Thankful Thursday

I've recently had some new visitors to my blog, which has been a lot of fun. I've visited their blogs in return and discovered some fun new bloggers to follow, something I haven't had a lot of time for in the past year. Several of these writers blog in a similar vein to me aka the everyday ordinary stuff of life, and those are my favorite posts to read. I'm pretty certain we're the silent majority on the interwebs lol. 

In an effort to get back into some sort of rhythm here I'm going to try linking up with some blog hops during the month of May. Hopefully I'll find some inspiration there, and at the very least will get back into the habit of writing. 

Note to self...take more pictures. Words come more easily when there's a photo to serve as springboard.  

Note to readers...my photography skills are something slightly less than excellent. 

All that to say, I'm participating rather late in the day today with Thankful Thursday hosted by Jennifer at Overflowing With Thankfulness.  Never too late to be grateful though, right? The news lately is just one awful crazy unbelievable thing after another, and making a short list of things I'm grateful for helps shift my perspective. 

Let's go with a list of three things on this gorgeous Thursday afternoon-

1. It's an absolutely gorgeous Thursday afternoon. 

The sun is shining, the air is warm, the pollen is ka-raZy...

Okay maybe that last one shouldn't be there but hey, if we didn't have pollen we wouldn't have plants. Perspective is everything. 

2. An afternoon cuppa. 

Like a big exhale that feels so necessary at 3 o'clock on a sunny spring day. Winter day. Any old day. 

"Tea is to the body as music is to the soul" Earlene Grey 

3. Cousin time. 

While it didn't work out for us all to be together last weekend, my girls have managed a mid-week get together with all their littles...

Where there's a will there's a way. 

Daughter1 hadn't met her brand new niece yet, and that absolutely needed to happen. And of course the rest of the crew is just party party party, so a good time was had by all. 

They're wearing the matching shirts I bought for the weekend that didn't happen (if you're in the dark you can read about that here). The boys shirts say 'cousins make the best friends',  Little Miss has 'cousin crew' printed on her pretty pink tee, and Sugar's little onesie says 'new to the cousin crew'. Trust me, they're adorable. 

And we know to take what we can get when it comes to photos with the six and unders-ha! 

Back in December I'd given both of my girls as well as both of their girls matching pjs and they remembered to wear them ...

They also remembered to take a picture which in my case is the next best thing to being there. For that I'm grateful. 

My Hodgepodge Plans

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 your neighbor there, because comments make the blog world go round. Here we go-

1. When did you last have cancelled plans? Were you happy about that or disappointed? 

This past weekend actually. You'll find the details here-What To Expect When You're Expecting (not that kind).  I was super disappointed at first, but I got over it and embraced Plan B. 

2. On a scale of 1-10 how much of a planner are you? 

1= I go where the wind takes me  

10=I've got a power point on it, no matter what it is

I'm definitely NOT a 1. And 10 sounds like someone who can't go with the flow when going with the flow is required, so I'm not a 10 either. I am a planner and in general, enjoy planning. I like lists and adding things to the calendar and figuring out what there is to see when we travel, etc. But I can also flex when flexing is necessary and it so often is. I'm calling myself a 7. 

3. Do you have a menu plan for the week? If so tell us one or two things that are on it. If not, what's your plan for not having a plan lol? 

I do. I hold it loosely because if someone suggests a meet up someplace I'm on board. I make a general meal plan at the beginning of the week and adjust as needed. We're out a lot and on the go a lot but since we're home this week, I'm trying to eat on the lighter side. 

I used to love the California Pizza Kitchen's BBQ salad and I'm making a knock off version of that this week. It calls for jicama which I like, but I've never cut into one so that's something new. I'm also making a slow cooker swiss steak on Thursday because I'm out for a good chunk of the day and like not having to think about dinner when I get home. 

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Bucket List Day. Do you have a bucket list? Is it written down or just in your head? What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a list, what is one thing you'd add to a list if you did? Yes I'm going to make you think about it. 

Not a written one, but I suppose there's one running through my head. I used to keep a list on my sidebar called 101 in 1001 which was a list of 101 things (both large and small) that I wanted to see/do/try/complete in the next 1001 days. I might revisit that now that I remember it's there. 

Okay, true story I went down a rabbit hole reading back over my lists and I'm definitely going to revisit. I might make it a link up if anyone would be interested in trying it too. Here are the links to my first list, and my second. The last one was 'completed' in 2018 so it's been a while. 

101 in 1001-Volume 1

Ready, Set, Goal-Volume 2

Back to today...what's one thing on my bucket list? A trip back to the UK with my hubs. Since moving back to the states in 2009 we've both made trips back, just not together. It's time. And it's on the calendar so whoohoo! 

5. Rain buckets, a drop in the bucket, couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, sweat buckets, cry buckets...which 'bucket' idiom applies to your life in some way currently? 

Nothing stands out, but 'couldn't carry a tune in a bucket' always applies lol. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Many of you who've been around the Hodgepodge a long time used to also read my daughter's blogs. They both more or less set them aside because life is busy and they're trying to be intentional about how much time they spend online while raising young children. 

Both are back, not in daily posting (ain't nobody got time for that!!), but they're figuring out what works in this season of life. Hop over and say hi if you're interested in catching up. Daughter1 shares some exciting news I will definitely be weighing in on, and Daughter2 most recently shared her baby's birth story, which isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoy reading them. I love the details written out to remember and wish I'd recorded more of life's everyday 'stuff' when mine were little. 

Daughter1-Sincerely Shannon

Daughter 2-It's Elementary 

Have a great Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 548

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. When did you last have cancelled plans? Were you happy about that or disappointed? 

2. On a scale of 1-10 how much of a planner are you? 

3. Do you have a menu plan for the week? If so tell us one or two things that are on it. If not, what's your plan for not having a plan lol? 

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Bucket List Day. Do you have a bucket list? Is it written down or just in your head? What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a list, what is one thing you'd add to a list if you did? Yes I'm going to make you think about it. 

5. Rain buckets, a drop in the bucket, couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, sweat buckets, cry buckets...which 'bucket' idiom applies to your life in some way currently? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

What To Expect When You're Expecting (not that kind)

The kind of expecting where you're looking forward to something happening and then it does, but not in the way you expected. 

I spent this past weekend with daughter2, mostly holding baby girl who we've decided going forward will be known here as 'Sugar'.  She's so sweet y'all. 

Anyway, I spent almost all of my time with this little miss in my arms so daughter2 could hold her brother. He was feeling puny, wanting momma and only momma. You kind of forget what it's like to have sick kids in the house until you have sick kids in the house. 

Was this our weekend plan? 

No it was not. The original weekend plan was for both my girls to be in Tennessee with their littles while all of our hubs had their own obligations to tend to. I'd been looking forward to this for weeks because it's been a long while since it was just us girls (plus their 5 small children, but whatever). This was going to be both girls and me in the same place at the same time, no boys allowed. 

Except for the 6 and under set of course. 

Anyway, we girls were going to have some fun, take a picnic to the park, laugh a lot at all the cousins playing together in their matching cousin t-shirts, share deep thoughts and skin care products, and gab late into the night (well, later than 8:30 which is our usual bedtime when kids are in the house) for three complete whole entire days. 

Didn't happen. 

I did drive to daughter2's on Thursday, and daughter1 did plan to arrive with her crew on Saturday. 

There's that word again-plan. 

Things started off nicely. Friday morning daughter2 needed to visit the jeweler so we loaded up the baby and big brother and off we went. While my daughter was in the shop chatting about an order I was outside with the mister watching a large construction crew operate all the big equipment just across the highway. There were cranes and bulldozers, dump trucks filling and dumping, and best of all a 'digger', all making a lot of noise and moving a lot of dirt and rock. Little man was in heaven. When he waved at the digger operator the driver lifted the bucket up and down in the form of a wave back and it was the best.

We had lunch before heading home for naps, but by the time we got to the house it was apparent sweet baby J was running a fever. Bother. We finally had to tell daughter1 not to come because we certainly didn't need to share those germs with her family, and that was that. Plan blown. Expectation unmet. 

What can you do? 

Nothing really. Life happens and we have to adjust and move forward even when what we really want to do is stomp our feet and rail at the universe a little bit. 

We don't though. We adjust and move forward. We choose to find the silver lining...the bright side...the blue sky if you will. Maybe not in the first five minutes but we do get there. We pull on our 'let's make the best of it britches' and then we do just that. 

There are hours and hours of snuggles with a lapful of Sugar. 

There is the same book read no less than fifteen times because sweet baby J is not his usual oh so happy self and when Nana reads '....sometimes you're happy, sometimes you're sad'...and makes a great big sad face, he laughs. Somehow my sad face makes him happy and it's pure gold.  

There is sunshine. Glorious sunshine. We load everyone up in the strollers and feel the sun hit our faces and Vitamin D flood our veins and we can say with complete honesty that there is beauty in this day, this weekend, in spite of cancelled plans and unmet expectation. 

After babies are tucked in tight me and my girl (just one not two, but we're making the best of it remember?) sit on the couch and watch Next Level Chef. We discuss in great detail the choices these contestants make because we both love to cook, but we talk about many, many other things too.  

And suddenly, somehow, I feel grateful, not for cancelled plans, but for being right where I need to be. Lending a hand (or a lap), and having a front row seat to watch my baby girl mother her very own babies. What a gift. 

There is grace for the day y'all. 
For the ones that go swimmingly and the ones that fall to pieces too. 

Going Bananas For The Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers! Here we are again with 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. What's a skill you think everyone should have? 

There are more than a few skills I think everyone should have so narrowing it down to just one is hard. Critical thinking, cooking, swimming, communication...each important in it's own way. 

2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping? Do you still buy 'real' cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc? 

I sort of have a system, but it's not great. I actually keep my wrapping paper, ribbons, bags, etc in the attic. We have a walk up attic over our garage and I'm up and down the stairs there nearly every day for one thing or another. I need to better organize what I've got and also part with some gift bags that, let's be honest, I'm not going to reuse. Why are they so hard to part with???

I do still buy real cards. I love sending and receiving although will admit the cost has skyrocketed. I know that puts many people off, and I think the cost of stamps is going up too. Still l enjoy choosing cards that feel like they fit the recipient. 

3. It's National Banana Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you're not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

Yes I like bananas, not too ripe and not too green either. Just right lol. I really dislike the overly ripe ones though, so they get turned in to banana bread which I love. I have a recipe that calls for coconut and has a lime glaze poured over top, which sounds a little odd, but trust me it's delish. I also love bananas in my oatmeal. 

My favorite thing to eat that contains a banana is a banana. Not too ripe and not too green. Just right. 

4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

Yes. I think except in rare circumstances everyone deserves a second chance. 

5. What is your idea of fun? 

Jumping off the dock with my grandkids, a hike to a pretty waterfall, dinner parties, cards with friends, time in the kitchen with my girls, dining al fresco, boating to a friends dock for a champagne sunset, writing, a spontaneous road trip, a full house, porch time with my people...the list goes on. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I was inspired to clean out my closet today, a task that was long overdue. Have you ever gotten three quarters of the way through a job and decided you were no longer inspired? I feel ya. 

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 547

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. What's a skill you think everyone should have? 

2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping? Do you still buy 'real' cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc? 

3. It's National Banana Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you're not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

5. What is your idea of fun? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Patiently Answering The Hodgepodge

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

1. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

We fill out an organizer and send it on to the professionals. To be honest I find just completing the organizer 'taxing'. 

Something I've found taxing lately? Nothing springs instantly to mind. How about this...hubs is vehicle shopping and while he thoroughly enjoys the process, I find the whole thing taxing. 

2. It's spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? 

Hiking. 

I could definitely enjoy planting a garden if I had the right spot for one here. And if we were home for more than three days in a row to manage it.  I like to hike and there are lots of nice trails nearby that we still need to explore so I'm going with hiking. 

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person? In what sort of situation is patience not desirable? Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? 

I would say I'm a very patient person, although sadly not as patient as I was when I was younger. I asked hubs if he thinks I'm patient and he said "definitely".  Impatience rarely makes a situation better and in general winds everyone up in an unhelpful way. 

When is impatience a good thing? Well, the opposite of what I said a minute ago could also be true. Impatience can sometimes motivate me to get things done that need doing. 

Mostly though, in my mind, patience is a positive trait, and impatience negative. 

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what's your favorite something made with cinnamon? 

I love cinnamon, probably one of my favorite flavors. I make a sour cream coffee cake that's really more like a pound cake and it's definitely one of my favorite cinnamon foods. In the non-food category, I like a cinnamon scented candle in the kitchen. 

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate. 

Depends what we're learning, but mostly I'm a learn by doing person. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Whatcha reading? I just finished Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano for our neighborhood book club happening today (Tuesday). I thought it was just okay, but I know people who loved it. I thought the story held promise but the character development was weak. 

I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar, historical fiction based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law. Enjoying it so far, but I've only just started this one. 

I recently finished Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, which is also historical fiction. Based on a real event, a plague that struck the English village of Eyam in the mid-1600s, the tale follows the story of a young woman named Anna. A really interesting plot line, but I have to say one of the weirdest endings to a book ever. 

I'm also reading Are We There Yet ?: My Journey From A Messed Up to Meaningful Life by the comedian Jeff Allen. I heard him interviewed on a podcast and am enjoying now reading his story in book form. 

If you're reading something great I want to know! Happy Wednesday everyone!

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 546

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. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

2. It's spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? Flowers, vegetables, or a bit of both?

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person? In what sort of situation is patience not desirable? Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? 

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what's your favorite something made with cinnamon? 

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Heavens Declare

The sun rose with quietness and great beauty on this springtime Monday morning-

Later the skies did their thing. We were not in the path of totality for this particular eclipse like we were back in 2017, but we still popped outside and wore our special glasses to take a look. The sky grew darker than normal, but not complete darkness like we experienced seven years ago. 

Seven years ago. 

Is it just me or has our nation gone crazier? Nuttier? Meaner and less harmonious than ever before in a quick seven years? I mean I imagine 1775 was rough, but there was no social media, no internet in fact, so news traveled slower and civility amongst strangers was a thing, even though there was a literal war going on.  

I remember in 2017 how excited we all felt for the big event. There was a real buzz in the air, parties were organized, the media was it's usual over-the-top self, but in an upbeat sort of way. This time around there's been a lot of doom and gloom in the reporting. A bit of fear mongering about what this particular eclipse might mean. 

2024 America is exhausting. 

While our country may not be in a literal civil war it certainly feels like we're in the middle of something more than a quarrel. When I sit down to blog I find myself thinking about what areas of our lives remain untouched by anger and friction, and I'm hard pressed to come up with a single one. This weighs heavy on the minds of almost everyone I talk to. Most of us are longing for less conflict while struggling to see how we as a nation get there. 

Then today happens. The intricacy and design of the heavens remain mysterious and unfathomable. 

As the moon passes into the path of the sun I'm reminded once again that God is on His throne. Still master of the universe He created and set in motion. Still working out His plan for this tired troubled earth and the people He loves.

Which is all of us. 

Keep looking up.  

What's Up?

Hi. It's been a while. I say that a lot here, but I always feel the need to explain that it has indeed been a while. Nearly a month if you don't count the Hodgepodges. Which I do appreciate because that weekly link up keeps me tethered here when life pulls and tugs. 

So what is up? Well for starters, my odometer. I've logged some miles here in the past month y'all, mostly revolving around our mamas. 

My mother-in-law had a birthday in early March and hubs and I drove over to TN to spend the weekend with her. We took her out for a celebratory dinner, then drove her to daughter2's the next day so she could meet her newest great granddaughter. I posted this pic on a recent Hodgepodge but am adding it here too because its cute and it fits. 

The next week my mama came to town and I also drove her to daughter2's so she could meet our newest little love-

Then came Easter. We had a wonderful day starting with church, followed by lunch with some friends here right after. 

I love a pretty spring table. 

Spring in the neighborhood too. 

The day before Easter my mama, my sister, my niece and I all met up at a university about an hour from me for a special Easter program they have every year. Works of art relating to Jesus life and death are brought to life by actors who hold so very still you're not sure if they're real or not. There's music and narration and its beautifully done. 

The day after Easter daughter2 drove here with her crew to spend the week. Her hubs had business in our area, and his grandparents live in this general vicinity, so it was their turn to meet baby girl. 

Four great grandparents. What a blessing to be loved and prayed for by so many. 

We had a grand time all week with sweet baby J and his little sis.

 Hubs took him for his first kayak trip around the cove-

He absolutely loved it. We also read books, stacked blocks, raced cars, and we watched the birds and the sunrise too...

J caught his first fish-

With a little help but still, he was here for it. His favorite part? 

Holding the worm lol. Snips and snails and puppy dog tails...

In case anyone is wondering, today I sipped coffee in my pjs until 11 o'clock. 

It was very necessary. 

April Showers Bring The Hodgepodge

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

1. What's a talent you wish you had? 

Singing. I've always wanted to sing well, or at least in tune lol. 

2. In one word, what's your state of mind right now? 

buzzing

3. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? 

We need a car. Probably two cars, but we'll start with one (hubs). It won't happen this month, and while we'd love to wait until next year, I think it will probably end up being sooner. 

Have I told you car shopping is my least favorite kind of shopping? 

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day...did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What's your favorite kind of jelly? 

I did not celebrate. I like peanut butter and jelly okay, but I very rarely have it. I can't remember the last time I made a pb & j sandwich. I prefer peanut butter on toast, no jelly. 

What's my favorite jelly? It depends on what I'm in the mood for, but apricot is probably my fave. 

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

Easily? Hmmm...I hate conflict, but I wouldn't say I'm easily intimidated. I'm pretty comfortable in groups and in places where I don't know anyone, and I don't mind speaking in front of a crowded room.  I know some people find that sort of thing to be intimidating. 

Bullies. I cannot abide them and yes, there are still grown adults who act like bullies. I suppose dealing with them can be a bit intimidating, but I think that's mostly because I know there will be unnecessary conflict. I avoid interacting with a bully when avoidance is an option. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Enjoying a couple of days with daughter2 and her two little cuties in the house. This little guy had a big time kayaking with his Pawpaw...

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 545

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. What's a talent you wish you had? 

2. In one word, what's your state of mind right now? 

3. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? 

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day...did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What's your favorite kind of jelly? 

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hodgepodge Madness

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 do you love about your life right now? 

Grandchildren. I'm a broken record I know. 

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? 

I couldn't stand spinach as a child, but I love it now. I like a spinach salad, but also love it sauteed and topped with a splash of apple cider vinegar. 

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why. 

Normally I'm way too much in my head, but life has been spinning wildly since November of last year, and I still feel like I need to sit down and regroup for 2024. 

4. Are you following the 'March Madness' madness? (That's US college basketball in case you're out of the loop) What's something that feels like actual madness to you right now? 

We enjoy following March Madness in our house. We make brackets and create a family group where we see who has the most points, no money involved, just bragging rights for the winner. We're big Tennessee fans and they're still in it, so that's been fun plus super nerve-wracking to watch. 

What feels like actual madness to me right now? Hmmm....so hard to choose but I guess the chaos at the border, really the actual lack of borders (hence the very definition of a country) would rank right up there. I don't really understand why it's controversial or cruel to know who's entering our country or to expect people to follow the law. 

I  feel like I ranted about this in another post recently, but it continues to be maddening. 

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year? 

A couple of years ago some neighbors who also attend our church, invited us (and three other couples) to have Easter lunch with them. We all have grown kids who live away, and who won't be in town for the holiday, so this makes the day still feel warm and cozy. 

Everyone brings a dish or two to add to the meal so it's not an excessive amount of work for the host. Last year one of the other couples in the group offered their home, so this year we offered ours. We'll all go to church, then lunch here afterwards. I'm sure it will be a great afternoon. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I mentioned in a recent Hodgepodge ('cuz that's all I manage to get on the blog lately) that I had some canvases made for a wall in my office that was in need of a bit of zhuzzing. I use the company Canvaspop, which I've been very pleased with. I'm sure I'll change these out periodically, but for now here's my wall of happy-

Wishing you all the blessings of Easter!

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 544

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 peeps.  See you there! 

1.What do you love about your life right now? 

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? 

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why. 

4. Are you following the 'March Madness' madness? (That's US college basketball in case you're out of the loop) What's something that feels like actual madness to you right now? 

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Hodgepodge Springs To Mind

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

1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any 'spring cleaning' on your to-do list? What's your most dreaded task? 

Absolutely. We've had people coming and going (including us) since Thanksgiving, and the house is definitely in need of a thorough cleaning, spring or otherwise. I'm working my way through a few small tasks like emptying and reorganizing the pantry and sorting and wiping out all the kitchen drawers, but we have miles to go. We'll get it done in pieces because that's how we roll. 

My most dreaded task? I'd say the windows but we'll either hire out or hubs will tackle that job himself. Every bit of woodwork needs wiping down and that's a back breaker so I'm going to say the woodwork. 

2. What's something many people seem to love, but to you feels like 'watching the grass grow'? 

Animated television programming for adults (Family Guy, South Park, The Simpsons, etc)

3. Mint grows in abundance during the spring season. Are you a fan? What's your favorite food with a 'minty' flavor? 

Mint is not a flavor I seek out, and I like it only in small doses and only in certain food and drink. My favorite? A Pimms cup on a warm summer day. 

4. It's been said, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' Agree or disagree? Explain. 

It might be true. The opposite might also be true. It really depends on the relationship. A strong, solid relationship can survive distance and even grow during time spent apart. If the relationship is struggling though, distance is likely not going to help things improve. 

5. Are there any festive spring events in your city or town? If so, will you take advantage of them? 

There's live music on a downtown street that runs spring-early autumn in our little town. That kicks off next week and we may check it out. The botanical garden at the nearby university has a plant sale in the spring and I'd like to make a stop there. There's college baseball and we enjoy going to games so hopefully can make that happen this year. A few towns near to us have 'Spring Flings' but we don't have any plans to attend. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Remember when I used to blog? Ha! I'm thinking about jumping in to the April A-Z challenge this year, although that's as far as I've gotten in terms of 'planning'. It's been a good way in years past, to kick start my sleepy blog, so here's hoping that holds true this year too. 

Sign ups open on March 25th. If you participate let me know and I'll look for you there. 

You'll find the A-Z challenge FAQ page in the link here. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 543

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then spring back here to share answers with your peeps. See you there! 

1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any 'spring cleaning' on your to-do list? What's your most dreaded task? 

2. What's something many people seem to love, but to you feels like 'watching the grass grow'? 

3. Mint grows in abundance during the spring season. Are you a fan? What's your favorite food with a 'minty' flavor? 

4. It's been said, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' Agree or disagree? Explain. 

5. Are there any festive spring events in your city or town? If so, will you take advantage of them? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Home Is Where The Hodgepodge Is

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 your neighbor there. Here we go- 

1. Thursday is National Pi Day...are you good at math? What was the last thing you had to calculate? Did you use your head or technology? Last slice of pie you ate? 

I'm not bad at math, but I'm much better with words than numbers. The last thing I had to calculate was probably related to our tax organizer. I used my head for some of it and a calculator for the rest. 

As far as the last slice of pie I ate? I made an angel pie to take to my neighbors when we had dinner there recently. It was heavenly. 

2. What makes a house a home? 

The people I love are in it. 

3. Your current favorite green thing? 

I'm going with spring, in spite of the pollen that blows in with it! The leaves beginning to turn, the grass starting to green up, lots of leafy green bulbs popping up out of the brown earth, these are all things that lift my spirits. February tends to be gray and rainy in our neck of the woods so signs of spring are very welcome. 

4. How do you define achievement? How does your personal definition look similar to, or different than, society's definition? What's something you think is worth achieving in life? 

I guess I would define achievement as doing something successfully, and I think the world's definition is probably similar. Where we differ is in what that 'something' is, in defining the value of 'something'.  

I think raising a family is a worthwhile achievement. 

5. What song is a good soundtrack for your life right now? 

This one-Blessed by Martina McBride 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My mother-in-law celebrated her birthday on Monday, so hubs and I drove over to TN on Saturday to spend the weekend with her. We had a fun dinner out on Saturday night, then drove her to daughter2's house on Sunday to meet her newest great-granddaughter. 

These generational pictures are so very special. 

And this little punkin' grows more precious by the minute. Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 542

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. Thursday is National Pi Day...are you good at math? What was the last thing you had to calculate? Did you use your head or technology? Last slice of pie you ate? 

2. What makes a house a home? 

3. Your current favorite green thing? 

4. How do you define achievement? How does your personal definition look similar to, or different than, society's definition? What's something you think is worth achieving in life? 

5. What song is a good soundtrack for your life right now? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

C'est La Vie

I wanted to blog this afternoon, but when I got home I accidentally on purpose turned on my Audible app so I could finish listening to my current read, Demon Copperhead, and holy cow! This book! Who has read it? Barbara Kingsolver's writing is superb. 

Also, that whole first paragraph was written yesterday, but whatever. Trying again today. Friday. TGIF. 

It's gray and rainy-ish here and we've had a busy morning, running errands, getting the dog a much needed and overdue trim, returning some clothes hubs ordered, making a drug store pick up, and then grabbing a few groceries I need for a dish I'm making tomorrow that I forgot to grab yesterday when I was in the very same grocery store. C'est la vie. 

Or at least c'est la vie when you're moi. 

Speaking of life, we've been livin' it, but not blogging about it. February is often that way. Actually 2024 so far has been that way, and when I look at our calendar I don't see things slowing down anytime soon. To bring us up to speed here I think I'm going to look at my phone pics and try to remember what we did last month. This month? Since last I truly blogged. 

Daffodils bloomed. 

They have a short sweet life so it seems worth mentioning. 

Hubs and I had a fun night out in the nearby small big city a couple of weeks ago. We had a fantastic dinner at one of our favorite eateries then spent the evening with David Foster and Katherine McPhee in a cozy venue which was so much fun. 

I don't know if you remember Katherine McPhee but she was a finalist on one of the earliest seasons of American Idol and she's adorable. She has an incredible voice and is now married to the producer David Foster who is her senior by several decades. So much talent between them. He's quite the charmer (she's his fifth wife) and he definitely knows it, but seeing him in a venue like this, where they combined music and conversation, you could see the charm. It was a really entertaining evening and we enjoyed it a lot. 

We've been tackling a few small projects around the house, mostly getting people here to tell us how much it will cost to do this or that, and just gonna say it's all a lot. No such thing as a truly small projet it seems.

C'est la vie. 

We need a dead tree removed which is one of my least favorite but most necessary things to spend money on. And as long as they're here taking out a dead tree we'll have them limb up some of the tall trees that need limbing up. That's what you do at the lake. Limb up to better see the water, while still having some nice tall trees for shade.

The boat guys (they likely have a title but are the 'boat guys' to me) finally came and got the boat today for a minor repair and oil change. Minor being a relative term of course, ahem. We have a little scratch that needs to be un-scratched and the time is right because summer is coming. Can you believe it??? 

I guess technically spring is up next, but summer's racing in too. We've been on the boat guys books for the past three weeks but every time they get us scheduled the skies open up and we have to re-schedule. They made it out today, but just barely. 

I've been wanting to add some wallpaper to one of the lower level bathrooms and when I pulled out the sample I ordered two years ago it didn't grab me like it did back then. 

I know!! Two years!! 

In my defense a lot of life has happened here in the past two years (three babies for starters), so some of our more minor 'want-to-do' projects were moved down a notch or two on the ever growing, never-ending 'still -to-do' list. 

C'est la vie. 

On the bright side, maybe I would have tired of that pattern if I'd gone ahead with it? I've ordered a completely different sample and am happier with the look. Now to hire someone to do the actual hanging because that is not my gift. I've actually gotten a couple of recommendations so hopefully this project gets done before I change my mind again. 

I've recently had several canvases made for the wall in my office that's been crying out for something to be hung there ever since we added the shiplap. Which was probably also a couple of years ago. 

C'est la vie. 

Just waiting on delivery of the last two canvases, which should be next week. Then hubs will get out his tape measure and his level and will rattle my nerves with his need for precisely precise precision, but he will get them hung. Perfectly. 

What else? We've played cards with the neighbors, celebrated a friend's birthday,  listened to live music in the local pub, I've bought birthday presents and Easter treats, mailed packages, selected and signed a lot of cards (a lot!!), cleaned out my pantry (the real deal... as in emptied it all out, wiped it all down, tossed the stale crackers, and started fresh). I made a big Costco run (is there any other kind?), had my yearly skin check at the dermatologist, face-timed, volunteered, mah jong-ed, bible studied, and I don't know what else. 

Things. Stuff. Details. 

We went and did and read and watched and talked and planned and helped and played and prayed and slept and ate and laughed and loved. 

C'est la vie.

A Saucy 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. Has March come in like a lion where you live? If not a lion then what animal would you use to describe the weather in your area this first week of March? Does the weather affect your emotions? When did you last feel 'under the weather'? 

Definitely not a lion. We've had a fair amount of rain, but also some really nice spring like weather so maybe more of a house cat than a lion. 

Does the weather affect my emotions? Maybe a little, but I can get on board with a drizzly rainy day now and then every bit as much as a bright blue sky day. Too many gray sky days in a row can be a mood-dampener, but there's no such thing as too much sunshine. 

Hubs and I were both under the weather in early December. We are rolling in to pollen season here now (ugh! does that count as weather, because if so then that is definitely a downer for me!) and I will suffer with the effects of that for the next couple of months. Not exactly 'under the weather' but pollen hits me hard and the meds make me sleepy. 

2. Do you know what your name means? Does the meaning of your name fit with your personality? Do you like your name? If you have children did you consider the meaning of their names before choosing them? 

My name more or less gives away its meaning and yes I think it fits with who I am. I don't have strong feelings one way or the other about it. I mean you grow up with a name and it's part of who you are and you just kind of accept it, right? I never wanted another name. 

As far as our children's names, we picked names we liked. My younger daughter has family names and that was deliberate. I did look at the meaning of their names, but that wasn't the deciding factor in our choices. 

3. It's National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce? Last thing you ate that used a sauce? 

I'm not a big sauce person and don't like anything swimming in sauce. My favorite? How 'bout hot fudge lol? I guess the last thing I ate that had sauce would be spaghetti. 

4. Something you've seen, tasted, done lately that you'd describe as 'awesome sauce'? 

I made this salad recently and might describe it as 'awesome sauce'.  

Honestly I wouldn't because that's not an expression I use, but it was super delish and felt really healthy too. It's a slaw like composition more so than what I think of as a salad and I got the recipe from a reel I watched on Insta. The chef said make as is before you turn your nose up at any of the ingredients and start switching things out thinking you won't like this or that. 

I'm not at all picky, but am a little cautious when using fennel because it can be too strong. In this salad it was yummy, and hubs liked it too so win-win. The recipe said the serano chilies were optional but I added them and loved the bit of heat they added. The recipe is linked here-Sivan's Kitchen

5. What kinds of things do you love to collect? 

recipes, dishes, words and phrases, memories... 

My girls and I buy each other hedgehog 'stuff' now and then, but I wouldn't I say I collect it.  I only love it because it's from them and that's a thing we do. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Only three years overdue, but finally framed a wedding picture from Daughter2's big day. I wanted the frame to coordinate with another frame I already have on the wall from Daughter1's big day, and finding that took some doing. When I started looking a couple of years ago everything was very bright gold and I needed a softer tone. I set the print aside thinking I'd get back to it 'someday' and turns out that someday is today. 

If you wait long enough trends will change and I'm so happy with the end result. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 541

Here are the questions for 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. Has March come in like a lion where you live? If not a lion then what animal would you use to describe the weather in your area this first week of March? Does the weather affect your emotions? When did you last feel 'under the weather'? 

2. Do you know what your name means? Does the meaning of your name fit with your personality? Do you like your name? If you have children did you consider the meaning of their names before choosing them? 

3. It's National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce? Last thing you ate that used a sauce? 

4. Something you've seen, tasted, done lately that you'd describe as 'awesome sauce'? 

5. What kinds of things do you love to collect? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Hodgepodge Salad

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. February is coming to a close. Give us a two-word phrase that tells us something about how yours went.

Baby love 

2. If you had to describe how you're feeling right now as an amusement park ride, what ride are you on? Explain. 

I'm going with Thunder Mountain Railroad which is a roller coaster, but without the super big dips, drops, and rolls. It's described as a train racing down a track, bumpy in places, but the main thing is it's fast, which is how life seems to be moving here in 2024.  

3. What's something on your desk or a nearby wall that cheers you up when you see it or walk past? 

For Christmas every year our girls make us a calendar with pictures of the grands from the year that was. My frig cannot hold a magnet so I have the calendar on a 3M hook on the side of the frig. 

I see it many times a day as I open and close the frig, or just work in the kitchen, and it never fails to make me smile. I look forward to flipping the page to a new month this Friday. 

4.  Are you a salad eater? How many salads do you typically eat in a week? Your favorite kind of salad? 

I love a salad, almost any combo of veggies (love a fruit salad too!), and I eat one pretty much every day, if not for lunch then with my dinner. I love a true Cesar but mostly eat some sort of 'garden salad' with whatever I have on hand. Oftentimes for lunch I make a salad and sprinkle a little cheese and maybe some ham or turkey to add protein, or I add a hard boiled egg. It makes a satisfying lunch, filling without a lot of calories. I do not like a lot of dressing on my salad and sometimes eat it without any dressing at all. 

5. Without telling us the category give us your top five ______________. 

How Great Thou Art 
This Is My Father's World

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today is my son-in-law's birthday so happy birthday to him! Next week my other son-in-law will celebrate his birthday, and what a gift these two men are to our family. Throwing it back to when they joined the party here-

January, 2021

January, 2015

They're wonderful fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, and friends. Hard-working, even-tempered, dependable, and lots of fun. We're so grateful to their parents for raising them to be the men they are, and we absolutely love the way they've grown our family and care for our girls. 

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