Patrisha

December 6, 2007

Plans for the Day

Yesterday I went with Fred to get groceries. I don’t usually go because I HATE buying groceries, just hate it. Fred normally goes every three or so days. He goes often because he enjoys it and since it is his responsibility to buy groceries and then cook, it is something that forces him to get out of the house. But he is limited in what he can get because when his legs are bad, he has to use his wheeled walker and he can only carry a basket on it. And as well as his normal shopping list, *I* had a list of things I wanted. So, I went with him. We got almost everything we wanted {almost because when we got home, Fred realized he had forgotten gingersnaps} and, yes, I still hate grocery shopping! Our local supermarket has recently done a big reorganization and, although the signs are easier to read, it is sometimes difficult to find things. For example, I walked up and down the pet food aisle looking for birdseed and actually had to ask someone. Yes, it was there but at the opposite end of where it had been before they reorganized.

The mention of birdseed reminds me that yesterday I was reading back in this diary over the last year and found a mention of where I kept the birdseed container outside. I was delighted because I had totally forgotten about it. Fred had remembered about this container and asked me but I had forgotten that it was kept outside! So, this morning, I went outside and found it and now we have the two bird feeders up. The big one I half-filled with the sunflower seeds I found in the house and this morning early, when I put the other one {a tube feeder} out, I saw that there were bits of seed scattered on the snow. In previous years, it has taken the birds a couple of days to find the feeders so I thought that it could well be the squirrels trying to get into the big feeder. They can’t because the shelf they stand on is calibrated for small birds and when a squirrel or a jay gets on it, it closes the feeding slots. But, an hour or so after I had put the tube feeder out, Fred called me to come and look out through the back door and there were finches at both feeders stuffing their little faces! It makes me feel happy to know the birds have found the feeders and are using them. I was actually feeling quite bad over the fact that it was cold and snowy outside and the birds might be hungry because I didn’t have the feeders out!

I have plans this morning so here is the list of things I HOPE to get done:

make a pan of gingerbread. This will most likely get done because I actually have the ingredients out for this since I was going to do it yesterday but went to the store with Fred instead
possibly make scones?
make birdie muffins. These are a combination of the fat that Fred saves for me from his cooking with oats, bird seed, raisins, crasins and anything else the I think the birds might enjoy. The fat is warmed until it is liquid and then the other ingredients are added until the mixture is stiff. I then put the stuff into muffin pans and freeze them. I have a rectangular cage feeder and it holds two or three of the muffins. The remainder are stored in the freezer or even in a container outside since this is Vermont!

So, on with the day to see how much I can get done before I run out of energy!

QUOTATIONS:

"Step by step. I can’t think of any other way of accomplishing anything."

Michael Jordan

VeronicaCorningstone

December 7, 2007

You hate grocery shopping? Perhaps this is where J gets it. He really hates it 🙂 I made gingerbread for the first time yesterday. They came out alright, but I don’t really like the recipe I had.

Oh gosh, grocery shopping is the pits!!! I love you idea of the birdie muffins! Thatnks for sharing that! I’m going to start saving the fat from when I cook too now. ( too bad I couldn’t use some of my fat! LOL ) Mmmmm, some nice warm gingerbread with a dollop of homemade whip cream sounds delicious!! Hugs, M

gray tabby

i don’t like grocery shopping either and raymond seems to enjoy it. he put out seed the other day. i think he also put out some suet for the woodpeckers. i imagine you’ll get a lot accomplished. take care,

momof2boys2

I too love to watch the birds and see them eat. I see bird food scattered on the ground and big foot prints I hope from a deer and nothing bigger out there this morning. It is very cold here and lots of snow. So I hope they come back. I like the idea of the making your own birdfood. Is it like the suet you buy in the stores for them that never lasts more than a few hours?

bambamgotchatwice

yay for gingerbread!

Vermonter57

Birdie Muffins! Good idea

Everything Good Rebecca

I hate shopping of any kind, really, which could explain why we’re out of half the stuff I consider to be staples. I love the birdie muffin plan, but I’ve got to figure out a kind of feeder that wouldn’t be baiting the birds for my cat who does go outside even in the winter. With the cat walking on my desk and messing things up, I’m thinking the birds outside sound much more attractive!

TheWoodsprite

I haven’t heard you mention making gingerbread in ages! Do you mainly make it in the wintertime? Maybe I will make some today too, if I can find a recipe! :o) !! hugs, Weesprite

Pat

I hate shopping, too. I told my husband that if we ever come into a lot of money, part of it will go to having someone do my shopping for me! Thank you for telling the way to make the bird muffins. I may try that myself here! (((Hugs)))

The Kid

RYN: Thank you so much, dear lady – that certainly wasn’t necessary – but very welcome! {{{{HUGS}}}}}},

Violet

I’m not particularly fond of grocery shopping, either. It hasn’t occurred to me to hate it, though. It has to be done, I’m the only one who will do it, so I do it. Once a week. The end. T goes to the store 3-4 times a week to buy candy bars and crap, but do you think he will do the regular shopping? Heck no!!

greeneyes&sunflowers

: ) *huggs* those feathered friends of yours are well loved! *huggs*

Dangnabbit

One of the things I miss here is that there don’t seem to be the types of birds that are attracted to feeders. Plus, my window screens don’t open easily for me to attach a feeder such as I had when I first moved south.

Shi

Sounds like a very full day.

You are so sweet to care about the birds so much. =)

RYN: I have a whole coffee can full of bacon fat. Just pour it in the cupcake liners and freeze with the seed on it right? I think I will try that. Not sure what I will put it in. Sometimes you can find that mesh stuff maybe that will work. Thanks for the advice.

I love the holiday “look” of your page today! How kind of you to take care of the birds. And I hate it when grocery stores re-organize. How is your hip by now? It sounds like you are having no trouble zipping around & getting things done. Love, Anna

I like the quote! You also reminded me to add bird seed to my shopping list today, since it’s so dreadfully cold here. The chickadees stick around all winter, and they deserve a reward! Wish I had a job grocery shopping for people who hate it. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I could make a fortune in my office alone! Claire