Feathered Friends

Northern Cardinal

   

Tufted Titmouse

Thankfully we got our bird feeder set-up before the ground became too frozen.  And yes, by "too frozen" I mean that the ground was already frozen when we went to put it out.  But, with the help of several pots of boiling water placed on the ground, we finally got it in.  And yes, by "finally got it in" I mean that on the first try we evidently thawed out a giant rock with a little bit of soil over it.  Anyway, we eventually got it in place and over the past few weeks we have had a good number of visitors. 

Mourning Doves

Dark Eyed Junco

We have spent a lot of time thinking about what food to feed our birds.  There is a special blend made by Wild Birds Unlimited that makes me drool.  They donated a bag for work once and when I opened it up it smelled like trail mix.  Giant salty cashews, big pieces of fruit--it is the type of appetizer they would serve at a black tie bonfire (that gives me a great idea for a party this summer!).  Anyway, that food costs more than my own so it is very hard to justify.  We ended up getting the lower end food (on sale, no less!).  Here is what I have noticed: 1) It is much cheaper, 2) The birds still eat it, 3) Since it isn't as good they don't eat as much of it, and 4) Since they don't eat as much it lasts way longer.  

Carolina Wren

Red Breasted Robin

Downy Woodpecker

Over the years birds have not only overtaken the outside of our home but the inside as well.  I can't help but laugh at the "Put a Bird on It" sketch from the new Fred Armisen show Portlandia (which is awesome, by the way).  I look around my home and see how we have surrounded ourselves with our feathered friends (or at least images of them).

Kissing swans bowl

Bird print pillows - 2 thumbs up, Laura!

Bird song book & owl book ends

Plus, by feeding them I figure they won't attack us when they decide to take down the human race.  (If anyone actually watches this entire two and half minute trailer... leave a comment, I will send you Valentine)

Not in Portland Anymore

One of the joys of living in Portland was that it hardly snowed, and this meant that when flakes started falling it was a special day.  Well, let's just say we are having a real "special" month out here in the Box.  It feels like the snow hasn't stopped since the day after Christmas (Boxing Day Blizzard) and it just keeps piling up!  I feel sorry for Stanley the Mailmanly, getting to all the mailboxes sounds like a terrible job.  Here is what mine looks like and I'm sure I spent more time than many other people clearing it out.

My mailbox is like Waldo at times.

On New Year's Eve we made some snowmen with the help of my sister.  They melted a lot at first, but have since turned into drifters.

In the wild the Equilateral Triangle men are very even tempered.

Our driveway is getting skinnier and skinnier; turning into the house and going into the garage feels like a bobsled track with the tall ice walls going up around you.  Despite the work to get the walk and driveway clear, it really all is beautiful.  Bright and early in the morning I put on my snowshoes and wandered out into the woods.

This is what our back yard looks like.  Our house is on an acre, but half of it is woods.  I think most people ignore this part of their property, but I have big plans for it!  Come spring time there will be some serious composting happening, owl houses, bat hotels, places to sit and relax....











I guess the outdoors-y Minnesotan in me has decided to come out.  It seems like all I can think of right now is snow shoeing, cross country skiing, ice skating, sledding, and building snow forts.  Maybe watching Cool Runnings last weekend has influenced me more than I realize.






Of course I also appreciate the beauty of winter while sitting inside by the fire with a nice book and my lovely wife.  Hope everyone is having a good January and that you always have a warm and cozy place to be when you want to get out of the cold.

Ice covered branches.

Winter Joy Joy

Snow has been falling almost all day and it is freeeeezing cold outside; it is expected to start raining this evening and create lots of ice.  It looks beautiful, but it is a beauty best enjoyed through a window from a cozy perch.

Looks like Bessie might need more than just her scarf!

After closing work a little early and getting back home, it was time to hunker down.  There are a few things that say snow day for me: 1-pajamas, 2-roaring fire, 3-movie, 4-nap, 5-board game, 6-baked goods.  I wasn't really concerned about items 1-5, these are no brainers, so the question was what to bake.  With the holidays recently over I'm not really craving any cookies or sweets, but a nice loaf of bread sounds just right.  I grabbed a recipe for focaccia that I had used before and got mixing.  It is from a cookbook that came from one of my all time favorite restaurants.

Proofing yeast (1.25t),
water (1C), & honey(1t)

Yummy Christmas present honey

1.White/Wheat Flour (1.5C each)
2.Salt (.75t) & Rosemary (1T)
3.Olive Oil (1.5T)

In the mixer for a few minutes

This winter I have fallen in love with our fireplace.  Yes, I'm sure that some day I will be tired of lugging around logs and putting in the time of getting a fire going and heating the place up slowly, but I am loving it for now.  Also, it works great for getting the dough to rise!

I lost...

Rising by the fire

1 hour of rising

Punched down & another hour of rising

Now, for whatever reason, I decided to roll the dough much thinner than usual.  I think maybe I wanted a big loaf of bread even though I halved the recipe. 

20min at 400F

Focaccia bread with vegi burger,
mozzarella, roast yellow pepper

Well, with some PJs, a raging fire, some fresh bread, and being with someone I love, I would say that this storm has been weathered quite well.  Of course, having a snowblower that looks like it came from Mad Max doesn't hurt either.

Big City

We were in New York this weekend and were able to visit the Museum of Modern Art.  There was a wonderful exhibit called "Design and the Modern Kitchen."  It was all about the evolution of the kitchen and how modernization has taken place in this specific area of the home.  From original tupperware, to posters telling you how good butter is, to videos explaining how washing dishes by hand promotes "the dead soul of the housewife," this exhibit was exceptional.

If Paula Dean had a tattoo that covered her entire back....

Since moving out to the boonies I think I have made more observations about how it differs from being in the city than how it is similar.  Food, however, is one the great equalizers, and the pursuit to eat well and obtain quality food is a common goal of those living in a city of millions and those living in a town of a few thousand.  It is a little ironic that leaving the fields and farms that surround me and heading into Manhattan is something that revamped my desire to start gardening.

I think my favorite part of this exhibit were the posters encouraging good food practices.  I especially enjoyed the following poster which appeared to encourage healthy eating...

...when really it is more about saving the really tasty foods for our troops.  War can be hell, but at least you can have a steady diet of wheat, meat, sugar and fat!  Here are a few other foodie posters to enjoy:

What will I say when he eats my rations?
"I always knew."

Mommy, I want a bunny!
45lbs of delicious bunny!

Message: Mice are terrible and rabbits are delicious.

A little extreme, but I enjoy the sentiment.

"Rabbit in Casserole"

Message: Grow your own food (and have you tried the rabbit yet?).

I'm going to end it with our favorite poster from the exhibit.  As vegetarians, we couldn't help but love the "Vegetabull"!

*Still love the "Vegetabull" even though he contains a tomato which is a fruit and not a vegetabull