Wednesday, October 29, 2025

No Surprise It's The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week'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. Are you a risk taker? To what degree?

Not by choice. We're retired so we're pretty low risk with investments at this point in our lives. I'm not at all a risk taker in the athletic/adrenaline sport department-snow skiing, rock climbing, that sort of thing. 

That being said if hubs said he wanted to pick up and live somewhere new, visit a country we've never before seen, eat something unusual, then I'd be game.  I'm open to change and I guess that qualifies me as somewhat of a risk taker. 

Out of curiosity I took an online quiz and came out as a sensation seeker but on the low end of that spectrum-

'...Your relatively low score in sensation-seeking indicates that while you may take risks on occasion, you usually choose the well-traveled path. You probably prefer to work in a stable environment in which changes are made gradually and with ample warning...'

So that is my preference and my comfort zone, but of course I've lived outside of that in a lot of ways. While I don't seek out risk I can cope if it comes my way. 

2. What's your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth? 

Let's start with the easy part first-do I have a sweet tooth. In a word, yes. 

Next question-my favorite candy? I'm not sure I can choose just one, but Jelly Bellies, Starburst, Hot Tamales, Mike and Ikes, and a PayDay candy bar rank right up there. Also they're what you'd most likely find stashed in my candy drawer. 

Everyone has a candy drawer, right?  

3. Somewhere you've been recently that had you feeling 'like a kid in a candy store'? 

Hobby Lobby always feels a bit like a 'candy store' to me. I met my daughter for coffee on Tuesday and she needed a red feather for her son's costume so we popped in Hobby Lobby after. 


Yeah. We bought more than a feather. 

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world? 

I think the best way to make a positive change in the world is to make a positive change in your own little corner of it. Most of us won't change the world on a grand scale but we can make a difference in someone's life and of course the lives of our own families. This good has a ripple effect. 

Be a good neighbor. Be a considerate patron of the businesses and restaurants you visit. Volunteer. Be generous in supporting those in need in your own home town in whatever way you're able. Smile. Speak to the sales clerk. Hold that door for the person coming behind you. Make a meal for a new mom or a family grieving. Express your appreciation for kindnesses large and small. Vote. Pray for the needs of the people whose paths cross yours. Stand up for the things you believe in.  

'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Luke 6:31 

5. Do you like surprises? 

The good kind, sure lol. An unexpected repair, a broken bone, that sort of surprise not so much. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Hmmm...how about a picture of the most delicious entree I had for dinner Tuesday evening? Pretty sure that qualifies as random. 

I got a little too close when I snapped the picture, but it was very pretty-grilled mahi mahi over charred corn risotto, topped with lemon basil cream sauce and pickled onions. I didn't make it, but wow it was so good. We met friends at a local distillery and I think when they first opened the owners were all about the beverages. But they hired a very well-trained and experienced chef and now people are coming just for the food, and the place is always hoppin' which is nice to see. 

The owners of the venue are former rodeo riders which is not a profession you encounter every day. I think the wife may still compete and the venue has their buckles on display along with some fancy saddles. It's a fun place. 

In a completely unrelated vein...this is your weekly reminder I'm hosting a Day In The Life link up here on Thursday, November 13th. If you need more info check out my random thought in this post-A Freshly Painted Hodgepodge. 

Happy Wednesday everyone! My favorite middle grandson turns six years old today. His birthday letter from Nana is here-Snips And Snails And Birthday Tails  for anyone who enjoys reading these. 

24 comments:

  1. Yes, Hobby Lobby is another 'kid in a candy store' place for me. Loved your number 4. Your mahi mahi dish looks amazing!

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  2. Not chocolate so much, then, for you? I really like all the candies you mentioned but chocolate always reigns supreme for me. It will be interesting to see everyone's top picks. Heavens yes to having a candy drawer. It used to be my stash where I "hid" it from the kids. Everyone has known about it for a long time now but so I just use it as a drawer. That's cool about the restaurant, its owners and that it's doing well. Thanks for the link up and have a great day!

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    1. I do love chocolate too, but my mind went another direction. I don't think the grands know about the drawer (which has other things in it besides candy) but their momma definitely does and has one of her own : )

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  3. Happy birthday to your grandson! I don’t think I realized, until I read your post from yesterday, that we each have a grand who shares a birthday with each other. They are such sweet little blessings.

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  4. We had a lot of the same answers. The meal looks so good! I like that you have a candy drawer and I bet the grandkids know where it is!

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    1. They don't but their mother does. She checks it whenever she's here.

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  5. I loved your answers! I almost used that Bible verse as part of my answer for that question as well. Thank you for doing this each week! This is always my favorite blog link party. Happy Wednesday!

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  6. I feel like Hobby Lobby is a candy store too :) I am so impressed that you have lived abroad- not sure I would ever be brave enough and no, I am not much of a risk taker- shocker- ha!

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  7. Yum! A lot of the candy you have mentioned I have never tried but I know I love Starburst, I am thinking it's the same as we get here in England, the one's that used to be called Opal Fruits.
    Oh wow! Hobby Lobby! I think I would be like a kid in a candy store in there!
    I said much of the same for #4. Be a good person and you can create change.
    Yum! That entree sure does look delicious!

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  8. Good morning from the upper left side of our contiguous states. Great and thoughtful answer to the fourth question. Our nice big tin bin that says Bread is really for candy, here. :) A distillery with good food is a win, win. Enjoy the end of October. Will your grands come and trick or treat?

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  9. Happy birthday to your grandson! I think Hobby Lobby is like a kid in the candy store for sure. You have been a positive light in my life! Enjoy your day!

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  10. Hello, a candy drawer, oh yes. ;-) And a cheese drawer. My two favorites. Hee Hee!
    I enjoyed your answer to #4.

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  11. That's an interesting test you took. Those are interesting candy choices. All I can say is "WOW" about Hobby Lobby. Excellent answer on how to make a positive change in the world. Your dinner looks delicious. It's nice that you get out with friends. Enjoy your day.

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  12. You always know exactly how to answer these questions whereas I tend to draw a blank. #4 is spot on! Have a great day and thank you for these thought provoking questions.

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  13. I have a candy drawer at school but not at home. I love a good distillery and the food looks delicious.

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  14. I'd say we're the same level of risk taker... only my husband pretty much never wants to travel somewhere new (definitely not outside the country!). I don't have a candy drawer but if I did I don't think you'd find any of the candies you mentioned inside... perhaps a small package of Jelly Bellys but I don't typically like anything fruity or chewy.

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  15. I think to change the world the politicians should all act like you wrote "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'' I don't think that helping your neighbor or friends would change anything in the world.

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  16. No, I don’t have a candy drawer but hubs has two bowls of candy out on the kitchen counter….

    While I haven’t felt like a kid in a candy store for quite some time, I also don’t go to Hobby Lobby as much as I used to. You’re absolutely right —THAT is a ‘kid in a candy store’ experience!!

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  17. I really like your #4 answer!! And oh goodness...Hobby Lobby will do it every time for me. YES..I do feel like a kid in a Candy Shop at HL. I was there just this morning and I could have spent a lot more time but I knew I had to get out to there. I'm not a chocolate person, so honestly...if I did have to choose a candy, it would be Hot Tamales. Thanks Joyce...I do always look forward to Wednesday..

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  18. That meal looks amazing!! I do not have a candy drawer . . .but it sounds like a fun thing to have.

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  19. That meal looks so good. I always like to order fish if I think it will be prepared well. We sound similar on the risk taking and surprises. Hobby Lobby is always fun, whether browsing or buying!

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  20. Hi Joyce, I enjoyed reading your post. That is a good verse to go by. That dish looks really good. Remind me of one I had on my last cruise. There is a new place that opened up near us that I want to try out. Hobby Lobby is a big candy store. I put a lot in the basket and then end up not getting most of it. I already have too many decorations!

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  21. I'm late getting here, but enjoyed your answers and especially the way you answewed #4. I agree about Hobby Lobby!! You and your hubs always find the best places to eat!! That dish, even close-up, looks delicious!! xo

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