A Sweetheart Of A Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge and another letter in the April A-Z Blog Challenge. You'll find my entry for letter S in today's random thought-question #6. 

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. Comments make planet earth feel a whole lot friendlier. 

1. April 22nd is Earth Day...what's the most 'out of this world' place on earth you've ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

I could take this in a couple of directions, but the first place that popped into my head was Dartmoor. 

It felt like we were the only people on earth. 

This was our holiday rental, and when we were given driving directions they were very light on specifics. We were concerned we might not find it- 

Not to worry...we found it ha!

2. A favorite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

One of my favorite verses-

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains-

 where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth." 

Psalm 121:1-2 

I love the older King and Country song that references this Psalm too-

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3. What's the most trivial thing about which you have a strong opinion? 

This is hard because it seems there are many inconsequential things about which I hold strong opinions. My list would include how the dishwasher is loaded, half-and-half in my coffee, people poking along in the passing lane, and of course grammar, or rather it's improper use. 

Is a strong opinion about something trivial the same thing as a pet peeve? It feels like it. 

Is grammar trivial? I vote no. 

4. What's your most commonly used kitchen utensil or tool? What's the last thing you made using that tool? 

The most common would probably be a spatula which I use pretty much every day. I use my garlic press a lot, most recently for a marinade I made yesterday. 

5. Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me a great book of 3000 questions, and I'm going to try to use one in our Hodgepodge every week. Here is today's - What is your greatest extravagance? 

We added a waterfall to our backyard and that still feels somewhat extravagant. I'm having my hair done on Hodgepodge Day and while I consider it a necessity the cost makes it feel a lot like an extravagance. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm using the random space for today's entry in the April A-Z Challenge. My theme this year is The Things We Keep: An A-Z of Ordinary Objects. 

Day 19-S is for Sweetheart 

While my hubs is far from ordinary, and also not an object, he is the object of my affection so how's that for clever? 

I was actually annoyed with him when I wrote these answers on Tuesday, but I got over it because that's what you do when you're married. You squabble sometimes. You might also sulk (briefly) or seek a little space, but at some point you soften your heart and sort it out. 

You embrace the new mercies we are given every single morning.

I know not every story unfolds the same way, but in our case we’ve continued to choose each other for more than  40 years. Through storms and smooth sailing, in sickness and in strength, in sweetness and strain, we're in it together. Side by side. Steady in all the ways that matter. 

My sweetheart and me.

Honey, Honey...

 ...aww Sugar Sugar...

Who remembers that song? It was The Archies, and I know I'm dating myself but I don't care, because someone precious has a birthday today, and when I think of our youngest grandgirl 'Sugar' I almost always start singing this song.  Just the first line though-ha! I write letters to my grands on their birthdays every year and today is the littlest ones big day. 

Dear Sugar, 

Today you are two. 

You have the biggest smile and the happiest heart. You light up every room you sashay into, and like to make sure you never miss a moment. You want to be right in the middle of whatever is happening, and the world feels more joyful with you in it.

You love people, your morning yogurt, your stuffies, watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas all year round, and climbing on, under, and over anything and everything. You're curious about the world around you, love your books and all dogs, but especially your own, and you know there's adventure to be had everywhere you look.

I love how much you love your big brother, how you watch him and learn from him, and how proud you seem just to be near him.

I love when we FaceTime and you insist on holding the phone yourself, like you’re in charge of the whole conversation. You are, by the way. Seeing your smile on that little screen is one of the best parts of my day.

Most of all, I love you...your laughter, your energy, your sweetness, and your big, beautiful spirit. You are so loved, more than you can possibly understand right now. But one day, when you read this, I hope you feel it wrapped around you still. 

Watching you grow is one of my greatest joys, and I’m so grateful to be your Nana. I love you deep and wide sweet Sugar. 

xoxo,

Nana

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." 

Jeremiah 17:7

The Hodgepodge Buzz

Welcome to the weekly Q and A, also known as 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. Here we go- 

1. May 20th is World Bee Day...what's something that's kept you 'busy as a bee' lately? 

When haven't we been busy? Life and our people keep us busy these days, but I'm not complaining. It's a fun kind of busy. 

2. Do you like honey? What's something you make or enjoy that calls for honey? 

I do like honey. I prefer a splash of milk in my hot tea, but if I'm not feeling well I'll go the honey and lemon route. I have plain Greek yogurt with granola and honey drizzled over the top for breakfast pretty often. I really like hot honey and add that to my baked Boursin appetizer. Also really good on pizza. 

3. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24

What's a proverb you love, or one that speaks to you or has helped you in some way? 

The Bible is full of Proverbs, a whole book in fact, if that helps with your answer. The word proverb is defined as 'a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice'. 

One of my favorites is Proverbs 10:19-

"Where words are many transgression is not lacking. But he who restrains his lips is prudent." It reminds me to think before I speak. I have this one memorized. 

4. Tell us about a 'sweet' moment in your life recently that filled you with joy, gratitude, or peace. 

Sunday night hubs and I hung out with the grands at their house because their momma wanted to go to something at their church and her hubs was on-call, aka working. My granddaughter loves her little purse (it's a shoulder bag lol) and she put it on and then grabbed my hand and told me to get my purse, and then we walked around the yard like that, holding hands with our purses on our shoulders. 

The sweetness of a granddaughter who is her mother's mini in so many ways cannot be overstated. 

5. When you were a child, what did you want to 'be' when you grew up? How close did you come to that?

A nurse, a teacher, a mom. 

Pretty close...I switched my major from nursing to speech pathology my sophomore year of uni and never looked back. 

I enjoyed working, but being a stay at home mom was the real desire of my heart. So thankful this was something I was able to do. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The band is back together...

See question #1. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 603

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (of course), May 21st to share your answers. 

1. May 20th is World Bee Day...what's something that's kept you 'busy as a bee' lately? 

2. Do you like honey? What's something you make or enjoy that calls for honey? 

3. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24

What's a proverb you love, or one that speaks to you or has helped you in some way? 

The Bible is full of Proverbs, a whole book in fact, if that helps with your answer. The word proverb is defined as 'a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice'. 

4. Tell us about a 'sweet' moment in your life recently that filled you with joy, gratitude, or peace. 

5. When you were a child, what did you want to 'be' when you grew up? How close did you come to that? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sugar Sugar...

Someone especially sweet is celebrating a birthday today...

Dear Sugar, 

Today you are ONE. Time seems to move faster with every passing year and while I know that's something 'old' people say, it feels so true. 

Also, Pawpaw and I are not really old, it's just that sometimes five grandchildren can fool us into thinking we are. 

You, my precious girl, have been pure sweetness from day one. You have what I call a whole body smile. When you smile, which is almost all the time, your whole face lights up (mine too!) and your whole body seems to feel the joy. You can make any day better and brighter, which is a gift I hope you never lose. 

You've been walking for a few weeks now, which has opened up a whole new world to explore. You dearly love your big brother and want whatever he has. He makes you laugh and loves you to bits too, and is so patient with you (most of the time).

You have your momma's big blue eyes and love seeing Daddy walk through the door. You like being outside, getting in to brother's toys, bath time, books, noodles, and music. You're also a climber which keeps everyone on their toes. 

You are the beautiful caboose on our cousin train and we all adore you. We can't remember what it was like not to know you and we're so glad you're ours. 

Happy birthday sweet Sugar. You are so very easy to love, and I pray you always smile as big and as freely as you have in this first year of your life. Know your Nana loves you deep and wide xo

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." 

Jeremiah 17:7

Many Big And Little Bits of Life

I feel like I'm overdue for a post filled with all the little bits of life that have been happening here. Some actually not so little, but maybe not big enough to warrant their own post. Or maybe they do, but time won't allow it just now and I want to catch up so here we are. 

Strap in for some quick and random topic changes and pictures that don't want to center on the page. 

Fall. My favorite season and this has been one of the prettiest we've had in a long, long, time. The color has been spectacular and as it happens we've been putting miles on the car traveling here, there, and back again through tunnels of gold and along southern back roads painted red-yellow-orange. Autumn reminds me the world is full of wonder and it is God who orders change in the seasons and in our lives. 

I read a really really good book. It's labeled YA but if you read the reviews you'll see adults are the readers who truly get it. I recommend-

Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

I'd given hubs tickets to see Jim Messina in the nearby small big city for his birthday back in September, and last week was the concert date. A bit inconvenient timing wise as I had to see the orthopedist at 1 PM and the concert wasn't until 7:30. Then hubs looked at his calendar and realized he had a haircut booked for 9:45 so what all this nonsense meant was two trips to town in the same day. 

Bother. Town is an hour away which meant there and back and there and back and we'd also just come home from driving the coast of California and knew we had another road trip that next weekend so whew!

Anyway, we loved the show. For any kids reading here today, Jim Messina was once upon a time part of the duo Loggins and Messina (yes, Kenny of Top Gun music fame). You older 'kids' probably know he was also part of Buffalo Springfield and a founding member of Poco. He kicked off the show with House at Pooh Corner and what adult doesn't feel a twinge of nostalgia when they hear that tune? 

The next weekend we trekked through a lot of autumn splendor to spend a couple of days with our daughter2, her hubs, her in-laws, and sweet baby J who still needs a blog name. The weather was perfect and we spent a lot of time relaxing on their back porch, wandering around a local Octoberfest celebration, and then on Sunday celebrating with their church family at little man's dedication. 

It was such a nice service and he wore his daddy's baptismal gown and loved almost every minute. The pastor invited all the kids in the service to come up front and watch and then the congregation sang Jesus Loves Me while baby boy checked out his new friends. 

He is an absolute sweetheart. 

College football. Our team is back and we are loving it. The Tennessee Vols are undefeated and it's feeling a bit like 1998. Little guy was sporting his checkerboard overalls because they're raising him right. 

We watched the Bama game at daughter2's house and when the Vols won in the last two seconds everyone forgot there was a baby sleeping upstairs. What a game! Our hometown team (who we also love and root for) is also undefeated and suddenly college football is fun again. 

We drove home on Monday and then were supposed to go to our own college homecoming that next weekend. You may recall Daughter1 was due with her baby #3 the first week of November, except God had other plans and here she is, two weeks early and perfectly perfect-

My heart can hardly take it. 

Truly. My heart is so full, and while life right now feels a wee bit crazy I am so grateful for every sweet, loud, anxious, joyful, big and small moment and mile traveled that has brought us to the now. 

The Sweetness of Autumn

I think in the age of Corona and conflict and crazy political ranting we have to really look for life's sweetness. It's still there, but you have to step over a lot of dooty to find it. 

Question-does anyone above the age of three use the term dooty? 

My girls will say no. 

Anyhoo here we are on this sunshiny Monday morning where the air is cool and the sky is blue and the leaves are tinged with gold and that right there is pretty sweet. Embrace it. There is a sense of melancholy that rolls in this time of year but I don't hate it. Cozy follows close behind. 

This is cozy and also super sweet.

And NO, the pup is not allowed on the furniture ahem.

My grandson yelling 'Hey Nana!' when we're on Facetime is pretty much the sweetest thing ever. I literally feel my heart dissolve into a puddle inside my chest. 

Baby brother (who still needs a blog name) turns one this month and he is handsome and loud and walking and throwing and clapping with delight and is just the sweetest little almost one year old I know. 

The geographical distance between us is not so sweet, but we see what we choose to see and today I'm looking for silver linings. 

Want to know what else is really sweet?

This beautiful bride who was celebrated on Saturday by some of the groom's family and friends. 

The shower was small because that's the world we live in currently, and was in a private room with plenty of space for the same reason, and everyone turned up wearing a mask because again weird times, but still it was completely lovely.  

We enjoyed every minute including the almost three hour drive there and back because my sister and niece (who is also a bride-to-be) rode with us and we were long overdue for an in -person catch up. 

The weather could not have been more fabulous and there was a delicious lunch, yummy mimosas, fun gifts, marriage advice, and a beaming bride who is loved far more than words can say. 

Everyday we have a choice. Look at this not that. Think about this not that. Focus on this not that. Wedding planning in a season where the rules change on what feels like an almost daily basis is not a simple thing. But love is in the air and all around too and we are keeping our eyes and our minds on this not that. 

Life is sweet and sure it's salty too, but on this gorgeous Monday in October I choose sweet.

Saturday Summertime Sweetness

The world is a bit of a drag these days, but rest assured there's still sweetness to be found. Catching up on some of that goodness here today and not mentioning the long list of things making me crazy. It's a choice y'all.

Let's roll it all the way back to last weekend when we trekked over to a semi-nearby South Carolina town and my daughter's future in-laws. Fun fact-both my girls m-i-l's have the same first name.

Anyhoo, celebrations in the age of Corona are a lot of work and a bit of a brain drain. The hostess has to think about a thousand little details that would never have occured to anyone in the pre-virus days of hosting parties.

Things like space between tables, disposable towels in the powder room and disposable masks too for anyone needing to come inside. How to serve food without anyone actually touching the utensils (a masked server with a gloved hand because hi it's 2020), and of course the weather is a worry because we need to be outdoors and it's a bazillion degrees in July, and we want people to come, but not too many people and whew! It's a lot.

Flowers and hand sanitizer as seen on Pinterest. Well maybe not but it should be.

In spite of all the hurdles daughter2's future in-laws did a wonderful job of making the whole event feel so special and I know the bride and groom felt well loved and well celebrated.

Even the sky on our drive home was cheering them on.

The soon-to-be-marrieds came back to our house for a couple of days and spent most of that time packing up Daughter2's belongings for her move north. Not going to elaborate on that because this post is all about sweet things, remember? I might mention it some other day when I'm telling you about all the things that make the mothers of grown children simultaneously sigh and smile, but that day is not today.

We enjoyed a lovely leisurely dinner one night at a place on the lake, and I'm here to tell you going to dinner by boat is definitely sweet.

The sun was setting as we motored home and it was an all around picture perfect evening.

Tuesday hubs and I met neighbors for tacos at a spot we enjoy. You eat at wide tables on the patio and the servers wear masks and it's not completely normal but it did feel almost normal. As normal as things can feel in this very strange season.

Speaking of not normal we've had some wicked storms this week, but the upside to all that is this-

God keeps His promises.

Yesterday hubs and I packed a picnic lunch, loaded up the boat, and headed to one of the beachy islands in our lake. There are many, but we'd never set up in this particular spot before and we loved it.  All tucked away in a cove away from boaters and people and everything.



The weather was sunny, hot, and humid aka perfect for swimming, fishing, and reading...

Forgetting for a moment all the turmoil in this upside down world and counting our blessings instead.

Still Finding Sweetness

Earlier this summer I wrote a summertime sweetness post, and then another, and today there's another. In this season like no other it's good to seek out beauty, to notice the small things, and to feel grateful. Here's a few things on my list today-

A scrunchy faced baby boy who makes my heart soar from an ocean away-

photo cred: sincerely shannon 

Weekends. We like to say when you're retired everyday is the weekend, and it kind of is, but somehow they still manage to feel like an exhale when an exhale is needed. We finally had a full weekend of gorgeous summertime weather and spent all day Saturday out of doors.

My sister and brother-in-law and my niece and her fiance came for a late morning brunch on the patio and it was fun to catch up in person after months of not catching up in person.

These adorable cousins are both brides-to-be, and it's so much fun to be in this planning season together.

Normally we come and go a lot round here, but one of the blessings of not coming and going is all our plants are getting lots of tlc and it shows. They're blooming and thriving in a time when life feels the opposite.

We've tried to get a mandevilla to climb this little trellis several summers in a row and it seems 2020 is her year. She has been showing off all summer and it makes me so happy to step out on my deck and see her bright pink blooms.

Hubs superhot chili pepper plant is loaded and nearly ready for picking too.

Nothing sweeter than a summertime 'mater samich with a side of Duke's.

If you could read that and were nodding your head, you might be from the southland.

The lake is always a little busier on the weekends so we try to save our boating for later in the day on Saturdays. Sunset cruises are my favorite anyway, and I love watching the sky change as clouds move about and the sun sinks low-

Sunday afternoon we hit the neighborhood pool for a swim and had the place pretty much to ourselves.

My book is good. Ha! The Huntress by Kate Quinn. Bonus, someone has been crafty during this time of #stayhome and left sweet reminders all around the neighborhood. We found this one at the pool.

This morning I was up before the birds and the mowers and the buzz of ordinary Monday morning life and I took a deep breath of quiet stillness to help carry me into a somewhat busy week.

Busy for us retirees anyway.

Which in the scheme of things is not all that busy, but there are more than a few things on the calendar so it feels busy-ish.

Hope you found the sweetness of summer in your weekend too!