On the Lookout for Owls and Comfort Coffee Cake

Winter, it continues.
 These are the days though that when out and about the idea of home, our slippers, a cup of tea, glass of merlot, the latest episode of The Young and the Restless, whatever, call to us.  Inside is better.
 I just came in from a walk through the woods. I was bundled up wearing my fake fur hat that matches the coat I showed you, and I took Rex with me.  He loves running up the path and then full tilt back to greet me.  I was on a mission today.  I was looking for owls; there have been numerous owl sightings this winter all over our region.  We have many old trees on the property with just the type of knotted holes in them that I think would be owl heaven, but no luck.  I did see where squirrels have leaves filling one such hole so I imagine they are enjoying a snug winter home.

This is the season for comfort food for sure.  Here is a fruit cobbler/coffee cake I made last weekend.

Here is the recipe:
Cake
1/2 cup coconut oil(or butter)                                 Fruit Mixture
1/2 cup white sugar                                                 I use whatever fruit I have on hand, in this case I
1/4 cup brown sugar                                                used apricots, prunes, and blueberries.
2 eggs                                                                     
1cup sour cream
1 tsp almond flavouring                                          Topping
2 cups flour (I used half almond flour)                    2/3 cup chopped almonds
1 tsp baking powder                                                 2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda                                                      1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt                                                                 1/2 tsp cinnamon; a pinch of salt
                                                                                   3 tbsp coconut oil or butter
For the cake:
Beat butter and sugars, add eggs, almond flavouring and sour cream. Mix well.  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and beat till well blended. Pour into a greased 9 x 9 square pan or a round 9 inch springform pan.
Spread the fruit mixture over the batter.
Topping: Mix together the flour, brown sugar and butter. Stir in the cinnamon and the almonds.
Sprinkle this crumb mixture on top of the fruit.
Bake in a 350 degrees oven about 35 - 40 minutes.  You can try the toothpick in it to see if it is cooked but this can be a bit deceiving with all the fruit.  I always err on the side of longer time.

I watched another episode of Vera last night; isn't that Brenda Blython wonderful?  It helped me finish up the shawl.  Now I  just have to decide about an edging.  I'm a little unsure about the shape of the thing in the end.  Seems to have a very deep v in the back.  Photo to follow.