Thanksgiving

I know everyone is now in full on Christmas mode, but I'm still stuck on Thanksgiving. We did buy a tree for the apartment today, but haven't done any decorating. I've ordered cards but they're not in yet, and I've done very little shopping so Thanksgiving it is. 

I'm not one of those people who can skip the holidays just because we're living an in-between sort of season right now. I want twinkle lights and cinnamon candles and I don't want turkey dinner in a restaurant. I'm not knocking that if it's your tradition, and if I need to have dinner in a restaurant to accomodate someone's travel or family situation, then sure I will do it, happily I might add. But that's not our tradition and holidays are a time my heart longs for the memory of childhood and the little things that mark the holidays as our own. 

As you get older, or more specifically as your children get older, you have to adjust the picture you have in your head of how a holiday will actually look in real life. I get that, and I do keep my mind and heart focused on what's most important. That doesn't mean I won't try to have at least a smidgen of the traditions our families have enjoyed year after year as part of any new celebrations we embrace. It's going to require some creativity this Christmas, but I'm working on it. 

Today though it's November, and November is a month set aside for counting our blessings and giving thanks so let's talk turkey. 

Daughter2 and her boyfriend have been dating for some time now, but we've never met his family in person. We've never been in the same state at the same time (it's us remember), so this was the year we decided to be intentional in changing that. His parents invited us to spend Thanksgiving with their family in the Buckeye State, and we were happy to accept. 

We drove up on Wednesday and enjoyed a casual dinner in their lovely home, followed by a whole weekend of lovely moments spent chatting, eating, and refreshing our ping pong skills. I used to have ping pong skills, but haven't played in such a long time and I'd forgotten how much I loved it. 

I always think of my brother when I play ping pong. He used to play me a game most nights after dinner and he always beat me, even when he very sweetly played right handed (he's a lefty). Those games have a page in the scrapbook I keep in my head. 

Also, I will go ahead and say what everyone is thinking. Yes my youngest looks like me. Exactly. If you saw a picture of me at her age you would swear it was her. Except I wasn't as fair haired back then. ahem. 

Our Thanksgiving meal was delicious and very similar to what I would have prepared if we'd been at home. This made me happy because I don't like anyone to mess too much with the Thanksgiving menu. There was lots of football watching and a little Foosball playing and the weather was phenomenal so there was even a picture perfect evening spent beside an outdoor fire. I didn't take a lot of pictures because this was our first time in their home, and I try not to be obnoxious with my camera until you know me better. 

Friday morning hubs and I met for coffee with friends from our Maryland days. These friends moved to Ohio right before we moved to England, but we've stayed in touch and Daughter2 and their Daughter1 are still great pals. We saw the mom and daughter in January at Daughter1's wedding, but there's not a lot of time for lengthy conversation at a wedding, so a coffee catch up was nice. Her hubs came too and we hadn't seen him in years, so that felt extra special. 

Daughter2 and her boyfriend picked us up from our coffee date and drove us downtown to meet his family for lunch. We dined in a restaurant overlooking the river with a really pretty view of the city. After lunch we spent a few hours wandering through the Newport Aquarium on the Ky side of the river. 

In case you can't tell Daughter2 loves the Aquarium. 

She's something of a shark aficionado, not sure where that came from, but from the time she was very small she's had a keen interest in sharks. She's full of all kinds of knowledge and shark trivia which honestly is not a bad thing for a third grade teacher to have on tap.  

In the Newport Aquarium you can touch a shark if you dare. You can also walk across the shark infested waters via a net bridge, which of course we did. 

I'm pretty sure that's not as dangerous as I made it sound.
She was in her happy place here.

Before we went back to the house for dinner we made an ice cream stop at Graeters. I hear if you're in the Cincinnati area you must try Graeters and y'all know I'm a rule follower. People from Cincy always go on and on about the ice cream here, and I must say it lived up to its reputation. I had peppermint stick which was completely scrumptious and felt really festive too.

Friday evening we hung out at the house, had pizza, watched more football, and just generally made ourselves at home. We had such wonderful hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in their home.

We drove back to SC on Saturday with a brief planned stop in TN to say hello to hubs parents. Daughter2 rode back with us since her boyfriend had a couple more days in Ohio, and it felt a little bit like the old days roadtripping with one of our girls curled up in the backseat. We don't have kids in the backseat too often anymore. Sniff.

Of course there was one more must-try dish before we left town-the iconic Skyline chili. It's hard to describe if you've never tasted it, but basically its a chili-ish dish served over spaghetti or atop a small hotdog called a coney, topped with lots of cheese and onions if you want, or just a whole lotta cheese.

Skyline doesn't taste exactly like traditional chili nor does it taste exactly like traditional spaghetti sauce. It's somewhere in between and it's good!

We had an uneventful drive home and I feel ready now to welcome the season of Advent. While it seems like so many people have had Christmas up and running in their homes for several weeks now, we're just getting started. That's how I like my holidays-one at a time.

I hope your Thanksgiving was full of blessings too!

Hodgepodge Blessings

Welcome to this pre-Thanksgiving Hodgepodge. I'm thankful for everyone who visits here on Wednesdays, for all of you here today who keep this mid-week hop a fun and friendly corner of the Internet. If you've answered the questions today, add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to visit the person who linked before you, because that's part of what keeps this train chugging along. Happy Thanksgiving!

1.What's something you wish you knew how to do, but feel like it's too late to learn?

Speak a foreign language like I was born there. 

2. Your least favorite thing to shop for? Why?

Bathing suits. Will all women answer the same way? Why are they so weirdly sized? Why do all women know you need to buy a size larger than your normal size? Why are they so teeny tiny? Why didn't I exercise more in my 30's? 

3. How has the celebration of Thanksgiving today changed from when you were growing up?

One thing I like about Thanksgiving is the way it doesn't change a whole lot from year to year. Our menu has been tweaked very little, and the day is still spent happily in the kitchen preparing a comfort food feast. We eat late afternoon and follow that up in the evening with leftovers in the form of a turkey sandwich. I make my mom's cornbread dressing and all is right with the world. 

For me it's still about family and friendship and feeling grateful. The sound of the Macy's parade is background noise to a busy kitchen while fabulous smells fill the house. Later there's football and maybe a walk, a nap, and a board game of some sort. It's definitely about Thanksgiving and not at all about Christmas. It's about people not things. We never put our tree up before Thanksgiving and we would never think about hitting the stores on this day that seems meant to give us a reprieve from a very noisy world. 

4. What's something that when other people see it, reminds them of you? Explain.

The first thing that popped into my head was hedgehogs. When my girls see hedgehogs they think of me. It's just one of those now funny family happenings going back to the time I accidentally grabbed a dead hedgehog from our pond WITH MY BARE HANDS thinking it was a leaf and upon realizing what I had IN MY BARE HANDS proceeded to totally and completely freak. Now you're probably wondering how I could mistake a hedgehog for a leaf, but it was floating on it's back and shudder. Shudder shudder shudder.

5. If you could guest star in a TV show, what would it be and why?

Chopped. I think it would be fun to fill in as a guest judge. 

6. Have you ever farmed or spent any time on a farm? Are there farm stands in your little corner of the world and do you make it a point to shop there? If so, what item do you particularly like to buy from a roadside stand or farm shop?

My dad grew up on a farm near Denver so yes, as a child I spent some time there. I wrote a little bit about those days in a post you'll find here. 

That's my baby sister and I just hangin' out in the cow pasture back in 1960something. 

Most recently hubs and I lived in a rural corner of New Jersey so lots and lots of farms and farm stands. I made it a point to shop there in season, but most shut down after the pumpkin harvest. In summer months I'd stop almost every day and buy fresh from the farm corn and tomatoes and then whatever fruit or other veggies happened to look good. Corn on the cob is my favorite thing to buy from a farm stand. 

I'm happy to say there are a lot of farms and farm stands in our new little town too, so I'll continue buying from the grower whenever I can. 

7. What's something you've experienced recently that made you feel a sense of awe or wonder?

Not to sound like a broken record here, but this-

Pretty Place. I dare you to stand on the mountainside at sunrise and not feel the good kind of small. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

"By surrendering ourselves to quiet communion with God, by resting for a while from all our thinking and acting and serving, by leaving all things for once in our Heavenly Father's hands, secret wounds are healed, gathering unbelief is dispelled, and displaced armor refined." Oswald Chambers

I read this quote earlier in the week on someone's Instagram feed, and it resonated with me so deeply. I love the wisdom of Oswald Chambers. My prayer as we enter this Advent season is that each one of us finds time for rest from the thinking and the doing, time for quiet communion with God who heals our secret wounds and reminds us we are loved with an everlasting love. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 245

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Why not take five from the craziness that is menu planning/grocery shopping and play along? Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow (Thanksgiving Eve) to share answers with the universe. See you there!

1.What's something you wish you knew how to do, but feel like it's too late to learn?

2. Your least favorite thing to shop for? Why?

3. How has the celebration of Thanksgiving today changed from when you were growing up?

4. What's something that when other people see it, reminds them of you? Explain.

5. If you could guest star in a TV show, what would it be and why?

6. Have you ever farmed or spent any time on a farm? Are there farm stands in your little corner of the world and do you make it a point to shop there? If so, what item do you particularly like to buy from a roadside stand or farm shop?

7. What's something you've experienced recently that made you feel a sense of awe or wonder?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

What I Want In A World Gone Mad

Friday afternoon. A good time to blog because nobody reads on Friday afternoons, right? Lately it feels like nobody reading might not be a bad thing. And everyone can relax because I'm not going to weigh in on the refugee argument here. Not precisely anyway but make no mistake, it is an argument.

Everything is an argument, and that's what I really want to weigh in on.

Raise your hand if you've changed your mind on a particular issue because somebody posted a snarky comment on Facebook insinuating or outright saying you're an idiot? Yeah.

So can't we just stop? Why can't we stop? Why is there this insatiable need to prove you're right and I'm wrong. You're smart and I'm not. You love the poor and I don't. You're a Christian and I'm not and by golly I'm going to convict you of your transgressions in a public forum, and I'm going to do it in a way that doesn't just quietly offer you another point of view. I'm going to eviscerate you, judge the state of your heart and life because you asked a legitimate question and I'm a Bible expert.

Except very few people posting and commenting are actual experts. They're just average citizens with a Facebook page or Twitter account, a lot of opinions and most importantly, absolute certainty in their rightness.

I think we can all agree the refugee crisis is serious and complicated. Like almost every other issue that's divided our country in the past few years, this isn't an all or nothing deal, so why can't I have more than five minutes to make up my mind about what I want to see happen?

I'm not alone in feeling the need to step back and look at all the pieces of the puzzle. So many people feel conflicted about the right way forward, but woe to you who don't have an instant opinion.We're not allowed to feel conflicted about anything anymore. An issue arises and in a matter of seconds everyone and their brother is posting in ALL CAPS!!! where they stand, which is their perogative, but please don't tell me where I stand when I haven't been able to articulate it myself.

With almost everything that's occurred in our nation and around the world recently we've rushed to judgement. We're sheep, and nowhere is this more evident than in the online community. People follow speakers, high profile Christian authors and commentators, celebrities, political figures, people they admire for one reason or another and when that high profile person spits out their position, we're literally like sheep. We jump on the bandwagon without hesitation and heartily echo yes me too, without taking the time to figure out if what that person has espoused is true and accurately reflects how we feel or if we just lack the energy to swim upstream.

There are big problems in the world. Huge. Ginormous. Too big to tackle on our own. We need conversation. We need ideas to be floated out there, lots of ideas. We need to be able to have reasonable discussions about the important issues facing our communities and our world, and it seems we've lost the ability to do that. Calling someone names isn't going to get us anywhere, except further and further across a divide I fear we're in danger of never mending.

The judgements hurled at people who disagree with some particular point of view have made me feel a little bit sick to my stomach this week. I want to curl up and hide away from the nastiness, to not speak, voice an opinion, or ask an honest question, but here I am blogging. Because I want things for this tired troubled place we temporarily call home.

I want us to think for ourselves. I want us to listen. I want us when things go pear shaped to wait a second for the dust to settle and facts to emerge before hitting someone over the head with an opinion. I want us to quit judging the quality of a person's heart on the basis of a status update. I want people who hold positions of influence to be gentle in their responses to those who are trying to understand a world gone mad.

Do I think this post is going to change anyone's mind or behavior? Probably not, but that's not why I write. My blog is a journal, not a point of persuasion. I don't have a big following, but some important people really do read my blog. My daughters. And I want them to know their mother believes no matter how ugly the world becomes, they can still choose to be beautifully kind.

There is much written online I suspect is later viewed with regret, but dear daughters you will never be sorry you were kind. The world is harsh. Choose kindness.

Hodgepodge With Gravy

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered the questions, add your link at the end of my post, then run say hi to the blogger who linked before you. They'll thank you! Here we go-

1. What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

About my life, probably all the travel. It wasn't until well into adulthood I discovered I had a heart full of wanderlust. 

2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year...awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable.

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?

A sad commentary on the English language. I find cat cafe the most ridiculous, although probably more the concept than the actual word. I cannot imagine using the word fatberg since I rarely discuss congealed lumps of fat that won't break down. Shudder! You won't hear me calling anyone Mx. either. My word of choice on this particular list is hangry. The struggle is real y'all. 

3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy...which on on the list is your favorite?

I'm kind of meh on the whole gravy thing. I can take it or leave it, and there's nothing I absolutely must have smothered in sauce. I like gravy on my turkey if the turkey is dry, but I love plain mashed potatoes. If I do have gravy on something I have a very small portion. I don't like my food swimming, and feel the same way about salad dressing and pasta toppings. 

I have a wonderful make ahead turkey gravy recipe I got from Southern Living a few years ago, and I make that. The past couple of years we've had gravy from a local butcher. It's made there and tastes homemade. Delicious and one less item to prepare on Thanksgiving Day so why not? I don't like canned or jarred gravy. My favorite of the foods listed would probably be turkey and gravy. 

4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.

Do I have a plan? Always.  Currently we have a house plan, a holiday travel plan, a retirement plan, a health care plan, etc. etc. Do I need a plan? Yes. There are areas of my life that are in need of a plan. Ever had one fall to pieces? Ha! Of course, but it's still a good idea to have a plan. 

5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

I like Monopoly. I wouldn't want to play every day or even every week, but once in a while and with the right people, it can be fun. We own the original, a UK version, and also a Wizard of Oz version although I think that last one might have been given away in our most recent move. It's unlikely I'll play on Friday since our game is in storage. 

I've been to Atlantic City many times, but it's not my beach of choice on the Jersey Shore. I've ridden on a railroad many times too, and parking in our town is a combination of both free and paid. You can find free parking on Main Street downtown, but if it's full you have to pay for a garage.  Last thing I took a chance on? Maybe our retirement? I'll let you know how that works out-ha! 

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

Some of my favorites are How Great Thou Art, My Tribute by Andrae Crouch, and an old camp blessing we used to sing before meals in the dining hall-For Health and Strength. 

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?

Lots of things, but it boils down to this-having life's most basic needs met on a regular basis. A warm bed, food in the frig, gas in the car, clean water right from the tap, money to pay bills, etc. I don't think I take these things for granted exactly, but since my basic needs are always met I also don't spend a lot of time truly reflecting on what a blessing that is. When the power goes out or the car breaks down, that's when I tend to stop and really consider how grateful I am for these things that are a part of everyday life. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This one never gets old-

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 244

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with your friends and neighbors. See you there! 

1. What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year...awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable. 

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?

3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy...which one on the list is your favorite?

4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.

5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude....what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. A very special and heart felt shout out to anyone joining us today who is a veteran. Thank you for your service to our country. 

If you've answered the questions today, please add a link to your answers at the end of my post. And do say hi to the blogger who linked before you because comments make the world go round. Here we go-

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?

I grew up in a military family and have a son-in-law currently in the US Army. I feel a special affection for those who take an oath to serve and protect this land we love. The freedoms we enjoy in America are something I think most of us take for granted on a daily basis. It's not until our lives are touched by war, a family member entering the armed services, or some national tragedy like 911 that we really stop and think about what it looks like to 'serve your country'. 

I'm so glad we set aside this date to recognize our servicemen and women's commitment to freedom. Their commitment to defending the ideals our country holds dear and what that commitment means to the average citizen. I'm grateful for their willingness to serve, some giving even their very lives in the call of duty. I think of the words honor and sacrifice, and how to our veterans those aren't just words. I'm proud to be the daughter of a United States Marine, and on this day feel humbled by the bravery of our veterans. 

2. What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

It's too hard to choose just one. A few of my favorites falling under this heading would be The Dirty Dozen, Argo, Saving Private Ryan, Lone Survivor, and American Sniper. Of the movies listed Saving Private Ryan is probably my #1. 

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

I did get a flu shot. I had the flu once, it was several years ago but it's not something I care to ever have again, so since then I've had a flu shot every year. 

4. I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are you thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

In the words of Nadine from SNL's Burger Castle (go here if you're clueless) everybody 'simmah down nah'! Have mercy we're easily offended in 2015, aren't we? Also, I feel like now people complaining about people complaining about red cups is a thing. We just need a thing I guess. 

Starbucks is a business and if they want plain red cups vs. snowflakes and polar bears I say go for it. This isn't an organization claiming to represent Christianity. It's Starbucks. I don't get why a red cup is offensive?? That being said, if you don't like their business philosophy don't buy their coffee. God bless America! 

Also, it's capitalism with a Capital C, but I'd love to see stores hold off until at least November before decking the halls. And I DO NOT understand people with their trees up on the first of November.  I think it's ridunkulous, but it's your house and if that's what makes your family happy then you go right ahead and hang that mistletoe while snacking on Halloween candy. 

5. What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

Well I'm sure I should say a copperhead or a big fat crunchy spider, which are both high on my list of things to avoid and not something I ever want to encounter, but I'm actually going to say a possum. I don't know if it's their rodent-y bodies or their beady little eyes, but there's something about them that sends shivers up my spine. They're creepy. And they like to get in the garbage cans so when you lift the lid they stare back and scare the daylights out of you. 

6. Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?

Not particularly. Hubs and I are building a house, but technically we're watching our builder build a house. The last thing I built? Hmmmm.....perhaps a casserole? I'm not a hammer and nail kind of girl. 

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

Sunlight on the water and a clear blue sky. I'm slightly obsessed with both. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 243

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday to share answers with the world wide webbers. See you there!

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?

2. What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

4. I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

5. What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

6. Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Is It Just Me?

Birthdays. Is it just me or does anyone else have a baby sister celebrating a birthday today? Happy birthday to my little sister. The girl I shared a room, clothes, chores, secrets, and life with. We have our own rooms now, but we still share life.

c. 196_ something

I'm on the right and she's front and center because that's where she always liked to be. Really. She was photo bombing before photo bombing was cool. Case in point-

This was going to be a picture of me and my mom, and look who managed to get in every shot we ever took the shot. You know what they say though?

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree-

c. 2013

Like mother, like son.

For the record, we're just a year apart only my babies are in their mid-20's and hers is nine. Let that sink in for a minute. Ha! He keeps her young or at least that's what I tell her.

I'm so thankful for my sisters, thankful too my girls know the joy of both having and being a sister. Happy birthday little sis!

A hornet's nest. Also known as politics in America. Is it just me or does anyone else feel like we've been at this election thing for-evah? And it's still over a year way. More than one whole complete entire YEAR.

I have an idea...let's call a two-month time out on all things presidential election, take some deep breaths, and not hear another word about it until 2016. The year we actually vote.

Football. Is it just me or is the NFL not as much fun this year? I feel like play stops every other minute and the penalties are excessive. In my opinion (not that the Commissioner asked) they play too many games. The players aren't rested and the commentators have waaaay too much air time to fill and the refs are struggling and what's up with the game clocks going wonky every week? I love watching football but if I were commissioner I'd eliminate those Thursday night games.

I feel like money might be a factor snort so not betting on him taking my suggestion to heart. But he should.

The Write31 Challenge. Is it just me or did anyone else drop the ball on the Write 31 challenge? In my defense I did write 25 posts in October which isn't 31 but it's something. I only wrote 13 in September, so winning!

The Home Build. Is it just me or does anyone else feel like we should be further along in the home build process than we are? Pesky rain. Pesky pesky rain. On the bright side we've been busy making selections on the very long list of things we need to select. We started with the plumbing and have our sinks, faucets, tubs, toilets (more options than one might think) and showers chosen. We neglected to choose a sink for the garage, and we've already made a change in color to a lower level sink, and also to the kitchen sink after we selected our granite. This is how it goes, or so I'm told.

We've also almost settled on all of our appliances and we may have gotten a little carried away by ALL THE THINGS on offer and gone just a smidge overboard. We've since gone back to the appliance shop and made a course correction. Ahem. We may need another, but we're holding out to see if we save money in some other category. Our decorator looked at hubs like he had two heads when he suggested it, but we're nothing if not ridiculously optimistic.

The whole house build budget thing is a little bit like wedding planning. You have all these categories and an allowance for each one. And just like with the wedding, if we're under budget in one area we can shift the savings to another.

Yeah, so far not a lot to shift, but I'll keep you posted.

Last week we trekked to the granite warehouse and today we're off to pick tile. I predict this will be one of the more stressful categories because I'm flashing back to picking tile for the shower we renovated in our previous home. Have mercy there are so many choices and combinations and that was just a shower. Today we're selecting tile for more than one shower, floors for a hallway-laundry-bathrooms, back splashes for the kitchen, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Is it just me or is building a home from the ground up just a teensy bit nuts?

Remember Remember the Hodgepodge November

It's November. How did that happen? Welcome to the first Hodgepodge of the month. I love this season of gratitude and look forward to incorporating it into the questions as we roll towards December.

Also, who gets my title? Anyone playing along today from the UK? 

If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. We're all grateful for comments, so be sure to at least visit the blogger who links before you. Here we go-

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

We're going to see the Vols play in Neyland Stadium this month, something we haven't done in years, so that will be fun. As long as they win. ahem. We're also visiting college friends in Atlanta later this month, and that's always too much fun. Finally, we're meeting Daughter2's boyfriend's family at the end of the month, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them in November. 

2. If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

We were treated to a really nice dinner Monday night, so I'll send a thank you card to our hostess. She works in our financial planners office in NJ, and happens to have family in our little SC town. Small world people. My favorite thing. We'd never met her in person, but have spoken on the phone several times as she handles some of our paperwork. Dinner on a Monday night? Why not? 

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?

Oh dear. I don't eat plain old fashioned white bread so that's an easy one to take off the list. Probably my favorite would be Naan because I love Indian food, and you can't have Indian food without Naan. I would not turn down a piece of homemade cinnamon bread either. 

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

Rain. I'm not going to complain much, but holy cow we've had a lot of rain. Buckets and buckets. Cats and dogs. Round up the animals two by two. I think you get the idea. Do you know what goes together like oil and water? Home building and downpours. 

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?

I married into a family of redheads so the easy answer is yes. My favorite? Hubs, of course. 

Also, fun fact...red hair + gray hair = blond hair. 
No fair! 

6. The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state?  Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state city or province.

I live in SC and the most Instagrammed spot in the state is Myrtle Beach. I haven't been to Myrtle Beach in decades, but it's a popular tourist destination so I guess that answer makes sense. I've snapped many a picture in Myrtle Beach, but nothing recent. 

What do I think should be the most Instagrammed spot in SC? 

Pretty Place Chapel. A location that truly lives up to its name. 

7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?

Hmmm...that we can do this retirement thing? 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Did you watch the World Series? I didn't because the teams didn't interest me all that much, but I did love this. Billy Joel is a Mets fan and he sang the National Anthem in game 3. This season the Mets have been playing Piano Man in the 8th inning to rev up the crowd. Everyone sings along, and in game three they sang it with the original 'Piano Man' in the crowd. Awesome! Especially when he joined in-

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 242

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then scoot back here tomorrow and add your link to the party. Here we go-

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?

6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?

8. Insert your own random thought here.