Playing Nice In The Wednesday 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 linking before you. Or all the bloggers linking here today.  Let's go-

1. What's one part of your everyday routine you'd be better off without? 

Facebook. It used to be a much looked forward to part of my everyday routine, but other than linking my blog and sending birthday greetings I am rarely there these days. I won't yammer on about why because surely everyone can agree it's not the congenial little corner of the Internet it once was. 

2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do? 

I baked peanut butter cookies. Does that count? Hubs would say yes. He brought his mom over from Tennessee yesterday (Monday) and what should have been a 3-hour drive took them five. Ugh! Peanut butter cookies fresh from the oven made his day. 

3. What question do you hate to answer? 

These days pretty much anything relating to politics. So much hate and judgement out there. 

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us. In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix) and if so what did you think? 

Y'all.  If you have not watched this documentary you need to, particularly if you're a parent. Prior to watching it I might have answered this question differently, but since I have seen the program I'm going to say technology does control us, and it controls us in ways we might not have considered. Unless you're off the grid, but of course if you're here reading this blog I suspect you're not off the grid. teehee. 

5. What are three small things that make your day better? 

that first cup of steaming hot coffee, a cloudless blue sky, dinner plans

6. Insert your own random thought here.

As much as I hated to say farewell to my beautiful geraniums that bloomed all summer long, these huge mums were too pretty not to buy.

And if you give a porch a mum you need to add a pumpkin. And a pansy. And maybe a baby pumpkin and also a white pumpkin and then another mum in a different color. Did I tell you I love fall? 

The Wednesday Hodgepodge Coffee Hour

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge, our last in September. How do we feel about the end of summer and the start of fall? Something to ponder I guess as we roll into October. Today though it's a bit of this and that. If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-

 

1. When is the last time you experienced nostalgia? 

When I find myself feeling nostalgic music is usually involved. I think music has the ability to whisk us back to a place and time and create a sort of longing for something simpler or perhaps for a second chance to get something right that we missed along the way.  

Recently though I was driving with my window rolled down and the big mowers were cutting the grass along the highway. The smell of that freshly cut grass took me back to the Saturday mornings of my childhood and made me feel something that is hard to put into words. Nostalgia. 

 2. September 29th is National Coffee Day. Do we need this? Ha! So are you a coffee drinker? If so how many cups per day, and tell us how you like it. Is there a recipeyou enjoy that calls for coffee as one of the ingredients? 

Pretty sure coffee drinkers would say every day is National Coffee Day, but there are stranger days out there so Happy National Coffee Day. I am a coffee drinker and sometimes go to bed thinking about how much I'm going to enjoy tomorrow morning's first sip. 

I don't drink coffee all day, usually two cups in the morning with a splash of half and half. I'm not a fan of flavored coffees, fancy coffee drinks, or flavored creams with one exception. Summer afternoons call for iced coffee and I like sweet cream in iced coffee. 

As far as recipes go, we make a coffee rubbed pork tenderloin that is really delicious and I also love an affogato dessert. Affagato is basically freshly brewed espresso poured over vanilla gelato and it's yummy. Ice cream works too. 

 3. Do you find praise or criticism to be more motivating? Explain. 

This is an interesting question and I think both can be motivating. With criticism it definitely depends on how its expressed. If it's harsh I retreat and maybe want to do the opposite of what it is you're trying to get me to do. Ugh. That's not very attractive, but it is a little bit true.  I'm a people pleaser so I'm going to say praise is always more motivating to me.  

 4.  What's a television series you keep coming back to and re-watching? 

The Andy Griffith Show would be one. Hubs and I also re-watch Everybody Loves Raymond when we can't find anything else on tv. I feel like today's pc culture has killed comedy. Everything has not so subtle political overtones and to that I say yuck. Comedy has always touched on politics, but it feels mean-spirited and personal these days and it's actually not very funny. 

 5. As the month of September draws to a close give us three words to describe your mood. 

tired/disgusted (I'm lookin' at you social media and complainers everywhere), hopeful (Thanksgiving, Christmas, family time, a wedding, and knowing the government is not my Savior no matter how this election goes), and cozy (hello Autumn! You're my favorite)

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

"...and all at once, summer collapsed into fall." Oscar Wilde

Falling Into The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because who couldn't use a little mid-week company these days? Here we go-

  

1. It's fall y'all. What's something you love about this season and also something you don't? 

Autumn is my favorite season of the year and I think there's a lot to love. The color, the light, the sky, blue jean weather, soups-stews-chili on the stove, a blanket on my lap, a fire in the fireplace, and Thanksgiving to name just a few. 

Something I don't love? Hmmm...how about election ads? 

2. When you think of the colors of fall, which one is your favorite? Is there somewhere you could easily day trip to see the leaves in all their glory? Will you? 

This is a toughie, but I'm going with gold. I loved my New Jersey backyard this time of year...

The color never got old.  The snow and ice and taxes did which is why we live in South Carolina now, but the color was a stunner. 

I live within a half hour of fantastic fall color in the Blue Ridge Mountains and would love to take a leaf peeping drive sometime this month or next. 

3. What's one thing you've let 'fall' by the wayside during this season of staying home and staying away? 

Housework. Oh the basics are getting done, but we normally have a steady stream of company in the summer months which is highly motivating in terms of really staying on top of keeping things pristine. Hubs and I home alone=not so motivating. 

4. If you're wearing a sweater is it most likely a cardigan, crew neck, v-neck, or zip up hoodie? 

A cardigan or v-neck most likely, especially if I'm seeing actual humans or we're going somewhere. For lounging around the house I love a zip up fleece. 

5. What's your secret to dealing with change? 

Less digging in of the heels, more surrender. Know that one day you'll look back and see all the ways God used change to grow you, to draw you closer to Himself. Know it's possible in hindsight, if not in present day, to  feel tremendous gratitude for this change you never wanted and were so sure you didn't need. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." Henry David Thoreau

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 387

It's that time again, and here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe.  See you there! 

1. It's fall y'all. What's something you love about this season and also something you don't? 

2. When you think of the colors of fall, which one is your favorite? Is there somewhere you could easily day trip to see the leaves in all their glory? Will you? 

3. What's one thing you've let 'fall' by the wayside during this season of staying home and staying away? 

4. If you're wearing a sweater is it most likely a cardigan, crew neck, v-neck, or zip up hoodie? 

5. What's your secret to dealing with change? 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Thursday Sorts Of Things

That's code for unimportant, only slightly interesting, random thoughts. And since it's Thursday I'll aim for thirteen -

1. I had to buy a new phone yesterday. I've been putting off a trip to the 'phone store' in much the same way I put off a trip to the dentist. Nearly as aggravating.

Here's how it went down-I called the day before and made an appointment. The gentleman confirmed my requested time and asked what I was interested in purchasing. He said I should ask for him by name when I came in (for the sake of this story we'll call him J) and he'd have the phone I wanted out and ready to go. Great! Yay! Perfect!

Also too good to be true.

When we arrived at the phone store nobody knew anything about a scheduled appointment and J wasn't even there. He'd gone home an hour earlier. I feel like this is par for the course when you go to purchase a new phone.

On the bright side, J's stand-in was super helpful and even managed to switch my plan to something less expensive with better service so I guess in the end I'm glad J was a slacker-ha!

2. On the less than bright side I spent an hour today trying to get my screen protector registered. It only required three live chats with the manufacturer and one call to Verizon.

3. Let's randomly change topic now because this is a list of completely unrelated stuff. I recently started an exercise class with some women in my neighborhood.

4. In case there's any confusion, I didn't start the class as in create the class. I started the class as in I attend the class. If you know me you weren't confused. ahem

5. In other activity related news, I've been playing Pickleball. Have you ever played Pickleball? I'm still learning and there are a lot of rules (I think you know how I feel about rules), but I'm enjoying the game a lot.

6. I guess you could say it's a cross between tennis and ping pong. For the record, I stink at tennis but I play a mean game of ping pong. The racket? paddle? is graphite, slightly larger than a ping pong paddle and the ball is similar to a Wiffle ball but its a Pickleball ball. We play on a tennis court with Pickleball markings which are slightly inside the tennis lines so less running. Whoohoo!

7. I still seem to end up running a lot.

8. When I told my Daughter2 I was playing Pickleball and that I really liked it she said, and I quote,

'That's great Mom because you're not, you know...' 

Not what? Coordinated? Ha-she's right! But I am getting a little bit better every week.

9. Course we didn't play this week because it was raining. I mean RAINING!! Again. Still?

10. Boating season is winding down but hubs and I did squeeze in a ride on a sunny 65 degree day a couple of weeks ago.

Yes I'm in jeans and a vest because even when it's sunny there's wind when you're moving. Hubs would want me to tell you he was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. 

11. Nothing nicer than leaf peeping from the water on a blue sky autumn day.

12.  I am a fan of the big blue heron.

13. And autumn in general.

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." ~ Stanley Horowitz

A Wednesday Medley

Howdy. It's been a while. I say that nearly every time I come here but that doesn't make it any less true.

Once upon a time I hosted a blog link up on Wednesdays. It was a warm and friendly group and we really got to know one another through this little mid-week party. When I retired The Wednesday Hodgepodge, a blog friend who had been participating for years picked up the baton and has carried on posting questions for bloggers to answer every Wednesday.

This is the first time I'm getting round to it, but I need to jump back in somewhere. Since random is my writing love language today feels like that day. If you'd like to play along visit Terri at A Friend From Florida for all the deets.

Here we go-

1. With the holidays coming, what is your most essential appliance to help you prepare for the celebrations?

I won't be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year as we're celebrating the holiday with Daughter2's future in-laws. The groom's mama is a wonderful cook so I'm excited for turkey and all the fixins'. Do they say fixins' where you live? I like the word and it feels appropriate when we're discussing  Thanksgiving dinner. 

I will be cooking Christmas dinner in my own house this year, and there will also be an abundance of cookie baking happening in the weeks leading up to the big day. I'm going to say my range is my most essential appliance. I love it, particularly for baking. The confection setting allows me to bake six trays of cookies at the same time, and each tray is evenly cooked. No turning trays or shuffling pans around. Definitely a plus if you bake a lot of cookies. Or have a Daughter who bakes a lot of cookies. 

2. What is your favorite (clean) word?

Hodgepodge of course. 

3. Are you a good judge of character?

I guess so. I'd like to think so anyway. I also think it's easy to misjudge people so I'm big on granting second chances to make a first impression. 

4. What is the last thing you took a picture of?

The view from the corner of my screened-in porch on a wet autumn day-

We love to eat out here, but that hasn't happened much lately. We've had a wet fall but it's still gorgeous and it's not snow so not complaining. 

5. Tomorrow, November 15th, is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. How do you intend to celebrate?

I guess I'll clean out my frig which is something that needs doing on a pretty regular basis. Actually my frig isn't too bad at the moment, so I think it might be more of a Clean Out Your Freezer kind of day here. 

6. Tell us something random about your week.

It's nice to see so many familiar 'faces' in the Wednesday Medley. Thanks Terri for keeping us moving forward! 

Lucky Thirteen

A bunch of random on a Thursday, thirteen randoms to be exact because I still like the sound of Thursday thirteen. Here we go-

1.  Consider this a Public Service Announcement: It's too early to be talking all things pumpkin.

2. Back to school clothes, #2 pencils, and apples maybe, but not pumpkins. It's still August!

3. It's fine to talk spring though because we have a wedding happening here in the spring.

4. I'm meeting the adorable bride-to-be at the dress shop later today to pick up her wedding dress. We are so ahead of the game this time round.

5. For the record, this is her first wedding. It is not my first time planning a wedding. Felt that needed clarifying-ha!

6. She's also going to try on veils today and I won't feel misty eyed at all.

7. Sometimes I lie.

8. I made this cinnamon roll coffee cake recently and it's a keeper (click here for the recipe).  It's not one of those cakes made with cinnamon rolls, but when you pull it from the oven it smells and tastes just like home made cinnamon rolls. This recipe is far less labor intensive than from scratch rolls. You're welcome.

9. Guess who's coming to see his Nana in a few days?

photo credit: his mama

10. I 'borrowed' this photo from his mama's Facebook page.

11. Sometimes I steal.

12. And for the record they will not need super cute bulky sweaters and flannel shirts in the Palmetto State in early September.

13. Because it's still summer!!

On Grandparenting

So I'm a grandmother. Well really a Nana or at least I'm trying to be. I quite often call myself Grandma so maybe I should just go with that. I need to figure it out before baby boy starts talking.

Oh he talks, just not in complete sentences yet-ha!

I'm so thankful for technology, and the way it allows me to watch him grow from so many miles away. And of course when his little face pops up on whatever screen we happen to be on I literally want to crawl through the glass and kiss his chubby cheeks in person.

Baby boy loves his chow and I can't wait to make all his favorite foods.

Once he's eating actual food of course, but let's not rush things because these early months are oh so precious. Babies whose age is still counted in weeks literally change before your very eyes. One minute they lack the muscle control needed for smiling and the next minute they're smiling. Life is an absolute miracle and grandparenting reminds you this is so.

Last week Daughter1 and her hubs took their lil' punkin to the pumpkin patch.

photo cred: Daughter1

You know once upon a time hubs and I took our lil' punkin to the pumpkin patch too. This was back in the day before cell phones took over our lives so we didn't snap a picture until we'd already turned our find into a jack-o-lantern, but the memory is no less sweet.

This photo y'all! Here I'm young and naive about all the ways motherhood will change me, grow me, sanctify, and define me. All I knew for sure was I was head over heels in love with someone I'd met just four months prior.

Grandparenting is like that too, with a cherry on top. You lay eyes on this little person and your heart opens the door wide to a love that feels positively endless. But this new love is layered in all the best ways with your first love. Your child. The one you raised who is now the one raising.

Someone asked me recently what was my favorite thing about being a Nana, and it's many things but mostly it is this-

It's watching the girl who just yesterday sat atop my lap on a front porch stoop mother her very own son. It's watching her find the rhythm of her own life.

It's remembering the sweetness of all the firsts, and how every day I knew her just a little bit better than the day before. It's remembering the wonder I felt as love was multiplied and I'd say to myself, 'what a wonderful world'.  

Some things don't change.

Fall In For The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the last of the summertime Hodgepodges for this year. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a sunny comment for the person linking before you. It's what all good blog neighbors do.

1. What's something you'd rate a 10/10? Tell us why.

That's easy...grandparenting. Why?

photo cred: Daughter1

Do I really need to explain? 

2. What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?

Quite a few, but for starters-high rise window washing where you dangle by a thread off the side of a high rise, bridge building where you dangle by a thread over the wide open sea, and flight attendant because there's not enough Dramamine in the world. 

3. When did you last take a fall? What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?

I think we all know when I last took a fall. One month ago today and I'm still feeling it. Ugh.

Something I'm falling for these days?

Well it's not pumpkin spice lattes. When did we all go crazy for pumpkin? Hubs saw a pumpkin- mustard hotdog condiment the other day. Ewwwwww. 

Right now I'm loving real books checked out of the library and Pandora radio where one great song leads to another. Oh and cupcakes. I've been baking cupcakes for all the birthdays round here, and it's rekindled my love affair with baking period. 

4. According to the Travel Channel here are some of America's best fall festivals-

National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM)

Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed? Which one appeals to you most? Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend?

I haven't been to any of the festivals listed, but they all sound like fun so how do I pick just one? I think I'd go for Harvest on the Harbor because lobster + Maine in the fall sounds like a winning combination to me. 

There are a couple of little towns nearby hosting Oktoberfest events, and we've also been to what is known as the Pumpkintown Festival the past couple of years. We love to attend Fall for Greenville which is all about great eating, and we've done that recently too. Most of these fall festival events land in October and our October weekends are already chock-a-block full, so not sure we'll make it to any fall fests this year. 

5. What is your goodbye message to summer?

Dear Summer-

You were complicated, but I love you still and am not quite ready to let you go. 

Signed-

A fan of bright blue skies, warm weather, and sunshiny days

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Just curious if you took any steps to protect yourself from the Equifax Data Breach? Does anyone use one of the credit monitoring services, and if so are you happy with it? 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 322

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

1. What's something you'd rate a 10/10? Tell us why.

2. What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?

3. When did you last take a fall? What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?

4. According to the Travel Channel here are some of America's best fall festivals-

National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM)

Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed? Which one appeals to you most? Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend?

5. What is your goodbye message to summer?

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to hop over and leave a comment for the blogger linking before you today, because comments make the blog world go round. Here we go-

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it's official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What's a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home?

We're still in the upper 80's/low 90's here, so temperature wise it doesn't feel very fall-like. I do love the light this time of year, particularly just before the sun sets. The air feels different too, and there's a hint of turning in the leaves. That said, I'm still wearing flip flops and a bathing suit on the boat so we're not quite there no matter what the calendar says. 

How will I welcome the season? I have a little unexpected trip in the works so I'll likely spend Thursday getting my head around travel, which isn't very fall-like but is necessary. I generally change up my meal plans about now too, and have homemade soup on my Thursday menu. I guess that's my shoutout to the day. 

 As far as scents go I love candles year round, but especially this time of year. And I enjoy simmering cinnamon sticks with orange peel and cloves to make the house smell inviting, but not in September. Maybe November? 

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

Apple all the way! Apple pie, apple cake, warm apple cider. I do enjoy a very small slice of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day (heavy on the whipped cream please!), but other than that I'm not a big fan of pumpkin anything, especially coffee-yuck. 

3. Do you occasionally suffer from what's sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here?

Sometimes I 'slump' mid-afternoon. If I'm busy and power on through it passes, but if I sit down forget it. I have a cup of tea most afternoons about 3 o'clock and that usually does the trick. A cup of hot tea makes nearly everything better. 

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

I think when you have healthy friendships with women, healthy in that these women friends support, encourage, and love you for you, then you are so lucky. I know I've been inspired by so many of my women friends all across the decades of my life. Inspired to think differently, try harder, let go, forgive fully, laugh more, dig deeper, offer a helping hand, create something, extend grace, step out on that limb, get off that limb!, learn something new, and most especially- to love well. 

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser?

Yes for the most part. When the people around me are happy I'm happy. I'm not a doormat, but I like peace to rule the day and if I can make that happen I will. 

6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).

Landslide by Stevie Nicks...'can I sail through the changing ocean tides, can I handle the seasons of my life...'

7. What do you wish would never change?

I don't know the answer to this one. Change is inevitable, and for the most part in my own life God has used change to grow me up. I guess if I have to pick something I'll say we're all reasonably healthy right now, and I'd like that to continue.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

This isn't new, but I just saw it recently and it's pretty incredible. FYI-you'll want a towel to dry your sweaty palms! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 281

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Here are this week's questions...answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the whole wide world. Here we go-

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it's official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What's a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home?

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here?

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser? 

6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).

7. What do you wish would never change? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

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A Post of Olympic Proportion

This should probably be about four blog posts, but instead I'm jamming a whole bunch of things into one. 'They' say you should have a niche when blogging, and I'm pretty sure that's mine.

My daughter2 and I were talking the other night about the back stories of some of these Olympic athletes. She mentioned one in med school and we both kind of decided we must be underachievers. I need some bigger goals y'all. I can't do two things at once anymore and I'm not talking saving lives and winning medals. I'm talking simultaneously pouring a cup of coffee while talking to my mom about nothing in particular on the telephone. I've also pretty much concluded I cannot build a house and do anything else period.

I'm not really building, but have mercy will the decision making ne-ver come to an end? I thought we'd made all of our selections, but in recent weeks we've moved into a whole 'nother layer of choosing. We picked cabinets several months ago, but more recently needed to look through 54 pages of hardware options to go with. We chose stone for the fireplaces back in the spring, but now what about those corbels? Turns out there's an entire catalog of corbel options.

Do I even know what sort of corbels were attached to the fireplace in my previous home?

No. No I do not. They were pretty though. And on it goes.

Some people are completely energized by the home build process. They get all jazzed about whether or not the garage door should have a V or an X (hi hubs!), but I'm more like for the love, just pick one. Which is why I'm so thankful hubs is a detail guy and our builder's wife is a decorator. Some people do this kind of thing for a living, bless their hearts.

I do have opinions and a look I'm hoping to achieve, but there are just far, far, too many choices about absolutely everything. When I begin debating whether we should have an ogee, extreme bevel, or half bullnose edge on our countertops I know it's past time for more people, less things in my life.

So how about we do that Thursday Thirteen thing today, 'cuz that's pretty much all I've got. And random is likely all I'm going to have here until we move because I cannot coalesce enough brain cells to come up with something profound unrelated to home building. See paragraph #1.

1. NEEDTOBREATHE's new album (Hard Love) is so good. I love it, and was excited to see they're coming to our town. Also hugely disappointed to discover it's a date we're away. Why is our calendar so full three months out?

2. Speaking of three months out, can we just make a pact not to go full on fall-wild in August? It's summer people! Get a grip! There will be plenty of time for apple-pumpkin-cool weather talk in another month, but it's the middle of August so let's stay on task. Bare feet- sun on my face-lots of daylight. Why do we have to rush everything?

3. For the record fall is my favorite season. I felt I needed to clarify.

4. My Daughter1 wrote a post recently that was chockablock full of wonderful wisdom. If you know a young married, newlywed, soon-to-be married or anyone married read this.

5. I bought new bedroom furniture this week. Our bedroom furniture is over 20 years old and has been moved from pillar to post, so it was time. I know people who change out their furniture fairly regularly, but we are not those people. We buy good furniture and keep it for-evah. Or at least for 20+ years.

6. My cabinets are in-

7. And they've got hardware-

The lighting (or bad photography) make them look almost white or gray, but they are not white and they are not gray. They're a slightly distressed creamy color which I call oatmeal and I'm positively over the moon with how they've turned out.

8.  Hubs dad celebrated a birthday on Saturday so we trekked over to Tennessee to celebrate with him. Daughter2 came with us, which made Grandpa's day just about perfect.

9. When my girls were little and we'd visit the Tennessee grandparents, the first thing they'd do upon exiting the car was make a bee line for Grandma's jewelry box.

Time marches on, but thankfully the sweetness remains.

10. Many many years ago, I baked an Italian Cream Cake for my father-in-law's birthday, and he loved it so much a tradition was born. That tradition lasted for many, many birthdays, then I had two disaster years in a row, decided something was off in the recipe (it couldn't possibly be me???) and declared it the end of an era.

Hubs suggested this year I bake the cake as a surprise for his dad and-

Surprise!

11. I was not going to Tennessee without that cake, and managed to work a minor miracle with the icing. Voila! Trés delicieux! French makes even an imperfect cake sound fabulous, don't you think?

12. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate fine china? I have a theory that much of the rudeness-ugliness-impatience in the world today stems from that moment we started drinking coffee on the run in ginormous disposable cups.

Something so soothing and civilized about a china cup, a cloth napkin, and a slice of cake on a pretty plate. If you visit me in the lake house I'm going to serve you tea in a china cup.

Unless we're on the dock and then it's all plastic all the time.

13. Finally...hubs and I walk pretty often at the nearby university, and on Monday we passed a mass of yellow flowers in bloom. They were absolutely covered in butterflies. Covered! There must have been fifty butterflies on these plants.

I neglected to snap a photo of the entire garden because I was walking, and if you'll remember I can't do two things at once, but you should know it was amazing.

'If nothing ever changed there'd be no butterflies.' Author Unknown 

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Warning: Hodgepodge Ahead

Welcome to 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 linking before you.  Here are my answers-

1. I read here a list of 13 things you should do in June. I'm paraphrasing a little but basically...

Go on a road trip with your best friend, pick fresh strawberries, host a garden party, take a morning run, treat yourself to a flower bouquet, spend a whole day hiking, discover a new coffee shop, try a new ice cream flavor, read at least one book, visit a Farmer's Market, make a swing for your home, and visit a new city. 

Which thing on the list do you most want to do? Of the activities mentioned, which one holds the least appeal? How many on the list will you attempt in June? What's one thing you'd add to the list? 

Of the activities listed I probably most want to visit a new city because I love exploring new places. Will that happen in June? There's nothing scheduled as of now, but never say never. Which one holds the least appeal? Making a swing for my home. 

How many on the list will I attempt in June? A road trip, a morning run, a flower bouquet, all day hiking maybe?, ice cream maybe? definitely a trip to the Farmer's Market and I'll for sure read a new book or four. 

What would I add to the list? Dining al fresco is always on my summer to-do list so let's add that. 

2. What's something you could do today to feel more peaceful?

Pray, take a walk or go for a swim, count my blessings...these are all things that help me put a day in perspective. 

3.June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Are you a fan? Swiss mocha, rocky road, chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter and chocolate, or a dish of plain chocolate...what's your pleasure?

Rocky road ranks in my top three favorite ice cream flavors, so yes I'd say I'm a fan. Of course I've got my favorites ranked. Doesn't everyone? 

4. If you came with a warning what would it say?

Caution: Excessive Talker 

5.What's the most interesting website you've visited in the last week?

I haven't visited anything new or at least not worth mentioning in the past week so I'm going to say Pinterest. I can always find something interesting there-ha! 

6.Spring, summer, autumn, winter...which season are you? Why?

I'm going with autumn for a couple of reasons. I'm more than 40 50 so like the season, it's also third quarter here. Also there's something about the sky and the light and the natural world in autumn that is suited to thinking deep thoughts, reflecting on the past, goal setting for the future, and a general contentment with life that I think fits my personality. 

7."You lose sight of things...and when you travel, everything balances out." ~Daranna Gidel

Would you agree with that sentiment? Explain why or why not.

Yes I mostly agree. Traveling (for pleasure) helps me remember the world is big, that I have much to be grateful for and much still to learn. When I travel I think less about myself and more about the world and my place in it. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My daughter2 and I are celebrating the official start of summer today with lunch and a movie. Yes I know it's not officially official summer for another 12 days, but she's a teacher so summer starts here today. Yesterday actually. We're going to see Love and Friendship which got good reviews and looks cute. Has anyone seen it yet?

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Monday's Laundry

Hello Monday! I missed posting on Saturday as we ended up having a travel day, and I think I already told you I'm not posting on Sundays. Essentially this whole Write 31 is filled with rules of my own making. I like it that way.

I'm not going to be on topic today either, because I don't feel like being tied to the word prompt. I feel like catching up.

Day 19-catchup

We've had positively glorious weather the past several days. Hubs and I both said we'd forgotten how gorgeous fall feels in this part of the country. A couple of my northern NJ friends posted pics of snowflakes falling over the weekend, and do you know I was not even the teeniest bit jealous?

Late Friday afternoon Daughter2 joined hubs and I at the movies. We saw Bridge of Spies which we all thoroughly enjoyed. The film is based on a true story, and the casting is excellent. When is Tom Hanks not believable in something? He's wonderful in this flick too, and Mark Rylance is fabulous as the spy Rudolf Abel.

After the film ended we dropped Daughter2 off to meet her honey, and since it was such a beautiful evening hubs and I decided to watch some of the university women's soccer match. Our girl's Alma mater was playing our own Alma mater, which made choosing sides a little hard for me. Hubs settled the question by wearing our own team shirt, but bringing stadium seats bearing the hometown team logo. I cheered when either side scored so Go Team!

The sky had such lovely variation in color as the sun sank, and hubs pointed out it looked exactly like our state license plate. Ha! It did! Crescent moon and all. There's nothing like an October sky, is there?

Saturday we got on the road bright and early as we needed to be in TN by 11. The road from our little corner of SC over to TN crosses the mountains of North Carolina and it's stunning, especially this time of year. We cranked up the tunes and enjoyed the ride.

We had a Memorial Service to attend in the morning, then spent the rest of the day relaxing with family in the Smokies. The peaceful side for those in the know.

Sunday morning hubs and I met his parents for early church, and then breakfast after which was so nice. At one point during church hubs put his arm around his mama, and she got a little teary eyed. It's so special to have your kids seated beside you in a pew, no matter your age or theirs.

Later we met hubs brother and sister-in-law for a drive out to their lake lot. They're building on a lake in Tennessee, and we're both at about the same stage of construction. That would be the lot-is-mostly clear, septic-in, no-house-yet stage.

But we're both getting there!

Hubs and I headed home, but had plans for a fun little surprise en route. We've been back and forth to TN three times since moving south in August, and every time we pass the exit for a little town in NC we say we're going to stop.

Sweet, sweet friends of ours from the UK years bought a B&B in a really charming NC town back in June. If you've been reading here a while, these are the friends we met up with in Hong Kong when we were there in 2012.

They were living in China at the time, but have changed geography just a little since then, ahem, and are now the proud owners of a lovely B&B, less than two hours from our home. It was about 4 PM, and as we were approaching the area we mapped it, saw the inn was not a ridiculous drive from the highway, and decided to go for it.

Yes, we are those friends who drop in unannounced, but sometimes that is the most fun thing in the world.

We pulled around the side of the building and noticed the kitchen door was open.

Yes, we are those friends who let themselves in through your kitchen door just to see the look on your face and hear your excited shout.

Totally worth it. Made my heart happy and I know they'd say the same. We didn't stay long as they had guests coming and going, but we did get a tour of their fantastic new home, and we can't wait to go back and stay the night. We'll book the regular way next time.

And now it's Monday and I'm finally catching up on the mountain of laundry and grocery shopping and bill pay and other general nonsense that Monday calls for.  Also, know that when you're building in a state with red clay dirt, you're going to have some ridiculous laundry.

Hoping to get back in the swing of the one-word prompt challenge tomorrow, but I'm outta the box when it comes to writing this month, so we'll see. In the meantime, I hope your Monday is filled with all the colors of fall!

Fly Me To The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to say hi to your neighbor too, because that's what neighbors do.  Here we go-

1. What's something that has recently 'tried your patience'?

Our printer! We actually purchased a brand new printer only a couple of weeks ago, and still...aaagghh! She's printing okay, but nine times out of ten doesn't like to admit she's connected to wifi, so we're constantly having to restart our little black box. And she's still refusing to scan, but we're not giving up on her yet. In the meantime hubs has made friends with the Canon Help Desk. 

2. Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10= I've got all the time in the world).

I think we all learn as we grow. I do think people born with certain temperaments have less to learn. 

I asked hubs how he'd rate my level of patience and he gave me an 8 or 9. We did get sidetracked into a conversation about how much is patience and how much is my unwillingness to give up on something, but whatever...I'll take it. 

3. Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

When we lived north and regularly trekked south our route took us through the Shenandoah Valley, one of the absolute most beautiful spots in all of America. We'd almost always see hawks flying high overhead, and I would almost always comment that if I were a bird, this is where I'd live. That little slice of heaven on earth made me wish I could fly. 

Pretty much anytime I'm on a mountaintop (literally or figuratively) I feel like I could fly. 

4. Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

Well I really love that Gary Allan song 'Watching Airplanes'. It's one of those songs that always makes me feel a little wistful. 

5. What's in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

Hopefully as you read this I'm picnicking on a mountaintop overlooking the Carolinas. I post my HP answers on Tuesday evening and hubs and I have plans to watch the sunrise in the early a.m. on Wednesday. I'm packing coffee, bagels and Dramamine. Does that count?

Bagels are not my normal breakfast (neither is Dramamine), but I've been warned the drive up the mountain will likely make me carsick and sometimes pretzels or a bagel help keep it at bay. Forewarned is forearmed!

6. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping....which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

Since we're in house build mode any and all of these would come in handy. The only one I'm really interested in learning though would be landscaping. I enjoy being outdoors and working in the garden. The others would be more useful today, but they're not skills I've ever been keen to possess. 

7. What's something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

A new iPad. I have an original which means you can't update most of the apps. It shuts down about every other minute, so I'm not using it like I used to. I have an iPhone and a Desktop, and the iPad sorta kinda still works so I can't justify spending the money when there so many things we need to purchase for the house. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hoping all this talk of flying counts as my Wrtie 31 Challenge post today. Day 14-fly
And because it's late and I feel certain a few of you have never heard this one...

Have Patience. Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 239

You're getting a twofer here today, this week's Hodgepodge questions (scroll all the way down), aaaand my word of the day in the Write 31 Challenge. Here we go-

Day 13-patience

It's always something, isn't it? There's always some situation or circumstance in our lives that calls for patience we don't have. People we encounter, or sometimes even live with, who make us dig deep into our well of patience. Dreams we nurture and believe in and hope for that require patience in the waiting. 

I've spent a lot of my adult life waiting on the next thing. We haven't stayed put in any one place too long, and most moves we've made were made knowing there would be a next thing. What will it be? When will it happen? Where will we go? What about after that? How long will we be in this next new place? When will it feel like home? 

As I've grown up I've learned a few things I guess could best be lumped under the heading life lessons. All involve patience. When I step back and think about these life lessons I realize so many of them were learned not in the achievement of some thing, but in the waiting that came before. I learned 25 years and six moves ago that I need to embrace the waiting. That if I can't find joy in the waiting I'm not going to enjoy my life. I need to find joy in the wait. 

We're building a house from the ground up, something new for us, and if I'm being completely honest, a task that feels monumental some days. I never really had this dream of building a home from scratch. I can make anyplace feel like home, and I'm sure we could have moved into an already built place and I'd grow to love it in time because that's how I'm made. 

But we fell in love with a plot of land and here we are, building a house. I'm trying each day to embrace the process, a process that involves a whole lot of waiting. Waiting on boxes to be checked. Inspections to be completed. Permits to be issued. Contractors to be available. Rain to quit raining. The list goes on. And on and on. 

Do you know how many of those items are within my ability to control? Pretty much none, and I'm honestly okay with that. In fact I'm determined to enjoy the slow process of creating something beautiful out of red clay and overgrown pines. This is all new to me, and I'm not what you'd call 'handy'. I watch with some amazement as the excavator digs exactly where he needs to dig, connects hoses and pipes, and voila we have a sewer. It's the little things people. 

And isn't that really true? It's not cliche. It is the little things. If I look at the great big picture which is a completed home on a now empty lot it's overwhelming. If I take note of the small changes happening over time, it feels much less so. 

If I'm patient, if I don't wish this year away in order to get to the finished piece, I'll learn some things.  Brick by brick is how it's done. Building a house and building a life. 

1. What's something that has recently 'tried your patience'?

2. Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you? (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10=I've got all the time in the world).

3. Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

4. Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

5. What's in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

6.  Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping...which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

7. What's something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The Impossibly Possible Hodgepodge

Click the Gimme Five Minutes button on my sidebar for my Write31Challenge posts.

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Thanks for joining the party here today. If you've answered this week's questions, add your link at the end of my post. Be sure you say hi to the blogger who linked before you, because comments help keep us rolling right along. Here we go-

1. It's October so let's get this out there first thing...have you jumped on the all-things-pumpkin bandwagon? How so?

No. And I won't be anytime soon. Why is pumpkin such a big thing? I don't get it? I might eat a small sliver of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving (heavy on the whipped cream), but if it's not on the menu I'm okay with that.  

I don't care for flavored coffee drinks or creamers so I've never had a pumpkin latte or frappe. I enjoy a slice of homemade pumpkin bread, but my preference is cranberry or banana. The other day I saw pumpkin flavored chewing gum. Ewwwwww.  

2. "We have more power than will; and it is often by way of excuse to ourselves that we fancy things are impossible." Francois Duc De la Rochefoucauld

What's something you once thought impossible, but in hindsight see as more a matter of lack of will?

I'm struggling to come up with an answer for this one. I'm stubborn as the day is long, so I fall more into the camp of believing nothing is impossible. How about running a marathon? I've never run one by the way, and it sounds impossible (also horrible). 

I'm sure it's not, but I definitely lack the will.  

3. The rose is America's National Flower, but every state also has its own (click here to see the list). Are you happy with yours? If you were in charge what would you declare your state's flower? If you're outside the U.S. what bloom would you like to see labeled as your country's national flower?

I've only been a South Carolinian for a couple of months, so I had to look it up-Yellow Jessamine. I'm not familiar with this bloom, but will be on the lookout now that I've seen a picture. NJ's state flower is the violet, and I love that one. 

4. What have you lost interest in recently?

Cooking? It's not so much losing interest as it is not enjoying the process in my rental kitchen. I miss my Calphon Cookware, my Kitchen Aid mixer, and most of all a sharp knife! We broke down and bought a new paring knife yesterday because I honestly think a dull knife can be more dangerous than one you know is razor sharp. Especially when you're me, ahem. 

5. In your opinion, who's the best living musician?

Too hard! There are so many factors to consider, but in my mind whoever earns this title needs to sing well, write, and play at least one instrument. Oh and I also need to like them. The first couple of names that popped into my head were Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and the Boss. 

6. S'mores-love 'em or no? Ever make them indoors? Last time you sat around an outdoor fire? Are making s'mores and sitting round a fire pit on your autumn bucket list? Do you have an autumn bucket list?

I don't love s'mores, they're too rich and too messy. I do love roasted marshmallows though, with my chocolate served alongside. I've never made s'mores indoors, and haven't sat around a fire pit since we moved out of our house in NJ way back in June. We do have a fire pit in the community area of our apartment complex, but we haven't spent any time there. 

No real autumn bucket list written down anywhere. There are two or three things I want to do while the leaves are pretty though, so I guess I have a mental bucket list of sorts. 

7. Your favorite small town? Why?

I'm a fan of small towns, and it would be hard to choose a favorite. Small towns each have their own character and appeal, and if they were all the same I don't think I'd love them nearly as much. 

I will say you can't beat an English village with a charming High Street and lush green Commons. The one I lived in will forever be my favorite.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

How about a brief house update? Brief because honestly there's not a lot to make it lengthy. Since last we spoke it's rained. We're away from the devastating flooding that has occurred and continues to occur across parts of South Carolina, and for that I'm thankful. Others have not been so fortunate, and will be in recovery mode or in many cases starting over. Please keep these families in your prayers.

I'm thankful too, that we only had the lot cleared, rather than beginning the foundation prior to the storms moving in. We're so very fortunate not to have a giant muddy hole to deal with, and our excavators were able to get back to work this afternoon.  

I tried to post a little video clip here of the Septic dig, because I know everyone needs to see that-ha! but it wouldn't play, so I'm posting something pretty instead.  Hubs snapped this yesterday when he was out at the lot.  

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 238

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

1. It's October so let's get this out there first thing...have you jumped on the all-things-pumpkin bandwagon? How so?

2.  "We have more power than will; and it is often by way of excuse to ourselves that we fancy things are impossible." Francois Duc De la Rochefoucauld  

What's something you once thought impossible, but in hindsight see as more a matter of lack of will?

3. The rose is America's National Flower, but every state also has its own (click here to see the list). Are you happy with yours? If you were in charge what would you declare your state's flower? If you're outside the U.S. what bloom would you like to see labeled as your country's national flower?

4. What have you lost interest in recently?

5. In your opinion, who's the best living musician?

6. S'mores-love 'em or no? Ever make them indoors? Last time you sat around an outdoor fire? Are making s'mores and sitting round a fire pit on your autumn bucket list? Do you have an autumn bucket list?

7. Your favorite small town? Why?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

More Than A Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Please only link here today if you've answered the questions. And why not answer the questions? The Hodgepodge is a fun little mid-week random that eases you over the hump and into the weekend.

Thursday's the weekend, right? Hubs says every day is the weekend when you're retired so happy WednesdaySaturday everyone!

Okay, here are my answers, and remember leaving a comment for your neighbor in the linky list is a small act of kindness everyone appreciates. Here we go-

1. Something on your October calendar that makes you smile?

We're going to see Jersey Boys at the end of the month. We've seen it twice, once in London and once in NYC, and both performances were absolutely fabulous. We left the show singing and I fully intend to do the same here. Plus, we're going with three of my college girlfriends and their hubbies, so an extra fun evening. 

2. Food for the soul or music for the soul...which camp are you in? Tell us why.

For my own soul music. For my loved ones, food. 

I can't imagine the world without music. Nothing transports me to deep waters, a better or different mood, or the memory of a place in time like music. My soul needs music. 

When it comes to my family though, I think food and the connections eating together create are one way I 'feed their soul'. A lovingly prepared favorite dish on your birthday, a pot of hot chicken soup when the world feels pear shaped, a holiday meal eaten on the good china, these are all ways I express my love and affection for them and whatever they're experiencing or needing in life at the moment. I like to think these small gestures feed not just their body, but also their soul. 

3. What are two or three things you've learned recently as the result of an online search?

When hubs and I take car trips it seems like we always end up Googling something random. We'll hear a song on the radio, pass an unusual town name or a historical marker of some sort, and we wonder aloud for a bit before hitting Google. On our most recent two hour road trip we searched the following-

Bat Cave North Carolina, the lead singer from the 70's band Boston, and Carl Sandburg's home. 

We pass the town of Bat Cave coming and going and were curious. I mean, how could you not be? The Bat Cave is now closed to the public (thankfully!), but it would be a cool address don't you think? It's the largest known granite fissure cave in North America and home to several species of bats. Since bats give me the creeps, I'm glad it's closed. Otherwise hubs would insist on seeing it up close and personal.

We heard an old favorite Boston tune on the radio and I said I wonder what happened to the lead singer who had such an amazing voice. Hubs can always be counted on to know the name of every single musician to ever belt out a tune or pluck an instrument and he said he thought Brad Delp had passed away, so we read a little bit about him. 

We also noticed an historical marker pointing the way to Carl Sandburg's home, and hubs and I both thought he was from the Midwest so we Googled it (yes, it is so a verb). Sandburg was from the Midwest, but lived the last 20+ years of his life in North Carolina. Hubs and I plan to pop over for a day trip sometime this fall. 

What in the world did we do before Google???

4. Share your favorite game day recipe. You can describe it, post the how-to, or add a link to the actual recipe.

Not sure I have a favorite, and to be honest I am not doing a lot of game day cooking here (snacks, dips, etc), but if I were I'd probably go for a big pot of chilli or meatballs in the crockpot. 

5. What are your five essential steps for creating the perfect morning routine?

Steaming hot coffee in a mug with the exact right handle, prayer and quiet time in a quiet space with the aforementioned coffee and my Bible, a power walk with my headphones on and my playlist rolling, a long hot shower, and a reasonable healthy breakfast. Bring on the day!

6. What small thing have you taken note of today?

It's been raining here since Friday all day and when the sun peeked out I definitely noticed.

7. Sum up your September in seven words or less.

My favorite month went way too fast.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I hopped over to YouTube to find a Boston song, because I feel sure some of you reading here today have no idea, and you know how YouTube works...one song leads to another, and another, and before you know it 'I lost myself in a familiar song'...



How can you not love the 70's?