HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - ODDS AND BODS IS STARTING WITH VIRGINIA BEAR

Virginia - Good Morning from Virginia

Now that’s about the size of my coffee mug that I like to start my day off. Yes, I am kidding! I don’t want to be wired through to the rest of the week. Only in my dreams, and talking about dreams…

I found this week's dream cottage…

This looks like a good thing to have handy.

How to prune lavender - top left image says “Prune lavender after flowering.”

Top right image says “If not pruned, lavender will become woody. Lavender is a 

short-lived perennial. Bottom left image says “Pruning lavender between late

Summer and Autumn. Bottom right image says “Result”.

I am trying this also. 

DIY means Do It Yourself Pest Spray - Ingredients - 1 cup of water 

10 to 15 drops of Lavender essential oil - A spray bottle

Instructions - Combine water and lavender essential oil in the

spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spray around

Windows, door frames and baseboards. Lavender naturally 

repels moths, flies and mosquitoes!

and look whose waiting for us around the back…

along with his friend.

We will have a good old natter. 

Did you ever listen to the stories told when people were invited over for tea when you were very young? I am remembering back 70 years ago and have probably told this story before, because that's how it goes when you have been blogging for years and years and years. 

When my parents had friends over, there was always someone who would entertain us. One lady was Mrs. Bissell, who also had the honorary name of Auntie to my sister and me. We loved her and always looked forward to her visits. She was probably as old as I am now, maybe even younger. She hadn't long returned from visiting her brother in the Outback. As we were designated the 'kids', we would always sit on the floor and the grownups, quite rightly so as at this age I don't know even if I could get down on the floor, had dibs on the chairs. I remember being riveted by Mrs. B’s latest adventure in Australia. Later, we usually had a singsong and Dad played the piano. (This was our entertainment. We always had a radio, and my parents bought a TV when I was 13 years old, but we still preferred to read books and play board games, I had coloring books and loved cutting out my paper dolls.) Mum fixed tiny sandwiches with the crusts cut off and brewed endless pots of tea at these gatherings. Mr. Bissell would join Dad in a tot of whiskey. The picture below with the poem reminded me of those days.

That was a perfect house whether you liked food or sleep, or

Story-telling or singing, or a pleasant mixture of them all.

Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear and sadness.

~J. R. R. Tolkien~

Come on around, I'll make us a hot drink, or a cold lemonade and a bite to eat, on a warm day (as I sit shivering. It's been a wacky spring). We will also have tea sandwiches with the crusts cut off but I won't make you sing, not today. The weather is warm in my dream, but it has a gentle breeze to cool us down, and we will enjoy telling a tale or two.

We can also take a walk around the garden. It looks very inviting through those gates.

I looked in my wardrobe and picked the perfect dress to wear. I wish this was really in my wardrobe but hey, it is my dream.

We will visit Rowena Robin in her potting shed. 

You never know whom we will come across on our walk back.

But now it’s time for a mug recipe. I never try these things before I add them. One of these days!

Brownie in a Mug - 1/4 cup flour - 1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa - Pinch of salt - 2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons water - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla.

Mix. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Enjoy!

Fun with food?

The crows seem to be out and about. I knew there was a reason I liked crows so much, even if we do call them a Murder of Crows. And yes, they are noisy but...

Did you know? Crows are quite similar to humans and visit

their aging parents many years after they have left the nest.

How about a new word. I love this one.

Ubuntoo - noun - a profound African philosophy that embodies the spirit of 

togetherness; the belief that our humanity is intertwined, and through 

compassion and community, we rise.

Or this one.

Wabi-sabi (wah-bee-sah-bee) - noun - the Japanese appreciation of life’s 

imperfections; finding beauty in the flawed, the aged, and the incomplete, 

and embracing the transient nature of all things,

Nakama - a deep bond beyond just friendship, people who stand together, share

burdens, and support one another like a found family. 

It's time for Kind and Wise Words

"Keep what is worth keeping, and with a

breath of kindness, blow the rest away."

~Dinah M. Craik~

When it doesn't fit in with how you are feeling,

there are times when it is okay to say no. You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but hopefully they will understand and if they don't, let them move on in peace, kindness and love.

“All that is gold does not glitter. Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached

by the frost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

“There will always be someone who can’t see your worth.

Don’t let it be you.” - Mel Robbins

Things I can control: my choices - my boundaries - my behaviors - my thoughts -

my actions - my attitude - my habits - my routines - asking for help - 

how I express myself - how I treat others - how much effort I put forth - 

how I talk to myself - how I treat my body - what I focus on.

Things I cannot control: the past - the future - other people’s opinions -

what other people think or do - the news - the economy - social media -

my age - other people’s mistakes - other people’s words - how other people feel - 

natural disasters or the weather - the passing of time.

And always remember…

In case no-one told you today…you are beautiful, 

You are needed, you are special, you deserve the best,

it’s okay to not always feel strong.

You are loved ❤️ 

Wishing you all a wonderful day,

and thank you for visiting me.

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

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - ODDS AND BODS - 4/19-26

I hope you are having a good start to the weekend and that last week was a good one too. I am very happy getting out more now that the warmer weather is here. I can't wait to see the butterflies...

and...

never lose your sense of wonder.

don’t get me going on the frogs…and the kitties. 

It is enjoyable being able to go places, but always nice to get home. I look forward to reading a good book in a comfy chair with a cup of tea in the evening. 

That's what I do, I read books, I drink tea and I know things.

Have you been reading any new books 

you would like to share?

And talking about books, are you ready for a new word? 

Philomath - someone who is passionate about 

Acquiring knowledge and constantly seeking

To learn new things.

I have fun finding new words, especially those that show me a bit of the wise.

Words are funny little things. Kind ones often land softly and

Skip along the surface and disappear on a breeze. But angry ones?

They have sharp edges that pierce the heart and mind. Their

Wounds can be forgiven, but never forgotten.  So choose your

Words wisely. They have the power to alter the entire 

landscape before you. - Mona Lisa Nyman

And if the unkind words keep flowing in your direction, then it's okay to avoid them for a while. Just don't burn any bridges, unless you really have to for your own peace of mind and well-being.

“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh. There was a pause.

“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet. “No,” said 

Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.” “That’s okay,” 

said Piglet, and he came and sat next to his friend. “What

Are you doing?” asked Pooh. “Nothing, really,” said

Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite

often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days

either. “But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days

are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone 

there for you. And I’ll always be here for you Pooh.” 

In the end, I believe there is nothing we must do to be loved.

We spend our lives trying to look more beautiful, more intelligent.

But I’ve understood two things: those who love us see us with

their hearts and give us qualities beyond the ones we truly have.

And those who refuse to love us will never be satisfied with all

Our efforts. Yes, truly I believe it is important to let our imperfections 

be. They are precious for they help us understand those who see

us with their heart ~ Frida Kahlo

Fall in love with yourself, with life and then with whoever you want.

~Frida Kahlo~

Here is the dream cottage I found this week.  It would be lovely to look out and have a view of the ocean...

and in front is the gate to a pastoral scene that goes on forever. The best of both worlds. 

How about some fun with food? I think I could manage those hors d'oeuvres...but be careful with those fingers.

 A few recipes…none tried by me, yet!

Chicken Parmesan Chicken - 2 to 3 boneless chicken breasts 

1 cup heavy cream -1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese 

3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 

Salt and Pepper to taste - Instructions: add chicken, cream,

Garlic, Parmesan and seasoning to the crockpot. Cook 4 to

6 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH until chicken

is tender. Shred or slice the chicken and stir into the

creamy sauce. Serve over pasta, rice or mashed potatoes.

French Onion Soup - 1-1/2 pounds onions - 5/8 cup of butter - 1 tablespoon flour - 2-1/2 quarts 

consommé or beef stock - Salt and freshly ground pepper, Slices of toasted French bread 

1/2 cup heavy cream - 1-1/2 pounds grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese. Instructions: slice the onions 

and sauté slowly in the butter until delicately browned. Add the flour, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then 

cook with the consommé/beef stock and seasonings for 25 minutes. Moisten the toasted slices of French bread with heavy cream. Pour the soup over them, sprinkle the toast with grated cheese and place 

in the oven or under the broiler to brown. Be sure that the soup does not actually come to a boil.  

Serves 8 to 10 - “Patti’s 1880’s Settlement - That Special Place”

Ingredients: Fried Potato Cakes - 4 cups shredded potatoes, (fresh or frozen) - 2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup chopped onion - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour - 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 

1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon pepper - Directions: Rinse potatoes in cold water and drain thoroughly.

Mix potatoes, eggs, onion, flour, parsley, salt and pepper. Pour batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto a

Greased hot griddle or skillet. Fry each side until golden brown. 

1-Minute Mug Pizza - Ingredients: 4 tablespoons flour - 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 

1/16th of baking soda - 1 pinch salt - 3 tablespoons milk - 1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 tablespoon Mozzarella Cheese - Toppings of choice - Method: In a small mug,

add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix the dry ingredients

together. Then add in the milk and oil and mix again until well combined. Add 

the sauce and spread it around the surface of the batter. Add in the cheese and toppings

of choice. Microwave for 1 minute or air-fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8

minutes. Take the pizza out and enjoy your hot pizza. And just because I have to say it,

make sure the mugs you are using are microwave and air-fryer safe.

Now, here is your pep squad arriving, because we all need our pep squad at times. And a word to the wise. The things I find to share are meant only as a guide of sorts and meant to be uplifting. Take all with a pinch of salt as when all's said and done, no one has lived your journey in life but you.

Be the reason someone feels: welcome, 

seen, heard, valued, loved and supported. 

If we say this often enough to ourselves, we will start believing it.

Life is like a camera. Just focus on what's important. Capture the

good times, develop from the negatives an & if things don't 

work out...just take another shot.

It's important to stay in tune with your instincts, that little voice...

because...

I finally found my rhythm when I realized that 

even the steps backward were part of the dance.

And as we are winding down here...

Life is wonderful with you in it,

thank you x

For...

In all this great big spectacular world, there is only one you...

You are stronger than you know. More capable than you 

every dreamed and you are loved more than you could

possibly imagine.

You are special 

and...

You are loved just as you are.

Thanks for stopping by 

and enjoy your Sunday.

(With thanks to Pinterest for the inspiration.)