Cats Are Awesomeness

I was going to title this cats are so over Brexit but that’s for another time , cats are awesome in each and every paw and whisker.This blog was named in part after my late evil silver tabby cat Rollie ( like the whiskers cat but not as sweet natured ).Honestly I think cats would make a job of running the country !

Cats I love cats and yes I’m allergic to cats but because I grew up with cats I’m tolerant to a degree of them.Get me near a horse then I’m likely to end up in A & E again.Cats are very much their own personalities I think if the Oscars were open to cats then they would win every single time.Nobody can deny the acting range and ability of a cat they’re method actors think Robert De Nero.

I think there needs to be a t shirt that says “ cats are awesomeness “

Cats are the bees knees ( do bees have knees ?)  Cats don’t give a flying fig at times and we could all do with that attitude at times I feel.

Cats are there when you do and don’t need them and they’re very much like humans in that respect !I couldn’t be without a cat and shouts cats are better than dogs !! 

We are still hiding Aldi cat food in the Sheba cat food box and this trick is working an absolute treat.I am pretty sure that cats don’t read labels but I am taking no chances.

You only have to look at the internet which the cats indeed did invent, I mean cats are the global superstars of the internet.Cats are hilarious and will leave you belly aching for hours with tears of joy streaming from your face.

Cats are easy to care for unless you make a rod for your own back and treat them like the Queen of England but honestly you’re going to do this anyway.

Cats are furry super heroes and can jump really high with no effort at all , they’re also really good at clearing shelves so Kon Marie 

Sherwood Forest Visiting The Major Oak

Now I’ve never visited the Major Oak which is meant to be the tree Robin Hood his in or something like that.Truth is it wouldn’t have even been a sapling when he was allegedly around but myths become legend and become ingrained in folk law.There is always perhaps a grain of truth in these things sometimes there are more grains of truth.I mean without it we wouldn’t have had Bryan Adams clinging onto the top spot for what seemed like 20 years with “Everything I do for you “ and Bryan we salute you.Bryan Adams however was not around when I visited Sherwood Forest with my husband and son back from university.

Sherwood Forest is a 450 acre nature reserve and is home to the well loved Major Oak as mentioned earlier.You need to visit this nature reserve and be part of the Robin Hood legend , it costs £4 to park at the Nature reserve ensure you have to correct change though as cards are not accepted at the car park payment machines.There is a RSPB cebtre there complete with cafe , shop and toilets etc.Also nearby is a lovely craft complex complete with another cafe.

And a direct quote from Mr T “This is the first time I’ve been to see the Major Oak, so was quite excited to visit this legend landmark of Nottinghamshire. I’m a big Robin Hood fan and was looking forward to learning more. There’s lots of information here from the original name of the oak “Cock pen oak” to becoming the “Major’s Oak” to finally becoming to World famous “Major Oak”. There are lots of walks around the forest of various distances to suit your needs. “

Rage Against Early Mornings

I woke early early early so early that Stonehenge hasn’t been built yet and I thought about being cross.Cross with the fact that I was up early and no mortal was up but then I thought again that this would indeed be a waste of time and just enjoy the slumbering peace.I hung the washing out and I still maintain that hanging out socks it’s fruitless and soul destroying & and will bring about the end of the universe.

Whilst putting out the washing , pegging ? placing out the washing ( gosh do much description in a household task ) I chanced up the Starlings on the bird feeder and you know they sound just like a teaspoon tinkling in a teacup.

And with beautiful life observations ( I don’t mean hanging out the washing, pegging arrrgh ) I mean just the peace and tranquillity being in the beauty of the moment.So often we brush over the simplicity of life and yearn we yearn for it.

And before everyone stirs you feel that everything and anything is yours , you survey your kingdom and of course you have your cup of tea.

Mornings are what you make them and of course mine has to be with a cup of tea. It’s a wonder I actually dealt with the washing at all , I think clothes should take themselves to the washing machine at the very least.

Cheats Waldorf Salad

You know I have never had Waldorf salad and I got to thinking which I tell you can be a very dangerous thing especially over a cup of tea , I thought about salad and how boring it can be and now we are entering into salad season I really do think salads could do with a pep up and taking to that next level.salad has never ever been so exciting and I think salads need to be more Bear Gylls less Danny Dyer!

Ingredients 

Enough walnuts for 2 crushed and a little bit extra to sprinkle on the salad

2 ts of Dijion mustard

2 chicken breasts thinly sliced( already cooked) but of course you could cook your own chicken breasts through

4tbp of Olive oil




Salad

Use a salad of your choice

red and green apple wedges

a splatter of mixed fruit

More walnuts enough for 2 again

celery cut into chunks

lemon zest and juice if no lemons perhaps use ready made lemon juice


Method

Heat some olive oil in a pan

Method brush the chicken with the Dijon mustard and coated with some crushed walnuts and cook the chicken through until thoroughly cooked if you are cooking them from scratch.You can of course use ready cooked chicken .




Cut up the celery into chunks and mix with the salad ingredients in a bowl. Mix everything together with with homemade mayonnaise or a very very good shop brought one.

The Outdoor Prescription

It’s been raining men .. it’s been raining forever and ever and I’m really beginning to think it’s down to budget cuts ~ weather austerity if you will.At what point does it stop being good for the garden I think the rain started when I got a new garden table then I’m afraid it was all downhill from there.

We are over half way #30dayswild celebrating all things wild and nature.The garden has been a labour of love over the past few years and it’s taken shape nicely.I’ve a wildlife pond and have tadpoles they don’t contribute to the household income though.Also we have tree bumblebee s in the bird box and they’re super busy collecting nectar.

I wanted a bird bath but didn’t want a whimsical fairy or a constipated looking frog set in stone .Neither was I prepared to pay over £100 for a stone one that had been hand craved by a monk called Dave.So as my husband and I walked round the garden centre with a lost purpose until I spied though he says he spied first some glazed plant pots and saucers that would be ideal as a bird bath and it was a combined priced of 21 pounds.You could do this cheaper by recycling stuff and upcycling suitable shallow containers etc. My husband up turned the glazed dish upon the glazed pot just fixing it with outdoor sealant ( but do pick up the whole thing by the pot )

Gardening gives myself and my husband a great sense of well being as when you're standing there gazing aimlessly out the window doing the washing it , it so takes away from the drudgery of the task in hand. To see the bird hopping across to the bird feeder and to see Dragonfly's dip into the wildlife pond without a care in the world and it satisfying to see that carefree life it gives a warm glow to your day.It starts with something simple life plating some seeds in the garden , a few forgotten plants in the forgotten corner of the garden centre , swapping plants from friends.Gardening makes feel feel hope for tommorow because sometimes just sometimes hope can slip away but Gardeing promotes hope for tommorow and gives a tremendous sense of well-being and achievement.