Simple things in life can bring joy to your heart. A few years ago, I purchased a book for my mother and then received it back when going through her belongings when she went to be with Jesus. I purchased it at the time through PBS and spent about 50.00 for the book. "Bird Songs From Around The World" is the title of the book. I would try to find birds within the book that may be located in my geographic region and sit on the back porch and play their songs to see if they would respond to the song. This book is both a leaning tool to learn about birds and then there is a numerical number assigned to the bird. What you do is enter the number into the attached audio component and then it plays the bird song. That fascinate me of how real the song playing is. I believe Cornell University is in conjunction with this project, and they recorded these various bird songs. A few weeks ago, I was wondering if there were any sort of this type of books to purchase that would be more centralized than songs across the world. I found one and ordered it.
It can be morning, afternoon or even at dusk I find myself sitting on the back porch identifying the birds that feed from the bird feeders I have outside. I will look for their picture/description about the bird in the book. I then find the coordinating bird song and play it to see if that bird may be out there and hear the song playing. There are times I may play the cardinal song a few times and sure enough a cardinal comes around. At times I have played a certain bird song and then I pause to listen, and sure enough, I will hear the coordinating bird song from the bird of that particular species in a distant tree. I told you, there are simple things in life that can bring happiness to your heart.
Don't be afraid to strike up conversations in grocery stores also because you just may never know whom you will meet. The other day at Aldi's I struck up a conversation with a shopper as I was inquiring about a meat thermometer for cooking. After further examining it, I decided I did not want to bother with getting a certain type of battery when 1 would need to replace it. She showed me organic green beans she was buying and I then put 1 in my cart too. This woman was fascinating to talk with. It was like conversing with one that could have been years ago a prairie type of person raising their own cattle, chickens, turkeys, etc. and growing and canning food also. I said a few times to her she will be well prepared if need be, some day since she does all these things. She shared pictures of a turkey; her chickens and I commented how she should bring her goods and sell them right at the Aldi's parking lot. We laughed and moved on with our shopping that day. I learned of another's journey just by asking a simple question.
Yesterday while at Kroger's there was a shopper looking for cream of tartar down the baking aisle. I began to search near corn starch, baking powder, etc. but suggested maybe going down the aisle further by the spices. She went that way, and I began to share with another shopper how the other was looking for cream of tartar. This woman actually knew about this item and shared how it can be related to wine somehow, like compound wise. I even asked her if she was a chemist that she knew that. She responded she knew of it through wine. I thought to myself I wonder if she makes wine. I encouraged her that I would watch her shopping cart if she went down the aisle to help out the other shopper find cream of tartar. She came back and sure enough they found it and it was a Kroger brand. Yes, it is 1 of those baking items you keep in your pantry in the event a recipe calls for it. That reminded me to share how when I was first newly married. I went to the store and bought all kinds of cooking/baking spices I may need simply because I saw them in my mother's spice cabinet and saw her cook/bake with those ingredients. How funny is that. I do believe in keeping your pantry spice rack baking needs plentiful. I actually purchased a few different baking items while at the store to have on hand when baking next.
I found good quality melting dark chocolate discs for making candy a few weeks ago at a local Amish store. They were good quality. I thought I would try the same type but Ghirardelli brand from the grocery store baking aisle. I would not recommend them because they had a waxy type of aftertaste to them. I guess I will be heading out to the Amish store to replenish them and will mix them with the Ghirardelli to melt when making candy next. I found a few weeks ago Maggie Lyon chocolatier brand Peppermint Dust. Think of finely ground peppermint candy for baking with. I can take dark chocolate melting discs and combine with the peppermint and make individual candy and then sprinkle a dusting of the peppermint on top before it firms up. I like being creative in the kitchen. I went to a family baby shower a few weeks ago in GA and made some candy also. This time the Amish milk chocolate melting discs with Amish brand coconut and slightly salted almonds and they were a hit. What I like to do is not only mix the ingredients to make the candy. I then take a little of the coconut and sprinkle on top and place an almond on the top also. That way, the person knows what kind of candy it is. Presentation is just as important as the item tasting good too.
Well, that is my adventure update I am sharing with you today. Remember to take time to enjoy nature surrounding you today and even being creative when it comes to baking and then of course, sharing the baked goods with family, friends, neighbors and even co-workers too.
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