Chasing Shadows

Hello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.

This Week's Question: What is your current crafting frustration?

If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: My Room

ysabetwordsmith posting in

Today is partly sunny and mild.

I fed the birds. I've seen sparrows, house finches, a male and a female cardinal separately.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 10/25/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 10/25/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 10/25/26 -- I planted 10 'Flaming Beauties' tulips around the barrel garden, then watered them. I still have 10 left in that bag. These mostly have a light background with darker streaks.

I saw a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder.

EDIT 10/25/26 -- I planted the last 10 tulips in the tulip bed.

EDIT 10/25/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith posting in

Today is sunny and mild.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 10/24/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 10/24/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 10/24/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

badly_knitted posting in

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: my desk

nverland posting in

creative_cooks

Shortcut Pierogis
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 4 Yield: 16 pierogis

Ingredients

Caramelized Onions
2 sweet onions
2 tablespoons avocado oil or canola oil

Pierogis
1 (16 ounce) package frozen cheese and potato pierogis
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil or canola oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Toppings
1/3 cup sour cream
3 strips cooked, crisp bacon, crumbled
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
chopped fresh parsley or chives
4 fresh lemon wedges

Directions

Trim the ends of the onions, cut in half lengthwise, and peel. Thinly slice the halves vertically from top to bottom.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions to skillet, tossing until well coated. Stir until they start to soften, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until onions start to brown, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently. If they start to stick to the skillet, add a little water.
Meanwhile, heat butter and oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add pierogis in a single layer, and cook for about 16 minutes or according to package directions, flipping halfway through. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer pierogis to a serving plate. Add a dollop of sour cream to each pierogi, top with caramelized onions and crumbled bacon. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

Cook’s Note
For softer pierogis, you can boil them. Place them in a large pot of boiling water, bring back to a boil, and cook for 3 minutes. Drain, then lightly brown in an oiled skillet for just a few minutes, add toppings, and serve.

ysabetwordsmith posting in

Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day

Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day on October 23 celebrates the awe-inspiring annual migration of cliff swallows. These tiny, elegant birds flock together, nesting in the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano during spring and summer before embarking on their long journey to Argentina for winter. Join us in admiring their natural grace and beauty, and learn how to protect these remarkable creatures.

Current Mood: busy

angrboda posting in

We went to Sweden for our summer holiday this year. Even though are countries are neighbours, most of Sweden is on a rocky underground and with one small exception Denmark is one a chalky limestone underground, so there are some rather noticeable and, from a Danish perspective, dramatic differences.

There may be a few of you who have come over from Pillowfort and you may have seen some of these pictures before as I've been posting them in a steady stream there.

A view of a lake with a lot of rocks in a long structure jutting out into it

ETA: I should point out that these photos are from august.
( Six more pictures under the cut. )

ysabetwordsmith posting in

Today we went on the Fall Foliage Tour at Whiteside Garden.

Sourgum leaves are turning red.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

xkcd_feed

https://xkcd.com/3315/

https://xkcd.com/3315/

ysabetwordsmith posting in

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 10/23/26 -- We went to the Fall Foliage Walk at Whiteside Garden. Due to high heat and minimal rain, there's not at much color as usual for this time of year, but some leaves were already turning. I took some pictures along the way.

EDIT 10/23/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I saw a pair of cardinals at the hopper feeder.

EDIT 10/23/26 -- I watered the new picnic table, purple-and-white garden, and maple garden.

EDIT 10/23/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I saw a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder.

EDIT 10/23/26 -- I watered the telephone pole garden.

EDIT 10/23/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I heard the great horned owl in the ritual meadow, but instead of clear hoots, it was mumbling, almost purring. Adorable.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

badly_knitted posting in

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: my desk

ysabetwordsmith posting in

Birds are more afraid of women than men. Scientists have no idea why

Scientists have uncovered a strange pattern in urban bird behavior: Across five European countries and 37 species, birds consistently fled sooner when approached by women than men. Researchers have no clear explanation for the difference, raising intriguing questions about how birds recognize and respond to humans.

I instantly want to test this with queer people, crossdressers, other genders, etc.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith posting in

creative_cooks

Today we made this. :D

"Sausage with Bell Peppers and Onions"

Ingredients:

Sauce:
1 teaspoon Bragg's coconut aminos
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon mirin
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
about 1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon tapioca starch

Stir-fry:
1 thumb ginger, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, bite-sized pieces
2 hotdog-sized smoked sausages, sliced
2 tablespoons light olive oil

( Read more... )

Current Mood: accomplished

yourlibrarian posting in

I liked the outline of this backlit hummingbird doing a big stretch, prior to flying off.

( Read more... )

bookscorpion posting in

backlit Swiss chard

October 2026

badly_knitted posting in

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.

This Week's Question: What is your current crafting frustration?

If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: my desk

ysabetwordsmith posting in

Today is sunny and mild.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

Today is sunny and mild.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 10/22/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've heard bluejays screaming but haven't seen any.

EDIT 10/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 10/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 10/22/26 -- I wrapped marking tape around two trees near the house, where we need to have tree guys clear some space, so they'll know not to damage those trees.

EDIT 10/22/26 -- I started planting my Breck's order. I planted 10 Orange Monarch Snow Crocus in the goddess garden. Then I watered them.

EDIT 10/22/26 -- I raked leaves off the tulip bed.

I saw two squirrels chasing each other in a walnut tree.

EDIT 10/22/26 -- I planted 12 Parrot Tulip Mixture in the tulip bed.

I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith posting in

Bobwhite quail reveal new clues about how birds survive winter

Wild animals are generally expected to choose habitats that give them the best chance of survival, and wildlife managers often work from that assumption.

Bobwhite quail in Indiana only half lived up to it. The birds bedded down in grasslands and recently cleared ground, and those choices made no measurable difference to their survival. The ones that slept beside thick brush came through the winter in far greater numbers.

We have bobwhite quail here. I'd been hearing them for years but thought it was some other bird with a similar call, because I didn't think the habitat was attractive to quail. One day I actually saw one. Since then, I've been exploring what the attraction factors could be. One is food. They eat insects, seeds, and fruits -- all of which I have -- and hackberry is a favorite, one of my dominant canopy trees. Apparently another is shelter, because my yard has wooded and brushy areas along with mowed lawn and the prairie garden. It is surrounded by monocrop fields. So yeah, I have a remnant population of bobwhite quail that I often hear but have only seen once.

Current Mood: busy

ribirdnerd posting in