Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Ten-hut! It's The Hodgepodge!

Welcome to another week in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then go say hi to the blogger linking before you. Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond 

1. We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how. According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3 PM (the National Moment of Remembrance)....of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try? 

We definitely try to mark the day and will for sure be flying the flag.  I don't know of any local parades but we hope to attend a nearby Memorial Day service on Sunday afternoon. 

I've been on an in-person tour of the White House so won't be doing the virtual. I like the idea of the 3 PM moment of silence, and I don't think I knew that was a thing until recently. Now that I do I'm going to respect it. My dad is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and when we lived close by we used to like to visit sometime over the Memorial Day weekend. They do a wonderful job of honoring those who've served their country. 

2. What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'?

The price of gas.

3. In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'?

Cleaning out my desk and file cabinets. In terms of desk space I'm downsizing so I need to empty out this great big desk and decide what to keep, what to file in a separate file cabinet, and what absolutely must be within arms reach in the new desk space.  This big desk was overdue for a clean out anyway, but I'm easily distracted. 

4. As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu?

Home made ice cream. We don't have an ice cream freezer, but I'm going to get one before my grandsons visit so we can make ice cream with them.  

5. Your favorite patriotic movie? 

Apollo 13 and Saving Private Ryan would be my top two. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 


"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time 
that men have died to win them." Franklin D. Roosevelt



Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 421

Here are the questions to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

 


1. We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how. According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3 PM (the National Moment of Remembrance)....of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try? 

2. What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'? 

3. In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'? 

4. As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu? 

5. Your favorite patriotic movie? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 


Monday, May 24, 2021

Post-Pandemic Blogging

Are we post pandemic? Depends who you ask-ha! We have resumed normal life for the most part here, with a few exceptions when exceptions are called for. I am not getting into a fist fight or verbal altercation with anyone over masks, vaccines, or the like, and wish everyone could at least agree on that. 

Mostly hubs and I say it feels like someone flipped a switch and the train is back on track. Our calendar has certainly ratcheted up a notch or ten and it feels good.

At the same time, this past year and a half has shown me I don't want to be busy every single day. While I'm super excited to have houseguests once more, I am purposely leaving some blank space in the summer calendar for quiet daydreams, naps on the porch, and the occasional orange crush from our lakeside Cabana. 

The weather is most definitely saying summer here, so on Saturday night hubs grilled steaks on the Big Green Egg, and afterwards we took our first boat ride of the season. 

Early evening into sunset is one of the best times to be on the water, partly because day boaters have exhausted themselves and are docked for the night, but mostly because the sky is everything I love about summer. 

On Sunday we had Sunday School via Zoom, but church in person. Hmmm...here's how I feel...everyone is doing their best to make good decisions for the benefit of all so we're rolling with it. Funny story-we attended church in person last Sunday too and y'all! In true 2020 fashion (yes I still call the whole big mess 2020) a baby possum entered the sanctuary mid-sermon, and created a bit of a ruckus. 

We had the side doors open at both the front and rear of the church and he walked on in like ain't no big thing. One of the Deacons sitting nearby leapt to his feet and gently nudged the possum out the back door, and if that isn't this past year in a nutshell I don't know what is. 

In other news, my favorite people will be stateside in the not too distant future (time is relative of course) and I cannot wait to get my hands on these happy little men. I don't want to wish away the summer, but it's awfully hard not to count the days. 

God grows us in seasons of waiting and I guess I've still got some growing to do. 


In the meantime I look at the beauty of a watercolored sky and remember He's got the whole world in His hands.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Ideally It's 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 before you. That's what good neighbors do! Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond 

1. Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist...which one are you? Elaborate. 

Definitely not a pessimist. I'm going to say I'm a realistic optimist. I read an explanation of this and it said that realistic optimists believe they will succeed, but acknowledge that it may not be easy and will likely take work to make it happen. Realistic optimism means having a positive attitude while honestly acknowledging the challenges you will encounter along life's highway. 

2. What's something currently on your wish list? 

Literally or figuratively speaking? Literally-chairs for my keeping room. 

Figuratively-sanity and civility to be restored to our nation, revival in America, and a cure for cancer.

3. Three things on this week's shopping list?

Outdoor trash bags, avocados, half and half...I actually went to the store today and wish I'd known outdoor trash bags were on the list. Bother. 

4. According to Trip Advisor here's a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-

Chicago Architecture River CruiseSkip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day guided sightseeing tour, Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tourGrand Canyon helicopter tourFull day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle)New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago...read more about each excursion in the link here. 

Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing? Have you already experienced anything on this list? 

I've done quite a few of the excursions listed including the Architecture River Cruise, the Horse and Carriage Tour, and D.C. at dusk. In addition I lived outside of NYC for a while so could probably give a tour there, and I've been to the Statue of Liberty although not in a long long while. You will never get me on a helicopter over the Grand Canyon and I have no desire right now to visit Seattle or California which leaves just a couple of options. I think the New Orleans Swamp boat tour might be fun as long as it's not a million degrees outside. Or I'd for sure take another carriage ride around Charleston because I enjoy that city a lot. 

5. Besides home and work where do you spend the most time? 

Hmmm...maybe the supermarket? I don't actually spend a lot of time there but it's a regularly visited spot so I'm going with it. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

How about happy Wednesday? I got nothin'. It has been such a busy couple of days here and I'm getting this in just under the wire. Happy Wednesday it is! 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 420

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...see you there!

From this Side of the Pond 

1. Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist...which one are you? Elaborate. 

2. What's something currently on your wish list? 

3. Three things on this week's shopping list? 

4. According to Trip Advisor here's a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-

Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Skip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day  guided sightseeing tour, Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour, Grand Canyon helicopter tour, Full day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle), New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago...read more about each excursion in the link here. 

Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing? Have you already experienced anything on this list? 

5. Besides home and work where do you spend the most time? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

A Perfect Spring 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 before you, because that's what good neighbors do. Here we go- 

From this Side of the Pond

1. It's like my mama always said, "__________________________________________." 

If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all. 

2. May 11th is National Eat What You Want Day. What will you be having by way of celebration? 

Hmmm...hasn't this been National Eat What You Want year? It feels a little bit that way which is why I will try to make good choices. We had a weekend of indulgent eating so I guess I've already celebrated. 

3. Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.

Temperatures in the sunny 70's, morning coffee on the covered deck, dinner in the crock pot so I don't have to think about it the rest of the day, spring flowers going into patio pots, a great book read on the porch, a walk somewhere, daughters in the house and grandsons fishing on the dock...sounds pretty perfect to me. 

4. Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement...pick one and tell us how it relates to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by. 

I pick growth. Do we ever stop growing? It seems I'm a slow learner in certain areas of my life, but thankfully God is not done with me yet. 

5. I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it would be fun to answer here. The last thing you bought on Amazon is your weapon in battle. How will you wield it?  (if you're not an Amazon shopper, then the last thing you bought online anywhere)

Computer ink cartridges....I suppose I could frustrate you to death trying to figure out how to get it loaded into this new printer?

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our new birdbath...so pretty in the sunlight-

Happy Wednesday everyone!


Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Tuesday

It's feast or famine here in terms of blogging. How about just an ordinary Tuesday what's new with you kind of post? 


We spent a lovely spur of the moment weekend in the mountains where we did a little bit of shopping and a lot of eating. We stayed in the charming town of Highlands NC which has so many wonderful restaurants it's hard not to indulge. 


I took almost no pictures and just enjoyed the views and the company. 

It seems like we've gone from doing absolutely nothing to a somewhat busy calendar these past two weeks which may explain why, when we pulled in the driveway on Sunday I remarked, 'Hey look, someone has gifted us a beautiful bird bath.' 

I don't know who I thought might have done that, but hubs said, 'yeah, I put that out there about four days ago and have been waiting for you to notice.' Apparently all this staying at home has messed with my powers of observation. 

We're still blaming everything on Covid, right? 

Anyway, the lovely purple finch has been enjoying the new splash pad and I'm sure has friends who will join him before too long. 

I heard from both my girlies via Facetime on Mother's Day which is not as fabulous as having them here in person, but still very special. Daughter2 sent me a framed wedding pic of the two of us that I absolutely love, and daughter1 sent Farmgirl Flowers of which I am a big big fan. Their creations are completely extra, plus there was a fun little bag of goodies tucked inside the box too...Swedish candy, salted caramels, toffee popcorn, a couple of face masks, and a candle. 

I spoke to my own mama Sunday afternoon and every Mother's Day I have with her in my life means so much to me. 

In other news we've got a couple of little-ish interior home projects going on, and I specify interior because if you know my hubs you know he has a never ending list of exterior home projects and would happily landscape, plant trees, plant shrubs, plant more trees and more shrubs if I didn't intervene. 

I'm changing up my office right down to the walls, re-doing our keeping room with a larger, lighter hued rug, and four new comfy chairs, adding wallpaper to a water closet in one of the guest suites, new bedding in that same guest suite, and reconfiguring shelving in my closet. It will be a lovely re-fresh when all is said and done. It's hard to believe we've been in this house nearly four years now but the calendar does not lie. 

Does 2020 count double time because I feel like maybe it should? 

The weekend is looking lovely so perhaps an inaugural boat ride is in order. We like to let the pollen calm down before we do too much boating, and like I said, we've been busy with projects and assorted other goings on. Hubs had the boat out once for a quick 'let's make sure it's running' spin around the neighborhood, but I haven't had a ride yet this season and I'm thinking it's time. 

Yes it's Tuesday and I'm already talking about the weekend. 

It's nice to be a little bit busy but I also know I cannot be busy all day every day. Chalk that up to life lessons learned courtesy of Corona and the crazy year that was. Is? Whatever. Here's a picture of the Cobb salad I made for dinner last night-



Because salad pics are blog content on ordinary Tuesdays. Enjoy yours! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Vomume 419

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. See you there!

1. It's like my mama always said, "______________________________________________." 

2. May 11th is National Eat What You Want Day. What will you be having by way of celebration? 

3. Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.

4. Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement...pick one and tell us how it relates to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by. 

5. I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it would be fun to answer here. The last thing you bought on Amazon is your weapon in battle. How will you wield it?  (if you're not an Amazon shopper, then the last thing you bought online anywhere)

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Mother May I 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 before you. Comments make the blog world spin...here we go-

From this Side of the Pond

1. What's something you 'may' do this month? 

I may jump in the lake.

2. Last time you literally or figuratively shouted mayday!?

I wouldn't say mayday exactly, but I did have a reaction to a medication last week that was cause for concern. It's all mostly sorted now so no worries. 

3. Let the chips fall where they may, come what maymaybe, Cape Maymayflies, devil may care, you may now kiss the bride, much to our dismaymayhem, mayonnaise...choose a 'may' word or phrase from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way right now. 

Did you know mayflies don't always emerge as adults in the actual month of May? They hatch throughout the spring and summer and they don't live very long. Mayflies are a little bit like dragonflies, except dragonflies are prettier. 

Mayflies sometimes hang out under our dock. They're not pesky like actual flies, and since they don't bother anyone we don't worry about them too much. Do I look worried? 

Can you tell summer is nearly here and I've got lake time on my mind?  

4. If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this weekend, what would you like to see on the menu?

This question was asked in one of the very first Random Dozen posts published back in 2010. The Random Dozen was the precursor to the Wednesday Hodgepodge and was hosted by another blogger. She gave it up (12 questions every week it's no wonder!!) and I adapted her format into something a little more manageable. 

All that to say my answer is pretty much the same today as it was way back when...homemade french toast, fruit, coffee, and maybe a little turquoise box on the tray to make it extra.  

5. Tell me one true thing you believe about motherhood. 

Motherhood is sanctifying

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I know I should say something sweet and perhaps sentimental about Mother's Day, but instead I'm going to tell you we finally got our television debacle mostly corrected and that is also worth celebrating. Whoohoo! 


Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 418

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

1. What's something you 'may' do this month? 

2. Last time you literally or figuratively shouted mayday!

3. Let the chips fall where they may, come what may, maybe, Cape May, mayflies, devil may care, you may now kiss the bride,  much to our dismay, mayhem, mayonnaise...choose a 'may' word or phrase from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way right now. 

4. If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this weekend, what would you like to see on the menu?

5. Tell me one true thing you believe about motherhood. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sunday, May 2, 2021

Remember The Alphabet?

Y and Z are for YowZa

Because when I drop the ball I like to let it bounce really high.

Remember how I was blogging my way through the alphabet as part of the April A-Z Blog Challenge? Yeah, me too. And now since it's May and since I greatly dislike loose ends, let's go ahead and wrap up those last two letters. 

I do think most everyone struggles a bit with letter Z. For one thing it's hard, but also because you start to run out of blog steam by Day 26. Or in my case Day 28. 

Any-y-way...I was trying to think if there was more I'd like to tell my grands about what life was like when I was a child and summer seems worth a mention.

I spent most of my childhood in the Garden State while most cousins and both sets of grandparents lived out west, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico. Going to visit was a very big deal. People didn't fly the way they do now and I don't think cheap air fare was ever a thing. There were six in my immediate family so a cross country flight was no small undertaking. 

We loved it though, and I have a lot of happy memories from those big trips. I wrote about them in a little more detail a few years back, linked here (Colorado) and here (New Mexico)

We didn't take a family vacation every year either. We lived not too far from 'the shore' so there was always a day trip or two, but as far as what might be dubbed a real vacation there weren't many. We had a couple of fun road trips south which were part vacation/part college tour for my older sibs, and we stayed in hotels which we kids judged solely by the quality of the pool. I think we all have fond memories of our time together smooshed into the station wagon. 

We belonged to a neighborhood swim club and spent the bulk of our summer free time hanging out there. And I always went to camp for a week or two and I loved that. 

Here's the thing. I don't think I ever felt like I was missing out on anything. It was a different time and while some families took trips to places like Disney or the Grand Canyon, most of our friends and neighbors were just like us. They went to the shore for a week or a few days, or maybe the Poconos, or they went by car to visit extended family in the summer months. 

Summertime was unhurried, unscheduled, uncomplicated. 

Bare feet and sprinklers. 

Koolaid stands and made up games.  

Homemade ice cream and swinging as high as that swing would go.

Chasing fireflies after dark and neighborhood kick the can. 

No hands on a bicycle careening down a hill and impromptu games of front yard tag.

Four leaf clover hunts and watching the clouds float by. 

Dear Grandboys, 

I hope your summers are filled with lots of the same...

...with simple pleasures and plenty of room to dream. 

Love, 
Nana 
xoxo