Sad Day At The Swan Nest In The City

There were torrential rains and wind.

The swan nest was flooded and broke up. I did not take my real camera out because of the rain.

The steadfast guard duck was still there when I went early in the morning to see.

The river had risen and everything floated away. The mallard was waiting for the swans where the nest had been.
It was tragic.  For me, anyway.  I held it together, being informed about flooding being the major cause of swan nest failure.
When I was listening to the storm at home in the night I feared the worst.
But the duck waiting there did me in.  I cried in the morning rain.

I have walked down the river since, looking to see if any of the eggs were trapped in the debris from the storm.  None.
I was more sad for the people near and far who were watching the swan nest, and waiting in happy anticipation for the hatchlings.
It is so sweet when strangers can gather in cheerful hope and expectancy.
We will not have baby swans here this year.

Spring will come again next year, just as sure as the sun comes up every morning.
♥ Chloe

The Steadfast Mallard Duck, On Duty at the Swan Nest

He has assigned himself the job of watching over the Swan nest.  He is always there.
His mate is there also, often just out of the picture.
His work comes first, she knew that when she got involved with him.

See him on the board?  The swans can rest while he is watching.
He chases the interlopers away.  Who did they think they were?

A brave and loyal and noble duck.  Handsome, too.

Everyone is waiting for the swan babies to hatch now.
It won't be for a few of weeks.
We can wait easier knowing the duck is on duty.
Here is a whole set of pictures of the Swan nest in the city http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloe-and-ivan/sets/72157629250352920/ ♥Chloe

Not wasting fresh Nachos

Not wasting fresh Nachos, a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

I was served a huge order of Nachos at Uno instead of the bar menu portion. A lot of fresh and yummy ingredients. What to do?

4 eggs. Like Pumpkin pie.
Can of condensed milk. Like pumpkin pie.
Thought I had cheddar at home, it was Swiss.
Oh well.
Uno makes their nacho chips from fresh tortillas.
I was thinking like bread pudding, only savory.
Added chipotle seeds and cumino.
Uno is generous with the cilantro.
Oiled the pie plate with olive oil.

*This is important.
Ground some Himalayan salt over the whole thing when it came out of the oven.
Think of fresh salt on good fries.
Think of fresh salt on edemame.
Think of fresh salt on homemade quesadillas.

The nacho pie thing is tasty.
In the future, I would want some more body in the slice. That could be fresco queso, could be cream cheese. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, this is some breakfasts and lunches this week.

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

This turned out so good, even though I forgot to take some salsa to work to have with it at lunch.

Lemon cream with Nilla wafers and coconut and strawberries.

Lemon cream with Nilla wafers and coconut and strawberries., a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

Thought about these all week!
Saw something like these in the Kitchn on Apartment Therapy. Hers called for whipped cream with the cream cheese with lemon. www.thekitchn.com/no-bake-recipe-lemon-coconut-icebox-cup...
Being of a certain age, real whip cream is not a choice. 
These have the cream cheese with fresh lemon zest and lemon juice, mixed with Cool Whip. 
When they sit in the refridgerator, the Nilla wafers get cakey, the cream cheese mixture firms up, and it's all good.
Very yummy and easy.

Mother of All Cheescakes

Mother of All Cheescakes, a set on Flickr.

Made this for Katerina's birthday. She said she was happy when she heard the word cheesecake!
 I was happy for an excuse to use the Bourbon Pecan sauce.


Via Flickr:
The Bourbon Pecan Brown Sugar Maple and Butter topping Cheesecake.
I might not have another piece of cheesecake this year.

Angelic Swan Mother taking care of 8 eggs in the city.

Angelic Swan Mother taking care of 8 eggs in the city., a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

Our Mother Swan with 8 eggs and the river rising.