Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The More The Merrier In The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the end of November and the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Raise your hand if your autumn flew by in the blink of an eye. Raise your hand if you've been moving house and haven't begun to think about Christmas. Except cards! My cards are done, but only because we have a new address and I wanted to get it out there. 

If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post. And be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because the best way to spread Christmas cheer is commenting loud for all to hear...something like that. Okay here we go-


1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving).

Okay, that made me sweat. Way harder than I thought it would be when I wrote the question, but I think I promised we'd burn calories today so there you go. How about-

Blest fest in our new nest. 

2. When did you last say, 'the more the merrier'? Did you mean it?

We say that a lot around here. We're more the merrier kind of people, well hubs is anyway. Kind of his life mantra. Mine too, except when it's not-ha! Sometimes I just want solitude. But mostly we live with a 'more the merrier' kind of philosophy in our home. 

Probably the last time was Thanksgiving. We'd only been in the house a couple of weeks, I had family coming to stay, and we decided to invite some friends who live on the lake and were away from their own extended family to join us on the holiday. We meant it. If we say it we mean it. 

3. What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who is your same age?

Embrace it, take care of yourself physically, don't let little health issues slide because you don't bounce back like you did a decade ago. Do your best to keep up with new technology and current events.  You're never too old to change course, set a new goal, dream a new dream, embark on an adventure.

Dear Self-
See above.

4. You're ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?

Green beans, roasted okra, corn on the cob, and red ripe summer tomatoes-yum! 

5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?

I've shopped til I drop on occasion, but that's never my aim. I don't enjoy that sort of shopping. I prefer a couple of hours followed by a nice leisurely lunch out. We did not shop on Black Friday (never have). I'm usually tired on Black Friday and enjoy a low key relaxed day with leftovers for dinner. 

6. What's your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?

I have a couple, but currently it's this one-



Forgive the lighting, it was raining. Also I'm a terrible photographer when it comes to my phone. Anyway, this chair...we have another one just like it, and they sit on either side of the sliders in our great room. Hubs and I enjoy our morning coffee there while we watch the sunrise over the lake. I normally read my morning devotions in this chair too, and it's the perfect place to start my day. 

We've put our Christmas tree in front of the sliders for now, so the chairs are pushed a little bit further back than normal. I can see the tree and the lake so no complaints. Is there anything more relaxing than sitting in a room lit by Christmas light?

7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.

I grew up in church and was not the child that needed prodding to attend. I loved it, and still do. I could write a whole post filled with memories, but will share just one here today. And this one took place not in church, but in our living room. My parents called it Family Altar and they'd periodically gather us up into the living room after dinner to participate. Also participation was not optional-ha!  We only sat in the living room on holidays, for company, and for Family Altar so it felt special. My brother and oldest sister probably weren't too excited about the whole thing, but they were teetering into teenagedom and my younger sister and I were still fairly young. I'm sure the intention was to do this once a week, but I don't remember it happening quite that often.  

Anyway we'd start off with singing. Now you need to know that we are not a family of singers. We sing anyway, and what better place than in the privacy of your own living room? Our favorite was a song called Give Me That Old Time Religion and my dad would let us call out names to insert into the verses. It went something like, 'If it was good enough for (insert Biblical name here) it's good enough for me...' It's a lively song and we sang it with enthusiasm.  We always included Daniel, David, etc, but our favorite was to shout out Shadrach, Meshach and Abednedgo because we thought we were hilarious. 

After we settled down my dad would read a Bible story or passage, and then we talked about it and we'd finish up with prayer. It made an impression on me that's for certain. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

If you're a person who prays please remember the firefighters, emergency personnel, and residents of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding Smoky Mountain area of East Tennessee where fires have devastated the beautiful landscape and many homes, buildings, and schools. The high winds yesterday contributed to the rapid spread and the photographs are devastating. It's a part of the country so near and dear to our hearts, and we have family not far from there. 




SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 288

Let's burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories with the Hodgepodge, shall we? Blogging definitely burns calories. I know I sweat when I write the questions-ha! Here's the drill for anyone new here today...answer on your own blog, then waddle over here tomorrow (Wednesday) to share answers with the whole wide world. Our little corner of it anyway! Here we go-


1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving).

2. When did you last say, 'the more the merrier'? Did you mean it?

3. What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who is your same age?

4. You're ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?

5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?

6. What's your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?

7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, November 28, 2016

It's A Long List

We had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend and I hope yours was the same. Since I'm still unpacking the house and now have beds to change and bathrooms to clean following holiday company, and hubs pulled all the Christmas decorations out because why not? let's do our weekend recap in list form today. 

Things I'm grateful for lately-

Daughters in the house. 

                                              
Honestly if I'd spent the entire Thanksgiving weekend right here on the deck with my baby girl it would have been enough. And while we did spend a lot of time out there, we also spent an awful lot of time in here-


The kitchen. What is up with the Thanksgiving cooking y'all? Two full days on our end, and my guests all brought pieces of the meal, so maybe it's me? I couldn't do it without my girl's help, nor would I want to. I love the hours of easy conversation that flow when hands are busy. 

If your teenager doesn't talk to you, try cooking together. Mine is no longer a teenager, and she's always had plenty to say (ha! she is her mother's daughter after all!), but the concept works. 

I'm so grateful for daughters who love to cook, and also manage to look super cute in their mama's apron while they're at it. 


Grateful too for daughters who will take pictures with their mama in her apron, not looking quite as cute but definitely looking happy because A DAUGHTER IS IN THE HOUSE! 

While I'm at it, shoutout to Apple engineer Roberto Garcia, and his magical invention called FaceTime. Talking 'face-to-face' with your across the country daughter and her husband is the next best thing to being there. 

It was fun to have a dog in the house all weekend. My girl brought her sweet pup, all decked out in the cone of shame, but happy to be included in the party.   


Dogs make a house more something. 


Other things I'm grateful for...setting a big long table with real china. Hubs snapped this the night before, and since I neglected to take a picture when everything was in it's place, this will have to do.  I'm grateful for a husband who agreed we should have a dining room in the new house because it's one of my favorite spaces. 


This upside down apple pecan pie definitely deserves a spot on the list. Scrumptious! You'll find the recipe here, and you are so welcome. 

I could end with the pie, but let's carry on shall we...fantabulous Thanksgiving Day weather and friends and family to enjoy it with. 


You knew I'd mention the weather, didn't you? 

Actually this was a day after Thanksgiving snapshot...my daughter, my mom, and my niece looking relaxed and happy on the covered deck. Outdoor spaces for the win! And yes my daughter is wearing a t-shirt on the deck in late November. NJ autumn snows we are not missing you at all.


Hubs has been eager to get my daughter's pup on the dock and this was the day. She's a tad fussy about where she'll put her paws, and doesn't particularly care for hardwood floors so we weren't sure we'd get her out there, but we did -


She seemed to like it.



Or at least tolerate it, and hubs was sure happy. We wanted to catch one more sunset from the boat before she's put to bed for the winter, so we bundled up and headed out.


Yup, Miss Priss came too.


I love the lake this time of year...fall has always been my favorite.


We found a perfect viewing spot, sipped hot cocoa, and floated while the heavens did their thing-


A beautiful sunset is worth the wait.


A gentle reminder we are loved by the maker of day and night, time and space.


Whose mercies are new every single day. 
What else can we feel but grateful? 
SaveSave

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

'Twas The Hodgepodge Before Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving Eve and welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered the questions on your own blog add your link at the end of my post, then go say hello to your neighbor. Grateful for many things, the community here being one of them. Thanks for playing along here today and every Wednesday.

Here we go-


1. What's something you might say runs in your family? 

Hmmm...blue eyes? Chattiness? Our skills with a knife? The women in my family are known for our clumsiness with a knife. Hubs says I'm not allowed to use sharp instruments when he's away. 

2. I read here a list of ten things you should do before 2017 arrives (in less than six weeks!)...which tasks on the list might you do? What would you add to your own 'before the year ends' list? 

visit your Dr. or dentist, deep clean your home, donate unwanted items to charity, look someone in the eye and tell them you love them, write an honest letter to yourself, clean up your inbox-desktop-photos, travel somewhere you've never been, compliment a stranger, watch the sunrise, think ahead to your goals/plans for the new year

I have a dental appointment scheduled, we're cleaning as we unpack boxes and also donating many items to charity, I'm sure I'll tell someone I love them, compliment a stranger, and will think about the new year. We watch the sunrise most mornings so I've got that one covered.

I'll be traveling in January to a couple of places I've never been before, but nothing between now and the end of 2016.  I do need to get a handle on my inbox and photos, so that's going on the to-do list for sure. I don't think I'll write myself a letter, but I blog and keep a journal which serves a similar purpose. 

What would I add? I'm going to say take some time to enjoy this new space. We've been going great guns since we moved in, and I'd like a breather before the new year rolls around. 

3. What's something other generations (not your own) misunderstand about your generation? 

We're still young on the inside. 

4. Sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread dressing-which would you miss the most if it weren't on the holiday dinner menu?

Cornbread dressing for sure, with mashed potatoes coming in a close second. Thanksgiving is about the only time we have dressing and I look forward to it every year. Mashed potatoes aren't on our regular menu rotation either, so that would be my runner up answer. I bake sweet potatoes fairly often. 

5. What are you overthinking right now? 

Probably logistics for the next couple of days. Even my lists have lists. What goes in the oven when? Who sleeps where? What do I need to pick up when I make my seven millionth trip to the store? 

6. Your favorite slang word lately? 

I was looking at a website where kids could weigh in on their favorite slang and one was quoted as saying,' "Kids create slang and adults make it un-hip.' 

Alrighty then. I'm going with 'hip'

7. Write an acrostic for the word grateful.

Grace 
Rest
Afternoon tea
Technology and the people who make it happen
Early morning sunrise from my family room window
Fall
USA, her natural beauty and her freedoms
Little girls who grow into remarkable women

8. Insert your own random thought here.

So collards-yay or nay? Or never had em? Definitely a southern thing, and we've got a sink full. My daughter's in-laws have a bumper crop so hubs went over there today and picked some to add to our Thanksgiving menu. My mom loves them and was happy to hear it. 


Daughter1's father-in-law even gave hubs some hog jowl to add to the pot. I'm from NJ, but I still think that's the secret to delicious collards. They wilt down like spinach, but still we've got plenty. We cook ours with a little water, chicken broth, and tarragon vinegar and then add a pinch of red pepper flakes for good measure. I told hubs he needed to cook them today because a house needs to smell like turkey and dressing on Thanksgiving Day, not vinegar. 

Also I loooove my great big farmhouse sink. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 



Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Dots On A Map

If you're looking for this week's Hodgepodge questions, you'll find them one post down. Keep scrolling. 

I wish I had more time to write. I know that day is coming, but that day is not today. Blogging helps maintain my everyday equilibrium, and also helps maintain hubs everyday equilibrium because when I have too many words and no time to blog, well...I still have all those words that need to go somewhere. Hi hubs!

I don't think writing is ever a waste of time, but when there are beds to be made for company, boxes to unpack, and Thanksgiving dinner to plan-shop-cook for then blogging is downgraded to the middle of my to-do list and happens when it happens.

Also, I'm a little overwhelmed by all I could blog about. My daughter said I should do room by room posts, but y'all these rooms are not ready for public consumption. She pointed out that if I wait for everything to be in it's place I will likely never do a room by room tour. I'm sure that's not a commentary on my housekeeping? I know it's not. It's just a really true fact of life from someone who knows me well and knows my tendency to wait for a perfect that never comes. She's got the same DNA. Solidarity my daughters.

Of course lake living is nothing if not relaxed so I will let go of my need for perfection. Mostly. I do want to at least hang a few pictures and figure out what in the world to do with these last few boxes of 'why did we move this?' 'do I want this?' and 'what in the world is this?' before I post too many pics.

I decided to share one tiny little thing I love today and that's a start.

It's not actually tiny, and it's not something in the house, but rather something outside the house. I might as well state for the record I'm obsessed with the out of doors here so what better place to begin a home tour than out of doors?

Early in the build hubs had this idea that we should have a sign. I can't remember exactly what inspired the notion, but we've lived a lot of places in our life and times and I think maybe that was it. We've planted ourselves by choice in a quiet cozy corner of rural America, but the route that brought us here was filled with miles and years, some unexpected twists and turns, treks through big cities, surburbia, and even for a time a village across the sea. We feel great affection for the places we've lived because they built us.

So hubs had an idea and I told him I knew just the place to make it a reality. ETSY- aka the land of if you've got a clever idea somebody has the skills to make it come to life. Our somebody was Kristin at The Trashy Side, but don't let her shop name fool you...she uses all reclaimed wood, hence the 'trash'.  Apparently we were not the first people to have this idea, because she'd done a few others, each one personalized to the buyer.

Here's our sign-


It feels like the chapter headings to the story of us.


We grew into the people we are today in these place names on a map, and our lives were made richer by the people and experiences we encountered in every new city we called home. Sometimes I meet people who've spent their whole lives living in the same town, and I feel a twinge of envy. And sometimes I meet people who've moved ten times more than we have and I feel a twinge of longing to see more of this world.

There is beauty in both I think.

I sent Kristin the city names and mileage, we emailed a couple of times about how it would work, and then two short weeks later the sign was on our doorstep, ready to assemble. Easy peasy. I asked Kristin about embellishments as I'd seen them on some of her other pieces, and she recommended adding something to just a few of the cities as opposed to every location. We told her we wanted the British flag, a crab, a bear and the Big Orange T and she ran with it.


We couldn't be happier with the finished product!

You can find Kristin's ETSY shop by clicking here-The Trashy Side 
SaveSave

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 287

Welcome to another week of Hodgepodging. I'm sure no one has anything else going on-ha! I'm still unpacking my house and have twelve people coming for Thanksgiving dinner, but other than that it's pretty quiet here. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and even though we're still settling in I'm glad we'll have a full house on Thursday. 

Okay, you know the drill...answer on your own blog then waddle back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. 


1. What's something you might say runs in your family? 

2. I read here a list of ten things you should do before 2017 arrives (in less than six weeks!)...which tasks on the list might you do? What would you add to your own 'before the year ends' list?

visit your Dr. or dentist, deep clean your home, donate unwanted items to charity, look someone in the eye and tell them you love them, write an honest letter to yourself, clean up your inbox-desktop-photos, travel to a place you haven't been, compliment a stranger, watch the sunrise, think ahead to your goals/plans for the new year

3. What's something other generations (not your own) misunderstand about your generation?

4. Sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread dressing-which would you miss the most if it weren't on the holiday dinner menu?

5. What are you overthinking right now?

6. Your favorite slang word lately?

7. Write an acrostic for the word grateful.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Happy Hodgepodger

Happy Hodgepodge everyone! It's nice to be back on the blog today. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then run say hello to your neighbor. Here we go-


1. Let's all think happy thoughts...share one of yours here.

I know you think I'm predictable, and that my happy thought is the fact we're finally in the new house, but it's not. I mean that is most definitely a happy thought, but there's still so much to do that it's a happy thought followed by thoughts that are a little less than happy. Also I've caught a cold. 

Wait-I'm supposed to be thinking happy thoughts! 

Here's one... I'm really looking forward to having my mom, my sister and her family, my youngest daughter, and some lake friends here for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is my favorite, and this crowd will all see past the boxes. 

Once I'm a little more settled and we have a few things on the walls I'll do a whole happy house post, k? 

2. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "If you want happiness for an hour take a nap, if you want happiness for a day-go fishing...." What say you? If you want happiness for a day _____________.

Stay off social media-ha! Actually I think fishing is a pretty good answer, along with a hike in the woods, a boat ride, or getting lost in a good book. 

3. Where do you go to decompress from the world around you?

The woods or the water always do it for me. 

4. What song never fails to make you happy?

Lots! Going with the first few that popped into my head-More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Staircase, Summertime's Callin' Me by The Catalinas, Sugar Pie Honey Bunch by The Four Tops, Do You Believe in Magic by The Lovin' Spoonful...

5. Wednesday is National Fast Food Day. Should that be a thing? Apparently it is, so tell us what's the last 'fast food' you consumed? If you were putting together your own version of a 'happy meal' what would you include?

I feel like maybe it shouldn't be a thing, but everything is a thing now, right? The last 'fast food' I consumed was a southwest grilled chicken salad from Chick-fil-a. 

My own happy meal would probably include a warm soft Brie with crackers, prosciutto, an assortment of olives, peppadews, nuts and a chilled bottle of champagne. Fast food isn't really my thing. 

6. In a few sentences tell us why you blog.

Mostly it's because I like to write, and a blog is a place to do that on a regular basis (unless you're moving, in which case you become a slacker in the blogosphere). Along the way I've found blogging helps me hit pause now and then, to find beauty in the small things. I love connecting my words with my memories and I've learned a lot about myself on This Side of the Pond. I know blogging isn't what it once was, but I still enjoy it and have no plans to quit. 

7. List seven things you're feeling especially grateful for today.

My husband who takes care of so many things around here, Internet in the house (whoohoo!), FaceTime with grown up daughters who are smart, kind, and passionate about the world around them, She Reads Truth devotionals in my morning inbox, my mom who is always just a phone call away, forgiveness, and my brand new super comfy bed. Just keepin' it real with that last one. This cold has knocked me for a loop. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.


I thought I'd show you the 'mixing bowl' today, but first let's talk about the cabinet because it's one of my favorite things in the house.  My decorator found it in an antique shop and our cabinet guy distressed and painted it for me. He did a beautiful job. 


If you don't know what I'm talking about when I say 'mixing bowl' click here.  The bowl is actually called an offering bowl, but I knew if I told hubs that up front he'd think it was crazier than the mixing bowl so I kept mum. He loves the sink btw. 

I have stacked stone tile on one wall only, and am really happy with the way it turned out. 


That picture is a little dark but it was evening and I had trouble getting the right lighting for a photo. 


And this one is an awkward angle, but my ceilings are high and I had trouble getting all the pieces in one shot. Everything is in proportion in real life. 

You're used to my photography, right? 

I love the light fixture. Initially I was going to have two sconces, but once we found the mirror we decided to go with a hanging lantern in an antique silver finish. I have a recessed light in the ceiling too, so in spite of what these pictures suggest the lighting really does work well. 


The powder room is in great shape and when all these boxes and the laundry (sheets and towels from storage-have mercy!) get to be too much for me I sometimes go in there and hide soak it all in. 




SaveSaveSaveSave

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 286

Moving is not for sissies y'all. Eventually I'll catch up here, but how 'bout we start with the Hodgepodge? Answer the questions on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday to add your link to the party. Here we go-


1. Let's all think happy thoughts...share one of yours here. 

2. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "If you want happiness for an hour take a nap, if you want happiness for a day-go fishing...." What say you? If you want happiness for a day _____________.

3. Where do you go to decompress from the world around you? 

4. What song never fails to make you happy? 

5. Wednesday is National Fast Food Day. Should that be a thing? Apparently it is, so tell us what's the last 'fast food' you consumed? If you were putting together your own version of a 'happy meal' what would you include? 

6. In a few sentences tell us why you blog. 

7. List seven things you're feeling especially grateful for today. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Note to Hodgepodgers

Hello Hodgepodgers! I'm still without Internet at the house so no Hodgepodge this week. Also my furniture arrives on Wednesday and I expect to be knee deep in boxes and paper. The Hodgepodge will be back in action next week, November 16th. See you there!

Monday, November 7, 2016

Move It

I’ve moved. Almost. We’re on our way…



Our furniture was supposed to be delivered last Wednesday, but due to blah blah blah delays it won’t be here until this Wednesday. As the scheduler said, ‘Just at the end of your given window.’ I did not remind her that date fell technically two days beyond our given window because what’s the point? When you’re moving you need to roll with things as best you can.

The good news is our new furniture was delivered, early in fact, so I guess it all balances out in the end. New furniture arriving early is pretty much unheard of, but we had a steady stream of people in and out of the house Thursday and Friday, and hubs and I woke up in our very own brand new bedroom for the first time Saturday morning.

And for the first time in 32 years we have a king sized bed. The room needed it and we splurged on the softest sheets ever produced (Boll and Branch) and beautiful new bedding and I love it so much I may just live in my bedroom. I’m not kidding.

We also have a new couch and two new chairs for the great room and it’s possible I took an accidental four-hour nap in the new chair Saturday night. Hubs says he tried to wake me up three different times but I was having none of it. He even made himself a sandwich and apparently offered to make me one too but I have absolutely no recollection of the conversation. I was beyond exhausted.

We have some pieces for the covered deck and a kitchen table and chairs, but no dishes yet. I scrounged up two mugs and the coffee pot so we’re basically golden. I’m anxious to cook again and hope I remember how. That’s a skill you lose if you don’t use it on a regular basis and I haven’t cooked since sometime mid-October.  I’m having company for Thanksgiving (I know!!) so diving back in to the deep end. All family though, so lots of helpers and forgivers if things aren’t perfect.

Things will not be perfect.

I have all kinds of thoughts about moving and the new house, but I’m on hubs computer in a local lunch spot while he makes a business call from the car. No Internet/TV is just one more thing you have to roll with and we’re doing our best. On the bright side we’re missing the 24/7 election coverage so winning! In fact moving during a volatile election season is a fabulous distraction from all things distressing.  

I sip my morning coffee as the sun rises over the water and I think to myself-



…what a wonderful world.