All for the Ducks

Last night, at quarter to nine, six of us apartment dwellers were out in full force trying to rescue a duckling. Armed with nets, bread and flashlights. By ten after nine, our little friend was nestled in a towel in our place.

Ridiculous? Probably. But oh well.

This duck was in addition to the two that we already saved this afternoon. They went to Madera with my brother-in-law. Their names are Bumblebee and Megatron.

This one shall be called Jerkface. Because he was far too difficult to catch. So he better not die on us after all that.

Stupid ducks.

Baking Week Day 2... and a new baby

Hello again.

I'm on time with today's baking post! Woohoooo! I made brownies today. But I cheated and used a box mix... But I made up for it! I added some instant coffee to the water that the box called for. And I made a coffee frosting...

Oooooh. So tasty. Totally rich. And I used the 8x8 pan so that they would stay a bit gooey. You can win my heart with slightly gooey brownies. The frosting... meh. A little sweet. I'll post the recipe I used, but I suggest starting with half the sugar called for and adding to taste.

Coffee Frosting

1/2 c. butter, soft

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. powdered sugar

1 1/2 tbsp. milk

2 tsp. instant coffee

Dissolve the coffee in the milk. Don't worry, it works even if the milk isn't hot. Cream the butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add the sugar (once again, I recommend you start with half the written amount). Once blended, add the milk/coffee mixture. Beat on high for about two minutes. Spread over your brownies/cookies/cake.

Oh, and I mentioned a new baby in the title. I found another abandoned duckling. It had started raining hard so I grabbed our homemade net (a pillowcase, a hanger, and a handle) and grabbed him. I had to run out in the rain and get wet to rescue him. His name is Rupert (thanks brother!). I figure it works because I don't know if he's a boy or girl. Now if he turns out to be a she we can just call him RuPaul. Clever huh?

Little Things

So a while back I said I would mention little things that make me happy. I have one for you today.

We have our first duckling of the year.

If you haven't been paying attention, our apartment has water everywhere and we have a pond right off our back porch. This morning I heard the "peep peep peep peep" of a baby. And hubby told me he had been spotted.

He's very tiny. And very fluffy. And refuses to come close so I can get a good picture. But he still makes me happy.

I've created a monster

So I got up this morning and I'm just vegging, getting ready to do some dishes when I hear quacking. Really. Loud. Quacking. And peeps.

I walk to my sliding glass door and there's my ducks from yesterday. Mom's waiting (not so patiently) and yelling for me to come feed her.

Greeeeat.

I didn't feel like it at the moment because my pajamas are not... well they just aren't something you wear outside. So I ignored her. She came back three times (that I noticed) throughout the day. I think I have a pet.

So I went out tonight before dinner to feed her and the little ones. Just like last night. At least if I go out at the same time I might be able to establish some sort of feeding time. Are ducks smart enough to figure that out? Anywho, when I went out she only had two babies with her. Now I'm kind of freaking out. If some damn stray apartment cat got the third... well, I have ways to deal with cats. We'll leave it at that. Hopefully baby number three will be back tomorrow. Otherwise I might be just a little bit sad.

And if anyone has stale bread (not moldy) send it my way. Those featherheads finished my tortillas.

My ducks are Mexican

Our apartment complex has ducks. There's water features all over the complex and there are a ton of ducks wandering around. Sometimes you have to stop for them crossing the street. When we moved in back at the beginning of May there were ducklings everywhere. I was way excited about this. Who doesn't love baby animals?! The very first night we stayed here we woke up in the morning to hear baby ducks outside. We happen to have a little pond right off our back patio. Of course I was totally stoked to show my nephew the ducks. We feed them at least once when he stays here.

Well, I was disappointed because the babies started growing up and Tim said we probably wouldn't get any more last month. So this afternoon I'm in my living room and I hear the little "peep peep" of babies. I went outside and there was mom with three ducklings! Tiny ones, smaller than the palm of my hand. I promptly texted Tim, who was probably amused at my girliness.




So later they came to visit me again and the mom was being super loud. When I walked outside she swam right up to my patio so I assumed she wanted me to feed her. I went in to get tortillas since they're kind of old anyway and I should find something to do with them.

Well, the mom went to town. See her waiting in the background of the picture below? Every time I stopped throwing pieces she yelled at me. Loudly.



So I proceeded to sit there tearing up the tortillas into tiny pieces. I made some super tiny pieces for the little fuzzballs. The mom was almost up on my patio a couple times, but she wouldn't actually come through the railing.



There's my ducks (as my nephew says) eating their tortillas. They really liked it. So they have to be Mexican.



And here's a closer shot of my babies. I really want to catch the yellow one and keep him in my bathtub for a while. Or just hold him. I'd be fine with that too. I used to carry around the spring chicks at Tim's house too. Because they're just so damn fluffy!



So there ya go, my ducks. If you don't hear from me for a few days it's because the temptation was too great and I tried to grab the ducklings, resulting in some nipped fingers. :)