"Crow" Away... You Creeper!

Welcome to the weekend! It will be a busy weekend but I hope to have lots to post about! As for today, let me tell you a 'something about my Pigeon family - Salt & Pepper.

Here's their nest! But why is it empty?!

I know it's sick how obsessed I am with them but really, it's just amazing to me! They have a whole little routine and really, I think they are married!? I even spotted a diamond ring on Pepper's ankle! So every morning, we wake up to the pigeon's chatter (Salt announcing his arrival into the nest so he doesn't scare Pepper off & Pepper moaning here and there.) They work very hard building the nest until about 11am where they vanish for the day until dinner time about 7pm. Everyday I wonder where they go and if they will be back. Today I have solved that mystery! Today at about 10am, a new bird entered the maternity ward uninvited. 

I just kept hoping he would "CROW" AWAY! He's such a creeper!! 

This gigantic black crow, with beady eyes approached so sneakily that my poor Pepper, who was hard at work in her nest, got so flustered and flew the coop! She then smacked into my glass divider on the side of our balcony (I think because she is carrying extra weight, it's hard for her to fly?!) There was a loud thud, feathers flying everywhere, loud chirps and Pepper was gone!? I went out there to find the Crow perched right above where my new friends have built their nest. He was scrunched down and looked as if he was trying to see if there were eggs in her nest. I was SO angry because... A - my last encounter with a crow was when it attempted to crawl into our living room uninvited and made me feel like a hostage in our own apartment...not okay you creepy creeper! B - I was so worried that poor Pepper fell off our balcony to her death!?  I scared the crow off but found him again at about 2pm in the exact same spot! Sadly, there's been no sight of my Pepper since this morning?! A few times today, I found Salt on the divider, almost searching for Pepper!

He seemed so worried... it was so sweet. This is the EXACT spot where Pepper smashed into the glass. He wasn't here when it happened so I was surprised to see him right here, and he kept looking down and all around. It was just so sad.

Finally at about 3pm, I went out onto the balcony just to tend to my garden when I saw something across the street! Guess who it was!!

Yes! It's Salt & Pepper! I think everyday when they leave at 11am...they just fly across the street to this antenna! It's so funny to me! But this is DEFINITELY them! 

I am SoOoO happy to report that Pepper is doing fine! They have both JUST arrived home to their nest where Pepper is weaving her branches as I type this! Thank goodness!! Her baby daddy is letting her tidy the nest so he has again found himself a very cozy spot on the deck!!

Of all the places, they keep sitting in my Garden! I check it daily to be sure they aren't POOPING IN MY BASIL!!! I think that's why they visit the antenna across the street - to do their #2's over there. That's sweet of them isn't it!? What good guests we have!

There's nothing like being so nice and cozy at home in your nest!

I hope that Mr. Creeping Crow knows to stay away! In the words of my mother, "He is SOOO SNASTY!" 

Tomorrow, I've decided to kidnap my Hubby and whisk him away somewhere special! Where could it be? Stay tuned to find out!

All Tossed Together...

Just a quick recap of the day from being out & about in town to the mystery din din! Enjoy!

This was the mystery Cinco de Mayo dinner! The tastiest (and easiest) taco salad! Chop & Toss together and poof - All done! We especially loved the taco shell (available in most grocery stores.)

I'm no skinny girl and sadly, this is no skinny girl margarita :( However it is the EASIEST margarita I've ever made! I will find that bottle if it kills me! 

So, I thought these Jose Cuervo bottles were absolutely adorable! I was hesitant to buy all the mix ins and liquor but then I found these little one glass bottles that you just add to ice!! How wonderful! 

This is the little cantina near us in the promenade. It's always busy and to no one's surprise, it was EXTRA busy!!

This is a little doctors office with the most vibrant and thick garden outside it's window! I am so in love with it - it remind me of Snow White (or Sleeping Beauty's) cottage!!

I thought this was funny. 

My trip to the Barnes & Noble today. I check out so many books and then decide which ones to put on my library list! 

Quick update on the Pregnant Pigeons: They were here this morning fixing their nest but left at about 11am. They have yet to return but this seems to be their daily routine.  Hopefully they will be back tomorrow! 

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest...

And I'm not talking about my pregnant pigeon (who has just flown away from her nest for a bit) - I am talking about my own crazy self!? As I mentioned yesterday, I made a pitstop into church to find some inner peace over issues that I am holding on to. I actually went to confession because a couple nights ago, every other word out of my mouth was a curse or negative comment and I just don't want to be that person. I have so much to say about things but lately, I hear myself and I wonder who it is I've become!? I sound so hateful and angry - like them. I think it's because I've invited negative energy into my life? I asked the priest if he wouldn't mind blessing something for me so that in my times of anger or frustration, I can hold this item and remember the teachings of the church and all the blessings in our lives. I have too much time on my hands and so if I make an effort to utilize that time in a positive way and help others, I think I won't have time to be angry?! Right?! I find it harder to focus on the positive lately and I want to make an effort to change that. Today, I am crazy again but I keep grasping my blessed item to help center me.

I chose a random necklace that I love and wear often as my item to be blessed.

I just love the image of the lady in the necklace, I feel like she is so happy and looking forward to the future! 

On a better note, Happy Cinco de Mayo! I had to look into what this day actually means because I think so many people treat it as a day to drink margaritas and eat nachos! It's a day to commemorate the Mexican army's decisive victory over french forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It's actually a lot more somber of an event in Mexico than it is here in the States. Anyways... in celebration of Cinco de Mayo... I plan on making a tasty, lighter, delicious dinner tonight for my Hubby who is finally home! Happy Cinco de Mayo indeedo!

What could it be?! The taco seasoning is a HUGE clue!! And of course, I'm throwing in avocados!! Hmm.. we shall see!

Update on Salt & Pepper (the Pregnant Pigeons) tonight!

"Going My Way..."

As I have mentioned at one time or another, my larger than "normal" family is sadly, severing in half. It's almost as if our house was built on a fault line and just recently, we suffered an earthquake that measured at least a 9.0 on the Richter scale! Some of the family has ended up on the left side of the house, some have ended up on the right side and sadly, some fell into the middle?! I would've measured it at 10.0 but I thought that was being too dramatic?! Anyway, with this earthquake... there are aftershocks happening everyday it seems. This one is lying to this one, these two are being sneaky and disrespectful...the list goes on and on. Lately I feel so guarded and angry. I don't like when I get this way. I lose sight of all the positives in my life and I focus on the negative. So...to help me "see" better... I thought "going my way" to Church would be best!

Welcome to our church - Saint Monica Catholic Church. So pretty outside...prettier inside! AND SO PEACEFUL!!

I just love this big park across the street! 

So Beautiful Right? They say that some of the famous parishoners are/were: Chris Farley, Martin Sheen (I assume he must pray here daily for his son?!) Brooke Shields, Kelsey Grammar ( I think he is NYC based but.. I think wherever he is, he should go to confession for cheating on his wife. I will keep my EYES OPEN!!

I didn't realize that this church (ACTUALLY JUST THE RECTORY) was the filming location for the classic movie "Going My Way." In the movie it was called St. Dominic's. That's the one that has Bing Crosby and it's based off of the pastor from 1923-1949 at St. Monica.

So welcoming. I filled out a bunch of volunteer papers out. I really want to help those who have lost. 

This is where the film focused I believe. 

Now that I'm obsessed with gardening.. I always check out peoples gardens. These are so pretty right!?

And of course, I had to drop by the library to return my three books and pick up three new ones! I already read the Marilyn Monroe book on top! I am obsessed.

So... I am certain you are all so concerned about my pregnant pigeon!?! They returned late last night where they snuggled up in their nest together until the moaning woke me up this morning! I've called them Salt (daddy) & Pepper (mommy.) They were in and out of the tree, flying off to collect more twigs and sticks for their nest that they are still building. I will update you further tomorrow when there is a bit more progress but today Pepper even let me water my garden without flying off!! She either feels comfortable with me or she's in too much pain to fly away?! 

Salt (Papa Pigeon) is much more involved in the nest building today! He makes this specific call as he flies into the nest too, it's so adorable! Almost like a warning saying "It's just me Babe, don't fly away."

For the amount of times they flew in and out, I have to admit I'm a bit surprised that there isn't much progress from yesterday's photo?! 

They are definitely LOVING my garden. I discussed the rules with them today when I asked if I could water it. I think they understood because they then flew to the "nest" and watched me water the plants. As soon as I got back in, they flew back to the garden.  We shall discuss the rules again tomorrow, I guess.

Stay Tuned, Hopefully for some Paprika (pigeon babies!)

What To Expect When You're NOT Expecting...

What's better than waking up to the sun shining and the birds chirping outside your window? How about the sun shining and a bird MOANING?! Let me explain. Bright and early this morning, I woke up to a very strange bird (looked sort of like a pigeon) making a very loud, moaning sound?! I assumed this poor bird was hurt or singing a sad love song?! I ran downstairs to see such a beautiful thing! It was a mother bird building her nest in our little tree (the one with the christmas lights) that we have on the balcony! The father bird sat just above her on the overhang. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos but as soon as I went to get a closer look, they both took  off! They returned a short time later where the moaning continued for HOURS, along with her ruffling her feathers constantly.  After running some errands, I see that they have vanished again but I hope they do return (probably with more nesting material) so I can see her give birth!! It's so adorable and makes me wonder how they know these things! Pregnant couples go through this same "nesting" process of preparing the nursery, buying diapers and researching all about babies but these birds do it all on their own! No doctors, no parents...they just know when it's time and have no "What to Expect Book" to help them prepare. It's really so amazing to me!! I wasn't expecting to find this this morning and I am so glad her moaning woke me up!! 

Welcome to the Santa Monica Maternity Ward for Pigeons I guess. Looking at the nest.. it does look rather cozy! 

Mom-to-be Pigeon: "A little privacy here? Damn paparazzi."

I love babies (even baby pigeons) so that is the only reason I am not pissed about her attempting to NEST in my GARDEN?! My poor Green Onions took a real beating this morning.

This Daddy Bird kept guard the whole time. Everywhere she went, he went nearby and just watched. It was very sweet.

This is the nest she has begun to build in our tree. It's really just so amazing when you think about it! I'm so excited for babies (birdies will have to do for now) so at least now I can read bed time stories to someone!?!

She has returned. But I think she is still just preparing the nest... I will keep you posted on her activity. For now, I will be a silent maternity nursing assistant! Very close to my dream job!!

 Stay Tuned for Bird Babies! Fingers crossed she comes back. Wouldn't that be so wonderful for Mother's Day!!! How sweet!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar...

Me (& my adorable hubby) spent the last few days relaxing, walking around town and eating our way through the weekend!! Today I feel like the very hungry caterpillar who ate and ate and ate until he felt so sick and bloated?! When the hubby gets home this weekend, we are DEFINITELY starting our exercise routine!! Time to kick it up a notch!!

Since the hubby had loads of work this weekend, we ordered in on Saturday night. What a treat!! We ordered Indian from our favorite find out here. This is the garlic & parsley Naan that I can't get enough of!!! Dip it in the curried sauces and your mouth is in heaven!

HAHA! The Hubby hates me having the camera within arms reach but I had to document our first real Dinner out on the balcony!! It's been so chilly at night when he gets in but now it's warming up so we tried to have a cute outside dining experience. We hope to try again this weekend - hopefully without the sweatshirts! 

Chicken Tiki Masala. SOOOOOO SCRUMPTIOUS!!! It's absolutely so tasty and not too spicey!!

Some masalas, some rice, some naan, an adorable hubby, great din din conversation, a huggge glass of water since I'm a baby with spices...what more could I ask for?

This is Papri Chat - it's flour crisps, topped with spiced potatoes & some chutney! It's so tasty but oh so spicey for me! I enjoy it but then I chug a glass of water!! Definitely worth it though! 

On Sunday, the hubby was able to sneak away from work for lunch so we ran just across the street to the Santa Monica Place! It's such a great outdoor mall and the third level is PACKED with food!! Restaurants & a food court! It's so great to have so close to home! (Or maybe it's too close?!..lol.)

We couldn't make up our minds - tacos? sushi? crepes? -- We chose Gyros!! The cucumber sauce with the lamb pieces is absolutely DELICIOUS!! The onions add some crunch & flavor too but for some reason those onions really stayed with us for the ressssst of the weekend?!

What will I post about next? Hmm...

A Pinch of This... A Dash of That...

On this lovely first day of May, I spent a bit of time flipping through the pages of this months food network magazine. Not only is it very relaxing but going through it randomly during the month allows for different recipes to pop out at me! As I searched for recipes, an article that I previously passed on, caught my eye! After asking top chefs across the country for their advice when in comes to cooking in the kitchen, they chose 100 of the greatest cooking tips! Here's just a few!

I could always use some tips in the kitchen! 

Y'all need to listen to Paula Deen!! This is what I try my best to do when we are having company or parties because I get sooo stressed but LOVE to entertain! SO this is the perfect way to enjoy instead of stressing!

I love this one!  Just the way I LOVE to cook when in the kitchen!!

I absolutely agree!! And I am dorky!

This will definitely help me from throwing out so many greens! Talk about tossing dollars in the garbage right?!

I LOVED this one because I love Duff! I've got to try just one slice of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore!!

I love this! Every month they do this! Last month was Garlic a day... and the month before that was Tomato a day... so cute!

This looks so simple and tasty! I plan on making this at some point this week!