A note to Hodgepodgers-remember next week is Spring Break in the Hodgepodge, so no link on April 16th. The Hodgepodge will be back to its regularly scheduled programming the week of April 23rd. Thank you for understanding!
Okay, here we go...my answers to this week's questions-
1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. When did you last 'shower attention on someone or have attention 'showered' on you? Did you love it or did all that attention make you squirm?
I think it was back in December when we celebrated my sister's BIG birthday the day after Christmas. My whole family was here for the holidays, and Daughter2 made the most amazing pig cake for her aunt who collects pigs, and I bought a tiara for the birthday girl and personalized M & M's for everyone. So fun!
Hubs grilled steaks and we all enjoyed making a fuss over one of the absolute sweetest girls I know. I think my sister loved being the center of attention, which is as it should be on your birthday!
2. Share a favorite 'spring break' memory. Not talking about just the college 'spring break' thing, but any favorite spring break memory you'd like to share. Keep it family friendly please!
College was fun, but I'm not going to say college. And when our girls were young we typically didn't travel over spring break. As they entered their teens we took some trips, because we lived in Europe then, and the school gave them a two week term break. Plenty of time for exploring somewhere.
I think as far as favorites go, its a toss up between a trip around the Normandy region of France-
or a hiking holiday in Dartmoor with the hubs-
Both locations were fabulous and memorable in their own way.
3. It's National Pecan Month...are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite dish that calls for pecans?
I do like pecans, and have several recipes I could mention here. One favorite would be a sour cream coffee cake I make that has a brown sugar and pecan filling/topping. So scrumptious!
4. 'Put all your eggs in one basket', 'egg on your face', rotten egg', 'walk on eggshells' or 'a good egg'...which eggs-pression could most recently be applied to your own life?
How about 'a good egg'. That's my hubs. Last week I wrote a blog post listing some of my do's and don'ts for married life. I mentioned doing the little things, and in passing said that something as small as hubs buying me a PayDay candy bar just because he knows I like them makes me love him more.
On Sunday afternoon when I got in my car, I saw this.
A PayDay on the dashboard. He's a good egg. I think I'll keep him.
5. In my experience__________________________________________.
...spring is never quite as warm and sunny as I'd like it to be in Northern New Jersey.
6. What's a favorite song with the word rain in its title or lyrics?
Well I'm a CCR fan, so Have You Ever Seen The Rain was the first thing that came into my head. Fire and Rain by James Taylor ranks a close second. And in the Country Music genre I love Ronnie Millsaps Smokey Mountain Rain.
7. What does the word hope mean to you?
My favorite word.
I love the song In Christ Alone..."no power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand...'. Those words ring true, and fill me with hope, which in my mind means expecting something in the future that is better than what we presently know.
While I don't think hope is always rooted in the spiritual, I know that's how I most often think of, and use the term. My hope lies in the promise of a risen Savior, and with that promise comes not just expectation, but also certainty. What God has promised for eternity will come to be.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Last weekend we finally got out for a walk in the woods with our pup. It was cold and gusty, but Carpe Diem. Actually there are buds on the trees overhead, and ice on the pond underfoot.
Spring in Northern NJ.
A paradox.
So sweet of Hubs to do that for you! At least you know he's reading and paying attention!!!!
ReplyDelete"In Christ Alone": LOVE that song!!!
Ahhhhh, love the hope.
ReplyDeleteYour Hubs is a big old hunk of honey!
I can tell your sister is your sister!
Great choices for 'rain' songs! I love all of those, too.
ReplyDeleteReading about your sour cream coffee cake made me hungry :)
Joyce, I love reading your A-Z Challenge Posts--I have been going through some rough spots and with all going on haven't been able to post in the Hodgepodge. Keep me in your prayers and keep posting. You have no idea how your posts lift my spirits!
ReplyDeleteI love your answer for hope and also "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor. Haven't heard that one in years though.
ReplyDeleteIt's those little things that count, right? Your hubby IS a "a good egg" - I've got one too! And, my hope comes from God too. Sometimes I don't want to get too preachy in all my posts. Sad isn't it? I worry sometimes that I come across pushy when it comes to my faith. It's a fine line between sharing, and discipleship - and being obnoxious about it. I want to turn people "on" to Christ - not "off."
ReplyDeleteI love your HOPE answer. Yes. And your hubs is definitely a keeper! I had to chuckle, though, because if Joe or I left a candy bar in the car, it would be a melted mess here in Florida, even in the winter! Thank you for another great Hodgepodge!!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby brought my a Mr. Goodbar last week for no reason, same as your Pay Days, my favorite. Even though he stars in my "eggshells" answer this week, he's more often a good egg too!
ReplyDeleteI love your walk in the woods photos, getting out of the house after the winter's snow is usually a chilly but wonderful day!
Love your answer to #7. And yes, your hubby is a keeper! ;-) I have to say that a trip to Normandy would be especially memorable ... and especially sobering.
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Enjoyed this as always...boy did you ever take some wonderful spring break vacations! Such memories! Loved your answer to hope! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteHe is a good egg! I love James Taylor!! Your Spring looks a lot like mine....it's a bit of a let down! I remember as a child growing up in NJ going on easter egg hunts with winter coat and hat on. Happy Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteJoyce, you are a woman of eminently fine taste...I too am a CCR fan. Who'll Stop the Rain is my favorite "rain" song. Also I'd love to visit the beaches of Normandy and the surrounding area. Enjoy your girls' visit and the hiatus from the Hodgepode next week.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun birthday celebration and what a awesome cake! Those are very memorable spring breaks. That coffee cake sounds yummy. I totally love the small stuff and your so blessed. Enjoyed all the photos.
ReplyDeleteYour hubby is definitely a good egg. We had wonderful weather on Sunday as well.
ReplyDeleteOh my...that picture of the cemetery...very moving. I do think I'd like to visit there as well. So many lives lost during the battle that was the turning point during WW2. Thanks for sharing of your travels!
ReplyDeleteISnt it great when the Hubs does special things like that! I love your song choices and so grateful for you hosting this link up. I'm meeting new people and l look forward to it every week. Have fun next week.
ReplyDeleteYes it looks like he's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteHe is definitely a keeper, for sure! Enjoyed your questions and answers. Blessings
ReplyDelete"In Christ Alone" - one of my favorites! Loved your answers and your photo.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
I enjoyed looking at your pictures... I love pictures from my on-line friends. It gives me a glimpse of what interests you. Your hubby is a good egg.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you tire of my always saying, "great answers." But, it's just the truth! Love the Payday and I love the song, Smoky Mt. Rain. One of the best!
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly something my hubby would have done. Power of suggestion... works in sooo many ways. ;)
ReplyDeleteI will have to try plain yogurt next time, i don't like mayonnaise at all but when you cook it with the chicken you don't taste it. The deliciousness of the pecan and bread crumb toppings override the mayo. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious pup!
Love your random thought. Great words in that song. :) The rain songs are pretty good, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder if that song. I love that one, great lyrics.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet about the Payday!
Love In Christ Alone, and love what your husband did thank you for
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