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254 Dundee Starkey Road
Dundee, NY 14837

Phone 607-316-0069

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1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast - Finger Lakes - Seneca Lake

Part III: Poetry Garden and Hummingbird Habitat – Sights and Sounds!

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Many Poets and Artist gather their inspiration from creatures and events of nature by sailing on a lake, wandering through
a garden, paying attention to sights and sounds. . . 

What a rich palette, indeed, all unto itself!


This is the last of my postings about Hummingbirds and I hope you will enjoy some of the poetry and art I found to share with you about these intriguing creatures. Perhaps you can come to visit in the Finger Lakes region soon. I would love to share the beauty of my Hummingbird Habitat with you at 
1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast.
The Calliope sometimes found in the Finger Lakes

The Hummingbird 
by Ruth White


Savoring the last
sweet bite of summer
spent trailing
the stopwatch,
succulent flowers
sip a hummingbird’s
farewell dinner in flight,
so it is, I stand,
sap drawn
from aged seasons wood pile,
stalled kisses swell,
adieu,
sparkling as safely as
yesterborn Autumn’s
reminiscent embers.

Beautiful Watercolors (credits given within)

Part II: Inviting Sweetness: Create a Garden to Feast On

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Building a Hummingbird Habitat is fun and produces long-lasting results. You will enjoy frequent visits from these marvelous little birds. That’s not all. You will find yourself amidst a variety of nature’s other birds, bees, and butterflies who will be willing to share part of their lives and journey with you.

Larger birds may dart down to your feeder or flowers to gather their daily nourishment and then jet back to the location of their nests, making it easier for you to spot where they are staying for the season. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, come from mysterious places, it seems. But, because their nests are so tiny, you may not notice one that is in plain view!

I already have planted some perennial blooming plants in my garden that will naturally attract the Hummingbirds found in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York. And, after conducting my study about them, I have found flowering plants to list for you if you would like to start your own Hummingbird Habitat
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)Bee Balm
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Foxglove
Impatiens
Red morning glory (Ipomoea spp.)
Trumpet creeper
Lilac
Forsythia
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Jewelweed
Buddleia
Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)

Bee Balm also known as Bergomot

Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens)

Foxglove comes in many colors

















Many plants pollinated by hummingbirds produce flowers in shades of red, orange, and bright pink. These plants may bloom in the shade, partial sun, or very sunny areas. They may be lower to the ground or on vines. Hummers prefer trumpet types flowering shapes that are usually hanging for easy access to their sickle-like bills.

Honeybee
 Most insects that compete for food with

Hummingbirds cannot see the colors that the birds do.  Hummingbirds can see wavelengths into the near-ultraviolet. So flowers that are mostly pollinated by Hummingbirds are relatively inconspicuous to most insects, which leaves plenty of nectar for hummers. Hummingbird-pollinated flowers also produce a greater concentration of sugars, sometimes higher than 25% sucrose rather than the fructose flowers that insects gravitate to.

It may take a year or two of your time and some patience to develop a lovely Hummingbird Habitat. However, there will be no more interesting spot in your garden than this special place. If you can manage to locate it right outside of a window you will be able to watch all of God’s beautiful creatures just steps away. Perhaps I will create mine near my kitchen window at 1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast.

This YouTube video show how one man got a Hummer to eat right from his hand through an open window!
 

The Interesting Life of a Hummingbird

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Hummingbirds are the most intriguing creatures; on flight daily  seeking the voluptuous blooms of a summer garden to stay alive. Although their beauty is captivating, they live their lives totally for the sake of survival and do not stay with one mate.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common to be seen here in the upstate area of New York. However, other types such as the Calliope and Rufous have also been spotted here, according to some sources.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird in US

It is very interesting to know that hummingbirds only exist on the North American and South American Continents and their migration patterns cover thousands of miles. 

The Life Cycle of a Hummingbird……   taken directly from http://www.learner.com/
 
 How long do hummingbirds live?

Most hummingbirds die their first year, but when they’ve survived a full annual cycle, their life expectancy goes up dramatically. The record age of a banded ruby-throated hummingbird is 6 years, 11 months. The record age of a banded rufous hummingbird is 8 years 1 month.

How do female hummingbirds select a mate?

Male hummingbirds, along with many other animals, have what is known as a territory. A territory is simply an area that a male occupies and chases other males away from. A female hummingbird will visit a male’s territory, at which time the male performs a courtship display to try to convince the female that he is the best male around. If she likes his display, she will mate with him. If not, she moves on to another territory.

 Do hummingbirds mate for life?

No. They don’t even stay together to raise the babies. The female does ALL the nest building, incubating, and caring for the babies herself, and a male hummer will mate with any females that he can attract to his territory. These are NOT romantic birds.

 What is a hummingbird nest like?

It is not much bigger than a ping pong ball. The female makes the nest with tiny bits of leafy material including little lichens, and weaves it together with spider silk. She builds the nest on a branch in a tree. A hummer will not use a birdhouse.

 What are hummingbird eggs like?

Each egg is the size of a jelly bean, and is white. There are two eggs in a clutch. 
How long does it take for hummingbird eggs to hatch?

Ruby-throats incubate for 11 – 16 days until the eggs hatch. Rufous hummers incubate for 15 – 17 days.

 How much do newly-hatched hummingbirds weigh?

Ruby-throats weigh 0.62 grams when they hatch. This means 3 just hatched hummers would weigh less than one American dime.



What do Hummers feed their nestlings?
 When the chicks hatch, they need protein, not sugar, to grow. So mother hummer spends most of her time catching small insects and spiders for them.


When do young hummingbirds learn to fly?

Rufous and ruby-throated hummingbirds both begin to fly when about 21 days old.

Please share your backyard Hummingbird pictures if you have any.

 Stay tuned for Part II: Inviting Sweetness: Create a Garden to Feast On

 

Creating Hummingbird Habitats: Introduction to a Three-Part Series

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This is the introduction to 
my three-part series about Hummingbirds





Part I:  The Interesting Life of a Hummingbird
Part II:   Inviting Sweetness: Create a Garden to Feast On
Part III:  Poetry Garden and Hummingbird Habitat


1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast
It is very cold and windy here at 1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast.



My wild imagination is allowing me to look around the grounds, now covered with snow and ice, to go to the place called my Hummingbird Habitat. Just a few simple steps will create the necessary plantings and environment to invite those cute little creatures to find nectar and show off their intriguing beauty. I think my guests will delight in the opportunity to walk around the gardens and sit to take in the fragrances, sights, and sounds.

I have put out hummingbird feeders before. I have tried the store varieties with ready made sugary mixtures and have explored the idea of offering them a homemade variety of food source. But I never really planted specific flowers or bushes that would attract them. So, I have taken some time to investigate what the steps would be that are necessary to create an actual garden that is specifically dedicated to hummingbirds.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Nest 

Whenever a hummingbird buzzes by, I wonder if they are really birds or some sort of beautiful bug. Their nests are so tiny and their eggs so precious and small. I have learned that, although they are tiny, they survive quite well in their environment and their migration patterns are remarkable.

Hummingbirds, like bees, and butterflies are attracted to flowers that contain nectar. While bees bring the pollen and nectar back to their hives in order to manufacture it into honey, Hummingbirds and butterflies use the nectar for food. Hummingbirds are a “specialized nectavore” that must eat the juicy, sweet nectar from blossoms containing at least 10% sugar content. They reject other types of flower blooms that do not contain higher concentrations of sucrose. So much for low-sugar diets!

Please stay tuned and follow the next three posts on the lives and habitats of these beautiful little creatures!


 Meanwhile, take a look at this remarkable video by Scott Kemp, photographer in Alaska. Although this was filmed in Alaska, the Rufus Hummingbird does visit here in the Finger Lakes too.  Will we be able to have them feed right out of our hands?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUEZkwJulBY

The Work In Progress at 1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast

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I was not sure whether to paint the stucco on the exterior of the house since it was an original style process that was used to create it back in 1922.
 But after so many years of weathering, the stucco was coming loose and the color became a very dark (asphalt-looking) gray.

So, the decision was made to hire a professional group to repair, prime, spray and brush paint the house. Since the architecture is that of a Mission-style from the Arts and Crafts Period, about 1900 to 1928, or so, I had to be careful to try and stay with what would have been original choices of color. The terracotta is an earthy tone that looks especially beautiful when the trees are in full foliage but, surprisingly it looks wonderful against a snowy backdrop.



View from backyard looking at carport and kitchen

 I thought you might be interested in the progression of the painting job from last summer as I get closer to this year’s opening. It is a large house and spraying properly is not fun. But the crew of Michael Madigan from Penn Yan did a great job. Thanks boys! Oh yes, it seemed as though they were all named Jim so I had to name them Jimmy 1, 2, and 3 since they would not know to whom I was speaking if they were all working that day. Very funny!

The person who did most of the nasty spraying work was Jimmy One, which was his requested name being the hardest worker…never missed a day! Thanks! There are some nice pictures of the guys doing what they do best. Remember, it was one of the hottest summers we’ve had with the temperatures in the high 90’s daily for the duration of the job. They were always thoughtful and courteous, and got the job done.




Northeast View of (now) 1st Floor La Chambre

 





“Jimmy One” painting the porch trim



The side yard view



Dining room stained glass window, one of seven



View of kitchen and patio from carport

 

The House Awaits Her Guests

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Although snow is falling it will just be another month or so when buds on trees and the tops of crocus will begin to appear at 1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast.

I am so happy with the paint job and colors done last summer. The curb appeal is lovely and the double wrap two story verandas are more than inviting! I am already seeing flower boxes hanging from windows and tulips out in the garden. What a thrill to know that soon I will be welcoming guests.

After putting final finishes on some inside construction my hopes are raised for mid to late April as a goal for guests to begin enjoying the comfort and beauty the house has to offer. As I am perfecting a few special breakfast specialties, bathroom addition plans are coming to fruition and I can’t wait to see this year’s project done!  A reservation website will go up by the end of March http://1922starkeyhouse.com/, and we will see how the first season will go.

 Flags are flying on the upper porches and
I will add a few more from Poland, Italy, and Canada
 The lonely gazebo where vineyard workers of the 1920’s had their lunches
is going to be
an ideal place for summer barbecues.
 Guests will enjoy the porches from the upstairs bedrooms and have breakfast,
 read a book, or take in lake breezes on the lower porches.
 The horse barn built in the 1860’s
once housed horses that pulled stagecoaches
used to transport passengers to neighboring towns
from the train station at Starkey Corners. Now, the grounds around
are large enough for guests to bring their small motor boats,
sailboats, canoes, or kayaks. There is a NY State Boat launch just up the road
on Seneca Lake.

Hope to see you here soon! Goodbye winter…..hello spring!

How to Grow and Keep a Blueberry: Part III of a Three Part Series About Blueberries

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Blueberries are plentiful in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York and according to the eHow website, it seems that my clay-like and acidic soil is stellar for growing these “fruits of the earth” at 1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast. Trouble is, I am not always the patient sort and all my sources are saying that I will have to wait at least two to three years before the little blue gems begin to make an edible appearance.

Time can fly quickly when you are having fun though, and I know I will be pretty busy making my guests very happy with their stay as it is. So, I will plant a bunch and let nature take its course while I concentrate on the other many jobs of an innkeeper/owner. I have been referred to as “Wonder Woman” before so now we will see if that is true.

When exploring how to grow Blueberries I found that the best resources are the university agricultural sites, such as the local Cornell Cooperative Extension. Here, you will find the most comprehensive information about growing Blueberries and just about anything else. There are also numerous scholarly links to go to for any research studies about growing, preserving, and eating all types of fruits, vegetables, and grains grown in a specific region. The Cornell Extension is a valuable resource in these areas. Each state and university usually has some sort of website or other publication like this one.

 I also found a few private blogs and websites loaded with great information and, best part of all . . . recipes!

Here is one of the best recipes for muffins (I will use this one at Starkey House) that I have found. I do not care for muffins that have a starchy, cakey-like texture and the kind that leave a packaged mix after taste. . .if you know what I mean. This recipe combines whole oats that are healthy and delicious. The moisture from the berry gives a delicious tenderness that cannot be matched. Just love them!

taken from:          http://www.myownsweetthyme.com/2008/08/blueberry-oat-muffins.html

Blueberry Oat Muffins

1 cup old fashioned oats, uncooked

1 cup low fat buttermilk                                                                
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 cup flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.

Mix oats and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Let stand 10 minutes.

Add egg whites, butter and lemon peel, mixing until well blended.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl and mix well.

Stir in dry mixture, just until moistened.

Gently fold in blueberries.

Fill muffin cups nearly full. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool muffins in tins on a wire rack. After 5 minutes remove from pan. Serve warm.

Yield: 12 muffins

I found that freezing and storing Blueberries is quite simple, you just have to be careful to be sure that none are moldy or wet, as with any other fruit. If you place the Blueberries on a cookie sheet and freeze them separately, you can then transfer them to a freezer bag and they should not stick together while keeping. You can do this with any fruit. I suggested this to my cousin Judy so that she could freeze black cherries to have all year long as a natural medicinal to aid in lessening the inflammation caused by arthritis.

I suggest that you go to the above-mentioned university resources to learn about canning Blueberries or making them into preserves. It is great to keep jams and jellies on the shelf so that they are available at any time, don’t you agree?

Photo licensed by About.com    Polish Blueberry Nalesniki 

Thanks for reading about Blueberries and I hope you will have the opportunity to stop and pick some while visiting in the Finger Lakes Region, or come and stay a while at 1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast. I will cook you up a delicious breakfast, maybe a Polish  Nalesniki or Blueberry Blintz!  See you in the Blueberry patch.

Part Two: Blueberries; Recipes for Crisp, Light, and Healthy Pancakes and Crepes Using Blueberries

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I think that I have perfected a couple of recipes for making Blueberry pancakes.

The first, most important thing to remember is that the berries should be as fresh as possible. They are available everywhere, here in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York from mid to late June through the end of August.

 If you are able to buy them from one of our many local farm markets you will be getting the freshest, most plump and sweet ones. Most groceries will offer them year round for a price off-season, and since they may have to be shipped, their freshness may be questionable.  If you use frozen Blueberries, that is certainly fine but be sure that they are firm and not mushy. Shake the bag to be sure they are separated and not clumped together. This may mean that they were allowed to thaw at some point and then were refrozen.  If these berries are used there will be a soggy non-cooked look and taste inside of your pancake or waffle. The same is true when baking muffins.

Unlike my crepe recipes,  (recipe below) I most often use packaged pancake mixes that you can easily find in the store. I do, however find them boring all on their own and usually just use the mix as a base, then I like to enhance their flavor and richness by adding a few other ingredients.

I recently came across a whole oat grain pancake mix on the shelf produced by Quaker Oats. I love the crisp, light texture this mix gives to pancakes or waffles. I combine a one to one proportion of oat grain mix together with (any) brand name, regular pancake mix, almost always with buttermilk, such as Aunt Jemima’s or the like. It seems to be that if I use all whole grain flour, the texture seems to be too grainy. Using all non-whole grain leaves a floury, starchy consistency, and cake-like taste. So, a mixture of the two works great to create the desired amount of crispness on the outside.

I like to add an egg or two, even if the mix already has egg contained in it. And, to add moisture, about two tablespoons of melted butter or corn oil at the end just before hitting the ready-hot pan. This all depends on to whom I am serving my delicious Blueberry delights. Adding butter, oil, or eggs also increases the amount of fat and cholesterol. I try to have a variety of alternate “lite” recipes on hand so that I can serve to those wanting less calories and a healthier choice. These two links will give you gluten-free and low-fat ideas.

These crepes look fantastic and can be enjoyed by drizzling any berry, maple syrup, or honey on top or inside!
http://glutenfree.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/gluten-free-and-easy-crepes/

From the About.com website:
http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/breakfastandlunch/r/crepes.htm

I absolutely adore crepes of all kinds!  There is nothing more delicious than a heated Blueberry sauce poured over hot cheese filled thin roll ups. Also, you may have tasted Crepes Suzette with Strawberries, the French variety usually contains a lovely splash of Kirsch liquor and are served flambe.

I have tried the original Polish style crepes when I visited Poland, called Nalesniki. Just like all crepes, you can fill them with just about any berry and they also taste wonderful filled with any slightly sweetened soft ricotta, farmer’s, or cottage cheese. (see the Nalesniki link).

Okay so here is a good recipe for Blueberry crepes and I would love to give credit where it is do, but wouldn’t you know that I saw this exact recipe online (verbatim) on about three TOP cooking websites, all claiming this to be their own! Yeow! Well, this is not my original but I tried it and the results are delicious because of the use of the lemon zest! No wonder everyone wants to claim it!

This is an elegant dish for a special brunch or breakfast. Top these crepes with blueberries or blueberry sauce, along with a little whipped cream and strands of lemon zest.

Ingredients:
•Crepes                                                           
•2 large eggs
•3/4 cup milk
•1/2 cup all-purpose flour
•2 tablespoons melted butter
•2 tablespoons granulated sugar
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoon vanilla
•1 cup ricotta cheese
•1 egg, beaten
•1/3 cup powdered sugar
•Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
•2 teaspoons lemon juice
•1/2 cup fresh blueberries
•2 to 3 teaspoons melted butter
•1 tablespoon granulated sugar combined with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Preparation:
Crepes: In a blender, blend 2 eggs with milk. Add the flour, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar, salt, and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Pour into a container, cover,
and refrigerate let stand for 1 hour or refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
To cook, heat a lightly buttered 7″ or 8″ crepe pan. Pour about
1/4 cup of batter in the hot pan and swirl the pan so the batter
coats the bottom of the pan. Cook until the edges begin to brown.
Carefully lift with a thin spatula and flip over.
Cook for a few seconds, just until lightly browned.
 Place on a plate and repeat with remaining batter.
If you will be storing the crepes for a short time,
separate the crepes with small squares of waxed paper.
Heat oven to 350°. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray with cooking spray.
In a bowl, gently combine the ricotta with the beaten egg, powdered sugar,
lemon zest and juice. Fold in blueberries. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the
 cheese mixture on a crepe; roll up gently, burrito style, tucking ends in to
keep the filling from leaking. Arrange the filled crepes in the prepared baking dish;
brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake for 20 minutes.

Ohhh my! Sooo Delicious! And don’t plan on keeping any diet. Just splurge and enjoy…if you can!

I will be adding one other post about baking pies and muffins with Blueberries. This post was long enough containing information about pancakes and crepes.

The Most Healthy Benefits of Blueberries

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I have always known that Blueberries are

delicious and plentiful here in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York, but did not realize exactly, how healthy they are for you.

While researching information about these luscious little fruits and all of their goodness, I found that the most reliable and comprehensive sources of information were found in state or university agricultural websites such as Penn State’s College of Agriculture or the Cooperative Extensions of Cornell University. Other sites written by health enthusiasts like Lance Armstrong list everyday uses for Blueberries and health bonuses.

Blueberries have been shown to shrink cancerous tumors and prevent the development and growth of cancer.  Researchers from Cornell University reported that the antioxidants called anthocyanins in wild blueberries prevent cancer from forming and stop them from proliferating. Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to other eye, vascular and organ diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, and heart disease.

Medical researchers have found that most diseases of the body are caused by inflammation and that this condition, that breaks tissues down on a cellular level, may be accelerated by the foods we eat or other life habits such as smoking or overindulgence in alcoholic beverages. (Careful, now I said drinking to the extreme. Wine has its own benefits from grapes when enjoyed moderately.)

It has been found that the eating Blueberries or supplements made from the phytonutrients of Blueberries helps your body’s defenses to fight against inflammation and helps to preserve brain function to slow down or protect against nerve damage that leads to memory loss and other age-related diseases. People suffering from osteoarthritis or bone and tissue damaging rheumatoid conditions, have found that taking the juice or eating Blueberries, dark cherries, plums, grapes, and other dark or red skinned fruits have lessened the swelling and pain in their joints.

Isn’t it great to know that something so sweet and delicious as Blueberries can also be good for you; another example of God’s original purpose in providing abundant “Fruits of the Earth” . . . put here for all of us to have. I am continually amazed to learn again, about the availability of these foods that were placed here intentionally for us to eat….to live by…and enjoy a healthy life, if only we would choose them over the modern, short-cut processed junk foods of today.

References links:
http://www.extension.org/pages/Health_Benefits_of_Blueberries_–_How_Blueberries_Affect_the_Human_Body

http://www.wildblueberries.com/health_benefits/research.php

“You ought to have seen what I saw on my way To the village, through Mortenson’s pasture to-day: Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb, Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum In the cavernous pail of the first one to come! ” Robert Frost

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Native Blueberries:  
 The Introduction to a 
Three-part Series
I.    The Health Benefits of Blueberries

II.   Cooking and Baking With Blueberries

III.  Growing and Storing Blueberries



As I examine my “upper forty“,
a name I have given the other acre attached to the two lovely acres that 1922 Starkey House Bed & Breakfast sits upon, I think about what types of fruits, vegetables, or flowering bushes I could plant there. I will be looking to find multi-purpose plants great for picking, cooking, fragrance, beauty, and for sharing with my guests.


Blueberries have come to mind recently, because I have been thinking a lot about how rich the Finger Lakes region is with its Native American history. The Blueberry is one of the few fruits native to North America and grows well along Seneca Lake. I have been thinking about the Native Americans from the Seneca tribe and the Iroquois that I will talk about in future writings. I can imagine what it would have been like for these indigenous people who lived off of the lands of this beautiful God Blessed area. They would walk through the woods hunting and gathering…and Blueberries would be one of the “Fruits of the Earth” they would find.

Blueberries are small clusters of delicious fruit grown on  a shrub that belong to the heath family, which includes the cranberry and bilberry as well as the azalea, mountain laurel and rhododendron. You can find all of these growing wild in the woods of upstate New York. The berries range in size from pea-sized to about 1/2 inch in diameter. Their dark skin ranges from a light blue to almost maroon in color.

Blueberries have been found to be one of nature’s healthiest fruits in all regards. They are deliciously sweet when added to muffins, pancakes, crepes, and the like, made into jams and jellies, or just wonderful on their own, just as a healthy snack.

There are many farms here in the Finger Lakes region where you can go to pick Blueberries. They can easily be frozen or preserved in quantities after picking for future use during the winter seasons. This series of posts will cover just about all you might want to know about Blueberries. I will say that I am not an expert yet but love using them in my pancakes and crepes, asked for as a favorite breakfast delight many times by my brothers Ray and Bill. I will be happy to share what I find with you and I will include some awesome recipes for crepes, muffins, breads, and pancakes.

Think happy thoughts…
Spring and Summer are on the way!