During my last trip to the grocery store I was finally able to get a bag of whole grain pearled barley to make this soup again. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s oh so good on a cold and rainy day. There are loads of veggies […]
Up Close & Personal … The Brown Creeper
“Can you see me now?” The brown creeper’s coloring helps them blend into their surroundings, which is why they can be challenging to spot. They creep upwards around tree trunks searching for insects in moss and bark crevices. Look at the beautiful plumage! Last week […]
Check it out … A Four Story Train Station
Here are some photos I took a few years ago when we changed trains in Antwerpen. We didn’t have time to look around since we only had a few moments to change trains. What I remember most was the incredible architecture, all the space and a guy […]
The Silence of Covid
The eerie silence of Covid compliance no sliding no riding no hiding and seeking no swinging and singing no climbing no bouncing no racing no boisterous dashing no playful splashing. Just Mousekin afloat without a boat. Just the eerie Covid silence. Every time I walk […]
Up Close & Personal … Cedar Waxwings
During my 15 years in Oregon I had never seen any cedar waxwings here until … … this autumn while I was walking along a patch of trees and shrubs at the park. It was mid day when I heard really loud bird chatter, followed by […]
Tasty Tuesday … Lemony Roasted Vegetables and Feta Cheese
This simple roasted vegetable dish will be on my menu regularly! When I noticed this recipe in the New York Times I thought “that looks really good”, and since I had all the ingredients I decided to make this on New Years Eve. It was […]
My First Muddy Boots Adventure of 2021!
Warning! If you are squeamish you might want to precede with caution! Raptors are eating lunch! It’s been nothing but raining here in our neck of the woods lately. This continuous rain has kept me from going to my favorite park for the last several says. However, […]
Hummingbird Magic on New Years Day!
Happy New Year from Portland, Oregon! Stay safe, healthy and happy! 🙂
Up Close & Personal … Red-breasted Sapsucker
While stopping at my favorite lookout spot at the park Sunday I heard a noise. Suddenly this gorgeous red-breasted sapsucker landed on the tree right in front of me. Red-breasted sapsuckers live in forests along our entire west-coast. They are robin-sized woodpeckers who nest in […]
Tasty Tuesday … Vegan Red Lentil Chili
The weather here is getting colder and wetter. That means soup time at our house. I’m a huge fan of lentils, especially the versatile red ones. They turn a beautiful salmon red when cooked and are popular in many cuisines around the world. Here, in […]
Zunday Zen … Into the Wild Blue Yonder
post covid day dreams into the wild blue yonder here, there, everywhere. Some of the things I have really missed this year are: my annual California road trip to connect with friends I’ve known half of my life spending time at my favorite beach taking […]
Hummingbird Magic at Christmas!
Sparkly tree topper resting, guarding, protecting, “I’m not sharing today” I recently put out a hummingbird feeder for those who stay over winter. One feisty hummer spotted it right away right and now fiercely guards “his feeder”. Then I put out a second hoping other […]
Happy Friday from my Garden!
Deer visit throughout the year, but in early spring we get to see young fawns. These two weren’t afraid but some scamper off into the forest when they spot me. Have a peaceful weekend and stay healthy and safe! 🙂
Up Close & Personal … The Bewick’s Wren
Wrens are small, active songbirds that rarely sit still for very long. Bewick’s wrens are about 5 1/2 inches long and live in the underbrush along forest edges. Wrens are easily identified by their distinctive white eyebrows, beige and brown plumage and long white-tipped […]
Tasty Tuesday … Mediterranean Stir-Fry
For the last two weeks I’ve been spending much of my time sitting at my computer sorting and deleting photographs. A few days before I started deleting in earnest, a message on my computer screen jolted me awake by alerting me to the fact that […]
Hummingbird Magic!
“Can you see me now?” Hummingbirds never cease to amaze me! There’s an unbelievable amount of energy packed into these tiny birds. They appear seemingly out of nowhere, feast on their favorite flowers and then … they disappear again. Just like that! Sometimes if I’m […]
Tasty Tuesday … Winter Vegetable Curry
Winter Vegetable Curry with Paratha and a little Indian Tomato Pickle Like I’ve said many times, I could eat some kind of curry almost every night and never get tired of it. This hasn’t changed for me even during the pandemic. I think I crave […]
Hummingbird Magic!
A well deserved rest after a delicious snack! This little guy was quite busy feeding on one of their favorite blossoms. Crocosmia in any garden here will attract lots of hummers. Be safe! Be happy! 🙂
in cahoots with muddy boots 