Just Like That Groundhog...

The Hodgepodge keeps popping up here every Wednesday. 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. Otherwise we'll have six more weeks of winter.  

Here we go-

1. The Wednesday Hodgepodge landing on Groundhog's Day sounds about right. Besides the Hodgepodge what else lands on your calendar just once a week? Is it as much fun as the Hodgepodge-ha!? 

I attend a Women's Bible Study every Wednesday morning and volunteer in a local soup kitchen every Thursday. Are these activities as much fun as the Hodgepodge? Pssht...nothing is as much fun as the Hodgepodge, is it? 

2. The Winter Olympics begin on Friday, surrounded by much controversy. Will you be watching? Why or why not? Have you ever been to China?

Let's start with the easy part...have I ever been to China? Yes. Not Beijing, but Shanghai which I thoroughly enjoyed. That trip was ten years ago and the world was not what it is today. 

I feel for the athletes who spend their whole lives preparing and have no control over where the Olympics are held. But y'all I also feel for the Uyghurs who have been placed in 're-education camps' while the world stays mostly silent. Didn't we decide that wasn't who we wanted to be all the way back in 1944? 

These days it is so hard to weed out the truth in our news, but if the stories coming out of these camps are to be believed then what are we doing? Then there are the issues of Covid, the athletes privacy, etc. Ugh. The Olympics rightfully get 24/7 coverage most years but I am not sure how much, if any, I will watch. 

3. Something in your life lately that has felt a bit like an 'olympic event'? 

Not to sound like a broken record, but I might need a medal when these house projects wrap up. Assuming they wrap up. They're not even huge, just painstakingly slow in getting everything that needs getting, and then installing everything that is eventually gotten. I ranted about mentioned it in my post Monday. 

4. Do you like fondue? Sweet or savory? Restaurant only or do you own your own fondue set?

I do like fondue, particularly if it's served in a charming French ski town high in the Alps. My kitchen is okay too I guess. We never go out for fondue, and rarely make it at home. For a while we made fondue on New Year's Eve and that was always fun, but we haven't done that in several years. I have two pots, one is traditional and one is designed for chocolate. If I can only have one I want the cheesy kind, and now this post has me thinking we need to have a fondue night. 

5. Give us five short (2-3 word) phrases to sum up your January. 

Brrrr....

Let's write

It's a BOY!!!

Let's read

Beauty in a winter sky

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I made a delicious parsnip-butternut squash soup Monday evening using this recipe from Love As Food. Y'all. I am not a food blogger, nor will anyone every mistake me for one. When I cook I'm a bit of a mess, my kitchen is a mess, and I forget to take pictures. 

Except one. I took one. 

We both loved the flavor, really really tasty. I loved the texture of the soup but hubs wanted it thicker so I'll adjust something next time. Also, the recipe says to use your blender and it seemed like my immersion blender would work just fine, but see note above about my messy kitchen. Next time I'll use my big blender. 

Happy February to you all! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 450

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then skate back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. 

Side note-I've signed up for a #28daywriting challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. She's keeping it simple, just post something every day in February. I'm not great at that everyday thing, but since I'm working to develop discipline, focus, and consistency in my writing I'm giving it a whirl. 

And also giving myself a break on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, since I already host this weekly link-up. I'm posting Hodgepodge questions on Tuesdays and answers on Wednesdays, which may not always be deep but they are fun. It counts. Hop over to Anita's site if you want to know more about the challenge. 

Now back to your regular programming-

1. The Wednesday Hodgepodge landing on Groundhog's Day sounds about right. Besides the Hodgepodge what else lands on your calendar just once a week? Is it as much fun as the Hodgepodge-ha!? 

2. The Winter Olympics begin on Friday, surrounded by much controversy. Will you be watching? Why or why not? Have you ever been to China?

3. Something in your life lately that has felt a bit like an 'olympic event'? 

4. Do you like fondue? Sweet or savory? Restaurant only or do you own your own fondue set?

5. Give us five short (2-3 word) phrases to sum up your January. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Thursday Things

Let's discuss some random things because that's what Thursday blogging is for, right? Sometimes random isn't that interesting, but nine years of blogging has taught me you can't predict what people will latch on to and say 'hey I feel the same'. That's one of my favorite things about writing and partly why I enjoy it so much.

First! Let's pause and give the weather it's due. 70 degrees in the middle of February feels absolutely fabulous. I almost feel like I could get in the lake today, except the lake temp isn't quite 70. Soon though!

Keep calm and winter on.

And by winter I mean 70 degree Thursdays.

We had a nice Valentine's Day yesterday. When you wake up to skies that look like this it's really hard not to feel the love-

Also, when you're this boy's Nana, but I digress-

I had a doctor's appointment in the morning then worked on our tax organizer a little in the afternoon, but still...a nice day. Hubs and I relaxed before dinner with a yummy cheese tray and a glass of bubbly while we listened to power ballads from the 1980s. Shoutout to the Wednesday Hodgepodge for inspiring our Pandora search.

On Tuesday of this week Daughter2 came out to the house for dinner and I helped her make slime for her kindergarten class. Technically I was making dinner while she was making slime, but it was more of a project than she'd anticipated so I helped.

I'm a bit of a messy cook and she's a bit of a messy cook and there was glitter (shhh...don't tell hubs!) but we finally got 'er done.

Excellent teachers are such a gift. They're always thinking about what they can do to help students learn-grow-feel valued. When they're not at school they're thinking about school and I'm not sure that's always recognized and appreciated the way it should be. Teachers are called upon these days for so very much and if you don't understand that you're not watching the news.

We've had Daughter2's dog with us all week and hubs and I have enjoyed walking the neighborhood trails with her. So pretty in the woods right now.

Did I mention it's 70 degrees today???

Who's watching the Olympics? What are you loving most? I think the US pairs skating duo (Alexa and Chris Knierim) are adorable and I'm a little bit surprised at how much I've enjoyed the snowboarding competitions, male and female both.

I think it's kind of funny the way the commentators talk about the medal categories. Like anything less than gold is just eh. Speaking as someone who can't climb down a step ladder without a trip to the ER I think silver and bronze are pretty great too.

I had to run in the drug store for one thing this week and who else has a hard time peeling themselves away from the drug store? I love the mix of random merchandise...makeup, greeting cards, holiday treats....it's hard for me to run in for 'just one thing'.

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm determined to participate in the Five Minute link up (here), no matter the word prompt. These last few prompts have been doozies and felt too deep for my winter brain so I've
chickened out passed. Tomorrow's the day though. I mean it can't be all random nonsense round here now, can it?

Cheering For The Hodgepodge

So here we are, another week gone by, and no blogging except Hodgepodge blogging. Some weeks are like that and I'm trying not to let it bother me.

I'm only slightly successful.

Let's carry on anyway. If you've answered this week's questions add your blog link at the end of my post then leave a comment for the blogger before you.

1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter.

Well I am all about soaking in a hot bath and planning my next trip so those two things are on my February list for sure. I love strawberries and I love chocolate, but I'm not really a fan of making my own chocolate covered strawberries. They're not my favorite treat and they're so messy, both the making and the eating. Exercising should be on my list, but will it make the month brighter? Hmmm....

Something not on the list? I'm going to say buy a fun springtime top, bag, or shoes, even a new lipstick...something to look forward to wearing once winter makes her exit. 

2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?

How 'bout those Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl?! Yay for the hometown team! Plus I really enjoyed all the back stories of this particular group of players. 

3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?

I made a pasta dish last week I had kind of forgotten about and consequently hadn't made in ages. I know I used to make this recipe pretty often, but guess we tired of it so I took it out of rotation. It's light as far as pasta goes-chicken, red pepper, squash, zucchini and black olives in a lemon-garlic sauce. My daughter2 had come for dinner that evening and we all loved it.  

4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?

I'm going to say teachers. My daughter has shared a couple of things with me recently that just make me want to stand up and cheer for all the teachers out there who are full of compassion and care so deeply for the students in their classrooms outside of their classrooms. 

5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).

I do like watching the Olympics, summer and winter both. I'm not glued to the TV 24/7, but I'll watch some coverage most evenings, so will give myself an 8. My favorites are probably downhill skiing and the ski jump. It amazes me there are people who literally fly on a pair of skis. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

In honor of the Olympics throwing it back to a trip we made to Austria in 2006. We won't even talk about these cutie patooties who were in high school still. HIGH SCHOOL!! 

We took an elevator to the top of the ski jump in Innsbruck, looked over,  felt a little dizzy...

...well I felt dizzy, hubs contemplated giving it a try (you can't-there's glass in front), and then said a prayer for all the mamas of ski jumpers everywhere. 

I don't know anything about skiing in South Korea, but imagine it will be beautiful too. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 340

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. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter.

2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?

3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?

4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?

5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).

6. Insert your own random thought here.
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Cruising Through the Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge...add a link to your own answers (Hodgepodge posts only please!), and then be all neighborly-like, and visit the bloggers who linked up before you. Here we go-

1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?

There is in general less respect, not only for those in authority such as teachers, police officers, etc, but also for the average person we encounter as we go about our day. I think we've become quite rude as a society. 

We don't know how to deal with someone who holds a viewpoint counter to our own, so that person must be eviscerated. They must be judged and judged harshly, labeled with the most derogatory terms we can find, and then verbally beaten to a pulp. It does seem to me the more we have talked about 'tolerance' the less 'tolerant' we've become. I feel like there is now much more emphasis on our differences, less celebrating what we as humans share.  

There's no shame. 
In anything.  

Technology is amazing, but has definitely re-shaped the way we interact with one another, not always for the better. There are new ways to communicate, but also new dark anonymous alleys for bullies and pedophiles and other creepy crawlies. I think there's more fear in the world today, which leads to less trust, and consequently planet earth feels a little less friendly than it did when I was young.  

Wow that got heavy.  

On the bright side I'm not wearing polyester or blouses tucked into high waisted jeans anymore either.  

2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?

I'd like to try the shooting portion of this event, just not in combination with the pressure of a cross country ski race. I've never actually been on cross country skis, but those athletes all seem to fling themselves to the ground once they cross the finish line, so I'm thinking its way harder than it looks!  

3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most purchased canned food item? What was in the last can you opened?

I use very little in the way of canned foods. My most purchased item would probably be tuna fish, although I will admit to a love of canned whole green beans. I love fresh green beans too, but I really do like the taste of whole green beans, eaten right out of the can. There are worse things to snack on, right? 

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?

I'm not a 'cruiser', but I can handle rivers, so this would likely be the only way I'd ever agree to that sort of holiday.

The Rhine...castles, vineyards, and fairy tale towns in The Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland. What's not to love?

5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do?  Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?

This question reminds me of an e-card I saw the other day-

Well I don't count sheep. If I wake up in the middle of the night I'll start by ripping off the covers, since heat is normally to blame. I'll probably toss and turn a little, and oftentimes  I pray. Prayer has a way of settling me down on the inside so I can sleep. I don't turn on the television in the middle of the night, and I try not to get up and disturb my hubs. Apparently I'm not that great at being quiet-ha! 

6. How important is keeping your cool?

Keeping my cool is really important to me. I'm a pretty even tempered person, and find anger in others very difficult to handle. I think a viewpoint or opinion is heard, and more willingly considered, when it's made in a reasonable tone. Anger wounds. 

7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?

Hmmm...none of these really apply to me at the moment, although some of the Olympic events make me think of white knuckling it. I'm so nervous for the athletes, especially those doing the super scary stunts.  Aerial skiing anyone? Or how about the skeleton sled where they hurtle down an icy route head first going 80 mph? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of the Olympics and treating others with kindness today...did you see where the Russian cross country skier fell in the middle of the race, and broke a ski? He thought he wouldn't be able to finish, but a coach for the Canadian team ran in from the sidelines with an extra ski he'd carried up in case his own skier needed it. The Canadian coach helped the Russian skier put the ski on, and the Russian was able to finish the race. He came in 12th, but was greeted by the Russians as if he'd won.  

How about US hockey star, T.J. Oshie, who when labeled a hero for essentially winning the match against Russia said, "The real heroes wear camo. I'm not one of them." 

Humility from someone in the spotlight is refreshing, isn't it? 
And another person's spontaneous act of kindness makes the whole world smile.   

"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world." ~William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 163

Guess what's in our forecast today? Ka-razy!  Here are the questions for our Hodgepodge...answer on your own blog, then slide back over here tomorrow to link answers with all your friends and neighbors.  The more the merrier, so come join the party!

1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?

2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with either two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?

3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most often purchased canned food item?  What was in the last can you opened?

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?

5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do? Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?

6. How important is keeping your cool?

7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Variety is the Spice of Life

So what to blog about today....

Last weekend? This weekend? The snow? Valentine's Day? Assorted random 'stuff' I've thought about mentioning here when I had a minute? None of it? All of it?

Okay.

Remember a while back when I said I'd been to a glass studio and I'd made a set of coasters? We had to leave our projects in the studio for firing, and we got them back this week-

I used Christmas colors in mine, and am happy with the end result. Now if I can just remember to pull them out in December, which is always the tricky part for me.

Last year Daughter1 gave me a really special Lenten calendar she'd ordered from Naptime Diaries-

 

I loved it so much I ordered their Advent calendar back in December too. This year Naptime Diaries is offering a journal for Lent, and I ordered mine last week. If you're interested you'll need to order by Feb 26th if you want to have it in hand from Day 1, but really it's something you could use anytime of year. I'll post a picture once mine arrives, or you can visit Naptime Diaries and see it now. Her graphics are always beautiful so I'm looking forward to seeing what she's done with the journal.

About last weekend....hmmm...it's so last weekend.  That's how it goes with blogging, always best to seize the moment, and if you miss it just carry on. I will say we saw Monuments Men at the theatre last Saturday, and enjoyed it very much. While the loss of great art and literature doesn't compare to the devastating loss of life that occurred, it's still incredible to think of all the paintings the world will never know, the sculptures never to be admired, the books never read, as a result of Hitler's rampage.

We also watched the opening ceremony for the Olympics, and since then have watched a fair amount of the event coverage. One thing I love about the games is that while we always root for our home country to do well, it seems we can also all get behind that athlete from anywhere who wins unexpectedly or performs in some amazing way.

My favorite so far is the Canadian freestyle skier named Alex Bilodeau, who says he's inspired every day by his brother Frederic. Frederic has Cerebral Palsy, and after winning gold Alex went straightaway to his brother to share the medal. Even though Canada's Prime Minister was standing beside him waiting to shake his hand, it was his brother who got the first hug.

What else? I should mention the snow. I mean SNOW! It's pretty y'all. I know some people hate me for saying that, and our gutters are scary full to overflowing with ridiculous ice that appears to be three feet thick, and my patio and the top of the driveway are still a skating rink, but y'all...it's pretty.

We got over a foot last week, and it's been snowing all day today with the forecast saying it will continue overnight.  We're reaching that point in winter where we'll have to figure out with our snow plow guy where in the world he's going to put it all.  We'll likely have to block the garage bay that houses hubs little red car. Can't imagine we'll be out in that anytime soon (ha!), but even so those snow plowed mountains take forever and a day to melt.

Our mailbox is in a game of chicken with the county snow plow...

She hasn't thrown in the towel yet!

I think the firepit is still around too, but we may have to wait until Spring to confirm that one.

Yes I resorted to wearing my ski goggles...it's a blizzard out there! 

Except I heard technically it's not because we don't have the required wind gusts to be considered a true blizzard. Oh we have wind, just not gusting through at blizzard speeds I guess. When you're getting hammered with more than two feet of snow, and trees are bending to near breaking, and you're forced to wear unattractive ski goggles just to check out the status of your own front yard, I'd say that qualifies as a blizzard.  

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and given the weather it looks like there will be plenty of time to spend with the one I love. I was also supposed to meet my gourmet group for lunch tomorrow, but that will likely be cancelled, which is why I am right now congratulating myself for signing up to bring the chocolate glazed chocolate tart.  Can't let that go to waste now, can we? 

A Penny For Your Hodgepodge Thoughts

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer the questions on your own blog, then hop back over here to share the linky love. Tell the truth now, it's Honest Abe's birthday ya know!

Here we go-

1. What makes love last?

A sense of humor, a forgiving heart, making a concious effort to put the other person first, seeing the best in your mate as opposed to keeping a tally of all that annoys, not expecting perfection, extending compassion, knowing there will be days, and most especially never underestimating the power of the little things. Life is made up of a million little things, and over the course of ten or fifty years, those little things add up to an awful  lot. 

The Beatles made their U.S. debut fifty years ago this week. Are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite Beatles tune?

Yes I'm a fan, and hubs would say they're his all time favorite. He saw Ringo in an airport several years ago, and as he walked over to say hello,  a great big arm attached to a bodyguard reached out and said 'uh, sorry, no can do'.  We've seen Paul McCartney in concert three different times (and once in his pajamas having breakfast in a NYC diner) and he's great. 

Now to pick a favorite tune...hmmm....that's a tough one. Hubs used to sing Golden Slumbers to Daughter2 when she was a wide awake baby girl, and it would settle her right down. While I'm pretty partial to that one, The Long and Winding Road might be my most favorite.  

3. Valentine's Day-your thoughts? Do you celebrate in any way? Do anything special for the people you love? Expect anything special from the people who love you?

It's not that I'm anti-Valentine, but I don't set high expectations for the day either. Even though my girls are grown I still send them a carefully chosen card, and some sort of goodie via the US Mail.  Hubs and I have never done more than exchange cards, and sometimes not even that. We eat out often, but almost never on Valentine's Day. On that day we enjoy preparing a nice meal together in our own kitchen, maybe trying a new recipe, and always with a playlist of our favorite tunes in the background.  

4. Steak or burger...you have to choose. Now that that's settled, how do you like it?

Steak, medium rare please. 

5. The Hodgepodge lands on the birthdate (February 12th) of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America. Lincoln is quoted as saying, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test his character give him power."  Do you agree? Why or why not?

Agree. Power so often seems to change people, and generally not for the better. Look at the mess our government is in. I do believe many of those in office started off with the best of intentions, but power is intoxicating, and the need to hold onto it makes people compromise their beliefs and principles rather than risk losing it. 

I have enormous admiration and respect for people in positions of power who are able to act with integrity, and remain true to their beliefs. It's hard to think of an example in this day and age, but perhaps that's because those people uncorrupted by power are going about their work quietly, not seeking fame and adulation?   

Billy Graham is someone who comes to mind. He's had the time, attention, and ear, of presidents and kings, yet he remains humble. He carries on about the business of pointing people to the cross. All people, not  just the ones he agrees with, or who share his particular spiritual and political views. 

6. Honest Abe's picture is on the US penny (1 cent coin) so I'm wondering...what do you do with your pennies (or your country's equivalent)? It's been suggested the US stop making the penny, and two bills have been proposed suggesting just that, but neither were approved.  What say you?

What do I do with my pennies?  I make my hubs crazy by insisting I've got that three cents needed to cover a $20.03 tab, and then I dig through my purse to prove it.  I love exact change-ha! I have a bowl in my bedroom where I sometimes throw pennies. Haven't thought too much about abolishing the penny, but if we do I guess that means no more $2.99 pricing on stuff? We'll live in a world of round numbers. 

7. Do you think pop culture deserves serious study?

Not now. Maybe someday way way way down the road we'll want to look at today's pop culture and see how it impacted a generation, but I can't see that it deserves serious study today.  I'm also not one of those parents willing to fork over tuition dollars for a college student to take a class called 'American Soap Operas' or 'Exploring Buffy the Vampire Slayer' or especially, 'How to Watch Television'.  In my opinion that's a waste of a parent's hard earned pennies!

8.  Insert your own random thought here-

Ski jumpers are a little bit crazy.

The Games of the 161st Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Everyone is welcome to play along...answer on your own blog, then add your link to the party.  Here are my answers to this week's questions-

1. Are we always responsible for our actions? Are there any exceptions?

I think healthy adults are always responsible for their actions. This is one of the reasons parenting is such an enormous responsibility, and cannot be equated to backpacking across China. Oops...that was last week's debate.  

I suppose this notion of responsibility becomes a little grayer when we're talking about the mentally handicapped, and also those individuals with serious mental illness, the kind that impedes judgement. 

2. Has anyone from your home town become famous?

If by 'home town' you mean the place I spent most of my growing up years, then yes. I had no idea until I googled it (don't you just love the Internet??!), but evidently Cristin Milioti ( How I Met Your Mother, Wolf of Wall Street) and Ali Larter (she's been in a lot of things, but I know her from Legally Blonde) are both from my home town. 

3. January was National Slow Cooker month. Do you own a slow cooker/crock pot? Did you use it last month? What's a favorite dish you make using a slow cooker or crock pot?

I use my crock pot about once a week in the winter months, sometimes more. In fact I used it just last night to cook a pork roast which was delish. My favorite thing to prepare in the crock pot is beef brisket, which has loads of flavor and is so tender. 

My biggest complaint about most crock pot recipes is they're often a little bit bland, and so many of them call for cream soups, which are not boot camp approved. I don't use the crock pot as much in summer months since the meals I prepare the slow cook way are heavier, and we tend to eat lighter in warm weather. 

4. How do you feel about private companies collecting data about you?

Well, it's 2014 so I'm not sure how I feel even matters. Pandora's box has been opened, and I don't see us going back. I don't really mind the advertising geared towards my interests on Facebook...it's only mildly creepy.  Actually I don't pay a lot of attention to advertising on Facebook, blogs, etc, but I guess it's effective because companies continue to market that way.  I suppose the bigger issue for me is can we trust corporations (and our government) not to misuse the data? 

5. The Games of the 2014 Winter Olympics kick off with their opening ceremony this coming Friday...will you be watching?  Which Winter Olympic event would you most like to see in person? Have you ever been to Russia? Any desire to go, Olympics or otherwise?

I'll be watching, maybe not the whole thing, but a big chunk of it for sure. I'd like to see the ski jumping in person. Absolutely terrifying!  

I've never been to Russia, but I'm pretty much up for seeing the whole wide world, so why not?  Hubs has been...his brother and sister in law and their daughter lived in Moscow for a while, and hubs has been back there for work since then. Incidentally, the man in the photo with hubs is not his brother, but he is a friend of his brother's so he's our friend too. 

6. Share a good or bad sports related memory from your childhood or teen years.

I think I've made it clear that I am not now, nor have I ever been, much of an athlete. A sports related memory from my childhood would be running the 600 yard dash every year in phys ed. Is it a bad memory or a good one? Hmmm...I remember being happy to finish-ha! 

Is dance a sport? I have fun memories of taking dance my Junior year of high school. We could choose which phys ed electives we wanted and I chose dance. The teacher was an older man who was also the school's golf coach, and he had himself some rhythm! He was a nice man, and made the class really enjoyable, which I think is the secret to getting kids moving.  

7.  What's a must have song for you on a work out play list? If you don't work out, run, bike, swim, walk, or anything else that could be construed as 'exercise', then what's a song that at least motivates you to get up off the couch?

I have David Crowder's Undignified on my workout playlist, and no matter how slow I'm moving, when that one starts playing I feel a renewed sense of energy, and always pick up the pace.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I love this P & G ad they're running for the Olympics...



I'll be thinking of those moms in these next two weeks! 

Hodgepodge Questions Volume 161

It's that time again, so here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Skate back here tomorrow to add your link to the games...see you there!

1. Are we always responsible for our actions? Are there any exceptions?

2.  Has anyone from your home town become famous?

3. January was National Slow Cooker month. Do you own a slow cooker/crock pot? Did you use it last month? What's a favorite dish you make using a slow cooker or crock pot?

4. How do you feel about private companies collecting data about you?

5. The Games of the 2014 Winter Olympics kick off with their opening ceremony this coming Friday....will you be watching? Which Winter Olympic event would you most like to see in person? Have you ever been to Russia? Any desire to go, Olympics or otherwise?

6. Share a good or bad sports related memory from your childhood or teen years.

7. What's a must have song for you on a work out play list? If you don't work out, run, swim, bike, walk, or anything else that could be construed as 'exercise', then what's a song that movtivates you to at least get up off the couch?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Schussing Through the Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Add the link to your answers at the end of my answers, then go see what everyone else had to say.

1. Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?

That phrase tends to strike me as a negative right off the bat. When I hear it used my mind goes immediately to Maleficent or Ursula or some real life figure who swoops in, takes over, and is overbearing or mean. The more I think about it though, there's also a positive side to the phrase, and I like to think I fall on that side of the reckoning fence.  

My temperament is pretty mild and it takes an awful lot to make me angry. I live life wearing rose colored glasses most of the time.  But...if someone is being treated unfairly, and I can help remedy the situation, in that instance I might be a force. 

2. What are two things you love about the wintertime. Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you like about winter?

Christmas, hot cocoa in a favorite mug, the first few flakes in a snowfall, the staggering beauty of an untouched snowy canvas, the moon, trees dressed like fairies, deer tracks across the front lawn, chili and cornbread, a fire in the fireplace, the guy who plows our driveway, an excuse to wear my furry boots, snowdrops peeking up out of the ground, my fur collar, the hushed silence of snow falling from a moonlit sky...wait, you said two? 

3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health benefits, particularly during the winter months.  Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried?

I've never met a fruit I didn't like. Some I do like more than others, but there's nothing on this list I haven't tried and enjoyed. Of the ones mentioned kiwi and pomegranate are my favorite, although I did have a most amazing dessert made with guava when we were in Florida last year.  I guess when they talk about fruit being healthy they don't mean this-

4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their sign, "When all else fails, do the right thing." Your thoughts?

I've passed this sign a few times now, and it always makes me scratch my head. Something about the wording feels off. I'm certain the intent was good, and I'm all about giving the benefit of the doubt, but in my head I keep thinking, 'when all else fails??' Maybe it's directed at people who are not inclined to do the right thing from the get-go, and they're advising them to now try doing the right thing? Let's go with that. 

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland. Of the five listed which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer.

I can ski, but honestly I am not a gifted skier. I've said it here before that I love ski towns, ski clothes, family winter holidays, but the skiing? Not so much. Remember last week when I asked if you were clumsy? Yeah.  

That being said, if you've never vacationed in a ski town you're missing out. Some of my favorite holidays have been spent in ski towns.  Of the ones listed above I'm going to surprise you and say Whistler. I know you were expecting Italy here, but Whistler is on my list of places to see, so Whistler it is.  Course I wouldn't say no to any of the top 5. 

6. What's the last thing you looked for online? (besides my blog!)

I looked at a website showing the Best and Worst Dressed from the Golden Globes. I didn't watch the whole show, and I like to get a closer look at the clothes. Naomi Watts was my favorite.  I'd love to have somewhere to go in that fabulous sparkly gown!

7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto, have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?

Slightly awkward transition from #6-#7 but....

'The sea was not meant to be controlled. The sea was meant to be sailed."  

Jon Acuff

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Who's getting excited for the Olympics?  I love this ad...



Moms rock! 

Caution: Hard Hat Area

Let's see...it's Monday...what shall we talk about?

How 'bout we shift gears and discuss something besides all the snow?

How 'bout we discuss all the ice?

Does this look like a problem to you?

Did you know ice is frozen water?

Just call me Mr. Wizard.

Someday it will warm up enough to melt all of this ice.

And we really need that someday to arrive gradually.

If ice in a gutter melts too quickly it may very well decide to run right down the inside walls of a house.

We need to avoid the rapid melt.

We are hoping for a gradual melt.

The weather forecast is calling for snow on Tuesday and ice pellets on Wednesday.

I don't think we're in danger of a rapid melt.

Hubs took the painting pole that extends and swatted some of these bad boys down this weekend.

It required a great deal of finesse not to be speared by the falling ice.

Which is why I watched from inside the safety of the house.

In other fun this weekend the steps re-iced and this required chipping and salting and shoveling and hauling and perhaps a teensy bit of swearing.

Is anyone else just a little bit tired of the very exhausting 2011 winter weather?

She's not.

She loves to run and prance and stick her face in the deep snow.

And trust me...it's deep.

You know, sometimes you have to work to find the joy in winter.

I think I may have found a little here.

Whoever wrote Let It Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow probably lived in Florida

So here's how the week has looked from where I sit....

Monday morning-a couple of inches are all that remain of the 8 or so inches of snow that fell last week. It's sunny and bright and things are beginning to melt.

Tuesday evening-snow begins to fall. It's lovely. A very heavy wet snow which causes the trees to droop and sag but lovely nonetheless. It's heavy enough to take out the satellite signal halfway thru girls night on American Idol and it stays out so we miss the women's figure skating short program but, oh well. What are you gonna do? Can't control the weather, right?

Wednesday morning-The township plows passed thru our street several times throughout the night and we wake to clear pavement. Yes!

Our snow plow guy has buzzed the driveway overnite as well so hubs is off to work and I hit the grocery store in anticipation of a weekend dinner party. The weather reports say more snow is on the way for Thursday so I don't want to have to get out in it to shop.

Right.

Like I could get out.

Thursday morning-we wake to SNOW. Husband's office is closing early but he can't get out of the neighborhood anyway so he decides to work from home. Too bad his laptop refused to connect. Hmmm...he'll just watch some news. Too bad the satellite is out once again.

It's gonna be a long, long, long day.

And he's definitely going to need a hobby when he retires.

Thursday-WHITEOUT. Drowning in snow here. The normally efficient township plows cannot keep up. Our plow guy is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he's absconded to the sunny warm Caribbean on the money he's made plowing driveways this winter.

Husband periodically runs the snow blower and moans about how we need the super deluxe jumbo model if we're going to live here. I take pictures and pray husband doesn't have a heart attack shoveling snow.

If it could talk it would say, 'I quit'.

Dog is beside herself....wheretopeewheretopeewheretopee?

Thursday evening. STILL SNOWING. Miraculously the satellite reappears and we are able to watch American Idol results and the women's free skate. Were they awesome or what? Way past our bedtime too but we bundle up and clear the drive and walkway one more time. Kinda fun to be out in the snow at nearly midnite but also thinking time for this nonsense to end.

Snow plow comes overnite. Yay!

Piles snow in front of garage containing my car. Boo!

Not that I'll be going anywhere because hello, two feet of snow,

maybe more depending where you measure.

Friday morning-STILL SNOWING. You've got to be kidding me. Husband races out of bed when he hears plow to beg/plead/bribe them into moving snow from in front of garage. Hubs has them laughing when I come out. Snowplow guys have been up all night. We give them coffee, apples and granola bars. They move snow as best they can from in front of garage but are pretty limited when it comes to options of where to put it.

Satellite is out. Big surprise.

For the record everyone tells me the cable does the same thing up here.

Whatever.

Husband's office is closed.

Hmmm..gonna have to come up with a project for him today.

Besides moving snow.

Co-workers call him from UK.

They are in his favorite curry lunch spot.

Husband wishes he were in Oxford having chicken biryani instead

of in NJ moving snow by the truckload.

Without a truck.

Husband hoists snowplow onto deck. For the 37th time.

Dinner party guests email...are we on for tomorrow?

Yes. Definitely.

Snow has to end sometime right?

Come by dog sled if you must.

Read some blogs.

See people in California with sunny bright blue skies and convertible tops open.

Hear about people spending weekends at the beach.

Sigh a little.

But recognize too the beauty that is all around.

'Tis a season.

'He has made everything beautiful in its time...' Ecclesiastes 3:11