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  • Potbrood

    Potbrood

    When my husband and I got married, one of the first things that I received as a gift was the South African staple cookbook “Kook en geniet” by S. J. A. de Villiers. Originally written in Afrikaans, many have grown up and used this book for staple cultural recipes. This is where I first met…

  • Redhead, the Red-headed Woodpecker

    Redhead, the Red-headed Woodpecker

    Our last Burgess Woodpecker is the Red-headed Woodpecker, a striking bird dressed in deep red, white and black. This is a good time to ask and answer the question, why do woodpeckers drum on wood? When I was growing up I believed that the reason was limited to their search for food, insects living in…

  • Loaded Veggie Skillet, USA

    Loaded Veggie Skillet, USA

    The traditional USA breakfast skillet is immortalized in diners across the country. I have had some delicious versions here in Illinois: a Mexican skillet, Cowboy skillet, and Mediterranean skillet. This recipe was submitted by one of our Cast Iron Journey members, Sarah, and is loaded with so many good and nutritious vegetables. It’s great for…

  • Downy and Hairy

    Downy and Hairy

    When we started The Burgess Bird Book, I just couldn’t wait to get to Chapter 11, Drummers and Carpenters. I knew that’s where Peter Rabbit would learn the difference between a Hairy Woodpecker and a Downy Woodpecker. I fought the temptation and was able to wait patiently for the day when we would read it…

  • Rum Raisin Bread Pudding

    Rum Raisin Bread Pudding

    Last week I spent some time testing recipes for our first leg of the Cast Iron Journey this year. This one was definitely a winner. With soft bread, first buttered with a mixture of cinnamon-sugar butter, layered into the pot, covered with a coconut milk custard and drizzled with rum soaked raisins. This is definitely…

  • Yellow Wing, the Northern Flicker

    Yellow Wing, the Northern Flicker

    What comes after Red Wing in The Burgess Bird Book? Yellow Wing of course! Yellow Wing is a Northern Flicker, an absolutely beautiful bird. Thornton W. Burgess describes him like this: The sides and throat were a soft reddish-tan and on each side at the beginning of the bill was a black patch. The top…

  • Continuing the Journey

    I love cast iron.  It has such a rich history all over the world.  It sautés and cooks beautifully on the stovetop, can be transferred to the oven without a problem, and handles outdoor cooking like a champ.  Not only that but it is one of my favorite things to cook with because it’s easy…

  • Teeter, The Spotted Sandpiper

    While reading The Burgess Bird Book, I realized very quickly that I have a soft spot for small birds with long legs. I could watch them for hours. When we lived in Dubai, my husband and I loved to spot Plovers, watching as they circled and diverted our attention, protecting their young. You may not…

  • The American Woodcock, Longbill

    The American Woodcock, Longbill

    Here we come to a beloved chapter in the Burgess Bird Book, chapter 9. We fell in love with Longbill, who’s Writing Page you can see above, very quickly and I’ll tell you why… You’ll have to tell me yourself if you can resist his irresistible moves when you see them here: This rocking back…

  • Eastern Wood-Pewee

    “A little bit bigger than his cousin, Chebec, but looked very much like him,” Peter thought about Pewee, the Eastern Wood-Pewee. He loves to repeat his name. “Pee-wee! Pee-wee!” Give him a listen: Pewee is called the Wood-Pewee because you’ll most often find him in the forest. Allaboutbirds.org highlights that “when several flycatcher species live…

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