And The Seasons They Go Round And Round

In my hunt for some pictures for yesterday's Hodgepodge I came across this photograph-

...and I keep thinking about the way it made my head spin. My heart too. 

That's my oldest daughter in the picture, sitting in the grass in front of Canterbury Cathedral on one of the brightest blue sky days there ever was in the history of England. 

She is seventeen. 

It's funny the way a picture can peel back the years and remind me that once upon a time I had teenagers living in my house. If you have teenagers at home you might wonder how in the world you could ever forget this season of intense everything, but I'm here to tell you time is sometimes blurry in the rear view mirror. 

The now grown women I birthed and adore, the ones I talk to about recipes and books and parenting and politics and culture wars and Jesus and everything under the sun, well they used to be teenagers. Not so long ago they were sleeping in their bedrooms upstairs and eating breakfast at our kitchen table. They were asking for rides or cash or permission, doing homework, dancing, dreaming, and planning their futures.

Was it not so long ago? 

Nineteen summers have come and gone since this photo was snapped. The teenage girl in this photograph went off to uni, worked in our nations capital, married her doctor-captain -major-now civilian, birthed three children, moved west across the country, east across an ocean, then south, then up and over to the midwest and, as I type, is preparing for yet another move. 

A move that will bring her back to the dirt she is sitting on in this photograph. 

England. 

Her hubs will complete a six-month orthopedic surgical fellowship there and she will introduce her children to tea and scones, the English countryside, village life, 1000 years of history, kings and castles, old churches and new experiences. The same language only different.  

The seventeen year old girl in that picture had no idea all the ways God was going to work out His plans and His purposes in her life. 

She's going back to the place she first learned the world is big and change is a given. That when a door opens wide we can walk on through, knowing God goes before us. Knowing too that He meets us there and walks beside us wherever we may roam. 

She doesn't have to wonder if that's really true. She knows it because she's lived it. As a young teenager moving across the pond, as a young wife moving across the country, as a young mom giving birth in South Korea. In all the places and seasons and changes life has brought God's been there. 

I cannot wait to hear how that seventeen year old girl sees England now...

Through her grown up eyes and the lens of time. 

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Isaiah 139: 9-10

Prioritizing The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the last Wednesday Hodgepodge in the month of June. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for the blogger before you. Everybody loves company...at least in the blogosphere they do. Here we go-

 

1. What do you think has remained the same about you your whole life? How has your perception of yourself changed over time? 

I think I've always been a helper, introspective, sensitive, and stubborn. Hubs will testify to that last one-ha! My faith and my family have always been important to me and all of these things remain true today. 

As far as changing over time...hopefully I've grown, matured, learned to recognize what's important and will matter for eternity and what to let fall by the wayside. Course there's still plenty of growing to do. We're all a work in progress, but I do think I'm able to give myself more grace in this stage of life than in prior seasons.  

2. What was the first thing you learned how to cook? Do you prefer to cook or bake? 

That's going back a long way but I guess the first thing I remember learning to make in the kitchen is salad dressing. Which technically isn't cooking but it felt like I was contributing to the dinner by making the dressing. We had a tossed salad pretty much every night so my sister and I were in charge of that from a fairly early age. I learned to cook by watching my mom and helping in the kitchen. 

The next thing would be cookies. All the cookies because my mama has always been the queen of cookie baking, and this was true long before cookie baking became a 'thing'. Every Christmas my mama made dozens of different types of cookies, I'm going to say something like thirty different varieties, not exaggerating. And every December she gave away big trays to lots of different people including her mechanic, my brother's co-workers, neighbors, strangers, and of course we had cookies for dessert every night during the month of December, sometimes into January, because y'all there were so.many.cookies.

My hubs could not believe his eyes the first year he came home with me for Christmas and saw the wall of tins, Tupperware and assorted containers lined up floor to ceiling in the big walk in closet in our family room and a freezer filled with more of the same. He knew right then he was happy he married me. 

My sister and I at some point joined in the baking. We love it still and while there's never the number my mom made, my sisters, daughters and I all carry on baking many of those same recipes. 

3. What are some of your current priorities in this season of life? Elaborate. 

Health for one. Good health feels less like a given and more like something I need to pay attention to in terms of food, movement, and not skipping routine medical checks. 

Family, specifically my grandchildren. I want them to know Jesus and to see Jesus in me. I want to have fun with them, listen to them, encourage them, and pray for them. I want to be their biggest cheerleader as they each walk the path God has set before them.  

Faith. Always a priority for me, but the world is particularly bonkers and slightly scary these days, and I want to be grounded in God's word so I can live with gratitude and hope, not anger and fear. 

Peace. I'm at an age where I don't want to deal with a lot of conflict and negativity. I mean I've never enjoyed that, but for sure I don't want it occupying my heart and mind now. I know sometimes we have no choice, but then again, oftentimes we do. 

4. How much time do you spend on your hair each day or, put another way, what's your hair care routine? Do you get it cut regularly or just whenever the mood strikes? Do you go to the same stylist every time? Do you tell your stylist everything? Any other beauty treatments you indulge in throughout the year? 

Well it is summer and I live on a lake so a pony tail under a baseball cap, or tucked under my 'lake hat'  is pretty standard if we're spending any time at all in the water or on the boat. I'm here to tell you that you' cannot have great hair on a fast moving boat. As the saying goes, 'Boat hair, don't care'.   

I see my stylist about every 6-8 weeks so she can make my hair look sun kissed. Sometimes I forget I'm a natural born brunette-ha! I have blue eyes and as I've gotten older I like a bit of brightness around my face. 

Do I tell my stylist everything? Pretty much. She's a good listener and we have a lot of similar feelings about the world at large. She's the same age as my daughters so that's fun. 

I love a good facial and also get the occasional, but not weekly mani/pedi. 

5. What is the most awe-inspiring place you've visited? 

Oh my. How in the world do I answer this one? I've been to so many places around the world that inspire awe. I might be able to make a top ten, but even that would be tough. When I hear awe I think of places that are not only beautiful, but that also move me and cause me to feel something deeply. Here's a handful that would make my list-

Pretty Place, Cleveland SC, USA 

The California Redwoods

Mt. Rainier, Washington, USA 

Arlington National Cemetery-Arlington VA, USA 

The Daniel Boardman State Scenic Corridor-Oregon, USA

The Auguille du Midi-Chamonix, France

Canterbury Cathedral, UK

The beaches at Normandy, France 

Mont-Saint-Michel, France 

The American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer, France 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

There were some thought provoking questions in the HP today and I feel like some deserved more attention than I had to give. Here's the short version-I'm with my daughter2 and her two littles for a few days and it's hotter than blazes as my dad used to say and her a.c. was giving us fits and we left for swimming lessons and were talking so she went the wrong way on the interstate and we had to go something like nine exits to get turned around the right way and while we were doing that the swim place called and said their pool chemicals were wonky so they were cancelling and then just before bedtime the two year old had his first bee sting. 

In spite of all of the above this was still a really fun day, it just did not leave a lot of room for deep. I hope you're all staying cool, thinking clearly, and using a scoop as opposed to your bare hands when you need to remove a bumble bee from your water table. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 557

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 do you think has remained the same about you your whole life? How has your perception of yourself changed over time? 

2. What was the first thing you learned how to cook? Do you prefer to cook or bake? 

3. What are some of your current priorities in this season of life? Elaborate. 

4. How much time do you spend on your hair each day or, put another way, what's your hair care routine? Do you get it cut regularly or just whenever the mood strikes? Do you go to the same stylist every time? Do you tell your stylist everything? Any other beauty treatments you indulge in throughout the year? 

5. What is the most awe-inspiring place you've visited? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Weekend Rehash

We had a very hot, mostly low key weekend, although is a weekend still a weekend when you're retired? When you can call every day Saturday if you so choose? For us old habits die hard, and we still try to take care of whatever needs taking care of during the week, then view the weekend as down time. 

I think I mentioned in the Hodgepodge this week that I had no plans to splurge on anything, but I'd forgotten about the facial I booked the last time I was at this spa. Which, was only a little over a month ago, but I loved it so much I booked another and that happened on Friday. I loved it every bit as much the second time around and told my hubs it's the absolute most relaxed hour of my day-week-possibly my year. I recommend. 

No photos because selfies here would completely wreck the zen.

Friday night it was still too hot to cook so we splurged (oops, another one) on dinner at one of our favorite spots in a nearby town and enjoyed the air conditioning, a yummy cocktail, and not cooking. Hubs guitar teacher's band was playing at a local brewery Friday night so after dinner we made a stop there to listen for a while. 

Saturday I had to make a quick trip to the library to pick up a book I've had on hold and also return a couple I've read. I love when the timing works out so the pick up and drop off can be done in one trip because the library is in town and we live out. I made another stop for a few groceries before heading home for an afternoon on the lake. 

It was hot. So hot. Several friends invited us to raft up with our boat in a quiet cove and have what we call a float party. Everyone brings a float, their own beverage and snacks, and you float. That's it. 

The lake is the perfect temperature and this is the ideal way to spend a steamy Saturday. 

We got back to our dock four hours later and it was still hot. Hubs let the little brown dog swim while I prepped dinner. We are all in on the College Baseball World Series this year because the VOLS have made it to the final finals, and it was game one on Saturday night. 

Which they lost.

But they did win game two on Sunday afternoon, which I missed because I was driving to my daughter's house. She needs a helping hand this week and I was available. When I walked in the door there was one excruciating inning left, but the VOLS eked out the win and it's on to game three Monday night.

Hubs and I did get the paddleboards out before I left on Sunday, and I had another go at standing, balancing, paddling, and turning. I'm just going to say a paddleboard does not turn on a dime the way a kayak does. 

Ask me how I know. My legs are like jelly when I get off the board, but I gotta think my core is improving because I have my stomach clenched the entire time I'm up. Hubs says I need to relax and I'm sure I will eventually. They say practice makes perfect, but the jury is still out! 

Have a nice week cveryone~

Linking this post with Holly and Sarah for their regular Hello Monday hop. 

Splurging On The Hodgepodge

Hello Summer and hello Wednesday Hodgepodge. Summer officially begins on Thursday in the Northern Hemisphere, but the temperatures here are saying it's arrived. 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. Or all the bloggers on the list, because it's summertime and the commenting is easy...

Here we go-

1. It's National Splurge Day...what's something you might splurge on today? What have you splurged on recently? 

I haven't splurged on anything today and don't anticipate that happening. I'm not opposed to a splurge if something comes up though!  Hubs is usually the one to splurge (he won't deny it) and just yesterday he walked in the door with brand new Apple Watches for us both. Happy Anniversary to us! 

I saw a meme recently that said, 'In every marriage there's one person saving money and one person living their best life. Ha! Kinda true! 

2. Do you have a beach bag? What's in it? Is a trip to the beach on your summer bucket list? Do you have a summer bucket list? 

I don't have a 'beach bag', but I do have a boat bag. We live on a lake so having a bag mostly ready to grab whenever we go out is handy. 

What's in it? Assorted sunscreens, a plastic bag with paper products (plates, napkins, plastic silverware, trash bag), a coverup, extra coozies, towel, comb, hat, and my trusty wristbands to combat motion sickness. 

We don't have a beach trip on the calendar this summer, but there are small beaches on some of the islands in the lake that we'll motor out to all summer long. I have a summer bucket list in my head, but haven't written it down. Planning to do that soon. 

3. What's a song that makes you think of a summer past? What comes to mind when you hear it? What memories does it stir up for you? 

Too many to name, but beach music for sure. It's a whole genre, and is especially popular in the southland. If I have to pick just one I'll say Summertime's Calling Me by The Catalinas. 

Makes me think of college summers, dancing with my boyfriend (now hubs), and then years later our girls loving it too. We had a little arm motion we all did during the chorus, and we all still make that motion when we hear the song today. 

I just asked my hubs what he would say and we have the same answer. 

4. Sushi-yay or nay? Have you actually tried it? If you love it what's your go-to order? 

Sushi-yay! I like sushi and we go to a local spot from time to time to indulge. My favorite sushi spot is a bit of a drive from here, but our local place is okay too. I like most rolls, heat but not the kind that makes your eyes water and your face turn red.  I always get an order of edamame, and I always ask for extra ginger. I like the wasabi and soy on the side.

5. I own a ridiculous amount of ____________________________________. 

Nothing sprang to mind right off the bat, but in taking a look around I'm going to say glass vases. I almost always use the same three, but I've got probably ten times that. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We finally got the paddleboards out and I got up on mine without too much difficulty. 

I'll spare you the outtakes! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 556

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 National Splurge Day...what's something you might splurge on today? What have you splurged on recently? 

2. Do you have a beach bag? What's in it? Is a trip to the beach on your summer bucket list? Do you have a summer bucket list? 

3. What's a song that makes you think of a summer past? What comes to mind when you hear it? What memories does it stir up for you? 

4. Sushi-yay or nay? Have you actually tried it? If you love it what's your go-to order? 

5. I own a ridiculous amount of ____________________________________. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Weekend Jamboree

The weekend. It was a doozy y'all, and I mean that in a good way. It was my grandson's second birthday. It was anniversary #40 for the hubs and I. It was Father's Day. It was baby dedication day for Sugar at their church. 

It was food and fun and family. 

It was cards and presents and balloons. 

It was baby girl in her Daddy's baptismal gown and a sermon that highlighted marriage on the very day we married. 

It was men supervising the BBQ, the grill, and the smoker. 

It was also college baseball (GO VOLS!), heat, and naps in cribs and on couches. 

I could write a post about any one of those things, but I think I'll just dive in and see where we land. I will very likely write a separate post about our anniversary because someday I have to climb out of the shallow end of the blog pool and get back into deeper waters. There is much to be said about a long married life. Stay tuned. 

Back to the kiddie pool...we made the three hour drive to daughter2's house Friday morning, with a stop at her nearby Publix to pick up subs for lunch. When we walked in the door sweet baby J literally clapped his hands and jumped for joy at seeing our faces. There's not much in the world that can top that. 

We had lunch and both kiddies took naps before the in-law grandparents rolled in. We hung out on the porch and passed Sugar from grandparent to grandparent while little man played. There's a lot of watching the grands do whatever kids do when you're a grandparent. And you think it's all marvelous because it absolutely is. 

Daughter2 made spaghetti for dinner and we watched Tennessee baseball win in the last seconds of the game to beat Florida State and then we watched all the replays and then Saturday we watched the ending a few more times because it was so good. 

Unless you're a Seminole of course. 

Anyway, Saturday morning was the birthday party for sweet baby J. As an aside, I always write my grandchildren a letter on their birthdays and you can read his in the link here (Two-rrific). The birthday was small, really just family and the next door neighbors, but the size was perfect for someone turning two. 

There was a cute construction theme with vests for the guests, and bins of kinetic sand with lots of construction vehicles and assorted road works equipment tucked inside. There were chicken minis from Chick-fil-a, sausage balls, a fruit tray, pasta salad and a scrumptious homemade cake courtesy of his momma. 

Homemade and homestyle are my favorite kind of parties, and J had a ball leisurely opening presents and exclaiming WOW! upon seeing each and every gift unwrapped. Completely precious. Everyone rested, chatted, read, and/or napped that afternoon, then my son-in-law grilled hotdogs and burgers for dinner and then we all pretty much collapsed into bed at an early hour. 

Did I mention the heat? Whew! It was extreme all weekend long. 

Sunday morning I got up and took a walk around the neighborhood before the temperature went soaring, we had a quick breakfast, and the guys all opened their Father's Day cards and gifts. 

We don't really do gifts on Father's Day, but I bought all the men a jar of these pickles I spotted at the local farm stand the other day. They all like pickles and spicy food (these have a whole jalapeno in them, along with lots of garlic and onions) plus the name screamed Father's Day to me. 

We all changed and  loaded up the cars for the short ride to church. There were four babies being dedicated today and big brother was feeling like the freshly minted 2-year old he is up there grinning on the stage with his parents. His dad had one hand on his shirt collar most of the time, but sweet baby J enjoyed every minute lol. 

Sugar of course was just like her name. Sweet. She has the biggest, best smile y'all. It's like a full body smile and her whole adorable face lights up. 

After the dedication portion concluded the whole congregation sang Jesus Loves Me and it made me feel so teary. Getting toddlers and babies and yourselves to church on Sunday mornings is not for the faint of heart, but my daughter2's church is bursting at the seams with small children. Makes my heart so happy to know these young families are doing whatever it takes to get there each week. To raise their children in this upside down world to put their faith in the One who made it. 

The media loves to tell us every awful thing millennials and older Gen Z-ers are up to, but when I'm around my girls and their friends I see hard working, committed, faithful parents raising families and living with intention. These young adults don't make the news, but they are quietly going about the business of living full, productive lives, and the world is less depressing when we remember that. 

My son-in-law is a master griller and he smoked a delicious pork butt for Father's Day dinner. 

There was more college baseball afterwards (GO VOLS!) and it was the perfect way to end a perfect weekend. I think Sweet baby J would tell you that next to the balloons this was his favorite part-

So how did you spend your weekend? 

                              

Linking up with Holly and Sarah for their regular Hello Monday blog party...see you there!