Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Revving Up The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge, our last one for the month of July. If you've answered the questions this week, add your link at the end of my post and then run see what the neighbors are saying. If you didn't answer the questions, don't link. But do still go see what the neighbors are saying...here we go-


1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon." Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.

In a funny coincidence I wrote an entire post on this topic Monday, which you can read by clicking here. Course since I like to follow the rules, I'll post an excerpt-

'Going to the neighborhood swim club with my sister. Sometimes my mom would drive us, but oftentimes we'd ride our bicycles the two miles there and the two miles back. Kids were supposed to leave the lounge chairs for the adults, so we'd spread our beach towels on the grassy hillside and spend hours in the pool. When the whistle sadly blew indicating adult swim, we'd run freezing to our towels and lay in the warm sun to dry off. We'd always bring money for the snack bar and figuring out what to buy was a big decision. One of our favorite treats was a frozen Milky Way bar, but other times we'd get french fries or some kind of candy.'

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this? Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about?

I don't think I'd consider myself a true fan. I don't dislike racing, but I don't go out of my way to see it either. We usually watch some of the Indy, but that's about it. I do think it would be fun to see it in person. I like fast cars and I've heard it's super loud and there's a lot to see at the big races.  I notice certain cars.  If I see an old MG I take note for sure.  

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or is anything and everything fair game?

The mentally handicapped and the mentally ill. There's probably more, but those are the two that make my stomach knot up. 

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?

I like lasagna, but it's not my go-to Italian food. Do you have a go-to Italian food? I'm not sure I do either, but if I did it would not be lasagna. I do have a good recipe though, courtesy of my mother.  If given a choice I'd choose a plate of spaghetti over a plate of lasagna. 

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?

My morning coffee. Without it, life is not complete. #firstworldproblems

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?

Hmmm...tough one. If we're pretending I'm qualified, then maybe World Vision or Samaritan's Purse. I appreciate their heart and would love to see how they operate behind the scenes. 

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.

Loved your relaxed schedule and slower pace!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

What do you like to cook that requires hot hot peppers?


Because we've got us more than a few.





24 comments:

  1. I totally didn't think of my morning coffee as a simple pleasure but your sooooo right! I wish I had a recipe for hot peppers but we don't eat them much but I would suggest adding them to maybe a fresh summer salsa! Thanks for hosting! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  2. I love hot peppers! I like to add them to pasta, stir-fried eggplants, or tomato sauce.

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  3. I really, really do love your answer to #3. Wish I'd thought of that. And #7 I'm envious...wishing my July was the same as yours. And yes, love hot peppers...I cook Mexican food [not TexMex...the real stuff]!!!

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  4. Ed would certainly agree with you about the morning cup of coffee :)
    As for hot peppers, I don't cook with them, but I did try my hand at growing some for pickling, this year. I didn't think of growing them in containers, but will keep that in mind, for future reference, because I like yours!

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  5. Sitting at my computer each morning is also a simple pleasure! With my coffee next to it of course!

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  6. A very fun Hodgepodge, Joyce!! I grew up eating hot, hot peppers! Dad grew them in the garden. Fortunately, Joe likes them too. I put hot peppers in lots of things, and even hot pepper relish on most sandwiches. My dad used to make a hot pepper concoction that made your eyes water if you walked into the kitchen during prep! Hot peppers, onions, hamburger, tomato sauce, ketchup, Italian seasonings. He never used a recipe - he just threw it together and it was delicious, alone or over rice or pasta. Yum.

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  7. Oh, my morning coffee rates right up there with my "chair time." Love it! And, so agree about the mentally challenged, no joking matter. Always, always enjoy the HP, thanks for hanging in there with us for so long.

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  8. I don't cook anything with hot peppers even if the recipe calls for them, with one exception, chili. If it's one little bit too hot, I just can't eat it whatever it is. Birdie LOVES hot stuff. She'll put a hot pepper in just about anything. So glad July slowed down a bit for you. Wedding planning alone can keep you on your toes. :)

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  9. I love hot peppers. We grow them too, I add them to our cornbread. =) Totally agree with your #3 wish I had thought of that.
    Blessings, Valerie

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  10. Enjoyed this as always! Have a wonderful day!

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  11. We love hot peppers and always raise them in our garden. I hang them to dry in the late summer and use them in stews, soups, casseroles, and grind them to use in a shaker on all kinds of things. Thanks for the Hodgepodge again, Joyce. :-)

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  12. Good answer to #3 and #6. I'm the same as you on the lasagna answer. It's good, but not my go-to.

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  13. With school getting back in full swing next Tues., I, too, am going to miss these more relaxed days. Hearing the alarm go off at 6 AM, again...not looking too forward to that! Your summer memory reminds me so much of my childhood days...riding bikes, hanging out at the pool with friends, eating fries and not worrying about the calories. Life was GOOD!

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  14. I hate any jokes about suicide. I cringe when I hear people nonchalantly say " I want to kill myself" over something in their day.

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  15. We didn't have a swim club here, just a public pool and a state park with a lake. We usually chose the lake, which meant we needed a ride...which would cost us. My mom would take us and drop us off if we did something for her first...like snap a bushel of beans or shell a like amount of peas. I hated it at the time, but I really do miss those simpler times.

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  16. No hot peppers for me. D H cooks so I don't even have a recipe.

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  17. Your answer for #3 is spot on! I've never been a morning coffee or tea person but I don't know why. I enjoy coffee with dessert at a fine restaurant. Excellent answer for #6 too!

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  18. I like your answer to #1. We didn't have a swim club, or a pool.
    We did have a lake, but if I swam under the water I would get in trouble.
    I was prone to ear infections, and would get one every time.
    But, for some reason your answer reminded me of something.
    I remember the time our town was going to beautify that same lake.
    We were excited because the National Guard brought big trucks loaded with beach sand, to our small town. After all the work was finished we celebrated with the dedication and music + swimming.

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  19. SWMBO makes a pork chop chili that is to die for. It is so hot you soon sweat after a few bites. I don't cook anything that calls for hot, hot peppers.

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  20. #3 --absolutely!! ugh that makes me sick when people tease others that cannot help themselves. ;/ I grew up going to school where i was the only one wearing hearing aids so i got my share. Although later on i went to a school where others were deaf and hard of hearing so i enjoyed going to school then.

    Anyway i like your #1 too.. Only we had a cow bell! My dad would play softball with his friends and the bell would indicate there is one inning left. The other guys kids and I would start to pout.

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  21. Ohhh...hot peppers...yum!!

    I make a fabulous black bean soup that calls for the peppers. So delicious and spicy! Recipe is somewhere on my blog and is a favorite of everyone who tries it.

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  22. I agree with #3. I have an autistic grandson. We are so used to him, we don't notice his differences, but sometimes I catch others staring at him and I'm always upset. I'm afraid he will notice. Hubs makes home made hot sauce to use up his peppers. Yummy chips and salsa!

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  23. Hot peppers are not really on the list for us--my kids have not yet hit the hot pepper appreciation age. I do make some mildly spicy dishes though--jambalaya, chicken enchiladas, and I have a mean salsa when we actually get tomatoes.

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  24. I make fresh salsa with jalapeno peppers! The whole family loves it. What I don't use, I freeze.

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