Birdies, backyard BBQ, and baking

I am amazed by birds, in case you did'nt know that about me. We have several birds that visit our feeding houses. Marty makes wonderful homemade suet for them. We use leftovers from our table and make them into a healthy food for them. We get blue jays, both Stellar and Scrub, finches; of all kinds, starlings, hummingbirds, grosbeaks, evening and regular, doves, and all little birdies, they are so cool. We even have blue jays that will "ask" for the food when they are out. We have had a blue jay that "pecked" on the window for it. Smart birds, and we call people that are lacking in the brain, birdbrain? Think about that for a moment. Maybe we should change our attitudes about the winged community. Even had a baby blue jay fall from a tree, caught by our dog Buster, and we nursed the baby back from shock, went to be with its mother the next day, and now they fly to get food and baby comes up to the deck without momma sometimes, sits at my window, and "opens its beak and flaps its wings". It is one of the coolest things in my life. Backyards provide rest and resolve to us during the days and evenings. When the neighbors decide that their lawn needs another "hair cut". I know what they meant by "silence is golden". I hate hearing mowers and stuff after about 4 oclock. Maybe Im just OLD, but I like my peace and quiet, and serenity! We had a family BBQ last week for Travis who turned 20 years old. It was fun, we had lots of food, cake, ice cream, and lots of laughs. Very pleasant weather, and much enjoyment was had by all. Here is a new one, I made matzah ball soup with (I know this is terrible but it worked,) with top ramen noodles and soup. It was delicious! Then I made vegetarian pasta spaghetti, with tomatoes, mushrooms, onion and italian dressing. It was really good, oh and I used whole grain spaghetti too. PLUS, I baked cupcakes and since I didnt have any regular frosting, I used little packets from our toaster strudels that were left over, and voila! you have frosted cupcakes. Our famiy motto has always been "Improvise, overcome, adapt". And that is just what I did. I love making things work that normally don't work together. It's peace in the pieces...it's an art form......