I Cannot Tell A Lie...It's Monday

Good morning friends, and happy birthday George and Abe. 

Speaking of Abe, hubs and I watched a movie last week we hadn't seen before, even though it was released in 2011- The Conspirator with James McAvoy, Kevin Kline, Robin Wright, and more. The plot follows the trial of Mary Surrat, the first woman tried in connection with the Lincoln assassination. It was good and I wasn't all that familiar with her story. 

And as long as we're talking about Abe...how do you feel about the penny? The last were minted in November of 2025, and now the penny is no more. I mean except for the pennies we have stashed in pockets, purses, and jars, but I guess nothing is one cent going forward? Or two, three, or four cents either? Or twelve, thirteen, or fourteen and so on and so on. Hmmm. Is everything going to be rounded up or rounded down? I guess we're about to find out. 

Now let's put the train back on the track and discuss the weekend. Hubs and I had plans to celebrate with a nice dinner Friday night since I would be leaving town Saturday morning. We wanted to make a lobster risotto because that sounded fancy, and it's also something we've never made before, but we missed the lobster truck so went with plan B, which was also good. Hubs grilled steaks and he's mastered that so no complaints. 

My mom lives with my younger sister, but my sister had an opportunity to take a big trip so we shifted mom to my brother's house in NJ for the two week holiday. My older sister and I each took a week to be there too so everyone could come and go as needed. We don't leave my mom alone at all so having extra hands in the house helps.

Hubs drove me to the airport and I arrived with plenty of time to spare. It wasn't busy so I sailed through security, grabbed my Dunkin' latte, and settled in with my book until it was time to board. 

The flight was smooth and my brother picked me up on the Philly end and so all in all easy peasy. 

I've spent a lot of my life living in this part of the country, but I'm a Carolina girl now and I forgot about all the snow on the ground. 

When my older sister was here last week the temps were frigid, but I've timed my week better and I think it might hit the 50s so whoohoo! I love seeing freshly fallen snow, but month old dirty snow is not my favorite. 

Celebrating with my first Valentine ❤️

We spent the afternoon watching the Olympics and we did some coloring too. My brother grilled salmon for dinner, and my sister-in-law served a yummy Valentine's Day dessert, and all in all it was a nice low key day. I don't have a chance to hang out with my brother and sister-in-law all that often so it was fun to be in their house and talk about all kinds of things. 

Hubs stayed home with the little brown dog, and he had a good day too. A Clemson baseball game with our son-in-law and the two oldest grandsons, and then dinner at their house which was really nice. 

Sunday morning we had coffee beside the fire in their cozy kitchen nook and did some laundry for mom. My brother and sister-in-law went out for a run and I hung with mom, then they came home and I took a good walk in the crisp fresh air which felt great. 

It wasn't windy and I was bundled up. There's a lot of sitting in our week so trying to move when we can. 

My brother still coaches and had a track meet that afternoon so it was just us girls at home. I blogged, started my new book, chatted with mom who colored some more, became knowledgeable about curling, and watched still more Olympics. The next few days will be more of the same and I'm not mad about it. Hope your weekend was a sweet one too. 

Linking with Hollyand Sarah today for their Hello Monday weekend recap blog hop. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 641

Hello Friends. Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (2/18) to share your answers. See you there! 

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Jammin'

As in jammin' a lot into a single post because I'm behind here. If you neglect your blog for a few weeks  days life just rolls right on by without comment. Still I'm going to go back and comment. We've had a busy couple of weeks here and I want to catch up. 

Am I always saying that, because it feels like it? 

Backing up to last Friday when we celebrated Mardi Gras with some neighbors. So fun! The hostess grew up in New Orleans and funnily enough the couple who not that long ago moved in next door to them also have roots there. 

The couple hosting made a wonderful New Orleans style meal of gumbo (delicious!), red beans and rice, and shrimp creole. Guests brought a spicy crab dip, a spicy sausage dip, and I made Emeril's creole relish tray with white cheddar crackers which I will definitely be making again. So good! 

Our hosts had a king cake for dessert because I think that's the Mardi Gras law. We ate all but two pieces and guess where the baby was? Not in one of the twelve pieces we cut. Is that considered unlucky? 

Another guest brought some bourbon balls topped with gold glitter and the next door neighbor from NOLA brought homemade pralines for everyone to take home. Si délicieux! We all had a cup of brandy milk punch too, which I'd never tried before, and it was so yummy. 

Hubs and I got up early Saturday morning to make the drive to daughter2's house in Tennessee for Sugar's birthday celebration. She's officially 2 and completely adorable. There was a sweet Minnie Mouse theme and everyone had 'ears' to wear. 

My son-in-law grilled a brisket, and his parents were in town for the weekend too. Friends came by with their little ones and the kids played while the adults chatted. There were of course cupcakes for the birthday girl made by her momma, baker extraordinaire. She even made the edible bows for the ears, which were mini Oreos.

It was low key and perfect for this age. Three dogs were also in attendance and they mostly behaved. 

It was a chilly weekend and we spent most of it indoors watching Olympics with a side of If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Sunday the grandparents were left in charge while the parents had a little day date. We let the kids nap maybe a little too long, but everyone was partied out. The kids too lol. 

We watched the Superbowl Sunday night, but were not invested in the teams and overall the game wasn't very exciting. I finished my book club book while listening to the game and my book was much more interesting. 

We drove home Monday morning and were back at the lake by lunchtime. I unpacked, did laundry, then washed my hair to get ready for our monthly wine club dinner happening that evening. 

Never a dull moment. 

Tuesday hubs had his guitar lesson, I made some phone calls and did some paperwork, took a walk, then had book club that afternoon. We read The God Of The Woods and it received mostly positive reviews. I was home for an hour, then back to the clubhouse to play Mah Jong. 

Wednesday morning I was guess where? You guessed it. Back to the clubhouse to help with a Mah Jong lesson. Hubs and I had lunch then we headed to the store. I don't know if you've seen the ads for having a song personalized, but hubs had one written for me and he played it when we got in the car. It's a beautiful song and the lyrics are so so sweet. A truly thoughtful special gift I will treasure. 

After the shopping and errands were done I came home and made sugar cookie dough for Thursday. My granddaughter was coming over for a little while Thursday morning to spend some time with us while her momma ran an errand and I thought it would be fun to make some heart shaped cookies. 

With lots of sprinkles. 

Pink of course. 

After Little Miss and her momma went home hubs and I headed to a friend's house for a welcome home celebration. Our friend has been in the hospital for months following an accident and was finally able to come home on Thursday. Friends and neighbors lined the street, made signs, waved balloons and pompoms, and cheered as they pulled in. It was fabulous. 

There are so many good people in the world loving their neighbors well. Don't let the internet, the news, or the angry loud voices on social media tell you otherwise. 

Everyone left once they were in the driveway as it was a long day and I'm sure overwhelming on many levels. 

We got home and my daughter called and said the boys wanted to come by so we could see the Mancub's school project, and I'm gonna say we are here for it. Living a few miles apart is everything I hoped it would be. 

As soon as they left I showered and changed for a fun author event with a few women from my book club. It was billed as a conversation with two local writers, Shelley Burchfield and Carolyn Newton. Your ticket included light refreshments and a signed copy of one of their books. Both of these women were so engaging and they complemented one another well. 

I hadn't read anything by Carolyn so opted for her novel called Songs Of The Dead Road. It's described as a work of historical fiction about Jan Balik, a Polish composer who uses music to cope with the trauma of WWII, including the loss of family and his time in a Soviet orphanage and labor camp. 

And that brings us to Friday. Or Valentine's Day as we're calling it here. I'm headed out of town on Saturday leaving hubs here to man the fort, so we decided to celebrate a day early. 

By celebrate I mean cooking a nice dinner at home together which we haven't done in a while. 

I jammed a lot in here, but I think you know jammed posts are kinda my jam. Wishing you a weekend filled with the people and things you love. 

Linking today with Friday Favorites hosted by Erika and Andrea

Love Is In The Hodgepodge Air

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave some comment love for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'? 

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

It's a thorny world and I try to always find that rose. A husband who makes me laugh, the sunrise, grown girls who make my heart sing, time, memory, toddler giggles and observations, a bright blue sky...I honestly don't have to look all that hard. 

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

Small kindnesses, thoughtful gestures, words with actions that follow suit. 

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day? 

Fresh flowers for sure. We typically cook something together at home on Valentine's Day, often a new recipe that might feel a little bit fancy. I'm going to be traveling on the actual day so we'll celebrate a day early. Hubs will be home with his other Valentine-

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My hubs knows I love flowers (anytime), but since I won't be home to enjoy them next week he sent me this really beautiful single rose. 

It's real. 

It's hard to appreciate in a photograph, but it's a real red rose that's been dipped in some sort of resin, then the stem and leaf edges are dipped in 24K gold. It's amazing. 

Hope this week is filled with all the things and people you love ❤️

Honey, Honey...

 ...aww Sugar Sugar...

Who remembers that song? It was The Archies, and I know I'm dating myself but I don't care, because someone precious has a birthday today, and when I think of our youngest grandgirl 'Sugar' I almost always start singing this song.  Just the first line though-ha! I write letters to my grands on their birthdays every year and today is the littlest ones big day. 

Dear Sugar, 

Today you are two. 

You have the biggest smile and the happiest heart. You light up every room you sashay into, and like to make sure you never miss a moment. You want to be right in the middle of whatever is happening, and the world feels more joyful with you in it.

You love people, your morning yogurt, your stuffies, watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas all year round, and climbing on, under, and over anything and everything. You're curious about the world around you, love your books and all dogs, but especially your own, and you know there's adventure to be had everywhere you look.

I love how much you love your big brother, how you watch him and learn from him, and how proud you seem just to be near him.

I love when we FaceTime and you insist on holding the phone yourself, like you’re in charge of the whole conversation. You are, by the way. Seeing your smile on that little screen is one of the best parts of my day.

Most of all, I love you—your laughter, your energy, your sweetness, and your big, beautiful spirit. You are so loved, more than you can possibly understand right now. But one day, when you read this, I hope you feel it wrapped around you still. 

Watching you grow is one of my greatest joys, and I’m so grateful to be your Nana. I love you deep and wide sweet Sugar. 

xoxo,

Nana

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." 

Jeremiah 17:7

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 640

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (February 11) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'? 

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day? 

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Share Your Shelf-January

It's the first Thursday of the month which means it's time to join with Joanne (My Slices of Life) and Dara (Not In Jersey) in sharing what we read the month prior. Here's how my January looked-

Climbing To The Sun by Shelley Burchfield 

This work of historical fiction was our book club's January selection. The author, Shelley Burchfield, lives here and her novel is set in a nearby town. We all enjoyed recognizing and reading about familiar landmarks, towns, and the freed-slave settlement most of us hadn't known about prior to this book. Shelley, along with another well known local author, will be speaking at an event later this month and I look forward to attending. 

Set in 1928 South Carolina Climbing To The Sun tells the story of Callie Beechum, a young herbalist who owns a shop in the town of Pickens, and makes a living treating people with plant based medicine and herbal therapies. Her life is turned upside down when she aids the people living in a freed-slave settlement known as Liberia (a real place not far from where I live) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her decision to help the residents of Liberia angers the wrong people in town, people who know a secret about Callie, and who threaten her livelihood and her very life. 

Themes of race, prejudice, family secrets, and resilience are explored in this very well written novel. Four stars for me. 

Far From The Madding Crowd  by Thomas Hardy

Still reading a classic piece of literature every month and in January it was Thomas Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd. I landed on this one after a guest pastor at our church referenced a small passage from it in a message. There's an event early in the book where a shepherd discovers his overly enthusiastic dog has led part of his flock over the edge of a cliff, and then in true sheep fashion the others followed suit.  There's a very real metaphor to be found here for life in America right now, but I'll stay on point. I'm sure you can figure it out. 

In Far From The Madding Crowd (a title Hardy uses somewhat ironically) a flighty young woman learns her actions have consequence, and I will say right off the bat, the beautiful Bathsheba Everdeen is not the most likable of female characters. Set in 1800's Victorian England, this is the story of Bathsheba and the three very different suitors she attracts. They include a sheep farmer, a handsome Sergeant, and a prosperous older bachelor. 

As I say at the conclusion of every classic I read, the language reels me in and keeps me reading. 

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

Newly divorced Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves to a new town with her children, hoping for a fresh start. She forms an unexpected friendship with her elderly landlady, Sugar Prescott, and the two women bond over shared trauma and long-buried secrets. Meanwhile, Merilee forms a friendship with another mother at her children’s school, unaware the woman has an agenda of her own.  When a man dies under suspicious circumstances and Merilee becomes the prime suspect, her past threatens to destroy her future. 

I saw much of the ending coming fairly early on, plus this one went a little off the rails in terms of believability for me. I gave it three stars. 

The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy

Denny Voss is a 30 year old developmentally delayed man who lives in Minnesota with his mother, Nana-Jo, and his blind and deaf Saint Bernard, George. Denny has a sister named Lydia he rarely sees and a cousin Angus who lives next door. Denny is gentle, sometimes stubborn, and sings the theme song to Toy Story when he feels too much pressure or anxiety in life. He makes a living clearing roadkill from the highway with his cousin. 

When the local mayoral candidate is murdered Denny is arrested and charged with the crime. His lawyer brings in a therapist, Dr. Herald, to try and learn more about Denny's life. In talking with Dr. Herald about his recent and not so recent past many secrets are revealed and these secrets will impact the outcome of the trial. 

The story is told in Denny's first person point of view and that takes some getting used to. Early on I found it a little bit wearing, but as the plot moved along I settled in and in hindsight would say it was the right way to tell his story. 

Four stars for me 

When the Cranes Fly South  by Lisa Ridzen 

One of my favorite recent reads. A poignant, heartbreaking yet beautiful story of an old man, his beloved dog, and his son all trying to come to terms with the struggles and frustrations of aging, of family relationships, friendship, and what our life's journey look's like in hindsight. 

This book feels so real. The author is Swedish and the book is a best seller there. The storytelling is so well done and the author shows great sensitivity in writing about something we'll all face. I found myself thinking about my aging mother and mother-in-law, and my own self aging too. 

Bo is an elderly man living alone with his dog, Sixten. His wife, Fredrika, now lives in a care home and no longer recognizes him or their son, Hans. Bo’s days are shaped by visits from the care team, occasional calls from his best friend Ture, and now and then visits from Hans. In the quiet moments, of which there are many, he retreats into memories of the life and family he once had.

As Bo struggles to maintain his independence and resist outside interference, it becomes clear he is no longer coping. Hans grows increasingly concerned, and when he suggests Bo give up Sixten, Bo’s determination to cling to the life he knows hardens. His dependence on others as his physical body no longer cooperates with what his brain wants him to do is challenging for both Bo and Hans and is oh so relatable. 

Five stars for me. 

If you've read something great recently send it my way. Hop over to the host blogs if you want to see what others read in January.