I have a problem: We have, what I have to admit, is a gorgeous red fox which travels through our yard often – probably every day and I just don’t see him/her every day. Yesterday, I was in the kitchen, speaking to a friend and our contractor, and it came running onto the patio. Here’s the problem, and I have the evidence: This fox visits my yard daily to attack and eat the birds who come to feed at my feeders. I have seen it’s successful exploits and it has been here already today!
Here is the scene of the crime! :
Scene of the scuffle:
Ugh, when nature creates a conflict! I am drawing these birds to my yard to feed and now I am drawing this fox to come and eat them! I was outside filling my feeders before 6:30 this morning and now look what happened!
Ok, on a lighter and, different note:
Late yesterday afternoon I went looking for a little activity in the kitchen. Honestly, it was past 4 pm. It started snowing unexpectedly and I was instantly drawn to the oven. I had been thinking of my Mom’s memorable sponge cake and went looking around for an orange one. Behold – Julia Child has one. It looked quick and easy – one little 9″ cake pan. Off I went.
Here is a quick and simple cake to enjoy on a moment’s notice:
Simple Grand Marnier Sponge Cake – adapted from Julia Child
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- grated zest of one orange
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup cake flour
- 4 egg whites
- pinch of salt
- 1 tblsp granulated sugar
- 1 tblsp grand marnier
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a 9″ cake pan, insert a parchment round, butter and flour all, knocking out excess and set aside.
Gradually beat the sugar into the egg yolks and continue beating until the mixture thickens to form a ribbon when the beaters are lifted. Add the orange zest, orange juice, grand marnier and salt. Beat for a minute or two until the mixture is light and foamy. Then beat in the flour.
Beat the egg whites and salt together in a separate bowl until soft peaks form. Sprinkle on the sugar and beat until stiff peaks are formed. Fold 1/4 of the egg whites into the batter; delicately fold in the rest with a rubber spatula. Immediately turn into prepared cake pan and smooth the batter till level. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cake is done when puffed and browned, and shows a faint line of shrinkage from the edge of the pan. Let cool in pan for 6-8 minutes. Turn onto a plate or rack and invert again to have top side up. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and dress with berries or other fruit. Dollop a little cream, creme fraiche or mascarpone cream on side or top.
Scenes from the yard this morning:
and, to enjoy:
From A Winter’s Tale by Dylan Thomas
…
And the stars falling cold,
And the smell of hay in the snow, and the far owl
Warming among the folds, and the frozen hold
Flocked with the sheep white smoke of the farm house cowl
In the river wended vales where the tale was told…
…
Stumble out with their spades,
The cattle stirring, the mousing cat stepping shy,
The puffed birds hopping and hunting, the milkmaids
Gentle in their clogs over the fallen sky,
And the woken farm at its white trades,…
…