Monthly Musings -March

Hello friends. It's the last Thursday of the month if you can believe it, which means it's time for our Monthly Musings hosted by Patty (Good Better Best blog). This month we're talking all things spring, which overlaps a bit with this week's Hodgepodge questions, but I'm playing along anyway. 

I'm with my daughter2 this week and I had her answer the questions too. Who remembers when my girls used to blog? It was a fun season and I loved reading their thoughts on so many things. They're busy with little ones and more these days and of course that's fun too, but I miss reading their words. 

I wrote my answers first, then asked my daughter the questions...here's our answers-

1. Does it feel like spring where you are? 

Me: yes and I'm loving the warmer temps, all the blooming things, grass turning green, and the sun setting at 8 PM. 

D2-some days, mostly yes, with some cool temperatures and some warmer which I guess is spring

2. What spring holidays do you celebrate?

Me-I guess we're going by what the calendar calls spring and not what feels like spring to me. June 21st is when the calendar turns, but in my mind Memorial Day is the first day of summer.  

If we're going by the calendar then my springtime celebrations will be Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Daughter1's birthday, and sweet baby J's birthday (grandson #3). Plus, using this timeline our anniversary technically lands in the spring, but just barely. I've always said we had a 'summer wedding' as the day was a scorcher, and schools weren't in session, plus June brides are summer brides, right? 

D2-based on when spring actually ends I celebrate Easter, Mother's Day, Father's day and my son's birthday...oh and Memorial Day which I think of as the start of summer. 

3. Any spring trips planned?

Me-No spring travel planned, but I'm hoping we can manage an overnight somewhere to mark our anniversary. I'm working on it. 

D2-a trip to the beach 

4. Favorite foods to eat and share for spring holidays? 

Me-  pineapple stuffing is always on the Easter menu here, plus I love deviled eggs and they're another dish on the menu. I like to make Nigella's pea, mint, and avocado salad in the spring because it's so green and fresh. I go easy on the mint though as I think a little goes a long way. Nigella loves her some mint. I also like to make my sister's carrot soup recipe in the spring. 

D2-deviled eggs 100%, M & M cookies made with pastel M & M's, pineapple stuffing which I pretty much only make at Easter 

5. Are there any spring festivals in your area?

Me-Not really, at least not right in tiny town. The weekly live music in the heart of downtown starts back up in April and that's a lot of fun. They close the streets and there's a band,  food, and friends gathered. 

D2-I discovered we have a pickle festival on May 17th and we'll be checking that out for sure. There's a tulip festival happening now, and a strawberry festival in May we like to go to every year. 

6. Best spring allergy relief tip?

Me-I take allergy meds this time of year and I won't spend a lot of time outdoors when pollen is peak. 

D2-I don't have horrible spring allergies. My husband says I sneeze more than the average person year round so... flonase for the sneezing and eat local honey

7. What makes you think, 'ok, now it's finally spring'?

Me-the daffodils popping up as you come down the drive

D2-no more snowflakes on the weather app 

8. Spring rain...love or dislike?

Me-I won't say I love it, but regular spring rain helps bring the pollen down and I do love that. We need some rain right now as we're experiencing drought conditions in our area. 

D2-I dislike it. I don't like to be stuck inside. 

9. Special spring holiday dessert or treat? 

Me-I don't have any special spring treats, but I do like to find something delicious to make for Easter. I'm not always in charge of dessert but I like something light, citrus-y or made with berries for spring. Strawberry shortcake is a favorite of mine and strawberry season in my state is April-June so I'll for sure make a shortcake or two every spring. 

D2-I like to bake and I like to find a new recipe every season. When I hear this I think what will I make for Easter dessert. This year I found a recipe for carrot cake whoopie pies and think I might try that. 

10. Favorite spring cocktail or mocktail? 

Me- cheating a little with my answer, but when I think spring beverage I think sweet tea. I don't make iced tea in the winter but come spring it's a staple here. I'll have a pitcher in the frig from now until November. Homemade with plenty of lemon. 

D2-I'm going to say a French 75...I think the lemon twist makes it look and feel springy. 

Ho-Ho-Hodgepodging

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. Hope your day is merry and bright! Now here we go...

 -

1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holiday season? What helps you keep your focus when the season’s busyness and commercialism start to take over?

It's disappointing but I don't know that I struggle with it. I stay in my circle this time of year. I concentrate on my family, and the people whose paths cross mine. Less news, more Jesus and the miracle of His birth.  

I enjoy the message of advent~hope-peace-love and I love the traditional Christmas hymns whose lyrics are timeless. I like sitting beside the tree in the early morning quiet with my Bible. I stay out of the stores as much as possible.  

2. What's one small thing you want to savor before the year ends? 

The excitement my grandchildren feel about everything. We Facetimed with my youngest grandson the other day and when hubs asked him how he was he said 'Christmas isn't today.' : ) 

They love the lights and examining all the ornaments on the tree, spotting Santa, watching the Grinch, and sneaking a just baked cookie or three. It's all magical and their excitement is contagious. 

3. December 9th is National Christmas Card Day. Do you still send Christmas cards? If so does yours include a photo or is it a more traditional card, or maybe homemade? How do you feel about the tradition of exchanging cards at the holidays? If Hanukkah is the holiday you celebrate in December do you send cards to mark the occasion? 

I love Christmas cards, both the giving and the receiving. We have friends and family scattered here there and everywhere and I enjoy hearing from them at Christmas especially. A photo included or as part of the card is nice too. 

4. What's your least favorite holiday related task? What's your favorite? 

My least favorite holiday related task is the wrapping. Does anyone else get a backache when they wrap presents? I try hard not to save it all for the end, but I'm not always successful at wrapping ahead. 

My favorite is probably baking because I enjoy making cookies and I enjoy giving them away. I love choosing our Christmas card each year too. 

5. Let's do a little holiday this or that? 

• shopping or wrapping
• shopping
• baking or decorating
• baking
• eggnog or wassail
• wassail
• real tree or artificial
• real, but we usually have artificial
• turkey or ham
• ham
• white lights or colored lights 
• both! 
• ugly sweaters or matching pjs
• matching pjs
• peppermint or cinnamon 
• cinnamon
• presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
• Christmas Day

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Who watched the Kevin Costner special on the birth of Jesus (The First Christmas)? What did you think? There were about a million commercials but overall I thought it was very well done. I'm  happy (and not gonna lie, a little surprised) to see the gospel story presented on ABC of all places. If you missed it I think you can still find it on streaming services and Hulu. 

Merry Wednesday everyone! 

Merry Monday

Good morning friends. Recapping a fun weekend here today and linking it all with Holly (Pink Lady) and Sarah's (Sunshine and Books)  Hello Monday blog hop. Here's how ours looked-

Many months ago I saw that a band I love was going to be in Knoxville in December, and somewhat spontaneously we bought tickets and invited hubs and his brother and sister-in-law to join us. In hindsight, spending a weekend away in the month of December might have added to the busy-ness of the season, but it also added to the fun festive feel we long for this time of year. 

Hubs and I drove over the mountain and through the construction woods to his brother's lake house on Friday. The ride through Asheville and also through the ongoing construction on the Tennessee border went pretty smoothly and we made it to their house early afternoon. The little brown dog is always so excited to see one of his favorite people, aka my sister-in-law. 

We chatted and caught up, then headed into town to meet a college friend for dinner. It was a fun night in a festive venue and we were seated just beside one of their pretty trees. 

Saturday morning we watched some College Game Day, then made our way to a Christmas market being held at Maryville College. Such a lovely campus and we enjoyed browsing the stalls there. This little hot chocolate truck, a remodeled horse wagon, was adorable-

We bought a couple of stocking stuffers then stopped in to see the RT Lodge we've heard so much about. It's stunning! I've added it to my list of places I need to spend a night. R.T. Lodge has an interesting history dating back to 1932 when Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, the widow of Andrew Carnegie's business associate John Walker moved to Maryville. 

She fell in love with the wooded grounds surrounding the campus and persuaded the administration to allow the building of a residence in those woods if she agreed to will the home to the College upon her death. 

She passed away in 1950 and the college President lived in the home for a time. In 1997 Ruby Tuesday leased with the university to develop the property as a training facility and retreat center. 

They restored the main lodge, carriage house, and grounds and added two additional buildings to the property. 

Insert sidebar here-we need these super long skewers and the containers for our firepit. Carry on. 

SANTA!! I KNOW HIM!!

The Lodge operation has expanded to become a hotel, restaurant, spa, and special event center and it is an absolutely beautiful facility. We tried to book dinner there for this weekend quite a while back, but there wasn't availability. Definitely going to do that another time though. 

We came home and watched some football before picking up hubs mom for dinner in another great spot in town-The Walnut Kitchen. 

They seated us beside the tree here too which made it feel very Christmasy. Sunday morning we went to church with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and then Sunday night was show time. 

SHOW TIME! 

Also Episode 9 in our dating chronicles. 

We saw Needtobreathe at the Tennessee Theatre and they were, as always, fantastic. It was actually a double date, but that counts too. Hubs brother and sister-in-law went with us, and we all had a great time. 

The band has roots in our neck of the woods, and my girls saw them play at fraternity parties on their college campus long before they became well known. 

In a funny small world sort of thing, we ran into a couple who are neighbors of ours in SC. Turns out they're good friends with the parents of the band's bass player and he's leaving the band, so they came over to TN with his parents to see this last show. I love when these kind of unexpected connections happen. The venue is beautiful and I don't think there's a bad seat in the house. 

Also, the band is so good. 

We'll head home this morning so we're back in time to regroup before our Monday evening event. 'Tis the season! 

What kind of fun did you get into this weekend?

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 632

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

1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holiday season? What helps you keep your focus when the season’s busyness and commercialism start to take over? 

2. What's one small thing you want to savor before the year ends? 

3. December 9th is National Christmas Card Day. Do you still send Christmas cards? If so does yours include a photo or is it a more traditional card, or maybe homemade? How do you feel about the tradition of exchanging cards at the holidays? If Hanukkah is the holiday you celebrate in December do you send cards to mark the occasion? 

4. What's your least favorite holiday related task? What's your favorite? 

5. Let's do a little holiday this or that? 

• shopping or wrapping
• baking or decorating
• eggnog or wassail
• real tree or artificial
• turkey or ham
• white lights or colored lights 
• ugly sweaters or matching pjs
• peppermint or cinnamon 
• presents Christmas Eve or presents Christmas Day

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Holiday Hodgepodge

Welcome to December and to the weekly Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a merry comment for your neighbor there. Here we go...

1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'? On a scale of 1-10 how is yours this year? (10=off the charts, 1=still looking for it)

I think it's related to the sense of excitement and anticipation we feel this time of year. It's wanting to go the extra mile in terms of generosity and kindness. It's purposely slowing down to count my blessings in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. 

Some years that holiday spirit is hard to find, but this year I'm going to say mine is at a 7. There's so much to love and look forward to, but there's also a lot to do. 

2. What's your favorite character from a (December) holiday-themed movie, book, or TV special? Tell us why. 

Cindy Lou Who from The Grinch has always been a favorite. Hubs and I watched Home Alone the other night, and how can you not love Kevin McAllister? 

I love Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas, the friend who finds the good in the scrappy tree and who when Charlie asks 'Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?' replies by reciting Jesus birth as recounted in the book of Luke. 

Linus, who carries his security blanket everywhere, drops it when he gets to the part that reads 'Fear not; for behold I bring you tidings of great joy". This little cartoon that first aired sixty years ago is still so powerful, so sweet, so loved. 

3. Do you like gingerbread? Are gingerbread houses part of your holiday tradition? 

I do like gingerbread. I don't think it was a favorite growing up, but I love it now. 

We have done gingerbread houses from time to time. That activity isn't on the calendar this year. 

4. Much of our vocabulary is determined by where we live or where we grew up. What say you-

sprinkles or jimmies? lightning bugs or fireflies? soda or pop? sneakers, trainers, or tennis shoes? sub, hoagie, grinder, or hero? freeway, highway, or motorway? frosting or icing? sauce or gravy?

sprinkles-lightning bugs-soda-sneakers-subs unless what I'm eating is an actual hoagie (iykyk)-highway- icing-sauce if we're talking pasta, but gravy if we're talking meat and potatoes 

5. Share a favorite holiday memory from your childhood. 

The season didn't start until December and I think it was definitely simpler. Most people had just one tree, and we'd go to the local nursery to choose ours. It didn't go up until closer to Christmas and we all helped with the decorating. 

There was a lot of cookie baking done beside my mom in the month of December. 

The feeling of anticipation on Christmas morning. My sister and I (we shared a room) waking up super early and the excitement we felt as we lay in our beds talking while waiting for the street lights to go off so we could wake up my parents. That was the rule-no getting up while the street lights were still on. 

Then sitting on the steps with my brother and sisters as we waited some more for my dad to start the fire in the fireplace, make the coffee, and take our picture. Finally walking in to the living room and seeing all the beautifully wrapped gifts and my stocking in 'my chair'. So many surprises...I rarely knew what I'd be getting. 

I had a doll I loved and every year my mom would take her from my room after I'd gone to sleep on Christmas Eve, and dress her in a new outfit. She'd be sitting beside my stocking when I came down on Christmas morning.

My mama made Christmas morning so magical. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  

It wouldn't officially be the Christmas season without me posting this song on my blog. This carol wasn't a particular favorite of mine as a child, but it has become a favorite in my adult years. The lyrics are so meaningful, so very relevant to the world in which we live...

'and in despair I bowed my head, There is no peace on earth I said, For hate is strong and mocks the song, Of peace on earth, good will to men...'

The story behind this particular song is a good one (you can read it here), and this Casting Crowns version is absolutely beautiful-

'Then rang the bells, more loud and deep, God is not dead nor doth He sleep, The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men...'

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. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 631

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (December 3rd) to share answers. See you there!

1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'? On a scale of 1-10 how is yours this year? (10=off the charts, 1=still looking for it)

2. What's your favorite character from a (December) holiday-themed movie, book, or TV special? Tell us why. 

3. Do you like gingerbread? Are gingerbread houses part of your holiday tradition? 

4. Much of our vocabulary is determined by where we live or where we grew up. What say you-

sprinkles or jimmies? lightning bugs or fireflies? soda or pop? sneakers, trainers, or tennis shoes? sub, hoagie, grinder, or hero? freeway, highway, or motorway? frosting or icing? sauce or gravy?

5. Share a favorite holiday memory from your childhood. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  

Monthly Musings-November

'Twas the week before Thanksgiving... 

Time for November's monthly musings hosted by Holly (Pink Lady) and Patty (Good Better Best Life). They're asking this month's questions a week earlier than normal because next week we'll be giving thanks around the table for all our many blessings. 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It feels like it can be enjoyed for what it is as opposed to what we'd like it to be, which sometimes happens with Christmas. Family, food, and gratitude rule the day, and I for one am thankful for the pause this day brings before December bells start ringing. I'm going to throw in a few Thanksgiving throwbacks here too just because I can. 

How many times can I post this picture on my blog? 

Many it seems, but I love it. 

1. Favorite Thanksgiving dishes? 

In my opinion Thanksgiving is one of those meals that should not be messed with or changed too much from year to year in any big way. It's comforting familiarity is one of the things that makes it special and I want the same tastes and aromas that have filled this day for as long as I can remember. 

My favorite dishes are all of them, but dressing is tops, there must be cranberry sauce, homemade or canned either one, or better yet both, and my momma's fruit salad with homemade whipped cream on the dessert table. 

2. Stuffing or dressing? 

I sometimes call it stuffing, but I don't actually stuff the turkey. My mom used to stuff the turkey and have a separate dish of dressing on the side so we used the terms interchangeably. We have cornbread stuffing made with cornbread baked the night before so it dries out a little, a bag of Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix added to it along with turkey stock and lots of onion, celery, and seasonings. 

3. Are you hosting any of the holidays this year? Please share any tips. 

I'm not hosting this year, although we will have an early Christmas here with our girls and their families the weekend prior to Christmas. My tips for hosting are pretty simple-

• make ahead what you can make ahead
• people want your presence more than a perfect meal, home, or place setting. 
• take time to look around the table, whether there are two or twenty seated there, and count your blessings 

4. Turkey trot or football game? 

I'm going with football game and by that I mean watching, not playing. I enjoy spending the whole morning in the kitchen as we tend to eat late afternoon, so a turkey trot messes with my meal prep.

Also, I don't like to run and I don't like to be cold so there's that. 

5. If you decorate for Christmas do you decorate before or after Thanksgiving? 

Team after all the way. 

6. Are your holidays sit down meals or more casual affairs? 

Ours are sit down. I like to use my china on Thanksgiving and my Christmas dishes in December and fancy napkins and pretty glasses and the gravy boat and big platter that only come out for holidays.

If I'm invited to your house for a meal you do you. I actually like a casual get together if we're talking parties, but for the dinners themselves, both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, at my house I want sit down. 

7. Pumpkin or apple pie? Or another dessert? 

My daughter is making an apple pie this year and I like it better than pumpkin so am good with that. Growing up we always had a simple fruit salad as a dessert option too, topped with whipped cream. Lots of years I'd skip the pie and just have fruit. 

The meal is filling and sometimes a bowl of fruit is just the right thing. The salad is made with chopped apples, chopped oranges, and halved and pitted purple grapes, all topped with a can of crushed pineapple. It doesn't sound like much, but it's refreshing and delicious. 

8. Are you traveling for Thanksgiving or staying closer to home?

Staying closer to home this year. 

9. Do you Black Friday shop? 

In person? No never. Online? Maybe. I mean Black Friday has turned into a whole month now hasn't it, and most places offer deals for more than just a day. I'm not mad about it. 

10. Thing you are most looking forward to this holiday season? 

Time spent with family, both my family of origin and the one I birthed. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Monthly Musings-October

It's somehow the end of October which means it's time for Monthly Musings hosted by Holly and Patty. This month's questions have a throwback feel to them and I love a throwback. Let's go... 

1. Favorite Halloween traditions? 

My own littles are grown with littles of their own now, so this will be a bit of a stroll down memory lane. We never made a huge deal out of Halloween, but we did costumes and trick or treating and always looked forward to that. 

My girls elementary school days were spent living in a cozy cul-de-sac in a small neighborhood so that's where most of the trick or treating took place. There were several other neighborhoods within walking distance of ours so plenty of houses. 

The dads typically walked the neighborhoods with the kids, and the moms stayed home to pass out candy. I enjoyed seeing everyone dressed up. It was usually cold and many years the kids would be wearing coats over their outfits which was a bummer, but sometimes necessary. There was usually a parade at school too, and parents came to watch. I remember that from my own elementary school days as well.  

When we moved to the UK Halloween was murky...do they celebrate or not? The girls went to a party, or maybe out with friends, the first year we lived there and dressed as '60's girls' which was super cute. 

2. Special Halloween dinners or spooky snacks? 

We usually had chili for dinner because as I said, it was almost always cold outside. 

3. What do you typically do on Halloween? 

Our neighborhood has had trunk or treats in years past, but I don't think one is going on in the neighborhood this year. There are many happening all around town, and organized trick or treating seems to be more common now than going house to house like we did as children. Also these trunk or treats have been happening since last weekend, so I guess Halloween is now a week-long celebration? 

Since moving to the lake hubs and I have been to a few Halloween parties and I love a good costume. 

This year we'll see the local grandkids and they have a fantastic family costume I'm excited about. My Tennessee grands also have the absolute cutest costumes and they live in a neighborhood where trick or treating is easy. I'll have to settle for a photo there though. 

No parties this year for hubs and I, but my grandson's birthday is the week of Halloween so we'll be celebrating him over the weekend. 

Our neighborhood does a dock or treat and that's fun! Kayakers paddle to various host docks for a sip and snack. We're hosting a stop here this year and will serve a limoncello sip with a savory cheddar and pepper jelly thumbprint. 

 

I've never made the savory thumbprints before but they sound good.  

4. Do you carve or paint pumpkins? 

Not anymore. We never painted but always carved, and the kids had fun with that. These days I have un-carved pumpkins on my front porch as decor. 

5. Favorite Halloween Candy? 

I had a candy question in the Hodgepodge this week, but as far as true Halloween candy goes I'll say a Reese's cup. 

6. What are you giving out for Halloween this year? 

We don't usually get trick or treaters here, but I do have treats for the grandkids who will stop by to show us their costumes. I have Reese's because hubs loves them, tootsie pops, and Starburst. 

7. Full size or fun-size? 

Fun size. I love the fun size. 

8. Favorite Halloween Costume of all time? 

This is a tough one. Hubs and I dressed as Austin Powers and his girl one year and that was a big hit. 

9. Favorite Halloween movies? 

None. I'm not a fan of horror or the whole Halloween movie genre. 

10.  What are the trick or treat hours where you live? 

Depending where you go it's 5-8, or 6:30-8:30.  

Thanks Holly and Patty for the link up...hop over to their blogs if you want to read more or add a post of your own. 

Note-I'm hosting a Day In The Life link up on Thursday, Nov 13th for anyone who'd like to participate. You'll find details at the end of this blog post-A Freshly Painted Hodgepodge.  These posts are always fun to read, and if you've always wanted to try one here's your chance.