Hi everyone: Don't forget to check the final posts of last week's chat for tips on ordering stuff through the mail and what to do when a package has been tampered with and/or items never arrive in the first place! Also, OG is back and had a lovely time and may post photos if she can find some without total strangers blocking the views! Brenda/dibnlib: Americans aren't "allowed" to go to Cuba because - oh don't get me started. But a friend of mine did go there - he had to go somewhere else first and then pop over to Cuba on the QT before heading back to the States. Tiger: Nice to see you. Emma: "They" have just approved a bunch of wind turbines offshore of Cape Cod - one of the most famous scenic places on the U.S. East Coast! I'm fascinated to see what happens since I can't believe the moneyed and well-connected folk with fab houses in that area would allow it to actually happen. Diane: Yes, I read some comments on Trucker Steve's blog about some negative folk on Facebook, but no idea what that was all about and, like you, had no inclination to find out! He's heading to Florida next...
Since folks on here are talking about it, thought I'd mention that BP's curly headed CEO? didn't endear himself to anyone last week when he said he was eager to "get his life back" after the spill. A nice option for him when those killed and their families won't ever have that option, not to mention the wildlife.
Haven't been around much today - Farmer's Market and errands this morning, then this afternoon went on our Gray Whale "thank you to volunteers" boat ride on the Condor, which typically does whale watch cruises for tourists, etc., but was just for us this afternoon. Mike, our main GWC guy, works (unofficially) with the captain of the Condor during Gray Whale season. The Condor calls us when they see whales heading our way while we let them know when we have whales around Coal Oil Point. A win-win arrangement for everyone. Today, we left the harbor and immediately found ourselves in a pod of dolphins - a huge pod of about 700, Mike estimated, in full hunting mode. Just an amazing spectacle; we were surrounded by them. The dophins on the outer edge of the pod were leaping out of the water in coordinated groups of four or five - one of the rangers said she'd seen that behavior before and speculated that it may be a way of driving the fish into a particular position to facilitate feeding for the rest of the group . We could see fish jumping - literally for their lives. Other dolphins were behind the boat and still more right beside us, riding the wake from the bow . Immediately in front of the bow the dolphins were swimming (all this very fast) upside down, their bellies exposed and our guide explained that this was normal hunting behavior - that they can better see the fish from this position. Just amazing. Then we headed 9 miles out to track two humpback whales - a cow and calf pair, which we followed for about 30 minutes, watching the mother roll on her side to feed on krill; then saw the calf breach, which was a real treat. They served us wine and food, but I didn't partake since we were in a heavy swell and my innards were feeling a bit odd. That wasn't helped by the diesel fumes or the very strong perfume that two young women were wearing. I haven't had problems on boats before, but as they say, there's always a first time and this was it. Suffice to say I made it to a quiet corner at the rear of the ship before.....
Probably going to bed early tonight! Granddaughter and OH arriving Wednesday, so a busy week ahead. Take care all!
Unknown said: The cupcakes we are talking about are huge concoctions - big as muffins - and they have really rich topping in ghastly shades of orange, pink, green etc and are decorated with more colours and ... anything goes! These are not the neat little iced cup-cakes our mothers made for birthday parties etc.
The cupcakes we are talking about are huge concoctions - big as muffins - and they have really rich topping in ghastly shades of orange, pink, green etc and are decorated with more colours and ... anything goes! These are not the neat little iced cup-cakes our mothers made for birthday parties etc.
Hi OG. That's disappointing. (Not you, the cupcakes!) I like muffins but they are too BIG. Last week I bought one for a lunch snack . . . and finished it for supper. We have frog cakes - a sponge cake square covered in cream and icing*, green or pink or other gaudy colours. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frog_cake (* they seem to use "frosting" these days rather than "icing")
Evening all: Been out in the garden all day with OH. Previous owners planted rocks - yes rocks - in the garden (a phase in garden design where everyone had a dry river bed-look). Weeds love to put down nice deep roots in between these rocks which makes it hard to pull them while trying not to sprain an ankle wobbling about on the rocks. We piled all of them up where they'll be out of the way of the wall-repair folks who are coming next week. Then we dug up a Bauhinia Galpinii (totally the wrong time of year to move it), but it's in front of a large crack in the wall that is due to be reinforced. Lots of lovely hard Southern California clay soil in that spot, so we did the best we could and put the BG in a tree box and just hope it survives the move. (Not sure if we'll survive the move - was exhausting.)
What was wrong with fairy cakes! That's what I want to know. They were the original cupcakes and nowhere near as garish as these new-fangled creations (scowl, boo). Incidentally, some bakeries here are baking tiny, one-bite cupcakes, but charging two- and three-bite prices! I remember when you couldn't move for bagel shops, then it was muffins, now it's pesky cupcakes. I note that Hummingbird Cupcakes is planning to franchise overseas in - 2011? - I think the craze will be over by then; something new will have come along.
jsb: Little girl got a nice education in the important stuff, what with her butterflies and elusive toads!
OG: Those Gardening Scotland cupcakes were going for $4.30/each! That sounds like a fund-raising price. :-)
Hallo AQ: What happened to the magpie's beak?
We have 2 broken-beaked magpies visiting. I don't know why they break but suspect it is either genetic or a lack when beak is being formed. I don't believe the story that they break when the magpies dig in our drought-ridden lands. Maggie picks up a morsel, throws it up in the air and catches it in his gaping beak. I wonder if he has trouble moving the food to the back of his throat or whether he is just putting on a display for us. He loves singing. But I wish he wouldn't leave his messages on our front verandah.
I saw frog cakes in the supermarket this morn - $4.29 each for a 2 inch cube. Muffin $3.40.
Ah so AQ; the important thing is that Maggie can eat. Hmm. Frog cake is about $3.40 U.S. Treats are expensive no matter where you are.
Light rain, gentle northerly breeze, but not cold - more "growing weather", but I wish the weeds didn't know that! Can't be very wet - painter has come, but he is doing the study window which is under the porch. Coming and going sort of day today - alarm mantenance man some time this morning, and chiropody and my hairdresser this afternoon. Annette and AQ - we don't have Frog Cakes per se but the construction is similar to factory-made "French Fancies" or "Fondant Fancies" packed 8 to a box and sold in supermarkets. They come in brown, bright yellow and pink, but don't have the mouths .
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Morning all - a bit gloomy here ... but awful weather forecast for later. The weather man last night pointed to our area, shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well, what can I say?"
A pottering day in the house today I think ... I have two birthday cards to make ... so I had better get on with it ... with one ear on the webcam of course!
Take care
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Morning: wet and dreary here, too. Fascinated by the Frog Cakes - never heard of those before!, but as said, they sound very similar to our Fondant Fancies in construction.
Here are some flowers to brighten up your day, first is my White Poppy, don't remember the name of it though:
.......and my first "Patty's Plum" poppy of this year came out yesterday!
isn't it gorgeous? I just love them.
Have a Good Day in spite of the rain, those in UK.
DjoanS - can always hope the weather forecast was wrong - after all, how often is it right? You've reminded me, I also have some birthday cards I ought to make on dreich days when I'm indoors. Lindybird - lovely poppies - like the white one with its pollen-dusted middle, but Patty's Plum is, as you say, gorgeous, with her frills.
For those who do not get RSPB emails....The Nature count is on this week.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/naturecount/how.asp
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
Thanks for the reminder, jsb- I knew it was in June, but had not put it on my calendar.