In Grand Style

On this rather somber day I'm going to write about ordinary life here. Feels a bit daunting at the moment, but life carries on, babies grow up, seasons change, and here is where I mark the moments. The good, the hard, and most especially the extraordinary ordinary. 

Let's back the truck up to last Friday, which feels like years ago as opposed to days. Time has not been right since Covid was unleashed, am I right? 

Anyhoo, last Friday afternoon the grandboys (and their parents lol) pulled into our driveway followed by a carload of some of their best friends. That made for a grand total of eleven people, including five children ages 7, 5, 4, 2, and 2 all here for the long holiday weekend. It was a blast, and we agree it worked because they weren't all two years old-ha! 

The grown up guys spent Saturday morning at a quail hunt while we girls herded all the kids to the neighborhood playground. The weather was delightful and they ran and slid and swung as high as the bright blue sky. 

Later everyone tried their hand at fishing off the dock with varying degrees of success. 

The friends drove home on Monday, but Daughter1 stayed with her two boys, and the mancub spent lots of happy hours with Pawpaw 'fightin' the fish' and reeling in a whole bunch.

We spent Sunday before the friends left in the nearby small big city with our first stop the zoo. 

You could hear the apes carrying on all the way from the parking lot and they were so entertaining. It was a nice day and most of the animals were out which makes for a fun visit. 

Afterwards we headed to lunch and then a walk across the suspension bridge that spans the river running right across Main Street. It was a really enjoyable day and weekend all around. 

The friends plus my son-in-law headed back to Tennessee on Monday morning, but we got to enjoy a few more days with the boys and their momma here at the lake. 

We have a house just starting construction in our neighborhood and the cement trucks provided some easy entertainment one afternoon. 

As always we read a lot of books-

We played some new card games and we made pancakes for breakfast-

We raced cars on the track-

We drew with chalk, worked puzzles and 'we' checked the water temperature!! (but I want to go swimming Nana)

We visited the geology museum at the local university and wound down with bubble baths every evening. 

Honestly, there's just nothing like having little boys in the house. Can't wait for their soon-to-be- born cousin to join the party this summer! 

Thursday I drove the boys and their momma to the in-laws where they'll spend a few days before going back to their own house to get ready for us to come there. Our spring calendar is chock-a-block full and we look forward to spending time with the big and little people who mean so much to us. 

I want to hold them especially close in this season of chaos and turmoil all around the world. 

In times of strife we can love our families and say our prayers. We can know God sees and hears and cares. The world is a genuine mess right now, but there are pockets of joy always and we need them. Oh how we need them...

Nuts About The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another 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. 

A quick reminder there will not be a Hodgepodge next week (Feb 23rd). I will have a houseful and want to enjoy every minute with my peeps. The Hodgepodge will be back in action the following Wednesday, March 2nd. March!! I know!! 

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

1. February 16th is National Almond day...are you a fan? If so what's your favorite food item or recipe that contains almonds? 

I do like almonds, all nuts really but almonds are a favorite.  I have no idea why, but the first food that came to mind was the Good Humor ice cream bar called a Toasted Almond. I haven't had one in years and don't know if they even make them anymore, but I loved them. An Italian almond cream cake is one of my favorite almond desserts, and I used to love the Peshwari Naan bread from the local Indian restaurant we frequented in the UK. Yum!

2. Something you are currently 'nuts' about? 

My new Macbook Air. 

3. Something currently driving you 'nuts'? 

Nothing like stating the obvious, but the hypocrisy happening in our country is really hard to take. 

4. Something you recently bought for 'peanuts'? 

Hmmm...maybe pillows for the Murphy bed. I had two gift cards and a coupon which made the purchase feel like a bargain. 

5. Share a favorite quote uttered by any U.S. President ( if you're not an American, a quote made by the leader of your own country). 

"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light." George Washington 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I made a chocolate fondue for our Valentine's Day dessert. I used the recipe found here and it's a winner...

Have a nice week everyone!

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 452

Hello Hodgepodgers! Before I post this week's questions I want to let you know there will not be a Hodgepodge next week (Feb 23rd). I will have a houseful and want to be all in with my favorite little people. Thanks for understanding. 

We are of course here this week, and you'll find the questions below. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there! 

1. February 16th is National Almond day...are you a fan? If so what's your favorite food item or recipe that contains almonds? 

2. Something you are currently 'nuts' about? 

3. Something currently driving you 'nuts'? 

4. Something you recently bought for 'peanuts'? 

5. Share a favorite quote uttered by any U.S. President ( if you're not an American, a quote made by the leader of your own country). 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My Funny Valentine

Happy hearts day everyone. A made up holiday maybe, but a good day to think about the people you love and remember why you love them. Let's make a list. Top five-

1. My funny Valentine is still funny. I won't go into all the details but hubs made me giggle as recently as yesterday, in church no less, and y'all laughter is such good medicine. 

2. Recently I was having 'a day' and hubs said, 'go take a bath and I'll make an omelette for dinner'. A hot bath and a husband who senses when you're about to lose it and then springs into action before you actually do, is a keeper. 

3. We make a good team. We zig and we zag with whatever life throws our way, and we are never in a bad mood at the same time, which I think is the key to a happy married life. One of them anyway. 

4. He's neat. I know this isn't a big deal, but it's not a small deal either.

5. He loves babies, dogs, music, Jesus, the great outdoors, bourbon, fancy cars, old cars, fast boats, slow dancing and all his people, but especially me, very well. 

I could make a list of the bottom five too, but why? Don't make that list, which is another little secret to a happy married life. You're welcome. Happy Valentine's Day hubs xo 

Roses are red, violets are blue, 

Loved you then-

And I still do-

Writing It To Remember It

How do you describe a conversation with your 4 1/2 year old grandson? 

I don't know. 

I only know I want to remember it. I want to remember that when my daughter called the old fashioned way, the mancub, who was sitting beside her said, 'I want to Facetime', so we did. 

I want to remember the way the screen came to life and there he was, with his bright eyes and his sweet sweet smile, happily pounding out play dough on the kitchen table while baby brother slept and sunshine flooded the kitchen.

I want to remember how his momma and I chit chatted and he chimed in from time to time. How he heard our every word, thought about their meaning, and asked his own questions as they came to mind. The way he still does not settle for a simple answer, but needs all the information please. 

What's a braid? Well it's a hairstyle' What's a hairstyle? Insert demo by momma as she explains a braid is something girls like to do to their hair. But what's a braid? Well it's three strands of something criss crossed over one another. And so on and so forth and so on and so forth. 

My daughter calls fairly often but boys are boys, and they're toddlers, and they're brothers, and most times when we're on the phone they have places to go and people to see. The under 5 set generally needs less talk, more action and we're okay with that. 

They pop on and off the screen and tell us they love us and they miss us and hey Nana look what I made! watch me! where's Hunley Bunley? show us Hunley Bunley! They ask at least a dozen questions and tell us lots of things all while turning somersaults, constructing block houses, and wrestling each other to the ground in a fit of giggles. 

They blow kisses and there is almost always a 'debate' over which one gets to disconnect the call when it's time to disconnect. It's fun and loud and busy and we don't always have their undivided attention when we're on the phone. Which is more than fine because we so enjoy watching them play and do and be all the things little boys love to play and do and be. 

But Monday. 

Monday we had the most precious little grown up chat with our mancub about all manner of everything including the rolling pin he'd taken to school for show and tell that morning, the letter r, what's a braid, why was Uncle A and Auntie M's flight cancelled, what's cancelled, but why, what's a crew, was the plane broken, if it isn't broken why can't it fly, does Uncle A fix bones too, why not, what does Uncle A do, and fa la la la la the entire hour was sheer delight. 

It was the kind of call that leaves you feeling better about life, people, the world, pretty much everything. 

He was so cheerful, so gentle, so in tune with our whole conversation, so utterly precious that when we hung up hubs and I looked at one another and said that was just what we needed to wash away the heaviness of this world. 

Of which there is much, but today I want to think about this. I want to remember this. 

The innocence of a grandchild and the way the wheels turn in his head as he observes the world around him and understands it a little bit better every minute of every day. 

How life lately feels overly full of people who thrive on conflict and complaining, whose negativity stirs everyone up but ultimately brings everyone down, and how I want less of that in my life and more of this. 

More sweetness. More tenderness. More sunshine and smiles and definitely more seeking and finding joy in the tiniest little wonders of the world because they are there for us to unearth and savor. 

I want more family. More love. More seeing the world through the eyes of a child and feeling hopeful and heart-full because this world is not what the loudest voices say it is. 

It's a grandson saying Nana let's not hang up. Not yet. 

Tickled Pink In The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave some comment love for the blogger before you. Here we go! 

 

1. Besides the predictable name-rank-serial number, what's something you know by heart?

The Pledge of Allegiance, Lamentations 3:22-23, The Lord's Prayer, the wives of Henry the VIII, the Kings and Queens of England in order, the lyrics to my favorite songs, hubs credit card number lol. 

2. Something recently that had you tickled pink?

The brand new window treatments in my almost re-done office. I love them! 

It was hard to get a picture with the sunlight streaming in (not complaining!!) , and they've been folded for quite a while so I need to let the creases fall, but I'm so happy with the look. The trim is navy and I will incorporate more navy into the room by way of the lampshade, side table, and pillows. 

3. How do you define the word romantic, and are you one? 

One definition I read said, 'an idealized view of reality'....hmmmm...synonyms include dreamer and sentimentalist. Is looking for the bright side the same thing as an idealized view of reality? I think I'm a romantic realist. 

4. Finish this verse with your own original thought....'Roses are red, violets are blue...

Not completely original but-

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Do unto others

As you would have done to you. 

5. Five little things you are loving right now? 

An unexpected kind note received, Brach's candy hearts, fun things on the calendar with people I adore, a winter sunrise, and daffodils in bloom

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Any special plans for Valentine's Day? We almost always dine at home on this day and  I think hubs will grill a steak. I was inspired by last week's Hodgepodge and as a result am planning a chocolate fondue for dessert.

No matter how you mark the day or maybe choose to ignore it altogether, know this...you are so very loved by the One who made you.

'For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Romans 8:38-39

Have a great week all! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 451

Here are the questions for 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. Besides the predictable name-rank-serial number, what's something you know by heart?

2. Something recently that had you tickled pink?

3. How do you define the word romantic, and are you one? 

4. Finish this verse with your own original thought....'Roses are red, violets are blue...

5. Five little things you are loving right now? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Just Like That Groundhog...

The Hodgepodge keeps popping up here every Wednesday. 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. Otherwise we'll have six more weeks of winter.  

Here we go-

1. The Wednesday Hodgepodge landing on Groundhog's Day sounds about right. Besides the Hodgepodge what else lands on your calendar just once a week? Is it as much fun as the Hodgepodge-ha!? 

I attend a Women's Bible Study every Wednesday morning and volunteer in a local soup kitchen every Thursday. Are these activities as much fun as the Hodgepodge? Pssht...nothing is as much fun as the Hodgepodge, is it? 

2. The Winter Olympics begin on Friday, surrounded by much controversy. Will you be watching? Why or why not? Have you ever been to China?

Let's start with the easy part...have I ever been to China? Yes. Not Beijing, but Shanghai which I thoroughly enjoyed. That trip was ten years ago and the world was not what it is today. 

I feel for the athletes who spend their whole lives preparing and have no control over where the Olympics are held. But y'all I also feel for the Uyghurs who have been placed in 're-education camps' while the world stays mostly silent. Didn't we decide that wasn't who we wanted to be all the way back in 1944? 

These days it is so hard to weed out the truth in our news, but if the stories coming out of these camps are to be believed then what are we doing? Then there are the issues of Covid, the athletes privacy, etc. Ugh. The Olympics rightfully get 24/7 coverage most years but I am not sure how much, if any, I will watch. 

3. Something in your life lately that has felt a bit like an 'olympic event'? 

Not to sound like a broken record, but I might need a medal when these house projects wrap up. Assuming they wrap up. They're not even huge, just painstakingly slow in getting everything that needs getting, and then installing everything that is eventually gotten. I ranted about mentioned it in my post Monday. 

4. Do you like fondue? Sweet or savory? Restaurant only or do you own your own fondue set?

I do like fondue, particularly if it's served in a charming French ski town high in the Alps. My kitchen is okay too I guess. We never go out for fondue, and rarely make it at home. For a while we made fondue on New Year's Eve and that was always fun, but we haven't done that in several years. I have two pots, one is traditional and one is designed for chocolate. If I can only have one I want the cheesy kind, and now this post has me thinking we need to have a fondue night. 

5. Give us five short (2-3 word) phrases to sum up your January. 

Brrrr....

Let's write

It's a BOY!!!

Let's read

Beauty in a winter sky

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I made a delicious parsnip-butternut squash soup Monday evening using this recipe from Love As Food. Y'all. I am not a food blogger, nor will anyone every mistake me for one. When I cook I'm a bit of a mess, my kitchen is a mess, and I forget to take pictures. 

Except one. I took one. 

We both loved the flavor, really really tasty. I loved the texture of the soup but hubs wanted it thicker so I'll adjust something next time. Also, the recipe says to use your blender and it seemed like my immersion blender would work just fine, but see note above about my messy kitchen. Next time I'll use my big blender. 

Happy February to you all! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 450

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

Side note-I've signed up for a #28daywriting challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. She's keeping it simple, just post something every day in February. I'm not great at that everyday thing, but since I'm working to develop discipline, focus, and consistency in my writing I'm giving it a whirl. 

And also giving myself a break on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, since I already host this weekly link-up. I'm posting Hodgepodge questions on Tuesdays and answers on Wednesdays, which may not always be deep but they are fun. It counts. Hop over to Anita's site if you want to know more about the challenge. 

Now back to your regular programming-

1. The Wednesday Hodgepodge landing on Groundhog's Day sounds about right. Besides the Hodgepodge what else lands on your calendar just once a week? Is it as much fun as the Hodgepodge-ha!? 

2. The Winter Olympics begin on Friday, surrounded by much controversy. Will you be watching? Why or why not? Have you ever been to China?

3. Something in your life lately that has felt a bit like an 'olympic event'? 

4. Do you like fondue? Sweet or savory? Restaurant only or do you own your own fondue set?

5. Give us five short (2-3 word) phrases to sum up your January. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.