Thursday was springlike, just for a day or two, and my morning walk under the trees was full of birdsong and animal tracks.
I heard a downy woodpecker rattling then saw her (no red hat) start pecking on a tree. Very early for nesting. And I heard but didn't see chickadees and Carolina wrens, saw but didn't hear a little flock of juncoes.
The downed trees are usually left where they fall if they're not in the way, and they provide habitat for a lot of animals and birds
At the top of the standing trees there's a whole colony of mourning doves, and, lower down, the juncoes flitter about.
A bit further along, you see where squirrels demonstrate their bite strength on these black walnuts.
If you've ever tried to break into black walnuts you'll know what pressure it takes.
The prescribed method is to spread them on a hard surface, such as a concrete driveway, place a board on top and drive your car back and forward to crush them.
Then you can spend the rest of the day picking out the delicious fragments of nut, before deciding to just go with regular walnuts. Besides, the regular ones can be cracked to make two miniature doll beds from the shell. Just sayin.
Misfits pickup is out ready for Haleem, whom I messaged with a New Year greeting.
He got back with a very appreciative text.
Canned goods and mustard for the food pantry, oats and peanut butter for granola bars, cod pieces (!) because I need fish 'n chips, potatoes for the chips, also for roasted dice with the chicken pieces I just roasted, apples great relief, I really missed them last week, mushrooms to slice and freeze ready for omelettes, and to accompany chicken and roast potatoes, sardines for sandwiches for my brain, BananAZ! dundeedeedundeedee etc, mango pieces to go with yogurt, blueberries likewise, avocado oil because I finished the last of it in the red chili oil.
This was a nice order.
Happy day everyone, I hope you're as well fed as I and able to get out among trees and calming nature, in our current turmoil and tragedy.
In fact, there's some kind of metal utensil for cracking walnuts, isn't there? Yet I guess it's not the equal of a squirrel's teeth.
ReplyDeleteNutcrackers can't crack black walnuts usually, but they work with English walnuts. But yes, nothing rivals a squirrel's teeth.
DeleteHoping these latest crimes by ICE might be the straw that breaks the Drumpf administration’s back. Meanwhile, beautiful nature hike and feast. I had no idea black walnuts were so hard. What do you do if, like us, you don’t have a car?
ReplyDeleteYou recruit a friend with a car and a driveway! Or you buy the other kind. I only use black walnuts for dyeing yarn and fabric.
DeleteEnjoy cooking!
ReplyDeleteI do!
DeleteSounds like your going to have an early spring. I guess we have to wait and see what the groundhog says
ReplyDeleteWe often get a false spring early in the year then winter comes roaring back with snowstorms as late as April. We'll see.
DeleteI'd forgotten about walnut shell beds!
ReplyDeleteThey're also good for tiny toy mice. Check out Maggie Rudy!
DeleteWhat a good bird report. Love seeing your plant in the window too! It's cousin sits by my TV screen...not quite in the window because it is happier away from direct sun. Great groceries for the week! yes I need to get out among the trees with all that our country is throwing about.
ReplyDeleteThe plant in the window is two -- a wandering dude in its own pot, set among the philodendron, either fighting it out or flourishing, can't tell yet.
DeleteFluffageddon. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI love that cat picture, very much like my late great Annabelle.
DeleteIt 58 this morning. If it stops raining, I'm getting out on that walk!
ReplyDeleteMaybe get your raincoat and just go anyway?
DeleteI would go insane if I didn't live where I do, surrounded by trees and critters.
ReplyDeleteYes, the years I had to spend in cities were desperate times, but it was where the jobs were. Every day I feel happy looking out on trees and clear skies.
DeleteI love hearing the birds when I'm out walking. The sparrows make the most noise, a host of sparrows, hiding in the shrubs, talking amongst themselves.
ReplyDeleteYes, those flocks in the shrubbery, hard to see but loud.
DeleteLots of good things to eat for another week. We've been in a thaw/freeze spell so it's slippery.
ReplyDeleteHere it's mild, no ice, yay. Mud instead.
DeleteHow much worse do they need to get before they are removed from office? It's taking too long.
ReplyDeleteConsider that this has been coming since Reagan laid the groundwork. And with Republican retirement, death, crashes, we may get the House back before the midterms. We need to keep on. I know you're doing your share.
DeleteNice that your weather allows for a stroll outside. Too icey here on our road to walk leisurely.
ReplyDeleteThe news is ver very disturbing. It gets worse every day.
The news makes my walks more necessary every day.
DeleteI once used that type of walnuts to make ink and ended up using a hammer to break them open. They sure to make potent ink that stains absolutely EVERYTHING it comes in contact with. I got rid of my supply when we moved here because all I'd need would be to spill it onto the carpet.
ReplyDeleteI've used black walnuts for dye and ink and never opened them, just simmered the whole thing. Yes, it's indelible, no concerns about fading, even if you want it to. I used to keep the ink container in another container for that reason!
DeleteExcellent round-up of goodies to cook and eat. Love that. Very cool that you might get back into noodle making. Today I did parsely pasta ribbons. They're drying now. Will taste them over the weekend. Have you seen the YouTube channel called Pasta Grannies? Sooooo good.
ReplyDeleteI must check that channel. My pasta is a bit more artisanal looking than an experienced Nonna makes
DeleteMine is too and so is theirs. It's wonderful. Rustic. Wonderful and from the heart. Doesn't have to be perfect. Perfect pasta is boring. Artisanal is the word I use and rustic. Really good channel. PS: Made parsley noodles yesterday. Will taste them today. So fun!
DeleteTime in nature reduces the anxiety. Our weather is milder but not as good as yours, Boud.
ReplyDeleteI'm so lucky that I have easy access to trees and the sky.
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