Monday 21 December 2015

Birds and Cookies

There was so much bird activity in my back yard today. Besides the usual Chickadees and Juncos there were Bush Tits, House Finches, a couple of Pine Siskins, a woodpecker ( probably a Downy but it could have been a Hairy), an unidentified Sparrow and a Flicker or two. The latter were cramming themselves with sunflower seeds. They ate them whole. Does anyone know if this is normal for Flickers?


This morning I made a half-recipe of these Orange log cookies which get dipped half way in chocolate ( after they're baked and cooled). Last year I made way too many cookies so this year I'm cutting down. In the cookie sheet on the right you can see what I did with the melted chocolate when the cookies were done. I dipped dried Apricots just like the cookies.... half way. They are delicious.  I tell myself that the Apricots are good for me.

On the weekend I made fudge that actually turned out very well. It's that easy condensed milk and chocolate chips recipe and I added chopped Oreo cookies to it. The 'tasters" have declared it a great success. 
I'm thankful to be feeling somewhat better today. I had a bad headache that would not go away ( I think it must have lasted 4 or 5 days. I've lost count.)and as often happens when one has a headache, I felt nauseated. Not much fun. I hate taking a lot of medication but I took extra strength Tylenol and that helped. So glad to be done before Christmas. I'm all ready, how about you?

Have a wonderful week getting the last minute things done and don't forget to take time to enjoy the process.          Granny M.

11 comments:

  1. Yay for all those birds visiting you! We have Flickers, too. They LOVE the suet.
    That is a VERY cute teapot!
    Yes, I'm ready. I want to do a little baking yet, but I'm done shopping! I am so sorry that you weren't feeling well. I am glad your headache is gone.

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  2. So glad to hear that your headache is gone.
    I found it interesting to read about your bird activity as I was noticing a huge amount of bird activity in my yard at lunchtime today. They seemed especially interested in drinking from the waterfall. I saw many robins and cardinals.
    Your baked goods look yummy. My sister-in-law is a huge fan of the chocolate orange flavor combination. Your cookies look so pretty too.

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  3. I don't know a lot about birds but I enjoy watching them! You have so many. Nothing tastes bad with chocolate! LOL Glad you are feeling better! Nancy

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  4. I always enjoy seeing what others bake and make. Looks yummy!
    I have had a lot of headaches lately, and since I retired I seldom have them. I think it's a sinus issue.

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  5. Sadly, the only thing I have made this year is the sugar cookies for our cookie decorating party with the grands. Your fudge looks yummy... I may have to make some now!

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  6. So glad you are feeling better. I do wish that I could bake like you. The fudge and the cookies look delicious and so pretty!! I have a bird book like the one in the middle of your stack.

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    1. Oh dear! I do not want you to think I'm good at baking because the thing is I only try easy recipes and of course I never post my failures. *smile*. My bad habit of substituting ingredients if I don't have what the recipe calls for gets me in trouble too.

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  7. So glad you are feeling better. You had some many wonderful birds at your feeders. We get flickers here too but I haven't noticed them eating whole sunflower seeds. I will pay closer attention next time I see them at the feeder. All your baking looks scrumptious!

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  8. The chocolate dipped cookies look good! They remind me of some Capuccino shortbread 'coffee beans' that I used to make, they were dipped in chocolate too. I have adapted my 'go to' date/nut/coconut mixture to be coffee flavoured. They are good. We were given some traditional Christmas cookies that we are very slowly savouring, but I'm not making anything with wheat flour. There are numerous alternatives out there that I mean to try, but haven't got around to it yet. I want to make a fruitcake, I love fruit cake. I have bought some nice dried fruit, maybe one of these days I will get it done!
    We finally got a bird feeder up the other day. Almost instantly the little rooster and his little yellow hen daughter flew over the fence to help clean up underneath.

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    1. I have never understood jokes about fruitcake. I also love it. Didn't make it this year though. I did make scones using the glaced fruit and we sure enjoy those. Merry Christmas, Karen, to you and your family!

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  9. Good Morning, I saw your comment on Phoebe's blog and came over to say hi. I love watching the birds this time of year. Glad your headache finally got better. Your Christmas baking looks delicious. I wish you a happy and healthy new year. Mildred in Georgia

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