Reasons to be Cheerful

[maison rustique]

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Went to a small party at friends' and it was just perfect for sitting outdoors. Came home and had a bird party:

Black-capped Chickadee

Chimney Swift

Northern Cardinal

American Robin

White-throated Sparrow

Brown-headed Cowbird

Carolina Wren

House Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

 

[maison rustique]

 

Northern Cardinal

American Robin

White-throated Sparrow

Brown-headed Cowbird

Carolina Wren

House Sparrow

Great Crested Flycatcher!!

Northern House Wren

Tufted Titmouse

Mourning Dove

Northern Mockingbird

[Wilfrid]

Cheerful but also startling to have a memory from more than forty years ago suddenly sparked.

There's a show of music scene photographs by Alan Tannenbaum at the Morrison Hotel Gallery, mostly taken in the 70s and early 80s for SoHo Weekly News.

There's a photo of Debbie Harry from 1979 which got me thinking about when I first met her. I concluded it was probably the year before that. A little further on in the exhibit, not only is there a photo of her from 1978, but she is wearing the exact same bright red boots she wore when I met her. (Okay, she may have had a second identical pair, but to me, those are the boots.)

https://morrisonhotelgallery.com/collections/from-soho-with-love-opening-allan-tannenbaum/products/debbie-harry-new-york-city-1978-ppvocw

[maison rustique]

Still lots of migrating birds. Couple of newbies to my little part of the world.

 

House Sparrow

Baltimore Oriole!!

Northern Cardinal

Cedar Waxwing!!!

American Robin

And then my neighbor came outside and started talking to me. Quieted all the birdies.

[StephanieL]

I made Italian meringue for the first time last night.  The process was a little nerve-wracking, but it came out beautifully.

[maison rustique]

House Finch

Cedar Waxwing

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Cardinal

American Robin

House Sparrow

Mourning Dove

Brown-headed Cowbird

[maison rustique]

American Crow

Northern Cardinal

Red-eyed Vireo !!

Eastern Wood-Pewee (Never even heard of this!!!)

House Sparrow

Mourning Dove

 

[maison rustique]

An Indigo Bunting this morning! They are so striking!!

[small h]

Wow!

[maison rustique]

It was my lucky day. I got a big box of cookbooks on the local Buy Nothing group from a very nice lady. A friend offered me a huge bunch of moving boxes--the big, expensive to buy kind in great sizes/shapes--and bags of packing materials. And another friend brought me 2 packages of fresh raviolis and a carton of ice cream.

 

[small h]

Nice! 

[maison rustique]

My sweet little Black-Eyed Susie is getting bolder every day. She is my little early bird who always watches for me to put out the food in the evening and comes immediately. I'm guessing she is pregnant by the appearance of her nipples.

[MitchW]

17 hours ago, maison rustique said:

I got a big box of cookbooks on the local Buy Nothing group

Those are some cool cookbooks!

[StephanieL]

My mother had (and may still have) the Lee Su Jan cookbook!  I think she got it after taking a cooking class.

Edited May 31, 2025 by StephanieL

[Evelyn]

I still have my copy of Crepe Cooking.

[splinky]

that's a good haul

[hollywood]

Chartreuse substitutes.   https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/05/30/chartreuse-alternatives-recommendations/

[MitchW]

5 hours ago, hollywood said:

Chartreuse substitutes.   https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/05/30/chartreuse-alternatives-recommendations/

Accept no substitutes! (Or at least call the drink something else).

[hollywood]

So I'll have to order a Penultimate Word?

[MitchW]

Exactly.  I like that in the article you posted there's a reference to the Final Ward - it's a personal favorite, and the bartender who came up with it is as well.

[Wilfrid]

I have to buy some. $75 in my local liquor store but at least they have plenty.

[maison rustique]

After a few months of looking, I bought a house! Assuming it passes all inspections tomorrow, I will close on 6/20. Ranch with fully finished basement and awesome sunroom and deck. Will be an adjustment to get used to a smaller place after so many years in huge places, but it will be a good place for this little old lady. Still in Kansas City area.

 

Will be a couple of months before I move--still downsizing and packing, but I will start taking things over gradually. Excited to be entering this new chapter of life.

Edited June 10, 2025 by maison rustique
typo

[Evelyn]

Congratulations! I hope you have lots of wonderful birds visitoring at your new home. 

[maison rustique]

7 hours ago, Evelyn said:

Congratulations! I hope you have lots of wonderful birds visitoring at your new home. 

There is a cherry tree in the backyard, so I hope to spend less on birdseed! LOL!!

[bloviatrix]

Congrats. Looks like a lovely deck. And being in a ranch is a smart move.