Skiing In To The Hodgepodge

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

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

I choose a snowy walk. We haven't had any snow this winter so none of the above have happened. 

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

I wrote a whole post relating to this topic on Monday which you can read here (Throwback Monday). Bring your coffee...it's not short. In a nutshell we spent 2016 building our current house so most of my photos are related to that event. 

I have a million so will share one I didn't include in Monday's post-

Our family has more than doubled in size. 

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year? 

Rioting masquerading as protest. I'm so over it. 

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I like granola okay. If I'm having yogurt for breakfast I'll put a small sprinkle of granola on top because I like the crunch. Granola can be calorie heavy and also full of sugar so there's that. 

I'm not a big fan of granola bars or other types of bars unless I'm hiking, and then I appreciate the energy boost they provide. 

Wait. Do candy bars count? I do like those. 

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I like the idea of a trickling stream at the start of this new year...gentle progress, subtle changes, reflection. That one seems to fit best right now. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I haven't ventured too deeply into the world of AI, but recently I used it for a little project with great success. My pantry had gotten out of control over the holidays. It was to the point where I was setting things in there telling myself I'd sort it out later and eventually get to a re-org in the new year.

Well the new year is here and the job felt overwhelming. Ugh. 

So I did what we do in the age of technology and snapped a photo. Then I showed it to my imaginary friend, aka AI, and asked her if she could sort it out. 

She did. In about ten seconds too. 

Also, I'm calling 'IT' a she and her response was amazing. 'She' started with some general suggestions then drilled down into some of the finer details when I said tell me more. She said she could organize it by shelf and even tell me what sort of containers I might need to purchase. 

I finally tackled the job today (Tuesday) which meant pulling everything out of the pantry, three bags of trash removed, a box of assorted items including some flower vases, pitchers and trays I've never used, etc to give away, all the shelves wiped down, the floor vacuumed, and best of all I now know what had been hiding there. Nothing exciting, nothing expired, but a lot of duplicates, including three jars of capers??? and an abundance of honey. 

Feels so good to have this job done. Now if only it will serve to inspire my cooking. 

Throwback Monday

There's a trend making it's way around social media where people are sharing what their lives looked like in 2016 . It sounded like fun so here we are. 

Ten years. I had to scratch my head a little to remember what we were doing in 2016, but thankfully I have a blog to help with that. 

Turns out we were building a house. Ha!



How do you forget that? 

I guess I've successfully blocked the process from my memory, but at the time it seemed to fill our every waking moment. 

When I say we were building a house I mean the entire year of 2016 was dedicated to that endeavor. We actually broke ground on September 24th of 2015 and then it proceeded to rain for the next month so we didn't start construction until mid-October of that year. 

And it took a looooong time. Almost fourteen months but who's counting? My camera reel from 2016 is filled with a lot of red clay, lumber, plumbing, and stone. 

And that was pretty much it. 

I mean not it it, but the home build did consume our time and our thoughts and our lives for the entirety of 2016.

As home builds do. 

In other old news...having newlyweds in the family made for a happy distraction in 2016. Daughter1 and her hubs married the year before and promptly moved thousands of miles away, which incidentally would become a trend for them going forward, although we blessedly didn't know it then. 

God gives us grace for the day y'all. 

I made two trips to the Evergreen State that year and I loved it. I didn't love the distance, but I'd never spent any time in the PNW before my daughter1 moved there, and I thought it was so beautiful. 

The trees...all the green...I loved walking in my daughter's neighborhood with her picture perfect view of Mt. Rainier. 

Loved walking the path through what I dubbed the Jurrasic forest and then the way it opened up into the wide expanse of the Puget Sound. 

Loved hanging with this guy too of course. 

He was an adorable and only slightly naughty one year old puppy who had no idea he'd be coming to live with us just three years later.  As I said, grace for the day. 

We bought a boat-

Our dock went in before the house was even framed, and this was smart on our part if I do say so myself. 

I mean hubs was all over that so I can't take any credit but having the dock meant we could hang out in the lake while the builders did their thing. 

May 7, 2016...dipping my toes in the lake from our dock for the first time. 

We had to navigate through the overgrown prickly brush on the hillside to get to it, but still we were a step closer towards calling home home. 

What else? OOOhhh the apartment. It was actually kind of fun living in a furnished apartment while we built. I could clean the whole thing in about an hour and best of all daughter2 lived in the same complex.

She was teaching school and we got to see a lot of her and her sweet Greyhound. 

Scrolling through pictures I see we had time with extended family, some fun weekends spent both here and away with friends, some of whom we haven't seen in a while which makes me a little sad, but also grateful for the people whose paths have crossed ours whether for a season or forever. 

I see too, that taking sunrise/sunset pics has been a thing for at least a decade. 

Mostly I'm struck by how ten years feels like forever. I'd almost forgotten we lived in that apartment because life flows like a fast moving river and we have to keep paddling forward. 

Still, it's okay to glance over your shoulder now and then. 

Cheers to the next ten. I don't know what they'll bring...

...but I know there will be grace enough to meet us there. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 637

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (January 21st) to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year? 

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Cloudy With A Chance Of Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the weekly 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. What kind of winter person are you-snow lover, fireplace snuggler, winter adventurer, or indoor hibernator? Elaborate. 

I enjoy seeing snow fall but am not what you'd call a a snow lover. It rarely snows here and if it does it doesn't last. I'd have to travel to see snow and I don't love it enough to do that. 

I'm going with fireplace snuggler. When it's cold outside I like to be under a blanket beside the fire with my book. 

We got feet of snow every winter when we lived in NJ. Our pup loved it! Hubs not so much : ) 

And while we may not get a lot of snow here, when we do the little brown dog makes the most of it. 

2. The Pantone color of the year is cloud dancer, described as a gentle, billowy off white shade. The color symbolizes 'peace, clarity, quiet reflection, renewal, and a soft reset'. Of the terms just listed which do you need most in your life this winter? 

I like the name cloud dancer. I crave peace and also clarity in regards to the best way to handle some difficult situations. I know trusting Jesus and taking these things to Him is what makes peace and clarity possible. 

3. Every cloud has a silver lining, on cloud nine, head in the clouds, storm clouds gathering, or cloud of suspicion...which 'cloud' idiom do you most relate to currently? Explain. 

Every cloud has a silver lining because I'm ever and always an optimist. 

4. coconut, cauliflower, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, onions, ranch dressing...of the white foods listed, which would be the hardest for you to give up? Do you like all or any of the foods on the list? 

I like all of the foods listed, but some would be harder than others to give up. Coconut is one of my favorite flavors, but not something I have every day or even every week. On the other hand onions are in so many of the dishes I make on a regular basis, and they add to the flavor of those dishes, so I guess onions would be the most missed. I feel the same way about mayonnaise. 

5. Thomas Wentworth Higginson is credited with this quote-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 

Agree or disagree? Tell us why. 

I would say I agree in the sense that life and the changing seasons teach us lessons if we pay attention. While I believe beauty exists no matter the season, there is something uniquely valuable about winter. I love the slowing down it brings that's sometimes missing in other seasons. 

I like the pause that comes with winter. The space it brings that encourages me to step back from the busyness of daily life. Time to reflect and time to rest. I think faith grows in times of rest, maybe more so than in times of productivity. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of clouds...I have a small obsession with the sky and clouds especially. Back in September I saw someone on Instagram share a sky collage and decided I wanted to do the same. Every morning in the month of October I snapped a picture of the sky while standing in the same spot in my backyard. Here's how it looked-

Have a nice week everyone! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 636

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (January 14th) to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there!

1. What kind of winter person are you-snow lover, fireplace snuggler, winter adventurer, or indoor hibernator? Elaborate. 

2. The Pantone color of the year is cloud dancer, described as a gentle, billowy off white shade. The color symbolizes 'peace, clarity, quiet reflection, renewal, and a soft reset'. Of the terms just listed which do you need most in your life this winter? 

3. Every cloud has a silver lining, on cloud nine, head in the clouds, storm clouds gathering, or cloud of suspicion...which 'cloud' idiom do you most relate to currently? Explain. 

4. coconut, cauliflower, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, onions, ranch dressing...of the white foods listed, which would be the hardest for you to give up? Do you like all or any of the foods on the list? 

5. Thomas Wentworth Higginson is credited with this quote-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 

Agree or disagree? Tell us why. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Friday Faves

 Joining Andrea (Momfessionals) and Erika (A Little Bit Of Everything) for their Friday Favorites link 

Here are five things I'm loving in this new year-

1. Eating lighter.  Who's with me? We've had so many heavy meals these past three months (yes the holiday-ing seems to start in October for some reason) and it's been nice to change it up here.   

Last night I made this yummy salad-arugala, tomato, cucumber, toasted pine nuts, a sprinkle of parm, and a light lemon vinaigrette topped with some chicken tenders browned and finished off in the oven with a little chicken broth and capers. 

2. This juice, Uncle Matt's Ultimate Immune made with orange juice, elderberry, zinc and more-

I had a glass at my neighbor's house on New Year's Eve and liked it so much I bought some on my next trip to the grocery. It's not inexpensive, but it is delicious and not overly sweet. Plus it's pretty. Elderberry is particularly good for you this time of year as it helps boost immunity and reduces cold and flu symptoms, among other things. 

I bought mine at Publix but it's available at Wal Mart, Amazon, and other shops too. 

3. Signs of spring. It's never too early, right? 

Actually I think it might be too early in some parts of the country, and we'll likely have some cold weather here before the calendar makes it official. These daffs are hardy and can handle the kind of winter weather we get in The Palmetto State.  

4. Moving-

Not house. Definitely not that! I mean moving me. 

Hubs and I have had some nice walks in this new year and I hope we keep it up. I still wear my ankle brace and that seems to help with the lingering off and on pain that has no medical explanation. We haven't done any extreme hills, unless you count my neighborhood walking trail (which I do), but mostly we're steering clear of trails marked strenuous. 

This is the flat part of our neighborhood walking trail. It's literally a short straight up and/or straight down bit to get here, but it feels good to move and I'm hoping more walking will actually help as opposed to hurt. 

5. Day dates. 

Still counting my 52 dates in 52 weeks we started back in the fall, and think it's going to end up being more like 52 in 60 or something like that which is fine. We were away over the holidays and spent time with family so missed a week and we had company here one week so missed another and I'm sure there will be one or two more misses before we get to 52. 

But we'll get there. Lots will involve hikes because we enjoy that. We love to be outside, and hiking is a quiet activity that allows for conversation and deep thinking. Hubs says I don't need a reason to think deeply, but he humors me. 

Episode lucky 13 was a hike through some beautiful woods and around a small local lake with fabulous views of Table Rock. 

70 degrees on January 7th.

 I'll take it! 

If you'd like to share five favorite somethings from the first part of this new year hop over to our host blogs and add your links. 

Have a happy weekend everyone! 

Share Your Shelf-December

I think the link up might have been last week, but as per usual I'm easing in to January and not apologizing for it. I'm not someone who charges in to the new year. We're often exhausted as the year winds down and I love taking it slow in the first month of the year, particularly the first couple of weeks. Life will pick up speed and the calendar will fill up, but for now slow and easy down the new year road I go. 

This link up had four hosts previously but Joanne (Slices of Life) is going it alone this year so hop over and add your list of books read the month prior. Here's my short but sweet December list- 

Anxious People by Frederik Bachman

Let me start by saying I really love Backman's writing. I've read a number of his previous books and enjoyed all. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, a creative and original tale where a 7-year old girl is best friends with her grandmother, is my favorite. 

Most of Bachman's books feature quirky yet somehow relatable characters, and most get rave reviews.  Anxious People had many reviewers saying it was just okay, but I really liked it. Four stars for me. 

In Anxious People a failed bank robbery turns an apartment open house into a hostage situation, trapping eight anxious strangers together. The would-be-robber vanishes, secrets come to light, and the captives discover they have more in common than expected. Funny and tender Anxious People explores themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the quiet ways in which people can truly help one another. 

Grace (Sisters of the Heart #4) by Shelley Shepard Gray

A Christmas themed novel given to me by a friend in my book club. She wraps up Christmas books in brown paper and everyone grabs one. So thoughtful! This was mine, and while it was a bit 'Hallmark-y' I liked it. It was the end of the year and light felt right. 

Grace is apparently the fourth in a series by this author, but it was easy to catch up with the main character's back stories. The novel is set in a tightly knit Amish community, specifically in a Bed and Breakfast owned and run by an Amish family, The Brennemans. 

The family is ready to close down for the holidays until two unexpected guests arrive seeking shelter. First comes Levi, angry and insistent on staying. Then Melody appears, nearly nine months pregnant and alone, with no explanation for her journey from Kentucky.  The Brennemans offer warm hospitality, and daughter Katie is determined to uncover the secrets they carry. 

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson 

I'm still on my 'read a classic every month' kick, and this was December's selection. The language and vocabulary alone in these classics make me want to read more. Hubs and I listened on Audible, and I loved it. I don't know if I ever read this as a child, but hubs remembered it well. The narration is top notch and made the listening more fun. 

Treasure Island was published in 1883, and blends moral lessons with adventure. It's had a huge impact, both on later tales of adventure and our perception of pirates,  that still holds true today. 

This is the story of Jim Hawkins, a young boy who goes in search of treasure after finding a treasure map. He faces shipwreck, a pirate mutiny, sword fights and more. It's the story of a young boy who overcomes the odds. 

The tale begins at the Admiral Benbow Inn on England's Bristol Channel where Jim and his parents encounter an old sailor, later revealed to be Billy Bones, former first mate of the famed pirate Captain Flint. 

After Bones death Jim takes the map to Dr. Livesy and Squire John Trelawney, who organize an expedtion to find the treasure. Together with a crew, Jim joins Long John Silver on an expedition to an uncharted island to find Flint's treasures. It soon becomes apparent many of the crew are former pirates under Silver's command and a mutiny is brewing.   

Themes of good and evil, fortune and greed, survival and resourcefulness, loyalty and betrayal are all explored. Five stars for me. 

If you're reading something great, send it my way.