We don't seem to get nearly enough sunny days in mid-winter. In fact the entire darkest period of the year from November through to March, seems mostly cloudy and grey. Even by mid-February we'll see more of the sun. So when a nice sunny day comes along it's best to pay attention! And for those able-bodied folks who can get out and enjoy it, you have no excuses!!
The other day we had a glorious sunny day with deep blue skies, all day long! It really does perk up your spirits, and when I sit at my favourite window lifting weights, it makes my day.
These folks, who are new to the neighbourhood, walk their two big dogs religiously twice a day. This one must have very short hair and needs a winter coat.
One of my grey squirrels is often checking out the bird feeder and then dozing on a branch in the sun. A surprising amount of red in his fur.
And for only the second time this winter we had 3 or 4 American Goldfinch visit, even showing a bit of brightish yellow.
I increasingly think of not only the seasons and the weather, but even the time of day making a difference in the world outside. The shadows mark the time slanted to the left and to the right as the sun moves across the sky behind me.
I was surprised the other day when one of my faithful readers and commenters said she had never had a butter tart, so here they are, just for you
DJan. I was surprised to read that butter tarts are apparently a "quintessentially Canadian" treat, but we certainly do enjoy them, decadently sweet as they are. They're made with butter (obviously), corn syrup, brown sugar, and egg. Then you can add raisins, pecans or other sweeteners (as if they need sweetening at that point). My favourite is having them plain (so you can focus on the sugar), or just with raisins. People even add chocolate chips! But adding maple syrup is the best in my opinion. My mother made the best butter tarts in the world, so I've been enjoying them for a very long time!
Real Canadian Maple Syrup, the best for anything anytime. I have tasted it only once, years ago when a lady from your Governent was visiting NZ, and she couldn't find the people she was hoping to visit, and after a long time on the phone, directory and internet, we decided they were not to be found. Then she handed me a plain brown paper bag, and with her compliments, a beautiful bottle, with the little handles at each side. OH MY !!! I was so thrilled to be thanked in that way for what was for me nothing more than a courtesy to an overseas visitor. So enjoy whatever takes your fancy on those tarts. The squirrel, what a tail, no doubt to curl up over his nose when he snoozes.Shadows, I think I would like a sundial for a birthday present some day, guess the old times used sunlight and shadow so much more than we do today. Keep warm up North.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly cheers me up when the sun comes out in mid-winter. How many weights do you have to lift to compensate for each butter tart?
ReplyDeleteOhh, thank you, Stew! However, I suspect that if I print out those tarts they will taste like paper. Seriously, they look simply wonderful! And I love your pretty goldfinch and cheeky squirrel. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe squirrel is particularly cute!
ReplyDeleteI like those tarts plain; I've never been fond of pecans.
My grandmother made my favourite butter tarts!
ReplyDeleteIt's been many years since I lived in Quebec as a young bride and I totally forgot about butter tarts! I loved them and Joe Louis! Your snow photos are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snow scenes!
ReplyDeleteThe tarts look yummy - I found a recipe (thanks, Google!) and saved it on my computer so I can try them myself. Thanks!
Are those outside pictures courtesy of the big Nikon? Keep lifting those weights. Gord.
ReplyDeleteFierce competition for the best butter tarts in Ontario! A good friend of my late fathers bakery won the prize one year.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder I don't see any goldfinches. They are all up there with you. I like the tarts a lot. They look like our pecan pies
ReplyDeleteI agree about not enough sunny days but when we do have them they are very special and we certainly do appreciate them. Oh my, I almost went right through my computer screen after those butter tarts.
ReplyDeleteNo Goldfinches here! They will come in the spring. Those Butter Tarts look great!
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