Monday, February 29, 2016

Let's Talk

How about we get this out of the way right off the bat? I don't care which side of the fence you're on, this election season is depressing. It's easy to feel discouraged about so many things, mankind being high on the list.


I wrote last week about a recent long weekend spent with friends. Friends we made while living in the UK. Friends who, other than the commonality of life in England, are different from us in a good many ways. There were seven couples in total. Fourteen individuals with varying backgrounds, beliefs, political persuasions, nationalities, and life experiences.

A true collection of hearts, minds, and opinions and I love every single one of them. I feel like we're a snapshot of something many people thought was gone for good given the angry times in which we live. I mean there's a whole host of issues where we're not on the same page, a few where we're likely polar opposites.

In 2016 it feels almost impossible to not only get along with, but also enjoy friendships with people who hold opinions contrary to our own, but ya'll...


I am here to tell you it is very, very possible.

We spent four completely lovely days living in the same house without conflict, tension or a cross word spoken between us. I actually think it boils down to something pretty simple...good manners.

We didn't used to have to talk about good manners because people had them. Today? Not so much, at least not online. People feel justified saying (or sharing) just about anything they want, then become offended when someone disagrees or suggests an alternative point of view. And the way we disagree is as coarse as coarse can be.

After our weekend together did anyone change their mind about who they're voting for in the next election? I don't think so. But we did stand together and admire the immense beauty of the Smoky Mountains. We discussed books, boats, cars, home builds, fine wines, moves, jobs, grown children, grandchildren, fly fishing, travel destinations, great hotels, and interesting cities around the world.


We begged our hosts to share recipes and give us the inside scoop on what it's really like to be Innkeepers, then sat side by side as 1000 jigsaw puzzle pieces were put into place. We introduced our Canadian friends to the awesomeness of chicken fried steak, cheesy grits, and biscuits and gravy.


We steered mostly clear of politics, because politics are a HOT! button and why do we feel like we've got to constantly be pushing the HOT! button??? There were some quiet conversations that naturally developed over a pint of beer or a steaming cup of coffee, but isn't that where those conversations work best?

Face to face with a real live person? Considering your words because you see the impact those words have on that person sitting across the table from you, or next to you on the couch, or beside you in the car?


There's real back and forth in these settings, and you can determine pretty quickly if you've been heard or misunderstood. In person we correct false assumptions before they ignite and blow up a relationship. We recognize that passion exists on all sides of an issue. We take note of body language and furrowed brows, adjusting our tone and posture because we care about these people. They're not faceless beings behind a computer screen. They're people in our actual life.


There's no name calling, no scolding, no lecturing which in my mind is what so much of social media has become. I think the intent  (bringing people together) was originally a good one, but the reality has morphed into something else entirely. Social media has polarized us, made us run into our collective camps and batten down the hatches.


I can only speak from what I know first hand, but I for one am grateful that not all of my friends are carbon copies of me. People whose lives are different than mine are interesting. They make me curious about the world, and add depth and beauty to what I know.

I'm not saying we don't need friends who think like us, and I do think it's really important to have friends in our lives who share our faith. Friends who will pray for us, encourage us, speak truth into our lives when truth needs speaking.

I think it's also important to have friends in our lives who see the world and it's many problems from a vantage point that's not exactly like our own. Maybe they were raised outside of America, or they're of a different political party, but whatever it is they push us to look inward at the beliefs we hold dear and to know why it is we hold them.

Real people keep us real.


It's easy to look at the big picture and feel discouraged about the world as it is today. I tell my girls to keep watching for the many deep pockets of love and kindness that most definitely still exist.

Forget Google...


...do a real life search instead.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Keep Calm and Carry On

I've been away for the past week (was it really just a week???) so in the spirit of throwback Thursday I'm going back a whole seven days on the blog today.

Actually the beginning was a little over ten years ago, but let's start with last Thursday.

Y'all remember I lived in the UK for a chunk of time (six years, but who's counting?) and during that time we shared a lot of hours, meals, and laughter with several couples, and we eventually started traveling together too. Our first organized trip was a picture perfect getaway to the Champagne region of France back in 2009, and by organized I mean one highly capable woman in the group booked everything and we showed up for the fun.

You might not need all this background, but I feel the need to give it to you anyway so strap in.

The group decided to make this an annual thing, typically venturing to a wine region somewhere in the world and almost always these trips occurred during the month of May. If you've been reading here a while you know that quite often the month of May in recent years has seen us graduating and/or moving daughters from one dorm to storage unit to apartment to still another apartment, always in high heat and humidity, but I digress. Because of these big life events meant to be celebrated (and they were!) hubs and I didn't get to participate in every wine tour.

Last year we were moving from Point A to Point B to Point C ourselves, so our last gathering with this crowd was Portugal, 2014. Which was completely fabulous, but let's get back to present day. You should know that these friends are spread hither and yon, and since our time together in England have resided in France, Switzerland, Florida, Belguim, Michigan, Germany, Chicago, Washington D.C., China, and of course N.J.


N.J. was us, and we're now SC, but I think you get the idea. We've got some miles under our collective belts. Fast forward to 2016, and in a funny turn of events, one couple has landed in the Tar Heel State. By way of England and then China, but still...an hour and a half from our current cozy little home in a neighboring state, so whoohoo!


Best of all, they purchased the most charming Inn in the quaint town of Waynesville, NC and reserved a whole entire long weekend for all of us to move in and make ourselves at home.


So we did.

Beginning last Thursday when we piled in, unpacked, and enjoyed the first of too many wonderful meals. We ate dinner in town each night, but our gracious hosts prepared an amazing breakfast each morning.


Thank goodness there was some walking in the weekend. Those are lemon ricotta pancakes, and they're the lightest, airiest, pancakes I've ever tasted.


We spent all day Friday at the Biltmore House in nearby Asheville. Hubs and I had been there decades ago, but many in our group had never visited, and we all really enjoyed the day.



As it happens The Biltmore had 'wedding gowns in the movies' on display, so two or three gowns were set up in each room of the house, and that was really fun to see.


We might have made ourselves at home in the Vanderbilt's place too. These chairs in their conservatory definitely said come sit for a while.


Over the course of our four day stay, there were many meals and conversations, walks and talks, jigsaw puzzles completed, and maybe a little bit of singing too, because this group does love to sing.


Quite often when you're with a group of couples the women are the glue, but these boys are fast friends, and that's an extra special thing I think. One's not pictured here, but someone jumped in to save his spot.


Of course the weekend went way too fast and we're already making plans for next year so there's that.  I realized as I was writing this post some other thinky kind of thoughts were inspired by the weekend, but in the interest of 'brevity' I'll save them for a blog post all their own.

Actually I started to put them here, and they turned into something more than a closing paragraph so, next time.

After I rewrite them because when I went to cut and paste I managed to delete. Bother.

I don't talk about England too often on my blog anymore, but you should know there is a very tender spot in my heart for the years, memories, and especially the friendships made there. I had to go fix a cuppa while I sat here and pined for it just a little bit.

Not everybody gets that, but these people? They get it.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Random Acts of Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Thanks for playing along today.

One quick item of blog business...I'm declaring next week winter break in the HP, so no Hodgepodge on February 24th. We'll be back the following Wednesday (March 2nd) with brand new questions and a brand new month.

Is it just me or is time flying?

Okay, back to today...here we go-


1.  February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th? 

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.  

I'll make a specific effort to notice someone on the official 'holiday'. These ROK are wins for everyone, and I almost don't want to write about anything I've done because anonymity is part of what makes them special. I will share one story because it still makes me smile when I remember this particular young woman.  

About a year ago I was preparing to pay for my manicure when a bride to be came into the salon. She was literally counting our her singles to determine whether or not she could afford to have her nails done and she had an accent I recognized immediately as East Tennessee (it was, but we were in NJ...small world). 

She explained to the owner that her wedding was the following day, and asked what she could do for the few dollars she had to spend. I was the only other person in the shop, and this bride made no secret about the fact that money was really tight, not in a complaining way, but just matter of factly said she needed to count pennies. So I quietly paid for her manicure and left the salon smiling. 

Most of these National Holidays feel contrived, but I like this one...a reminder to look for opportunities to brighten someone's day. I'm going to try! 

2. What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

The world still rallies around nations stricken with natural disaster or man-made terror. 

3.  Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list? 

That's an easy one! Black olives are my favorite. My least favorite on the list would be black currants, not so much the berry as things flavored with black currant. It's not a common flavoring in the US, but we found it in many drinks and candies in the UK.  

4.  A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things  you should do before you turn 50. They were-

travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?

I've passed the mile-marker mentioned and have done most everything on the list. The one I found most challenging, and that still needs conquering from time to time would be 'stop worrying'. I've come miles in that department, but can't say I never ever worry.  I think it's a pretty good list. 

The only thing I might add is that you should tell people who've impacted your life in a positive way what it's meant to you. Let them know they played a part in shaping the person you are today. So often we assume that youth leader, coach, camp counselor, fifth grade teacher, etc. knows they've made a difference, but it's extra special to hear it said aloud or see it in a hand written note.  

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting? 

I like the sweet romance of  Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. And I like the thriller Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone. I don't care how many times I've seen it, that first scene makes my palms sweaty every single time. 

6.  When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

Probably a couple of weeks ago when I was home alone with a fever and the worst headache of my life. What did I do about it? Cried to my husband when he phoned from an out of town business trip. Then later to my mom when she phoned to check on me. And possibly also one daughter. Maybe two. So to answer the question-I cried.  

7.  Share a favorite proverb.

"When words are many transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent." Proverbs 10:19

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 Combining two things I love (ballet and Degas) in a most beautiful way....click here to view. 




Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 256

Here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then ski back here tomorrow to link answers with your friends and neighbors. Also, one item of blog business to note-I'm declaring next week Winter Break in the HP, so no Hodgepodge on Wednesday February 24th. I've got some things going on next week and I'm not sure what my computer access will be. Thanks for understanding.

We're here this week though, so let's get started-


1. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.

2.What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?

4. A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before you turn 50. They were-

travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?  

6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

7. Share a favorite proverb.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Love Is A Many Splendored Somethings

I've been married for nearly 32 years, and in all those years we've rarely made a fuss over Valentine's Day. Other than for hubs to proclaim it a made up holiday but yeah besides that, not a big deal. We almost always plan dinner at home that evening, and in recent years we've begun a tradition of sorts, where we find a new recipe and enjoy a very relaxed evening cooking together. We usually have music playing, and will stop now and then for a slow dance in the kitchen on this non-holiday holiday.

This year though, we're living in a new town and decided to book a table for Saturday night at a place we'd never been. Hubs was out of town all week, so we thought dressing up and going out would be fun. A date if you will.

Hubs got home late Thursday evening, and worked from home on Friday. He went out to run an errand mid day and you cannot imagine my surprise when he returned bearing gifts. Flowers, chocolates, and y'all the biggest, bestest, balloon in the universe.


I cannot describe how happy this balloon makes me. My face hurts from smiling. It's so over the top in size and sentiment and everything, and I love it more than words can say. I think more than the flowers or the chocolates because how can you not? I mean it's ginormous.


Sometimes that's what married love looks like.


Big giant gestures and grand declarations.

Saturday morning we had plans to meet our builder and his wife for breakfast, followed by a trip out to the lot to assess progress. We got up and I made coffee and hubs suddenly teetered and said, "whoa I'm dizzy...let me sit down for just a minute"...and I recognized from recent personal experience that wobbly posture and pale face which told me he'd succomed to whatever delightful bug I endured a couple weeks before. My husband, who honestly has been sick about three days in the 30+ years I've know him, was sick. On Valentine's Day. The non-holiday we'd for some reason decided this year to make a holiday.

He's a trooper so he showered and got dressed, and even went so far as to put his coat on before admitting defeat and heading for the couch. He told me to go on to breakfast so I did, and it was lovely. I neglected to ask the builder any of the questions on our list because we got to talking about all manner of other things completely unrelated to building our house, and when I came home hubs wanted to ask me what the builder said about windows and walls and stone, but by then was feeling too puny to care.

I said I'd go ahead and cancel our dinner plans, but he said no let's wait, that maybe he'd feel like going. Right. Since I'd been there done that a week ago, I knew it was wishful thinking on his part, so I cancelled. Happily too I want to add.

I went back to the market and purchased essentials-ginger ale, chicken soup, and rainbow sherbet. I covered him gently with a blanket and let him sleep on the couch with all the lights off and the blinds shut tight even though we're in a 'cozy' apartment which means the living room is pretty much the only place to hang out.

Because sometimes that's what married love looks like.
Dare I say most of the time, that's what married love looks like?

Small acts of caring every single day.

Serving up Tylenol instead of champagne.

Making plans and changing plans.

Giving and taking.

Roses and chicken soup.

Chocolate and a blanket on the couch.


A big balloon that makes your heart do loop-de-loops.

You tie it to a kitchen chair and let its message follow you around. Words you already knew were true, but that when splashed across an unexpected heart shaped piece of mylar feel fresh and new.

You are loved.

For better or worse.

In sickness and in health.

Today.

Tomorrow.

And forever.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Friday's Favorite Five

I'm doing lots of things besides blogging these days, but I still love my little corner of the Internet. I'm learning to be content in this season of lots of real life and less time to dissect it. One day in the not too distant future I will settle back into dedicated writing, and the best part of that will be I'll do it from my office overlooking the lake. Hubs is always-always encouraging me in my writing, and thinks creating an office space with a view of the lake will inspire me to write more, and talk about writing more less. Ha!

So how about five favorites from the week that was-

1.  The Super Bowl-Daughter2 and her boyfriend came over and watched the game with us. We made snacks for dinner and it felt almost like a party. She prepared an artichoke dip and a skinny version of a Buffalo Chicken Dip which was every bit as good as the full fat kind. I made ham and cheese sliders, a broccoli salad and a veggie tray. I know we live in the Carolinas, but we were all rooting for the Broncos so were happy with the win. Peyton Manning was once upon a time (and forever and always) a Tennessee Volunteer, and we are nothing if not loyal to our Vols.

2. Facetime-Daughter1 (who lives in Washington State on the whole complete other side of the country, but I digress) and I had a lovely little chat via Facetime this week. I love so much the ability to see her face when we're talking. It's almost as good as being in the same room. Also, full disclosure here... I accidentally Facetime one or both of my girls at least once a week, and the conversation always goes like this-

Daughter-"Hi Momma"

Me-"Hi...what's going on?"

Daughter-"I don't know. You called me."

Me-"No I didn't."

Me-"Did I ???"

3. Snow Day. It snowed real snow in the Upstate this morning.


I love the beauty of freshly fallen snow, the way the woods become a fairyland and the world exhales. I especially love knowing a week from today forecasters say we'll hit a sunny 61 degrees. I prefer a winter that makes room for spring. NJ winters fought the arrival of spring, and more often than not, they won.

4. Spontaneous Dinner Plans with Grown Up Girls-Daughter2 sent me a text Wednesday asking if I wanted to meet for dinner Thursday evening. This just makes me all kinds of happy. I don't remember as a young mom, imagining grown up dinners with grown up girls, but it's da bomb y'all!

Also that phrase? Some things about parenting last a lifetime, and moms everywhere can rest in the knowledge they will never lose the ability to make kids cringe. Winning!

See there's another one, but I'm a firm believer these little bits of ridiculousness endear us to our children. Do not burst my bubble.

5. Winter skies and the art of missing-If you read here regularly you know my husband returned to work two weeks ago after enjoying retirement life the eleven months prior. We were loving retirement life, and had settled into a new sort of routine here at home.

And now he's back to work, and that's good too. He's spent weekdays these past two weeks away from home, learning a new role and business, and missing me. If you've never had a spouse whose job requires travel, you may not understand this sentiment, but it's nice to miss your spouse, and be missed in return. Coming home, relaxing in your shared space, catching up, hearing about new and interesting bits of life...well, it's somehow all the sweeter thanks to the missing.


Also, winter skies are my favorite, which has nothing to do with anything, but I felt it should be said. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Linking today with Suzanne's Friday Favorite Five. To read what others had to say, or to add your own list of five favorites visit her blog by clicking here. 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Love is in the Hodgepodge Air

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered the questions today add your link, then leave a comment for the blogger who came before you. Comments equal love, or at least in the blog world they do.

Also, please be sure you link back to my blog in your post somewhere. You can copy and paste the badge code from my sidebar easy peasy, or just link readers back here somewhere in your intro.

And I guess I'm going to bring up one more teensy little thing...sometimes people copy my Hodgepodge answers word for word. That's a no-no. Firstly, I'm not that brilliant-ha! But also, the idea is to tell us what you think, and if your thoughts are similar to mine, please still use your own words.

Thanks for playing along today! Here we go-


1. Create an acrostic using the word LOVE. If you're unsure what an acrostic is click here.

Love is....

Listening
Operating from a place of selflessness
Voicing words of affirmation and encouragement
Ever hopeful 

2. Does love really conquer all? Why or why not?

I'm a romantic at heart so my answer might surprise you, but I'm going to say no. I think love conquers much. I think it covers a multitude of sins, but we're human and our words and actions have consequences that love can't always undo, take back, or conquer. Many people divorce someone they love. Human love is extraordinary...remarkable...imperfect.

Now God's love? That's different. I believe God's love can and does conquer all. His love is always sacrificial, always patient, always kind, keeps no record of wrongs, and never ever fails. It's the example we're given to emulate, but we're human, and the words always/never/all are something we fall short of at least some of the time. 

3.Tell us about a time recently, where you really put your heart into something.

Probably the last thing I really put my heart into was the scrapbook I made for my Daughter1 for Christmas. It was filled with a lot of time and much love. 

4.What's your favorite fictional love story?

This is a tough one, but I'm going to say  Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley. Their love grew up beside them. It wasn't a lightning bolt. It was soft and tender and a gradual awakening to the realization that this person known since childhood was undeniably wedged into the deepest corners of the heart. 

5. Do you generally wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your cards close to the vest?

I had to think about this one. I probably hold hurt feelings closer to the vest. Also, I don't have an explosive temper so if I'm angry I generally walk away and simmer in private. Or vent to hubs. Happiness, excitement, exhaustion, surprise...those you can easily read on my face. 

6. What food says love to you? Why?

Thanksgiving dinner. The menu that doesn't change too awfully much from year to year, it's filled with warm, filling, comfort foods eaten on the good china, families gathered round the table. The food and the day in general speak love to me. 

7.When were you last 'tickled pink' over something? Explain.

My daughter2 is a third grade teacher, and I just love hearing about how she handles various situations with her students. Her skill, maturity, wisdom, and humor tickle me pink. Grown up girls bless your heart in a thousand million ways. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I made Mississippi Pot Roast last weekend, and it was so good! This recipe is one of the most pinned recipes on Pinterest, simple to prepare and really tender. While the combination of ingredients sounds a bit odd, something magical happens when they're combined in a slow cooker. They morph into absolute deliciousness. The link to the recipe is pretty much everywhere, but here's the one I followed. You're welcome. 



Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 255

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers. Be sure to add a link back to my blog so your readers can easily play along too. The badge code is on my sidebar for a simple copy and paste. Here we go-



1. Create an acrostic using the word LOVE. If you're unsure what an acrostic is click here. 

2. Does love really conquer all? Why or why not?

3. Tell us about a time recently, where you really put your heart into something.

4. What's your favorite fictional love story?

5. Do you generally wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your cards close to the vest?

6. What food says love to you? Why?

7. When were you last 'tickled pink' over something? Explain.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, February 8, 2016

So, anyway....

Last week was a wash. Not a literal wash because I think the weather was okay, although I wouldn't know for sure since I spent most of it on the couch with the blinds closed trying to find relief from a headache that would.not.quit. I ran a fever too, which is no fun at all when you're home alone with no one to indulge your need for sympathy.  I might have called my mother.

Aren't mothers the best? Also daughters who live a hundred yards away and bring you chicken noodle soup and popsicles.

Yes. A thousand times yes.

I'm good as gold now and it's a brand new week, so how about I bring everyone up to speed here on this side of the pond?

First things first. Let's start with the hubs. He got a job. Say what??? You heard me correctly. Hubs no longer falls into the category of retired and is a working man once more. Long story short ...

(ish... you know me!)

An opportunity more or less fell into his lap, sounded really interesting, and he accepted their offer.  In that way we like to do things, the company is not actually based here in town. In fact, it's not based here in South Carolina, but pssht, details. They're headquartered in a neighboring state just a car ride away.

His first day of school was last Monday, and so far so good-ha! I mean five days on the job and all. Technically it's work not school, but I imagine it did feel a little bit like returning to the classroom after a long summer holiday. As I mentioned earlier I was in no condition to listen to the details of his first day on the job because I was busy coping with Excedrin headache #39.

Raise your hand if you don't have a clue what that's in reference to.

Secondly. No we're not moving. We're building a house, remember? I mean we will be moving once the house is built, but not to the state where the office sits. Our house is on a lake in SC and our plan is to stay put. We think.

The lake house will eventually be our primary residence, but who knows...down the road we may decide to spend time in job city and time on the lake. We're empty nesters and can do what we want. It's our mantra. Currently we're taking life one week at a time, hubs is learning the requirements of the job, and we're figuring out our personal logistics as we go along.

Logistics are definitely within our skill set so no worries there.

Thirdly. The house. The lower level is framed and please feel free to insert an obnoxious number of exclamation points here. There is honest to goodness concrete on the floors, and we're able to walk from room to room and call each one by name. Very exciting stuff!

On Saturday we took Daughter2 and her boyfriend out to the lot to check progress and it was so much fun to stand in front of my
use your imaginationsliders, and soak in the view.


We still need a few pesky things like walls, windows, electricity, and a second story plus roof, but we're getting there. It's a marathon not a sprint. Haste makes waste. Slow and steady wins the race.

Don't you hate cliches?Why don't 'fast track', make short work of'' and 'fast and furious' apply to home builds? Because it's a marathon not a sprint, that's why.

And now I think you're up to speed...

I had a bug.
Hubs is working.
House is still under construction.

Happy Monday!

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

A Sense-able Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. I wrote most of this entry last week and saved it in draft, thankfully! I've been sick for a couple of days and am not up for blogging just yet. If you've answered the questions today, add your link at the end of my post, then do your best to visit the blogger linking before you. Happy Wednesday all!


1. Describe love using all five senses-

I'm looking forward to reading answers to this one....

sight-a daughter's face lighting up my phone screen...or better yet, my front door

sound-hubs calling me by my nickname  

smell-the scent of fresh flowers in the house, delivered just because

taste-that first bite of an expertly grilled steak, cooked by the hubs to that perfectly perfect shade of medium rare because he needs it to be exactly right for his girl 

touch-a spontaneous hand hold

2. February is Canned Food Month. What's your favorite food that comes straight from a can?

Del Monte blue lake whole green beans. I can eat them right out of the can and prefer them to fresh most of the time. They must be the whole bean though, not the cut variety. 

3.A principal in a UK school recently sent home a letter to parents requesting they (the parents!) dress appropriately when escorting their children to/from school (basically saying please don't wear your pajamas). You can read the letter here. It's gotten a lot of publicity, both positive and negative. Your thoughts? And do/did you ever make the school run (or hit Starbucks, Walmart, etc) in your pjs?

I know I'm probably in the minority here, and I do love to be comfortable, but I think we've gone more than a little bit overboard in this department. I think getting dressed (not dressed up, but yes to putting on actual clothes) tells children school is a place deserving of respect. 

I don't think I've ever run out anywhere in my pjs. That same rule your mama taught you about clean knickers applies to wearing clothes. What if you have car trouble? 

I know there are days, and obviously exceptions (illness for one), but let's be honest...many people turning up at the grocery store or the school yard in pjs, are dressed that way because they didn't feel like putting on real clothes. They see nothing wrong with running errands in pajamas. Hubs and I were out to breakfast last weekend and a middle aged man walked by our booth in his flannel cartoon pjs. Why? 

I don't think it's worth making a federal case over, but I find it a little disappointing we have to tell adults not to wear their pjs out in public. 

4. Crew neck, V-neck, turtleneck, scoop neck...which is most prevalent in your wardrobe?

The crew neck is okay, but my preferred neckline is the v-neck. I don't always stand up as straight as I should, and a scoop neck emphasizes rounded shoulders. Also I have a 50+ year old chin, so I only like a turtleneck if it's soft and a bit slouchy. If you're my age, you know what I'm talking about-ha! 

5. I read here recently a list of four things to avoid so you wake up happier. They were late night snacks, hitting the snooze button, social media just before bed/upon waking, checking emails. 

Are you guilty of any of these behaviors? Which on that list do you need to work harder at avoiding?

Late night snacking isn't a problem for me (late afternoon is my danger zone), and I don't set an alarm, so no issues with the snooze button. I guess I'll say checking social media before bed, although I'm more inclined to play a game of Words With Friends than check Facebook. 

Probably the same principle applies because I'm pretty sure the idea is to quiet your mind and turn off electronics completely. I do make it a point not to look at social media in the morning until I've had my quiet time, but could do better at limiting screen time before bed. 

6. Share something you remember about a house you lived in as a child? Of all the homes you lived in as a child, which did you love best?

My mother still lives in that house, so it's hard to separate what I remember from all that's come after. Here are a few thoughts that stick out in childhood memory...

The scary basement. I cannot explain why it was scary...maybe that it was unfinished and was a basement? Also the big oak tree at the corner of the back yard, which was technically the neighbor's tree, but under whose enormous canopy my sister and I spent hours playing Barbies and make-believe. My mother's fabulous cooking. Holiday dinners on the good china. Company in the 'fancy' living room. Christmas there too. Feeling safe and loved. Home. 

7.Your favorite movie based on a true story?

It would be hard to choose just one. Some of my true favorites are Apollo 13, The Blindside, The Rookie, and Argo. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

How about something to make you smile? This clip that's had over 6,000,000 views. The song was a favorite in our house once upon a time (and maybe still is, ahem), and she is absolutely too adorable for words.  








Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 254


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


1. Describe love using all five senses.

2. February is Canned Food Month. What's your favorite food that comes straight from a can?

3. A principal in a UK school recently sent home a letter to parents requesting they (the parents!) dress appropriately when escorting their children to/from school (basically saying please don't wear your pajamas) You can read the letter here. It's gotten a lot of publicity, both positive and negative. Your thoughts? And do/did you ever make the school run (or hit Starbucks, Walmart, etc) in your pjs?

4. Crew neck, V-neck, turtleneck, scoop neck...which is most prevalent in your wardrobe?

5. I read here recently a list of four things to avoid so you wake up happier. They were late night snacks, hitting the snooze button, social media just before bed/upon waking, checking emails. 

Are you guilty of any of these behaviors? Which on that list do you need to work harder at avoiding?

6. Share something you remember about a house you lived in as a child? Of all the homes you lived in as a child, which did you love best?

7.Your favorite movie based on a true story?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.