Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Vive la Hodgepodge

Going to keep my answers short and sweet today because it has been a little bit 'Grand Central' like here. All good and lots of fun, but busy. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

 
From this Side of the Pond
1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

Time spent with old friends. Is that a small thing? It somehow feels bigger than small, but either way was very precious. 

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th...have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn't an issue) 


I love France and have made many trips to different parts of the country.  


I love the food, the fairy tale castles, the city lights and the seaside burgs, the language, and just the general aesthetic of most things French. They seem to know how to make things lovely. 


Oh, and the champagne. Let's not forget that! 


I especially love the countryside but wouldn't turn down a trip to Paris either. And I think every American should see the beaches of Normandy... 


...and in Colleville-sur-Mer the row upon row of white crosses in a cemetery there. Perhaps the haters here in America would hate a little less if they stood where 18 year old boys have bled and died to keep them free. 


3. A food associated with France that you love? 

A traditional lemon and sugar crepe would be one of my favorites. A croque monsieur rates high on my list too. And all the fancy food served with a delicate touch and a glass of bubbly. The cheese and bread and the coffee served in one of those charming cafes... I'm sure there's more...


4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? 

I never buy anything online without searching for a coupon first. I ordered some birthday goodies for my grandson recently and used a discount code. That's how we say coupon in 2021, right? 

5. You have to give something away this week...what will it be? 

There's always something in my closet to be donated. I like to let a few things accumulate then run a bagful to the donation center. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My limelights are really showing off this summer-


Bon Mercredi! 


14 comments:

  1. Went to Normandy in 2002. My great-grandad, James (known as Mick), was a paratrooper in the British Army. He was part of the allies D-Day landings in 1944 - when my Grandad was only 10 years old. Unfortunately, he was injured by shrapnel on the way down, and had to be transported back to England after a few days in Normandy.

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  2. Absolutely!! less haters if people REALLY understood the sacrifices made for our freedom.
    Gorgeous limelights!

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  3. Time spent with friends is always a good thing, whether we feel it is large or small.

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  4. I wouldn't mind some time with old friends. I would love to visit Normandy and the cemetery. I was thinking a paper coupon. Yes discount coupons/specials online are a must! Your random is absolutely gorgeous.

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  5. Great questions this week and love your answers. I had forgotten we had visited France very briefly, as in one night before we flew out of Switzerland...lol. Those flowers are gorgeous and I love your France photos.

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  6. Happy Bastille day to you. It's always good to view a country through the eyes of someone who loves it. We had an Iranian immigrant (Fedex Delivery guy) tell us yesterday how much he loves the USA and also asked us not to believe that white people are all racist. He said, "that's a lie, don't believe it." He also said the USA is the most free country in the world. But the best part of his story was that he became a Christian after trying to find forgiveness from Allah but he only found forgiveness in Jesus! Wow. We had such a good conversation with him. Sorry to go on and on. Happy Hodgepodge to you and thank you.

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  7. I love France too, and was blessed to spend two Bastille Days in Paris. Yes, if more haters visited beaches where heroes fought and died for the USA and for the world, they might learn and change their attitudes. I give away a few books every day to Little Free Libraries in my decluttering actions. That answers two of the questions. Your photos are beauties.

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  8. I really love your photos in today's post! I hope to go to France some day! Your LimeLights are beautiful. They have been amazing here in Alabama, too. Our neighborhood has hundreds of them. We planted dwarf limelights in front of our house and they, too, have been pretty this year.

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  9. "Perhaps the haters here in America would hate a little less if they stood where 18 year old boys have bled and died to keep them free." That resonates with me. Well said!! Thank you for another great Hodgepodge, Joyce! Blessings!! xo

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  10. Hi Joyce,
    Amen to your comment regarding all American's should visit the beaches of Normandy. And the haters should spend some real time in countries that are not free. I did mission work in Ukraine in 2006. It may be "free" but once you visit places that are not as free as the USA .. you really see and feel the freedom we are blessed with here in the USA!
    Thank you for today's Hodgepodge.
    Carla

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  11. It's interesting to read what you love in France, of course the landscapes have not changed, but the rest yes. Even the Frenchs say so ! I only go to France to visit my friend who lives at the côte d'Azur, which is beautiful, but the people ....

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  12. I went to France while I was in high school and while I enjoyed Paris I much preferred the beaches of Normandy (the beaches and cemetery brought tears to my eyes) and the chateaus of the Loire valley. My favorite French food has got to be their pastries-- hello chocolate croissants and warm/fresh baguettes! I just used a coupon last Wednesday at the Vera Bradley store; they were having a huge 50% off sale with an additional 30% off those prices plus I had a birthday coupon for an extra 25% off my highest priced item.. I got a $99 purse for $25ish!

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  13. The limelights are very pretty! I have not seen them before. If I were to go to Normandy, I would go to the beaches of Normandy.

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