Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Love is in the Air and in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So glad you joined the party today...be sure to add your link to the bottom of my post before you run off to visit the neighbors. Here we go~


1. This week marks the beginning of Lent...will you be giving something up or adding anything to your life during this season of the year?

I didn't grow up in a denomination that practices giving up something for Lent. For most of my life this season of the year has been all about Easter, and I guess for me it still is.  Mostly.  As an adult I've grown more serious in my thinking about the days leading up to that most holy day.  

While I have no plans to give anything up this year, I do plan to focus my quiet time on the real meaning of the season. I have a devotional book written specifically for Lent with forty readings in forty days. They're not light, and it's possible as the season progresses I'll feel prompted to let something go or to add something in...I'm open to that.  

2. The day before Lent is Shrove Tuesday...tradition states you eat pancakes on this day. In some parts of the world Shrove Tuesday is actually known as 'pancake day'.  How do you like your pancakes?  Or don't you?

I love the idea of pancakes, but rarely eat them. The reality is they are just too heavy for me to enjoy.  Blueberry pancakes with a little bit of real maple syrup and a side of crispy bacon is my favorite. One pancake is enough for me. 

3. I'm sure there are many, but what is one love song you really love?

I like how I emphasized the 'one'. That might have been a note to self-ha! When it comes to music I can never pick just one. Sigh.  

I'll try.   

This one-Everything by Michael Buble

And this one-I Can't Help Myself by The Four Tops. No matter my mood, when I hear this song I smile and feel 20 years old.   



I know that's two songs, but they're completely different, and they both mean something to us.  

4. What are some things you do to let others know you love them?

I say it. I cook for them. I enjoy sending cards and little treats via real mail. Small kindnesses like running back up the stairs to get the glasses they forgot to bring down, even though I just sat down too.  Don't mention that I just sat down too. Sign every text message with xo. Watch television programs like The History of the US Air Force when I'd rather watch a cooking program.  Pray for them.  Listen. Encourage. Forgive.  

5. Roses...red, pink, or some other color?  Can you recall the last time someone gave you flowers?  Given your choice would you like to open the door and see a dozen red roses, a dozen purple tulips, or a dozen pink peonies?

I like roses in almost every color...I'm not a big fan of the blues, blacks, and purples, but anything pink, peach, pinky peach or red I love. Yellow roses are especially close to my heart as they have always been my favorite, and hubs will search high and low to find yellow roses on special occasions.  Or no occasion.  He has a gift for knowing exactly when I need flowers.  I know some people think fresh flowers are a waste of money.  I am not one of those people.  Fresh flowers instantly make me feel better about life.  

Roses, tulips, or peonies?  Yes, please.  Of the three listed I think I'd be happiest to see a big bouquet of pink peonies.  They're my favorite flower.  

6. President's Day will be celebrated next Monday. Does Presidential history and trivia interest you?  Many Presidential homes are open to the public and offer guided tours...Monticello (Jefferson's home), Mount Vernon (Washington's home), Montpelier (James Madison's home), Hyde Park (FD Roosevelt's home) and The White House (home to the sitting President), to name just a few.  Of those listed, which would you be most interested in touring?  Why?

Presidential history and trivia does interest me.  I've lived mostly on the East Coast, including the state of Virginia which I think is where so much Presidential history resides. I love touring big old houses, and have been to a chunk of the ones listed.  

If you've never been to Monticello I recommend.  It's absolutely beautiful, and Jefferson was an interesting man.  I've also been to Mount Vernon and have toured the White House more than once, so I'm going with Hyde Park.  A trip there is on my 101 in 1001 list because it's not too far from here and would make a nice day trip.  I'm waiting until the weather improves because the grounds are supposed to be lovely.

7. Are you good at keeping secrets?

Yes.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I spy...a little red fox in our backyard.  

I guess technically it's her yard too, since she has a den over to one side.  In the spring we love to watch her kits play.  We never get close to the babies, instead we watch from our sun room windows so as not to frighten the mother into moving the nest. She is always very aware of our presence, even from a distance.  Last year the kits found a ski glove someone had dropped in the woods and they batted that back and forth for a long while which was so cute to see.


When the weather warms up, we'll occasionally catch the fox watching us eat dinner on our patio.  Seriously, she'll stare us down, which I don't find quite so cute.  In fact it's kinda creepy.  I much prefer to see her scampering across the snowy woods on a cold winter's day or standing guard over her babes in the den than have her watch us eat.  

I hope your Thursday is full of love and chocolate.  




30 comments:

  1. I love the fact that wildlife often visits so close to you! Your pictures are always beautiful!

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  2. I love the photo of the fox! I may actually be a bit scared of it but they are indeed cute! They have been known to wander around here too.

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  3. I love your second song. An oldie but goodie! That fox is real cute but scary at the same time. I don't think I'd like it watching me eat either.

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  4. 1. Almost the same answer as me. Of course.
    2. Blueberry pancakes. Yum! My dad used to make those when we went camping when I was a kid.
    3. I posted two songs, as well! And those Four Tops have some fancy dance moves!
    4. "Pray for them. Listen. Encourage. Forgive." GREAT list!
    5. Yellow rose! Of course. :) And I totally agree -- fresh flowers are not a waste of money.
    6. We need to spend some vacations on the east coast and experience some history.
    7. I admire you.
    8. I'd be pretty creeped out to have a fox watch me eat dinner. Last week we watched a dozen deer wandering through the field next to our house.

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  5. I love the picture of the fox. Nothing like watching wildlife, but they can be a little intimidating at times.

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  6. I was once visiting a friend in what I would consider a city neighborhood, when a fox jumped up and walked across their back fence. You are blessed to have such a view and neighbor critters too!

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  7. That photo of the fox amongst the wooded snowy background is a work of art.

    As for the songs, there are different stages in life that a certain song could be more romantic than other times so I can relate to your choice to add two. [I did!]

    Yellow roses were my father's favorite, and ironically pink peonies were my mother's!

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  8. I love me some Michael Buble...talk about a smooth singer! Yellow roses hold a special place in my heart, too. How lucky to have spotted a red fox...what a treasure! I'm such a huge nature buff!

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  9. I like all the little things you do for your loved ones to let them know you love them. I inboxed you the other day on facebook about lunch.

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  10. I'm not sure I'd find her staring me down during a meal outside very cute either. After just sitting down---I know how that one goes. And I often wonder how I got so out of shape with all that up and down we moms do. LOL We didn't celebrate (is that the right word) lent in my house growing up either. Nor when the lovelies were growing up. I grew up Methodist and we went to a wonderful Baptist church with the lovelies. But the girls do give up things for lent now. I still don't. And the reason is (I know this is crazy) I'm afraid I won't stick to it. Told ya it was crazy. Have a great day, Joyce! Hope your lovelies are doing well!

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  11. Love the fox. I've only ever seen one in real life. We were driving and saw one in someones front yard. It had the most beautiful tail. Love the Four Tops song.

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  12. I love the Four Tops! I think I could spend hours watching the fox and her kits romp in the snow.

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  13. Looks like our thoughts on pancakes and peonies are much the same. I've just found a devotional book to use during Lent and plan to do that this year as well. Blessings to you!

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  14. First of all, I forgot to thank you (in my post) for once again, hosting the Hodgepodge--so thank you!

    As for foxes, they are beautiful creatures! Years ago, we used to have a couple of them who would come up and share the scraps with our cats. We enjoyed watching them, too.

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  15. Look how pretty that fox is!! Shows up so well in the snow!

    I love songs that take you back in time & instantly puts a smile on your face :)

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  16. I had a fox that would do the same thing when I lived in the country. She would sit at the edge of the woods and watch us and yes, it was a little creepy.

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  17. I love your answer to Nr. 4. I can tell you are a loving person.
    Nr. 5 - Yellow roses. Me too. I love any flowers though and if hubby makes the effort to bring me some, anything is fine by me.

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  18. Your 40 day devotional sounds wonderful. I do enjoy Michael Buble. Well I do agree with your love for yellow roses, they are very close to my heart. I do enjoy nature from a distance. My worries are always our Skye so I prefer them at the zoo. Happy Valentines Day to you!

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  19. The story of the kits playing sounds precious! How blessed you are to have the woodsy wilderness at your fingertips! As much as I am loving the beach right now, I do so love long walks in the woods... you can get away from everything! The beach... not so much!

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  20. I love the song....love it...love it....

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  21. #4 best answer....
    There are just some people that you know they love their families,life and find the good in everything around them ....you are so that person. One of the reasons I come by here is you really show others how easy it is to be that person. Happy Wednesday!

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  22. great song and cute little fox--fun read here!

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  23. I've never seen a fox in our woods but come spring we will see lots and lots of turkeys! Makes sence to us, we are a strange group of people so why not see turkeys. Love the "One" song....it's your blog have as many as you want.

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  24. It's been hard for me to enjoy music because i am unable to understand most of the words. I have a few favorite musicians and mostly like songs that i can hear the words better, mostly pop. Anyway the trivia app is called President Quizzer. You should get it, its free and fun!

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  25. Thanks for hosting and the fun questions again this week! I'm hungry for pancakes this week after cupcakes last week. What will it be next week!!?? :)

    Bethany

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  26. Thanks for sharing the picture of the foxy little mama. We so rarely see foxes here, where they once were fairly common, that I get terribly excited when I spot one somewhere.

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  27. #60...almost too late...sorry it took me so long. i had a lot of errands today and just now sat down long enough to turn on this computer
    fun questions

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  28. How fun to watch the fox family every year! :) Love it. And I agree, even though fresh flowers are pricey, they are wonderful!

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  29. fun reading this post! I cook to show love too...
    you are fortunate to be able to see the foxes! how fun!!

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