendly. We are all up to date now. Fall colors are still around.

 Afterwards we grabbed a breakfast bagel from a place closer to this supermarket, and had our ‘this week’s car picnic’. We drove to a quieter spot in the parking lot to enjoy them - very good. You can see today’s 'doggy fix' with the pup sticking head out the window on the right of the picture below.

Halloween decorations are being taken down in the neighborhood…

but there are still a few.

Beautiful art to share…

and these, happy geese going for a walk…

and a beautiful owl.

Today I thought I would show you two paintings we have had for 40 plus years. I vividly remember the day I bought them. Gregg was on an eight-month deployment, and I visited my family for a few weeks while he was away. My sister and brother-in-law lived in a small village in Worcestershire, a few miles from the city of Worcester. My parents and I lived a couple of hundred miles south and every few weeks would visit. These trips began when I was in my late teens. Worcester was a favorite place to shop. Moving forward several years, to this visit when Gregg was away, my sister and I were walking down a familiar road past one of the many Tudor homes. I have always had a great interest looking at these old historical houses. 

There were a lot of shops on the other side of the road, one of which sold art. In their window I noticed a watercolor of the same Tudor home (the one above). My sister and I stepped inside and were immediately greeted by the owner. When I asked about it, he took the painting out of the window and told me he was the artist. At the same time, the three geese - or the Three Graces as I called them from that day forth - were added to my other purchase. The artist mentioned his partner painted the geese. The Tudor house is in our dining room and The Three Graces are in another prominent place. 

Anyhow, here is this week’s imaginary home…

plus the downstairs…

and the upstairs.

This would be an awesome gate to the secret garden in the back of the house.

Let’s walk through. Isn’t imagination a fun thing?

Now for something that will hopefully tickle your funny bone. I chuckled at the illustrations first.

I’m sorry, did I roll my eyes out loud? I want you to know 

someone cares, not me but someone. In my defense I was left unsupervised.

Look, I’m not saying you’re old but if you were milk, I’d sniff you first. 

I know right from wrong. Wrong is the first one. If ever you need a

slightly distracted, unsympathetic friend, I’m here for you. At times

I’m grateful that thoughts don’t actually appear in bubbles over our 

heads. Don’t judge me. Hey, train wreck, this isn’t your station.

My quirky sense of humor chuckled at this one too.

“I’ve been dieting all year so people can admire my body this summer.”

“I haven’t. I like food way more than I like people.”

Groan if needed…or roar…

At any given time, the urge to sing “The Lion sleeps tonight” is just a whim away,

a whim away, a whim away, a whim away. 

A few recipes. 

Baked Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls: 13g protein per serving

220 calories per serving. Ingredients: 1 apple, chopped - 1 cup cottage cheese

1 egg - 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - Pinch of salt - Optional:

nuts - raisins - granola for topping. Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

Fahrenheit (175 degrees Centigrade). Lightly grease two small ramekins

(about 8 ounces each).  2. In a bowl combine cottage cheese, egg, maple syrup 

(or honey), cinnamon, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.  3. Gently stir in the 

chopped apple.  4. Divide the mixture between the ramekins.  5. Bake for 25 to

to 30 minutes, or until golden brown on the top.   6. Let cool for a few minutes.

Top with nuts, raisins or granola if desired and enjoy. 

 

Classic Stuffed Mushrooms - creamy, savory and so irresistible!

Ingredients: 12 large button or cremini mushrooms, stems removed

4 ounces cream cheese, softened - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste: Optional - breadcrumbs for topping. How 

to make them: Prep your oven - preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit 

(190 degrees Centigrade) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the filling - in a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese,

grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.

Stuff the mushrooms - Using a spoon, generously fill the mushroom 

caps with the creamy cheese mixture. Don’t be shy, pile it on! If you

want extra texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top. Bake to perfection -

Arrange the stuffed mushrooms on your prepared baking sheet and bake

for 15 to 20 minutes. You will know they are done when the mushrooms 

are tender and the tops turn golden brown. Serve and savor: Let them

cool for just a minute or two, then serve them warm. Watch them disappear.

A slow-cooker recipe, a repeat of one I shared before but I loved the recipe card, so I hope you don’t mind if I share it again. 

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast: Ingredients - 1 (4 to 6 pound

turkey breast - 3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

1 tablespoon garlic powder - 1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon paprika - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - salt and 

pepper to taste - 1 cup chicken broth. Instructions: 1. Pat turkey 

breast dry and rub with olive oil or butter.  2. Mix garlic 

powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub

all over the turkey.  3. Place turkey breast in slow cooker, 

Pour chicken broth around (not on) the meat.  4. Cover and

cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or until internal temperature

reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  5. Optional: broil for 3 to 5

minutes to crisp up the skin before serving.  6. Slice and 

serve juices from the slow cooker.

Dessert:

Baby lemon impossible pies: Ingredients - 1 can sweetened 

condensed milk - 1/2 cup lemon juice - 2 eggs - 1/4 cup melted

melted butter- 1/2 self-rising flour - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Zest of 1 lemon - powdered sugar for dusting. 

Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit /

180 degrees Celsius and grease a muffin tin.  2. In a bowl, whisk 

together condensed milk, lemon juice, eggs, melted butter,

flour, vanilla and lemon zest until smooth.  3. Pour the

mixture evenly into the muffin tin.  4. Bake for 18 to 20

minutes until golden on top and set in the center.  5. Let cool,

then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Words.

Inoubliable - something or someone that leaves a lasting emotional impact -

so powerful, moving or beautiful, that it stays etched in your memory.

Demiurgic - someone or something that is highly creative, powerful or

imaginative in shaping or crafting something significant, like an artist,

thinker or innovator.

Ipseity - (English) - (noun) the quality of being oneself;

embracing our individuality - what makes us unique.

Wise words…

because we all need them at some 

point in our lives. 

“When someone asks me if my cup is half full or half empty, I tell them I am glad I have a cup.”

“What is the true sign of strength?” Said the boy. “Gentleness” said the horse.

You Are Enough - When you look in the mirror, I hope you see gold. I hope you see bravery, courage 

and strength. I hope you see an effortless glow that changes the lives of everyone it comes in

contact with. I hope you see you. I hope you know you are enough. More than pretty enough, and

more than smart enough and more than enough to stand confidently in who you are. No matter 

the thoughts in your head, please know you are more than enough for me. You are more than 

enough for them, and you are more than enough for the world. You are enough.

Time to wind this down but here’s another reminder to…

In the middle message reads Choose Joy Everyday. From top going clockwise, messages

 read: Be kind to yourself - Stay positive - Believe in yourself - Take it one day at a time 

Make today amazing - Never stop growing - You are enough - Think happy thoughts - Do 

what you love - Good things take time - Enjoy the little things - Be grateful.

Thanks for visiting and 

I hope your day is a great one.

(With thanks to Pinterest for today’s inspiration.)