Once again, the wings of one of our gargoyle lanterns have welcomed and provided shelter to a new family of robins who have made their nest there this spring. What appears to be a tiny nest in which only one adult robin can fit — is actually home to four baby chicks!
They certainly are a hungry bunch — mom and dad work day and night delivering fresh worms to their growing babies.
Call me old-fashioned but I love the feeling of satisfaction one gets from making things yourself. So you can imagine my delight when my husband decided to harvest apples from our own backyard. We’ve had two old apple trees since we moved into our house some 15 years ago. Not sure what variety they are. The local birds and squirrels have always been happy to make short work of them. Not this time though, we beat them to it.
According to my better half — this is as organic as it gets although I figured they’d be wormy from neglect and well past their prime. Much to my surprise, all eleven of the apples harvested were actually quite fine and tasty, too. Have apples? Make cake.
Apple Almond Cake
Ingredients
Beat together
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water (or 2 eggs)
2 tsp vanilla
Mix together
1 ¾ cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup almond flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp fresh ground nutmeg
Add dry ingredients to sugar mixture until well combined. Stir in
4 cups apples (peeled, cored and chopped)
¼ cup sliced almonds
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare oblong baking pan. Beat sugar, coconut oil, flax eggs and vanilla until combined. Mix dry ingredients then add to sugar mixture. Stir in apples and almonds. Smooth into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven until golden, about 40 minutes. Cool in pan about 10 mins. Sprinkle with icing sugar if desired.
The garden bursting back to like. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty with all the work that awaits!
The last couple of days were spent working in our earthly paradise. No, we don’t own a cottage, but enjoy working in our own backyard. Over the years we’ve transformed it from an overgrown selection of weeds to a gorgeous garden that we love to spend time in – and we’re not the only ones.
As soon as I ventured out, it seemed the birds were waiting for me. As I went about preparing the birdbaths and feeders for the first time of the season, I could hear the excitement in the air through the chirping and different songs of those awaiting my efforts. One robin even hopped into the large birdbath to inspect the soapy residue before I had a chance to rinse it out in his impatient anticipation of cool waters.
Once the baths and feeders were all cleaned and filled it was a riot in the wisteria as sparrows and cardinals jockeyed for position. It’s always a joy to watch these incredible creatures. As my husband and I looked upwards to the sunny skies, we saw another familiar figure. Circling above our heads, riding the wind currents or stalking prey, was one of the neighbourhood hawks. That we’ve had the opportunity to see these majestic birds in this busy city close up when they’ve landed on our roof or perched in nearby trees simply amazes me – so equally beautiful and terrifying they are in physique and plumage – a sobering and foreboding reminder on this beautiful afternoon.
old sage hands 