Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Coming Up Roses in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge! I'm glad you joined the fun today, and be sure to add your link at the end of my post.  I  say this a lot lately, but please-only link here if you've answered the questions. Thanks!

Also, a reminder the Hodgepodge is on summer holiday next week (June 11th), so no link party. Look for its return the following week-June 18th.

Here we go-


1. I've read several posts and status updates recently describing end of year school field trips. Do you remember taking school field trips as a kid? Where did you go and do you recall a favorite? For any parents responding today, have you ever chaperoned a school field trip, and if so where?

I definitely remember field trips from my childhood, but those memories are a little fuzzy. Two that came to mind were a trip to the Campbells Soup Plant (I can still see those enormous vats of tomato soup), and a trip to a facility where bread was baked and packaged. It was more of a plant, than a bakery. I remember the smell of yeast and that we each got to take home a loaf of white bread, the soft squishy kind that makes me gag now. I guess I liked that when I was six.  Not even going to mention both of these field trips were food related-ha!

Have I chaperoned a school field trip? Yes, too many to list, and most were enjoyable. The one that stands out in my memory is a middle school show choir trip to Disney. Let's just say that was thirteen years ago, and I think I'm almost over it. I might turn this question into its own post one of these days.

2. What's something you're tired of seeing online?

I'm weary of status updates trying to convince me of the evils of fracking/corporate America/the oil industry/guns/George Bush/blah blah blah, and implying I'm an idiot if I don't agree with whatever opinions are posted. Not saying there's nothing to debate there, but for every 'news' story posted on a social media site, an alternate example could also be posted. Most of the time those pieces only tell a part of story, and the information is often interpreted in a way that's questionable. It's just not what I personally want to see in the social arena, and by that I mean Facebook. I don't mind the occasional blurb now and then, but mix it up people. Don't turn your Facebook feed into a giant rant about all that is wrong with the world. 

3. June is the month for roses. Which of the following expressions would you say could most recently be applied to your life-'everything's coming up roses' 'there's no rose without a thorn' came out smelling like a rose' or 'wearing rose-colored glasses'? 

Well, this past weekend it certainly felt like 'everything was coming up roses'. And I pretty much walk through life wearing rose-colored glasses, although they've been smudged a little by some things here recently-non family related. (I'm gonna leave it at that). Still they are mostly intact, so either of those two would apply. 

4. When grilling outdoors do you prefer gas or charcoal? Who does the grilling at your house? What's the last thing you ate that was cooked on a grill?

I love a charcoal grill, but at the moment we don't own one. We use a gas grill and that's good too.  Hubs is the grill master, and most recently grilled salmon which is always delish.

5. Are you afraid of the dark?

Depends. The dark of a quiet summer night spent stargazing on my patio? No. The dark of an unfinished basement anytime? A little. 

6. Share a favorite song with a number in its title.

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. One of my favorite songs, number or no number. 

7. "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding about ourselves."(C.G. Jung) Do you agree? Why or why not?

This was interesting to consider. I'm not sure it's true in every instance, but it's certainly true some of the time.  For instance, if someone is completely self-centered I find that irritating. So what does that say about me? Maybe nothing precisely, but it does make me want to be more other-focused, and that's a good thing. Chronic negativity gets under my skin too, and when I'm forced to spend a lot of time with negative people I feel grateful for my sense of optimism. Negative people in their own way, make me look for the bright side, they inspire me to hunt for the silver lining in any given situation.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


After we made our dress purchase on Saturday, my girls and I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in a comfy space situated in the center of a condo-retail-restaurant park in the middle of a city. Sounds odd, doesn't it? 


It was really lovely, and I think I've mentioned how truly fabulous the weather was that day.  We'd gotten some coffee, and intended to sit while we drank that, but it was too nice to leave so three hours later there we were. Still sittin', still talkin', still lovin' life.

I need more days like this one with my girls.


Days where we're face to face and we talk about everything and nothing. 





30 comments:

  1. We selected the same song!!

    Love the pictures of your girls...so sweet. :)

    Enjoy your time off. Prayers for times of rest while you're in the middle of completing your to-do list over the next couple of weeks!!

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  2. I've got tears in my eyes, remembering my own wedding gown search 20 years ago... I'm so glad you and your daughters are having these sweet moments together! I predict much angst with my husband when that day comes... sigh... he really doesn't want his daughter to grow up, and he's a country boy at heart... prayers for you during this time! :)

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  3. Awwww, love the photos of your girls!!!

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  4. I love that song too!
    Love your #7.
    So glad you had a wonderful weekend with your girlies, always a treat!

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  5. So glad you could spend time with your daughters. Glad the wedding dress is taken care of.

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  6. I get tired of seeing opinions and issues on Facebook, too, but didn't think about that. My feed has become so cluttered, these days, I'm about ready to close my account!

    I'm glad you were able to spend some quality time with your girls. Enjoy those special moments. One day soon, they'll be married, with children, and those 'special moments' will be even harder to squeeze in than they are now. Enjoy the wedding planning :)

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  7. We have #4 in common and I wholeheartedly agree with #2. Your girls are lovely.

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  8. Beautiufl pictures..thanks for sharing. Blessings

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  9. Thank you for another great Hodgepodge, Joyce! It is always interesting to find areas where we all agree, and then those where everyone has a different answer. Some of ours today are very similar. What a wonderful day you had with your lovely girls!! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  10. aahh - 10,000 reasons... love that song!

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  11. Oh, completely forgot about 10,000 Reasons, yes, it's wonderful! And, love how lovely your weekend was with your girls. There's nothing like memory making times with our kiddos. Enjoy your break next week!

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  12. I love how you answer your questions like it was the first time you've seen them!!! (ha, ha!)
    Your girls are so sweet!

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  13. I think it is marvelous that you have one daughter that looks like you, and the other who looks like your Hubby! When will you bridesmaid dress shop? Will daughter 2 be the maid of honor?

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  14. Sounds like you had the perfect Saturday. It's so nice to share days like that with someone you love.

    Good questions (and answers) this week Joyce and I hope you enjoy your time off.

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  15. It seems as if many of us had similar answers for the dark. At times kind of a love/hate thing. Your girls are darling! Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  16. I think all 6-year-olds love that squishy white bread.

    Oh no, THAT is one of my most favorite songs, too, number or not. Why oh why did I not think of that?????? Ack!

    I want to grill salmon. DH is not a big fan but will eat it once in a while because I like it (if it's prepared well). I'd like to cook it at home more often instead of having to wait until we eat out. But because we cook it so rarely, I'm not sure I really know how to prepare it/grill it. Time to Google "grilling salmon"?

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  17. Aaaah, how refreshing to spend a gorgeous morning talking about everything and nothing with a daughter (or in your case, two!). I must say your Daughter 2 sure has got some legs. Must be nice. Precious memories, I'm sure, will linger of this past magical weekend. We made some near your stomping grounds at the same time you weren't far from ours! Funny little world.

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  18. This might be a duplicate, blogger is running weird this morning......
    Enjoyed reading your answers. Happy to hear that you found the dress. Nice to have a very important part of the wedding preparations done!

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  19. Don't you love those days where you can just relax and soak up the day? I had a few moments of that last Sunday, my mom and I were enjoying one of our benches in the driveway. It was a little warm, but there was a nice breeze so it wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, I had to work, and we had things that needed to be done before work, so we didn't get to enjoy it for very long.

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  20. Love the pics of your girls! So sweet!!

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  21. I love your random thought. When our kids grow up and leave the nest the times we get to be together are all too infrequent and therefore oh so special.

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  22. Your girls are precious! I love the pictures!

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  23. beautiful pics of girls!!! we had some of the same answers on several questions this time! thanks for hosting, and hope your summer break
    is great

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  24. So happy for you and your treasured moments with the girls! Thanks so much for hosting this meme! Love you much!!

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  25. I completely agree with you about negativity. It can be so contagious. Makes me want to be a much happier, more positive person. So glad your daughter found a dress! Happy times! Congratulations to you all.
    Blessings, Valerie

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  26. Sounds like you had a wonderful day with your daughters. I can't imagine not seeing my kids EVERY day but I know it will come some day.

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  27. Well THAT sounds like a perfect afternoon!

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  28. I like your answers. There is much similarity to my thinking. Yes, I'm tired of hearing those issues as well--there are always two ways to look at things and often good arguments on both sides.

    I don't recall ever having chaperoned a field trip, but there are many I remember when I was a kid. Two of my favorites were visiting the mission in San Diego and going to the museums in Balboa Park.

    I still like doing things like taking factory tours when they are available.

    Lee
    A Faraway View

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  29. Love the song 10,000 Reasons. Our church's worship team calls it "10,000 Pages" because the sheet music is so long. :)

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