Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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-







27 comments:

  1. Your answers are very good and well thought out. I especially like your answers about plans because yes, those are so important and we do have plans for all those things. Retirement is working and I'm sure it will for you as well. I am thankful every day for those basic things I used to take for granted. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for Hodgepodge. I enjoy reading other answers because it always expands my thoughts about these different things from the perspective of others.

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  2. I stand with you in recognition of the very real word hangry!!!!
    I had a feeling you would be all over that plan question! So many of my friends are like you in that regard :)
    Ditto #7, well said.
    Have a good week!

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  3. Great song choice. I was just telling hub the other day if I had taken the wrong choice on early retirement-his reply _"Oh yea of little faith". I know I said but I have this fear.....
    Little things we do take for granted until something breaks down or the electricity goes off and then we realize we can't function.

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  4. I agree. If I didn't make a plan, I'm sure I'd never accomplish anything at all. Even with a plan it's sometimes a bit iffy. Thanks for the Hodgepodge, Joyce. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.

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  5. Your list of things we take sort of take for granted is a good one-- we don't think much about them until something happens. Good answer!
    Those are some interesting words being added to the dictionary! "Hangry" definitely describes me, when mealtime runs late :) Ha! Thanks for the Hodgepodge!
    Kathy (Reflections by Kathy)

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  6. Making plans - is a good/bad thing for me. In general I like to know ahead of time what's going to happen. But, making too many plans can take away surprises, and can sometimes leave disappointment. Guess it's best to make plans for big things - but be open enough to enjoy whatever happens.

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  7. What an interesting Hodgepodge and so funny how different all of our answers are but you and I both thought of My Tribute. Yes, your answer about taking things for granted was great and I so agree! Hoping the construction is underway and that this time next year you will be about to celebrate Thanksgiving in your new home. Hopefully it won't take you as long to build as it did us. Ugh!

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  8. Hi Joyce - I am a planner as well. When I don't have a plan is when I get nervous. Love the Carrie/Vince song too. Enjoy the rest of the week.

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  9. Thanks for another great Hodgepodge Joyce. I always enjoy reading your answers. Love, love, love your random.....

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  10. "How Great Thou Art" gives me goosebumps each and every time I hear it...Carrie and Vince NAIL it! I am right there with you...hangry is the real deal!

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  11. So funny. I am such a gravy girl and you are good without it. Hangry is on my list of "are you kidding me" and you would use it. LOL. I still love your blog even though we are just not seeing eye-to-eye on these life changing and major issues. =)

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  12. Enjoyed all of your answers. That recipe for turkey gravy sounds interesting...do share! Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Not sure if you are Hodgepodging next week, but I know I probably will not be here. The kids are coming in Wednesday for a few days. Will have to get some baking done. The grands all have their special requests. ---not spoiled not in the least. HAHA.

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  13. Hi Joyce,
    Clean water from the tap, So true! I have visited areas in this world where this is not true. My do you realize the blessings we have.
    I am a planner as well! I liked how you answered that question.
    I will be traveling next Wednesday. I will wish you a great Thanksgiving Holiday and THANK YOU for doing the Hodgepodge, it is fun.
    Carla

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  14. Interesting the theme of the songs people have chosen in response to the questions. Inspirational this morning. It appears that technology has created some of the new words in our language...especially butt dial.

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  15. Glad to read that I'm not the only one who is on the fence with gravy! ha!! I generally don't take it but leave it. I love dry mashed potaotes!! :)
    Have a great week, Joyce.

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  16. I'm with you on the whole gravy thing, although Hubby loves it. I make my own, but only because I make a really good gravy!

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  17. I'm not sure I will ever say hangry either!! But I do love gravy. And those mashed potatoes have to have it!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  18. Our power went out for about an hour on Monday, it made me realize how dependent we are on it. That's definitely one of those things I take for granted and don't think about.

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  19. That's what I was thinking but didn't say it. Often turkey can be dry so the gravy is needed. I like my potatoes plain too although we often mix the corn into them on our plates. Kids started that when they were little and it tastes pretty awesome. Speaking of that my grandmother would put left over sauerkraut into mashed potatoes and it was delicious! Like your answer on being grateful. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  20. Hey we even like our mashed potatoes the same! NOW I really know we can totally be besties. :)
    Just the other day the Hubby mentioned retirement in the context of it actually happening. Hard to grasp. He tells me 'we' have a plan. Good to know. Ha.

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  21. Oh my goodness! I can't believe I left off "How Great Thou Art!" And "My Tribute" is such a stirring message in song. Really enjoyed your answers today and the wide variety of questions. You are amazing!

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  22. Love that version of How Great Thou Art!

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  23. I wish that I could say that our area has clean water. They brag that it is "superior", but how superior can water be if they list human fecal matter as one of the ingredients. ICK! We drink bottled water instead. We are blessed to have a roof over our head, a great little Zoomie, and our babies are making good with their lives. What more could one want?

    I have enjoyed your Hodgepodge! Have a great week and happy Thanksgiving (early, just in case I miss next week).

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  24. One of my favorite songs regarding thankful is Josh Groban's "Thankful" from his Noel album.

    Like you, I need a plan to follow. Even if I change the plan, at least it's a springboard to get me started.

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  25. Great questions as always and enjoyed your answers. Good to be reminded of the basics we take for granted :)

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