Odd and Sundry

Mostly just odd. You can blame the morning paper; that's what I'm doing. John told me the heartwarming story of a little cat with two faces called a Janus cat and that's when my mind took off. I decided to look around for some "odd" things this morning.

A Janus Cat

I thought it was odd yesterday when Sheila mentioned that she wanted to make a Disappearing Nine-Patch after watching the videos. Why, so had I! And I already had. What fun! Google it at You Tube and you'll find many easy to follow directions.

Looking out my new kitchen window, without any moldings, I saw something odd.

Okay, it didn't really look like that; I just have an aversion to flying the flag upside down. It really looked like this...

flag reflected in a driveway puddle

Lastly, I've been wanting to discuss this phenomenon with you for some time as I've noticed it happening time and again. First, here's the monster morning glory.

And a closer look...

A bee inside the blossom taking a nap...yes, he's still alive. What if the blossom closes?

His little blossom bed becomes a tomb. Because I dead head the spent blossoms daily, I know that this happens a lot. I'm perplexed by it. It just seems so odd and the perfect waste of a little bee.

Thus concludes odd and sundry for today. Hope that your Friday is terrific!

Anyone Need a Giant Pillowcase?

Not many of you think the way I do. Now this is a very, very good thing; otherwise, you might have spent an entire week of your precious life thinking about ways to create a giant pillowcase. And then you might have spent an entire afternoon actually sewing up said giant pillowcase. Uh huh, a giant pillowcase that would cover mini-blinds making them invisible...a sort of stealth mini-blind, if you will. Why? Because I don't like the look of mini-blinds, but find them a necessary evil.

giant pillowcase gone horribly awry

I really don't know where I went wrong, but perhaps it was by not measuring accurately. Then, too, I. can. still. see. the. mini-blind. The giant pillowcase is being shipped to the North Pole. I'm sure that Santa can use it come Christmas.

All is not for naught, though, because I can show you the pillowcase I made "properly." I'm really working on getting the Irish linen stash whittled down.

Even though I didn't follow the directions as carefully as I might have, this pillow case worked out fine and it truly was kind of magical, just like that cornbread recipe from yesterday. (Have any of you tried that trick yet?) Elizabeth at Home is Where the Heart Is first told me about these magical pillowcases made in such a simple, fascinating way right *here.* You might like to give it a try! You might want to have an audience to impress. Just sayin.'

The Last of the Perennial Garden Posies

Rainy today. I keep hoping that John will find the time to trim out my kitchen window. He thinks that there are more important things to do. I don't know, looking at that mess much longer is going to drive me bonkers, but then I'm easily driven bonkers.

Anything driving you bonkers today? Anything you'd like to talk over at all?

A delightful Thursday to you..

The Best Corn Bread Evah!

Oh So Good!

As I was serving supper last night, I told John that this was touted to be "The Best Corn Bread Ever." I had just turned to grab my own plate, when I heard him exclaim, "I'll say!"

For those who like to mine a bit, you can find the secret for yourselves at Brenda's Coffee, Tea, Books and Me right *here.* Edited to Add: No, no, you won't. For some reason Brenda's removed her post. I'll get back to you. If she isn't putting the post back, I'll provide another link. YES! Yes, you will. Good heavens...Brenda thinks that it was a hiccup. Anyway, here's another point: The method, in this case, is far more important than the recipe so if you have your favorite recipe, go ahead and use it.

Hmmm, it was scrumptious. I don't think I'll ever return to my former method of making corn bread. What amazing results and all so simply. It's like magic; as Brenda would say, "Narnia magic." So, really, do yourself a favor and check it out and bake some for supper tonight. Your family is going to thank you!

(Yes, *cough* *sputter* *ahem* we are still on our eating plan. It's just that, every now and then, we simply must eat something yummy or we I go stark raving nuts. John is a little over a pound above his goal. I am fifty-five pounds above mine. What, I ask you, is wrong with this picture? Gheesh.)

Not a whole lot of excitement at the Haven. Lots of work going on outside; lots of painting going on inside. You know how I loathe painting, but I do like things looking fresh and bright so that's what keeps me going. Otherwise I'd quit and work in my sewing room where I'd prefer to be.

I am still trying to keep up with you and learn what you're doing. Anything new that I may have missed?