BIRD BRAINED

Call me what you will but I can't resist my avian friends.

These are bluejays.  Or mountain jays, to be specific.  They were either friendly or mating.  I'd suspect the latter since they don't often seem very friendly.

A bit later this big-breasted robin showed up.

He took an interest in the bird bath.

Apparently being accustomed to such appliances, he knew that fresh cold water wasn't just for drinking.

Having splashed most of the water out onto the ground, he turned and glared at me, as if to say "Hey, do I stare at you when you take a bath?"

SPEAKING OF BIRDS . .

. . . yesterday I wrote briefly about birds in the hand.

Today it is about one bird in not exactly the bush but in our as yet unbloomed Mimosa tree.

In this next view part of a twig makes it appear as if he has four eyes.  I assure you it is an optical illusion.

And then there's cookery.  Last night I cooked Chicken Saltimbocca.  For those not familiar with it, chicken breasts are flattened to a quarter of an inch or so, salted and peppered, layered with several small basil leaves, topped with prosciutto, lightly floured and sauteed in butter and olive oil.  When they are golden, a sauce is prepared consisting of white wine, lemon juice, chicken broth and a bit of flour for thickening.  Yum.

SWMBO fixed a pea risotto to accompany the chicken.  Delicious!  And, joy of joys, there was enough to have it again tonight!

Now, here's a puzzle for you.  Can you figure out what this is?  It is baked in a 12-inch (or so) black iron skillet.

The second photo should give it away. 

It is a Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie! 

I swiped the recipe from Melissa at Alosha's Kitchen.  Hers looks better than mine because I think I baked mine a bit too long.  All I know is that the half I have left is hard as a rock.  But it is tasty!

Magpie 65

He gazes at the birds
In his hand.

He wonders.

What has nature wrought?

He thinks.

This is all that life means.

Birds . . .

In the hand.

Others.  At Magpie Tales

IN A HURRY

O.K.   But what's the rush?

MOTHER'S DAY 2011

My Mom

Hattie Loretta (Hylland) Taylor

1904-1953

A Western Mom

Instructions for all Moms

Here's hoping you all have a

Happy Mothers Day!

Patterns

THE LEADER OF THE PACK

I spotted this group of motorcycles this week and couldn't resist a photo.

Parked nearby all by itself was this lovely white Harley.

Of course, I couldn't be sure but the contrast to the bright colors of the other bikes could mean that this belonged to "The Leader of the Pack!"