Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Springing the Hodgepodge on You

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge...I hope you'll join the fun today! Answer the questions on your own blog, then come back here and add your link to the party. Oh, and go say hi to the neighbors because everybody loves company! 

Here are my answers-


1. Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?

Probably a walk in the woods. We love to hike, and have lots of woods to choose from, including our own backyard. I haven't planted a true garden since we've been in this house. Too many boulders underground and too many critters above ground. Our backyard is pretty, very natural with the woods behind us, and we do add lots of flowering pots to our patio, steps, and front porch. We won't be doing that for at least another month, once the danger of frost has passed. 

Garden Centers here advise waiting until May, plus we still have snow on the ground so I definitely couldn't plant a garden on Thursday.  I could walk in the woods as long as I've got my snow boots or wellies on...I think the temperature will cooperate. 

2. When did somebody last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)

When I realize someone is going to 'spring something on me' I feel like I need to brace myself for something I might not be too excited about. Something like, "Hey I've got a crazy idea!" or 'Hello this is your accountant-car repairman-plumber calling back with some numbers." Yeah. Brace yourself.  

I don't remember the last time someone sprung something on me, and I try to return the favor if I can. I'm more of a 'let me sugar coat this as much as I possibly can' kind of news bearer. 

3. We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings...what's something you'd like to start doing this spring?

I'm not sure if this is new, but there are a number of local historical sites, attractions, and restaurants in the NYC area that are on my list of 101 in 1001 ( see link on my sidebar), and I'd like to get busy checking them out. So many of these outings require better than 13 degree temps, blustery winds, and snow up to your kneecaps in order to be enjoyable, so come on spring! 

4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?

We like to sit in the front middle. Not the front front or the way back or the middle middle, but the front middle. The last movie we saw in the theatre was The Monuments Men, and we both liked it.  

5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?

That I'm friendly and genuine.
I enjoy meeting new people so if I say I'm happy to meet you I mean it.  

6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?

I don't buy a lot of frozen food, so besides frozen yogurt for the hubs, my most purchased frozen food item is a vegetable, namely okra or lima beans which I like to put in soup. You can't find fresh okra in our neck of the woods. 

This seems like an odd answer.

I don't buy frozen meals of any kind, so my freezer is mostly meat and a couple bags of frozen veg.  And yogurt, but that wasn't allowed. 

7. What's something you avoid?

Negative people. They're draining, plus I think negativity breeds negativity in the same way gossip breeds more gossip. 

Gossip-something else I try to avoid. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I just love Honest Toddler, and know he/she can always be counted on for a laugh. I follow HT on Twitter, but there's also a blog and Facebook page. 

I spent many years working with toddlers and have so much affection for this particular age group. The author of this blog (and soon to be book) has a real gift for expressing life from the viewpoint of a toddler. This post made me laugh--How to Put a Toddler to Bed in 100 Easy Steps





37 comments:

  1. I've never heard of Honest Toddler. I'll have to check that out.

    I agree...negative people and gossips are a good thing to stay away from.

    Hope you get a chance to take that walk Thursday.

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  2. If I didn't have access to fresh okra, I don't know what I'd do! To me, it doesn't taste nearly as good when it's frozen. I'll have to tell Brittany about Honest Toddler. She keeps a group of about 10 toddlers during the week at her church and I'm sure she'd be able to relate to it on so many levels.

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  3. Monuments Men is a film I wanted to see but missed being in Germany at the time it came out. My friend and I who thought it sounded a bit like White Collar (one of our fave shows) are going to wait til it comes out on DVD and watch it then. And yes - gossiping is something I avoid too. good call.

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  4. ...when you stated negativity breeds negativity...I most certainly agree on that statement!! [I had to giggle a little about your theater seat choice description]

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  5. I agree wholeheartedly with you on #7. Ugh.

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  6. Negative people bring other people down and gossip is just that gossip-not truth in it. Have a great rest of the week and hope weather holds out for your walk on Thursday!

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  7. Thanks, Joyce. This is fun. And although spring is never coming to Wisconsin, it was fun to read of it beginning in other locales. :-) I can see by your answer to 'sprung' that I totally misunderstood that question, but oh well. I hope we're all going to soon have bare roads so we can get out walking again!

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  8. I forgot about gossip, guess becasue I'm use to avoiding it! Don't even think of it. I learned a long time ago to avoid negative people, they really do suck the life of you. Loved the questions.

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  9. I wasn't in the right frame of mind yesterday to think about negative people...and drama. HATE IT!

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  10. We answered #7 the same! And, yes, I love following Honest Toddler too. I always get a laugh or two!!

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  11. Agreed re: #7. And I THINK that's something that comes with age - ie: the ability to discern who in your life is kind of toxic and who isn't and which friendships are worth nurturing and investing in (because these are the friends who are giving as well as receiving in the friendship).

    As for walks - I hope it warms up soon so you can enjoy some boot-free treks around your home.

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  12. I saw "Monuments Men", too and thought it was excellent. Never knew that part of our history!

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  13. I cannot imagine living in the north, like you do. I'm already counting down the days until I can wear my sandals all the time, which should be very soon. I just don't know how you guys do it!!!

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  14. (slapping head) duh--I forgot to mention gossip. Thanks for the questions, loved them. Blessings

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  15. haha. I just love The Honest Toddler. I'm just exhausted reading that post. Of course I'm sure sister and I were never like that...

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  16. Our garden was not very successful last year. We kept having freezing temperatures and got it planted too late. I hope we can grow some tomatoes this test.

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  17. I am so looking forward to walking however not today!

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  18. I have been missing walking on the paths through our woods, but just yesterday saw some brave souls giving them a try. The snow is finally melting!

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  19. I checked out Honest Toddler, and got a laugh :) I have a DIL who's still dealing with those toddler days, bless her heart!

    I don't think any of us have ever been as glad to see spring, on the calendar, at least, as we are this year! Bring on the warm weather and sunshine :)

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  20. That post title made me laugh- 100 steps! Good point about how gossip breeds more gossip. I need to be on guard about falling into the gossip trap.

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  21. I agree with avoiding negative people. Also some people are "emotional vampires" and are very draining to deal with. I avoid these people when possible. Thanks for another wonderful Hodgepodge!

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  22. Yes your property is gorgeous and the critters would definitely help themselves. Mark just planted some carnations and the bunnies already ate one to the ground although they leave the buds/flowers, they don't like them. I know in Illinois we always waited until mid May. #3 sounds like fun trying out new places! I really liked The Monuments Men and I'm looking forward to watching it again with Mark when it comes out on DVD/Netflix. Yes negative people do bring us down. I am going to check out Honest Toddler, never heard of it.

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  23. Yay for spring! It's gorgeous in London these days... lots of flowering trees and daffs around.

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  24. Right there with you on the negative people! No thanks!

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  25. Oh your right...I soo avoid negative people too. Nothing as draining as that. Haven't heard of this honest toddler thing but going to check it out. Enjoy your day!

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  26. This is my first time to link up with you ladies. I'm glad I ran across your blog! I love Honest Toddler too!

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  27. Oh gosh, I follow someone on Twitter who retweets Honest Toddler all the time. It's hilarious. I taught preschool for a number of years, so I can definitely relate. Thanks for a fun hodgepodge, Joyce.

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  28. Hey! Love the answers! I agree with #7, negative people can be such a turnoff!
    Can you do me a favor, let me know if my comments require a code (where it says 'so we know you're not a robot) .. I don't remember adding that and someone told me to remove it. ;o thanks!

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  29. I will have to check out the Honest Toddler. I always enjoy reading your answers to your questions! I almost forgot to pop in and post my link!

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  30. I do believe that one does not even have to meet you in person to know that you are friendly and genuine!
    I'm going to check out Honest Toddler right after I finish Xan's room!

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  31. Joyce, I said yesterday that I wouldn't have time to join the fun, but I couldn't resist. Thanks for hosting.
    Blessings,
    Linda

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  32. I'm here!! Very late...but I didn't forget. I was trying to get my house cleaned for all my approaching company! :-)

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  33. I forgot about okra when I answered the frozen food question. I love okra, but the rest of the family, not so much. That means I hardly ever buy it.

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  34. My daughter introduced me to the Honest Toddler tweets a couple years ago and I also find them so refreshing. I was not aware of the blog and Facebook. Will look them up. You have to be one of the most sincere and genuine people and I just know I would like you at first meeting. I already do.

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  35. you sound very precise on your movie seat selection - gave me a laugh.
    You should reuse #5 with a little twist next week. Replace "think about you" with "think about your blog". I suspect your blog is a very good reflection of you but our web appearances often cover over the negative stuff (probably a good thing).

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  36. In the theater seating question, I didn't even notice the part of saying what I'd seen last. That would be The Monuments Men for me as well. I liked it more and more as it went on. Cate Blanchett was a delight, as usual.

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  37. sorry I missed Tuesday, that is one of my work days better late than never
    we had the same answers on some of the questions, and yes Negativity is something I think we can all avoid. Thank you for hosting
    blessings

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