That’s first day back at work done (all be it telecommuting) and I’m absolutely wiped out. On a happier note I made an apple pie on Christmas Day and it worked out great. 100% satisfying from a cooking perspective. The house smelled wonderful! I found a recipe that used cinnamon and cloves. My great aunt was a stickler for having cloves in apple pie. I wish I had her recipe but the one I found was a good substitute.

Trying to finish making the apple pie but I have a warm cat pinning me to the chair. There’s also a dog leaning against my side. I think they’re both hoping I’ll fall asleep.
#catsofmastodon

Took this yesterday. Don’t know this tree so I’ve nothing much to add except check out that sky!
#trees #solstice

Had a cheeky stroopwafle for breakfast this morning. Left it on my cup of coffee while I did some things and it was perfect! The syrup was gooey, the waffle had almost sunk into the coffee and it had soaked up some milk foam. No regrets at all! I legitimately inhaled everything before I got a photo, so here instead is a pic of my Cheshire Cat mug next to Sophie who thinks she’s the Cheshire Cat. #catsofmastodon

A very rainy walk today. The Chickadees and Wrens were very vocal/amorous. Hope they don’t think it’s Spring. Sparrows were vocal and angry. Looked up just in time to see a hawk take off and fly into the distance. Might be my friend from the other day. Anyway my sparrow photo was bloody awful so here instead are two beautiful trees. The one on the left is a Coffee tree and the other is a Sweetgum tree. I like to imagine that they’re two old friends. #birds #nature #trees

My walks are always interesting. This is a Great Blue Heron standing next to a giant light up kangaroo. Passed this guy without looking for him. He fishes at a nearby pond and really isn’t bothered by people. Occasionally he’ll fly off and scream at me like a deranged Pteranodon, but not this time.

Made chicken stock yesterday from the chicken carcass, random bits of roast carrot, a bay leaf and an onion. Simmered it all for 4 hours. The finished stock has a nice golden top with plenty of fat globules, fingers crossed it’s a good batch.

Roast chicken, potatoes and carrots for dinner.

So Sophie has discovered the fireplace and has transformed into fluffy upside down cat. #cat #catsofmastodon #caturday

Was walking yesterday when a #squirrel began barking alarm calls. I turned to see what the squirrel was staring at and saw a Coopers #Hawk chasing a #sparrow in a small bush. There was a lot of squeaking and wing flapping. The sparrow escaped to another evergreen bush. It took it a while to calm down. The hawk flew up to a small tree and stared at me. I was less than a yard away from all of this and happily snapping away.