Coming Clean In The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. It's the neighborly thing to do in this mid-week little blog hop. 

 

1. Your favorite cleaning product? Do you clean your own house or hire out? Most disliked household chore? What one chore do you not mind so much? 

100 meaningless extra credit points to anyone who figured out what inspired this question...

I can't say I have a favorite cleaning product. Maybe my hubs? Ha! He is really helpful and there are a few tasks he regularly takes care of around the house which I very much appreciate. He vacuums and I clean bathrooms. He takes care of the wood floors and windows and I cook, meal plan, dust, and handle the laundry. 

Housekeeping is definitely a shared job here, and we clean our own because we can. I've had a housekeeper in the past and that was nice too, but right now we're home, it's just the two of us, and we're neat. 

My most disliked chore is ironing. Hubs likes to iron so I rarely have to take this one on. I don't mind washing dishes. I have a dishwasher, but still wash a lot of things by hand. 

 2. It's Canned Food Month...do you use a lot of canned goods? What are the three canned items you purchase most often? Last thing you made using a canned ingredient? 

I don't use a lot of canned food items but the three I purchase most often are probably Del Monte Blue Lake fresh cut whole green beans (they must be whole and I can eat them right out of the can), RO-TEL, and kidney/black beans for chilli. 

Last thing I made using a canned ingredient? Baked ziti...I made my own sauce but used some canned tomatoes. 

 3. Can of worms, anything can happen, can you imagine?, as best I can, kick the can down the road, more than one can take, no can do, not if I can help it...choose an idiom and tell us how you currently relate.

Nothing particular relates but I was reminded of something from childhood that feels like it might fit. When I was a child I spent a week or more at summer camp. Each week had a theme and one week was always Anything Can Happen Week.  The year 2020 2021 feels a little bit like that week. 

4.The last Tuesday in February is National Spa Day. Are you someone who enjoys a day at the spa? Last time you visited a spa? Do you have a favorite spa? Are salons open for business in your area? Have you made changes to your hair and nail routine since Corona hit? In what way? 

I do enjoy a day at the spa, but sadly have not visited one since Corona struck. I especially love the spa at the Harbor Beach Marriott in Ft. Lauderdale but obviously don't get there regularly. 

Salons are open here with safety measures in place. My hair salon is small and I've been several times since March of last year. When I'm there it's just me and the stylist so I feel fine about that. I haven't visited a nail salon in the past year because that felt a bit more risky in terms of exposure. Plus I can live with bare nails more easily than I can gray roots. Just sayin'.  

Also,  for the record I'm not going another whole summer without a pedicure. 

 5. Believe it or not this is the last Hodgepodge of the month. In one sentence sum up your February. 

February? I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that it's 2021. 

Okay...it was cold, gray, and wet but also short so no complaints here. 

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

I know some of you have followed my daughter1's blog for a few years. She's left it quiet for a bit (211 days, not that I'm counting), but is back at it this week with a brand new post. Pop over and say hi if you have the time. The link is here-Sincerely-Shannon

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 409

Here are the questions to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there!

 

1. Your favorite cleaning product? Do you clean your own house or hire out? Most disliked household chore? What one chore do you not mind so much? 

 2. It's Canned Food Month...do you use a lot of canned goods? What are the three canned items you purchase most often? Last thing you made using a canned ingredient? 

 3. Can of worms, anything can happen, can you imagine?, as best I can, kick the can down the road, more than one can take, no can do, not if I can help it...choose an idiom and tell us how you currently relate.

4.The last Tuesday in February is National Spa Day. Are you someone who enjoys a day at the spa? Last time you visited a spa? Do you have a favorite spa? Are salons open for business in your area? Have you made changes to your hair and nail routine since Corona hit? In what way? 

 5. Believe it or not this is the last Hodgepodge of the month. In one sentence sum up your February. 

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

A Penny For Your Hodgepodge Thoughts

Welcome back to another week in the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then go say howdy to your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more. Did you grow up 'celebrating' Lent? Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? 

I didn't grow up in a denomination that put a great deal of emphasis on the season of Lent, but Easter was most definitely a very special day. As an adult I've grown to appreciate this idea of intentional focus on the days leading up to the crucifixion and the great sacrifice made at the cross. I  don't give anything up, but I do try to read something that sets my mind on that sacrifice and what it means to me and for me as we head into Easter. 

I love church and one of the biggest negatives to all this virus mess has been the disruption to our weekly routine of 'going to church'. Some churches are open, others closed, others open but with limited access. Ours was open for a brief period then returned to virtual. We've been attending our Sunday School class via Zoom for almost a year now, and that's worked surprisingly well. 

I'm ready to be back in the building, which I know is just a building, but again I think worship feels more like worship when we're physically in the same space. Far fewer distractions too. 

2. When is the last time you sat beside a 'real' fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire? 

A real fire as in a wood fire? Yes I think that's what I meant when I asked-ha! 

We have an outdoor fire pit that uses 'real' wood and I think the last time we had a fire there was sometime in the fall.  It's been a while. I love a wood fire, but gas is so much more practical and for sure less messy. I always feel like I need a shower after we've had an outdoor fire.  

We sit beside a gas fire most days in the winter months. We have a two sided-fireplace with one side facing the keeping room section of our kitchen and the other facing the family room. We also have a gas fireplace on our screened in porch, which is where we live about 3/4 of the year. 

And finally, we have a 'fire table' on our covered deck which I absolutely love! If you're thinking of getting one I highly recommend. It runs on a propane tank hidden on the under side of the table. 

Favorite thing cooked over a fire? Hubs makes a cobbler in the dutch oven and it's scrumptious. 

3. Something that's currently got you fired up? 

I'm trying hard not to let things fire me up these days. All it takes is for hubs to read me a sentence or two of what's going on in our country on so many levels and I feel my blood begin to boil. So I shut it down. 

I am not a hide your head in the sand kind of girl, but most of what is out there is not helpful, often not accurate or even true, and it's definitely not in line with my current way of thinking which is ...'whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...think about these things..."

I think it's okay to take a break from the bickering, the 'but I must make my point' way of thinking and try being still for a while. Where have all the opinions stated as fact gotten us? Nowhere we want to be that's for sure. At least nowhere I want to be. 

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage? Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday? Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski? 

I do like cabbage. I mean I don't want it on the menu every night, but I like most things on that list. It would be hard to pick a favorite but my top three would be coleslaw of any kind, kimchi, and bubbles and squeak, mostly because I like saying it, and also because it wings me back to the days of dinner in the local pub in our little English village. 

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00? 

I make hubs crazy digging for change when change is called for. We rarely use cash these days so it doesn't happen often, but if you tell me I owe x dollars and .62 cents I'm going to dig up 2 quarters, a dime, and two pennies from the bottom of my purse. Is that a woman thing? I feel like it might be. 

Last thing I purchased for a dollar? I paid a library fine that was considerably less than one dollar and told them not to bother with the change. Five dollars it's harder to remember....maybe the donuts we bought from the Donut Wagon a couple of weeks ago? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A friend shared this with me and I thought it was lovely...a little snapshot of heaven perhaps? It came out quite a while back, but somehow I missed it.  Still timely though-

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 408

Here we are again. Still? You know the drill...answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there-

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more. Did you grow up 'celebrating' Lent? Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? 

2. When is the last time you sat beside a 'real' fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire? 

3. Something that's currently got you fired up? 

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage? Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday? Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski? 

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Stuff On A 2020 Monday

Yes I know it's 2021. It's also another gray Monday in these parts, and I don't know why I say 'these parts' because I live in a neighborhood, not some remote cabin in the woods. Sometimes saying 'these parts' just feels right. 

It's going to be one of those posts isn't it? 

I got nothin'. 

Let's blog anyway. Actually I have many somethings, but I try so hard not to whine in this space and the thoughts in my head feel a teensy bit whiny. Where is the sun???

On the bright side all this rain is not snow. 

I might rather have snow. 

How was your weekend? Did you celebrate Valentine's Day in some way? Mine started early with hubs walking through the door Friday, the most gorgeous red roses in hand-

For the record fresh flowers make February feel less February-ish. 

We rarely dine out on Valentine's Day, or any day lately, but on Valentine's day we typically cook something together at home. This year our local wine store offered a 'to-go' cook at home special which included a half bottle of champagne, two filets, two crab cakes, and a bottle of red so that's what we did. Hubs grilled the steaks, I cooked the crab cakes, we added a wedge salad and shared a baked potato and it was all super delish. 

We made a creme brûlée for dessert. I cooked and hubs fired up the sugary top and I meant to take a picture but wasn't quick enough. Oh well. There's always next year. 

Saturday night our neighbors invited us over for a spur of the moment get together which was really fun. Fun friendly neighbors are a blessing y'all. It was just the four of us and we had tacos and played cards and listened to music and discussed life and marriage and summertime fun. It all felt very un-2020 ish.  

I know!! It's 2021 but somehow 2020 is a better descriptor, don't you think?

I have three books going currently so read a lot, and we watched more television than is probably good for us but we do what we must in the middle of a rainy, gray, corona-y winter. 

We had a fabulous Facetime with our grands, the highlight of which was my 3 year old grandson singing a new song he'd learned that is essentially Proverbs 17:22 set to music. He sings it with great enthusiasm and not a little drama proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that a joyful heart really is good medicine. 

In other unrelated news, I'm hoping to participate in this year's April A-Z blog challenge and am trying to come up with a theme now. I do better with a theme, but blog content is in short supply these days. As evidenced by this post,  ahem. Can I even write 26 posts in a row in 2020 2021? I'm open to suggestions. 

Okay. I guess we're done here. Summer's comin'! but in the meantime let's find our blessings in the small things, k? Have a great week everyone!

I Heart The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave some comment love for the blogger before you. 'Tis the week for it!

Here we go-

1. Something little you are loving right now? 

This little punkin' for one...

I haven't had him on my lap since he was three weeks old and y'all that is just too too long. On the bright side, he's at the age now where he'll engage with us on the phone and it's completely precious. My daughter and her family are supposed to relocate sometime this summer and I'm hopeful they'll be close enough to hang with Nana on a more regular basis. 

There are a lot of ifs and maybes in that sentence but we are definitely hopeful. 

Her other little man is not so little anymore, but can still turn me to mush in an instant. When that Facetime screen lights up he launches into something important he needs to tell me or ask me or show me and there is honestly nothing better in the whole wide world.  

p.s. his mama is little and I love her great big. She counts too. 

2. Red roses or pink peonies? Red wine or pink lemonade? Red lipstick or pink polish? A cotton candy colored sky or a fiery red sunset? A book-movie-song you love with the word red or pink in it's title? 

All of the above? If I have to choose I'll have the pink peonies please, a glass of red, pink polish on my nails, and a cotton candy colored sky. Although I think you know I love a fiery red sunset equally as much. 

A book, movie, or song I love with red or pink in the title? 

Where The Red Fern Grows is one of my all time favorite books, but I also thought of Redwall which my whole family enjoyed. We listened to it on a long road trip once upon a time and discovered my hubs does a great Cluny the Scourge voice. I know when my girls read my answer they'll smile because they'll hear that voice in their head. 

Reading together is good for us in so many ways. 

As far as movies go I think I have to say The Hunt For Red October (although I liked the book too). This flick is one of hubs favorites and if he spies it while scrolling the tv guide (back when my tv service allowed scrolling-ugh) this is one he always stops on. 

Finally, Brooks and Dunn Red Dirt Road would make my list of top 100 songs ever, with or without the word red in the title. 

3. What's something you currently have your heart set on doing-going-seeing-or experiencing?

Seeing is easy...my mom! I haven't seen my mom in person in over a year. It is looking like that will finally happen this month and I've got my heart set on it.  

4. Who would you most like to have a heart to heart with right now? Is that possible? 

One or both of my girls. Technically it's possible, but logistics make relaxed heart to hearts with my oldest rare. Our day is their night, and while she Facetimes us pretty regularly when the boys get up those calls are more about what they have to show and tell me. Which I love, but I miss talking to my girl who is wise beyond her years. 

I talk to daughter2 more often, and of course I love those conversations very much. When I think heart to heart though I picture the three of us together on my porch with a cuppa and nowhere we have to be except right there. 

5. Write an acrostic for the word L-O-V-E. 

Love is patient and kind 

nOt easily angered

it perseVeres

and nEver fails

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My book club is meeting in person today (Tuesday). We've been on Zoom the past few months but it's going to be a sunny 64 degrees so we'll bring our camp chairs and sit outside. I am so ready for a warm sunny day. This month we read Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorkle which I thought had potential, but in the end was just eh. It didn't seem to have much of a plot.  

I recently won a copy of the book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas in a Goodreads giveaway, and let me tell you it's excellent. I'm reading it slowly because it's not light, but it's  fascinating. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 407

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

1. Something little you are loving right now? 

2. Red roses or pink peonies? Red wine or pink lemonade? Red lipstick or pink polish? A cotton candy colored sky or a fiery red sunset? A book-movie-song you love with the word red or pink in it's title? 

3. What's something you currently have your heart set on doing-going-seeing-or experiencing?

4. Who would you most like to have a heart to heart with right now? Is that possible? 

5. Write an acrostic for the word L-O-V-E. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.