Hodgpodge Questions-Volume 315

Before I post this week's questions, let's pause for a public service announcement-there will not be a Hodgepodge next week (August 2nd). The Hodgepodge will be back in action the week after (August 9th). Thanks!

Okay, back to this week. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all the other world wide webbers.  Here we go-

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday Reverie

Here on the blog I tend to find a subject and talk it to infinity and beyond (see house build, wedding, life abroad), but we're kind of all about the grandbaby round here these days so that's where my mind and heart and words are gonna go. I feel as anxious for him to get here as I felt for his mama to arrive back in the day.

We've had a hard busy month here, with a few bright spots sprinkled throughout...friends visiting, beautiful sunrises, glorious sunsets, and a baby boy closer and closer to making his grand entrance. Mostly though, July has been emotionally exhausting so we're trying to take advantage of a couple of low-key, unscripted weekends now and just rest.

Hubs and I have been packing sandwiches in the cooler and taking our boat out for mid-week jaunts around the lake. We keep camp chairs on board so we can pull up to one of the sandy beaches on one of the many islands in the lake and make ourselves at home. It's kind of an unwritten rule on the lake that you don't pull your boat up to an island already taken by another boater, and we love the solitude of an ordinary Tuesday afternoon spent here. We swim and chat and study the clouds, and we practice the art of a long exhale. Everyone needs to master that one, don't you think?

Saturday evening daughter1's in-laws joined us for dinner. I mean we're pacing and they're pacing, so might as well pace together, right? Hubs smoked a pork butt on the grill and mil brought homemade banana pudding which is hubs favorite. Since it was too hot to dine al fresco, we sat around the dining room table inside and talked about I'll give you three guesses our grandson.

Sunday hubs and I went to church and afterwards we heated up all the leftovers for lunch. Yay for Saturday night leftovers on a Sunday! I was thinking about how I couldn't wait for lunch to end so I could take a nap, and how when I was growing up my mom often invited friends over for Sunday lunch. I generally run out of steam by Sunday noontime and have been known to count the minutes until I can get comfy under a blanket on the couch. It's best I stick with having my company on Saturday nights.

As a bonus it rained here on Sunday which made an afternoon nap and old movies on the TV feel less indulgent. Question-why do I sometimes feel like napping is just one step above laziness? I know it's not the same thing at all, but still...

Here's a tip-put napping on your to-do list and you can totally cross it off as something that's been done which then gives you a real sense of accomplishment-ha!  Also-when did movies made in 1990something start to be classified as 'old'?

Lastly, my girls are together on the west coast and yesterday a friend of Daughter1's hosted a baby shower brunch for her. I think Daughter1 was worried she might not make it to the shower, but she did so baby boy can come anytime now. Nana says so.

They sent me this picture and it might be my most favorite snapshot ever of the two of them-

I mean three of them.

Happy Monday all!

Midterm Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! So glad you've stopped by today! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Let's get started-

1. Growing up, were you close to your grandparents? Tell us one or two specific things you remember about them.

For most of my growing up years we lived on the East Coast and both sets of grandparents lived out west, so we didn't see them often. They typically came for a visit once a year and we went out west even less than that. Back then families didn't hop on airplanes and fly here there and everywhere like we do now. Different times. 

When I was a year old my dad was sent to Okinawa and my mom and all my siblings moved in with her parents in Albuquerque New Mexico. My baby sister had a lot of illness that first year of her life, so my grandma spent a lot of time with me. My mom was just telling me the other day how my grandma would take me back on her bed at naptime and talk to me and then have me show off all the new words she taught me. Perhaps this is why I'm chatty to this day? Hmmm....

I know I loved her dearly and as I grew into adulthood she spent more and more time at my mom's house so I did know her well later in life.  I have lots of memories of her, but one favorite is the way she prepared iced tea by the glass with just the right amount of lemon and sugar in each serving. It was fascinating to watch and thinking about her homemaking skills makes me feel a bit lazy. 

My paternal grandparents had a farm and we absolutely loved visiting there, exploring the barn, and especially the ultimate treat-a 'swim' in what I think was an animal trough of some kind, which only goes to prove kids don't need much in the way of entertainment. 

This is the only picture my mom has of all four of us kids with both sets of grandparents. I'm the one in the orange dress and that's my maternal grandparents behind me and my big sister. My paternal grandparents are standing behind my younger sister and brother.  I must say my mom is looking very glam here! 

About five years ago I wrote two posts sharing some of my memories, here (Colorado) and here (New Mexico) if you're curious. 

2. What's an item you were attached to as a child? What happened to it?

My thumb. I've still got it-ha! Also my very special baby doll, the one I named Catherine and who I mothered to death. I think she's in a box of keepsakes I've saved for my girls. They played with her sometimes too. 

3. When you look out your window, do you see the forest or the trees (literally and figuratively)? Explain.

Literally I see more trees than forest, but figuratively I try to keep my eye on the bigger picture and what's important in the grand scheme of things. 

4. Do you like sour candies? Which of the 'sour' foods listed below would you say is your favorite?

grapefruit, Greek yogurt, tart cherries, lemons, limes, sauerkraut, buttermilk, or kumquats 

Have you ever eaten a kumquat? What's your favorite dish containing one of the sour foods on the list?

I love sour candies and many sour foods too. I like everything on the list except maybe buttermilk, although I like that too if it's used in cake baking or a biscuit. I've had kumquats in Indian food and liked them, but have never eaten one plain. Do you eat them plain? My favorite on the list is probably tart cherries, but I eat more lemons and limes on a regular basis. Lemonade, limeade, and cherry cobbler rank up near the top of my list of favorites. 

5. July 1st marked the mid point of 2017. In fifteen words or less, tell us how it's going so far.

Bit of a roller coaster, but always the happy knowledge a baby boy is on his way. 

Two words over, but it's the best I could do. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I made this simple dessert the other night and it's definitely a keeper. 

Super easy and so delicious, especially if you have access to Carolina peaches. You'll find the recipe here.  Note-I baked mine a bit longer than suggested but probably depends on the firmness of your peach. 




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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 314

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then swim back here tomorrow to add your link to the team roster. See you there!

1. Growing up, were you close to your grandparents? Tell us one or two specific things you remember about them.

2. What's an item you were attached to as a child? What happened to it?

3. When you look out your window, do you see the forest or the trees (literally and figuratively)? Explain.

4. Do you like sour candies? Which of the 'sour' foods listed below would you say is your favorite?

grapefruit, Greek yogurt, tart cherries, lemons, limes, sauerkraut, buttermilk, or kumquats 

Have you ever eaten a kumquat? What's your favorite dish containing one of the sour foods on the list?

5. July 1st marked the mid point of 2017. In fifteen words or less, tell us how it's going so far.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Summer Sunsets and Other Stuff

Life's been a whirlwind this summer and our grandbaby isn't even here yet. Grandbabies add to life's whirlwind, right? I hope so. We need a baby boy to keep us young.

A beautiful sunset makes the whirlwind feel less whirly.

We had house guests for the weekend and while they were here some other friends boated over to say hello. These peeps all worked together for the same company for many years.

Our friends had their grandchildren with them on the boat when they stopped by, and I enjoyed watching hubs splash the little boys and make them laugh hysterically with his great big running leaps off the dock. He is going to rock the grandpa thing.

Maybe I should learn some tricks too? Or I guess I can just feed him. Nana's homemade peanut butter cookies will surely rank right up there with a grandpa who should have his own variety show, wouldn't you say?

I don't have any solid statistics with which to back up this next statement, but we've had buckets of rain this summer. Barrels of rain. Vats of rain. At least on the weekends anyway. These haven't been gentle summer showers either, more like crazy storms with gusting winds, overflowing gutters, and scary lightning and thunder. On the bright side, our new grass is very very green.

And Saturday night sunsets are completely awesome.

I don't think that has anything to do with all the rain we've been having, but true nonetheless.

My mom was in the Palmetto State last week staying mostly with my sister since we were in Tennessee for a fair chunk of time. Still we managed to squeeze in an overnight at the lake and an afternoon of shopping in my favorite little children's boutique. My mom and I agree newborn babes cannot have too many adorable things to wear. I really just need to stay out of the baby shops because all the tiny little outfits positively slay me.

As do sunsets on the lake.

I finally booked flights to Washington and now just have to wait and see if baby boy cooperates with my agenda-ha! It's kind of been stressing me out, the whole trying to anticipate when he'll arrive and when I should fly out thing, but I finally booked a trip and if he comes on the very early side of things I'll pay the change fee, but if he's on-time or close to it I'll likely leave my ticket as is. Daughter1 wants me there once she's at home with him and I'm doing my best to get there as close to that date as I can. Her sister is there now, and she's my mini-me in every sense of the word, so a good stand in for mama in the meantime.

Also, 'very early' isn't really a thing anymore because we're only a couple of weeks out from his due date. Insert clapping hands, heart eyes, and excited emoji here.

Or a picture of a sunset.

We get killer sunsets on the lake and I'm seriously obsessed.
Obviously. 

Hodgepodge Chatting

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! So glad you've joined us today, and if you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for your neighbor because it's summertime and the commenting is easy. Something like that...

1. When was the last time you chatted with a neighbor? About what? (sharing that last bit is optional)

I chatted with a neighbor in the grocery store this morning (Tuesday). We talked about an upcoming event in the neighborhood and our summer comings and goings. We often chat with neighbors as they walk their dogs or pull up close to our dock by boat. 

2. River, lake, ocean, or waterfall...which one are you most like and why?

I'm going with the obvious-a lake. Mostly calm and serene, sometimes deep, rarely murky.  

I took this fun little quiz online which said I was the ocean, and I'm okay with that too. According to this four question quiz I'm a deep thinker. 

3. July 13 is National Delaware Day. Ever been to Delaware? Delaware is called 'the first state' because it was the first to declare independence from the British. What's your state's nickname and does that moniker make sense to you? If you were in charge, what nickname would you give your home state?

Bethany Beach Delaware

I've been to Delaware many times. We spent several summers vacationing in Bethany Beach, a family friendly town on the Delaware shore. We've also spent time in Rehoboth Beach, Bethany's neighbor. 

Cape Henlopen State Park

Another little spot we love in the state of Delaware is Cape Henlopen State Park. We lived in Maryland for nine years and Delaware was a short car ride away so an easy trek. And just like George, I've also crossed the Delaware River. I've driven over the Delaware Memorial Bridge too many times to count in our travels north to south and vice versa. 

I live in the Palmetto State which applies more to the coastal areas than the upstate, but I'm okay with it. 

4. What dish did you contribute to the last pot luck meal you attended? Do you have a go-to recipe for pot luck suppers?

Trying to remember the last pot luck I attended? It's been a while, unless you count dinner at my sister's house where I offered to bring dessert. I made Texas sheet cake cupcakes and they were yummy. I don't really have a go-to pot luck recipe. It all depends on my mood and what I feel like cooking. 

5. What is your number one tip for a brand new parent?

Trust your instincts, and remember parenting is a thousand moments spread out over the course of a lifetime. Having a bad moment or even a bad day doesn't make you a bad parent. Rest in the knowledge that the maker of heaven and earth knows your little one by name and loves him more than you can fathom. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Daughter2 flew to WA on Monday to spend time with her sister before baby boy arrives. All of us soon to be grandmas and great-grandmas here on the East Coast are glad she's there to provide some TLC to the soon-to-be mama, and send us first hand reports on any baby bump activity. 

Yesterday they took advantage of the date and got free Slurpees. When I look at this picture I flash back to the days of summer reading programs at our local library where they'd earn a coupon for a free Slurpee by reading a pile of books. 

Wasn't that just yesterday too?

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 313

Wednesdays roll around fast, don't they? Time for another edition of the Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then jump back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe.  Here we go-

1. When was the last time you chatted with a neighbor? About what? (sharing that last bit is optional)

2. River, lake, ocean, or waterfall...which one are you most like and why?

3. July 13 is National Delaware Day. Ever been to Delaware? Delaware is called 'the first state' because it was the first to declare independence from the British. What's your state's nickname and does that moniker make sense to you? If you were in charge, what nickname would you give your home state?

4. What dish did you contribute to the last pot luck meal you attended? Do you have a go-to recipe for pot luck suppers?

5. What is your number one tip for a brand new parent?

6. Insert your own random thought here.