Not this type of bark, but it looks like some sort of insect finds it tasty.
Still not it, although the Spotted Towhee seems to like sitting on it.
The Red-breasted Sapsucker likes this type of bark, but not my idea of a treat.
The squirrel would probably enjoy the peanuts, but he's already been stealing the bird food, so no extra treats for him!
This is the Winter Bark I'm talking about. It is so easy and a great candy to share with friends. Sweet Pea and the Littlest Gardener helped me make 2 batches of it last night.Here is the recipe found on Martha Stewart.com:
8 ounces white chocolate - melt in double boiler
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate - melt in double boiler
1 1/2 cups salted cocktail peanuts
Add the peanuts to the melted bittersweet chocolate and stir until they're all coated. Then spread onto parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet.
Next drop spoonfuls of the melted white chocolate over the bittersweet/peanuts. Using a skewer or toothpick swirl the white chocolate through the bitter sweet chocolate. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Then using the tip of a regular knife break the bark into pieces.
8 ounces white chocolate - melt in double boiler
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate - melt in double boiler
1 1/2 cups salted cocktail peanuts
Add the peanuts to the melted bittersweet chocolate and stir until they're all coated. Then spread onto parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet.
Next drop spoonfuls of the melted white chocolate over the bittersweet/peanuts. Using a skewer or toothpick swirl the white chocolate through the bitter sweet chocolate. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Then using the tip of a regular knife break the bark into pieces.
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI like winter bark too ;0) I make peppermint bark each year, but have to try your recipe out. It looks just delicious.
I love the Spotted Towhee in the great pine tree and the wonderful bark photo too! Your Winter Bark looks delicious and quite festive! Happy Winter Solstice Catherine! Best wishes, Carol
ReplyDeleteOh! The squirrel shot alone would make a Gardener in Progress calendar top of my wish list for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteLove that bark you guys made, the white chocolate addition is genius. I have been making a bittersweet-only version for a few years, with candied ginger, almond slivers and either sour cherries, cranberries, or figs plus a pinch of kosher salt. It's pretty much the only failsafe holiday baking I engage in, all other experiments are prone to burning and other disasters!
Ooooh - I've never heard of this before! Looks delicious :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm lovin the squirrel - how cute!
Have a great day!
Ahh, you're killing me here!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had "Bark" in years. Many, many years. There's a reason for that. I carry it with me all the time. I would like to stop carrying it with me. I would like it to stop following me. But alas, my size teen behind days are well, behind me now. ;-)
Catherine I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. I hope you are all safe and warm, surrounded by friends and loved ones this holiday. Have a wonderful day!
-Merry Christmas-
OOOhhh I wish I were there to help you with the candy. Yummy
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the herons taking your fish. Sounds like you have protected them well.
Hi Catherine, I bet it smells heavenly in your kitchen with all these goodies being made! The bark is so pretty. I know our families would love that. I like seeing the birds/squirrel in your yard - I guess the are celebrating Christmas too!
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.
Towhees are my favorite of the birds who visit here in winter~~They are such pert critters...and your shots of winter bark are perfect...There is so much beauty if we just look. Gail
ReplyDeleteClever post! ;) I thought you were talking about trees... ;) that looks yummy, and I love coming here to see your gorgeous pond! Oh I so one one like yours! ;) I have added you to my blog roll so I can come here every day... hope you don't mind!
ReplyDeletecielo
What a fantastic presentation ... very creative! Love the birds.
ReplyDeleteDee-lish! Have to try it.
May your celebration be joyous ...
Merry Christmas,
TTFN ~Marydon
Something for everyone, Catherine, how wonderful! The bark and birds are lovely to see, not the squirrel, but that human made bark looks delicious! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Catherine that does look like an easy recipe. Chocolate and peanuts?!?!? Love that!
ReplyDeleteHow clever to weave the garden in with your treat making Catherine. They both look yummy to me although since I'm a self confessed "chocoholic" the edible kind looks particularly appealing. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLovely post ,Catherine. Great pictures of the birds. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThat really does look just like bark and you fooled me with the picture of it that popped up all of a sudden. I want some right now.
ReplyDeleteI posted the feed to my site and will try to post it in this thread. Let's see if this will work. http://www.decorateagarden.com/DecorateAGarden/Front_Porch/Front_Porch.html
Wow, super lovely post..gorgeous picture...awesome! Love the sweet squirrel! Great recipes too...yay! Fun!Thanks for a super post!
ReplyDeleteOh yum that looks delicious. I'm with Kathleen in the chocoholic department - sad but true!
ReplyDeleteLove the critter pics - especially the squirrel even though they can be such pests - they are soooooooooo cute.
I made the Pumpkin Gooey Cakes for the kids the other day but that's it for my baking this year. Just can't seem to get it done.
Catherine~~ This post is one of the best I've ever read. Seriously. How you cleverly tied gardening/nature into Christmas baking with edible and non-edible [to humans] bark is exceedingly clever. I love your photos, especially the squirrel peaking out from behind the tree. So many talents, girl!! I was surprised how easy this Winter Bark recipe is. From the looks of the photo I would think it quite a complicated process, especially if it comes from Martha Stewart who seems to enjoy [revel in] making things as complicated as possible under the guise of "from scratch" or whatever. Sorry. Contrary to how that sounded, I like Martha Stewart. I'm just not as motivated as she is. Anyway, again, nice post. Thank you for your continued encouragement with my garden. I'm looking forward to seeing how your inspiration plays out next spring. If we don't "chat" before Christmas, I hope you and yours have a dandy day.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Your photos! :-) Two Winters ago, two pairs of Spotted Towhees stayed for quite a long time. Unusual sighting for here! Thanks for the recipe... it's one that even I could make!! Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is about those squirrels. They always look like they either just did something bad, or are about to. Nice pix!
ReplyDeleteWe also make a lot of candy for Christmas. I've never made bark but yesterday we made Rocky Road =) Makes me wonder if it's the same as yours? In my garden there's not much to see right now. We still have snow, about one foot deep, and it's really cold outside. Now weather for me!
ReplyDeleteI just want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas / gittan
Catherin wow ! that looks absolutely wonderful .. love the white swirled through the dark ..
ReplyDeleteI also loved the real bark picture that was gorgeous .. birds and squirrels always seem to want you to take their picture ? LOL
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year : )
Joy
Hi Catherine, I am working my way back to reading everyone's postings. Saw your post about the fish pond and the heron. We have so many heron around here. Those who have fish ponds put fencing over the water -- unless the otters lift it up, it works!
ReplyDeleteYour bark looks yummy. I will be making some candy in the next day or so....where did the month go??
Catherine, beautiful bark photo!! and I'm not much for sweets, but that shot of the candy is so stunning, I may reconsider. ;)
ReplyDeleteBark always looks so good in photos and especially the edible one.
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds delicious! Leave it to Martha.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Oh, yummy Catherine. Looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the squirrel is just the best.
Lovely bark pictures, the textures are so interesting and pretty.
ReplyDeletethat "winter bark" looks delicious - I've never heard of that before.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute post! Loved the bird photos too!~
ReplyDeleteThe (edible) bark looks delicious. Thanks for passing on the recipe...we're getting tired of fudge around here!
ReplyDeleteChristine in Alaska
The Winter Bark looks beautiful and I bet it's delicious too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a yummy treat. Anything with chocolate and nuts is a winner in my book. My mom is bringing some homemade candy when she visits in couple of days, so I haven't attempted any this year. I'm impressed that you had the patience to make candy with your preschooler. I have a hard time being patient with my little 'helpers' in the kitchen, especially since I seem to forget ingredients whenever they help!
ReplyDeleteThis is a delightful post. I love your photos, and I am looking forward to trying the recipe - just in time for Christmas! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove the theme of this post! That squirrel looks mischievious!!
ReplyDelete