Life Is Beautiful

One item of business before we press on...there will not be a Hodgepodge this week. We spent last week with our newest grandson and arrived back home Friday. On Saturday Daughter1 and her boys came out to the lake to spend a few days so whew! The Hodgepodge will have to wait another week. See you back for that on July 6th. 

Now where was I? I think I was saying life is beautiful and there is absolutely nothing in the world to remind you that's true more so than a newborn babe. 

Daughter2 texted us at 5 AM the morning of our anniversary and said to come on over. We had packed our bags the Friday before because we also thought that was gonna be the day, but false alarm. We loaded up the pup and made our way to hubs brother's house to drop our dog at 'camp'. He loves my sister-in-law especially and they had offered to keep Hunley while we were meeting the new little man.

Daughter2 and her hubs have a little dog and we didn't want to add anything else that needed caring for into the mix of a newborn, new parents, and a small dog about to lose rank in the hierarchy of home. We are so grateful we had somewhere our own dog could stay and play so we could focus our attention on the new baby (and his dog lol). Hubs was determined to teach him some circus tricks before his parents got home.

We got to Daughter2's house mid-afternoon then waited and waited and jumped every time the phone dinged and then we finally went to a local restaurant to celebrate 38 years of married life. Mostly though we were fidgety and just so ready to get the call. 

Which we did. Finally! 

Welcome to the world beautiful boy! Born with a full head of hair and cheeks that go for days-

Also, I have tiny daughters who somehow birth big babies. They are completely awesome. 

The dads are pretty great too. Just sayin'-

The new parents made their way home from the hospital the following day and then we basically spent the next week letting this tiny human steal our hearts. 

If you have grandchildren then you know you can indeed spend an entire day just sitting watching them. Many days actually. 

The in-laws arrived on Wednesday so we overlapped by a couple of days which was double the fun. They joined hubs and I in the watching and the marveling and the talk of how perfectly perfect he truly is. 

This world gets messier by the minute, but I hold a newborn baby in my arms and all the noise and turmoil just fades right away. I feel tiny fingers wrap around my own...

And I sit in quiet awe of a God whose design for birth is nothing short of a full blown miracle.

In The Heat Of The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Something you learned from your father? 

Hard work is it's own reward. 

Keep your elbows off the table.
Jesus loves me. 

2. Do you like onions? Raw or cooked? How about onion rings? What's something you love to eat that calls for onions? 

I do like onions, and cooked is my preference. While I like raw onions I avoid them, because when you're over the half century mark you can't eat whatever you want anymore. True story. 

I use onions in so many dishes but pasta sauce, baked rice, and enchiladas are a few favorites that wouldn't taste nearly as good without the onions added. 

3. It's officially summer (in the Northern hemisphere)...your favorite and least favorite things about the season?

Favorite? The longer daylight

Least favorite? The ridiculous humidity that smacks you in the face before the sun even rises

4. When you think about the summers of your childhood what are two or three things that come to mind? 

A sense of freedom...going barefoot, riding bikes to the pool, big neighborhood games of hide and seek or kick the can, ice cold watermelon, homemade ice cream, chasing fireflies, camp. 

5.  A hot mess, the heat of the moment, beat the heat, if you can't stand the heat, catch heat, in a dead heat...choose a 'hot 'phrase and tell us how it applies to your life right now.

America is a bit of a hot mess these days, but I'm going with beat the heat because it's too hot for deep. Feeling super grateful for air conditioning on these 100 degree days. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Look who made his entry into the world on our 38th wedding anniversary last week-

He is absolutely precious and I want to tell you more and I will. Soon. Right now we are far too busy watching him sleep, admiring his full head of hair, and marveling at the absolute gift of new life. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 467

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. Something you learned from your father? 

2. Do you like onions? Raw or cooked? How about onion rings? What's something you love to eat that calls for onions? 

3. It's officially summer (in the Northern hemisphere)...your favorite and least favorite things about the season?

4. When you think about the summers of your childhood what are two or three things that come to mind? 

5.  A hot mess, the heat of the moment, beat the heat, if you can't stand the heat, catch heat, in a dead heat...choose a 'hot 'phrase and tell us how it applies to your life right now.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Some Enchanted 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 your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Elaborate.  

 

I suppose so. I wear my heart on my face would probably be a more accurate statement. I don't think I'm very good at hiding my emotions. 

2. A favorite love song? 

Oooh, so hard to choose just one. I have a long list but one of my favorites is More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Staircase. 

3. Do you consider yourself a trusting person? Explain. 

I think so. I mean, within reason. In terms of those I know in real life I'm trusting unless you give me some reason not to trust you. I'm less trusting of politicians, the media, self-proclaimed internet 'experts', and the like. 

4. June 14th is National New Mexico Day...have you ever been to New Mexico (aka The Land of Enchantment)? Any desire to visit the state? Some of the top rated tourist attractions there are- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, Bandelier National Monument, The Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Santa Fe Plaza, and the Petroglyph National Monument. Of the attractions listed which would be tops on your list? 

I have been to New Mexico. My mom hails from The Land of Enchantment so visiting grandparents always meant a trip out west. I lived in New Mexico for one year when I was small while my dad was overseas with the Marine Corps. My mom moved in with her parents that year because she had three small children and was expecting her fourth. Good times.

Actually they were good times. I was especially close to my Grandma. That's me in the middle with a sister on either side on one of our trips to N.M. I've been to some of the sites mentioned including Bandelier and Santa Fe. The Balloon Festival would be something I'd enjoy. 

5. What's something you've found enchanting recently? 

Filled with delight, charming...hmmm...small mountain towns can be enchanting, and we have several not far from us that I'd say fit the description. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My mom and I listened to Amor Towles book The Lincoln Highway while we trekked around Tennessee. So good! He is one of my favorite authors and I really loved this one. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 466

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 universe. See you there! 

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Elaborate.  

2. A favorite love song? 

3. Do you consider yourself a trusting person? Explain. 

4. June 14th is National New Mexico Day...have you ever been to New Mexico (aka The Land of Enchantment)? Any desire to visit the state? Some of the top rated tourist attractions there are- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, Bandelier National Monument, The Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Santa Fe Plaza, and the Petroglyph National Monument. Of the attractions listed which would be tops on your list? 

5. What's something you've found enchanting recently? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It's Mom Time

Not that mom time since we are still waiting on baby boy to join the party here. I'm talking about my own momma today. She and my younger sister flew to SC for Daughter2's baby shower several weeks ago, and while my sister went back home my mom has been here ever since. My older sister lives about an hour from me and we've been sharing time with her.

She was at my house for nine days early on in the visit, and we took a big little road trip to Tennessee so she could see where her granddaughters live, spend time with her great-grandsons, and visit two of her old and very dear friends who live less than an hour from Daughter1. 

It seemed simple, three hours to Daughter2 and spend the night. Then three more hours to Daughter1 and spend three nights, plus the side trip to the friends, then three hours back to Daughter2 and spend another night, then home. In a blinding rainstorm through Atlanta which was as delightful as it sounds. Plus in the first hour of the trip I made a wrong turn (too much gabbing) and drove about thirty minutes the wrong way before I realized it. Oops. Hey it's not an adventure if everything is smooth sailing, right? 

This little road trip was a lot of schlepping for someone in their ninth decade of life. Also a lot of schlepping for someone  in their sixth decade, but if she can do it I can do it and we did and it was wonderful. Did I take a single picture of the momma-to-be with her grandmother? No I did not. Boo. I meant to, but we were busy talking and dining out and playing cards and time got away from me. Here we are at the shower though, so that's something-

And I did manage a couple of snaps with Daughter1 and her boys while we were in her part of the state. We went to a highly entertaining T-ball game on a warm Friday evening and that needed to be documented. 

Love the batter who ran to first base then sat down for a little rest until it was time to run to second lol. That's our star first baseman beside her-

And I did get a picture of my mom with friends she and my dad made when these friends were newly married with young children. They have been so wonderful to keep in contact with my mom all these many years and we had a lovely lunch in their home. Such a treat for my mom to see them in person-

We went to church with Daughter1 and her family, then out to lunch the Sunday we were there. For the record, picture taking with busy little boys is not for the faint of heart. 

After we got back to SC mom was at my house a few more days before moving over to my sisters to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend and my niece's birthday. Then back to me for another nine days, then back to my sister for another nine days. Whew! She's a trooper! 

We did a lot of card playing, porch sitting, bird watching, and jigsaw puzzle working while she was here. On Monday hubs drove us up into the mountains to the charming town of Highlands North Carolina. We stopped on the way up for the not-to-be missed view of our lake and the lake just above ours, then had a nice lunch in town. 

On the way home we made a quick visit to Bridal Veil Falls which are accessible from a pull-off in the road. It was such a beautiful day, and mom enjoyed walking behind the falls. Not Niagara, but pretty nonetheless. 

What a gift this time has been. To set aside all my to-do's and just enjoy time spent with with my momma. Such tender precious memories made. 

The Hodgepodge With Sprinkles

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 howdy to your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. "A daughter's a daughter all her life, but a son's a son til he takes a wife." What say you? Elaborate.

There are exceptions to every cliche of course, but for the most part I'm going to say the daughter bit is accurate. When we marry we need to form a new bond with our spouse and I think daughters can do that and remain close to their mothers more easily than sons. Sons need to 'leave their mothers which makes the second part of that saying also somewhat true. 

That being said, I don't have a son but I am married to one, and I think it depends on the son, and maybe even to a greater degree on the daughter-in-law, as to what the relationship with the in-laws will look like going forward. My hubs family has always been close and I think we've been good about sharing time with both families over the course of our married life. I have a good relationship with my mother-in-law and have raised my daughters to be warm and welcoming to their mothers-in-law as well. 

Also, I love my mom. I might be many decades old, but she is and always has been very much a piece of my heart. I know I am so fortunate to still have her in my life. 

2. Something you've seen recently that was 'cuter than a June bug'? 

Any guesses as to how I'm going to answer this one? 

3. 'You can't buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream and that's pretty much the same thing.' Agree or disagree? Last time you had a serving of happiness ice cream?  Dish-cone-milkshake-sundae...which one do you choose? 

I like ice cream but it's not something I have or even want very often. I'd rather have a homemade cookie, a piece of cake, or a slice of pie. My mom has been visiting for several weeks and she loves ice cream. We made homemade strawberry last weekend and it was delish! Of the choices offered I'll take a cone. 

4. What is one way/area in which you're currently 'swimming against the tide'? 

I don't think social media is where the world's problems will be solved or even reasonably debated, and I don't weigh in on  most of what's going on in the world today on sites like Facebook or Insta. I do my best to avoid engaging in conflict online. So many people seem to thrive on it, but I'm not one of them. 

5. Three things you're looking forward to this summer?

Spoiling a brand new grandson with too many kisses and lots of snuggles and also overwhelming him with all my many words

A few days at the beach with the grandboys and their mom and dad

Seeing old friends

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I bought a big bucket of strawberries from a local farm shop and besides the ice cream made the first strawberry shortcake of the season. 

South Carolina strawberries are the sweetest and nothing says summer like strawberry shortcake. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 465

I feel like I still need a week, but I'm happy to be back with Hodgepodge. I can't promise I won't need another break when baby boy arrives, but I'll do my best. Answer this week's questions on your own blog, then swim back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. "A daughter's a daughter all her life, but a son's a son til he takes a wife." What say you? Elaborate.

2. Something you've seen recently that was 'cuter than a June bug'? 

3. 'You can't buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream and that's pretty much the same thing.' Agree or disagree? Last time you had a serving of happiness ice cream?  Dish-cone-milkshake-sundae...which one do you choose? 

4. What is one way/area in which you're currently 'swimming against the tide'? 

5. Three things you're looking forward to this summer?

6. Insert your own random thought here.