A favorite of my children… Potato Crispies 1/2 cup butter 3 or 4 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut in 1/2 inch slices 3/4 cup crushed corn flakes 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 2 teaspoons salt 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika 1. Melt butter in jelly-roll pan in 375 degree oven. 2. Add single layer of potatoes,…
Author: Mary
Visitor in the Petunias
As I was walking by the flowers this afternoon, I looked up at a basket of petunias and came face-to-face with a very large frog who was enjoying his (or her) time in the basket. Being startled, I jumped a foot in the air but then I decide that it was a pretty interesting visitor…
Tiger Swallowtail – Male and Female
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly(Papilio glaucus) is one of the most common and easily identified butterflies. With the bright yellow color and distinctive stripes, it even has an easy-to-remember name. This is also a butterfly where it is easy to determine the male and female. The female has a row of blue on the open…
Sachem (Skipper)
Two Sachem Skipper butterflies (Atalopedes campestris) on Lantana blossoms. The greenish Sachem is the male. I believe the other Skipper is the female but did not get a clear identification. For anyone interested in butterfly identification, the Gardens with Wings site is very helpful in figuring out the correct name of the butterfly. You can search…
Peaches
This is what you get from this… Yum…. sweet, juicy peaches!
Question Mark
Another butterfly taking advantage of the butterfly bush — the Question Mark butterfly seen earlier this summer.
Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper, a very common small brown butterfly, stopping by the butterfly bush. More information about the silver-spotted skipper can be found at this link.
School’s Out
The Amish and Old Order Mennonite children enjoy a break from school during the summer. However, rather than spending time at the pool or playing video games, they are helping on the farm, working in the garden and manning the produce stands that are in front of many of the homes. Lancaster County has over…
First Monarch
The Monarch butterflies are beginning to emerge. This is the first one I have seen this summer but I look forward to more butterflies stopping by in August.
Tobacco Growing
The Amish farmers use tobacco as a cash crop and most dairy farms have several rows of tobacco growing in front of the corn.The corn, which is plentiful in this area, is used to feed the dairy cows. While it has been a very dry summer, the corn is still green and our conditions do…
Spice Bush Swallowtail
Spice Bush Swallowtail stopping by the butterfly bush.
Getting Around Town
Some of the various type of Amish and Old Order Mennonite buggies in this area of Pennsylvania.
Hummingbird Moth
The hummingbird moth, so named because of its resemblance to a hummingbird, is a moth that is constantly on the move with wings that beat very fast. It is hard to get a clear picture because of the moving wings and constant motion of the moth but it is fun to watch as it moves…
Eight Spots
Eight spotted forester moth (Species Alypia octomaculata) stopping by a Shasta daisy
Taking a Sip
Butterfly stopping by on a cone flower in the garden. I have not learned to identify butterflies, yet, other than the most common. Anyone know what this one is? Or is it a moth? Thanks for any help.
Danish Raspberry Bars
For the lovers of raspberries, butter and almonds… a rich and flavorful dessert bar. Danish Raspberry Bars 1 1/2 cups sifted flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 3/4 cup red raspberry preserves 1/4 cup chopped or slivered almonds Powdered sugar 1. Heat…
In the Adjoining Field…
In the field next to where the Amish farmer was baling hay in the previous post, his son was raking the hay in preparation for baling.
Hay Baling-Amish Style
Here are some photos of a local Amish farmer baling hay. The hay is scooped up with the yellow roller and goes back into the baler. Here the farmer is clearing the baler. Time to turn and go the other way… Now we will go the other direction. Now watch…. Open wide… Now it is time to…
Stopping By
Early morning visitor to our backyard. “Uh oh, I just heard a shutter click from that pesky lady looking out the window at me. Time to head back into the woods.”
Nature and Life Notes 