Jam and Jelly making

I went to a UF Extension class on making jam and jelly. We made apple jelly and strawberry jam. It was nice to learn how it is done. At the end of class I was able to take home the strawberry tops for the chickens and ducks. They liked them, especially Daphne the Pekin duck. I liked the aprons they had at class that said “I eat local because I can.”

Birding festival

I don’t really do birding. I have a bird friendly yard and we get lots of feathered visitors. I enjoyed the festival. The Florida Wildlife Hospital had an ambassador owl, who could not be released due to a blind eye.

It was great to drive to the Raddison in Cocoa Beach. I had worked for the NASA Shuttle Logistics Depot that was just down the road a little. I enjoyed seeing how things changed since 2006 when I worked there. At the festival I purchased a new bird house. I’ve been seeing a lot of wrens and thought a nesting house for them might be nice. I put it outside my kitchen window.

Mentor Appreciation Day

National Mentoring Month is January. I was invited to a mentor appreciation breakfast. It was a good event that highlighted the work of Take Stock in Children here in Brevard County. I am mentoring two high school students who are a freshman and a sophomore. It is wonderful to see them grow.