December 10, 2009
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Bird’s Nest, Cookies and Candy
Rissy and Annamarie found an abandoned bird’s next, a few weeks ago, in a backyard tree. I think I forgot to post the pictures I took of the nest, which was amazing to study. The birds had found some plastic and wove it into the twigs to add insulation and a wind breaker to the nest. Pretty ingenious!
Jesse did the grocery shopping this morning with Rissy. She had an appointment with her neurologist and he stopped to picked up a few things at the store, afterward. He has taken her to the girls’ standing, weekly therapy appointment this afternoon. It’s been a nice day for the two of them to spend together.
Yesterday was a productive day, again, for me.I finished wrapping the packages that need to be mailed to Denver and was able to fit them in two large shipping boxes. Jesse and I can mail them tomorrow while we’re out.
I didn’t make the cookies from the dough I refrigerated a few days ago, but will try to make them today.
However, I DID make the pralines I had thought about making the other day. It was a “first” for me. I followed directions (found the recipe on cooks.com) but, I think the temperature on the candy thermomotor was written wrong. The candy didn’t “set” well, and I had to put it back in the pan to boil a while longer. I just eye-balled it until it “looked” like it was thicker – the same look my fudge takes on, before it’s ready to be taken off of the heat.
I poured it on waxed paper to cool and found I should have put cooking oil spray on the paper first. Live and learn!!! As I picked up the cooled pralines, they broke apart on the edges because they stuck to the wax paper. They turned out tasting really good – AND fattening – but are a crumbled mess, instead of beautiful and round!
Praline Pecan Candy3 Cups sugar 1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup evaporated milk 1 candy thermomotor1) Mix the sugar and cream (evap. milk) well, cook over moderate heat until candy thermomotor reads 235°
(I cooked it longer)
1/4 lb butter 1 Cup pecans2) Remove from heat and add butter and pecans, stirring by hand for about 3 minutes. If candy becomes hard, add cream. (Mine didn’t, in fact, I let it cool longer to firm up before pouring it onto the paper)
3) Drop from large spoon onto waxed paper and cool.
(I would suggest spraying cooking oil spray on the paper first)Extremely rich (because of the butter), but D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!!
It’s taken me hours to type this today – I’m back again, after taking TWO, LONG breaks! LOL
The first package of our Wal-Mart online order arrived an hour ago at our door! I just love ordering and having front porch delivery service!!!!
I’ve been here with Luci and Annamarie, and the girl hired to help clean my house every two weeks.
The fire is roaring and the temperature outside (at 1pm) is only 30° – but no wind, today.
Luci got sick last night (started throwing up) and Annamarie’s “cold” is sounding more congested, so they didn’t go to the therapy appointment with Rissy and are in their beds today. All three will be seeing a doctor for various ailments, tomorrow. I’m so glad I was able to get them in to see someone this week. It feels like everyone in the city is sick with one thing or another. We’ve done really well to stay healthy this year!
Minnie Pearl NestDoesn’t the little leaf (on the top left of the nest) look like a price tag dangling? It reminds me of Minnie Pearl and the price tag dangling from her hats!!!! LOL!!!!
I’m just amazed at how God instills the birds with the knowledge to weave the twigs, leaves, and that long piece of plastic into a beautiful nest! I’m thinking of putting it back in a tree, so they can reuse “the parts” next year. Who knows? Maybe a bird will move in “as is” and be happy as a lark! (pun intended!!!) LOL!
I guess those cookies won’t get baked if I sit in this chair typing!
Today’s To Do List:
* Wash my hair and bathe (have to wait for Jesse to come home)
* Bake cookie dough
* Come up with something unique made from ground beef (tonight’s dinner)Be Blessed ~
Comments (5)
I thought at first the post was going to be about bird nest cookies and I was like oh those sound different…
Aren’t Pralines just one of the best treats!!!! I have made them once before a year ago, but I dug out my recipe to make some up this week as well!! Along with the fudge we make every December!!!
I am always amazed to see what birds find to make nests with, it usually makes me wonder where they found the supplies at!!
Mmmmm….they sound good! I have to make them!
The nest is pretty, I would be tempted to take the plastic out, spray paint it gold and make it a Christmas decoration!
One year our Christmas tree had a bird’s nest. It made me happy.
Those birds are really something — God’s engineers. Those pralines sound amazing! Pecans are hard to find here, and I have never seen evaporated milk, so I am safe from the temptation of making some!
I’m glad you are getting your gifts delivered right to the door. That saves so much wear and tear on you. Hope everyone will be feeling better soon. HUGS!
As I read your post and these words “how God instills the birds with the knowledge to weave the twigs, leaves, and that long piece of plastic into a beautiful nest!” it occurred to me that you do the same with the daily items of your life in your posts — you take the twigs, the leaves, the day’s events and weave them into this chronicle of God’s goodness and faithfulness and love in you as you care for your family.