A Day In The Life-June

Welcome to our Day In The Life link up. If you've posted about a typical day where you live add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and say hi to your neighbors there. Day In The Life posts only please and thank you. 

I love reading these posts and think they harken back to the early days of blogging, and even social media, where you got to know people through their writing and felt connected through the ordinary moments of life. We're bringing it back today. 

I chose June 1st because just because. Mostly because it occurred to me the night before and I have to set some alarms to remember to snap pictures throughout the day. Here we go-

Monday, June 1, 2026

Rise and shine, today at 6:36 am. I didn't set an alarm and am often up far earlier, but on this day it was 6:36. 

Start the coffee (I always set it up the night before) and feed the little brown dog. Mondays are trash day here so the pup likes to accompany hubs outside when he hauls the bins to the curb. We don't put them out the night before because bears love a good trash can meal. 

I'm glad when hubs is home to do the lugging, because the bins are heavy and our driveway has a slight incline so it's not my favorite task. 

Once this is done I pour coffee and settle in to my comfy space on the upstairs deck. I read my Bible, write in my prayer journal, browse emails, check to see if there are Tiny Beans updates, and play my word games to keep my brain working. Tiny Beans is a photo sharing site my girls both use to share pics of the grands. It's by invitation only and it's nice because aunts, uncles, and great-grandparents can all see the pics there. 

The first cup of coffee is my favorite. 

Hubs sits with me and does similar activities, although he doesn't play the word games like I do. 

Today we notice something yellow on the curb beside the lower garage so we walk down to investigate. From the deck it looks like, for lack of a better descriptor, dog vomit. 

Whadda ya know? I snapped a pic and my trusty plant identifier told me it is a fungus appropriately named-dog vomit slime mold. It's also sometimes known as scrambled egg slime and it's common after a lot of rain. We had a gully washer here all day every day over the Memorial Day weekend so this makes sense. Fortunately it disappears as the ground dries out. 

You didn't know this was going to be educational, did you?

Anyway, I couldn't linger with my morning coffee as long as I normally do because I had a facial booked at 9 AM,  and it's almost an hour drive so I needed to get moving. 

There are places I could go much closer to home, but I love everything about the experience in this particular spa and I love the girl I see there. Now that my mom lives in that general direction I'll combine the trek with a visit to her, or I'll stop at Costco or Trader Joe's which are also very nearby the salon. 

I go with a clean face, but I did shower, outside of course because that's the law here once winter ends, plus the view cannot be beat. Then I put on my comfy yoga pants, ate a small carton of yogurt, and was on my way. 

The facial lasted an hour (pure bliss) and then I headed one town over to see my mama. 

When I arrived she was in a chair yoga class and when that wrapped up she was going for some p.t. I tagged along and it was fun to see what all she does with the therapist. She cracked a joke too and we all laughed. After therapy we went outside and sat for a bit, then back to her room. 

Pay no attention to my shiny face. I had a facial and am still sans makeup. 

I walked with her to lunch then got on the road to head home. I grabbed a box of chick-fil-a nuggets and a diet lemonade for the ride back to the lake because I was starving. 

Once home I spent some time on the deck working on my blog. 

It rained a little and I love sitting outside listening to it fall. I move the deck pots out from under cover for some free watering. 

Daughter2 facetimed and I spent 57 minutes talking to her which is always a treat. Her kids were resting so we actually got to talk.  

Continue to ignore my still shiny face and my slightly oily hair. Shower number 2 is coming up because hubs and I had signed up for a wine dinner that evening. 

This was not our normal monthly wine dinner, but one the owner of the wine shop had put together. The wines were French and the winemaker was there to do the presentation. 

They had the most amazing charcuterie board as a starter, and then short ribs followed by creme brulee for dessert. The food was yummy. 

Course I neglected to snap a pic of hubs and I, but in true to me fashion I did get one of the sky when we were walking back to our car. The sunset was a beauty. 

I tried to snap a picture as we drove across the bridge coming home,  but didn't fare too well. 

We were home about 9:30 and headed to bed soon after. 

Now. Was this day typical? Sort of. There's truly no such thing as a typical day here. Every day is a little different than the one before, but on this day there was a lot of driving which feels accurate, at least for the past couple of months. There wasn't any cooking which is not typical, but there was porch time, a catch up with a daughter, blog time, a fun meal out, and that facial, the benefit of which cannot be overstated. 

This was fun. I look forward to reading about your day and will plan another link up sometime late fall. Thanks for joining the party here today! 

Hodgepodge Fever

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. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

What a crazy day that was. Watching the super slow police chase of a former NFL standout. So sad for those families and all that was revealed after. 

In June of 1994 we were settling in to our new home in Maryland, having closed on our house there at the very end of May. Daughter1 had celebrated her 6th birthday a little bit early, with her NJ friends just before we moved and Daughter2 was not quite four. 

And now let's pause and give these neon track suits on tiny people their due. When my girls see photos of themselves in this sort of 'fashion' they always ask, 'But why were we wearing track suits?' 

Good question. I guess they were all the rage, they came in pretty colors, and they were comfy. Also swishy. Not a single natural fiber to be found but they do look awfully cute. 

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?

I love all salads, but one of my favorites is a Caprese-red ripe tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil  topped with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a splash of balsamic. 

I like fruit in salads and often add Craisins to a regular tossed salad. There's a salad I make that we all love that calls for apple and pear. I like a watermelon and feta salad, a spinach and strawberry salad, and a peach and burrata salad too. 

3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? 

Is chivalry dead? Not quite. 

Should it be? I vote no. I mean technically it might be dead because I think the original definition of the word applied to a knight's code of conduct, and there aren't many knights around in 2026. The word has taken on a more commonly used meaning in modern times, and 'typically refers to an honorable and polite way of behaving, especially by men toward women' (Websters). 

If that's the definition we're using then it's not dead in my house and I'm grateful. My hubs is considerate, opens doors, brings the car to the curb when it's raining, holds the umbrella, carries heavy luggage and bags, kills creepy crawlies, investigates strange noises, and brews me afternoon tea. I appreciate these gestures. 

Am I helpless? Not at all. But I love feeling cared for and cherished and I'm glad there are areas of life I can trust he'll take care of and manage. I don't think men and women were designed to serve the same roles within marriage and I appreciate our different giftings.  

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? 

Hawaii I think.

Maybe it's in my DNA? 

I've never been to Alaska, and it's become a really  popular tourist destination it seems. I'm sure I'd enjoy a trip there, but it's never been high on my bucket list. I'd rather have sun, sand, and the sea or ancient cities and beautiful architecture. 

As far as the 'state foods' go...I won't order a Hawaiian pizza, but will eat it if that's what the group wants. I don't hate it, but there are far better pizzas out there than one topped with pineapple. 

 I've never had Baked Alaska but would love to try it. 

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why. 

We're watching. I love the patriotism on display by all the countries represented. I love that everyone is singing their nation's National Anthem with hands on their hearts. I love the enthusiasm for American culture that's had a light shone upon it thanks to the visiting spectators from around the world. I like the matches best where someone scores -ha! 

I never played soccer and my girls played only when they were very young. There were other sports/dance they'd rather be doing. 

If I have to pick a city from that list I guess maybe Toronto, mostly because I've never been. Also, I have a friend who lives not far from there, and I've heard it's a foodie city which appeals to me. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A quick reminder I'm hosting A Day In The Life linkup tomorrow-June 18th for anyone interested in playing along. 

If you need details you'll find them in my random thought here (Nom de Hodgepodge). Feel free to screen shot the graphic. See you there! 

Nom de Hodgepodge

Welcome to the last Hodgepodge in this merry month of May. 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 like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names? 

I don't have a strong opinion about my name. I don't dislike it, and can't really imagine anything different.  That's who I've always been so yes, I guess I do like it. I'm not named after anyone. 

When we found out we were expecting daughter1 hubs and I immediately settled on her name. We were less sure of a boy's name, but no matter, because we were both certain baby was a girl and we were right. We just loved the name, both first and middle, and it suits her. 

There was just one other girl with her same name in her preschool and kindergarten class, but then all the way up through university we didn't know another. Fast forward to present day and we have three in our church besides her so maybe it's more of a SC thing? We still love it. 

Daughter2 has a name that belonged to one of hubs grandmothers and also one of my great grandmothers which is nice. The name definitely suits her. We gave her hubs other grandmother's name as a middle, and I knew and loved that grandmother so was happy to pass it on. 

My grandchildren have a combination of family names and names their parent's loved. They are all more traditional which I love. One has his dad and granddads' first name and then our surname as his middle. One has my dad's name as his middle. One has my mother's maiden name as his middle. Both grandgirls share middle names with their mommas which is sweet. 

2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

I'll have the blueberry pie please. That's a favorite and I make at least one every summer. Hubs birthday is early September and I sometimes make him a blueberry pie instead of a cake for his birthday dessert. 

If I were picking something not listed it would be angel food cake topped with strawberries. Red and white. I'll make one of these soon as my daughter1 requests this for her birthday dessert every year and she has one coming up soon. 

Fun fact...she has a son turning the age she is in this photo but we won't time travel down that rabbit hole today. 

3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day? 

I'd like to check groceries at the supermarket for a day. I can't really explain why this appeals to me, but it's a job I think I'd enjoy. I like grocery shopping and am nosy about what people have in their carts. I'm also picky about the bagging-just ask my hubs.

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer? 

I've put out some patriotic decor because it's a big year for America and I want to celebrate that. I needed new cushions for my upper deck and went with a patriotic theme. I bought hand towels for the guest bath, patriotic soaps, and I've ordered a candle for my coffee table with a patriotic label. 

I mentioned my front door wreath in Monday's post, and I have a patriotic door mat there too. Of course the dock is decked out with a flag and a patriotic wind sock and in general the lake is full of flags flying and people celebrating the freedoms we enjoy. 

I'd post pictures of my new pillows, but it's been raining cats and dogs since Friday so we have the outdoor furniture covered and the pillows tucked away. They'll be out all summer so I'm sure they'll turn up on the blog eventually. 

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  

Moved my momma early May

All the blooming beauty added brightness to the month

Yearning for sunshine as we turn the page to June

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'd kind of forgotten I wanted to host another Day In The Life link up for anyone who'd like to join the fun. New season, new routines. 

Unless you're retired then it's same old same old. Ha! I kid. 

Anyway, let's say June 18th. It's a Thursday. Choose a day to keep track of that falls between now and the link up, then hop back here to add your post to the party. If you don't know what I'm talking about here's the 411-

Pick a day and give us the play by play of your life on that day. Some bloggers do their posts by the hour, some by chunks of time, whatever works for you. Most people add photos but that's up to you. If you're like me you need to set the timer on your phone to remind you to take pictures but again, you can do your post in whatever way you like. 

I wrote one back in November you can read if you want an idea of how mine looks-A Day In The Life, Autumn 2025

These posts are fun to read and I feel like they're great connectors. Hope to see you there! 

A Day In The Life-Autumn, 2025

Hello Friends. Today we're taking a peek into an ordinary day here. Ha! What's ordinary? 

The thing about retirement is everyday is different, or at least that's how it is here. The routines of the past where work and school and children in the house ruled the day are out the window and we're in a season now of figuring out each day as it comes. We keep a calendar and it's shockingly full of appointments, dinners, get togethers with friends, travel, hobbies, and time with family. 

So let's look at a day in the life. I always enjoy reading these because I think they have a way of connecting us and making us feel like we're all in it together. If you've shared one of your own days add your link at the end of my post. Link back here somewhere so your readers can join the party. Day In The Life Links only today, please and thank you. 

Here's mine...

I chose a Thursday, October 30th. Normally on Thursdays I'm volunteering at a local soup kitchen for a fair chunk of the day, but on this particular Thursday I had another commitment so right off the bat I'll say it was ordinary, but not my usual Thursday. 

Like I said, what's ordinary? 

Okay here we go for real-

Also right off the bat...I use a lot of words and this post will be no different. Ordinary you might say teehee. I'm going to break my day into chunks time wise. 

6:30 6:29 AM -10:00 AM

I used to be a super early riser, even after I stopped working and had a quiet house. I love the early morning and am most productive (normally, although maybe not on this day) before lunch. I don't set an alarm and wake up when I wake up. It used to be much earlier than 6:30, but on this particular day this was it.

I have my phone on do not disturb from about 9 PM-8 AM, only allowing calls from my girls and my sister who has my mom living with her. 

First things first...start the coffee. I set it up the night before because I seriously cannot add the extra two minutes it takes to scoop it into the filter to my early morning agenda. 

While coffee brews I brush my teeth and if hubs hasn't already done so I let the dog out and then give him his breakfast. He's impatient for his breakfast the same way I'm impatient for that first sip of coffee. 

His bowl is in the laundry room so I went ahead and started a load of laundry. 

It's always looking at us, isn't it? 

And it looks like there was something in the dryer from the night before, but I'm pretty sure it was car towels so no biggie. Raise your hand if your husband washes the cars every other day and needs clean dry towels on the regular. 

So laundry is going, and then if hubs is up we sometimes go ahead and make the bed. Sometimes that happens later, but it always happens. Sometimes I walk in the room to make the bed and hubs has already done it and honestly those days are my favorite. 

It was a gorgeous morning so I took the little brown dog down to the dock to chase chipmunks and see what we could see. He's so funny because he always always takes the cart path and never ever runs down the middle of the yard. Such a gentleman. 

Yes I stroll down there in my pjs and robe. Nobody is around and if they are whatever. My neighbor has seen me in my robe and is used to me. 

I came back inside and made breakfast-yogurt, berries, and a spoonful of granola. 

Then it was time to shower, run the straightener through my hair, put on actual makeup and real clothes because I was on a panel this day and sweats wouldn't do. 

10:00 AM -1: 00 PM 

Have you heard of an organization called OLLI? If you live in a university town you may have one nearby. OLLI is open to anyone, but it's membership is primarily people over 50. It's a lifelong learning program that offers courses on all manner of subjects, everything from how to make a charcuterie board to travel groups, to the rise and fall of Rome. In other words something for everyone. 

Our group is connected to the big university here, and the courses are taught by volunteers. One of my neighbors was co-teaching a course on 'retirement', and this day was focused on unleashing your creativity in the retirement years. She had three guests come and share a little bit about their hobbies, and I was part of that lineup. My niche was blogging, a gentleman on the panel talked about his woodworking hobby and how it's grown in retirement, and another guest talked about music (she joined a big band) and sewing (she volunteers to make gowns for babies who pass away or are stillborn and she does this using donated wedding dresses). 

It was a really enjoyable morning and so interesting to hear everyone's thoughts on what it means to be creative. I talked a little bit about how I got into blogging, why I blog and what I've gained from it, and how to start a blog if that's an interest you have. 

On the way home I stopped by the post office to mail a birthday gift to my brother. 

1:00 PM-4:00 PM 

Lunch. I forgot to snap the picture before I'd eaten half, but I made hubs and I a salad and it was obviously delish. 

It was actually quite cool and hubs had the fireplace going. So cozy. 

After lunch I got busy making dinner. Some days are like this.

I put beef tips in the crock pot and they required a little browning first. I have a rule about crock pot cooking and the rule is I don't brown stuff beforehand because the point of a crock pot is not a lot of pans. Maybe not the point, but A point anyway. I've made these before and think browning the meat gives them the right amount of extra they need. 

I moved on to prepping the mashed potatoes wearing my trusty potato gloves of course. My girls gave me these years ago and I think bought them at Bed Bath and Beyond. My hands used to break out anytime I peeled potatoes, but if I wear these gloves all is well. They're scratchy in texture but not uncomfortable. 

I washed the dishes then started yet another kitchen task-making the dough for my savory cheddar and pepper jelly thumbprints. These were to give to the kayakers on Halloween the following day. We have a dock or treat in our neighborhood and our dock was one of the stops. Hosts provide a sip of something and a nibble. 

Definitely grating the cheese myself. In a recipe like this it's necessary as the pre-packaged ends up not holding together as well. Hubs taking a picture as proof this is my real life and not Ai. 

Dough went into the frig to chill for a while and I started on yet another sinkful of dishes. 

Hey, remember that laundry? 

4:00-6:00 PM 

A load out of the dryer, a load into the dryer, a new load into the washer.  Tea time! 

I carried my tea down to the firepit and since it was such a pretty day hubs and I sat here and listened to our daily Bible reading and our Bible Recap podcast. 

We surveyed the lemon crop on the way back up to the house. 

She's a doozy. 

Hey, remember that laundry? 

6:00-8:30 PM 

Dinner is ready...beef tips, mashed potatoes, steamed brocoli. It was yummy. 

Hubs did dishes while I worked on making the thumbprints. 

While they were baking he put together the soccer goals we'd purchased for Max's birthday. His birthday was on Thursday, but the party was Saturday and after more than 30 years of parenting we know to assemble toys ahead of time. 

He had a helper. Actually I helped by holding the post while hubs attached the net. It was a two man job. 

8:30-10:00 PM 

I finished up the thumbprints and then we collapsed on the couch and watched one of our shows before calling it a day. Night. 

This was fun. There was no reading, no walking although I did have almost 14,000 steps this day, and a lot of time in the kitchen which I love as long as I'm not rushed. Most days there's reading and blogging both, and less time spent cooking. There was laundry because isn't there always? 

My plan going forward is to do these seasonally, so maybe four a year.  Watch for the next date sometime in the early part of 2026. 

Did you know 2026 rolls around in 49 days? Happy new year!