maison rustique

If I'm going to have a grilled cheese for supper, it is not going to be an orange plastic slice on Wonder bread. When my sis was here Saturday, she brought a couple of pieces of a cannoli poke cake she'd made so I had a piece of that for dessert. No pix because I completely mangled it trying to get it on the plate.

The birds must be enjoying a break from the cold and wind, too. Tonight's visitors included: Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Eastern Bluebird (Yay! I thought they'd left me!) Northern Cardinal White-throated Sparrow Eastern Towhee Brown-headed Cowbird Dark-eyed Junco House Sparrow White-breasted Nuthatch

And last night's entertainment was provided by: Barred Owl House Sparrow Northern Cardinal White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Black-capped Chickadee

My evening chorale: House Sparrow Carolina Wren American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Brown-headed Cowbird Northern Cardinal

Today's fear. I am getting taxes done. Could they make long-term care insurance any more confusing than they have? I am terrified that I am going to owe a gazillion dollars. I am going to wind up in Debtors Prison. And I plan to cash out my life insurance policy soon (I don't want anyone to have to go through what I have gone through trying to collect my husband's benefit.) and there will be tax issues with that. Plan to discuss with tax person today. I want no penalties/interest this time next year.

Many of you will be horrified. I had not had a fried Spam sandwich in decades, but had a craving and went for it. I've got leftovers.

Season 3 of Reacher. And Boston Celtics games whenever they are on.

Something amiss, but they said no foul play. Carbon monoxide? Gas?

Makes no difference to me. If they have their way, I'll lose my Social Security benefits and be living on the street anyway.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Hold fast to your memories. Many hugs and condolences for you all.

That's the one! I can't recall where I got mine. I was gifted a couple of boxes of cookbooks a few years back, so it may have been a gift.

I have a Gullah/Geechee cookbook by Vertamae. Packed up already or I'd show a photo.

Bah humbug. Here we go again. Expecting 4-8 inches today. And frigid temps with deadly wind chills.

Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday evening warblers: Northern Cardinal Carolina Wren Black-capped Chickadee White-throated Sparrow House Finch American Robin House Sparrow

And I thought you were talking about Basia.

I had some things to use up so put Italian sausage, potatoes, tomatoes, onion, olives, soffritto and eggs in a small baking dish. Poured eggs over and sprinkled with cheese. Baked in toaster oven. Still getting the hang of cooking for one.

It has been a while since I've turned on my Merlin Bird ID app. Yesterday was warm enough that I could be outside for more than 5 seconds, so while I was clearing snow and ice on the deck, I turned it on. So rewarding to hear all my birdie buddies. White-breasted Nuthatch White-throated Sparrow Northern Cardinal European Starling (Grrrr!) Red-tailed Hawk Song Sparrow American Robin Red-headed Woodpecker Blue Jay Eastern Bluebird Downy Woodpecker

In Kansas City, if I'm not mistaken. EDITED: Not invented here. Invented in Chicago, but launched in KC.

I've heard from several friends who have evacuated and as of yesterday evening were anxious to know if they had a place to return to.

@small h, that salad looks delicious. I love parsley-based salads. I make one occasionally (with sun-dried tomatoes & other stuff), though I seem to like it more than anyone else. And the last few years, the critters and birds ate more of my parsley than I could harvest. Harrumph.

We have been socked in with ice and snow and frigid temps since the weekend. It isn't warming up soon, so snow isn't budging. Things have been shut down all week. Not a happy camper. I miss SoCal despite the fires. Hollywood and others, please be safe!

Going to pick up Lucky's ashes today so we can spend our birthdays together (mine tomorrow, his Jan 1).

Think what a wonderful world it would be if every person performed just 1/10th of the good deeds he did. RIP.

I absolutely adore that video. He is having the time of his life!