NEXT ODDS AND BODS - WITH A LITTLE AROUND AND ABOUT AND A BIT OF A RAMBLE

Good Morning!

“Some people wake up cheerful. I wake up…eventually.” and “My coffee said I could do

anything today. We both laughed.”

However you wake up, I wish you all a peaceful and very blessed day. Ours started early as we got our Covid Booster. We saw the same pharmacist as last time. Hardly felt a thing. Such a lovely young lady. So warm and friendly. We are all up to date now. Fall colors are still around.

 Afterwards we grabbed a breakfast bagel from a place closer to this supermarket, and had our ‘this week’s car picnic’. We drove to a quieter spot in the parking lot to enjoy them - very good. You can see today’s 'doggy fix' with the pup sticking head out the window on the right of the picture below.

Halloween decorations are being taken down in the neighborhood…

but there are still a few.

Beautiful art to share…

and these, happy geese going for a walk…

and a beautiful owl.

Today I thought I would show you two paintings we have had for 40 plus years. I vividly remember the day I bought them. Gregg was on an eight-month deployment, and I visited my family for a few weeks while he was away. My sister and brother-in-law lived in a small village in Worcestershire, a few miles from the city of Worcester. My parents and I lived a couple of hundred miles south and every few weeks would visit. These trips began when I was in my late teens. Worcester was a favorite place to shop. Moving forward several years, to this visit when Gregg was away, my sister and I were walking down a familiar road past one of the many Tudor homes. I have always had a great interest looking at these old historical houses. 

There were a lot of shops on the other side of the road, one of which sold art. In their window I noticed a watercolor of the same Tudor home (the one above). My sister and I stepped inside and were immediately greeted by the owner. When I asked about it, he took the painting out of the window and told me he was the artist. At the same time, the three geese - or the Three Graces as I called them from that day forth - were added to my other purchase. The artist mentioned his partner painted the geese. The Tudor house is in our dining room and The Three Graces are in another prominent place. 

Anyhow, here is this week’s imaginary home…

plus the downstairs…

and the upstairs.

This would be an awesome gate to the secret garden in the back of the house.

Let’s walk through. Isn’t imagination a fun thing?

Now for something that will hopefully tickle your funny bone. I chuckled at the illustrations first.

I’m sorry, did I roll my eyes out loud? I want you to know 

someone cares, not me but someone. In my defense I was left unsupervised.

Look, I’m not saying you’re old but if you were milk, I’d sniff you first. 

I know right from wrong. Wrong is the first one. If ever you need a

slightly distracted, unsympathetic friend, I’m here for you. At times

I’m grateful that thoughts don’t actually appear in bubbles over our 

heads. Don’t judge me. Hey, train wreck, this isn’t your station.

My quirky sense of humor chuckled at this one too.

“I’ve been dieting all year so people can admire my body this summer.”

“I haven’t. I like food way more than I like people.”

Groan if needed…or roar…

At any given time, the urge to sing “The Lion sleeps tonight” is just a whim away,

a whim away, a whim away, a whim away. 

A few recipes. 

Baked Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls: 13g protein per serving

220 calories per serving. Ingredients: 1 apple, chopped - 1 cup cottage cheese

1 egg - 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - Pinch of salt - Optional:

nuts - raisins - granola for topping. Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

Fahrenheit (175 degrees Centigrade). Lightly grease two small ramekins

(about 8 ounces each).  2. In a bowl combine cottage cheese, egg, maple syrup 

(or honey), cinnamon, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.  3. Gently stir in the 

chopped apple.  4. Divide the mixture between the ramekins.  5. Bake for 25 to

to 30 minutes, or until golden brown on the top.   6. Let cool for a few minutes.

Top with nuts, raisins or granola if desired and enjoy. 

 

Classic Stuffed Mushrooms - creamy, savory and so irresistible!

Ingredients: 12 large button or cremini mushrooms, stems removed

4 ounces cream cheese, softened - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste: Optional - breadcrumbs for topping. How 

to make them: Prep your oven - preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit 

(190 degrees Centigrade) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the filling - in a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese,

grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.

Stuff the mushrooms - Using a spoon, generously fill the mushroom 

caps with the creamy cheese mixture. Don’t be shy, pile it on! If you

want extra texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top. Bake to perfection -

Arrange the stuffed mushrooms on your prepared baking sheet and bake

for 15 to 20 minutes. You will know they are done when the mushrooms 

are tender and the tops turn golden brown. Serve and savor: Let them

cool for just a minute or two, then serve them warm. Watch them disappear.

A slow-cooker recipe, a repeat of one I shared before but I loved the recipe card, so I hope you don’t mind if I share it again. 

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast: Ingredients - 1 (4 to 6 pound

turkey breast - 3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

1 tablespoon garlic powder - 1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon paprika - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - salt and 

pepper to taste - 1 cup chicken broth. Instructions: 1. Pat turkey 

breast dry and rub with olive oil or butter.  2. Mix garlic 

powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub

all over the turkey.  3. Place turkey breast in slow cooker, 

Pour chicken broth around (not on) the meat.  4. Cover and

cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or until internal temperature

reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  5. Optional: broil for 3 to 5

minutes to crisp up the skin before serving.  6. Slice and 

serve juices from the slow cooker.

Dessert:

Baby lemon impossible pies: Ingredients - 1 can sweetened 

condensed milk - 1/2 cup lemon juice - 2 eggs - 1/4 cup melted

melted butter- 1/2 self-rising flour - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Zest of 1 lemon - powdered sugar for dusting. 

Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit /

180 degrees Celsius and grease a muffin tin.  2. In a bowl, whisk 

together condensed milk, lemon juice, eggs, melted butter,

flour, vanilla and lemon zest until smooth.  3. Pour the

mixture evenly into the muffin tin.  4. Bake for 18 to 20

minutes until golden on top and set in the center.  5. Let cool,

then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Words.

Inoubliable - something or someone that leaves a lasting emotional impact -

so powerful, moving or beautiful, that it stays etched in your memory.

Demiurgic - someone or something that is highly creative, powerful or

imaginative in shaping or crafting something significant, like an artist,

thinker or innovator.

Ipseity - (English) - (noun) the quality of being oneself;

embracing our individuality - what makes us unique.

Wise words…

because we all need them at some 

point in our lives. 

“When someone asks me if my cup is half full or half empty, I tell them I am glad I have a cup.”

“What is the true sign of strength?” Said the boy. “Gentleness” said the horse.

You Are Enough - When you look in the mirror, I hope you see gold. I hope you see bravery, courage 

and strength. I hope you see an effortless glow that changes the lives of everyone it comes in

contact with. I hope you see you. I hope you know you are enough. More than pretty enough, and

more than smart enough and more than enough to stand confidently in who you are. No matter 

the thoughts in your head, please know you are more than enough for me. You are more than 

enough for them, and you are more than enough for the world. You are enough.

Time to wind this down but here’s another reminder to…

In the middle message reads Choose Joy Everyday. From top going clockwise, messages

 read: Be kind to yourself - Stay positive - Believe in yourself - Take it one day at a time 

Make today amazing - Never stop growing - You are enough - Think happy thoughts - Do 

what you love - Good things take time - Enjoy the little things - Be grateful.

Thanks for visiting and 

I hope your day is a great one.

(With thanks to Pinterest for today’s inspiration.)

PHOTOS TAKEN BY SON YESTERDAY AT A LOCAL FARMER’S MARKET

 

Sweet thing, you make my heart sing - you turn darkness into light - you make everything alright.

Son sent these photos he had taken when visiting their local farmer’s market. He was picking out a pumpkin for carving with our daughter-in-law that night when he saw the goat. I decided to put him into a frame and added the lyrics. They immediately popped into my head when I looked at that sweet face.

Have a great day and thanks for visiting.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - ODDS AND BODS FOR OCTOBER 25TH, 2026

“Good Morning Sunshine! 

“How are you today? I hope all is well where you are.”

I found my imaginary home.

It’s chilly outside. Time to light the fire. I love this cosy room. 

Here are three images of pretty art that I enjoy sharing with you. The moon with…

friends.

I thought this was very cute, two friends having a chat.

A few recipes:

I am sure many have a favorite salsa recipe.  Hubby not only found but made this one and it was delicious. We shared an avocado and put a spoonful into the cavity after we took the seed out. Most of the time we cut up raw veggies and used it as a dip. He advises to pay particular attention to how many seconds on that blender, so that you get it to your desired consistency. 

Salsa - Ingredients: 4 plum tomatoes - 2 Jalapeños, deseeded - 1 medium onion -1 full bunch of cilantro (called coriander in some parts of the world) - Juice of half a lemon - 1 to 2 garlic cloves - Salt, a good amount hubby says (depending on if it is good for your health or your taste).  Instructions: 1. Finely dice all the ingredients before putting them in a blender.  2. Add everything to a blender and blend until you reach your preferred texture.  3. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. 

Cheeseburger Soup - Farmhouse Favorites - Ingredients: 5 pieces

of bacon (cut into small pieces) - 1 pound of ground beef - 1/4 cup

butter - 1/4 cup onion, diced - 2 sticks celery, diced - 1/2 teaspoon 

minced garlic - 6 tablespoons flour - 4 cups chicken broth - 1 cup

heavy cream - 1 pound Yukon potatoes, peeled and diced small, and

partially cooked in boiling water (I add this because it doesn’t mention

this soon enough in directions, in my humble opinion) - 1-1/2 cups 

sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated - salt and pepper to taste. (Message on left: 

Hearty, creamy and packed with all the flavor of your favorite 

cheeseburger!) Directions: 1. Start by browning your ground beef,

 draining and set aside.  2. In a separate pot, brown brown your chopped 

bacon until no longer pink. Add butter, onion, celery and garlic and let 

it sauté for about 5 minutes.  3. Next, add in your flour and stir into the 

bacon and veggies until combined.  4. Then semi softened potatoes, 

chicken broth, heavy cream, 1 cup of cheese and ground beef into the

pot.  5. Stir well so that it thickens, then let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

6. Top with more Cheddar cheese, salt and pepper before serving. 

I am going to keep this recipe for when we have guests. We only ever eat pears straight from the fruit bowl, but this looks great for those special occasions.

Baked Pears with Goat Cheese, Honey and Cranberries - Intedients: 

4 pears, halved - 1/2 cup of goat cheese - 1/2 cup cranberries 

2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  2. Place pears

Cut-side up in a baking dish.  3. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle cinnamon.

4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until tender.  5. Fill with goat cheese,

cranberries and walnuts.  6. Drizzle honey on top.  7. Bake 5 to 10 

minutes and serve warm. 

I like these too and it would be nice to keep this recipe for those same guests over the holidays, at least for those with no nut allergies.

Maple Vanilla Candied Pecans - Ingredients: 2 cups pecans - 1/4 cup

maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - Pinch of salt 

Directions: Toss pecans with maple, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Spread

On baking sheet. Roast at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

I have four words for you today, and the first three are to do with the moon.  

Selenophile - (noun) - a person who loves the moon.

Moonglade - (noun) - moon-glade - the reflection of moonlight on 

a body of  water.

ZMoonbroch - (noun) - a halo round the moon which presages an

approaching storm.

And then there is this.

“Akiramenai” - origin (Japanese phrase) - Meaning: Until I get

there, I won’t give up. When things are moving slowly, remember

that each step matters. The door won’t open for someone who rushes,

but it will for someone who keeps knocking.

Wise words.

Here is a quote that is a favorite of mine. “We are the leaves of one branch, 

the drops of one sea, the flowers of one garden - Jean Baptiste Henry Lacordaire.

The Seasons Inside a Person - Not every winter is cold. Some people

carry it behind their smiles. Not every spring is filled with flowers.

Sometimes it begins with the day someone chooses to hope again.

There are people with summers in their laughter…warm enough for

Strangers to feel at home. And there are people who wear Autumn

so beautifully, letting go without making a sound. We spend our 

lives looking for the perfect season…only to discover that every

heart is learning how to survive its own weather. So be gentle. You

never know what season someone is living through - Aurelune - A

little universe of words, silence and souls. 

May someone always walk beside you. 

And remember…because we often forget when it comes to ourselves and need a reminder…

of this very important message.

Never forget how amazing you are, for you are worthy and you are loved.

And so ends another positivity post.

Thanks for visiting and I 

hope your day is a great one.

(Thank you Pinterest for today’s inspiration.)