More Robin News

The last few days it looked like there was no room left in the nest for all four fledgelings. It got to be a pretty tight squeeze and then * POOF* they were all gone.

Quick Robin Update

Parent on patrol!

Spring finally appears to be here and a lot of things are (in addition to a 3 1/2 year old!) demanding my time. Lots going on in the garden, chicks are hatching and the robins eggs have hatched.

I have been trying to take pictures every few days despite Mom and Dad being very protective.

Just hatched.

2 days


Six days

Watchful eye!

On a sad note, the ground nesting Song Sparrows that have nested in the front garden the last few years returned only to find one of them dead of unknown cause near the fence line. The mate has been calling and I am hoping it can find a new partner.

Robins Egg Blue

Despite Mother Natures best efforts to the contrary, including a frost last night that managed to kill some of the tender plants out in the hoop house, some signs of spring are still emerging.
You may remember that last summer I was able to chronicle a family of ground nesting Song Sparrows in the garden. This year a
Robin has decided that the support post for the over hang above the door of the shop was a good place for a nest. This is greatly hampering my ability to work on getting my resale store ready to open, but it has taken this long so a few more weeks really won't make a big difference.

There are 4 eggs in the nest and I will update as soon as they hatch!

HAPPY EASTER!

From the kitchen......

A flat of basil seedlings, waiting on spring.

I like to cook, not the 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' cooking, at least not every day. I really like simple, yummy food. Meals that make good use of my stockpile and garden. Meals that you cook once and eat twice, maybe even three of four, times.

Since I am starting to work out of the house again part-time I really need to find time savers. I don't like processed foods from a can or a box and try to watch out for sodium and artificial ingredients.

Breakfast is always a tough one for me. I was looking for something to do with the ridiculous amount of cereals I have stashed and remembered a recipe I used to use to make muffins with Raisin Bran cereal. I happened to have a box of Raisin Bran Crunch that we were not fond of and had some buttermilk in the fridge so I made up a batch. The recipe is available from Cooks.com.

1 (15 oz.) box Raisin Bran
2 1/2 c. sugar
5 c. flour
5 tsp. soda
2 tsp. salt
4 beaten eggs
1 c. vegetable oil
1 qt. buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients together, add beaten eggs and buttermilk and oil. Fill muffin tins almost to top.

Bake at 400°F. for 15 minutes. They will be dry if baked too long.

I KNOW! It makes a huge batch, but I just bake what I need and then keep the remaining batter covered in the fridge. Fresh, hot muffins in just the time it takes to bake them in the oven. It really will keep 4 - 6 weeks. They are actually better after the batter rests a day or two.

You really can have fresh baked muffins whenever you want!

I'm planning on taking a dozen into work with me, may as well start working on my job security right away!