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.)

ODDS AND BODS FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 12TH, 2026

Good morning! How are you today?

It has been hot and muggy and also we have been getting torrential downpours. Not many walks but I have been doing a few chair exercises. 

I only wish I were that limber!

Don’t forget to be silly today.

…because a sprinkle of silly and a dash of absurd keeps that inner child disappearing into total adulthood. And you all know by now that my inner child is alive and well. Go outside and see something magical. My brain gets dusty if I stay inside too long. True!

Okay, so it doesn’t have to be a dragon. How about watching a bee collect that magical dust off a flower?

I would love to live in Willowhollow.

Willowhollow - Established in 2024 - Faith - Hope - Love - Dream Big - Be Kind

Enjoy the ride - Collect beautiful moments.

My imaginary home is on its outskirts on the edge of the forest. 

There is a small pond out back for visitors to enjoy on these hot summer days. (As I have said before, imagination is a fine thing.) Jump in, we keep arm-floatation devices at the ready and there will always be someone looking out for you.

Later we will take a walk through the Secret Garden. Who knows, we might come across a fairy or two. 

But first into the kitchen we go...

to make a few recipes.

Mix together and dip your bread…

Lori’s Recipe Journal - Bread Dipping Oil - 1/2 cup olive oil - 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped 

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese - Salt and Pepper to taste

Corn Chowder - Yield: 6 servings - Preparation time - 15 minutes

Cooking time: 35 minutes - Total time: 50 minutes.

Ingredients: 6 slices thick cut bacon, diced - 2 tablespoons butter

1 onion, diced - 1 leek (white part only), sliced - 2 celery stalks, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons flour - 4 cups chicken broth

1-1/2 pounds Ukon Gold potatoes, diced - 5 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon kosher salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup heavy cream - 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar - 2 tablespoons chopped chives

Reserved bacon - Instructions: Cook the bacon until crisp, remove and reserve.

Cook the onion, leek and celery in the bacon fat and butter until softened Add

the garlic, cook for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in

the broth. Add the potatoes, corn, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Simmer for

20 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Blend about one-third of the soup with

an immersion blender. Stir in the heavy cream and heat gently. Finish with cider

vinegar, chives and reserved bacon. Helpful tip: for extra depth let the soup rest for 

10 minutes before serving, so that the flavors meld. Add seasonings and vinegar just 

before serving. Flavor notes: Sweetcorn and smoky bacon, creamy potatoes and a

bright acidic finish, create a chowder with excellent balance and depth.

Another soup recipe 

Cream of Anything Soup - Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 

1/3 cup flour - 1/3 cup milk - 1/3 cup of broth - 1/4 teaspoon 

onion powder - 1/4 garlic powder - optional: 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup

Cooked add-ins (chicken, mushrooms, etc) - salt and pepper.

Directions: Melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk

until mixture turns into a paste. Whisk in milk and broth until

thickened and smooth. 

And for dessert…

Flourless Lemon Almond Cake - Ingredients: 2 cups (200g) almond flour - 1/3 cup (80ml)

fresh lemon juice - 1 tablespoon lemon zest - 4 large egg - 1/2 cup ( 120 ml) maple syrup

or honey - 1/2 cup (120g) plain Greek yogurt (optional for extra moisture) - 1 teaspoon vanilla

extract - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt - toasted sliced almonds (optional). Optional

toppings: lemon glaze (powdered sugar and lemon juice - toasted sliced almond - light dusting of powdered sugar. Instructions: 1. Preheat and preparation: preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (175 

degrees C.) Grease and line an 8-inch (20c) round cake pan with parchment paper. 2. Mix wet ingredients: in a large bowl whisk together eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, maple syrup, Greek 

yogurt (if using) and vanilla. 3. Add dry ingredients: stir in almond flour, baking powder and salt

until fully combined. 4. Bake: pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes

or until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 5. Cool and serve: let the cake cool

before adding glaze or topping. Slice and enjoy!

Words

Philomath - someone who is passionate about acquiring knowledge 

and constantly seeking to learn new things. 

Meraki (meh-rah-kee): noun - a Greek word for infusing your work with love, 

creativity and soul; to pour a piece of yourself into everything you do, creating 

beauty in the process.

Wise words - because we all need a pep talk at times. 

While on this ride called “Life”, you have to take the good with the bad, smile when you’re sad, 

love what you’ve got and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from

your mistakes, but never regret. People change, things go wrong. Just remember, the ride goes on.

“I am far from perfect,” sighed the Boy. “It’s true,” said the

rabbit. “You are real, which is better than perfect.”

THE COURAGE TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD - If you want to be authentic, be

prepared to be disliked. If you want to be private, be prepared to be gossiped 

about. If you want to stick to your boundaries, be prepared to be seen as unfriendly.

If you don’t want to explain yourself, be prepared to be misunderstood. 

One worth repeating 

Not by Erin Hanson - You are not your age, nor the size of clothes

you wear, you are not a weight or the color of your hair. You are

not your name or the dimples in your cheeks, you are all the books 

you read, and all the words you speak, you are your morning croaky

voice, and the smiles you try to hide, you’re the sweetness in your

laughter, and every tear you’ve cried, you’re the songs you sing so

loudly, when you know you’re all alone, you’re all the places that

you’ve been to, and the one that you call home, you’re the things that

You believe in, and the people that you love, you’re the photos in your

bedroom, and the future you dream of, you’re made of so much beauty,

but it seems that you forgot, when you decided that you were defined,

by all the things you’re not.

More good advice. Don’t forget to read the signs.

Make a choice 

Live simply - Laugh often - Be kind - Enjoy the little things

This flower is for you, for all the silent battles you’ve fought and the strength no one sees.

Never forget you are a limited edition. There’s no one like you.

And on that note, I will say bye-bye for now…I’m 

off to cause a kerfuffle

It’s a good day to have a good day. 

And into the forest I go to lose my mind and feed my soul. 

John Muir was a very wise man. 

And remember when you are in that forest…

You are Loved!

Thanks for visiting and 

may your day be a great one.

(My thanks to Pinterest for today's inspiration.)