You Say Variety I Say Hodgepodge

Welcome to another week in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. 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. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

I use a lot of different spices on a regular basis so it would be hard to pick just one. My most used are probably parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, and garlic powder. I can't think of a single spice I don't like. 

Something I made recently? Hubs and I made a delicious curry called Kuku Paka last week that called for turmeric, paprika, ginger, cumin, coriander, garam masala and garlic. 

It was really tasty, but with all those spices, how could it not be? 

2.  It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? Elaborate. 

Moving is the first thing that came to mind. We've lived north, south, midwest, and across the pond so lots of variety in terms of food, speech, climate, and custom. Lots of similarities too, but always new things to learn and experience. Living in so many different places, digging in to each new spot, making friends from around the globe...all of this has added a richness to my life I would not trade. 

3. What's something in your life that adds 'spice' (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

Hubs of course. 

If you know him in real life then no need for me to explain lol. If you don't, just know he brings the fun wherever he goes. 

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? 

The piano. Why? No real reason other than that I always wanted to play. I'm not musically inclined and wish I had learned the piano as a child because I do think it helps you develop in that area. I don't need to be a concert pianist but would love to play as a hobby. My hubs is musical and thankfully our girls take after him in that department. 

5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others? 

Book-Pride and Prejudice...an oldie but still and ever a goodie. If you've only seen the film (which I also love) and you've never read the book I highly recommend. Books hit differently than movies, and by differently I mean better lol. 

Movie-We haven't watched a lot of great movies, or at least none are coming to mind. I very much enjoyed the documentary I mentioned last week ('The Quilters'). I also recently re-watched the film 'Unsung Hero' which is the story of the Smallbone family (two of the brothers make up King and Country and their sister is Rebecca St. James). I saw it with friends in the theatre, but hubs and I watched it at home recently and he liked it too. It's uplifting which is not something you can say about many movies today. 

Activity-Hubs and I are reading through the Bible together this year,  following The Bible Recap plan which is chronological. After each day's scripture is read (we're listening to it aloud since we're doing it together), we then listen to The Bible Recap podcast hosted by Tara Leigh Cobble. It's only 5-10 minutes and is really helpful. We've enjoyed this little pause in our day where we sit down together and focus on who God is. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My mom lives with my younger sister several states away, but she's here in the Palmetto State this week staying with my older sister, about an hour and a half from me. I'm trekking over there while she's in town so I can spend time with her. 

We used to split her visits with half at my house and half at my sister's but all the back and forth felt like too much for just a week, so she'll stay put and I'll go to her. My brother flew down with her and it was nice to have a day to catch up with him too. 

I spent the whole day Monday with my mom and am back there today too. I do not take this time for granted, or the fact that I'm the age I am and still have my mother in my life. It's a gift and I know this. 

"An aging parent is a blessing from God—a living testament to His faithfulness through the generations" Author Unknown 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 606

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (obviously), June 11th, to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

2.  It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? Elaborate. 

3. What's something in your life that adds 'spice' (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? 

5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Classical Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, then run say hi to your neighbor (the blogger before you). Here we go-

1. What's changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday?

I have a birthday in a few days, so essentially this question asks what's changed in a year and I bet you can guess where I'm going with my answer.

Home build-September 2015

rip rap in and ready for dock install

manly men doing manly men stuff

should the house sit here or 1/16th of an inch to the right?  

Aaaand home build, September 2016

pulling in to our much enjoyed dock

 kitchen nearing completion

out back

and from the front

Still not living there though.  That hasn't changed!

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what's a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer?

I like some classical music and will sometimes play it when I'm home alone and writing. I'm not sure I have a favorite piece but Vivaldi's Four Seasons, anything from The Nutcracker, and Pachelbel's Canon in D Major are a few that I enjoy. 

3. Besides The Bible, what's a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so?

When I started thinking about my answer I decided I could make this a blog post (and I will).  Several came to mind immediately, and I could easily come up with a list of ten. For now I'll go with My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I'm re-reading it again this year and it is absolutely jam-packed full of life-changing wisdom.  

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter...play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try?

I currently read voraciously, pray regularly, work out my brain, exercise, write, travel and cook. Learning a new language has been on my personal to-do list for a while now, but I haven't followed through. I'd still like to!

5. What sports traditions does your family have?

Go VOLS! 

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please.

Not sure I can do the 'few words' thing on this topic, but I'll try. Yes it's America and freedom of speech and all that jazz, but....the way I see it, the field is a football player's workplace, and freedom of speech does not extend to the workplace. Employers can require all sorts of things of their employees and if the employee doesn't like it he's free to find another job. People pay money to see you play football, not to protest what you think is wrong with America. I really do think the league is at fault here for permitting it. 

Football and sport in general is one area where people of all race, creed, and religion can share common ground. We unite in our love (or dislike) for a team or player or a spectacular catch or whatever. These protests are ruining that. They are creating division where there doesn't need to be division and I'm so weary of it. 

And to kneel as a statement of protest against our police forces on the anniversary of 9-11 I think is outrageous. If I were their mother I'd be so ashamed. Remember those people dressed in Blue who went running in to burning skyscrapers as they crumbled to the ground while everybody else was running out? Remember how those people dressed in Blue were Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, male, female? Remember how they just reached for anyone of any color they could pull from the rubble? It's despicable on this day most of all that an overpaid football player can't stand and show a little respect for that if nothing else.  

Standing for the anthem doesn't make you a patriot, nor does standing mean you think America is a perfect place. I know we can't force someone to feel respect, but I do think we can ask that our citizens show respect. People have died, spilled their very blood for the liberties we take for granted. The least we can do is stand. 

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience?

I have loads of patience for all sorts of things including small and large children (not talking about adults who behave like children), anxious parents (I was a teacher), baking, grocery shopping, gardening, and most of the everyday things we encounter in life that slow us down or deter us from our plans.  

What I do not have patience for are people driving way too slow in the left lane, particularly if it's because they're texting, (also, p.s.a-the left lane is for passing...just throwing that out there in case you're one of the drivers who try my patience), chronic complainers, laziness on the job, and technology glitches. And obviously I have no patience for highly paid professional athletes who use the 'workplace' as a means of protest. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This is a beautiful story...take a minute to read it if you haven't already.  

Remembering a Hero, 15 Years After 9/11




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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 280

Sorry I dropped the ball last week, but it needed dropping. Whew! Happy to be back in the Hodgepodge this week, and here are the questions. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow (Wednesday) to share answers with the universe. Here we go-

1. What's changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday? 

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what's a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer? 

3. Besides The Bible, what's a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so? 

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter...play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try? 

5. What sports traditions does your family have? 

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please. 

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience? 

8. Insert your own random thought here.