For the Birds

What better way to figure out how to get through writer’s block than to write about it, right?  It has to get something flowing…

Turn on weird ethereal music (Radiohead’s 2016 release)

Watch birds at feeders outside windows for a bit.

Make some tea.

I spend quite a bit of time mentally preparing my writings, generally just thinking about a topic and how I want to narrow it down and connect it to other happenings in life or lore.  Often, while doing something, I’ll note to myself that it would be a good topic to put into writing. I intended to write this blog post about winter birds and bird feeders (after making bird feeders with the girls), spending time close to nature, and solstice preparations (both physical and mental!).  However, now that I’m sitting down to write, I can’t find the words.  My mind is locked into holiday preparations.

Nature-inspired additions to Opal's gingerbread house: Snails and a mushroom.

Nature-inspired additions to Opal’s gingerbread house: Snails and a mushrooms (Opal assisted).

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  1. Dori Troutman says:

    Hi Alex,

    Oh I was so happy to read that you suffer from the same sort of writers block that I suffer from! 🙂 Sometimes the words just don’t want to come!

    I’ve been to Alaska once in the wintertime and I will admit it was very unsettling for me! It might’ve gotten light for a few hours each day but honestly I don’t remember that it did. It seemed like it was dark all day! 🙂 I’m a sunshine person so I really struggled with it.

    MaryJane’s cast iron book is AMAZING!!! I’m on the lookout for the Aebleskiver pan too… but was it my imagination or do those look really hard to make??? I’ve got to try for no other reason than to prove to myself I can do it! And for the fact that they look oh so yummy!

    Happy Holidays to you and yours Alex!

    – Dori –

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      The Aebleskiver definitely look tricky, but worth the challenge if successful! My husband has a lot of Danish in him so he has some fond memories of Aebleskiver. I think the pan would make some great Brazilian Pao bread (a tapioca bread that I usually make in a mini muffin tin, but I’d like to move away from the non-stick bakeware). Hope your holidays are merry and bright!

  2. Joan says:

    I think you do wonderfully! I also know the ‘funk’, had it right after I got over bronchitis but, I have a special place to go to and a special One to pray to and by golly it works. I will go to that place for you. Yes those little girls are way cute!! Take care and God bless. As my grandchildren say——- love ya Nana

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks Joan! Those special places and inspirations are so important to keep close. Hope your holidays are joyous! Blessings to you as well 🙂

  3. Jennifer says:

    Happy Yule! Blessings to you and yours!

  4. Joy says:

    That was a delight to read. I put tiny white lights around the house in winter that makes things more fun. I leave them up all year. We put on timer and at night while watching Netflix it is cozy. The girls could make a bird journal and keep track of what comes to the feeder . Have a Merry Christmas and I think I better look into that cook book. I use my skillet all the time. Sometimes three times a day!

  5. Krista says:

    I agree. This time of year can definitely put you in a funk and I think having small children running around makes you tired in general, which doesn’t help with the lack of motivation. This is exactly how I have felt this last week. What really throws me off is not having snow. We just barely got some snow yesterday. It wasn’t much, but it’s sticking so far. But without snow it makes the holidays not feel right so I hope the little we got will stay. I received the new Cast Iron book as well and I am super excited to dive right in and try the recipes! They are all very drool worthy! Have a wonderful Christmas and great New Year!

  6. Marilyn says:

    I loved this post. We enjoy watching the birds,too. We have several Cardinals come in our back yard. Once in a while a Woodpecker comes on our nut tree. Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas and a Happy,Healthy 2018.
    Marilyn and family

  7. maureen bruner says:

    Thanks for the lovely trip to AK. It is a beautiful place, to visit! I must admit that I told my husband “Next wife next life, just send money” when he applied for jobs there. I am a sunshine person, so CO suits me much better in the long winter months. I don’t think I could have survived the long dark periods. Staying busy with your little ones is such a blessing. I am an avid wildlife watcher and I think we’re going to try those pinecone treats and see who visits our house!

    Many blessings and much joy!

    Maureen

  8. Sandi King says:

    Alex, I think I would sleep all the time without sunshine to brighten the day. Today is rainy and turning much colder as I sit here with you, reading your blog. The rain is more like tiny ice crystals when it lands on you, and we are expecting snow later on. I too, am getting away from the non-stick cookware. I got a Lodge cast iron griddle for a Christmas present which I will use from now on. I was baking rolls and accidentally left my teflon coated griddle and a small teflon coated fry pan in the oven and it ruined the coating and surface of the pans so I threw them out. We are going to try a small copper fry pan as soon as I find one. We have about 5 cast iron fry pans in different sizes.I use the smaller size to bake cornbread in. Our electric fry pan is also a teflon type coating and I don’t like it at all so don’t use it much. It was a gift. I like feeding the birds in the winter and have coated pine cones with the peanut butter and seed filling many years. I also make a suet type and put that in onion net bags and hang them up on the bird feeder poles. Birds love it all. I agree that the girls should start writing a journal on birds that come to the feeders; and take pictures if possible and date the entries so years later they will have this record to read. It will be interesting no doubt. Until next year then.

  9. Susan a says:

    Im going to try that recipe…saved it…,for next years Christmas gifts. Thanks for the share. Susana

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