Grab Your Mug...It's The Hodgepodge

Welcome to our mid-July random aka The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for your neighbor there. Or all your neighbors if you've got the time. Here we go-

1. What's a characteristic you admire in others? Elaborate. 

There are many, but one of the biggest is selflessness. I so admire people who think of others first. Humility and integrity are other traits I greatly admire and they often go hand in hand with selflessness.

2. Do you have a favorite mug? Let's see it. Why is this one your favorite? 

This is my favorite-

And it has somehow disappeared. It may have broken and no one told me because they knew it was my favorite? It's also possible I set it down somewhere and it's still sitting there waiting for me to re-discover it's whereabouts. Too bad it's not linked to my watch the way my phone is. Bother. 

Daughter1 gave it to me because she knows how much I love the verse in my blog header and the mug design reminded her of that verse. Now I'm going on the hunt for it, because I'm wondering if I stashed it somewhere when I made room for the Christmas mugs. Do you need to know this? Carry on. 

I have other favorite mugs in terms of size, both the width and the depth and especially the handle. I'm particular about the handle. I have a couple of others that are favorites in terms of the giver and the meaning behind them. You know I have a hedgehog mug because of course I do. 

3. July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day...will you (or did you, depending on what day you answer these questions) give something away? If so what? Do you regularly give away or do you 'accumulate'? 

I didn't give anything away on the 15th, but I keep a bag in my closet that once filled will be donated. We pretty regularly get rid of clothing we no longer wear. Hubs thinks our attic is full of things we could give away, but I disagree. We'll see once we get up there for the great clean out, which will not happen until the temperature drops about twenty degrees and I can walk without a boot. 

4. You're planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities or smaller, more off the grid towns? World Atlas lists these 12 'off the grid' towns to see in 2025. How many on the list have you seen? Of those listed which one would you most like to visit? Tell us why? 

Boothbay Harbor Maine, Middlebury Vermont, New Hope Pennsylvania, Rehoboth Beach Delaware, Brevard North Carolina, Saugatuck Michigan, Medora North Dakota, Ouray Colorado, Lamoille Nevada, Neah Bay Washington, Hood River Oregon, or Cambria California

*You can read more about each destination by clicking the link above. 

I can get on board with a trip to a big city or a small town, as both appeal to me in different ways. I live in a small town, and I've been to a few of the small towns that made this list-New Hope PA (really cute!), Rehoboth Beach Delaware (we vacationed in neighboring Bethany Beach several summers) Brevard NC (not far from where I live so an easy day trip for us), and Cambria California-

California is such a beautiful state, one of the prettiest I think, but between the cost of living and the crazy politics there I would never want to call it home. 

It's hard to choose just one, but if I must I'm going with Medora North Dakota. Why? Because I've never been to that particular state and it's in a part of the country I'd like to explore.  Also my hubs has read several books about Theodore Roosevelt who is a really interesting man, so I know he would enjoy making the trip with me. 

5. Have you ever...ridden a motorcycle? been to a Disney park? met a celebrity? won a contest? Tell us something about whatever you answered yes to on this list. 

I had a brief ride on a motorcycle when I was young, about ten I think. My cousin gave my sister and I both, plus another cousin, a short ride around the neighborhood on his bike, and he went super slow. Still it was exciting to my ten year old self. That being said, my son-in-law is an orthopedic surgeon and not a fan of motorcycles. He's worked in ER Trauma and has seen too much, which kind of puts me off motorcycles. 

I've been to Disney World in Orlando three different times, and Disneyland Paris once. 

I've never been to the California Disney park. And I've never won a contest, but I have met a handful of celebrities. Here are two that stand out-

When we lived in the UK I was invited to a small luncheon in The House of Lords with David Cameron. I think there were about a dozen guests at the table.  He wasn't Prime Minister at the time, but became Prime Minister a couple of years later.  The club I was president of did a lot of fundraising for a charity very close to his heart and I was invited to the luncheon as a representative of our group. I sat next to Felicity Dahl who was Roald Dahl's second wife. It was a completely surreal experience for me. 

Closer to home-I met George Clooney in a NYC hotel when hubs and I were there with a group of his co-workers for an event. Meeting George now wouldn't be as exciting as it was then because I'm completely over celebrity culture in general, but especially celebs who bring politics into every situation. Still it was a fun night. 

The blogger  who hosted the random dozen which was the precursor to the Wednesday Hodgepodge sometimes mentioned George on her blog in a humorous way, and when I told her I'd met him once she demanded an explanation lol. I've linked the post with all the details here for anyone who's curious- George Clooney...here's the 411. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

So who here has joined the Mah Jong craze? I learned to play towards the end of the Covid 'era', and I still play almost every week in my neighborhood. When I was growing up Mah Jong was a game Jewish grandmas played and that's kind of what I associated it with. That and China which is where the game originated. Who knew it was so much fun? It's surging in popularity now with lots of young moms playing too. So who here plays?  

HeLLo Monday

I'm still working my way through the alphabet this month with the April A-Z Blog Challenge, and my loose theme of life lessons learned. Today I'm doing my regular weekend recap because I missed it last week. 

I think something I've learned is to notice the little things that bring joy, the tough things that need grace and lots of prayer, and the everyday ordinary moments that make a life a life. These recaps are a good way to remember and record all of the above. 

L is for HeLLo Monday 

life lesson: 'something from which useful knowledge or principles can be learned;

a valuable piece of knowledge or wisdom gained from experience, 

often about how to live or make decisions'

There's always something happening here and we're just trying to keep up. We had a full week with our wine club dinner on Tuesday night, then a fundraiser on Wednesday night. I don't have pictures, but it was for the local hospital's cancer center so money was raised for a good cause. The event had a 1920's theme and almost everyone dressed up. 

Thursday evening hubs and I attended an event at the local university hosted by their chapter of Turning Point USA. Originally my daughter was going to go with me, but she had one child not feeling well and another going to baseball and it all just felt like a lot. 

So hubs tagged along and I think he enjoyed the event. We heard Allie Beth Stuckey speak, and if you've never heard her in person, she was exactly as you'd imagine. So articulate, and such clarity in her message. We arrived early and were lucky to get in. More than 100 people were turned away due to space limitations, and she did go outside and try to at least say hello and greet the people who didn't make it through the doors. 

I listen to her podcast (Relatable), and while hubs has heard an episode here and there, he wasn't as familiar with her as I am. She's so impressive both in her ability to communicate and her depth of knowledge about current events, today's culture, and theology. 

Friday was pretty much chaos here. We made the delightful discovery of what appeared to be a leak so the plumber came by to check it out which involved cutting a whole in a bedroom ceiling (ugh!).  The Terminix guy also showed up to do our yearly inspection, and the electrician arrived to install our fan and outdoor lighting in the new dining space. Trying to get a car out to go to the store was a real challenge. 

I had a cute helper though, which was fun. 

No leak so good news there,  and we now have a working fan and almost working lights in the outdoor space too. The bulbs are not dimming even though they're described as dimmable, so we've got replacements coming and hopefully that does the trick. We may have to switch out the dimmer, but honestly that's not in my need (or want)-to-know department, so I'm letting hubs sort out whatever needs sorting there.  

Both grandboys had baseball games on Saturday, and we were excited to attend. Definitely one of the perks to having them close. It's been a while since I've had kids in sports, and T-ball is still T-ball, but I can't believe how the 7 and 8 year olds play with the coach pitch! It feels intense to me, but maybe that's because I'm the Nana, or maybe it actually is a little intense? The boys have fun either way, and it was a great day to be outside. 

There was more baseball on Sunday and we had plans with a group of friends to go to the university game. Always such a fun day, and while they won the series they lost Sunday's game. The environment at these baseball games is so upbeat, the stadium is super nice, and we always have a great time.  

There are big screens in the stadium so when there were play breaks they'd put the Masters up so everyone could check out the score. We got home at the tail end of the match and had been rooting for Rory all weekend.  What an exciting finish! Even if you're not into golf at all, it was a moment of such raw emotion, which the commentators let happen without comment and the whole thing left you feeling good. 

And that's the weekend that was. Busy, beautiful weather, fun sporting events, friends, family, and one step closer to having the outdoor space (or the never ending project as I call it) complete. 

The kids (and their parents) are still here with us, but will be closing on their own house very soon. We're grateful for the time we've spent living under the same roof, but everyone is so excited to settle into their own space and call that new space home. 

Big thanks to Holly and Sarah for hosting this weekly Monday morning link party.

Helene

I began this post thinking I'd wrap up our UK trip with a few stray thoughts still lingering, but then I started writing and ended up here. 

Hurricane Helene. 

Many of you have reached out to ask how we fared and I thank you for that. Honestly being out of town during a very major hurricane is both a good thing and a bad thing. We were literally an ocean away from it all, which meant whatever was happening was completely out of our control. 

Honestly we're never in control of the weather are we? 

Or many things we tell ourselves we can control, but especially the weather. 

We have wonderful neighbors who kept us in the loop, who checked on the house and the property, and who let us know we had no big trees down and no obvious damage. Our yard was covered in tree debris and we were without power for a few days, but it was restored by the time we arrived home Wednesday. Many in our area are not so lucky. The girl bagging my groceries today said they won't have power until Tuesday, fingers crossed. The storm happened September 26th. More than a week ago. 

I'm in South Carolina, in what is called the Upstate (so not the coast). We're just a hop, skip, and a jump from the beautiful NC mountains and we love the natural beauty and the many charming towns that dot the landscape there. 

Some of those towns are literally gone. Washed away. There one day and just completely gone the next. 

I don't feel like the media is adequately portraying the devastation, the tremendous loss of life, work, home, and nature that have happened here. It's hard to understand how a hurricane hits the highest point east of the Mississippi, but that particular geography complicates rescue efforts and help getting to people in need. 

This is turning out to be larger than Katrina in terms of scope and the death toll will rise as areas yet to be accessed are finally reached. Eight days in and people are still unaccounted for. 

One of my favorite things about America is the way her citizens rally in times of trouble and we are for sure seeing that here. Individuals, businesses, fire departments, and the like are collecting much needed items and pick up trucks are finding a way to get supplies over the mountain. Churches here have partnered with churches in the hardest hit areas to meet specific needs, volunteers are flying helicopters and small planes to both rescue the stranded and also drop essentials into remote areas. I saw a video of a woman getting her insulin via a drone drop which seems crazy but that's where we are. 

Many parts of Asheville and the surrounding small towns have no water and it's going to be that way for quite some time. Major highways are washed away and the rebuild for the interstate is expected to take more than one year. The major highway running from our area through NC and into Tennessee is going to be shut down for at least a year. 

And yet, in the midst of something hard to comprehend people are kind. They're generous. Their hearts are hurting and broken for people they don't know and this is the America I love. People doing practical things like making meals for the linemen and first responders, donating diapers and formula and get this-benadryl-because apparently the bees are really angry and out in force in some places. 

There are organizations on the ground like Samaritans Purse, the World Central Kitchen, and Operation Airdrop that all need donations to do what they do. If you can help in that way know it matters. The cost of recovery after Helene is estimated to be something like 34 billion dollars. 

It's easy to feel helpless in a situation such as this, but we are not helpless. And we are not alone. 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging..." Psalm 46:1-3

A Charitable 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. Hodgepodgers are always grateful for comments. Here we go-

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Is yours in need of a cleaning? Will you get that done today? How often do you tackle this particular chore?

It's currently not filled to overflowing but I guess it can always use a good cleaning. It's a big job and I have to be in the mood to wrangle the shelves in and out. I wasn't planning on tackling it today, but maybe I should. I try to clean the frig before I do a big shop, and definitely before a Costco run. 

2. November 15th is also National Philanthropy Day...tell us about a charity (local or otherwise) you like to support when you're able.  

We support a number of charities, mostly those that help feed and care for hungry children (World Vision and Compassion) At the local level I volunteer every week making lunch in a nearby soup kitchen. 

We also support Young Life and Cru which are both Christian youth ministries. We give to St. Jude and to Crisis Pregnancy organizations that provide ultrasounds to moms considering abortion. Seeing that baby in 3D is often what leads to a change of heart. 

3.What in nature inspires you and why? 

So many things...sunrises, sunsets, mountain vistas, wide open spaces, a walk in the woods, a bright blue sky, a watercolor sky, a wispy cloud kind of day, really the sky in general. 

Why? Probably because being in nature quiets my mind and allows me to better organize my thoughts. 

4. What's something you own that makes you feel cozy? 

Hubs will laugh but I'm going to say my bathrobe. I know that makes me sound ancient, but I love a good snuggly robe. 

5. Who did you thank today? Who thanked you? 

I bought something at Publix on Monday (when I wrote this answer) that was a 'buy two, get one free' deal. I ended up at self-checkout and needed help because it charged me for all three. I thanked the cashier. And of course if you know Publix then you know she thanked me back lol. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I attended the Clemson-Ga. Tech game on Saturday. It was Military Appreciation Day and they do a really wonderful job of honoring those who have served. 

There are many special moments that take place on the field between game quarters and this year there was actually a 100 year old WW2 veteran at the game. 

He received the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest French distinction. It was given on the field by the Consul General of France and was truly moving. These WW2 Veterans are a treasure and I'm glad there are spaces where we still recognize that. 

Over the weekend five soldiers were killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash over the Mediterranean, all stationed at the base my daughter and son-in-law just left. We throw out a lot of platitudes on Veterans Day, but our soldiers and their families need encouragement and support every single day of the year. They aren't out marching for it, raising a ruckus, shutting down streets thus creating chaos, or even demanding to be heard. Instead they go to work, literally risk their lives, and they sacrifice so much. 

My heart breaks for the families who've lost a beloved son, brother, father, friend. If you are a person who prays, please remember these families today. There's a link here to their names and faces. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 527

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. Here we go-

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Is yours in need of a cleaning? Will you get that done today? How often do you tackle this particular chore?

2. November 15th is also National Philanthropy Day...tell us about a charity (local or otherwise) you like to support when you're able.  

3.What in nature inspires you and why? 

4. What's something you own that makes you feel cozy? 

5. Who did you thank today? Who thanked you? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 485

Welcome to another week in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then wobble back here tomorrow (Wednesday) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Have you ever been on a cruise? If so where did you go and how did you like it? If not, do you have any desire to take a cruise someday? 

2. Tell us about your Thanksgiving plans...are you hosting? cooking? eating out? turkey or some other main? is it stuffing or dressing in your house? homemade cranberries or cranberries in a can? are pies on the dessert menu? what kind? what are your 'must have' sides? Tell us one thing you're especially grateful for this year.

3. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

4. Have you started decorating for Christmas? Is your tree up? Shopping done? Wrapped? 

5. Create your own acrostic using the word THANKS. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Vive la Hodgepodge

Going to keep my answers short and sweet today because it has been a little bit 'Grand Central' like here. All good and lots of fun, but busy. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

 

1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

Time spent with old friends. Is that a small thing? It somehow feels bigger than small, but either way was very precious. 

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th...have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn't an issue) 

I love France and have made many trips to different parts of the country.  

I love the food, the fairy tale castles, the city lights and the seaside burgs, the language, and just the general aesthetic of most things French. They seem to know how to make things lovely. 

Oh, and the champagne. Let's not forget that! 

I especially love the countryside but wouldn't turn down a trip to Paris either. And I think every American should see the beaches of Normandy... 

...and in Colleville-sur-Mer the row upon row of white crosses in a cemetery there. Perhaps the haters here in America would hate a little less if they stood where 18 year old boys have bled and died to keep them free. 

3. A food associated with France that you love? 

A traditional lemon and sugar crepe would be one of my favorites. A croque monsieur rates high on my list too. And all the fancy food served with a delicate touch and a glass of bubbly. The cheese and bread and the coffee served in one of those charming cafes... I'm sure there's more...

4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? 

I never buy anything online without searching for a coupon first. I ordered some birthday goodies for my grandson recently and used a discount code. That's how we say coupon in 2021, right? 

5. You have to give something away this week...what will it be? 

There's always something in my closet to be donated. I like to let a few things accumulate then run a bagful to the donation center. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My limelights are really showing off this summer-

Bon Mercredi! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 427

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. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th...have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit or re-visit, and if so what site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn't an issue) 

3. A food associated with France that you love? 

4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? 

5. You have to give something away this week...what will it be? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Mansions In May

Yesterday was beautiful. Spring. Sunshine and a light breeze. 

The perfect day to tour a country home. 

Blairsden House is open to the public this year, for the very first time. This spectacular home is the centerpiece of a fundraiser dubbed 'Mansions in May', organized and run by a nearby hospital's women's association.

The house was built at the turn of the 20th century and was originally the country home of NY financier C. Ledyard Blair. It is a gorgeous piece of property and architecture.

More than 50 well known designers from the NY-NJ area had a hand in making the home show-worthy, both inside and out.

Wouldn't that little alcove be the perfect spot for a nap?

Or really anywhere on this magnificent patio?

The original owner (Mr. Blair) lived in the house from 1903 until he died in 1949.  I'm glad he was able to enjoy his vision because it seems so often these big homes were built and then the owners lived in them about three minutes.

Originally the estate was 500 acres, but it was sold and broken up after his death. In 2002 the property went back into private ownership, and it was sold again more recently with the new owner planning to live there and restore it.

Indoor herb garden anyone?

I love big old houses. I love the glimpse into a different time and another way of life. I like to imagine how they manage heating bills and house cleaning.

Mostly though I love imagining what in the world I'd do with all that property and space.

I'm sure I could think of something.

The Sound of Silence

Note-If you're looking for this week's Hodgepodge Questions go to this post.  Thank you.

Tuesday, December 18th, will be a blogger day of silence in support of Sandy Hook.  

Monies are being raised as well, for an organization called The Newtown Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

If you'd like to make a donation, visit THIS PAGE .

For those of you who are bloggers, or if you're on facebook or twitter, you're invited to share this information with your friends and readers.  Please join with so many who will be praying today and in the days ahead, for all those touched by this horrific event. Thank you.

Froehliche Weinachten

 Weekends in December are extra full, or at least ours seem to be.

We spent Saturday and Sunday tweaking our holiday decor and by that I mean hubs hung garland across the railings and down the stairs, and wondered aloud why in the world we don't own the pre-lit variety?  I untangled the mass of cords that is my Snow Village, and seriously, that job made me sweat. It's a bit of a challenge to hang on to your Christmas spirit when dealing with light strands and extension cords in hard to reach places.

I still need to add some bits and pieces, like the trees and the skaters and such, but I got the basic houses up,  and that was enough for one weekend. Our main tree is still waiting for its topper, a job I just couldn't face after wrestling with cords for an hour, so that's on my list for one day this week. We always do our Christmas decorating in phases. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are happier that way.

I do love having a Christmas tree in the house. One of my favorite things to do in December is to get up early,  and while it's still dark outside sit in front of the lit Christmas tree. There is something about the quiet soft glow of the tree that begs for sitting still, thinking deeply, and praying earnestly.

Friday night hubs and I popped into town to see the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Conveniently there is a ginormous evergreen just beside the the lake and every year Santa drops by to do the honors.  Here's a shot of the tree in daylight....

and all lit up for Christmas...

My nighttime photography skills are unrivaled, don't you think?

Our little town holds their own version of a German Christmas Market every December and its lots of fun.

Hubs and I spent a couple of hours there on Saturday browsing the vendor stalls, sipping traditional Gluhwien, and eating brats topped with sauerkraut for a lakeside lunch.  I took this picture of the Stroopwafels for my Daughter1-they're her favorite-

And this one for Daughter2 because fudge is her love language. 

So are German Christmas Markets.
She and I have seen more than a few.
Sigh.  

I love the sign by these decadent dipped apples.

Oh, and guess what?
Santa was there.

Pretty sure this was not a copycat.  Look at that face!

Afterwards we went to see the movie Lincoln.  We both really liked it and Daniel Day Lewis is completely believable in the title role.

Sunday afternoon we were invited to a fundraiser that hubs former boss and her family host every year. Monies raised benefit a food pantry on Long Island and this year the need is greater than ever.  The pantry is run thru a Catholic church there and the priest spoke to the party-goers describing the very difficult circumstances they face in Sandy's aftermath.  Many in their area are still without heat and power, and a large number of people are also without jobs.  The recovery is slow going and some of those jobs will be permanently lost.  He closed by saying that in the middle of something horrible he has witnessed so much good.  Help has come from ordinary people and nothing is too small not to be appreciated.

Our friends go all out when they host this party.  They invite several hundred people, have inflatables for the kids, a petting zoo, and oh yeah, guess who else was there?

I know.
I spoke to him and he is definitely not a copycat.   Look at that face!

Okay, my to-do list is as long as my arm so I need to get busy.  Just a reminder that I'm hosting a little 'thing' here during the month of December.  My daughter1 made the cutest little button ever,  which you'll find on my sidebar.  If you're participating in  The 12 Days of Christmas Kindness you'll want to add this cuteness to your sidebar too...just copy and paste the link you see under the button.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about go here for details.

Happy Monday!