Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Reelin' In The Hodgepodge Years

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-

From this Side of the Pond
1. Do you know much about (or understand) Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Does it worry or excite you? 

I don't know a lot, but I've read about some of the many ethical concerns raised by those who are in the know. I think it's an area where science and technology are once again moving faster than our grasp of what it all means in terms of morality. 

Supposedly AI will reduce human error, and in some fields that could be a good thing. There are definitely red flags in a lot of areas too though, so I think I lean more to the side of caution as opposed to excitement. In general I don't get too excited about anything tech.  AI is probably one of those things I'll be forced to understand when it's thrust upon us. 

2. What was the last song you listened to? Your favorite movie soundtrack? What song always puts you in a good mood?  

Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns was playing on the radio when I got out of the car a few minutes ago. 

As far as movies soundtracks go it would be hard to choose a favorite. A few favorites would be The Big Chill, Saturday Night Fever, A Star is Born and Almost Famous. 

A song that always puts me in a good mood? Dancing Queen by Abba. Don't judge. 

3. What were you doing ten years ago? 

May 30, 2013

This is when a blog is helpful. I scrolled back through my end of May/early June posts from that year, and it seems life was rather ordinary. I wrote about my blooming Viburnam hedge, celebrating my nephew's 7th birthday, a teacher daughter home for a visit, hubs traveling hither and yon, enjoying the outdoor fire pit, dinner with friends, and taking a spin in the little red car. 

Hubs and I were living in North Jersey, Daughter1 was in D.C., Daughter2 in South Carolina, and both girls were single and working. Hubs was working too, and Daughter2 finished her Master's degree that summer. Life was good and for the record none of us live in those same places ten years later. 

An awful lot of change happens in a decade, doesn't it? 

4. Your favorite no-bake summer dessert?

Blueberry pie. I do cook the filling on the stove, but the pie isn't baked. 

5. Something you're looking forward to in June? 

Sweet Baby J turns one in June, and I'm looking forward to celebrating this boy who has brought so much sunshine into my life this year. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

You never know what's going to pop up when you peel back the years. This picture was on my blog May 6, 2013. She never did catch one of the chipmunks or groundhogs who lived in our rock wall, but she sure loved to try. Sweetest dog ever. 

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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 506

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with your friends and neighbors. See you there-

1. Do you know much about (or understand) Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Does it worry or excite you? 

2. What was the last song you listened to? Your favorite movie soundtrack? What song always puts you in a good mood?  

3. What were you doing ten years ago? 

4. Your favorite no-bake summer dessert?

5. Something you're looking forward to in June? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday, May 29, 2023

Roads Traveled

The last time I blogged something more than the Wednesday Hodgepodge was more than two weeks ago. As per usual we've done a lot of coming and going since then so let's catch up. This might be two posts or I might just jam it all in to one, so you'll want to grab your coffee. 

Rolling it back two Fridays ago which is when we made the trek to daughter1's house to spend a few days with her crew. Yes, three children constitutes a crew. The drive there should take six and a half hours but we have never made it in six and a half hours. This time it was nine. Ugh. 

Fifteen miles from their exit a tractor trailer caught fire and the authorities shut down the interstate. We sat for over an hour with our gas tank on the verge of empty before we were able to exit. We got gas then wound our way around what turned out to be some of the most beautiful Tennessee countryside we would have otherwise missed.  

Even life's little aggravations and irritations can have a silver lining. 

We wish we'd known about this route on previous trips because it was just that pretty, and this was likely our last visit to their current home. The movers come soon and then it's onward to another new home, new adventure, and lots of Graters ice cream and Skyline chili if that helps you figure out their new 'where'.  

The mileage from here to there will be about the same, and we're always grateful when we can visit by car. 

One bright spot en route to visit Daughter1 was a happy quick meet up with daughter2 and sweet baby J in a shopping center parking lot. Because of road construction on our usual route (always!!), the GPS directed us another way to Tennessee, which meant we'd be passing very near daughter2's exit. She happened to be on her way home from a friend's so we made it happen. 

His smiley face makes a long road trip feel less long. 

Hubs and I had a grand time with the grands doing all sorts of fun things. They have a huge pond in their neighborhood with a walking path all the way around and we are going to miss that for sure. It's been a wonderful spot to safely learn to ride a bicycle without training wheels, power a scooter, and identify ducks of every shape, size, and variety. 

Little miss has grown and changed so much since we saw her back in March and she gives the best smiles, rolls herself literally all over the house, and looks so much like her momma it makes my heart sing. 

You can relax. This will definitely be two posts. 

Saturday night daughter1 had gotten us all tickets to the local rodeo. You can walk to the venue from their house and it was set to begin at 7:30 PM. We arrived at 6:30 only to find the event had been waaaay oversold. There were almost no seats to be had, with long lines of people still pouring in after us. 

Daughter1 was wearing the baby and I had Max by the hand when a very nice lady offered to scooch over, move her kids to the floor in front of her, and let us have a couple of seats. The dads took the mancub and climbed to the top of the bleachers to squeeze in there. People were standing around the ring because there really wasn't anywhere else to stand so we honestly couldn't see a thing from our location. 

It was at this point daughter1 and I looked at each other and said, 'let's go home'. We gave Max to the dads and the boys were able to enjoy the show. I was going to write a review on the host's website but I guess now I can just direct them to this post lol. 

Did you come here to read about traffic jams and events that don't live up to their billing? Let's talk happier things...the great outdoors-

We went to a nearby playground that also has some walking trails throughout, meandered through the woods, along a stream, and then had quite a moment when the mancub alerted us all to a SNAKE!! right beside our feet. Fortunately for all we had the snake whisperer (aka the hubs) with us and all was well.

We walked another day along a trail that's been set up along an old community golf course. It's now a storybook trail and the boys had fun riding their bikes from 'page to page'.  I read online this was an Eagle Scout project so kudos to the creator. 

The setting was lovely with farmland all around, and we talked about how nice it would be to own land that had at one time been a golf course. A little bit manicured, a little bit wild, plenty of room for a house and garden, and a cottage for your parents to live in their old age someday too-ha! 

We have so enjoyed visiting all the places my daughter1 and her family have lived. I think about the staggering beauty of Washington state, the faraway Land of Morning Calm, and the wide open farmland of the Tennessee military town they've most recently called home. 

Moving stirs up all kinds of emotion and I feel the feels with her because I've been there myself. 

The sad goodbyes and the hopeful hellos. 

Pointing your eyes and your family in a forward direction.

Quietly tucking precious friends in your pocket and opening your heart to new people, new places, new experiences.  

To my girl and movers everywhere...

Unpack the boxes, hang the pictures, plant the flowers. Call the new place home. For a year or two or ten or forever. 

"You can have more than one home. You can carry your roots with you and decide 
where they grow." Henning Mankell 

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Oh Brother 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 how the Hodgepodge rolls. Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond
1. May 24th is National Brother's Day. Do you have a brother? Older or younger? Did you raise brothers? Tell us something about your brother or tell us something about your own children who are brothers.

I do have a brother, just one and he's five years older than me. He grew up as the only boy in a family of sisters and is the nicest person we all know. Everyone loves my brother. He's kind, funny, smart, and young-at-heart. He's spent his life teaching, coaching, and mentoring high school students, particularly runners, and was recently inducted into the South Jersey Track and Field Hall of Fame. He is also extremely humble and would not mention this huge honor if asked to describe himself. 

I did not birth any brothers, but Daughter1 is raising two of the sweetest boys I know. Their relationship is so special and they are best buds. 

2. A great book you've read or movie you enjoy that features brothers? 

Book-The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles-the two central figures in the book are brothers, and while the character list is long, it's the brother's story and relationship I loved best. 

Film-Seven Brides for Seven Brothers-completely crazy story line but it's still a favorite in our house. The picnic scene with the dancers on the log is amazing. 

3. Something you think is overrated? Something you think is underrated?

Overrated? Popularity

Underrated? Living a quiet life 

4. How much does your past shape you? What parts have shaped you the most? 

I think our past definitely shapes us, but if your past was difficult or troubled (mine was not) I don't think it has to define you going forward. 

The parts of my past that have shaped me the most? Growing up with siblings both older and younger,  parents who loved me and lived out their faith, who gave me a sense of self and security, and then other caring adult influences including youth leaders, church members, camp counselors, and wonderful neighbors. 

5. What's your favorite simple pleasure? 

My morning coffee. The house is quiet, the day is new, the possibilities endless. Sometimes when I lay down to go to sleep at night I will tell hubs how much I'm looking forward to that first cup of coffee. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I have been out of town since last Friday, visiting Daughter1 and her crew in Tennessee. My mother-in-law lives half way between here and there so we picked her up on our way home today, for a few days at the lake. 

Life is the best kind of whirlwind here. 

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Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 505

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

1. May 24th is National Brother's Day. Do you have a brother? Older or younger? Did you raise brothers? Tell us something about your brother or tell us something about your own children who are brothers.

2. A great book you've read or movie you enjoy that features brothers? 

3. Something you think is overrated? Something you think is underrated? 

4. How much does your past shape you? What parts have shaped you the most? 

5. What's your favorite simple pleasure? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

No Surprise 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. Here we go-



From this Side of the Pond

 1. What surprises you the most about people?

A tough question. I'm not sure it's the most surprising thing, but the inability to think for oneself would definitely make my list. Herd mentality rules in 2023. And in that same vein, I'm surprised there isn't more collective outrage over men invading women's spaces, most especially sports. More outrage over what young children are being exposed to in so very many ways. Truly. I'm surprised. I cannot believe some of whats up for discussion lately. 

Remember when we collectively tried to protect the innocence of children? When we fought for safe and private spaces for women? God help us. 

2. Would you rather have a chauffeur, nanny, gardener, maid, personal shopper or cook? Tell us why that one? 

A maid for sure. 

We enjoy driving and I like to cook, so no to the chauffeur and cook. We currently have someone who mows and handles the weed and feed, and since we live on a (mostly) wooded lot with lots of tall trees and not a lot of flower beds there's not a huge need for a gardener, although that might be my second choice. 

My wardrobe these days is pretty simple, and I don't do a lot of shopping. Nor do I have young children at home so no need for a nanny. 

What I do have is dust. And a lot of company coming and going. I could keep a maid busy. 

3. May 18th is National Notebook Day. No idea what that means but let's run with it anyway. What's something you currently keep in a notebook? Have you seen the movie The Notebook? On a scale of 1-5 how does it rate? (5=a favorite, can watch and re-watch and re-watch again) 

I love a pretty notebook and I also like to organize using notebooks. We have two big binders for the house, a binder for retirement financials, I keep a prayer journal in a notebook, record books I've read for book club in a notebook...there's probably more. 

I have seen The Notebook. It's not my favorite but I didn't dislike the movie. I'll give it a 3. I love  Charleston which is where most of the movie was filmed. 

4. Do you like mushrooms? Last dish you made or ate that had mushrooms on the ingredient list? Your favorite dish that calls for mushrooms? 

I love mushrooms and always request them on my pizza. I made a mushroom lo mein last week and it was yummy! My favorite dish with mushrooms is either beef stroganoff or chicken marsala. And pizza of course. 

5. What would you say is the most annoying thing people do in public? 

Hmmm...it's hard to choose just one lol. I find it really annoying to be walking behind someone who suddenly stops to talk on the phone, to the point you nearly (or actually do!) collide. People making and taking calls (loudly) in a crowded public space is another thing that bugs. Both of these pet peeves typically happen in airports/planes. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I started our spring cleaning on Tuesday morning. I washed my kitchen cabinets, backsplash, baseboards, and canisters, while he did most of the windows on the main floor. There's nothing more satisfying in the housekeeping department than a freshly washed window. 

Except maybe having a husband who does the job. 


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Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 504

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. What surprises you the most about people? 

2. Would you rather have a chauffeur, nanny, gardener, maid, personal shopper or cook? Tell us why that one? 

3. May 18th is National Notebook Day. No idea what that means but let's run with it anyway. What's something you currently keep in a notebook? Have you seen the movie The Notebook? On a scale of 1-5 how does it rate? (5=a favorite, can watch and re-watch and re-watch again) 

4. Do you like mushrooms? Last dish you made or ate that had mushrooms on the ingredient list? Your favorite dish that calls for mushrooms? 

5. What would you say is the most annoying thing people do in public? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday, May 15, 2023

Mother's Day Weekend Recap

Hello. 

Monday morning blogging always happens around here on Monday afternoon. Sometimes Monday evening. Sometimes Tuesday. 

We had a lovely at home weekend which was much needed and a rare occurrence. I had a power nap on the porch Saturday and Sunday both, which might have been the highlight. 

Friday night some new friends came for dinner. A few Sundays ago our pastor encouraged everyone to meet someone new, invite them for coffee or lunch after church or whatever, and so we did. We invited a couple we knew only very casually to come for dinner, and y'all we had the best time talking and  discovering the very many things we have in common, including both of us living in the UK for a while. 

Living life in person is how it's meant to be. 

Saturday morning hubs attended our neighborhood HOA meeting. We were electing new officers and they needed people to show up to be counted. One vote per household though, so hubs voted and I stayed home, called my momma, and washed my hair. 

Happy Mother's Day to me lol. 

It was a pretty day so we took the little red car for a spin, had lunch on the porch at a local lunch spot, and toasted the start of summer with a hand crafted Orange Crush at the lakeside cabana. 

It was for sure a convertible kind of day so after lunch we meandered around some neighborhoods looking at new construction with the radio blaring and the top down. 

Then that nap happened. On the porch with a soft breeze blowing. Perfection. 

I cooked a Home Chef meal on Saturday night then we watched some of our current binge-Succession. Who's watching this? Do you like anyone on the show? Every evening we try to decide if there is a single character we actually like and we pretty much agree no there is not, yet we keep watching. Still in season one and I think there are three but the jury's out on whether we'll make it all the way through. 

Neither of my girls were in the house on Mother's Day, but we have all been coming and going and everyone needed to just stay put. We will see both girls and all the grands in the next few weeks, and as long as I have that next visit on the calendar I'm good. 

My daughters both sent sweet gifts, and also cards where they write messages that make me feel all the feels. My two oldest grands colored a card for me which is one of my favorite things. We went to church Sunday morning, had an afternoon nap I've already mentioned at least three times now, and then hubs grilled scallops on the Big Green Egg for dinner. 

I made a lemon butter orzo and steamed spinach as the sides, and everything was easy and so delicious. 

And now it's Monday. Afternoon. Evening. Whatever. 

We had plans to get up and go to Costco first thing this morning but when we got in the car hubs noticed the tire light on and upon investigation discovered a nail. Bother. Off we went to the tire place which is not in the direction of Costco but we had no choice. We have two houses under construction on our street and I think this was hubs third trip to the tire center as a result. Everyone seemed to know him when we walked in and they're all so nice, and were quick too. 

Now to Costco. 

Wait, before we went to Costco we had to drop a return package at UPS. I ordered lightbulbs for a bathroom fixture and they were the wrong size, even though hubs and I both checked and rechecked to see if we were getting the correct shape, wattage, and style. Ughhhh! 

Does anyone else find buying lightbulbs now just the teensiest bit stressful? I'll have to worry about replacements another day because we still needed to get to Costco. 

Which is not close.

We have to drive into the small big city to shop at a Costco, so only go about once a month. We spend a ridiculous amount of money in our efforts to save money, then treat ourselves to lunch (not at Costco) before making the trek home. 

Once home you still have to deal with all the purchases. The meat has to be broken down into smaller packaging, and I have to rearrange my too full freezers to make room for it all, and the whole thing makes me think I might need another nap. 

Instead I blog. 

Hey, did you know Costco sells jelly bellies in a jumbo sized container? 

I thought my season of jelly bean overindulging ended with Easter, but discovered today it in fact did not. Whoohoo! Happy Monday everyone~

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Hodgepodge Is King

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-

From this Side of the Pond

1. Did you watch the coronation of King Charles III? Share some of your thoughts about that, or about the royal family in general. 

We were out of town, but did manage to watch most of the coronation thanks to the time difference between here and the UK. I enjoy following many of the Royals on Instagram, and also some royal watchers including-What Kate Wore and royalteawithjam which are two of my faves. 

Nobody does pomp and ceremony like the British and I enjoyed the pageantry, the solemnity of the ceremony, the fashion, and seeing the various family members supporting the King. While Harry and Meghan were a huge distraction leading up to the day, I'm glad very little attention was actually paid to Harry on the day itself. 

I think the monarchy is in a tricky position in this day and age, but I do think Charles, and then William and Catherine behind him, are trying to modernize the roles. There is a lot of criticism aimed at the monarchy, but I don't think you can discount the tourist dollars and attention the royals bring to their country. Personally I love watching them work. And I'm a teensy bit obsessed with Catherine's hair, wardrobe, and her natural elegance. 

2. What are you the uncrowned queen of? 

The Hodgepodge of course. 

3. In a box of chocolates which one do you usually go for? 

I like a lemon-orange-or raspberry cream and will go for that if there's one in the box. I also like the chocolate crinkles, anything with nuts, and also the caramels. I don't care for anything with a maple flavoring. 

4. Something learned at your mother's knee? 

So many things...a love of books, cooking, and Jesus are three that spring immediately to mind. 

5. 'Like mother, like daughter'...in what way is this saying true for you? 

I wrote a whole post about this a few years ago, which you can read here-One Of These Things Is A Lot Like The Other. Besides a love of family, great books, cooking, and Jesus you could also say we share a similar streak of stubborn lol. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My bookclub read a really interesting book this month-The Daughters of Yalta: The Roosevelts, Churchills and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War by Catherine Grace Katz. If you like history, biography, and a WW2 setting, you might enjoy this one too. 

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Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 503

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there!

1. Did you watch the coronation of King Charles III? Share some of your thoughts about that, or about the royal family in general. 

2. What are you the uncrowned queen of? 

3. In a box of chocolates which one do you usually go for? 

4. Something learned at your mother's knee? 

5. 'Like mother, like daughter'...in what way is this saying true for you? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday, May 8, 2023

Out Where The Water Is Wide

Hubs and I will celebrate an anniversary in June, and last year were given the absolute best gift, a new grandson, who arrived on the day. What that means if you're me is you need to go ahead and celebrate your wedding day a little early, because your anniversary going forward will now be all about that little man. 

We're okay with that. More than okay in fact but still, another year married should most definitely be marked. Every year is a milestone and its good to step back from all the distractions of life and take stock. Remember what you loved about this person who is somehow older yet still the boy you married. 

Honestly we were totally swayed by internet advertising in our choice of destination. When an ad popped up on hubs news feed for a Bed and Breakfast in the coastal town of Beaufort he said let's go and I said okay. We pulled out our calendars, found a window we could make work, and this past weekend off we went.


It was wonderful. Beaufort is so pretty, so seductive, we were ready to buy a house and move in. 


Let's back up to Friday which is when we left lake town and made our first stop -Savannah (Georgia). 

It happened to be Cinco de Mayo so upon arrival we went in search of a margarita. We ended up at the Savannah Tequila Company and had chips and guacamole for a non-lunch lunch. 


Afterwards we walked the riverfront, browsed shops, and meandered through the amazing collection of artifacts in the JW Marriott lobby. Worth seeing if you're in Savannah.  

We had a light dinner that evening in The Ordinary Pub, then hung out in a little place called The Rail listening to live music. It was a lot of fun. 

Saturday morning we drove just under an hour to Beaufort (South Carolina). We'd booked a mid-morning carriage tour because Beaufort is known for both her history and her fabulous homes, and the carriage tours give you a bit of both. 

The houses y'all. Seriously gorgeous!! There is water beside you and Spanish moss hanging above you and great big verandas calling your name. 

We had lunch at Plums, a small restaurant with a water view, where we shared some peel and eat shrimp and, at the recommendation of the couple dining beside us, a bowl of their gouda mac and cheese. Yum! 

After lunch we checked into our B & B-The Rhett House Inn, which lived up to it's internet advertised billing. The Inn is a 200 year old 'in town' plantation house that oozes charm and Southern hospitality. People assume the Inn's name comes from the character in Gone With The Wind, but Margaret Mitchell actually named the character after the Rhetts of Beaufort and Charleston. Thomas Smith Rhett and his wife Caroline Barnwell raised their children and lived in the house until the Civil War. 

There was champagne, flowers, and a box of chocolates in our room, our own little porch for sitting (or napping as the case may be) with an overall relaxed vibe that is very much Beaufort. 

Beaufort was Pat Conroy's town and I see why he was inspired to write here. 

After lunch we drove to nearby Parris Island because once upon a time I lived there. We actually lived in Laurel Bay, a military housing complex that sits beside the town of Beaufort. This is where new Marine recruits pass through, but my dad had been a Marine for a number of years when we moved here. My mom says out of all the many places our family lived with the Marine Corps, this was one of her favorites.  

Hubs and I went through all the ID checks and car scans needed to enter the base at Parris Island, then visited the Marine Corps Museum which is interesting and very well done. There's a short film that gives you a glimpse into what new recruits experience, and I'll go ahead and say it-Marines are tough!   

We had hoped to drive by the house I lived in some five+ decades ago, but times change, and the world gets crazier by the day, so now there's a gate and guards and you cannot just drive in and wander the neighborhood and say hey, remember when. I get it. And I'm grateful for our soldiers all around the world keeping us safe. 

Hubs and I had dinner in town Saturday night at The Saltus River Grill, which is a short easy walk from the Rhett House Inn. I recommend this one if you're in Beaufort...wonderful service and a delicious meal. 

Our B & B  at night-

Beaufort has been the setting for many a well known film including The Prince of Tides, Forrest Gump, and The Big Chill, so after Sunday morning breakfast on the huge front porch we went for a walk to see what we could see. Here's the Big Chill house-

It's gorgeous and their view is none too shabby either. 

There are beautiful homes all around the Old Point neighborhood, and the Spanish moss makes everything feel extra dreamy. 

We had some great porch time in the afternoon, then drove a couple of miles up the road to Port Royal for dinner. A friend recommended Fishcamp, and since we arrived early we sat beside the water and enjoyed the view from The Shellring Ale House right next door. 

Such a beautiful day! 

We keep full calendars and live busy lives. We are on the go a lot, we have company a lot, we volunteer, have hobbies and a home and grandchildren and all sorts of things that constantly pull at our time and attention.

It was so special to have a few days away to catch our breath and relax. To hold hands, laugh, take long walks, eat fresh seafood, and say cheers to choosing love 39 years ago and all the days since. 

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

The Hodgepodge Is Abloom

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you 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-

From this Side of the Pond
1. What's something you 'may' do this month? 

Swim in the lake, wash the windows, hike to a waterfall...those are all on my hope to do/get done list. 

2. "All things seem possible in May"~Edwin Way Teale. Do you agree? Elaborate. If not May, then in which month if any would you say all things seem possible? 

I do love the month of May, but if I were writing this quote I'd say September. September has always felt like the start of something new, I think because I spent so many years working in a school setting. 

3. April showers bring May flowers...is this true where you live? What's your favorite color of the rainbow? Your favorite May bloom? Do you enjoy visiting gardens? What's a 'famous' garden you'd like to visit? 

The April showers part of the equation is definitely true. Our azaleas are blooming and my iris and lily of the valley are also beginning to pop. My favorite color of the rainbow in an actual rainbow is pink, but my favorite color of the rainbow in general is yellow. Favorite May bloom? Peonies, iris, lilac, poppy and camellia. 

Picking one favorite flower is like picking one favorite child. It can't be done. 

Visiting public gardens and walking through gardens in general is one of my favorite pastimes. We've visited gardens of all shapes and sizes in our travels here there and everywhere, but I've never been to what is often referred to as the most beautiful spring garden in the world-Keukenhof (Netherlands). It's definitely at the top of my must-see list. 

4. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series of films? If so how many have you seen? (I think there are 12) Are you a fan of the sci-fi genre in general, in either books or movies? What's your favorite sci-fi book or movie? 

I'm not a big fan of the sci-fi genre in either books or movies. It's okay but wouldn't be my first choice in reading or viewing. I've seen a handful of the Star Wars films, the three original as we like to call them, plus one or two of the newer ones, but eh. 

I really liked the book The Martian by Andy Weir, and also the film adaptation starring Matt Damon. 

If you haven't ever read 1984 you should read it now. An alternate title could be 2023. Yowza! 

5. Cinco de Mayo lands on Friday of this week...do you enjoy Mexican food? How often? Do you eat out or make your own? Your favorite thing to order in a Mexican restaurant? Have you ever been to Mexico? 

I like Mexican food and make some version of it at home, but we also eat Mexican out. We have something with Mexican inspired flavors at least every couple of weeks, and judge all Mexican restaurants by the quality of their margaritas and their chips and salsa. The entrees are secondary lol. What I order varies, but generally some sort of enchilada. 

I've been to Mexico a few times, but it's not high on my list of places to go right now. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I may not have been to Keukenhof, but I have been to Washington State's Skagit Valley during tulip season and she's a beauty-


This was six years, two weddings, and four grandchildren ago-


Hey girls! I have an idea...let's recreate this photo in Keukenhof, yes? 

Did you know my girls blog? Well if not, then here ya go- Sincerely Shannon and It's Elementary

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Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 502

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

2. "All things seem possible in May"~Edwin Way Teale. Do you agree? Elaborate. If not May, then in which month if any would you say all things seem possible? 

3. April showers bring May flowers...is this true where you live? What's your favorite color of the rainbow? Your favorite May bloom? Do you enjoy visiting gardens? What's a 'famous' garden you'd like to visit? 

4. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series of films? If so how many have you seen? (I think there are 12) Are you a fan of the sci-fi genre in general, in either books or movies? What's your favorite sci-fi book or movie? 

5. Cinco de Mayo lands on Friday of this week...do you enjoy Mexican food? How often? Do you eat out or make your own? Your favorite thing to order in a Mexican restaurant? Have you ever been to Mexico? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday, May 1, 2023

Weekend In The Mountains

It's been a sunshiny day here in the Upstate which feels appropriate for the first day of May. The temperature hasn't quite gotten the message yet, but I'll take the sunshine. We've had so much rain this spring and today's blue sky feels like a real gift. 

Hubs and I drove through what felt like a monsoon Thursday morning, but managed to make it safely to our weekend destination-the North Georgia mountains. Specifically the little town of Ellijay, where we'd rented a house with three other couples we've known since college. 


Which was a decade or four ago, but whatever. 


These boys were all fraternity brothers and we've remained close now for let's just say a long long time. 
We're all married, we all have grandchildren, we all have various aches and pains related to the fact that we're not 20 anymore, except when we're together we kind of still feel 20. 

That's the beauty of old friends. The ones who knew you when you were still trying to figure out exactly who you wanted to be. 


You can be bare faced and bare souled and real and hilarious and honest and grateful. 

We had dinner down the mountain on Thursday night, then stayed up late (not late for 20 year old us, but late for 60+ year old us) talking, laughing, and playing Mexican Train Dominoes at the big kitchen table. 

The skies cleared mid-morning Friday and we loaded up the cars to make a short hop one town over, to the little town of Blue Ridge. I'd never been before, and it's a popular tourist and retirement destination both, so I was glad to see what the buzz was all about. 

Blue Ridge is cute with lots of great little shops and restaurants and you can park your car and walk at your leisure. The sidewalks were busy, but not overly so, and we were glad we opted for a Friday visit as we discovered there was some kind of fish festival happening in town Saturday. We stopped in a little wine bar early afternoon for a light lunch and beverage then headed back up the mountain to relax and have a later dinner at home. 


We had a view y'all. 


We spent a lot of time sitting on the covered deck and everyone brought their own steak for grilling that evening so it was simple, delicious, and low key. We had also been assigned 'parts' in a murder mystery and everyone had some little bit of costume they'd brought from home, and it was a hoot. Took a little bit of time to really get into, but once in we were all in.

 
I was not the murderer in case you're wondering. 

Saturday was a gorgeous day, with warmer temps and bright blue cloudless skies. We trekked back down the mountain to visit a couple of the wineries on the other side of Ellijay. When I say trekked up and down the mountain it sounds like a million miles, but it wasn't. It was a somewhat steep, winding road getting to and from the house, that we all agreed would be tricky in the winter months. 


Our first stop was Chateau Meichtry which is in a very pretty location. We had a tasting there before moving a couple of miles down the road to Buckley, also very pretty and the wines were more to our liking. 

This is us-


This is also us-


We're still us. 

We headed back up the mountain late afternoon so we'd be there when our chef arrived. We'd hired a chef to cook dinner at the house, and it was so much fun. 


We selected the menu based on what she suggested and had a lovely charcuterie board as a starter, then it was a green salad with paella made in a huge paella pan on the deck. She put noodles in her paella instead of rice and we all agreed we liked that better.


Hubs will own one of these set ups before summer is over. Just sayin'. 


Dessert was a seriously scrumptious tres leches cake, and our chef cooked, served, and cleaned up, so easy peasy.  


We headed home on Sunday and all agreed we should do this more often. The thing about old friends is it matters not how long ago you were together because in your head you are always together. In your heart too. 


Still it is really fun to actually be together.