The Victorian Prairie Bonnet And The Value Of Rest

I'm still convalescing. {Hey, even if I weren't on the mend I still spend a copious amount of time in bed.} I love my sleeping room, and I make no apologies for it. Do you like to sleep or lay in bed, to rest and relax? You can ask my mum I've loved sleep since birth. {And yes, if you're curious as to why I write like I'm British it's because I've spent these last two months immersed in my pronunciation course. And my teacher admonishes me to consistently write and speak British English which will create an exceptional accent.}

Why Women Compete With Each Other {And It's Not What You Think}

Why Women Are ’Caught Up’ In Competing With One Another

It was brought to my attention the other day when a well-meaning reader of my blog shared information with me about another blogger. She told me to check out the blogger's site to see if she was on target with what she was seeing; it looked very similar to the things I am presently doing in my business and life. (Might I augment, it's invariably some unsuspecting person that informs me of such things and not by seeking them out myself.) Even although I had no indication what she was talking about, curiosity got the better of me, so I slivered over to catch a peek.

Harvesting Mustard Greens, Sewing Tasha Tudor Work Dresses and Victorian Garden Planning

Did you know that you can freeze fresh vegetables and bring them out months later and they're as fresh as the day you picked them from the garden? It's quite right. When my darling children were young little sprites, and my time was restricted for venturing out to the village market, I'd buy all that we needed from the grocer, bring it home, divide it up and freeze it, (such things as meats, milk, dairy, fresh garden vegetables & fruits). As you know, being a mum of 4, tending a small farm and being a homemaker is much much labour. So anything to assist in bearing up daily laborious pursuits was quite welcomed. Last month I washed some collards and mustard greens. I had picked so many that I decided to freeze the remaining batches. On Monday I decided to make them in the crockpot. I also made some rice, baby lima beans and dog bread. It's nice to put something on to slow cook, especially if there's much garden work to be done for the day.

The Truth Behind Why Johnny Depp Joined Instagram {According To Me}

If you've read this blog at any length, I needn't notify you of my one-sided connection with Johnny Depp. {Now, hold up. That sounds like Stalkerville, and that's not what I meant. Let me back up and begin again. I have always felt kindred emotions towards him. I'm quite sure It does not run both ways. The closest I ever was to Johnny was when he was on a Pirates of the Caribbean junket, and my ex-mate asked him to say “Hello Raquel” to me, which he did against his management requirements for press. I wish I knew what happened to that DVD. It's most likely in a landfill somewhere. I finally figured out one reason (I'm sure there are many) why I'm so captivated by him. My mama and I were prattling about it yesterday, and I think It's because “he reminds me of me”, {Doc Holiday in Tombstone describing Johnny Ringo} as well as my son Sawyer.

A spirited being, often misunderstood, loves music more than anything, eccentric, has a rebellious free will, for the most part, doesn't care what others think of him and has a neverending need to try and fix/rescue others/women. {Those are not all of the reasons, nonetheless I am attempting to keep this post under 2000 words. Err...}

Remember how many times I've said that I would always attract men that needed rescuing? I unconsciously did that many times because I longed to be saved. It's called mirroring, and every single person in the world does it.

I've heard all about the celebrities that have for many years ignored social media and have foregone joining. I suppose It's their attempt not to jump on the bandwagon of following the herd, so to speak. There's not many of them left that aren't on social media; I think for the most part a lot of them 'caved' under pressure, or maybe it was they felt FOMO {fear of missing out.} 

When I discovered last week that Johnny had joined Instagram, at long last, I was thinking back in February when I did another post about him, of how much I wish he were on some kind of social media. He's very ungetatable {yeah, that's a word, I just made it up}, but then again that is why I also like him, he's even more mysterious when he not attainable. Ya know? I like a mysterious lad. Now, all of this sounds very lust ridden with desires ripped from the pages of a romantic novel, but no, it's actually just a gal that likes a guy in the most brotherly sisterly kind of way. That's it folks—nothing to see here. Keep it movin’...

But back to the reason, in my opinion, that Johnny got an Instagram account. Besides, yes, there is a pandemic happening and where I think that may have something to do with it, I think It's a tiny thing to do with it. My suspicions tell me that he's been advised by someone on his team to get out ahead of the drama and his lawsuit against Amber Heard. While she's been out slandering and having a go at him every time we turn around, Johnny always stayed quiet. Until now. Because, well... he's a gentleman, but when dealing with a beast such as the one he's dealing with, this is a whole other animal, {and by animal I mean, we're not speaking of the sweet, docile elephants that Johnny so acutely loves}. He knows the lengths she will go to in an attempt to destroy him personally and professionally. He can no longer stay behind the scarlet velvet roped curtain and turn a blind eye because we all know how she's got a poker face. I have nothing against Amber; however, I have seen women like this many times. All signs point to her using Johnny for a come up. Like I always say, and something my momma taught me since childhood, " The cream always rises to the top, just give it a minute." 

I have a sneaking suspicion though that very soon we'll be saying, ”Here’s Johnny” and the colonel will come out of this clenching a ”Texas Holdem” flush! 

Attaboy, Johnny! 

Do you think Johnny joined Instagram because of the coronavirus like many are saying or for other reasons? I'm curious. 

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

Why I’m Learning To Speak With A British English Accent

Wanna hear something funny?

When I told Jeffrey I was learning to speak with a British English accent and that I was taking classes. His response was:

”Baby, aren’t you afraid that people are going to think you’re a bit bonkers, like when Britney Spears shaved her head and began using a British English accent?”

Hunky-Dory At The Cottage

How was your easter? Ours was a delight, just as expected. I did have a mishap with my peasant bread. I killed my yeast, and I had to begin again. But I always say, it's okay that things like that happen, I know what I did to kill the yeast, so no high degree of harm was done. You simply start again.

A Cozy Victorian Easter At The Cottage And A Story About Getting Desires

Are you having fun planning your Easter festivities?

Am I not an empty-nesting momma in need of diversion? Oh, indeed! What better way to divert than to plan my pleasurable celebrations just as in years past while my darlings we're ever-present.

April Showers At The Cottage, Little Women And Victorian Poultry

I thought today would be a lovely day to share with you a few things about my art.

{Because everyone wants to know that, right? {Smile} I'm going to pretend you were all cheering me on after that question like those animated cartoons with the humans in a stadium background with no faces. Ya know, cause baby has conversations with self, pretends to answer self after asking self questions. Don't blame me, I have no real physical friends since lockdown, and someone's got to be my quarantine guinea pigs. Lucky you. No really though. This IS MY life 24-7, I'm just saying it's because of COVID-19 so that you won't feel pity for me. Err... Welcome to my life.}

Friendships After Divorce: A Few Stayed, Most Swam Away

Last week I had a kind soul reach out to me that I had been quite friendly with during my years as a Mormon. This wasn’t in rare form, except for it’s been now over five years since my divorce was final. After all, this time has passed, I can count quite literally one person that never left my side during that time.

The Art of Procrastination {How To Get Things Done Effortlessly According To Abraham Hicks}

With the pandemic, I saw last week where folks were stating how much time they have now since isolation and surely with being quarantined; they'll make time for all of those projects they've been putting off since Lord knows how long.

The Art Of Escapism {4 Television Shows To Assist In Diversion From The Pandemic}

Even though the world has gone on lockdown, watching mindless hours of television isn't a rarity, even for a pandemic.

I mean, television was created for entertainment; it was also designed to distract someone from the realities of life.

And right now, I think many folks need mindless hours of some good television to escape. Isn’t that what all humans are doing all day every day with recreational drugs, drinking, etc.? Yep, pretty much.

The Art Of A Focused Mindset {And How To Optimistically Swim Through The COVID-19}

[Disclaimer: I am going to continually use the means I possess for creating this blog with as much optimism as possible. You'll either vibe with me or swim off- because, well, those that are drowning in their sorrowful misery won't be able to hear a word I'm writing regardless. I'm writing this blog to stand in my truth that optimism is the way to live, irrespective of what others think. If you agree, let's have a go, shall we?]

This explanation of optimism will not apply to someone that has no understanding of universal laws. {That isn't meant to sound condescending, as if I'm somehow more intellectual than the average bear, but someone will invariably read it that way, and if it's you, my apologies in advance. Smile.}

It will surely hit some folks the wrong way: well, because like I stated here.

You know the old saying, ’you can't win for losing.’ Yeah, that. Because let's be truthful here, we are all different. We come from all sorts of situations and life experiences. So no one is going to understand you in the way you desire to be understood. It's not their job. The world is not here to feather our nest. The sooner one learns this, the better off they'll be. The problem is established when the world is on the brink of a breakdown. Do we think Sally from Louisville, Kentucky that writes a blog about positivity is going to change someone for the better that is down in the mouth about life and the COVID19? No. We all must listen to our inner being, and until that happens, we can read all the online magazines, or search Facebook groups till the everliving cows come home, and we aren't going to find solace. Solace comes from alignment. No. Where. Else. Alignment with our inner being. I could end this post now. However, you know me, and I'm going to try and drive this home until you're near the brink of disgust. Cause, ya know, that's my way.

Many folks that are fearful or upset about all that's happening is the most accurate external sign that they have habitually reached outward for the world or someone outside of themselves to solve their problems. If they could just talk to the right person, take the right medicine, read the right online blog post, find the perfect Facebook group, and have an excuse for why they are feeling the way they are they'll feel some sense of resolve. Yes, sometimes amid contrast Source will throw something our way, intending to wedge its way through the cracks and slide in a piece that WILL help ’said’ person to feel resolve. Our inner being has a way of working that out for us like that. Yay! For our inner beings! And yay because even when one might have thought I was going to advocate not reading that blog post that was negative. I am not. Why? Because Source is always leading and guiding us, no matter how much we may be pinched off in those areas of our lives that are resisting and pushing against self. That's all it is truthfully, is resistance conditioning of years and years of build-up and lack of belief in ourselves.

The reason I choose to live in the positive is that it's like this:

Pretend you're at a restaurant buffet bar. {And this is quite fitting because pretending is what we have to do right now.}

Now, where was I? 

Oh, yeah. 

There are all sorts of delicious foods to choose from, but you also see THE ONE food that you despise. Would you want to eat the good foods or select the one lousy food you hate and gobble it up? Of course, you’d choose the good one.

So why would you keep talking and talking about what you don't like about the COVID 19 and how it's causing you to feel? Habit, that's why. Practice and momentum of training the mind to see the bad instead of the good.

Don't worry; it'll get worse. Just keep talking about it. The universe is noninclusive; meaning you always get what you think about. Keep arguing for your limitations, and you’ll get them tenfold. The thoughts you think about, multiply. I'll see you on the positive side after all this dies down. I have no desire to discredit anyone when they are feeling like rubbage. I do, however, know that universal laws create momentum. Which means that if you start seeking out individuals to ’woe is me’ all over the place that momentum picks up and soon you'll find yourself in the pits of despair. Because the universe brings what your vibrating right to you. Haven't you ever noticed that when you feel like a heap of negativity that you find all those same types of folks? They start to collectively congregate in the same place. If you'd like to know where you're vibrating, take a look around and see what's manifesting in your surroundings. Is it negative? Are the folks around you negative? Then that means sweet Sally, ”YOU ARE NEGATIVE!”

I know it's distasteful yo hear, but it's the truth. No one wants to dwell in that kind of mind junk for days and nights on end. It makes a person feel awful. So why ask or question my motives for positivity? I want to spend my life feeling good, that's why.

If you're any sort of a book worm, such as myself (and even if you haven't been, you might start, beings that some folks are now quarantined), you've read at least a motivation quote or two from some spiritual guru somewhere, ”The power of mindset.”

This is a true statement, if you don't believe me, all you have to do is take a look around {I know, I know. I'm asking you to look around quite a bit here. Errr...} and see how many folks are panicking, with their anxiety issues shooting through the surface of the sun. In the moment of grave crisis that occurs in the world on this scale, no longer for the selected few, It has a way of shaking some new thought paradigms into a person.

There will always be people thriving and not thriving in times of contrast. Do you know why? It has nothing to do with outside circumstances, regardless of what those are. It has to do with a MINDSET! It's not any more complicated than that. It's all a personal mindset of how one chooses to focus their thoughts.

Here's an example. Think of the most famous person that had a positive mindset, Martha Stewart, for instance. Do you think she came out of prison after all she experienced; a more powerful creator? Yes, she did. She had a mindset behind that beautiful brain of hers. She lived in an optimistic attitude. She used the time in prison to teach. That's what all good teachers do, are they teach.

However, you can’t teach what you don’t know. And the only way to KNOW is to live it. To actually LIVE the experience. I’ve said it a million times in my blog posts. Experience teaches words do not. What does the world need right now? To be taught, through experience. All will come out the other end, hopefully with a better sense of life and a deeper knowledge of themselves.

A large portion of my learning came from leaving a marriage of 24 years, and my son's murder. My son's death has prepared me and continues to teach me every day. It also reminds me that tomorrow is not promised. At the end of the day, we all are here for a short amount of time, and we might do well to realise this notion. Furthermore, something like this will also teach folks most profoundly. In a way, that nothing else has been able to teach them.

I highly promote living the best life possible. That is what I’ve been doing these last five years (after discovering the law of attraction), and I plan to keep on doing it. Because whereas many folks are down in the mouth, I see the positive. I am not going to look at the negative. We can choose to see a situation wholly awful or want to see the possibilities. And like Emily Dickenson said many moons ago, “I dwell in possibility.”

I will come out thriving in this situation. You know why? Because I went into it with that mindset. If you or someone you know wants the answers to all of this, it’s to CHANGE THE MINDSET.

How do you change a mindset, you might ask? You begin with each experience by training your mind to think on every single thing; positively. At first, it’s not easy, but your mind is a muscle, and it can be trained like anything else. It gains strength. When a negative situation (contrast) arises, flip the scenario. Now find the positive and milk it to death. And before you know it, you’ll be on the path to positivity. I promise you.

You must also remember you’re a mighty creator. You have extraordinary power. You just have to believe it. Like when you were a small child, you would so easily believe things. Be like that. Believe my friend and the world will once again become your oyster.

No grit. No pearl.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

The Art of Being Unapologetic For Making A Living From Blogging

I make money from my blog, YouTube channel, Etsy, Amazon and podcast. However, today I'm talking specifically about my blog.

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be an author and artist when I grew up. However, after a few of life's experiences and abandoning my dreams, I didn't pursue my writing nor artist career. Sure I still wrote in my diary daily and lettered to pen pals ever since I can remember.

My Blog Is Evolving {And My MerryMaid Scarlette Rose Petal Tea Scones Receipt}

Good morning dear friends,

I am having a cup of Tetley. I have a few things I should like to share with you.

Firstly, as I have spent the weekend preparing to take my business to the next level, I wanted to explain what my intentions are for my blog. I am a steadfast organised individual with all aspects of my life; mostly contributing to having four children, and it seems an essential characteristic to possess if one is to be a quite accomplished multi-tasker.

After I created my new blog in 2017 and as a practice of living the law of attraction, I have allowed my blog to evolve naturally. I follow the inspired moments, and it's been such a lovely evolution of expansion. I absolutely love my blog! I know each aspect has naturally come to be at just the perfect time. And now this next expansion is me creating a more regular schedule for blog content. I'm building something, dear friends. A few months ago, I changed the categories to fit the dimensions of each endowment. So I feel the next logical step would be to create a post for each weekday to represent each endowment. This way, it keeps things balanced, and it also creates commonness, so when you swim to my blog, you will know that each day is a scheduled subject matter and which subject I'll be chatting about.

My Beatrix Potter'ings At Carter's Cottage, Book Release, And Splendid Intentions

My dear friends,

Let us have some tea. I am going to make some scones from a receipt that I found. However, I intend on changing it up a bit. A few of the ingredients that I will properly use will be rose water, rose petals and the nut selected will be pistachio. I am naming the scone Merrymaid Scarlette Rose Tea Scones. If however, they are a splendid tasting scone I will add them to the menu when I get my very own tea room {MerryMaid Scarlette Rose's Bakery and Tea Cottage}.

Your Anchoring Beliefs Are Preventing You From Being A Powerful Manifestor {And How To Remove Them Swiftly}

My dear friends,

Pour some tea, and let's chat about our childhood belief systems, shall we? Oh, how delightful a topic! 

"The way I feel is always an indicator of where my vibration is at."

It feels quite brilliant to be back to writing. Another subject that I wanted to share with you is the spirituality aspect of vibrations and emotional scales. 

How A Victorian Woman Wears Makeup

"And, after dressing for the evening, look again at your reflection in the mirror, and study the effect. Do you resemble a painted doll or an elegant woman? Is the expression killed by cosmetics or improved?" ~Gems of Deportment, 1881

My dear friends, 

Pour some tea and let us have a chat about makeup, shall we? 

As a woman that has had extremely fair skin for my entire life {except for those few summers that I felt such pressure living in the south that I caved and signed up for the tanning booth}, I have always loved having fair skin. My skin is so fair that my veins show through. Did, you know that some women would draw veins to look paler? So as I was studying the research more in-depth for this post, I came to realise that were I to have lived in the Victorian era, I would have had admirable skin colouring {smile}. 

A November To Remember, And My First Storybook Character Taxidermied Mouse

My dear friends and Mermaid Junkies, 

Now I'd like to tell you a little story about why I have returned to calling many of you Mermaid Junkies. 

Oh, wait, before I get going, let us have tea, shall we? I'm having a cup of earl grey creme'. I was scouring the Martha Stewart website last evening in search of a variety of new scone recipes. I bookmarked a blueberry-buttermilk recipe. I was enlivened because it pertains buttermilk. I tend to favour a receipt that has buttermilk, as it seems to taste a bit better. To me, anyway. What do you prefer?

Good Day, Landlocked, Sea Folk

My dear friends,

I won't bore you to tears, but I have been away because I have felt under the weather. I think it may be pollen. The pollen here in Florida can be ghastly. I know it perpetuates the notion and is a true testament of the law of attraction. When we notice and speak of things, even if we do not want it, the universe gives us more of it. Besides, I think I am a bit hard-headed at times, and refuse to slow down, so the only way is to become afflicted. Do you ever feel this way?

The Art Of Making Staffordshire Cottage Shipshape

My dear friends, 

I have my tea a bit early. I wanted to gather my thoughts, so I have put on some Claude Debussy to angle my disposition of writing this evening. The day has been quite scorching, and conditions are lacking in adornment; however, the sand cranes have been flying overhead cackling. I love to hear them and my ol' beloved seagulls. I cherish the sounds of seagulls along the ocean waves as they kiss the stoned fairy moss rocks.