10.23.13 Swallows leave San Juan Capistrano Day

As a California native I grew up hearing about these birds and celebrated their return each year. If you are unfamiliar with the birds this is their story:

 The miracle of the "Swallows" of Capistrano takes place each year at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day.

As the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on an air of fiesta with visitors from all parts of the world  gather to witness the "miracle" of the return of the swallows. Each year the "Scout Swallows" precede the main flock by a few days and it is thier chief duty to clear the way for the main flock to arrive at the "Old Mission" of Capistrano. Early dawn on St. Joseph's Day, the little birds begin to arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests. These nests cling to the ruins of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano. The arches of the two story, high vaulted Chapel were left exposed, when the roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1812. This Chapel was once said to be the largest and most ornate in any of the missions,and now has a more humble destiny to house the birds that St. Francis loved so well. After the summer spent within  walls of the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows take flight again. On the Day of San Juan, October 23, they leave after circling the Mission bidding farewell to the mission of San Juan Capistrano, California for another year.

Today is the Day of San Juan when the swallows leave. In honor of this continuing miracle of mother nature I made Little S a swallow lunch.

Main Compartment:

Swallows: Peach slices cut with a cookie cutter, the candy eyes are sitting on cheerios so they didn't start to melt.

Grass - diced kiwi and unsweetened coconut


Top Right Compartment:

Ham and cheese roll bites - 2 slices of black forest ham rolled around a string cheese and sliced into pieces.


Bottom Right Compartment:

Nesting: although the swallows create mud nests I have a regular nest for Little S made with veggie straws, cheerios and a spoonful of the almond, peanut, pumpkin and sunflower seed mix I made yesterday.