Energized By The 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 hop over and leave a comment for your neighbor there. That's how the blog world rolls. Here we go-

1. What gives you energy? What takes it away? 

What gives me energy? Sunshine. Ticking to-do's off a list. A good night's sleep. Time spent in nature. 

What takes it away? Complainers and negativity in general.  

2. How often do you shop for clothes? What accessory do you always wear? 

We live in a small town, so I mainly shop online these days. It can be done at my leisure, and most places have made returns easy. I will shop for specific events I know are on the calendar, and I generally add a few things each season as needed too. I just did a pass through my closet last week and have three bags to donate. I didn't get to the drawers but that's coming. 

Accessories I always wear? My wedding and engagement rings on my left hand and a ring hubs gave me for our 15th anniversary on my right. I wear earrings every day, and my iWatch too. And glasses. Are glasses an accessory?  

3. What's something free that you feel grateful for? 

God's grace if we're going deep. Something less deep? the sunrise, music, a starry night sky, and library books. 

4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner...which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What's your go-to comfort food?

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I mean a real breakfast, not a grab and go meal. I love to have breakfast out, love brunch which is always breakfast for me, love sharing it with someone, love lingering over coffee, love the beginning of a new day and the meal that marks it.  

My go-to comfort food? Homemade chicken soup... it's good for what ails you, mind and body both. 

5. This week the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way? How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges?

It seems like it shouldn't still feel fresh, yet somehow it does. I don't know if it's because we lived outside D.C. on the day and knew people whose lives were directly impacted, or because we've lived outside NYC a couple of times and the city is a part of the landscape of our lives. 

Sometimes I think it's just that bright blue September sky, so achingly beautiful, that gives me pause. We will remember the day. We'll listen to the names read and will say a prayer for the families who lost so much, for the bravery of so many on that awful day, and for our nation which has been in turmoil of one kind or another ever since. 

I think if you're of a certain age you remember where you were on the day,  and you can't help but think about it when the date comes around each year. 

As far as how historical events shape my perspective when I face personal challenges? Well I suppose they make so many of my own problems feel small in comparison. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Happy birthday today to this little sweetheart...

This picture y'all! 

She was a baby and so was I. She's a momma now, but still and always my baby girl. 

Time is a thief but also a gift. 

I wrote a post yesterday in honor of her special day because that's what I do every year on her birthday. (you can read it here if you're so inclined-The Carousel of Time)

Happy birthday Daughter2...what an absolute joy and privilege it is to be your momma xo 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 619

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (Sept 10) to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. What gives you energy? What takes it away? 

2. How often do you shop for clothes? What accessory do you always wear? 

3. What's something free that you feel grateful for? 

4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner...which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What's your go-to comfort food? 

5. This week the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way? How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Top O' The Mornin' To Ya

Happy St. Patty's Day friends. Are you dressed appropriately? Everyone's a little bit Irish today, right? 

'May the grace of God's protection

and His great love abide

Within your home and within the hearts

of all who dwell inside'...an Irish blessing 

I do have some Irish in me and wore my green sweatshirt yesterday. The sleeves have big hearts at the elbow. Hubs and I have matching T's we'll wear today. He might not know we're gonna match, but we are. We have a call with our financial planner this afternoon and when we booked the time slot his admin reminded me to wear green. It's just a fun little tradition that's easy to do. 

My daughter bought a box of Lucky Charms for the kids to have for breakfast today, which is definitely a treat. Nana might have to indulge too. I'll be making my traditional once a year corned beef dinner with cabbage and red potatoes that we all enjoy, hubs will likely have a Guiness, and that's about the extent of our celebration this year. 

Let's talk weekend. Plus a day or two extra because I'm all over the place on my blog these days. 

Wednesday hubs and I had an appointment with our attorney in the nearby small big city. We've redone our wills and trust and needed to make it all official with our signatures, so we made a day date of it. Nothing says romance like signing your will, but it's good to have it done. 

It was a gorgeous day so we went to lunch at one of my favorite places right after. This little restaurant sits at the edge of a park and we asked for a table outside so we could soak up the sun.  

I had a yummy tomato basil soup with crusty bread and a lightly dressed salad. Hubs had a croque monsieur. The menu is French, and dining here makes me feel a little bit like I'm sitting in a European cafe. 

We walked through the park after lunch and stopped at a little dessert spot for a cup of gelato. It was breezy...

I had a mix of half strawberry-half marscapone, which essentially tasted like strawberries and cream and was super deliziosa. 

How many countries can I reference in a single post? 

Thursday we had a real estate errand to run and that took most of the morning, but at least it was a fun real estate errand. Stay tuned. 

Also, we're not moving. Carry on. 

Ain't no procrastination like tax procrastination, but I finally sent our organizer off to the accountant. Even mailing it was a headache. I drove to the post office that's a little further away because I wanted to stop at Publix on the way home and that was the direction I needed to go. I arrived at the post office and stood in line for fifteen minutes, only to finally get to the counter and discover I did not have my wallet. Bother. 

My daughter asked why I didn't just use Apple Pay, but technology is never my first thought and I was silently a little bit panicked wondering where in the world my wallet might be. I flew out of there and raced home. 

Which is where I'd left my wallet, but ugh. I had to go back  to the post office and stand in yet another line and I never made it to Publix. Once I got home we all loaded up in the car to take the birthday boy for his celebratory cone. 

I told the grands he would probably eat the whole thing in a single bite, two at most, but nope. He licked that cone like it was his last meal, and savored every bite. 

In other news, the little boy grands are playing baseball and you forget how completely inconvenient kids sport practice times are. Let me remind you...dinner time is when they are. And two different teams with zero overlap in the days and times so meal planning and execution has become a little more challenging. Thursday night hubs grilled two pork tenderloins so we would have leftovers for Friday night and that worked out well. 

The weather was fabulous and he made us pork fried rice on the griddle with the leftover meat, which was so good. 

He loves the view from his grill station. 

Saturday we did some chores around the house, watched some Tennessee basketball, and then hubs and I went over to our friend's house for dinner. He's Italian and made his family's recipe for braciole, which I'd never tried. He sent us home with some of the secret sauce and I need to figure out how to duplicate it. I think the sauce is key. 

We were supposed to have storms here overnight on Saturday into Sunday, but they mostly missed us. We did get some rain, which I'm happy about because rain this time of year helps bring the pollen down. We're entering prime pollen season here, and it's not my favorite. 

So what were you up to this weekend? Anything fun or productive? 

I'm linking this post today with Holly and Sarah and their weekly Hello Monday blog party. Hop over to share your own recap and read what other bloggers have to say. Sláinte!

Relaxing With The Hodgepodge

Hello December and hello Hodgepodgers. I'm glad you're here. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post then leave a merry comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's the best $5 gift to give someone? 

A fun mug, a book, a coffee gift card, fuzzy holiday socks

2. What's your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season? 

I like to sit beside the lit Christmas tree with the rest of the house lights off. Early morning with my coffee or at dusk with a cup of tea or glass of wine. Sit-marvel-pray-wonder. 

3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes?

I like gingerbread, especially with a cup of hot tea. I also like to use ginger when cooking, particularly in Asian dishes. And I always ask for extra pickled ginger with my sushi. 

Gingerbread houses weren't really a part of our regular holiday tradition, but there were some years we made them happen. Do graham crackers count because we mostly made ours using graham crackers. They're easier to keep together.   

No matter their ages my girls took the construction very very seriously. 

4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day...will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants...which one do you wear most often? 

Blue jeans are one of my favorite items of clothing and I definitely have a favorite pair. Yes it's always a little sad to see them go (first world problem I know). I like a few different brands but currently have a pair of Liverpool that I love. Of the 'legware' listed jeans are my most worn. 

5. As we head into this holiday season what's your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

Be present. Keep Jesus front and center. Find a little bit of joy in each new day. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

When you decorate the tree do you do it yourself, have a little bit of help, or maybe a lot of help? If you have help do you move your helper's handiwork around to different branches on the tree when they leave the room? Asking for a friend.  

It wouldn't be December without my annual posting of this carol, my favorite version, with lyrics that are timeless...

 

Wishing you peace in your heart and home this Advent season.

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 580

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

1. What's the best $5 gift to give someone? 

2. What's your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season? 

3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes? 

4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day...will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants...which one do you wear most often? 

5. As we head into this holiday season what's your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 576

Somehow it's November. And it's a big day in the US of A. I will spend some time today praying for peace in our cities and in our hearts on this election day, and in the days ahead too. 

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. What is one good thing you often take for granted? 

2. What's the boldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe? 

3. Do you think common interests or common values are the key to people getting along? Elaborate. 

4. November 6 is National Nacho Day...do you like nachos? How do you like yours? Do you make them at home or only order out? 

5. Have you spent any time in Washington D.C.?  If so what did you think? If not, is that a place you'd like to visit? What do you think about politics as a career choice? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 572

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. Thursday is National Walk To A Park Day. I know these celebratory days are mostly made up, but some are fun to think about. Do you live close enough to a park to walk to one on Thursday? Will you? The most famous park in the world is Central Park located in NYC. Have you ever been to Central Park? What did you think? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to see? 

2. Something you've done recently that turned out to be a 'walk in the park'? 

3. Can you parallel park? Do you have to do this often where you live? 

4. The colors of fall...red, brown, russet, golden bronze, golden yellow, purplish red, light tan, crimson, orange red, and scarlet. Are these colors you like to wear? Is this your season in terms of color? What about your home? Would we see these tones in your home decorating? 

5. What part of history do you find most interesting? Elaborate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

She Said Yes To The Dress

I think I might have mentioned Daughter2 is getting married, but in case I didn't-

...she's getting married!

And of course she has asked her big sister, the person she's loved best and longest, to be at her side on the big day. She had the most adorable box of personalized goodies made as a way of asking, including this little print-

One of the things Daughter2 has looked forward to the most was having her sister with her for dress shopping. That sounds simple enough, but with the bride in the southeastern corner of the US of A and her sister in the northwestern corner of the US of A, maybe not so simple.

It's okay. We're all used to not simple round here.

We were so excited with the way timing worked out for Daughter1's trip to the lake (note to self: in all things wedding related timing generally works out), and we happily scheduled an afternoon of dress shopping last Thursday.

Our appointment was for 5 PM, but we wanted to pop in to the reception venue just before that so Daughter1 could see it up close and in person. She worked in events and sometimes notices things about a space that I might miss. It was really fun to see the venue again and I'm excited to see it all prettied up for the big day.

Which is still many many days away, but anticipation is all part of the fun.

We dropped baby boy at his other grandparents house then headed to the very lovely bridal shop where we had the nicest afternoon I've had in a long time. This particular shop books appointments so we were the only people there, never felt rushed, and our consultant was so sweet and helpful in understanding the different bits and pieces (fabric, cut, neckline, back, sparkle, etc) Daughter2 was hoping to find in a gown.

Our plan had originally been to have a first look in this shop, then perhaps check a second shop only because Daughter2 wasn't exactly sure what she wanted.

Except she kind of was.

And y'all she's such a beauty. When I saw her in 'her' dress the word that came instantly to mind was breathtaking. As in she literally took my breath away.

She tried on several dresses, but came back to this one every time and it's absolute perfection. As soon as the consultant set the veil on her head she knew.

I knew the minute I saw her step out of the dressing room in it, but that's because I'm her momma.

And now a public service announcement for anyone who's watched too much TV-

I don't believe there's just one dress out there that's right for you. Nor do I think you need to try on  umpteen million to find 'the one'. In fact I think if you try on too many it all becomes a jumble and none feel like the one. There are many, many dresses you can look and feel beautiful in on your special day. My philosophy is choose one you love, one you feel comfortable in, and most importantly one you feel like YOU in.

Then love that dress.

Your dress.

And that's what she did.

The Friday Five

I'm not sure The Friday Five is officially a thing, but I'm declaring it officially a thing on my blog today. I'm so out of sync with my blog and know I need to dive back in and write more often because that makes my writing better. Today you'll have to settle for this-

The Friday Five

I hope I've got Five. It might be The Friday Four. Or The Friday Fourteen.
You never know what you're going to get on This Side Of The Pond.

1. When I flip the page to May at a glance in my calendar I feel a little dizzy. There is so much happening here next month beginning with a hair appointment (that's half a day for me), the dentist, the eye doctor, a wine dinner event, cards and gifts to send for nephew and niece birthdays and a nephew's graduation, Mother's Day, lots and lots of company including college sorority sisters, a high school/camp friend, my mom, my mother-in-law, my daughters, son-in-law, and the cutest baby boy in the world.

photo credit: Sincerely Shannon

Seriously he's the cutest.

2. In preparation for his visit I've purchased a few small toys and a highchair. I've borrowed a pack and play from a friend, but bought a mattress to add to it so he'll be more comfortable. They have a full day of flying plus a couple hour car ride from the airport, plus a three hour time change so we want to do everything we can to help him sleep sweetly once he's here.

Also, it's fun to walk through my kitchen and see a highchair. This one is a Graco and was a literal snap to put together. As in you snap the parts in place. It also converts to a booster seat which is a nice feature and one we'll need down the road.

3. Do you jot notes in the Notes feature of your phone as a reminder of things you want to mention on your blog? I do that sometimes and one thing I'd written there was Big Little Lies. Did anyone watch it? What did you think? We don't get HBO here, but Daughter1 has it so we watched Season One when I was out west a couple of weeks ago.

I really enjoyed the way the show was produced and thought the acting was great, but here's my rant. I don't know why they had to use the F word as much as they did. I have a lot of women friends and nobody I know regularly drops that word a whole bunch into everyday casual conversation. It seemed unnatural and distracting.

4. Turning to the world of fashion...I don't get these tops with the super long wide bell sleeves that come down over your hands. I think some of them are so cute, but then when I imagine trying to do anything at all while wearing one the style seems completely crazy.

5. You know what they say...April showers bring May flowers.  Here's hoping! We've had so much rain this spring, three days this week it's just poured and it rained again last night. On the bright side the weekend weather and next week too all look lovely. We have a fun weekend planned with friends we haven't seen in a while and I'm excited for sunshine and warmer weather.

We did manage a boat ride on Wednesday afternoon while hubs mom was in town with some friends. Hubs was not happy about it at all. Ha!

photo credit: Sincerely Shannon

Enjoy your weekend everyone! 

A Sense-able Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. I wrote most of this entry last week and saved it in draft, thankfully! I've been sick for a couple of days and am not up for blogging just yet. If you've answered the questions today, add your link at the end of my post, then do your best to visit the blogger linking before you. Happy Wednesday all!

1. Describe love using all five senses-

I'm looking forward to reading answers to this one....

sight-a daughter's face lighting up my phone screen...or better yet, my front door

sound-hubs calling me by my nickname  

smell-the scent of fresh flowers in the house, delivered just because

taste-that first bite of an expertly grilled steak, cooked by the hubs to that perfectly perfect shade of medium rare because he needs it to be exactly right for his girl 

touch-a spontaneous hand hold

2. February is Canned Food Month. What's your favorite food that comes straight from a can?

Del Monte blue lake whole green beans. I can eat them right out of the can and prefer them to fresh most of the time. They must be the whole bean though, not the cut variety. 

3.A principal in a UK school recently sent home a letter to parents requesting they (the parents!) dress appropriately when escorting their children to/from school (basically saying please don't wear your pajamas). You can read the letter here. It's gotten a lot of publicity, both positive and negative. Your thoughts? And do/did you ever make the school run (or hit Starbucks, Walmart, etc) in your pjs?

I know I'm probably in the minority here, and I do love to be comfortable, but I think we've gone more than a little bit overboard in this department. I think getting dressed (not dressed up, but yes to putting on actual clothes) tells children school is a place deserving of respect. 

I don't think I've ever run out anywhere in my pjs. That same rule your mama taught you about clean knickers applies to wearing clothes. What if you have car trouble? 

I know there are days, and obviously exceptions (illness for one), but let's be honest...many people turning up at the grocery store or the school yard in pjs, are dressed that way because they didn't feel like putting on real clothes. They see nothing wrong with running errands in pajamas. Hubs and I were out to breakfast last weekend and a middle aged man walked by our booth in his flannel cartoon pjs. Why? 

I don't think it's worth making a federal case over, but I find it a little disappointing we have to tell adults not to wear their pjs out in public. 

4. Crew neck, V-neck, turtleneck, scoop neck...which is most prevalent in your wardrobe?

The crew neck is okay, but my preferred neckline is the v-neck. I don't always stand up as straight as I should, and a scoop neck emphasizes rounded shoulders. Also I have a 50+ year old chin, so I only like a turtleneck if it's soft and a bit slouchy. If you're my age, you know what I'm talking about-ha! 

5. I read here recently a list of four things to avoid so you wake up happier. They were late night snacks, hitting the snooze button, social media just before bed/upon waking, checking emails. 

Are you guilty of any of these behaviors? Which on that list do you need to work harder at avoiding?

Late night snacking isn't a problem for me (late afternoon is my danger zone), and I don't set an alarm, so no issues with the snooze button. I guess I'll say checking social media before bed, although I'm more inclined to play a game of Words With Friends than check Facebook. 

Probably the same principle applies because I'm pretty sure the idea is to quiet your mind and turn off electronics completely. I do make it a point not to look at social media in the morning until I've had my quiet time, but could do better at limiting screen time before bed. 

6. Share something you remember about a house you lived in as a child? Of all the homes you lived in as a child, which did you love best?

My mother still lives in that house, so it's hard to separate what I remember from all that's come after. Here are a few thoughts that stick out in childhood memory...

The scary basement. I cannot explain why it was scary...maybe that it was unfinished and was a basement? Also the big oak tree at the corner of the back yard, which was technically the neighbor's tree, but under whose enormous canopy my sister and I spent hours playing Barbies and make-believe. My mother's fabulous cooking. Holiday dinners on the good china. Company in the 'fancy' living room. Christmas there too. Feeling safe and loved. Home. 

7.Your favorite movie based on a true story?

It would be hard to choose just one. Some of my true favorites are Apollo 13, The Blindside, The Rookie, and Argo. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

How about something to make you smile? This clip that's had over 6,000,000 views. The song was a favorite in our house once upon a time (and maybe still is, ahem), and she is absolutely too adorable for words.  

Peaceful Easy Hodgepodge Feeling

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Please only link here today if you've answered the questions. And be sure to skate over and say hi to the blogger linking before you...we're all about being neighborly here in the middle of a week. Here we go-

1. Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?

Our financial planner sent us some information last week relating to all the recent turmoil in the stock market, and I might have 'skated over the details'. I like hubs to worry about that stuff-ha! I did read it, got the gist of it, but didn't get bogged down in specifics. I will if I need to, but for now I'm gonna skate. 

2.  What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?

Staying on top of your health and finances. As you reach/enter retirement there are so many decisions to be made relating to your future which by the way, is no longer on the far off distant horizon. It's now. Also, I think I mentioned here last week that once you pass the 50-mile mark you no longer take your good health for granted. 

Or it could be that we talk too much about retirement planning and the fact that our health isn't what it used to be? You decide. 

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?

My wedding band because I love the sparkle and the sentiment behind it. My watch because I feel naked without it. A bracelet Daughter1 gave me for Mother's Day is also very dear to my heart and I wear all three of these every day. 

4.  January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese?

Never met a cheese I didn't like. We've had some fabulous cheese trays in our recent travels, this one just last weekend-

It was every bit as yummy as it looks. We sampled a cheese I hadn't tried before-bellavitano, which was delish. My favorite dish made with cheese would probably be my mama's homemade enchiladas.  

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?

Walking behind someone wearing their 'pants on the ground'. Seriously, isn't it past time we retired that trend? The other day I had the misfortune of riding up an escalator behind a young man struggling mightily to keep hold of his trousers and step off the moving staircase. I do not understand the appeal or the message of this 'fashion statement'.  Not even a little bit. 

6. Your favorite book series?

The Anne books...Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island...

7. Why did you choose your profession?

I always knew I'd work with children in some form or fashion, and started college as a nursing major. I suffered through many torturous hours of organic chem, only to change my major to speech pathology at the end of my freshman year. I don't remember exactly how I got there, but I think an advisor pointed me in that direction. It was a great fit for me and I enjoyed working in the field for several years. 

Motherhood has always been my passion though. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I were away for the weekend, then extended our travels for another couple of days, so getting the HP questions written and posted was a little challenging for me this week. There's a lot going on here in real life at the moment, and I'm giving myself permission to keep the questions light or to take a break now and then. I have a lot of blogging to catch up on, but am spending very little time on the computer so a conundrum.

I don't blog from my phone or ancient iPad which means I need to be at home if I want to write anything of substance. Life will happen and I am trying to roll with it.

In other news, I was so sad to hear Glenn Frey passed away. The Eagles are the soundtrack of my youth and I love their music still. A reminder yet again that life is short. Too short to spend hours on the Internet. Love your people and catch us up when you can.  

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 252

Well that was quick! It's once again time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then skate back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe.  See you there!

1.  Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?

2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?

4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day. Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese? 

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?

6. Your favorite book series? 

7. Why did you choose your profession? 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hello Hodgepodge, My Old Friend...

100 random points to whoever gets my title today. Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Please don't link today unless you've participated in the HP.  I'm sure your blog is fabulous, but Wednesdays round here are strictly Hodgepodge. Thanks for understanding. 

I'd love for you to play along though, and newcomers are always welcome. Answer the questions before adding your link at the end of my post. Then hop over and say hello to the blogger who linked before you, because that's what good neighbors do.

Also, if you're visiting here from the Write 31 Challenge, you'll find my thoughts on today's prompt by scrolling all the way down to #8.

Here we go-

1. Are you comfortable with silence? If you're home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise? Do you seek out times and places to be silent? What's your favorite place to find silence/be silent?

I'm very comfortable with silence. Unless of course it's an uncomfortable silence, then not so much-ha! I tend to fill uncomfortable silences with excessive chatter, but silence for the sake of being quiet? Definitely.   

Hubs likes background noise, but if I'm home alone the house is generally quiet. Until recently my favorite place to find quiet space was the sun room in my NJ house. The room was all windows, with a super comfy couch, and I could see the woods around me, watch our mama fox tending her babies, the leaves changing color...so much quiet beauty right outside my window. It was such a cozy room and that's where I liked to take my coffee and my Bible and start my day. 

Finding silence in this space is a bit more challenging. There's only so many places I can go in the apartment, and if the TV is on or hubs is on the phone I can hear it, even if I'm down the hall. Probably the thing I'm most looking forward to in our new home are all the outdoor spaces. There will be no shortage of places to find a quiet corner. 

In the meantime, I love to walk in the mornings. I do some of my best thinking and most of my heavy-duty praying there. I like the silence of the great outdoors anytime really..sitting by the water, on a mountaintop, hiking a woody path through the forest. I actually wrote about this topic on Monday (click here) and a reader mentioned he finds silence in a snowfall. I feel the same. 

2. October 28th is National Chocolate Day. Can't let that go by without a mention now, can we? Will you celebrate? How? Let's say you can have one of the following right this very minute...a cup of hot chocolate, a strawberry dipped in chocolate, a bowl of plain chocolate ice cream, or a slice of chocolate pie...what's  your pleasure?

I think you have to celebrate, right? Isn't that the law? If I had to choose one of the chocolate treats listed to consume right this very minute I'd probably choose a cup of cocoa. With marshmallows please!

3. How do you feel about blue jeans? Favorite thing in the world to wear or nope, don't own a single pair? How often do you wear blue jeans in a typical week? Do you own a blue jean jacket?

Blue jeans are my love language and they're one of my favorite things in the world to wear. I can go the opposite way too, and say I love fancy dress and wearing a great pair of heels, but that's not an everyday thing. 

If I'm at home I'm usually wearing blue jeans, which means I wear them several times a week. I do own a jean jacket that I purchased at Kohl's several years ago for the bargain price of $10. It was one of those items that had been marked down about eight times, then I had a coupon, and they were having a promo, and how does Kohl's make money again? Whatever, it was a great purchase. I still love the jacket, and still wear it pretty often. 

4. Are you superstitious? If so, in what way?

I don't think I am superstitious. I tried to think of something, and came up with nothing. Chain letters, Friday the 13th, walking under ladders...none of that worries me. As a leftover habit from childhood I sometimes refrain from stepping on the sidewalk cracks, but I don't expect trouble if I hit one now and then. 

5. If you had to come up with a costume using only things you have on hand right now, what could you come up with?

Everything we own, including the costume box, is in storage right now, except for our clothing and just a few personal items. How about a fisherman? We have a couple of fishing poles here and a tackle box. I could wear hubs fishing shirt and my rubber boots. It wouldn't win any prizes, but would work in a pinch. 

6. What scares you a little? What do you do when you feel scared?

Just a little? Building a house. 

What do I do when I feel scared? I pray a lot. I listen to praise music. I move...go for a walk, run the vacuum, empty the dishwasher, bake, do something physical to get me out of my own head. 

7. Perhaps today will be the day I _____________________.

Finish the great closet switch I began last weekend. Not my favorite task. Obviously. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Using this space today for my Write 31 Challenge one-word prompt. 

Day 28-hope

I almost skipped today's prompt, because the word  felt a little deep for the Hodgepodge. By the time I come up with the questions and then answer them and then live life I'm pretty much running on fumes. But that's why I signed up for the Challenge. To make me think, and nudge me to write when I'd rather be napping. 

I started thinking about what I'm hoping for right now. Today. Quite a lot actually, and if I were to put it in list form it would run the gamut from unimportant in the grand scheme of things to quite important in the grand scheme of things. I mean I hope it quits raining so work on our build can continue, but I also hope the babies in South Sudan had food for their bellies this morning. 

Hope has become one of those words we use perhaps more casually than we should. 

The dictionary defines hope as a feeling of expectation and a desire for a certain thing to happen. I'm a hopeful person. I live with a feeling of expectation that tomorrow will be better than today. That an hour from now something can happen to change circumstances that are currently not great. 

I'm often told I see life through rose colored glasses, and I guess there are times that's true. But not all my hopes are simply wishful thinking. My greatest hopes, my heart's desire, the hopes nestled into the deepest recesses of my being are based on something far more powerful, more real, than wishful thinking. 

They're based on what I know about God, and what I know He can do. 

Anything. That's what. He can move mountains and calm the seas. God can make a way when I can't see a way. He can do immeasurably more than I ask or imagine so yes, I hope. Not baseless, unfounded, pie-in-the-sky hope, but real hope. Hope based in the knowledge that God knows and cares about my hearts desires. 

Live expecting friends because He.is.able. 

Simply the Hodgepodge

Welcome to your weekly dose of Hodgepodge. Thanks for playing along...if you've answered the questions today, add your link at the end of my post then go say hi to your neighbors. Here we go-

1. Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?

I think it's rare I purposely try to make someone laugh, unless that someone is an unhappy toddler or a fussy baby. In that case I might try. Normally though, if I make someone laugh it's spontaneous and unplanned. I was with my brother and sister yesterday and we laughed, but I don't think I was the one who made that happen.

2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer?

Where's home?

3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are any currently blooming in your yard?

Such a hard question because I love them both. When I wrote the question I was thinking of all the beautiful rhododendrons I saw blooming while visiting Washington, so it seemed like I'd have an easy answer for this one. 

Except on Monday we drove down to my mom's house in South Jersey (that would be my mom with the amazing green thumb!) and her azaleas were absolutely gorgeous so now I'm conflicted. Her rhododendrons were also pretty spectacular so how to choose? 

My favorite thing is to see a combination of rhodies and azaleas, but if I have to choose I'm going with rhododendrons. We do have some azaelas, but everything is late this year so not as pretty as in other parts of the country right now.  

4.  May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?

I worked as a waitress my last year of uni. It was a nice restaurant and I enjoyed the experience for the most part. You can never get the smell of food off your uniform no matter how many times you wash it, and that scent also clings to your hair, which I didn't love.  The worst part of the job though would be rude people. I always try to give a waiter the benefit of the doubt. 

5.  What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?

Men...sagging drawers. Come on! Who does that look good on? 

Women...where to begin? Belly shirts and leggings on ladies who should know better are two that spring to mind. 

6. Name a writer who inspires you...now tell us why.

I think all the best writers make me want to write. My favorite modern day writer is Pat Conroy. His words are measured and thoughtful and a little bit like poetry. 

G.K. Chesterton died in 1936, but his writing continues to inspire. He was a man of great wisdom and I'd love to sit with him for a nice long chat over a cup of tea.   

There's also lots of wonderful writers out there in the blogosphere...Lisa Jo Baker is one of my absolute favorites in terms of the way she writes, Kelle Hampton is another. 

7.  What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?

"Don't make change too complicated. Just begin." 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend I want to say a special thank you to the families who've lost someone they loved in service to our country. Husbands, fathers, sons and daughters...men and women who gave their very lives in service to our country. 

If you've never been to Arlington I highly recommend a visit there. It's a place of quiet beauty, a place I always leave feeling a mixture of pride and sadness and deeper love of country. 

Appreciating the Hodgepodge

Welcome back to the Hodgepodge friends..it's nice to be back on the blog. I have so much to catch up on here, both reading and writing. Let's get started. Add your link at the end of my post IF you've answered today's questions. Happy Wednesday!

1. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a parent, is this something you now say to your own children?

'Be careful.'  Worry is something that must be tamed in a mother's DNA. 

When I say this to my own girls (and I do) they like to reply back with, 'Thanks mom..good thing you reminded us of that because we were planning to be completely reckless.' 

They think they're hilarious. 

2. What is a scent you associate with your mother or your childhood home?

Chocolate sugar-y goodness. I think my mother will be absolutely fine with that answer. She is a wonderful baker, her Christmas cookies are legendary and her homemade brownies and cakes world class, so definitely the scent of something wonderful in the oven. 

3. What's an activity you remember always doing with your mother (or someone who was a mother figure in your life)?

Cooking and baking would be the obvious answer, and I so appreciate my mother's skill there and the fact that she passed her love of home and hearth on to me. The thing that popped into my mind though, was something completely different-paperdolls. Can you still buy paperdolls? My sister and I absolutely loved them, and spent hours playing with ours. That was probably one of my favorite things to do growing up.  

Some of the paperdolls came with the kind of clothes you punched out of the page, but the best kind were the ones you cut out yourself.  They had tabs to hold them in place when you folded them over the doll. My mom didn't actually play paperdolls with us, but she helped us cut out the clothes and we loved that so much. I have such a clear picture in my head of the three of us at the kitchen table chatting as we worked. My mom is very creative with a bit of the artist in her, so she was never sloppy, and she never ever ever cut the tabs off the shoulders, which made them unwearable. I quite often snipped off the tab. 

I feel like so many people reading won't have a clue what I'm talking about, but if you loved paperdolls you'll understand. 

4. Flared jeans, maxi dresses, and jumpsuits are 70's fashion trends back this spring. Are you on board? Which trend would you be most inclined to try? For the men...flared corduroys, wide-collared shirts, and floral prints...what say you?

I will not be wearing any sort of jumpsuit, that much is for certain. I think that might have been a cute look for me back in the 70's, but not in the 00's. ahem. 

While I like the idea of a maxi dress and have tried to make it work, it just doesn't. I do love them on my daughter though. I would probably wear a flared jean, not a super wide crazy flare but a small flare would be okay.  

I'm not keen on any of those man styles. I think then and now, 70's fashion suited women more so than men. 

5. May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Day and also Nurse Appreciation Day. Is there a nurse or teacher you have especially appreciated along the way? Tell us why?

I've been fortunate to have so many wonderful teachers all throughout my schooling, but the teacher I most appreciate right now would be my Daughter2. I got to spend a few hours volunteering in her room last week, and I'm so impressed with her skill in the classroom.

She has such a wonderful way with her students, and strikes precisely the right balance between loving and firm. I know I'm her mother, but seriously the girl's got skilz! 

6. If I came by your house, what would I find on your frig door?

Not a thing. We're selling our house and have to pretend nobody lives here. Even if we weren't selling I wouldn't have much there. I like the minimalist thing when it comes to refrigerators. When my house wasn't for sale the only things on my frig were photos of the three children we support through World Vision and Compassion. Their photos are a reminder for me to write them letters and keep them in my prayers.  

7. Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana made her royal entrance on Saturday, May 2nd. On a scale of 1-10, how much attention did you give to all the news coverage? 1=Who's Charlotte? 10=sat glued to the telly, cuppa in hand.

I'm right up there in the 8 or 9 range, and excited to have a girl in the mix. Those cheeks! Completely adorable. I think her name is lovely too.  I had a full day on Saturday, so could not sit around in my pjs watching the telly, but I did check for updates on Twitter. 

Also, let's discuss Kate's hair because it's pretty much perfection. I wish her hair team could do my hair now and then. Remember the old Breck commercials? Kate could totally be a Breck girl.  Am I dating myself here today? Regardless, I think she handles all the attention, scrutiny, and criticism with a lot of grace. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

So here's a fun thing. I posted that picture (above) of my Daughter2 on Facebook earlier this week and her long ago fifth grade teacher left this photo in the comments-

She had a picture of my daughter taken in her fifth grade classroom in almost the same pose! I know! And that face! Pure sweetness with just a hint of mischief in the eyes. I remember that adorable little blouse too with it's dainty embroidered flowers. 

Be still my heart. 

Seriously, I might have to go lie down now because it's all too much.

Also, how amazing is it that her fifth grade teacher could put her hands on this very photo taken fifteen years ago?! Miss S. taught both my girls in the fifth grade and we all adored and appreciated her. 

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day Ms. S! 
This picture made my day, and I'm sure Daughter2's as well.