The Dog Days Of Blogging

The original saying is the 'dog days of summer' but blogging felt more appropos. I looked up the origin of the expression which has nothing to do with actual dogs and in short it means the hottest, most humid, lethargic weeks of summer, and hello mid-July. 

There's also a whole big thing about the stars and the constellation canis minor but we're too hot and lethargic to dive into that here today. 

We've been staying busy seeing friends, swimming with the grands, hosting dinner guests, and watching World Cup matches. I haven't spent a lot of writing or reading blogs either. I'll get back into a routine eventually but for now indolent feels like a very apt descriptor.

We had a nice weekend and I took almost no pictures. That's par for the course in the lazy hazy days of summer. 

Speaking of lazy...one or both of us had something every single night last week. Sometimes it just works out that way and we roll with it. For the record, hubs is better at rolling with it than me because he's a social creature and I need my pjs and 9PM  10 PM bedtime, but I rallied. 

We had our wine club dinner Monday evening, I played Mah Jongg Tuesday night, hubs was out Wednesday, clients he sold a house too took us out for a celebratory dinner Thursday night, friends invited us to their club for dinner Friday night and we had two couples here for dinner on Saturday night. We won't count the calories consumed but it's salads only this week. 

Except wait! We're not eating salad right now, are we? At least not any that contain lettuce. Bother. 

Hubs was grilling a Tri-tip on the Green Egg for our guests on Saturday and I had planned to make a salad, then thought I better shift gears. I ended up making a tomato-cucumber-avocado-red onion mix with a yummy vinaigrette dressing and that worked well. We have cherry tomatoes here and my daughter gave me cucumber from her garden so the produce felt safe. 

This is how crazy it is when you're retired. We wanted these two couples to come for dinner at our house and we had to sync our calendars way back in May if we hoped to get it somewhere on the July or August calendar. But we did it and it was a really nice evening. 

It stormed just as we were getting ready to eat and when I say stormed I mean the whole enchilada...a literal deluge with blowing winds, lightning, thunder, and just crazy. We've had a few of those this summer. 

I made the appetizer we had in a restaurant last week and it was good. My peaches were a little softer than I would have liked but still very tasty. It's simple-just peaches, proscuitto, olive oil, honey, chili flakes, chopped pistachios and a white balsamic drizzle over all. 

On Friday I was helping with a Mah Jongg lesson for some newbies and hubs took his best bud out paddleboarding. 

Where hubs goes, he goes. 

Friday night hubs and I shared these amzaing ahi tuna nachos. So good!! 

Sunday we went to church then I hit the couch. Hubs was showing a house and wanted to get in the lake after he wrapped that up, but thunder returned so we watched the World Cup final and ate leftovers for dinner. 

Nothing too exciting, but it's been nice to have time to catch up with friends. I know some people love great big gatherings, but my favorite are smaller more intimate dinners with just a handful of people at one time. Everyone can talk to everyone and it's just overall more low key. We're enjoying our outdoor space and hosting friends there and will definitely be doing more of that as we move in to August. 

So what were you up to this weekend? Something energetic or something more chill? We're always a little bit of both round here, which is how we like it. 

Linking with Holly and Sarah for their Hello Monday blog party. 

Hop over there to read more or add your own recap. 

A Guilt Free Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Don't be lazy now. 

Here we go...

1. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." Sam Keen

Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate. 

Why does rest make us feel guilty? In this season of life I'm taking time to relax guilt free. We're not lazy people and while work is important rest is also essential. I enjoy having things on my calendar, both fun and commitment related, but I also love seeing some blank space to do nothing in particular. 

2. What's a telltale sign you're upset? 

I'm not someone who hides their emotions very well.  I cry easily and if I'm upset while talking I might cry. I try hard not to, but...

At other times I might go quiet, and since I tend to talk a lot going quiet is noticeable. 

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposely used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative? 

Well it's here to stay so I want to think about it at least a little bit. It's already tucked in to so many things we use every day so there's no avoiding it.  I listened to an interesting podcast recently on the topic and have linked it here (What Every Christian Should Know About Artificial Intelligence). 

A lot of people ask if I use AI to come up with questions every week. So far no, except in all likelihood something has slipped through the cracks. We just don't know (or always think about) all the spaces AI now inhabits. I come up with most questions off the top of my head. But I also have a book of questions Marilyn gave me, there are websites with questions, and I google topical issues to inspire questions, so it's a mix. 

I'd say AI is both exciting and worrisome. Like all technology there is the potential for misuse and actual evil and I'm sure we'll see that with AI too. Also I want to think and I guess the biggest negative I see is the temptation to become lazy in that department. I am rebelling against it as much as I can. 

Positives? I think if a summary is needed for something AI can be helpful and a real time saver. While it doesn't actually think it does consolidate a lot of information in a short amount of time and that's useful in a lot of instances. 

We want to take a trip out west and I was struggling with how to combine a couple of destinations without excessively long drive days so I popped my locations into AI and he/she/it? came up with a plan.  Since I'm not familiar with the geography in this particular part of the country I needed help and AI gave me a place to start.  

4. You're invited to a summer pot luck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing? 

Depends on my mood, and possibly who else I know will be there. I would likely go for dessert because I like to bake and desserts hold up well in transport. 

5. It wouldn't be summer without___________________. 

A tomato sandwich, made with homegrown tomatoes right off the vine, slathered in Duke's Mayo. Yum! Haven't had one yet this summer, but it will happen soon. I need my daughter to share some of her larger tomatoes with me as we only grew cherries. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

So one of our state's senators passed away suddenly this week, and people are just vile. Sadly this is no longer surprising. 

I don't know how we've gotten to the point of celebrating the death of another human being in our country, but here we are. Lindsay Graham was from our local area and hubs and I met him in person once. He was really funny. Did we agree with everything he said and did? No. But he served our country in the USAF and raised his sister upon the death of their parents when she was just 13, and both of these things I do admire. 

I read a quote by Matthew Hennessey with the Wall Street Journal who said, "The best thing you can do when someone dies is say a prayer. If that isn't your thing, find something nice to say. If neither of those options works for you, there's a third option: Shut up." 

You don't have to agree with someone's politics to be decent in death. We need to do better. 

A Gem Of A 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. Before running off be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

I didn't grow up in a denomination that celebrates Lent specifically, but Easter and the days leading up to that Sunday were definitely marked. I sometimes read a devotional written specifically for the lenten season, and this year am following the reading plan put out by She Reads Truth. It's focused on the Psalms and is called Bless The Lord. I like SRT and have done some of their other reading plans in years prior. 

You can order an actual book, or follow along online. 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

I like pancakes okay, but in terms of breakfast carbs I'd much rather have french toast or waffles. Pancakes are too heavy for me. Hubs loves pancakes and if we're out to breakfast he often orders them,  and then I can have a bite. That's all I need. Blueberry are my favorite, but they're not on this week's menu. I want a little bit of syrup and a side of bacon so there's something salty to cut the sweet. 

Pancakes with a view-

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

In this season of life it's rare I feel spread too thin. We're living the retired life and there's a lot less multi-tasking, less demands on our time unless we say so, less going in three directions at once. It's nice. 

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

I love the gemtones and feel like they suit my coloring. You'd find some in my wardrobe for sure, more than any of the other options listed. My favorite jewel or gemstone is a sapphire, with pearls a close second. Pearls are actually considered organic gemstones. 

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

Knowing you can't please everyone when making tough decisions. If you're a person who dislikes conflict as much as I do, then you know the struggle is real. The sooner you learn that someone is always going to be unhappy no matter what you say or do, the quicker you'll find  peace in whatever job or role you're managing. Do the right thing and sleep easy when your head hits the pillow. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My favorite way to have pancakes is a pancake breakfast lakeside with all my favorite little people there-

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 641

Hello Friends. Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (2/18) to share your answers. See you there! 

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Episodes Seven and Eight

Linking today with Joanne for Talking About It Tuesdays 

If you've been reading here you know hubs and I are aiming for 52 dates in 52 (ish) weeks. I'm recording them here because I think it might be fun to put them all in a photo book at the end of the year. 

I'm two episodes behind because the days are flying and full and writing it all down isn't happening the way it used to. Today will be a two for one kind of post. 

Day date episode seven. Here it is-

Backing up two weeks to this day, which was part of a week where we had stuff on the calendar every single day. Now some of that 'stuff' meant we spent time together, but I'm trying to make these moments we mark as just for us. 

Lunch at McAllisters it was. 

Hubs had an appointment in the city and I had an appointment to get my nails done. We met for lunch on his way home, after I left the salon and also after I stopped to mail a package, but before I hit the grocery store which happened to be in the same shopping center as McAllisters. 

Some weeks are like this, and I'm going to say simple is very welcome in the middle of busy.

I like their food and we each got a half sandwich with their broccoli cheddar soup which was delish. We had a nice time and talked about some of the day date places we might go and see and do in the new year. 

Day date episode eight happened on Saturday. Originally we had decided on Wednesday, but then the weather was spectacular and it made more sense for hubs to get the outside lights up while he could wear shorts since cooler weather was on the way for the weekend. 

We pivoted to Saturday and we bundled up. Actually it felt festive to put on my furry boots and my 'Canada coat' as it's been dubbed because hubs bought it for me in Canada more than 25 years ago. People still stop me whenever I wear it to ask where I got it. The boots I got in France, not quite 20 years ago but they're still a favorite and so warm. 

We headed into the city to check out a small Christmas market. When I see hubs in his hat I feel like it should have a post of its own.  He bought the hat in Austria after much hard selling on the part of the vendor. She told him she'd add the Edelweiss pin for free if he purchased so he said yes. This hat has been such a fun thing all these many years, the start of many a conversation with people everywhere who spy a pin from a place they love, or who are just curious about what the pins represent. 

The pins (currently numbering 53) started mostly by accident. He added one when he bought the hat, then ended up adding another on that same trip, and then another the next place we went, and so on and so on, and suddenly it became a thing. He's traveled all around the world adding pins to mark the miles, and now this hat tells the story of a most interesting life. 

I love going in to the city this time of year. The past few years we've gone to a Christmas show at the theatre there, but this year we can't make it work, so this might be it. 

The market was set up just outside of The Grand Bohemian Lodge, a luxury hotel whose architecture was inspired by the National Parks. Lots of stone and cedar and it's really beautiful. Besides lodging they have a spa, restaurant, bar, and an art collection featuring both local and internationally known artists. 

The Bohemian has been around for about three years now, but we've never stayed overnight or eaten in their restaurant. It was a chilly day, but we enjoyed browsing the stalls and made a couple of gift purchases before heading inside to warm up and have lunch.  

We sat at the bar, and per usual hubs immediately made friends with the people beside us. It's one of his very best qualities and something I love about him. It can also be annoying but mostly I love it. 

They had a brunch menu with some lunch options and I ordered eggs benedict because if it's on the menu that's what I order. Hubs got shrimp and grits for the same reason. Both were delicious. 

We also had to try an order of their deviled eggs which were so good-pickled mustard seeds, crispy maple duck confit, and chives. 

We walked through town and went in a couple of shops too. It wasn't overly crowded because locals were all inside somewhere watching the Clemson-South Carolina game. Yay Tigers! We were home in time to watch Tennessee play Vandy which was super painful, but we did finish decorating the tree while the madness happened and that helped. 

And now here we are, another week filled to the brim with happenings. Our next date might just be be that trip to Costco with lunch somewhere after since we've put it on the calendar. This is retirement. And December. And our life in this season. 

Which is actually pretty sweet. 

Turkey With A Side Of Hodgepodge

Welcome to The Wednesday Hodgepodge. I'm always grateful for those who join in here each week. And if you're here just occasionally I'm grateful for you too! If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Do you feel like you have a 'full plate' at the moment? In what way? 

In a word, yes. Don't most people feel that way this time of year? I sat down yesterday and organized my 'to-buy' list which helped, and then I went ahead and did some online shopping and shipping. Many items were already marked with Black Friday pricing and it felt good to get some of this done. 

We have a lot of fun things on the December calendar and I want to enjoy each day as it comes. I make lists and put everything on the calendar including when I'll bake, when I'll wrap, when I'll write cards, etc. It makes the proverbial plate feel a little less full. 

2. How did you learn to cook? If you have children did you teach or encourage them to cook? Do you like to follow a recipe or is your cooking style more 'let's wing it'.  

I learned to cook by watching and helping my momma, a truly wonderful cook. She made everything from scratch, served balanced meals, set the table, and baked a ridiculous, but much loved and appreciated, number of Christmas cookies every year. 

Both of my girls also enjoy cooking and baking and I think would say they learned the same way I did. That is, by watching and helping me in the kitchen. Still one of my favorite places to be with them, especially at the holidays. So many great conversations are held while chopping and stirring. 

As far as cookbooks vs. winging it I'd say I'm a little bit of both. I'll follow a recipe, particularly in baking where measurements and proportion matter. I love cookbooks, but I can also come up with something on the fly from my pantry in a crunch. I guess I'll say that while I can 'wing it' I rarely do. 

3. Last time you bit off more than you could chew? Elaborate. 

I can't really think of the last time I might have said yes when I should have said no. I try not to do that in this season of life. I used to excel at juggling many many things, but these days I'm happier without quite  so many plates in the air.  

4. When did you last say 'the more the merrier' and mean it? 

I became part of (a witness really) to an extremely awkward conversation at an event we attended recently. I was chatting with a woman and her husband when their Thanksgiving host came over and rescinded their invitation because several other anticipated guests had cancelled and she didn't think she wanted to cook for 'just them'. Yikes. 

I wanted to slink away and pretend I didn't hear, but instead I spontaneously invited them to my daughter's house for dinner. I told my daughter the words were out of my mouth before I could actually check with her and see if it was fine.  It was fine. 

Thanksgiving is a time to be generous and I think is made for a 'the more the merrier' kind of attitude. As it turned out, the couple's original host ended up adding more guests to her dinner table, so their invite was back on. It all worked out. 

5. Write an acrostic using the word T-H-A-N-K-S. 

Giving T-H-A-N-K-S today for...

Traditions kept alive

Home

Acts of kindness done without fanfare

New mercies every morning

Kids, the ones fully grown and the ones still growing

Sunshiny days and life's simple pleasures 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

This handsome fella had his nails trimmed yesterday. 

He's not a fan. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 630

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (November 26th) to share answers and count your blessings. See you there! 

1. Do you feel like you have a 'full plate' at the moment? In what way? 

2. How did you learn to cook? If you have children did you teach or encourage them to cook? Do you like to follow a recipe or is your cooking style more 'let's wing it'.  

3. Last time you bit off more than you could chew? Elaborate. 

4. When did you last say 'the more the merrier' and mean it? 

5. Write an acrostic using the word T-H-A-N-K-S. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Day Datin'

Retirement is funny. We should have all this time to figure out fun places to go and new things to see, but between home maintenance-cleaning-improvement tasks that need doing, grandchildren that need grand-ing, appointments that need attending, and our various hobbies and volunteer commitments, the days fly right on by. 

Most weeks Wednesdays are a day we're both pretty free so I've declared it date day (hi hubs!). I'm trying to put a few things on the calendar for us to do together, even if it's just lunch someplace new. 

I was determined to find some fall last week so we drove about an hour from the lake to an apple orchard everyone talks about that we've never visited. When we lived in New Jersey we had a lot of orchards around us and apple picking happened every fall. I miss that so last week we made it happen. 

For starters, the day could not have been more beautiful. The sky was a bright blue, with some puffy clouds and a nice temperature for being out of doors. The orchard was just across the state line in the 'other Carolina', and sits atop a mountain, hence the name-Sky Top. 

We thought we might pick the apples ourselves, but when we stepped into their little shop and saw it loaded with bags and bags of freshly picked apples we decided to buy instead. 

We walked out into the orchard though, and wandered the property to see what all was there. 

For starters there was an apple cannon. 

We saw it in action and it was powerful. They gave you earphones to wear because it was also loud. 

There was a duck pond, some play spaces for kids to run and climb, picnic tables, and donuts right out of the cooker. There are few things better on a fall day than a warm cider donut. 

Just ask this guy. 

We bought apples, apple butter, apple cider, and some peanut brittle to take home, then headed in to the nearby town of Flat Rock for lunch. 

We'd never been to Flat Rock so relied on the internet for a lunch recommendation. We ended up at the Highland Lake Inn and Resort's restaurant- Seasons. 

The property has a long history dating back to the late 1700's, and over the years it evolved from a grist mill and private estate into a summer retreat for wealthy families. Throughout the 20th century it served as a school, camp, and Catholic retreat center and in 1985 was transformed into an inn and conference center. Today the focus is hospitality, dining, and preserving its historic charm. 

Hubs and I both had a cup of their homemade butternut squash soup and a salad, and both were delish.

Did I take a picture of my date? Nope. Just lunch lol. 

After lunch we drove about a mile down the road to check out Carl Sandburg's home. Through the years, on our treks north and south, we'd see the historic marker signs on the interstate, but we never took the time to get off the highway and see what it was all about.

The house sits above the town, and it's a little bit of a hike to get to it. There may be closer parking if you approach another way, but we were in town so parked at the bottom. 

Sandburg spent much of his life in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan but moved to Flat Rock in 1945 for the more temperate climate and a better environment for his wife's prize winning goats. You can tour the house (called Connemara) which sits on more than 250 acres along with the goat farm, sheds, two small lakes, several ponds, gardens, an apple orchard and 5 miles of hiking trails. 

We started the hike up and ran into a short detour due to a bridge being out. A year later and remnants of Helene are still evident in this area. 

We got about halfway up the trail when a man walking his dog let us know the house was closed due to the government shutdown. Sigh. Next time. 

Sidebar-that's the most I've walked since May. May!! I did go back to the ortho and have a new plan for the next couple of weeks in hopes of getting on top of this. 

Anyhoo, we had a really nice day and since I didn't take a single picture of us together, or even separately, you'll have to take my word for it. 

Also I never say anyhoo in person but for some reason it comes out of my mouth here. Stay tuned for more retirement shenanigans happening every Wednesday for the next 51(ish) weeks. Dream big, right? 

Linking today with Joanne for Talking About It Tuesdays

Hey It's Monday

Good Monday morning friends. How was your weekend? Ours was pretty good, the weather was wacky, our Vols won, our Tigers eked out a win too, and we spent time with friends, family, and at home which is my favorite place to be. I didn't take a lot of photos this weekend, but c'est la vie. 

Friday hubs golfed with some guys and I trekked into the nearby city for my mammogram followed by a Costco run. Good times, right? Costco was an absolute zoo which is why I try never to be there on a Friday afternoon. Since I was in the neighborhood it made sense to brave it this week. 

I didn't get home until after 5 PM and was glad I'd made dinner before I left home that morning. We had chicken pot pie and watched a movie, then called it a night pretty early. 

Saturday morning hubs popped over to the baseball field to watch the mancub practice and to hang out with the grands for a little while too. Daughter1's inlaws had come out to the lake for the weekend and brought us an assorted pepper haul from their garden. I'm going to pickle the jalapenos and probably the tabasco peppers too. 

We had a party to go to later that afternoon so I spent the morning making something to add to the meal. I'd kind of forgotten about this recipe which I used to make a lot a couple of decades ago, but it popped up online recently and I decided to bring it back. Veggie pizzas. A crescent roll crust topped with an herbed cream cheese-sour cream 'sauce' then whatever veggies you like. So pretty and really tasty too.

We left around 3 to go to a friend's house for an oyster roast. They were also grilling brats and burgers for the non-oyster eaters, and it was a big group so lots of delicious sides. 

Right around the time our host was going to light the grill, the sky grew black and then opened up with the craziest wind and rain. 

The local college football game had started and they had to stop play due to lightning. Not really a bad thing as they were taking a beating, and that break seemed to help a little.  

There was plenty of room for everyone inside and eventually the rain moved out and it turned into a pretty night. 

Sunday we went to church, then out to breakfast-lunch with daughter1 and her kiddos. Her hubs was on call this weekend so didn't make it to church, but managed to meet us for lunch which was nice.

I spent the afternoon blogging, dozing, and reading as I had five books on hold at the library and they all came in on Friday. I was number 18 in the queue for one of them, so not sure how I moved up on the list so quickly, but of course this is not a bad problem to have. 

So how did you spend your weekend? 

If you'd like to share, hop over to add your own link with Holly (Pink Lady Blog) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books) today. Have a nice week!