Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Balancing The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. We're all about keeping things friendly here on This Side Of The Pond-


1. Where do you go when you need some inspiration?

My back porch. Or outdoors somewhere. There's something about being outside that shakes the cobwebs free and helps me refocus. I also enjoy reading something well written, sometimes music does it too. 

2. What's under your bed?

Absolutely nothing. Well maybe a little dust but besides that absolutely nothing. 

3. Thursday, February 22nd is National Chili Day, National Margarita Day, and National Cook a Sweet Potato Day. Of the three which would you most like to celebrate? Is that likely?

Since I'm answering this question at 8 o'clock in the morning none of the the options sound too appealing. I'd probably enjoy celebrating Margarita Day the most because a margarita feels celebratory. No plans for that this week, and since I made chili over the weekend I guess cooking a sweet potato is the most likely. 

4. What are you 'snowed under' with right now?

I'm not really snowed under but I do have two or three things that need my attention and I guess they might qualify. Taxes spring instantly to mind. 

5. Tell us three to five things that make you feel balanced?

My morning quiet time, prayer, being on the water or really anywhere outdoors where there's some sort of natural beauty, journaling, and having my family all gathered round the table sharing a meal. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I feel like this week's Hodgepodge is a bit ho-hum, so in keeping with that theme let's talk about the weather. My daughter in Washington State laughs when I dare mention gray skies because she knows gray skies, but maybe it's because we typically have so many blue sky days that the gray seem more pronounced? 


On the bright side (because there always is one)... it's not snow. And what I really love about this time of year is that peek into spring we're given every now and then. 

Sunday for example-


Sunday was glorious and perfect for porch sitting with my people. 
Come on spring! 



21 comments:

  1. Jo,

    We had some sun yesterday and boy, was it warm! It got up into the mid-70s. That's really warm for late February. I always find inspiration when I'm out in nature, whether we're at the mountains or taking a quiet drive along country road. Thankfully, we not far from either. Sometimes when I doodle or take walks I find inspiration. It can be found just about any place or time but the key is to open one's mind to it for it drop into your head. :) Thanks for hosting the mid-week fun, dearie. Have an awesome week. This month is almost gone!

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  2. We are loving the hints of spring here in Alabama - daffodils are blooming, as well as some of our flowering trees.

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  3. The questions may have seemed a little more low-key this week, but I enjoyed replying to them all the same.

    That fog-over-the-water picture is great. We're getting a lot of fog here in the early mornings. I kind of like it (unless we have to drive in it, and that's another thing).

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  4. Good Morning, Joyce! It's been downright hot down here in Charleston and I am the one person who is not appreciating it. As usual. LOL We haven't had many of those gray days which are my favorites. There's something about a gray day that I even find inspirational. I wonder whether that opinion would hold if I lived where your sweet girl and her family do and had gray most of the time. Have a wonderful day!

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  5. We've been enjoying those 'spring-like' days here, too. The robins are out in droves!
    We've got to get our taxes done, as well. Time is ticking away...
    Enjoy the rest of the week,
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  6. Good morning! I see we both find inspiration in Nature. Also I see similar things keep us balanced. I am often struck by the similarities of Hodgepodge answers of those who regularly participate in the Wednesday Hodgepodge.
    We are enjoying a break from the cold with Spring like temperatures and blue skies. I'm sure we'll be back to our regular Winter weather soon. Thanks for another wonderful Hodgepodge. God bless!

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  7. That porch over the lake looks so inviting, Joyce! And I don't think I'd survive living in the PNW. And I know St. Paul said whatever state he was in, therewith to be content, but then again, he hadn't been to Washington. ;-) Thanks again for the Hodgepodge. xo

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  8. For once in my life, I am having better weather than you. Warm and sunny skies. It's not going to last long though, rain is expected tomorrow. Enjoy your week, Joyce!

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  9. Oh, we've had so many grey skies here that I'm beyond weary of them. I need to see the reflection of the sun on our pond in a bad sort of way. Have a great rest of the week Joyce!

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  10. These are some timely questions as I am struggling with balance in my life lately. How I long to sit on my back deck and enjoy the sun...hopefully my Mother's Day present!

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  11. Tuesday was our glorious spring-like day. Love those so much.

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  12. I am still enjoying the warm weather and blue sky in Egypt ! At home it's really cold now and freezing

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  13. Even though this weeks Hodgepodge seems a bit "ho-hum", it is just right for me, at the moment. Love coming here and reading other peoples answers too.
    Our weather is sunny, and not hot. Perfect.

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  14. You have the perfect backyard for inspiration! I like the things that bring you balance.

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  15. We answered many the same. :-) .. We are so far from Spring in my neck of the woods, I think I will hop on a plane and come visit you. Your porch sitting looks and sounds perfect.

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  16. Your bloggy friend in Washington is familiar with long spells of gloom but we rejoice all the more for those sunshiny days! Thanks for the questions, Jo. Bring some blue skies and sunshine with you when you visit!

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  17. I think I could be inspired to accomplish things even beyond my ability with your back porch view. It is spectacular for sure. We are having a very dark rainy day, but you know that's right up my alley. I love it! Even though the questions weren't "ho-hum" there are times that it's nice to not have to think real hard and this was a good week for that. Thank you so much for doing this week after week.

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  18. I feel Shannon's gray sky pain. It's about this time of year when a bit o' sunshine goes a loooong way. I think February in general is a humdrum month.
    Kallie's maids are wearing black and flowers are burgundy,pinks with splashes of orange (if you can picture that) so I was hoping to find something in the orange ish family. I don't want to wear black but that'd be easy and burgundy seems too fallish to me. So, be on the lookout for a fit and flare, midi length rustyish orange with a bit of a sleeve. LOL

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  19. Here in central Florida we rarely have a gray sky. Our weather this week is in the high 80s and no humidity (yet). I would not describe this HP as ho-hum. You provide great entertainment each week and it is much appreciated!

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  20. Who would not find inspiration from your back yard view. Your screened in back porch would be my year round perch. There was nothing ho-hum about this week's questions, but there are times when we just don't want to have to think a lot and this was one of those for me. So, thank you and thank you for doing this week after week.

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  21. I can certainly imagine that living on the water would definitely be a wonderful source of inspiration...just so peaceful, to say the least. And that is one beautiful foggy photo you shared. Have a blessed weekend and thanks, as always, for hosting the Hodgepodge.

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