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.”

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - ONE DAY LATE - SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD BATH/FEEDER - TWO FINCHES DECIDING WHO IS STAYING AND WHO IS GOING.

 I'm afraid they weren't feeling very chatty this day, just a lot of bird noise and feather flapping, so I am guessing what they said. Sister finch wanted to have her turn in the bird bath. Brother finch said he wasn't getting out and kept it all to himself. Tsk!

He had been getting cold in the shade...

and decided to take an early bath. The water had been warmed by the sun, and he was finely getting nice and toasty.

Sister finch arrived but he tricked her and left for a minute or two to get his special shampoo. Just as she was about to take her dip, he brushed her aside and jumped in. She waited and waited and waited, eventually saying he was taking too long and now it was her turn. She had a date with a very charming young finch that night and she wanted to look pretty.

Brother finch said, "Nuh-uh, I don't think so." She tried to pull him out with her beak.

That didn't work. 

She got tired of waiting and he continued with his bath, but she reminded him to take the leaves out before he left and to hurry up, time was ticking.

When she returned, she noticed brother finch had not removed the biggest leaf. Did you know sister finches can roll their eyes up to the ceiling? I actually saw her do it! “Typical”, sister finch said, so she decided to use the leaf as a luffa and exfoliated her feathers (say that ten times fast). 

Good for you sister finch, you took the high road and made the best of it, but she would ask father finch to give her brother a talking to. She had four other sister finches and none of them were going to put up with his shenanigans. Father finch agreed, as after all, he wanted peace in the tree tops all night long, so the sister finches could happily sing their songs. Now where did he hear that before?

And that's how it goes on this Saturday Morning at the Bird Bath/Feeder.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a 

have a wonderful day happily singing your own songs.

🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD BATH/FEEDER - WHO’S A PRETTY BIRD.

 

That’s how it’s going on a

Saturday Morning at the Birdbath and…

thanks for putting up with these two while they are having their diva moment. 

Have a great weekend!

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER / BIRD BATH - ESME’S VISIT

It wasn't long before Esme disappeared into the distant blue of the sky. They noticed that a flock of three dozen geese appeared, honking their way south. Esme veered off on a slight detour, but still flying in that general direction. 

I came across the name Esme and thought it a very pretty name, a good fit for our little witch. I also found the following information. 

The name Esme (also spelled Esmé or Esmée) means "loved" or "esteemed.

Origin and History

French Origin: it derives from the past participle of the Old French verb 'esmer', meaning "to esteem" or "to love," traced back to the Latin word 'aestimare'.

Historical Usage: originally a masculine name - popularized in the 16th century by Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox - it transitioned over time into a predominantly feminine name.

Alternative roots: it can also function as a short form of Esmeralda, a Spanish and Portuguese name meaning "emerald", or connect to the Persian word "esma" ("beloved").

This part is for our overseas friends to translate photos using my translation widget on the sidebar.

Photo 1:

House Finch on the right: "Hello, who are you? You are a lot friendlier looking than the other witches I have seen."

Photo 2: 

"Hello, my name is Esme. I am flying south to visit with my family. I am resting here."

Photo 3:

Finch on the left: "Flying south? Shouldn't you be traveling with the geese?

Esme: "Good heavens no! Have you heard the noise they make? I'd never get a moment's peace."

Photo 4:

House Finch on the left: "Where's your broomstick?"

Esme: "I parked it behind the bushes over there. I didn't want to frighten your neighbors."

Photo 5:

Esme: "Well my Lovelies, if I am to be with my family for Halloween, I must go now. It was very nice meeting you both."

Photo 6:

House Finch on the left: "That was a nice visit. 'She of the House' will be miffed she missed meeting Esme. I wonder if she has her own broomstick?"

House Finch on the right: "It's probably parked behind the other bush."

She of the House out of sight: "I heard that!"

House finch signature says: "And that's how it goes on a Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder. Thanks for flying in and wishing you all a great weekend. Hugs from Denise"

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - I CAN TRULY RELATE

The Red-bellied Woodpecker says, "It's windy today."

The male House Finch says, "No it's not, it's Thursday."

The Blue Jay says, "I am thirsty too. Let's have a cup of tea."

Having this kind of conversation with my dear other half on a few occasions, okay, maybe several, we have every sympathy with the hard-hearing birds. I can no longer say, "You need to enunciate", to which the reply is, “You need to go get your ears checked” (conversation not to be taken seriously - it's a running joke with us) and yes, the writing is on the wall, so to speak. I just showed this to my dear other half, and he actually laughed out loud. And then he said, "That's us!" I hope this bit of whimsy gives you a smile.

That’s how it goes at this week’s Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder. 

I hope everything is well in your part of the world.

Have a great weekend and 

thanks for flying in.

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - CHICKENS AND THINGS

Photo 1: 

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"

"Her Fitbit said "Only 37 steps to go.""

"Hmmm...."

Photo 2:

"Somebody needs to start writing them new material."

Sign-off Signature: Cluckopatra the Chicken says, “That’s how we 

cluck on A Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder apparently. 

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend - Hugs ❤️ Denise”

ODDS AND BODS FOR 9-16-26 - STARTING OFF WITH AN OCEAN FEELING

Good Morning! How are you today?

I am starting off with an ocean feeling. I lived next to the sea for half of my married life, and also lived on the other side of the Atlantic a mile from the beaches from the time I was 15 years old, ten years before I met dear husband. I was always rock pool exploring and dipping my toes in the ocean. We moved inland when hubby retired from the navy in 1989 and he started his second career. In some ways it feels like yesterday, in others not so much. 

Here is pretty art for the kitty lovers. 

and one more.

Here is my imaginary home this week, which is still in the forest…

and here we are at the back with a lovely porch. Come on over and we can sit for a spell. Let’s wait for dark while we sip on a beverage and wait for the fireflies. 

I have been enjoying this planter box at the back of the cottage. I bet a very talented person could put this together, no problem, at least someone who knows one end of the screwdriver from another.

On my walk through that lovely forest, I have my very own bench to sit and take shelter when it rains. The trees are always welcoming. 

How about a recipe or two, starting off with something delicious to dip our bread?

Ingredients: 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes - salt and pepper,

to taste - 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

(Optional) - 1 loaf of crusty bread, for dipping. 

Got any French Fries?

Much better birdie. It is a great recipe and a nod to our beloved Dolly Parton. I was delighted to come across this. Has anyone ever made it? I also love that it is another slow cooker/crockpot recipe. I will make this real soon. Added note: since putting the one below on here, I have read this version is more like Dolly’s soup. Whichever one is true, they both sound delicious. I have added the link for you to see the other. 

Dolly Parton’s Stampede Soup: 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of potato soup

1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies - 1 can (15 ounces)

whole kernel corn - 1 pound ground beef - 2 cups milk - 2 cups shredded

Cheddar cheese. Directions: brown ground beef in a skillet and drain excess

grease. Dump beef, cream of potato soup, diced tomatoes, corn and milk 

into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine. Cover and cook on LOW 4 to 5 

Note: Add the 2 cups cheddar cheese at the end of the cooking time, while the 

soup is still hot enough for the cheese to blend nicely. This would be great 

to take along to a potluck.

Here is another recipe for the seafood lovers.

Baked White Fish with Panko Garlic Butter Crunch - Ingredients: 1.5 pounds 

white fish filets - 4 tablespoons butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1.5 cups grated Parmesan 

cheese - salt and pepper to taste - fresh parsley, chopped - Lemon wedges for serving.

Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. (200 degrees C.)  2. Melt butter in a

small saucepan over medium high heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes,

Until fragrant. Remove from heat.  3. In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan 

cheese, salt and pepper. Stir in the garlic butter and mix well.  4. Place fish filets on a

lightly greased baking dish. Press the panko mixture evenly over the tops of the fish.

5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping 

is golden brown.  6. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Our one and only dessert today is…

Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars: 1 Strawberry Cake Mix (1 box)

1 unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, melted) - 1 Cream Cheese (16 ounces) - 1 Large Egg

1/2 cup Granulated Sugar - 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract - Fresh strawberries 

1/2 cup crushed golden Oreos (1/2 cup)  Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

Line a 9 x 13-inch dish with parchment paper. 2. Mix cake mix with melted butter 

and egg in a large bowl. 3. Press dough into the prepared baking pan.  4. Beat cream cheese 

and sugar for 1 minute in a separate bowl.  5. Spread cheesecake batter onto the strawberry 

crust.  6. Add strawberry pieces to the crust, pressing down slightly in.  7. Top with Oreo 

crumbs and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until set. Cool and Chill.

Hello, I am Denise and I am... 

Birdcrastinating: (verb) When you have a million things to do,

But stop everything just to watch birds, listen to their songs and

forget the world for a moment. 

I don’t think that’s an actual word, just someone with a good imagination and who knows, it might end up officially in the dictionary one day. There are a lot of us out there!

Must be nice! Ataraxia, a state of serene calm and freedom from worry. 

On the cup it says “Just breathe”.

Halcyon, calm, happy, peaceful moments in time. 

A little poetry. This one is appropriate considering that we are fast approaching the last day of Summer on Tuesday, September 22nd.

Summer and Fall: Today it still is summer, tomorrow will

be Fall.I see the purple asters, I hear the Autumn call. I

feel the warm sun shining as a balmy south wind blows;

the goldenrod is waving, the bees are in the clover. I hear

a distant honking - the geese are flying over. The maple

leaves are golden; the pumpkins, round and yellow, the

apple cheeks are rosy, the pears are getting mellow. The

nuts are growing rounder, the cornstalks, brown and sear.

By twenty lovely tokens I know that Fall is near. Today I

still am barefoot - oh how I love it all. Nona Keen Duffy.

A few wise words.

There is beauty in the small things. 

And talking about small things …

Tkalla Creations - The Ant’s Secret - Small steps every

 day build great things. One, a tiny ant watched the big animals.

They were strong, fast, and mighty. But the ant knew it had

something too - a big heart and the power to never give up.

The ant worked hard every single day. It carried one leaf, then 

another, then another…it never stopped. One day the animals 

saw a beautiful nest the ant had built. They realized, great 

things come from small effort, every single day. The Lesson:

Little by little, you can achieve anything. “Don’t underestimate 

your small steps. They lead to s beautiful tomorrow.”

I thought this was cute. What do you think they are saying/thinking? She’s away with the fairies again?

Looks like a great place to be. It is magical and good for the soul, so they tell me.

And as we are at the end of today's Odds and Bods, time to send lots of hugs to someone special.  

You!

Have a great day my dear friends

and always remember you are loved.

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