7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 68 | Plot Line and Sinker (Ellen Gable, Author)

Friday means it’s time to connect with other Catholic bloggers for 7 Quick Takes Friday. This week, it’s at Camp Patton.

1. Amphibian Choir – Spring Has Arrived!
We know when spring has truly arrived: frogs start to croak in the swamp across the street. Each day, more frogs add to the amphibian choir. In fact, some days it’s so loud that the “choir” can be heard even with the windows closed. I remember when we first moved here 18 years ago, our oldest boys (then 8 and 5) could not sleep because the frogs were so noisy. Over the years, though, it’s become the official start of spring in our little corner of the woods. And, for me, the high-pitched sounds are music to my ears.

photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

2. Fossil, Fossils, Fossils
One of the great advantages of living on bedrock is that there are numerous fossils. This is one of the fossils embedded in our bedrock driveway.

photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

3. A Subtle Grace Update
This week, I researched Victoria guns and revolvers that would have been available in the late 1890’s. I don’t like guns, never have, but I found this research interesting. I watched a few videos on youtube and was amazed that many of the Victorian guns in existence today are still working.

4.Intersex Fish
Great article by Simcha Fisher called “So Long and Thanks for all the Intersex Fish,” about the impact that chemical contraception has on fish and an organic company who does not want to pay for their employees’ contraceptives.

5. Recipe – Banana Oat Cookies
I recently found this recipe on Pinterest. It is a no wheat, no sugar, no milk products, no eggs recipe. I made these the other night and they were right delicious out of the oven. They became rubbery as they cooled. But still very tasty. And…I do admit I added about two tsp of sugar to the mix because it needed a wee bit. Also, I baked them slightly longer than the recipe calls for.
Banana Oat Cookies:
Three mashed bananas (ripe)
1/3 cup applesauce (no added sugar)
2 cups oats (I used quick cooking)
1/4 cup almond milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
(I added two teaspoons of sugar)
Drop on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten. Bake in pre-heated oven 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.