Some Things On A Monday

Hello. Just a few bits of this and that on a Monday morning  afternoon. 

First things first...there won't be a Hodgepodge this week. I apologize for the late notice but it can't be helped. The Hodgepodge will be back next week (September!! 6th). 

We never know what a day will bring but I take comfort in knowing the One who does. 

My brother-in-law passed away, somewhat unexpectedly this past week and my whole family will be coming to town in a few days. My mom, siblings, my own girls ,and my grands will all make their way here to celebrate his life, share funny stories, and support my sister and niece especially. None of my family (except my sister who lives nearby) have met the two newest littles, and I know their sweet faces will bring a bit of cheer in the midst of all the sadness. 

Hubs and I were supposed to be traveling this week so we spent the weekend cancelling hotel, rental car, the kennel and, always a delight, the flights. It only took two days, three phone calls, and four agents to make it happen, but everyone was very nice and eventually we did manage to get those flights cancelled. 

Yesterday we were sitting on the dock waiting on a crazy, sudden, and might I add unpredicted storm to pass, when an enormous gust of wind swept through. Hubs stood up to grab something that was blowing away and when he did his chair literally blew off the dock and into the boat lift. The storm came out of nowhere and it was a doozy. In my efforts to be helpful I jumped up to grab hubs chair and my own chair tipped over. Unfortunately my phone was sitting on the arm of said chair and it was only after a few minutes we realized it had gone into the drink. 

The lake, but the weather was ka-razy so drink sounds more like the right word. 

We could have a diver come and try for retrieval, but this is not my first rodeo in terms of a phone taking the plunge, ahem, so we opted to just get new. 

And that's how I spent my Monday morning. 

What about you? 

Wandering Through The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link to the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's something bizarre you've seen or heard recently? 

Oh wow, where to begin? How about men 'chestfeeding'??? A man winning the Miss Netherlands title? The list is long.

2. July 18th is National Sour Candy Day. Who knew? Do you like sour candies or other foods with 'sour' flavors? Kimchi, rhubarb, gooseberries, tamarind, dill pickles, sour cherries, sauerkraut, cranberries, and  grapefruit...of the sour foods listed which is your favorite? 

I love sour candies, and actually all the sour foods (that I've tried) on this list. I don't think I've ever had a gooseberry. Hard to pick a favorite, but a good dill pickle ranks right up there.

3. Share a favorite memory of an aunt or uncle. 

My extended family included lots of aunts and uncles, but I didn't grow up living geographically close to any of them. We used to visit my dad's parents and his brothers and their families in Colorado. Whenever we made one of these trips we always made a trek into the mountains with everyone. We'd cook a big breakfast beside a stream and have some fun with our cousins. 

Another favorite memory I have is with my mom's only sister. She lived a long way from us too, but she and I became pen pals after one of her visits and we wrote a lot of letters to one another for many years. 

4. How would you describe your ability to manage stress? 

Pretty well I think. Depends on the day and of course what sort of stress we're talking about. I might have a moment of panic, but I don't stay there. I pretty quickly fall back on my faith, remind myself God is good and in control of this upside down world. That nothing surprises Him and He cares about the smallest details of my life. That He works all things for His glory and my good. Resting in His unfailing love is the best stress buster I know. 

5. What do you think about when you let your mind wander? 

I could make a list of about a hundred different things because I'm a daydreamer and sometimes an over thinker, but I'll spare you and just say generally it's one of two things-the never ending list of things we need or want to do to this house, and also 'how we want to live going forward'. 

We love our home, but it is a lot of work in terms of maintenance and upkeep so not sure we'll stay here forever and ever. No plans to go anywhere anytime soon, but it's good to dream and plan and think about what we want/don't want someday down the road. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have a short list of random nothings that I think I'll turn into a something. I want to get back to blogging and random is my wheelhouse. Stay tuned.  

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 512

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's something bizarre you've seen or heard recently? 

2. July 18th is National Sour Candy Day. Who knew? Do you like sour candies or other foods with 'sour' flavors? Kimchi, rhubarb, gooseberries, tamarind, dill pickles, sour cherries, sauerkraut, cranberries, and  grapefruit...of the sour foods listed which is your favorite? 

3. Share a favorite memory of an aunt or uncle. 

4. How would you describe your ability to manage stress? 

5. What do you think about when you let your mind wander? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Meetin' And Greetin'

We have a big family. I guess you'd call it big? I have three siblings and hubs has three siblings and all our siblings are married and some have children too, and then there's also my mama and hubs mama, so I guess that qualifies as big. 

And we're all spread out geographically too so it takes several months for the newbies joining our family to meet the oldies already here. It's probably best that these introductions happen in stages because we're all baby hogs and nobody wants to hand over baby boy once they've got him on their lap. 

I get it. 

First things first. Gotta meet the aunt whose been his mama's best friend since the day she was born. 

Next up were the cousins. 

I mean THE COUSINS!! 

These little men were sooooo excited to meet their very first cousin. 

What's a cousin? Does he talk? Why not? When will he talk? Can he throw the ball? Why can't he throw the ball?

Baby boy is well loved by these first new friends who are also family...

Also he's tough-ha! 

Little man was also introduced to my mama when she was in town this month. They share a name which made their meeting extra special. My girls like to share the baby's gender before baby arrives, but they always hold off revealing the name until baby is actually here. I like this. 

Hearing his name was a sweet surprise and made my mama a little teary. His middle name is her maiden name, and it all made me a little teary too. 

My oldest sister and her hubs drove out to the lake to pick up my mom so they were also able to meet their newest great nephew while he is still pretty new. 

My oldest sister loves babies and you have to check her car when she leaves to make sure she's not taking yours home with her lol. 

Then last weekend hubs brother and sister-in-law took his mama for a meet and greet. How awesome is it to be so loved by not only your grandparents but by your great grandparents too? 

I will tell you. 

It's completely awesome. 

Okay little man, that's ten down, thirteen more to go. On your momma's side I mean. Your Daddy's got more than a few folks waiting in the queue too.

Welcome to your great big loud big fun big loving family...

 I suspect you'll fit in just fine. 

So Happy Together

How is everyone on this spectacular Monday morning afternoon? I hope your weather is as lovely as ours. How can anyone not love autumn? 

Remember when I said August was busy around here? Well October is coming in a close second with grandchildren in the house, my niece's wedding with lots of out of town family here to celebrate, my momma staying on for a couple of weeks after, hubs trekking to South Dakota for a pheasant hunt and just so many everyday life happenings on the calendar. Whew. 

I guess life slowing down is an illusion and we're okay with that. I mean sometimes we want a nap but really we're okay with full. 

cousin crew

So...a week and two days ago my niece tied the knot with her favorite guy and y'all...all of my children and all of my in-law children and all of my siblings and my momma were here for it. I can't remember the last time all of my siblings were together. 

I want to say it was Christmas of 2017 which doesn't sound right but photos do not lie. We have been together in various combinations of two or three, but all of us plus my mom in the same place at the same time? It's been a good long while.   

Friday night hubs and I met my brother and younger sister and their spouses for dinner downtown. There was a huge and well attended festival happening in the small big city this same weekend so it was a little bit nuts trying to get ourselves parked, but we did it and we ate in a restaurant we hadn't tried before so that was fun. 

Afterwards we walked around some before meeting up with the rehearsal dinner crew, which included both of my girls and both of their husbands. This weekend was the first time my sons in law had met in person, which seems crazy and in any other decade would have been, but connecting in the 2020's has not been simple. 

The wedding was Saturday evening and the venue was gorgeous. Tucked away out of the downtown area, but not too far out of the downtown area, with a view of the mountains and a secret garden vibe, these two cuties said I Do. 

The weather was fabulous the entire day and the entire night except for the thirty minute ceremony slot where the skies opened up just a little. Nothing terrible although our hair might say otherwise, but on the literal bright side-

Not every bride gets a rainbow on her wedding day. 

Sunday morning Daughter1 headed to her in-laws to collect her boys and bring them to the hotel so they could meet what I'm sure felt like everyone in the universe. It was so much fun. 

I loved watching them soak up all the love a big loud funny family brings to the table, and it just made my heart want to burst. My own girls have so enjoyed and benefited from having lots of aunts and uncles in their lives who support and love them more than words can say and these little boys are the next generation to be scooped up into that embrace. So precious and such a gift, one I don't take for granted. 

My younger sister, her husband, and my nephew had a later flight out that evening so we had brunch with them downtown then they drove out to the lake and my nephew went swimming with our pup. Yes it's mid-October, but it was plenty warm and the water even warmer and he was a happy camper. 

So was my nephew-ha! 

My mom isn't flying home for another week or so and my older sister (aka mother of the bride) and I have been sharing time with her. My sister lives about an hour from me so there's some back and forth in terms of miles but we've made it work and it's been nice to have this relaxed time with my mom. 

Hubs has gone on the hunt for birds of the pheasant variety way out west so it's just us girls for a few days. We're working puzzles, playing cards, and soaking up the glorious weather all from the cozy comfort of my porches.  

I was reminded this weekend of how very much we need our people. Not just on facetime or via text, but in person, beside us on the couch, eating at our dinner tables, giggling over something funny or talking over some bit of everyday ordinary life because those things are more easily shared when you're skin to skin as opposed to screen to screen. 

We are made for being together. 

Quietly Living In A Noisy World

I was going to post a Thursday Thirteen yesterday, which is something bloggers used to do every Thursday, but when I typed the number it felt all wrong so I'm just going to wing it with some Friday random instead. 

Hubs and I went out for dinner Wednesday night to celebrate his birthday, a lovely local spot we enjoy. When we walked in we saw this-

At first I thought it odd they had a table reserved for someone right in the entryway because who would want to sit there, but then I registered the sign and the beer and my heart felt heavy with sadness. I'm glad the restaurant set the table, in their own way acknowledging the sacrifices made and the pain still so raw. While I know we want to put our heads down and pretend this didn't happen the way it happened, I for one hope we don't forget. 

We're such a fickle people, so easily distracted. I know it seems we wake up every day to some new awfulness we need to wrap our brains around, but I pray we don't forget these soldiers. So young and by all accounts proud to serve their country, proud to be helping people fleeing a country overrun by terror. Let's not forget. 

We've pretty much been at home this week keeping a watchful eye on our pup. He had a follow up visit with the vet yesterday who said things are looking much better than they were a few days ago, but we still have a ways to go in terms of healing. He has been mostly cooperative and for that we are grateful. 

It is so nice living in almost the same time zone as my daughter1. She has been facetime-ing us late morning and nobody is just waking up or just going to bed. So much easier for everyone than the crazy am/pm differences we've had these past two years, and it's especially fun to think I'll see them in person before the month is out. 

It's tea time. All summer I drink a late afternoon iced coffee until suddenly I don't want iced coffee, I want hot tea. It's still hot and humid here, maybe more so than it's been this entire summer, but there's something about the way the light changes in September, children returning to school, knowing fall is almost upon us even if the thermometer says otherwise, that says it's time for tea. 

This is interesting, right? 

Who else feels like they've watched every movie new, old, and older on Prime and Netflix during Covid? We do a lot of scrolling these days but nothing jumps out at us. We've started a couple of series recently but our interest wanes and we set it aside thinking maybe we'll come back later and finish but then we don't. If you are watching something great let me know. 

Speaking of Covid, how's everyone coping? What a mess. Honestly everything under the sun feels a bit of a mess right now, and we're bombarded with seemingly endless noise every which way we turn. I've been thinking about how to live quietly, and of course social media leaps to mind. 

I remember when I first joined Instagram, all the beauty there. It was almost entirely photographs, lovely images of faraway places, meals lovingly prepared, cozy home spaces that inspired, and that appealed to me. Like most things on the Internet it's become harsher and louder and as a result, less beautiful. 

There's a time for every season, and maybe that includes social media too. 

My daughter and I were talking recently about all the things in the world that threaten to overwhelm us, and how most of those things are completely outside of our ability to change or control. She told me in these troubled times she is taking this verse to heart-

"And aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands as we have instructed you." 1 Thessalonians 4:11 

A gentle reminder not to complicate things, but to care for and tend to the people and the work right in front of us. This we can do...

And it is beautiful. 

A Bi-Coastal Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! One item of business...I'm declaring next week summer vacation here so no Hodgepodge on Wednesday August 3rd. I'll have out of town visitors and will be coming and going so not sure how much I'll be online. Thanks for understanding! The Hodgepodge will be back in action the following week-August 10th. 

Also, we're here today so let's get to it-

1.  On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why? 

(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)

It's been a strange summer so I'm going with a 5. Not awful, but definitely not the best ever. 

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).

I had a lot of aunts and uncles, but sadly we rarely lived near one another. I remember fun trips as a kid to visit extended family in Colorado and New Mexico, but they were few and far between. Families of six didn't just hop on a plane and fly cross country the way we tend to do now. We did have an aunt and uncle in the D.C. area, so we saw those cousins more often, but still not a lot. 

I felt a special closeness with my mom's only sister and we wrote letters back and forth which were dear to me. We both loved the Anne books, and this particular aunt called me her kindred spirit. As an adult I did get to know my mom's brothers better and my uncle came all the way from Arizona to be part of my Daughter1's wedding day. That meant so much to all of us. 

I'm called aunt by some super sweeties and I love the title.

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?

A Dairy Queen soft serve vanilla cone would be my favorite food dipped in chocolate. I love how it hardens on the cool ice cream-yum! Thursday, July 28th Dairy Queen will be holding a Miracle Treats Day, and $1 (or more) from every Blizzard sold will be donated to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Go share a Blizzard with someone this Thursday! 

My favorite food dipped in cheese? Crusty cubes of bread in a cheese fondue. Preferably served tableside in a charming little French place in the Alps. 

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.

I'm going with the current election season and will leave it at that. 

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?

Well not an ironing board-ha! I'm going with bulletin board because I helped Daughter2 in her classroom this week, and it takes two people to cover a bulletin board. 

6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?

Daniel in the Lion's Den. Why? Because Daniel managed to do the right thing no matter the cost. He was a boy/man of the utmost integrity, whose faith guided his every decision, and who throughout his life held true to the courage of his convictions.  

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?

I wish this question asked which 50 cities I'd most want to see. Five is too hard! I've spent a lot of time traveling on the East Coast and have lived near NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. I've been to Boston and points north and have also seen a good chunk of the Southeastern section of America. I've also spent time in portions of the Southwest, so for my imaginary trek I'm going with five places new to me. 

Here are five I'd like to see, but they're not the only five! 

Mackinac Island, MI
Rapid City, South Dakota
Portland, OR
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
San Francisco, CA

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have a million words about all the things happening in the world today, but I'm going to share this instead. 'There's a light at the end of the trouble...'

(available now for preorder or everywhere August 26)