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.