Falling For The Hodgepodge

Welcome to fall's first 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. Here we go- 

1. It's officially fall y'all. In the northern hemisphere anyway. Any signs of it where you are? What's your favorite thing about this time of year? 

There are a few signs of fall in our area, but for the most part it's still pretty summer-like here. Temps are cool in the early morning, but warm up to shorts-wearing weather by noon. We have more pine than hardwoods on our property, but we've seen small pops of red when we're out walking.  This tree says it all...

...a little bit of summer, a little bit o' fall. 

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the cozy feeling ushered in.... coffee by the fire, blue jeans, a pot of chili on the stove. I like the change in wardrobe, menu, and mindset. 

2. Have you visited any 'falls' in person? Tell us about one of your favorites? Of the following top ten famous falls (according to this site ) which would you most like to see in person-

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia), Igazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Niagara Falls (US/Canada), Angel Falls (Venezuela), Yosemite Falls (California), Dettifoss (Iceland) Kaieteur Falls (Guyana), Plitvice Waterfalls (Croatia), Gullfoss-Golden Falls (Iceland), or Sutherland Falls (New Zealand)

We live in an area known as the mountain lakes part of the state and there are more than 150 waterfalls in our county alone. Not all are huge, but every waterfall is beautiful in its own way. Hubs and I (and the little brown dog too of course, can't forget him!) enjoy hiking to a waterfall and we're slowly working our way through some of the ones in our area. We have a long way to go lol. 

There were some pretty falls not far from where we lived in North Jersey too (Bushkill Falls) and we used to visit fairly often. Of the falls listed I guess the one I'd most like to visit would be Victoria. A friend of ours went years ago and I still remember the photo he sent standing beside them. Absolutely breathtaking!

3. What's something you'll miss about summer? 

Daylight at 9 PM. 

4. A favorite fall recipe?

I made a big pot of vegetable beef soup the other day and that's definitely a favorite here. It was 52 degrees when I started cooking early morning, but by the time dinner rolled around it was more like 85. We still enjoyed it though. I make Paula Deen's recipe which calls for short ribs, and they make it extra extra. I don't use quite the amount of salt she does, but other than that I follow her instructions ( recipe here) It makes a lot! 

5. Something you enjoy but lately have allowed it to 'fall by the wayside'? 

I made a scrapbook for Daughter2 for her birthday, the first I'd done in a long long time. Putting it together was so much fun and made me realize how much I miss doing something creative. I used to really enjoy scrapbooking, but life and all that jazz meant it needed to fall by the wayside for a while. I'm determined to get back into more creative pursuits this year. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My other favorite thing about this time of year is the morning sky...

Swoon! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 521

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 officially fall y'all. In the northern hemisphere anyway. Any signs of it where you are? What's your favorite thing about this time of year? 

2. Have you visited any 'falls' in person? Tell us about one of your favorites? Of the following top ten famous falls (according to this site ) which would you most like to see in person-

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia), Igazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Niagara Falls (US/Canada), Angel Falls (Venezuela), Yosemite Falls (California), Dettifoss (Iceland) Kaieteur Falls (Guyana), Plitvice Waterfalls (Croatia), Gullfoss-Golden Falls (Iceland), or Sutherland Falls (New Zealand)

3. What's something you'll miss about summer? 

4. A favorite fall recipe?

5. Something you enjoy but lately have allowed it to 'fall by the wayside'? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hiking Through 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 blog, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go- 

1. If your life had a theme song for this past year what would it be? 

Goodness of God by Bethel Music...you can listen to it here. 

2. Chocolate cake, chocolate milkshake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate truffle, chocolate mousse, chocolate candy bar or a fudgy chocolate brownie...of the chocolate treats listed, which one is your favorite? Which one have you tasted most recently? Or maybe you don't like chocolate???

Oh my how do you choose? A well baked, slightly chewy, fudgy brownie is probably my favorite chocolate dessert. It's not too heavy and I could eat a brownie every day and not get tired of it. That being said, I do love a fabulous chocolate cake and hubs always gets me a fabulous chocolate cake (with a raspberry filling-gotta have the raspberry filling!) for my birthday, and this year was no exception (see random thought). 

3. What has surprised you recently? 

That it's somehow the middle of September. 

4. September 19th is National Voter Registration Day in the US. Are you registered to vote in whatever state or country you happen to live in right now? If not, why not? Not counting a political race, what's something you've had to vote on recently? 

I am registered to vote and yes, I do vote in every election I'm eligible to vote in. 

Besides a political race something I've voted on recently? Hmmm...my favorite chocolate treat lol? We voted on an HOA decision in our neighborhood a few weeks ago so that's probably it. Technically hubs voted but it's one vote per household so that counts. 

5. Do you like to hike? If so, when's the last time you went hiking and where'd ya go? If you're not a hiker are you a walker? Is walking (for exercise, etc.) part of your daily/weekly routine? 

I do like to hike and it's something hubs and I enjoy doing together. The little brown dog too of course. He never wants to be left behind when he hears there's a hike on the agenda. 

There are a lot of waterfalls an easy drive from us, and we're trying to see them all. Most recently we hiked to one 70 feet high in the middle of a thick forest.  It was gorgeous and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. I posted pics in my Monday entry linked here. 

I like walking as a form of exercise, but our neighborhood roads and trails are steep and my achilles hates that. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Like I said... 

How do you choose? 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 520

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

1. If your life had a theme song for this past year what would it be? 

2. Chocolate cake, chocolate milkshake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate truffle, chocolate mousse, chocolate candy bar or a fudgy chocolate brownie...of the chocolate treats listed, which one is your favorite? Which one have you tasted most recently? Or maybe you don't like chocolate???

3. What has surprised you recently? 

4. September 19th is National Voter Registration Day in the US. Are you registered to vote in whatever state or country you happen to live in right now? If not, why not? Not counting a political race, what's something you've had to vote on recently? 

5. Do you like to hike? If so, when's the last time you went hiking and where'd ya go? If you're not a hiker are you a walker? Is walking (for exercise, etc.) part of your daily/weekly routine? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It Might Be My Birthday

There are two kinds of people when it comes to birthdays. Those who try their best to keep theirs a secret, who don't want anyone to make a fuss of any kind, and who definitely do not want anyone to know their actual age. 

And then there are those who make sure everyone knows it's their birthday. 

I think you know which camp I land in, although it's possibly been a little over the top this year, even for me. For some reason my hubs has been hosting a weeklong Facebook celebration to mark the day, which has me feeling like I need to lay low for a while. Too much me on social media lol. 

Except here I am blogging so whatever. 

This year isn't a particularly 'big' birthday but he has posted a lot of pictures (a lot!!) anyway, and he's written words and it's been sweet and only a teensy bit embarrassing. Hubs can rally people around some fun y'all, which is why I've been wished happy birthday more times than I can count in the past seven days. 

I usually place some imaginary pressure on myself to write something profound when this day rolls around, but right now I'm not feeling it. Maybe this is the year I'll just quietly become a year older.  

Quietly being a relative term, ahem. 

I am going to do a bit of a phone dump because catching up here makes me happy, and hey, it's my birthday! 

In viewing hubs online photography extravaganza I realized I never posted any pics from the beginning of the month when my whole family was here. We were celebrating the life of my brother-in-law, and it felt so good to have everyone together. 

The two youngest grands had not met many of my extended family and it was so nice to be able to introduce them to everyone in person. The two oldest grands spent one whole entire complete day in the lake with my nephew, who happens to be a teenager with boundless energy. Even he had to admit the little ones have him beat. 

Solidarity nephew. I get it.

In other September happenings we went to a fun float party in a quiet cove one afternoon. Summer is still in full swing on the lake mid-September, and we take advantage of that as much as we can. 

I'm a cloud groupie and the sky showed off big early one Wednesday morning.  

Two Wednesday mornings actually. 

Really every morning.

Hubs and I have taken a couple of hikes this month and yes, the little brown dog came too. He is not one to miss a walk in the woods. 

One hike was to a nearby waterfall we hadn't seen before.

In the middle of a thick forest water rains down from 70 feet above, as it runs over huge slabs of rock and fallen trees.  

The hike is described as relatively easy, and in terms of elevation it was. 

It was also a narrow 'rooty' trail and you had to duck under downed limbs and clamber over rocks and across a 'balance beam' to find your footing on the small strip of sand. 

We ate  lunch perched on a big ol' rock as we soaked up the quiet of the forest and the beauty of creation. 

Shifting gears, or venues if you will, Saturday night we saw a Bee Gees cover band in a neighboring small town. Hitting those high notes like Barry Gibb ain't no small thing, but these guys did it, and we loved the show. 

I've been so spoiled this past week with cards and gifts, phone calls, chocolate cake, a fun little getaway too. I think for now I'll just share my usual profound thought about birthdays...

...it's so good to have them. 

Good Grief, It's 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 go say hi to your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Did you watch any coverage of the 9/11 services on Monday? How do you feel on this day some 22 years after the events occurred? Share more if you want to share more. 

We did watch coverage of the services and remembrance ceremonies. It still is just so incredibly sad and listening to the names read aloud and family members speak of their losses still makes me cry. When I think of the firefighters, police, and emergency responders especially I want to weep at their courage and their sacrifice. 

I think the day should be marked and am glad we don't just lower the flag and carry on. I think it's a disgrace the President wasn't at any of the sites on Monday, but he struggles so much these days to speak coherently perhaps its best he wasn't present. 

2. September 13th is National Peanut Day...do you like peanuts? Your favorite dish that contains peanuts? 

I do like peanuts. My favorite dish made with peanuts is a Thai chicken curry. 

3. Something you're currently 'nuts' about? 

Surprising no one here...grandbabies of course. 

4. Your favorite Peanuts character? There are several quizzes online if you're curious...I took two and got the same character for both so I'm sure they're accurate lol. (Click here for the link)

I got Charlie Brown and based on the quiz description it mostly fits...it says I'm an ambivert which I do think is true (both introverted and extroverted depending on my mood or the situation). 'Gentle, lovable, determined, and hopeful'...I'd like to think I'm all of those things. 'You mean well and care about your friends' -for sure! When it comes to failure you 'stay optimistic, press on, and cheer for your friends to keep on going.' Pretty accurate for a ridiculous online quiz. 

5. Tell us about a job you worked 'for peanuts'? 

Well I was a camp counselor for several summers and the actual pay was peanuts. The rewards though, were pure gold. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I went to a local small town apple festival over the weekend and yesterday I baked an apple pie. I followed a new recipe very carefully, even rechecking the instructions before putting it in the oven. Just as I was closing the door it I thought, 'hey I never put any sugar in the mix...was there sugar in the mix?'

Yes of course there was supposed to be sugar in the mix. I mean what's apple pie without sugar? So I went back and checked the ingredient list and there was indeed sugar mentioned, but adding it was nowhere in the recipe. I carefully peeled the top crust back, put most of the apples back in the bowl, added the sugar, and baked.  

Delish! Now bring on fall! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 519

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

1. Did you watch any coverage of the 9/11 services on Monday? How do you feel on this day some 22 years after the events occurred? Share more if you want to share more. 

2. September 13th is National Peanut Day...do you like peanuts? Your favorite dish that contains peanuts? 

3. Something you're currently 'nuts' about? 

4. Your favorite Peanuts character? There are several quizzes online if you're curious...I took two and got the same character for both so I'm sure it's accurate lol. (Click here for the link)

5. Tell us about a job you worked 'for peanuts'? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Birthday Wishes

It's birthday month in our house and today we're celebrating daughter2. Technically we celebrated her last weekend because we were all together. She shared a chocolate cake with her dad and uncle who've also marked a birthday in recent days-

My birthday is next week and I don't share-ha! I kid. 
Sort of. I'm a bit of a baby about my birthday. 

Wait!! This is about daughter2 and her birthday. I know her hubs will make the day extra special because this girl y'all, is an absolute star. She's funny and kind, smart and loyal, beautiful inside and out. A wonderful mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and friend, and I could not love her more. Truly. 

Daughter2 and her hubs will add a baby daughter to their family in just a few months time, and I pray this little girl brings to her momma's life all the joy her momma has brought to mine. 

Happy birthday daughter2! I'm not with you to add candles to a cake today, but here are 33 wishes from me to you for this coming year ...    

a healthy pregnancy and delivery
a little girl who's just like you
a light heart
a sense of optimism
peace
growth
deepening friendships
an awareness of God's amazing grace over your life
contentment 
humor

the courage of your convictions
new recipes
good books 
countless moments of laughter and joy with your precious children
sister time
momma time
porch sittin' time 
wisdom 
gentleness
good health
cake
music
beautiful vistas
more words written
small wonders observed
patience 
tender sibling bonding between your two littles
surprises of only the very best kind
a fun trip somewhere new
date nights
answered prayers
hours and hours spent unplugged 
and...
more love than your great big heart can hold 

xo
Momma 

A Bookish 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. Here we go- 

1. It's National Read A Book Day...whatcha' reading? What's a book you want to read? 

I just started The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry, which is our book club selection for next month. I've always got more than one book going though, so I'm also reading The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell and Where Do We Go From Here by David Jeremiah. Hubs and I are listening to Follow Me To Hell: McNally's Texas Rangers whenever we're in the car, and I'm also listening to You Are Not Your Own by Alan Noble.  

What's a book I want to read? Obviously too many to name, but you can look for me on Goodreads if you want to see my list. 

2. Which is better...having high expectations or low expectations? Explain why. 

Hmmm...is this a trick question? It feels like a trick question. If you keep your expectations low you're probably not going to be disappointed. You're also going to miss out on the excitement and satisfaction that comes when your high expectations are set and met. As a parent and a teacher I set high expectations and found in general children/people rise to the level you set. Sure they disappoint you sometimes, but more often than not they meet or exceed my expectations and there is a great deal of joy to be found there. 

3. Serenity is________________________. 

A sense of calm, the ability to breathe-sleep-move through the day with a sense of untroubled purpose. 

4. What's  the most interesting thing in your purse or pocket right now? 

I found a duplo block in my bathrobe pocket this morning. Is that interesting?  

5. What helps you calm down? 

A nap, a pretty view, prayer, turning off the news/social media, walking away, and a cup of tea to name just a few. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Guess who's getting a baby SISTER!?

Grandbaby number 5 is joining the party in the first part of 2024. We've known for a while now, but daughter2 has only recently shared with folks outside her own family. We're all so excited!! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 518

The Hodgepodge is back and here are this week's questions. 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. It's National Read A Book Day...whatcha' reading? What's a book you want to read? 

2. Which is better...having high expectations or low expectations? Explain why. 

3. Serenity is________________________. 

4. What's  the most interesting thing in your purse or pocket right now? 

5. What helps you calm down? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Some Things On A Monday

Hello. Just a few bits of this and that on a Monday morning  afternoon. 

First things first...there won't be a Hodgepodge this week. I apologize for the late notice but it can't be helped. The Hodgepodge will be back next week (September!! 6th). 

We never know what a day will bring but I take comfort in knowing the One who does. 

My brother-in-law passed away, somewhat unexpectedly this past week and my whole family will be coming to town in a few days. My mom, siblings, my own girls ,and my grands will all make their way here to celebrate his life, share funny stories, and support my sister and niece especially. None of my family (except my sister who lives nearby) have met the two newest littles, and I know their sweet faces will bring a bit of cheer in the midst of all the sadness. 

Hubs and I were supposed to be traveling this week so we spent the weekend cancelling hotel, rental car, the kennel and, always a delight, the flights. It only took two days, three phone calls, and four agents to make it happen, but everyone was very nice and eventually we did manage to get those flights cancelled. 

Yesterday we were sitting on the dock waiting on a crazy, sudden, and might I add unpredicted storm to pass, when an enormous gust of wind swept through. Hubs stood up to grab something that was blowing away and when he did his chair literally blew off the dock and into the boat lift. The storm came out of nowhere and it was a doozy. In my efforts to be helpful I jumped up to grab hubs chair and my own chair tipped over. Unfortunately my phone was sitting on the arm of said chair and it was only after a few minutes we realized it had gone into the drink. 

The lake, but the weather was ka-razy so drink sounds more like the right word. 

We could have a diver come and try for retrieval, but this is not my first rodeo in terms of a phone taking the plunge, ahem, so we opted to just get new. 

And that's how I spent my Monday morning. 

What about you? 

Something's Fishy In The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the weekly 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. What's your earliest memory?

I don't know if it's my earliest, but it's definitely early. I must have been about five years old because I know which house we were living in when this happened.  I have a very clear memory of company in the house and we kids were upstairs in the bedroom I shared with my sister. We were playing records on our record player if that gives you an idea of the decade, and I had a lifesaver in my mouth. 

I accidentally snapped one of our records in half (it was Peter Pan) and was so distraught I inhaled the lifesaver which momentarily stuck in my throat. I quickly ran and hid in the closet which is where my parents found me a few minutes later. Still breathing lol. 

2. What's something about you today that the old you would find surprising? 

My hair color? 

3. Do you like to fish? Are you a fish eater? Favorite fish (to eat)? Favorite way to prepare fish? 

I do like to fish and I'm also a fish eater. My favorite is probably halibut but I cook salmon almost every week so that's a close second. My favorite way is blackened. Hubs normally grills our salmon on a cedar plank and that's yummy too. 

4. What's your biggest first world problem? 

Recently it would be the broken ice maker in my kitchen freezer. It took about three weeks and three visits from the repairman to finally get it fixed.  It was so annoying, and very very first world. 

5. What one word would you use to describe your year thus far? 

Patchwork

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Spent the weekend with sweet baby J and we had lunch on Monday at Nic and Normans in the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Nic and Normans is owned in part by Norman Reedus from the show The Walking Dead and Greg Nicotera a special effects makeup artist, produceer, and director on that same show. 

 Last time I was at the Choo Choo was for a sorority formal in 1980. 

None of these people were with me lol. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 517

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 internets. See you there! 

1. What's your earliest memory?

2. What's something about you today that the old you would find surprising? 

3. Do you like to fish? Are you a fish eater? Favorite fish (to eat)? Favorite way to prepare fish? 

4. What's your biggest first world problem? 

5. What one word would you use to describe your year thus far? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Fearless 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. Here we go-

1. What motivates you to work hard?

Sometimes it's houseguests ha! I mean company coming kicks us in to gear in terms of having the house in order. For the record, my house is almost always in order, but company motivates me to dig a little deeper. 

In terms of projects I love a deadline and find having a list of tasks needed to meet that deadline motivating. 

Sometimes love motivates me to work hard. I want to accomplish something for another person and the idea of adding a bright spot or a bit of kindness to someone's day is motivating in its own way. 

2. It's been said "Ignorance is bliss"...is it? 

Well now that depends what we're talking about. I don't think we can stick our head in the sand about what's going on in the world today, but I won't be consumed by it either. If there's some element of a problem or situation I can control then ignorance is definitely not bliss.

In thinking a little more about this question I'm going to say that most of the time ignorance isn't bliss. Ignorance quite often turns what would have been a small manageable problem into a larger issue. 

3.Would you rather be stuck on a broken elevator or a broken ski lift? Explain. Have you ever actually been stuck on either? Of the common fears listed here what's your #1-

heights-enclosed spaces-snakes-public speaking-the dark-flying

I think a ski lift, as long as we're talking chair lift. If we're talking gondola then I'll take the elevator please. Thankfully I've never been stuck in either, but my hubs was stuck in an elevator several years ago. He was in a hotel in New Jersey and the lift stuck between the 6th and 7th floors for several hours. The fire department had to extract him lol. 

Actually it wasn't funny, but all's well that ends well. Also he was alone and was happy about that. 

Of the common fears listed enclosed spaces are my #1. 

Which is why I'd prefer the ski lift. 

4. What's something you like about the town or city where you live? 

I live in a small town and I guess the smallness is something I enjoy. I do love a city, but I love them the way I remember them, not so much the way they are now.  People in my small town are friendly, there's not a lot of traffic, and there's a lake in my backyard. Can't beat the view-

Tuesday morning sunrise

5. Life is too short to waste time on things that don't matter. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I made a chocolate-raspberry ice cream cake for dessert last weekend and it was so good. I used this recipe (foodandwine.com) and will definitely make it again. I did crush the raspberries when layering because biting into a whole frozen raspberry might ruin someone's night. And I forgot to take a picture but trust me, it's a keeper. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 516

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

1. What motivates you to work hard?

2. It's been said "Ignorance is bliss"...is it? 

3.Would you rather be stuck on a broken elevator or a broken ski lift? Explain. Have you ever actually been stuck on either? Of the common fears listed here what's your #1-

heights-enclosed spaces-snakes-public speaking-the dark-flying

4. What's something you like about the town or city where you live? 

5. Life is too short to_________________________________. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

August Snaps

It's been all Hodgepodge and only Hodgepodge here for the past three weeks, so let's shift course and talk life lately. 

Or life for the past three weeks anyway. 

For starters we've been home. Can we just pause and give that sentence it's due, because it's a rare and welcome thing to have a block of time at home, especially late summer. 

We spent a relaxed Friday night one week floating with friends, sharing pizza on their dock, catching up on all their comings and goings, and savoring the sunset. 

One Saturday morning we took the little brown dog to a nearby waterfall, which meant a hike through the woods and lots of splashing in the stream. 

It was a beautiful day and we went early so had the falls practically to ourselves. 

Even though the falls are a mile and a half into the woods I think he smells them as soon as we get out of the car. 

He would run the whole way if we'd allow it, but there are rocks and narrow paths and we're not as nimble as a dog on the hunt lol. 

Hubs and I have taken the boat for a couple of sunset cruises on our own too, which is one of the best parts of lake life. 

This past weekend college friends came to town and that's always a favorite. One couple arrived Thursday evening and we went to a local wine bar for mussels and bubbly...

We came home and boated into the sunset (yes again!) because boating into the sun lowers your blood pressure like very few things can. 

Another couple arrived Friday around lunchtime and we floated the afternoon away before dinner was grilled and games were played. We laughed a lot and it felt so good to be with people who knew us when we were just becoming us. There are stories y'all. 

Saturday we boated to a nearby beach, had a delicious dinner in town at a local restaurant, then talked and laughed and listened to music and of course played more games. It was just a really fun, low-key weekend and we all enjoyed being together. 

And of course there's the other side of life always happening too... an extended family member in the hospital, a nagging sinus infection, a garage door repair, two dock lights that were taken out by lightning and in need of replacement, some little boat thingamajig that needs attention (at least we hope it's little!) and the on-going saga of the ice machine in my freezer that's not making ice and will get a second look by the repairman on Wednesday. Third look actually. 

Such is life and its the reason we need sunsets...a beautiful reminder at the end of the day that God has His hand on it all. 

A Cat-chy 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. Here we go-

1. August 8th is National Cat Day. Do you own a cat? Are you a 'cat person'? Your favorite 'famous' cat?

We're dog people here. I'm allergic to cats so have never owned one as a pet. Certain breeds seem to bother me more than others. When we visit family with cats they always clean thoroughly ahead of time, and keep their cats out of sight. 

My favorite cat?  Sylvester. My hubs does a great imitation too. 

2. Cat nap-copycat-scaredy cat-curiosity killed the cat-cat got your tongue-like herding cats...which cat phrase applies to your life in some way currently? Explain. 

Well I'm all about a cat nap so let's go with that one. 

3. What's your favorite or most- often-made one pot meal? 

I made a sheet pan dinner last night which is what inspired this question. My favorite one pot meal is homemade soup or chili. Those two dishes are also my most often made, and one of the things I love best about the changing seasons. It's almost soup time! 

4. What do you wish you'd placed in a time capsule fifteen years ago? 

My passport. It was chock-a block full of stamps and visas from so many fabulous travel destinations, not to mention the countless entries/exits to and from the UK recorded there. I loved getting my passport stamped and wish that was still a thing. The last foreign travel I did was South Korea in 2019, and they didn't stamp. Most destinations now create a digital record of your entry which isn't nearly as much fun. 

5. Your favorite hour of the day? Tell us why. 

The first one. As I've said here no less than a hundred times I am a big fan of the sunrise. I love early morning silence and the promise and possibility a new day brings. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Whatcha reading? My book club met yesterday and discussed the novel Honor by Thrity Umrigar. The subject matter is heavy, but everyone gave it a favorable review. Last month we read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, which I loved. The central characters are video game designers which sounds like the last thing I'd want to read about, but the writing and character development were superb. 

Other titles I've read recently and enjoyed include Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt, Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro, and Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Issacson (strap in because its heavy on detail and is not short...it is fascinating though). 

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 515

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. August 8th is National Cat Day. Do you own a cat? Are you a 'cat person'? Your favorite 'famous' cat?

2. Cat nap-copycat-scaredy cat-curiosity killed the cat-cat got your tongue-like herding cats...which cat phrase applies to your life in some way currently? Explain. 

3. What's your favorite or most- often-made one pot meal? 

4. What do you wish you'd placed in a time capsule fifteen years ago? 

5. Your favorite hour of the day? Tell us why. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Hodgepodge Homemade

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you because comments make the blog world go round. Here we go-

1. Hello August. What's one thing you're looking forward to this month? 

A weekend on the lake with friends, a few days with sweet baby J and his parents, and a concert in The Garden State. 

2. What are you doing to beat the heat right now? If you live in the southern hemisphere are you enjoying cooler temps or counting the days until summer? 

There's a lake in my backyard which helps a lot, but honestly it's been so humid this past week I've been more about the indoor a.c. 

3. How do you see the world? 

Currently, and I suppose always, something like a beautiful mess. It's God's masterpiece and we humans have mucked it up in so many ways. While my rose colored glasses become a bit more smudged with every passing news cycle I know God remains sovereign over all. 

I choose to focus on the natural beauty in the created world, kindnesses extended, simple pleasures, and the gift of new mercies every single morning. When things feel bleak I remind myself this earth is not my home. 

4. What food product do you think is better store bought than home made? How about something you refuse to buy because it is so much better homemade? 

Store bought? Mayonnaise. We live in the land of Duke's and if you've never had Duke's Mayonnaise you've been missing out. Homemade doesn't compare. 

Better homemade? Many things including most baked goods, but for some reason what popped into my head first was potato salad. It's not something we have often, but I made a big bowl for little guy's first birthday back in June and remembered why I never buy the deli kind. Homemade is the only way to go. 

For the record I am also not a big fan of jarred marinara and always make my own. Almost always. I will occasionally use a jar of Rao's in a recipe if I'm strapped for time, but I enjoy the process of slow cooking my own tomato sauce. 

5. Are you easy to get along with? 

Well I guess that depends who you ask lol. Still going to say yes, I'm easy to get along with. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of homemade...my daughter's mother-in-law recently brought me some of their garden grown eggplant. Fresh from the garden eggplant means it's time to make my once-a-summer treat of eggplant parmesan. 

I like to use Alex Guarnachelli's recipe (here) which, not gonna lie, is pretty labor intensive. It took me a good half a day to make, but was molto deliziozo!! 

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