They Say It's Your Birthday Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Hodgepodge...so glad you stopped by on my birthday!  I might mention that another one or ten times here today.  

Here are my answers to this week's questions...add your link at the end of my post, then go see what the other party goers had to say-

1. When did you last sing happy birthday to someone? When were you last sung to? Does that embarrass you or do you enjoy being the center of attention on your special day?

We sang happy birthday to hubs and my brother in law when we celebrated their birthdays on the boat over the Labor Day weekend. I think? Did we actually sing? I'm officially a year older today, and your ability to remember 'stuff' goes down exponentially in relation to your age going up. Just sayin'.  

I honestly can't remember the last time I was sung to, which is fine. I can be spoiled in other ways on my birthday-ha!  I'm a big believer in everyone feeling like a rock star on their big day. 

Oh, and I just remembered I have a friend who calls and sings to me over the phone and that totally counts. 

2. Name a famous or 'infamous' person who shares your birth month and day. Is that someone you'd like to meet in person if it were possible?

There were quite a few on the list I checked, but here's two I'd definitely invite to my party-

Ben Carson-world renown neurosurgeon, former chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, son of a single mom from Detroit, a truly inspiring story of brilliance and plain old fashioned hard work.  Plus he called out the p.c. (politically correct) police when he was the guest speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast back in February. I'd definitely love to hear more about that.  

James Marsden-easy on the eyes. Former model, now a singer/actor best know for his roles in 27 Dresses, The Notebook, Enchanted, and Hairspray. Did I mention he's extremely easy on the eyes?  

3. Someone hands you a box tied up in a lovely bow...what are you hoping to find inside?

Jewelry of course. 
Or a great purse. 
Or tickets to someplace fabulous. 
Clothes would be okay too. 

4. What is something you can guarantee about yourself?

I don't do mean.

5. Talking about art and beautiful cities here...'The Last Supper' in the Santa Maria della Grazie Abbey in Milan, Italy or 'The Mona Lisa' in the Louvre, Paris...which would you most like to see up close and in person?  Why?

Oh my word-two fabulous cities.  If I'm making my choice based solely on the artwork, then I'd choose The Last Supper.  I've seen The Mona Lisa in the Louvre and it's always jam packed with tourists.  I think you can almost get a better look in a great art book.  I've never seen The Last Supper in person.  

Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world, and Italy is my happy place, so as far as location I'd be supremely happy with either one.  

6. Your favorite dessert?

Possibly the hardest question ever to grace the 'pages' of the Hodgepodge...I'm going with creme brulee. It's got to be done just right though, because a soggy brulee is just too sad to contemplate.

7. This coming weekend marks the official start of autumn (in the northern hemisphere)...what is something you do to get ready for fall?  What is one thing you're looking forward to on your fall calendar?  Spring or fall-which do you prefer?

I don't do a lot of seasonal decorating outside of Christmas, but I will change out my apothecary jars, replace the dead summer flowers in our patio pots with mums, and add some autumn candles around. I love the scents of autumn.

One thing I'm looking forward to? Well...I'm having two strangers I met on the Internet come stay with me for a long weekend.  Not as creepy as it sounds (I hope!)...they're women I 'met' four years ago, about the time I started my blog. We connected on the Living Proof website (Beth Moore's site) and ever since have been exchanging emails, prayer requests, cards, and presents...this fall we meet in person. 

Fall is my favorite season of the year. Perhaps if I lived in Florida I'd feel differently, but I live in the northeast which is never more spectacular than when autumn explodes in all her multi-colored glory.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Today's my birthday-whoohoo!