"Bread and Butter"

The sunset was pretty spectacular a few nights ago. Despite the clouds we didn't receive any rain then but we sure have other times! It has been a cool week with some snow this morning but thankfully it didn't stay around.
I took this out of a second storey window. The Grackle is perched on the top of a neighbours tree.
Many cat visits the last few days. The cooler weather seems to have them mooching at the back door for a treat to two.
Miss Kitty stayed for the morning on Thursday. She snuggled down into her basket and slept while I did some baking.
Here is the newest member of the gang. Very young, no collar and already gets along with Miss Kitty and Punkin. No idea if it is a stray or is let out to roam. I can't get anywhere near it but it did stop and look at me while I talked to it.
We actually saw the sun once in awhile too.
The Cardinals are very frequent visitors. The male feeds the female sunflower seeds. Very sweet!
The male managed to grab a snack of dried cranberries this morning.
Our Christmas Cactus decided to bloom again. Lovely to see something blooming!
It was very cold on Thursday so I decided it was a bread baking day.
My bread won't win any prizes for looks but I have never received any complaints! I use a mix of whole wheat and white flour. Makes the best peanut butter toast!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend!
Take care.
Robin

Comments

  1. Although I do feed the occasional stray cat, on the whole we don't have a stray cat population here in uk, thank goodness as I would be out of pocket feeding the whole lot of them, lol
    Briony
    x

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    1. Hi Briony, we have lived in a number of places and this is the worst for stray cats. We live right on the edge of town with farms just a couple blocks away. Are people dumping cats at these farms and the kitties make their way into our residential neighbourhood? We are able to feed all who come and I will continue to do so. I think about half are owned but are just moochers!
      Have a Happy Mother's Day!

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  2. peanut butter toast is my go to for breakfast most mornings. the bread looks good to me. I really LOVE the grackle behind the limbs. super shot... your kitties are so sweet and I love the one in the basket. the eyes look like aqua marine on the gray cat.. my friend in Savannah was part of the program to capture and neuter all the stray cats, set them free and then feed them. she cared for them for years, feral but they came every morning at feeding time. I can't remember the name of the program but we have it here to. we don't have any strays in our neighborhood but others do

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    1. Hi Sandra, I love peanut butter toast any time of the day!
      The Grackle shot was pure luck. I heard him out there and just happened to have a camera in my hand. I got one shot and it was gone.
      I know a number of the cats who come to visit are owned and neutered. A few I wouldn't even know how to begin to catch!
      Have a good evening!

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  3. I had no idea that Grackles were pretty until I saw your picture. Wow!

    Your Christmas Cactus is gorgeous. They are just beautiful blooms!

    And, last but not least, your bread looks fantastic. I have not made any in a while, but you've got me hungry for fresh bread now!

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    1. Hi Marcie, Grackles are not glamorous looking like Cardinals and BlueJays but they are unique looking aren't they?
      I make all of our bread and rolls. I find store bought bread rather salty and I do enjoy making bread.
      Take care.

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  4. I love your pictures, especially the grackle and the sunset. It is interesting that the male cardinal feeds the female. I will watch to see if ours are as sweet.

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    1. Hi Chip Butter, thanks for your kind words about my photos.
      We seem to have two male Cardinals fighting over one female. It is sweet to watch him select a certain sunflower seed and then very carefully feed it to her.
      Have a good day!

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  5. Your photos are really beautiful! Nice to have such lovely visitors. And your bread looks delicious!

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    1. Hi Linda, thanks so much for your kind words. I am glad you enjoy the photos.
      We have already enjoyed the bread at a few meals. It goes stale rather quickly so I always cut the loafs in half and freeze them. But drying bread always makes great toast! 😋
      Have a nice weekend in Montreal!

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  6. I thought this area used to have a lot of roaming cats, but your neighbourhood takes top honour for that, unfortunately. I wonder if there's a TNR group in the area you could notify (via the Cobourg shelter?) -- maybe there are volunteers who live nearby who could try and trap. It's very sad, how many seem to be homeless and/or uncared for, other than your feeding.

    That grackle photo is wonderful, Robin. The vantage point you have is amazing! Look at his eye! Really terrific.

    The Christmas cactus is beautiful! And your bread looks so yummy. I ate a scone that a coworker brought in yesterday and have been paying for it ever since. Boohoo! (LOL.)

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    1. Hi Kim, I have to ask some of the neighbours to find out which cats are actually strays. The only one I know 100% is a stray is
      Punkin.
      The Grackle photo was pure luck, just st the right place at the right time!
      I noticed a few other bloggers mentioning their Christmas cactus were blooming too. We have moved the poor thing halfway across Canada, I am surprised it blooms at all.
      Oh scones, they are yummy! I have a new recipe for them I want to try. Thanks for reminding me!
      Have a good day!

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  7. Well! Doesn't that grackle look a little bit annoyed???? Wonder what has HIS undies in a bunch?

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    1. Hi Dee, to me Grackles always look annoyed. I have another photo with one glaring at a Starling. I think it is their eyes!
      Have a great Sunday!

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  8. Your bread looks delicious to me and we love peanut butter toast. Such a pretty photo of the cactus bloom, too. I enjoy watching birds, but I never capture any photos. As for all the sweet cats....I love them all. Bless you for feeding them.

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    1. Hi Mildred, another peanut butter toast lover! Such comfort food we all can relate too.
      I spend WAY too much time taking bird photos. I just jumped up to take a photo of the Robin in the Bittersweet as I was typing this!
      Feeding all these cat's wasn't something I planned on doing when we moved in here last August but the first day we were here a very skinny 6month old cat ran up to me. That was the start. So however comes by we will feed whether they have a home or not.
      Enjoy your Sunday!

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  9. I love ANY kind of bread!! Yours looks delicious.
    Lots of great closeup pictures. That Grackle is fantastic.

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    1. Hi Karen, I love most breads too. When we visit Kim at "Fuzzy Tales" she spoils us by getting bread or rolls from this fantastic market and then sends us home with some too. Oh dear, now I am thinking about their cornbread! Wonder if I could make some????
      Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

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  10. I am trying to email you, but am having a problem, is there any chance you could leave me a comment with your email address on my blog, I won't publish it. Thanks, Gill

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  11. You take beautiful photos!!!

    It is courting/mating time! When the male Cardinals feed their Beloveds. I love to see it.

    It's still colder here though, and I haven't seen them doing it yet.

    But little birds are fighting... Over territory I suppose. So Spring issss coming. :-)

    Luna Crone

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    1. Hi Luna, thank you so much for your kind words.
      I do love seeing the male Cardinals feeding the females. Very sweet. I've noticed it for the last two weeks or so. I am just now sitting at my kitchen table watching the Cardinals.
      Hope you warm up soon!

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  12. Oh, your homemade bread looks so yummy. Peanut butter toast sounds great! Your bird pictures are great, especially the one of the grackle! I just love the leaves around him and it's so clear. The bloom on your Christmas cactus is so pretty and vivid!

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    1. I must admit, the bread is yummy. We feast on it practically every meal for the first couple days, then back to normal!
      I was pleased about how well the Grackle photo turned out. One shot was all I got!
      We've always had one or two Christmas cacti around. I grew up with them, my parents had one from his Mom which we think ended up being around 100 years old by the time it died.
      Have a good day!

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  13. This weekend the grackles took over my feeder (at one point there was 15 of them in the yard), But Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal still get in their for their share. Mrs. Cardinal was raiding my raking pile for twigs and bits for her nest.

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    1. That must have been quite a sight seeing all those Grackles! It is so wonderful to watch the birds. Although I am not to thrilled when the Starlins descend and eat all the seeds and peanuts I just put out!
      Have a nice Sunday!


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  14. I told someone the other day I cannot remember the last time I made homemade bread...well, it is rolls that I really like to make. But I did used to work at a bakery that made Italian bread, and when the first loaves came out of the oven, we always tore open a loaf and dipped it in the putter. When it comes out of the oven, the outside is all crusty and sooooo good.

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    1. Hi Rose, I have been making all of our bread and rolls for the last ten years or so, sporadically before that. It is something I have always enjoyed doing. I can imagine how delicious the Italian bread must have tasted fresh from the oven!
      Hope you and Roger are well Rose!

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  15. That sky scene is spectacular.😂

    Your bread looks tries yummy. Can't beat p.b. on homemade toast bread.🍴

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  16. PS...That should read tres yummy. My ereader doesn't understand French.😊

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    1. Hi Geraldine, it was a gorgeous sky that night. I did manage to get a few good photos.
      Funnily enough my husband doesn't care for peanut butter on toast. But I have forgiven him and moved on!😜
      It is funny what spell check does to words sometimes.
      Have a lovely Sunday.

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    2. Good thing you could get past the PB differences.😆 Although I can't imagine not liking pb on toast.🍞🍞

      Glad to find your blog, it's great. Mr. Cheddar thinks so too.😽😽 He is a feline blogger and author! He gave your cat pics the two paws up.🐆

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  17. Love the cloud photo! And the bread looks great. I made cinnamon buns today ( breadmaker made the dough for me).

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    1. Hi Granny Marigold, I thought about you as I was posting the cloud photo. I am really blessed to have such great vantage points to take sky photos from.
      I haven't made cinnamon buns in a few years now. I had a great recipe from"Harrowsmith" magazine. Must go look for it!
      Hope you are seeing some sunshine!

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  18. Ooh, peanut butter on toast! Beautiful, heart-warming photos, as always!

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    1. Hi Mitchell, isn't it funny how universally peanut butter on toast is loved. Cheap, fairly nutritious and comforting. Although it does seem so many kids are allergic to it now. Were there many kids allergic to it when we were growing up???
      Enjoy your day in Spain!

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  19. Hello, your Grackle shot is pretty. Love the sweet kitty photos. YUM, the bread looks delicious. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

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    1. Hi Eileen, glad you enjoyed my photos. Nothing compared to yours, they are so beautiful!
      Hope you have a good day in Maryland and a great week too!

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  20. You do have lots going on there with all the birds and kitty cats. The Christmas Cactus is so beautiful. The bread looks yummy too. Have you ever tried the No-Knead Bread recipe? It makes a pretty delicious loaf. I have fooled around with it for years. Always yummy.
    https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/11376-no-knead-bread

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    1. Hi Robin, It is rather busy at times here with all the critters. Sometimes one cat is going out the front door and another one is coming in the back!
      I will take a look at the No-Knead recipe for bread. I have heard of it, never tried it.
      Take care and have a good week!

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  21. I was enjoying the pictures and all of a sudden there is fresh bread. I nearly shorted out my keyboard. I swear I could smell it!

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    1. Hi Jono, you are hilarious! i was baking bread once a couple years ago and the windows were open. Some workman were out on the street doing something in a manhole. Chuck came home from work and one of the guys called out to him that the smell of my bread baking was driving them crazy, they were so hungry!
      Have a good day!

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  22. Good work on the bread! Don't you love the smell of it baking? My dad made bread! Hubby makes his own non-yeast bread, due to allergies.

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    1. Hi Jenn, I do love the smell of bread baking. My Oma always made bread, well she baked everything. My Dad always said I was just like his Mum. That's wonderful your hubby makes bread. I must look up a recipe for non-yeast bread.
      Take care!

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  23. Lovely photos especially the grackle. Homemade bread is so tasty, yours looks lovely. We had a red sky this morning then some ice rain followed by rain.

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    1. Hi Linda, somehow I must have missed the red sky. Kim at "Fuzzy Tales" sent me two beautiful photos of her red sunrise.I have been waking up closer to 7:00 the last few days. Lazy me!
      My temperamental camera decided to work right when I took the Grackle shot. I am happy how it turned out.
      Have a good week!

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  24. Mmmmm...homemade bread sounds amazing!
    The Grackle is beautiful. The look is so intense...if I were smaller I'd be running away =)
    Glad the kitties came to "mooch" at such a friendly place!

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    1. Hi Maggie, the bread is delicious and pretty simple to make.
      Grackle always seem to look ticked off. I wonder if other smaller birds are intimidated by them.
      There definitely must be a kitty grapevine that spreads the word where there is free food. I do love them coming!
      Have a good day and give your two a snuggle for me!

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  25. bee lated happee caturday greetinz two ewe mizz kitty & "joe" ....hope yur week oh end waz an awesum one...joe....we hope ya haza place ta call home♥♥♥

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    1. We did have a good weekend and I hope you did too. It is so hard to tell who has a home and who doesn't. I can feed them and give them cuddles in the meantime!

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  26. Mmmm, homemade bread! We love your bird photos. Gorgeous!

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    1. Hi, thanks for dropping by! Everyone seems to be unanimous in their love of homemade bread. I have been making it on and off for 30+ years now but steadily for the last two. Just don't care for the taste of store bought bread anymore!
      I am so glad you enjoy my bird photos. I certainly enjoy taking them.
      Have a good week!

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  27. Last week, I and a friend went to a park just to get photos of the birds that landed nearby to eat our black sunflower seeds. The very first time I had a bird land in my hand, and it was a joyful occasion for me! My photos are nowhere near as fine as yours, but I was over the moon with having fun!

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    1. Hi Vicki, that is so wonderful you had a bird land on your hand. It is an incredible feeling.
      I am really looking forward to all your vacation photos.
      Take care!

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  28. That picture of the Grackle is beautiful! I use part wholewheat flour and part white in my bread also. Can't wait till I get time and energy to make some. I use honey too, do you? Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, glad you enjoyed the Grackle photo.
      I have used honey in the past for the sweetener but not in this recipe. It does work well in bread doesn't it?
      Have a good day!

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  29. Your new visitor looks very much like our Mitzi, just younger and slimmer! I love how the blue towel brings out the blue of Miss Kitty's eyes xx

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    1. Hi Cheryl, Miss Kitty's eyes are so beautiful, I have taken many photos of her.
      Have a great Wednesday!

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  30. Now I want peanut butter toast! lol Funny enough, I was just talking about the fact that I used to make my own bread. I think this might be a sign.

    You're so sweet to care for all those stray babies and I love the pictures of them and the birds :)

    xo,
    rue

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    1. Hi Rue, I think I could eat peanut butter toast anytime of the day! I do love making bread. I know it takes 5 hours from start to finish but most of that is the various rising times. I can go for a quick walk, dash into town to do errands.....and the end result is so delicious!
      Rue, I just couldn't turn away from these kitties. A couple are obvious strays and the rest are owned. I don't mind the moochers (owned), they are all so sweet.
      Enjoy your day!

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  31. Gasp! I love that grackle photo!!!
    xo
    Lynn

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