We have had a fairly mild winter so far, although, many times the nights are quite cold. However, the Daffodils are up and budding. I have a white Verbena (perennial) plant that began flowering again soon after it had stopped in the fall and has had continuous blooms ever since, even though we have had some nighttime temperatures in the high teens and low twenties. The other Verbenas are sleeping.

A large Crow with a damaged wing has taken up residence in the front yard. He can only attempt to fly short distances at about eight feet off the ground. I put out cracked corn, bread and water for him. He came in with some other Crows and thousands of Starlings on their way through a couple of weeks ago and stayed behind when they left. A flock of birds as large as that one was makes a deafening noise and the trees in the back were covered in black for about an hour and, then headed further South.

The birds are busy at the feeders again and, I have seen some birds scouting for nesting places.

The dogs, of course, have really enjoyed the frequent sunny afternoons.

Can spring be far behind?

Sweatshirt, Tee shirt, that is the question. We are having a range of temperatures between the mid forties and low eighties, with 85 degrees expected tomorrow. Not a sign of frost yet (our early frost date is Oct. 15), but, it will come out of the blue at any time. The first cool morning, I pulled out my sweatshirts, not necessarily because I actually needed them, but, because they are my favorite pieces of clothing. By noon time though, I was back to the Tee shirt.

Michael has asked that I put some Portuguese (our heritage) recipes on my pages. The few recipes that I have written down are those of my mother who was the first generation of the family born in the United States. They are not actual recipes, but, more like notes assuming that anyone would already know the rest. Some of the recipes are in my head, and those too, will need to be put in a more logical form that can actually be used by someone other than myself.

I want to remind everyone that I am open to requests for particular recipes and will gladly answer any questions about those on my pages. Just e-mail me at the address on the right hand side of my main page. Happy Fall!

I will be adding to the “Everything Else” page within the next few days. I plan to list some of the more common substitutions and equivalents for cooking and baking. Although, some cookbooks have some, I find that when I need to find something quickly, I will go through several books before I find what I need.

A week after my last update, the young Mockingbirds whose mother had raised them in a nest only four feet from the walkway we use all the time, were fledged. Surprisingly, the mother had not been hostile toward us at all. The strongest reaction she would have to us getting too close, was to make a kind of clucking sound. Mockingbirds are notorious for squawking and diving at the intruder.

When I put a single Hummingbird feeder out on the front porch in early April, only a couple of the little guys came regularly. However, it was not long before activity increased and a second feeder was added. Shortly thereafter, a number of babies were coming to feed with their parents, so, I added the third feeder. The 14 oz. feeders hung less than three feet apart are constantly busy and quite often all ports (four on each feeder) are occupied. Although, it is said that a male will only allow his mate and offspring to feed, and, even then, there is competition, there does not seem to be much aggression between the more than a dozen birds that come to feed. Sometimes, there are a few birds that will hover a foot or two from a fully occupied feeder or when the feeders are being replaced after refilling, waiting for a vacant port. I have had a couple of near landings on my hand. Now, that would be a thrill. The feeders require refilling every 24 hours or less.

School starts back this week, there is talk of Labor Day and a few leaves on the ground. Can Fall be far behind?

The weather the past few days has been very typical North Carolina in July... hot and, oh, so humid. There are daily threats of thunderstorms which can be quite severe, but, they don't often materialize, thank goodness.We could use a nice gentle rain, however.

I will be adding several cake recipes using soft drinks (including Michael's all-time favorite Coca-Cola cake) to the recipe page within the next few days.

In the past couple of days, I have noticed that the back porch (which is open) has become critter central. There has been a little toad hopping around. Why he would jump up 5 steps when there are gardens on both sides, I don't know. Then there is the resident common type lizard with half of his tail missing that I have seen often for 2 years now. He can be seen lying perfectly still in the afternoon sun. The chipmunks often scamper through checking things out. The hummingbirds use it as a fly-through from back yard to front. And, the wrens are checking the houses and nesting pockets again.

The last of the outdoor planting is done now, except for some new Lavenders to add to my collection and to replace a few that were lost over the winter.

I made Strawberry Jam on Friday. The stand we get our berries from expects the season to end in about another week. So, maybe another pie or two, and, of course, "shortcake" (with good old Yankee baking powder biscuits). Sigh.

Early yesterday, the little Carolina Wren nesting in the planter on the back porch began the fledging process with her four babies. She became a bit protective at this point, squawking each time I came out through the door, so, I watched through the kitchen window. After coaxing each one out of the nest, she fed each in turn. Soon, she had coaxed them down to the picnic table, and, later, to the floor of the porch from which they practiced short "flights". By evening, they were all on the ground several feet away under a tree and she was still feeding them and then flying a short distance where she would call them. This morning, they were all in the driveway, and when they did fly, there was significant improvement in their technique. I was fascinated by their communication, but, then, I am easily entertained. I have not seen them for a couple hours now, so, I assume the have "earned their wings".

When Michael first asked if I would like to have my own page on his site, I was quite hesitant because I wasn't sure if there was anything I could do that would be of interest. However, after thinking about it for some time, I decided that, because I have always wanted to do a cookbook for my kids, that I could share the recipes for it with all of you as I go along. I have a very extensive collection of cookbooks and I particularly love the ones put out by organizations, churches and community type projects and the Amish-Mennonites. I also have all the Southern Living Annuals and many of the cookbooks by Reiman Publications and Leisure Arts as well as many, many others.Therefore, if anyone is looking for a particular recipe, please feel free to send me an e-mail and I will be very happy to try to fill your request.

The "Everything Else" page will be just that. I have learned a lot of little tricks and tips over my 65 years, that are very helpful, although, sometimes a bit odd. They may be on about any household or gardening subject.

I am just learning to use my digital camera and, at some point, I would like to share with you, pictures of my special garden dedicated to all my kids and in memory of Michelle. I have old pictures, but, there have been a lot of changes and additions. And, of course, I may get a really good one of Teddy.