HAPPY NEW WEEK!
Last week's Chat thread is here.
I had a funny bird experience a week or so ago. I put it on my Facebook page, and I thought some of you who like corvids might enjoy it.
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I heard something drumming outdoors on the sill under my kitchen window. I assumed it was one of the woodpeckers again. Both the Red-Bellied and the Hairy woodpeckers have persisted in pecking there this year. (Some delicious larvae must be under that wood.) I said, "Stop that!" The bird quit briefly, and then started again. I shouted, "Now, quit that. You know you can't do that!" A head popped up at the bottom of the window!
A huge Blue Jay stared at me. He was sitting on a small branch that rests against the wall of my house. He was so cute! I told him he had to stop damaging the window. He climbed up the branch and looked in at me, cocking his head. He didn't screech. He just put his face as close as possible to the glass. He looked so comical that I was laughing. I stood still, but I talked to him for several moments. At one point, he started warbling like he was trying to imitate me. (Blue Jays are corvids and are great mimics. They're known for imitating hawks, so they can clear the vicinity of other birds and have all the food.)
This jay's head crest was down, so he wasn't the least bit distressed -- just curious, I guess. He walked up the branch and looked back at me once more before he finally flew.
Blue Jays differ in appearance. They can vary a lot in their facial characteristics and coloring. This was the biggest one I've ever seen, and he had an odd look with a larger face and eyes than the other jays on my patch.
He could be a subspecies from somewhere else. He may have been a migrating bird or possibly an east coast bird who flew here to get away from Hurricane Joaquin, which was threatening at that time. I even wondered whether some Green Jays from Texas have found their way here and are interbreeding with the blues. I don't know whether that's ever been documented or is even possible.
I smiled all day thinking about the little fella. I hope he has a good winter with lots of food available.
Everyone have a great week!!! Monday night is the New Moon (the dark moon).
CLARE- I was so sorry to read about LIMPY's Mum,this morning. I hope that she is being kept comfortable and pain free xx
It doesn't have the "look" but as a veggie who had fish twice a year there it's got my seal of approval..,
Pleased to see that the weather was so good for Wendy, Dibnlib, Heather and probably others. It has been raining all day here. It was forecast for the East of Kent, but I see Margo mentions that it has spread to her in Dorset. !!! Sorry Margo, I did ask you to send your sunshine early this week. LOL
AQ, The stained glass windows are wonderful, especially the one over the High Altar.
Limpy, Sorry to read from Clare, that your mother is so ill. A very painful time for yourself, Clare and Helen.
Dibnlib, Love the pic above. Definitely has the aaaaaah factor.
dibnlib what a cute picture.
Annette, From a couple of days ago - Yes, I did realise you were talking about your Granddaughter. My mistake. I don't have the excuse of being hot and bothered. I was a bit distracted, though, as I had been to the funeral of a good friend that day.
I hope your weather gets more comfortable soon. What is the coolest it ever gets in your area? I am not sure I could cope with the present situation.
Diane, I am intrigued by potato salad made with mashed potato. How does that work?
Lovely pic, dibnlib, I have copied it. Thanks for posting.
Wendy, hope the meds help Daisy and she is soon her old self again.
Goodness, Annette, when is it going to cool down a bit there? It should be getting more wintry!
Diane: I, too, have visions of sloppy mashed potato with runny mayonnaise in it...... we cube the potatoes, then dress them in the mayonnaise with herbs......
Have just watched all of the last week's 'Strictly' episode again, as I missed a lot of it whilst cooking dinner last Saturday. Terrific standard of dancing this year. I do like the way they put it on at this time of year, to take us right up to Ch.....mas. I have been searching the Int'net for info on Tablets and also today I called in at PC World. There is so much information out there that its hard to make a decision about what is needed, and what they all do. I shall have to call one of my children to have some of it explained to me! George: I looked up Sainsburys but they no longer do this model, thanks for the info anyway. I may be able to get it somewhere else, though.
We planted a whole row of daffodils underneath our new front hedge today, so hopefully we will have a cheerful show next Spring. Also put some bright crocus in a tub, then had to hide it from You~Know~Who as she will try to dig them all up again! Will solve it tomorrow by putting them in the front garden where she can't go, I think. Off to bed now, its already late. Night All.
I chatted with OG today, and I wish her and their family the best.
Rosy/Lindy:
To make old-fashioned rural mashed potato salad:
(1) Cut potatoes into chunks and boil them until they are very tender. (I use golden potatoes from Idaho, but others work fine.)
(2) Add real butter plus cream and/or whole milk to the potatoes.
(3) Use a potato masher or other device to mix the potatoes until they are stiff but very fluffy and creamy.
(4) Add the following to the potato mixture (to taste):
Some people add mustard, but that's not traditional in my family. I sprinkle some paprika on top.
Mix ingredients until very smooth. The result isn't sloppy or runny, just fluffy and creamy. Serve warm or cold.
I can't give you amounts, because I make mine by sight. Here's a similar recipe, which includes a video of the preparation from The Pioneer Woman show.
Evening all: Lovely and gray most of the day. More big storms behind us, and the southbound traffic through Santa Barbara was a nightmare today due to the closure of Interstate 5 (major northern route into Los Angeles) where the mudslide was yesterday. It opened again this evening, but more storms are expected. I felt so bad for all the truckers and other drivers literally inching along.
Rosy: Temps can drop below freezing at night some winters (I've used rocks to whack my way through the ice on the fountain more than once), but typically it will be around 40F and anywhere between 55F and 70F during the days.
Diane: Potato salad recipes seem to be handed down through generations and are very specific and regional. My OH doesn't eat it at lot, but whenever we're at friends' houses and they serve it, he comments on how it differs from his Mom's recipe.
Have a good Saturday.
Annette: Glad to hear from you. I was just reading about and watching video of the So Cal flooding and mudslides. Ghastly! That deep mud hardens like concrete very quickly! Glad you're okay. I hope this El Nino is kind to you and your family.
AQ: Just took a Google Earth tour of this weekend's bus ride. Riverton has some nice buildings (especially the hotel).
Diane: I couldn't believe some of the video showing tractor trailers with mud up to the tops of the wheels....