JIGSAW PUZZLES FOR CHRISTMAS 2025

I had fun doing these over the last couple of months, and thought I would save them to share today. 

I will be taking a couple of days off but will be back on Saturday. 

Merry Christmas

and

Happy Holidays!

Thinking of you all and 

wishing you peace and joy.

ODDS AND BODS - 12/23/25 - THE COMFY RABBITS ARE HERE

 Good morning everyone! How are you?

1.

Here I am in my woollies, and a cup of tea is warming me up nicely, but I have really got to get moving. 

2.

I’m getting there but first…

3. 

(Further: pronounced "OH-lay-loo. It is a beautiful Finnish word describing a state of calm, unhurried relaxation, simply existing in the moment without agenda or pressure to do something; it's about embracing stillness, serenity and being present, often through quiet activities like reading or enjoying a cup of tea. It comes from the Finnish verb "oleilla" meaning "to be,: and reflects a cultural appreciation for mindful, intentional downtime, a contrast to a constantly busy world.)

In my land of dreams today, I would dearly love to hug my brother the grizzly bear. 

4.

and poking a little fun at myself here. 

5.

Very important!

6.

From my all-time favorite poet.

7.

A gift from hubs for our Christmas tree, from the garden center I shared about, a lovely surprise to find it after we got home. He saw me looking at it. What do you know, they had a tree full of bird ornaments too. Maybe after the holidays to see what's on sale? That's always fun!

8.

And here he is, now on our tree. I'm calling him Gilbert the Canada Goose.

9.

10.

And something else for the birds. Did you know?

11.

And 

12.

Well, I don’t actually live in the woods, would  love to and…

13.

14.

15.

And to finish off...for all of you.

16.

And there you go.  I hope you enjoyed. 

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow.  

For our international friends to translate, below each image I have added a number. Below I have the words on that particular image, in case you would like to translate any of them. I have also numbered photos with no words, just for continuity.

1. 

No words.

2.

No words.

3.

Oleilu: a calm, unhurried state of simply being, not about doing, achieving, or planning, but the quiet act of existing in the moment.

4.

No words.

5.

Sometimes I talk to myself. Then we both laugh and laugh.

6.

"When you think of everyone you love..." said the fox, "I hope you include yourself."

7.

"Let me keep my distance,

always, from those who think

they have the answers.

Let me keep company

always with those who say

"Look!"

and laugh in astonishment,

and bow their heads."

~Mary Oliver~

8.

No words.

9.

No words.

10.

Something told the wild geese

It was time to go.

Though the fields lay golden,

Someone whispered, -- 'snow'.

Leaves were green and stirring,

Berries luster glossed,

But beneath warm feathers

Something cautioned, - 'frost!'

All the sagging orchards steamed

With amber spice but each wild

Breast stiffened at remember, - 'ice'.

Something told the wild geese

It was time to fly, - 

Summer sun was on their 

Wings, winter in their cry.

~Rachel Field~

(1934)

11.

Brainy Little Birdies!

Chickadees can remember 1,000 + hiding spots!

Each winter, they stash seeds all over and can recall nearly every location months later. That's a memory trick most humans wish they had.

12.

Cut the Fall (Autumn) Cutback

Those 'dead' seed heads are a buffet for migrating birds. Leave them standing and your garden becomes a free winter bird feeder.

13.

The older I get, the more I understand why people live in the woods and talk to squirrels.

14.

So she’s like, GET OFF THE COUNTER” and I’m like “Do I look like I am taking orders?”

15.

Have you been offered a pill disguised as cheese? You may be entitled to compensation for deception - Attorneys at Paw: 123-456-7890.

16.

Thank you for being a generous soul and a beautiful spirit in a world that could use a million like you. Thanks so much for everything you have done, and for all that you continue to do.  You’re the best and you’re appreciated more than I can say. 

With my thanks to Pinterest for the inspiration.

MONDAY MORNING RECIPE POST - POACHED EGGS ON NAAN BREAD AND THOUGHTS OF GREAT-AUNT GERTRUDE

I have not thought about my Great-Aunt Gertrude in a long time. The last I ever saw her I was about seven, maybe eight. Funny how finding an old recipe will do that (this is another from my old blog). Naan bread of all things (in both bread and aunty, there was the connection). Her face popped into my head when at the store and on a whim and I picked up a packet of the bread. Story on Aunt Gertrude later, which will be written for our son as I don't think I have told him about her before. If I did it was a long time ago. And maybe you will find it interesting too. If you don't you can skip through of course.

I published this originally in 2008 and this is what I wrote:

So, here's brunch with my companion Great-Aunt Gertrude, at least in retelling the story to Gregg as we ate our lunch and repeating what my mother told me when I was young.  

But first, no recipe link. I had seen enough of this type of thing online and tweaked it a bit to suit our own tastes. 

I covered the bread with grated Cheddar cheese, and on top of the cheese, next came sautéed onions. These I had done in a little olive oil until transparent. I sliced tomatoes, which I didn't precook, and those went over the onions. (Next time I will add additional grated cheese over everything.) It went under the broiler until the cheese had melted and was golden, and the bread toasty. 

At the same time, I cooked the poached eggs, placing them carefully into low-simmering water. The last step was to place them on the loaded naan bread. I timed everything so that they were ready at the same time.

Our naan breads were large enough for two people. I cut one in half and it made a very satisfying breakfast for both of us.

I am also adding the following since publishing my post, as I have a keen interest on the history of food. I looked it up on Google and this is what popped up.

“The term “naan” comes from Persia, and ancient bread-making on hot pebbles (sangak) in Persia likely influenced its development.

It arrived in the Indian subcontinent with the Delhi Sultans and Mughals, who introduced the tandoor door oven method.

During the Mughal era (1520s onwards), naan was a special breakfast for the elite, served with keema or kebabs.

The first recorded mention in India is from 1300 AD by Indo-Persian poet Amir Khusrau, who described light (naan-e-tunuk) and heavy (naan-e-tanuri) versions cooked in tandoors.

Through trade, conquest and migration, naan spread from Central Asia and Iran to Afghanistan, Myanmar and eventually the West, becoming a universal favorite.”

If you have a question about this, let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to answer.

Now for the story of my Great Aunt. I asked AI to put together a watercolor of a photograph I remember my mother showing me many times. The photo was very old even back then. It has long since been lost. I have no idea where it went but it gave me some comfort and another connection to recompose it in a watercolor-style. The likenesses were off obviously, but it is darned near close to what I could remember of the setting.

So, this is a story to honor my Great-Aunt Gertude and two little boys whom she grew to love as if they were her own sons. 

She was my mother's aunt, her mother's sister. She passed away when I was in my early teens, and my memories of her are of a very nice lady who always had a ready smile for my sister and me, and always a kind word for my mother. Mother in fact loved her. Great-Aunt was a widow, husband long gone, who had no children of her own.

She and her husband spent many years in India. His work was something to do with the railroads. I vividly remember this fabulous old photograph of my mother's aunt. Mum pulled it out of a large box quite often when looking through old photos. Her aunt was sitting in one of those wickerwork peacock chairs, tropical palms in the background and two young Indian boys on each side of her. There was the most contented smile on her face and lovely smiles on those handsome young children. This I noticed when I was a little girl, and the thought stays with me still. The photo is long gone, and I have always wondered where it disappeared to as I would love to have it now, but my memory will be my photo. The idea for this 'watercolor' came to me as a curiosity to see what could be created more than anything.

My Mother told me a little of Great-Aunt Gertrude's story, and it was that she loved these little boys dearly, as if they were her own sons. She wanted to adopt them and bring them back to England when it was time for them to leave, but this was never meant to be and she was broken-hearted when she left them behind. I know nothing more about their time in India.

Years later, when Mum thought me old enough to know of such things, she told me that Great-Aunt Gertrude's husband, before I was born, had been murdered. I remember being very shocked and there are a few details I won't go into here, but I remember feeling sad for her all over again. They never did find the culprit. 

On our visits to see my nanny (mother's mother), nanny's sister would invariably be there, ready with a piece of toffee to give me. She had a gentle touch, a quiet voice and a sweet smile. That's all I can remember about my Great Aunt Gertrude.

Thanks for 'listening' and for visiting. I hope your week is an excellent one.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - DO YOU NEED A LAST MINUTE GIFT TAG?

An oldie but perhaps worth looking at again. 

Feel free to use what I have put together if you like them. They would be easy enough to transfer onto a word document for printing out, or print them on Avery address labels where you can just stick them on gifts. Someone once told me that they recycled old Christmas Cards to use for this year's gift tags. That's why I love reading your comments, because you give such great ideas.    

I left the one below blank so that those of you from other countries could write your own messages if you like it enough to use.  

I wish you all a very peaceful holiday season, 

and thank you for your continued support and friendship throughout the year.  

With love and hugs to everyone,

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - WHAT IS THIS?

 The Goldfinch had a nice surprise today.

Yes, the pinecones are still around, and the birds seem to enjoy picking the seeds out of them.

"Ye gads!" said their many children. "Don't embarrass us!"

(A little nostalgia, at this link you can listen to 

the late great Ella Fitzgerald singing that famous song)

In the meantime, Sophie Squirrel is enjoying the snow, just as long as she can keep her acorn, which she seems very possessive about. That’s okay, sharing is a learning process for her, but she is getting there.

The Dark-eyed Junco is enjoying his peanuts…

and the Mourning Doves say, "Is it going to snow again?" 

And that's how it goes at this week's Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder.

If you are in the chilly climes, stay warm and if you are in the hottest climes, stay cool, and to all, wishing you Peace.

Thanks for flying in and have a great weekend.

For our international friends to translate.

1st Photo:

"What's this?"

2nd Photo:

"I like these snow cone pinecones."

3rd Photo:

"I wish I had brought my glasses."

4th Photo:

"Hello, who are you?"

"Hello, I'm the coffee shop cookie. I am told I am too delicious for my own good. That lady looked at me very strangely."

5th Photo:

"Baby, it's cold outside."

"That's okay, we have our love to keep us warm."

6th Photo: 

No words, explanation above photo.

7th Photo:

No words, explanation above photo.

8th Photo:

No words, explanation above photo.

A BIG THANK YOU...

 Firstly, I wanted to thank you my very dear blogging friends, for all your very sweet comments, and those from family and friends here and across the pond, on our 50th Anniversary. Gregg and I appreciated that more than we can put into words. It added to a very special day for us. Gregg was needed out of town for a few days and I didn't expect him home, but thanks to two very special people, they made sure we could spend most of the day together. Those very special people also sent us some beautiful flowers which I will share when they bloom. Heart is full at their kindness. 

 Above you can see part of a bouquet that Gregg had in hand when he walked through the door. I told him that Peruvian Lilies were in the first bouquet he ever bought home after we were married. I had never seen them before and have loved them ever since. He said, "Of course, I remembered that! Well, let's just say I remembered that." We had a chuckle of course. 50 years is a long time to remember such things, but I did and yes, another chuckle, as he often says where my emotions are concerned, I have a memory like a laser. True! I just read him this paragraph, "100 percent true!" he said with emphasis, and with yet another chuckle. Personally I believe it's a girl thing.

Our son and daughter-in-law were coming over to keep me company that evening, and when they found that Dad was coming home early and would be with us, we told them to go ahead with what we had originally planned. They treated us to a wonderful selection of Empanadas from one of their local eateries. I was asked if I would like to try them as it was a new food to me. I've heard of them and was not disappointed. The above photo he sent me to let me know they were on their way. The empanadas were wonderful, and we had such a fun time.

So that was our 50th Wedding Anniversary. The following photos are what we took on the 18th, when we were out and about. And here you go, my first doggy fix of the week!

As we were driving along, Gregg said to me, "Get your phone ready!" I wondered what was up. He had seen this little cutie a few cars ahead of us, changed lanes (no traffic coming up behind us) so that I would get a good view. As we went by, I was able to take a photo. We were just starting off on our journey heading out to run some errands and, lo and behold, when we were driving home, and as we turned left at the traffic light, who should pass us as they headed straight, was this little dog again, still with its head out the window. An hour had gone by since we had first seen cutie here. How about that for the strangest coincidence? I didn't get a photo that time but cropped the one from above for a closer look.

We stopped at the drive-thru coffee shop and this mysteriously made its way into my hand. He may be making another appearance in a day or so.

Next a photo taken while driving home through the neighborhood.

I am finishing off with two photos Gregg just found while on his iPad. These popped up and I asked him to send them to me so that I could share them again. This blog is getting so old that I seem to keep doing that, don't I? The photo was taken about 10 years ago (just guessing but it seems a long time ago). We were on vacation, and I had it put on an ornament.

The last one is of an old-fashioned Santa that I cut out of wood with my bandsaw (a birthday gift from husband I kid you not, and actually asked for). We used to joke that other people were asking their husbands for jewelry and there I was, asking for a bandsaw and a sander, and other things that I needed. In my craft show days, I used to buy several sheets of balsa wood and have the wood company cut them into 1-foot squares, so that I could more easily trace designs on them and cut them out. 

As I got older Gregg asked me to get rid of it, and the sander, which was on a stand. My hands and especially my fingers were not as steady as they used to be and cramped easily, and he feared for my fingers, lol! (I was also having difficulty holding a paintbrush.) In all those years I had never had any mishaps but he saw the writing on the wall. 

I had quite a cottage industry going for about 15 years. To add to the fun I took painting lessons and met lots of good people. It was a fun time selling all my ornaments at the many craft shows I participated in, not just ornaments but things like four-foot Santas and Angels on stands. The painting was my favorite part, seeing them come together, but I didn't mind cutting and sanding either. 

I had grown up with my Dad who was a hobbyist carpenter. His full-time job could be very stressful at times, and this was a great way for him to destress. I think wood dust was in my veins from an early age as I used to help Dad a lot, and I have always loved things made out of wood. His were things like tables and chairs, and when they bought a caravan for visits up to the Midlands to visit with relatives, he built bunk beds for it. 

One of his favorite things he made for family and friends were bird houses on a stand. He used to give those away as gifts. We knew a lot of people who were birders before we knew what the term meant. Us too as we were always checking to see which feathered friend landed in our garden. Living near the ocean as we did, we would get a lot of gulls by the dozens flying in.

These, as you can see, are great memories for me. Something I think more and more about these days. I can almost see my Dad smiling as I joined him in the garage. He was always grateful for the interest and help with his projects, and I used to get him things he needed, plus a very important cup of tea when Mum shouted she had put the kettle on and yelled that it was ready through the window. To this day, I still enjoy watching YouTube videos of how things are made out of wood, from log cabins to the smallest of projects. Dad started it all and I believe his father was the same.

This has turned into another ramble. I will end by saying I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks so much for dropping by and sticking with me through to the end of my waffling.