Did you know hummingbirds are the smallest of birds measuring from just under three inches to a little over 5-inches? Yet these petite birds are most fascinating and so exciting to watch as they flit to and fro each summer. One recent rainy day, a tiny hummingbird perched right outside my kitchen window for most of the morning allowing me to get this amazing video.Continue Reading
Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar
One of my favorite summer activities is watching hummingbirds. I wait expectantly for their arrival each spring and set out feeders to attract them to my yard and windows. You can make your own hummingbird nectar with this easy recipe that attracts these fascinating, tiny birds who can fly at speeds greater than 33 miles per hour and flap their wings 720 to 5400 times per minute when hovering. A hummingbird flaps its wings up to 70 times per second and its heart rate can reach 1,260 beats per minute.Continue Reading
kindness
goldfinch gathering seeds from coneflowers (Echinacea)
Your Grace Finds Me
Your Grace Finds Me. Something about seeing these two doves just perched on the arms of a chair that reminded my of a song. I hope you will enjoy it too.(Scroll for lyrics and video of this beautiful and encouraging song by Matt Redman)
Baltimore Oriole Surprise Visit to the Hummingbird Feeder
Oh, was I excited! I peeked out the window and was I surprised to see a bird on the hummingbird feeder. A brilliant colored bird that I had never seen in real life before. I knew from its plumage it was a Baltimore Oriole. The vivid orange and black bird was stunning. Although they are common in eastern North America’s open woods and backyards during the summer, this migratory bird was a newcomer to my yard.
Cardinal in Winter
I saw a cardinal on a branch outside our powder room window. I was able to get a few photos. I wanted to add a verse or poem for my Sunday post but couldn’t find something I liked. Our granddaughter, Keri Jill, told me she likes to write poetry and in a few minutes read to me the following short and sweet poem about a cardinal in winter.Continue Reading
Banana Oat Bars and Winter Days
I take lots of photos. I keep the best and organize them into various file folders for easy retrieval should I want to find something in the future. The others I delete. Usually I keep up, but inevitably fall behind in this task each fall when I get extra busy with projects.
That’s what I have been working on these crazy weather days. After the new year we had an eight-inch snowstorm. A few days ago there were -30 wind-chills. Then is warmed up and all the snow melted. This morning is was freezing, icy rain that caused accidents everywhere and even a salt truck overturning. Tomorrow it is going up to 60 degrees F.
Like the random weather, I am sharing unrelated photos and throwing in a recipe that I spontaneously made when I saw the recipe posted on facebook.
This adorable photo is of our youngest grandchild, Jethro. His mama took the picture and I couldn’t resist sharing. I didn’t make the hat – it was in a hand-me-down container of clothes he received.
Icy precipitation covered these lilac branches yesterday.
So I didn’t expect to see this robin land on a branch as icy raindrops fell.
Almost through a cord of wood already as we stay warm in frigid temperatures. For the first time I had frost on the inside of my windows. Noah and Silas bundled up and braved the chill long enough to build a dapper snowman
Cambrie asked if she could make her favorite Silly faces as I snapped photos.
Our oldest grandson was nominated for Student of the month and his mom received a certificate for National Criminal Justice Honor Society from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia
We worked very hard liquidating Aunt Marie’s sweet little Sears Kit house bungalow and readied to sell.
A fun selfie pic of John and I enjoying a stay-at-home date-night of wine and pizza while we watched the old movie classic, Roman Holiday
My sister and I at her daughters birthday party
My favorite pup
I couldn’t share this patchwork quilt prior to Christmas because it was a surprise for our daughter, Jill who is providing foster care for a dear baby boy. With the extra fabric I made the soft cube toy for him as well.
I didn’t know this photo was taken until I saw it on our churches website. Baby Jethro in the glow of candlelight as we sang Silent Night on Christmas Eve. Abbey is in the foreground with Caleb, Chloe and Jamie in the background.
And finally, no sooner did I see a recipe on my facebook feed, I went straightway to the kitchen and gave this Banana Oat Bar a try. It caught my attention because it was suggested as an alternative to wrongful cravings (which I was having). The original recipe contains no sugar, butter or eggs and since I had ripe bananas on the counter, I whipped it together and popped it into the toaster oven in little time.
The recipe wasn’t detailed so I wasn’t sure if it would bake up like a bar or be more like baked oatmeal. I sprayed the dish prior to spreading the mixture and was happy that it came out easily and cut neatly.
I can’t say that my sweet tooth didn’t think of spreading the bars with peanut butter and (heaven forbid) pipe some melted chocolate on top but I subdued that impulse and found them to taste, well, healthy. They had a pleasant banana flavor, hint of sweetness from the raisins and a soft, chewy texture. I got 12 4-inch x 1-inch bars and with my substitutions, I figured each to be about 70 calories. A good, healthy alternative to curb a snack attack. If calories aren’t a concern, stirring in some mini chocolate chips and/or nuts would be a nice addition.
Banana Oat Bars
3 ripe bananas, mashed (I used 1 cup)
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used 1/2 cup since I didn’t have 3 bananas)
2 cups oats
1/4 cup almond milk (I used 2% milk)
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
optional (I added 1 Tbs Splenda)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
lightly spray an 8-inch square dish
In mixing bowl, Stir together all of the ingredients until well combined. Pour into prepared dish and spread evenly. Bake about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Cut into bars.
Yield: 12 1-inch x 4-inch bars
Ham Fat Suet for Backyard Birds
You know that yucky, greasy stuff that rises to the top after cooking meat in liquid. It solidifies when cooled. We usually spoon it off and discard. It is fat and instead of discarding, you can add a few ingredients and make suet cakes to feed your backyard birds. Adding seed, grain, fruit or other tidbits provides high calorie energy when insects are not available.
Sometimes I use bacon grease but this time I used the fat from making ham stock.
You can press the mixture into cookie cutters or just shape into squares or balls and hang outside during these freezing cold days.
Here, I poked a hole in the bottom of a small plastic cup, inserted a length of kitchen twine and knotted the end.
After stirring together a cup of melted fat to about 1/2 cup each of bird seed and cornmeal, I spooned it into a little plastic cup, pressing firmly until filled.
Refrigerate until firm; cut away the cup, pop out and hang outside to wait for some visitors.
More bird feeding ideas found by clicking the photo below
robin in the garden
valuable
Hot July 4th
After an intensely busy May and June, then a nasty stomach bug last Saturday and Sunday, John and I enjoyed a laid back, mid-week 4th of July.
Early breakfast on the patio before the high 90’s temp with matching humidity, included Cream Biscuits with jam and strawberries from a recipe shared by Kitty @Kitty’s Kozy Kitchen.
We made plans to head to my favorite nursery for a break from chores and responsibilities and maybe pick up a few new plants to fill empty spots in the gardens.
After the thirty minute drive my head was beginning to clear and I got excited to see all of the selections offered at this beautiful nursery.
Owners James & Joan Pope are very friendly and helpful.
Rosie, the goat was at her usual place, perched on a bench shaded by a trumpet vine.
Rosie seems to be keeping an eye on the bunnies in the cages nearby.
She was cool and comfortable and looking dapper in her purple bandana.
There are a lot of animals to see here but it was just so hot we visited only a few located up front.
This young emu hatched in February and a couple of cute ducks quacked for our attention.
I came home with more than I wanted but who can resist… I wanted one of everything!
Bees, butterflies and moths were as happy as us with so many beautiful blossoms.
A peek out the back door of the shop revealed a most beautiful space!
Since it is the Popes’ private backyard, I asked Joan if we could look around and take some photos and she graciously gave us permission.
What an oasis of well designed and abundantly blooming plants
I love walking the path with the various ground cover growing among the stepping stones.
Looking toward the back door of the shop.
Keep cool, Rosie…
See you next visit!
James & Joan Pope
www.popesgardens.com
1146 Old White Horse Pike
Waterford, New Jersey 08089
Phone (856) 767-3343
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Remember my post on the birds nesting in the patio lantern?
Look what’s peeking out these days. 
~*~
Remember my post on the birds nesting in the patio lantern?
Look what’s peeking out these days.
Linking to Seasonal Sundays @The Tablescaper
Nesting
I watched as a pair of sparrows flitted about this lantern on the patio and wasn’t surprised when I saw a couple of days later they had built a nest atop the candle in the holder. I think she found a perfect nesting home for her young.Continue Reading
Think on These Things #17 ~ Appointment
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much
James 5:16
~✿~
Has God impressed on your heart something special this week?
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.
Here’s how:
Please link directly to your post, NOT your blog.
In order to link, you will need to leave a link back in your post to this Think on These Things
or you can include theThink on These Things
button by copying and pasting the code below onto your post (while in html not compose)
<center><a href=” https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/ “><img border=”0″ src=” https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKMsUvYjKyY/T0wqFpQF5qI/AAAAAAAAMsk/KWl4yi81lAo/s1600/think+on+these+things+Blog+button+2.jpg ” /></a></center>
Think on These Things #11 Morning
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| Looking out the living room window from my computer desk, the sun appears and day begins. This photo was taken at 5:49am and shortly after this glorious sunrise, the clouds rolled in for a day of clouds and rain. The beautiful colors lasted but moments. |
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| A mama robin sits on the nest she made in the hanging basket. Last year, a wren built a nest in the same basket |
Linking to Scripture Thursday @Little Birdie Blessings
~✿~
Has God impressed on your heart something special this week?
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.
Here’s how:
Please link directly to your post, NOT your blog.
Provide a link back in your post to this Think on These Things
or you can include theThink on These Things
button by copying and pasting the code below onto your post (while in html not compose)
<center><a href=” https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/ “><img border=”0″ src=” https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKMsUvYjKyY/T0wqFpQF5qI/AAAAAAAAMsk/KWl4yi81lAo/s1600/think+on+these+things+Blog+button+2.jpg ” /></a></center>
Mourning Doves and Cardinal at the Birdbath
a little mellow
a little out of focus
a little blurry
a little contemplative
a little thoughtful
a little waiting
a little sad
Homely Baby Bird
A baby wren has hatched from the nest built in my porch hanging basket. I guess it will take a some time for this little fellow to develop into a handsome mature bird like his parents.
