Yesterday was the first sighting this year of a hummingbird. In the butterfly bush next door. My heart literally leaps when I see her, that slight movement that catches my eye, then a few minutes of watching as she feeds here and there around the bush before flying straight up over the roof. No pictures, no chance! We see few hummers, and only once did I ever see two at one time.
Then, as if that weren't enough, the first monarch butterfly of the year suddenly showed up. This year we've seen very few butterflies so this was a banner day for spotting nature, right from my sofa. The butterfly bush flowers just opened, so they wasted no time.
It was the universe rewarding my finally sharpening the knives. It's the noise of the sharpener that puts me off. But the three main ones are done. Friday is a Misfits box day, so I need them sharp for prepping vegetables.
But I did have what may become a biannual Junk Food Bake. In April 2019 I blogged about making poptarts, the only junk food I've ever been interested in. And yesterday I thought I'd make a batch again.
This is my translation of Jack Monroe's English recipe. She's a wonderful person, activist, humanist, writer, cook who understands poverty, just admirable. She also knows the mental health value of the occasional foray into making junk food amidst healthy eating.
First I had to make the jam, since as you may know, it's a pastry event with jam inside.
And sealing the edges. 350°f for 15 minutes.
Bet the pastries were good.
ReplyDeleteHaven't tried one yet. But I'll claim they're breakfast food. Like a Danish..
DeleteMmmm, those poptarts look delicious! It's always a magical event to see a hummingbird or a monarch butterfly!
ReplyDeleteYes, particularly when they're rare.
Deletenever thought about making pop tarts. I have an old recipe from my grandmother, maybe my great grandmother, apricot turnovers. haven't made them in decades.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a recipe we should know about.
DeleteMaking poptarts and cutting the dough, all that, is exactly like preschool except you can eat your results.
I love the humming birds! We have a feeder outside our glass door and have many beauties come to it. I don't have the flowers they like but they seem to enjoy the feeder.
ReplyDeleteI love pop tarts too, but rarely allow myself to buy them. Yours look delicious and I'm sure much better for you than the store ones.
You're lucky to see the hummingbirds in the plural. They're pretty rare here, even at feeders.
DeleteI just tested a pop tart. Yes, pretty good.
Last year I was hiking in the mountains above Boise, at about 7,000 feet, in the midst of a floriferous display of wildflowers. I stopped briefly behind a boulder, heard a buzz, and there was a hummingbird investigating my red pack. How cool was that! Even more amazing - she then - very briefly - perched on the brim of my sun hat. All I could see was her tail and her hind toe curled around the edge. Yes - practically magical!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't seen a monarch in years, despite adding several milkweeds to the garden. You've topped us there, you lucky bean!
Chris from Boise
What a great experience. I did once have a hummingbird investigate a little red wool felt bag I'd hung in the tree with possible nesting materials for wrens. Encounters are so brief you really have to be ready or you miss them.
ReplyDeleteKnife sharpening is akin to nails on blackboards and metal spoons on metal bowls, all of which make me cover my ears and pray for it to stop. As for pop tarts - haven't thought of those since the kids left home.
ReplyDeleteYou get my aversion to knife sharpening.
DeleteI never gave Michael pop tarts, so he's quite happy that he's getting a sample next time he's over. Probably thinking about time!
They still look almighty sweet. But, some knives are sharpened.
ReplyDeleteThe dough has no sugar, so the sweetness is moderated. A bit.
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