Nom de Hodgepodge

Welcome to the last Hodgepodge in this merry month of May. 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. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names? 

I don't have a strong opinion about my name. I don't dislike it, and can't really imagine anything different.  That's who I've always been so yes, I guess I do like it. I'm not named after anyone. 

When we found out we were expecting daughter1 hubs and I immediately settled on her name. We were less sure of a boy's name, but no matter, because we were both certain baby was a girl and we were right. We just loved the name, both first and middle, and it suits her. 

There was just one other girl with her same name in her preschool and kindergarten class, but then all the way up through university we didn't know another. Fast forward to present day and we have three in our church besides her so maybe it's more of a SC thing? We still love it. 

Daughter2 has a name that belonged to one of hubs grandmothers and also one of my great grandmothers which is nice. The name definitely suits her. We gave her hubs other grandmother's name as a middle, and I knew and loved that grandmother so was happy to pass it on. 

My grandchildren have a combination of family names and names their parent's loved. They are all more traditional which I love. One has his dad and granddads' first name and then our surname as his middle. One has my dad's name as his middle. One has my mother's maiden name as his middle. Both grandgirls share middle names with their mommas which is sweet. 

2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

I'll have the blueberry pie please. That's a favorite and I make at least one every summer. Hubs birthday is early September and I sometimes make him a blueberry pie instead of a cake for his birthday dessert. 

If I were picking something not listed it would be angel food cake topped with strawberries. Red and white. I'll make one of these soon as my daughter1 requests this for her birthday dessert every year and she has one coming up soon. 

Fun fact...she has a son turning the age she is in this photo but we won't time travel down that rabbit hole today. 

3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day? 

I'd like to check groceries at the supermarket for a day. I can't really explain why this appeals to me, but it's a job I think I'd enjoy. I like grocery shopping and am nosy about what people have in their carts. I'm also picky about the bagging-just ask my hubs.

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer? 

I've put out some patriotic decor because it's a big year for America and I want to celebrate that. I needed new cushions for my upper deck and went with a patriotic theme. I bought hand towels for the guest bath, patriotic soaps, and I've ordered a candle for my coffee table with a patriotic label. 

I mentioned my front door wreath in Monday's post, and I have a patriotic door mat there too. Of course the dock is decked out with a flag and a patriotic wind sock and in general the lake is full of flags flying and people celebrating the freedoms we enjoy. 

I'd post pictures of my new pillows, but it's been raining cats and dogs since Friday so we have the outdoor furniture covered and the pillows tucked away. They'll be out all summer so I'm sure they'll turn up on the blog eventually. 

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  

Moved my momma early May

All the blooming beauty added brightness to the month

Yearning for sunshine as we turn the page to June

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'd kind of forgotten I wanted to host another Day In The Life link up for anyone who'd like to join the fun. New season, new routines. 

Unless you're retired then it's same old same old. Ha! I kid. 

Anyway, let's say June 18th. It's a Thursday. Choose a day to keep track of that falls between now and the link up, then hop back here to add your post to the party. If you don't know what I'm talking about here's the 411-

Pick a day and give us the play by play of your life on that day. Some bloggers do their posts by the hour, some by chunks of time, whatever works for you. Most people add photos but that's up to you. If you're like me you need to set the timer on your phone to remind you to take pictures but again, you can do your post in whatever way you like. 

I wrote one back in November you can read if you want an idea of how mine looks-A Day In The Life, Autumn 2025

These posts are fun to read and I feel like they're great connectors. Hope to see you there! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 655

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (May 27th) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names? 

2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day? 

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer? 

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Et Tu 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 the blogger before you. Here we go...

1. Are you a naturally trusting person? Is trust built on logic or 'gut instinct'? Does everyone deserve a second chance? Elaborate. 

I'm a naturally trusting person for the most part. I like being given a second chance myself and I want to extend one whenever it seems like the right thing to do. That being said I do think a second chance might depend on the nature of 'the initial crime/offense'. We can forgive wrongdoing while also setting boundaries to prevent being taken advantage of, lied to, hurt in some way a second time. Or third, fourth, whatever the case may be. 

Wow, that got deep fast. 

Is trust built on logic or gut instinct? Hmmm... a bit of both I'd say, but I'm going to lean more towards gut instinct. Like I said. I'm a naturally trusting person. 

2. 'Beware the Ides of March'...March 15th on the ancient Roman calendar, these words were made famous by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar.  Caesar was assassinated on March 15th 44 B.C. Have you read any Shakespeare? If so, do you have a favorite? Have you ever been to Rome? 

When I was in the 6th grade, which was still elementary school where I grew up, we put on the play A Midsummer Night's Dream, which I think was my first exposure to Shakespeare. I remember not quite understanding it all, but also having so much fun with the play. 

I feel like I want to re-read some Shakespeare as I don't know it well and probably haven't read any since high school. I started thinking about some of his well known titles and realized I've been to more than a few of their settings...

The Merry Wives of Windsor-

Only one of of us was actually a wife when this was taken-ha! We spent a lot of time in this town when we lived very nearby. 

Romeo and Juliet aka Verona-

Celebrating our birthdays with pottery, opera, and amazing food in the beautiful city of Verona 

The Globe...

And his birthplace, Stratford-Upon-Avon to name just a few. Quick sidebar-Daughter2 went on an overnight with her grade 8 classmates to Stratford and they did some cool things like a wig workshop and a sword fighting demo. I know she remembers it well because there was also a little mischief made, which the moms remember. Hi Daughter2 teehee. 

I've been to Rome and loved it. 

Europe has changed so much since we lived abroad and I don't have a burning desire to go to some of the bigger cities there anymore. I adore the countryside and village life and wouldn't mind more of that in terms of European travel. 

3. Do you like a Caesar salad? If given the choice between a garden/house salad or Caesar which do you order? Anchovies or no? What's your favorite salad dressing? 

I love a Caesar salad and will most often opt for that if there's a choice. I do not like it (or any salad for that matter) swimming in dressing, but I do like Caesar dressing. 

With or without anchovies? Either way is fine. 

My favorite dressing is currently a champagne vinaigrette. I like Hidden Valley Light Ranch too, but again I go really light on the dressing. My family always wants to add more.. 

4. Where do you typically work (or blog if that's easier) at home? Do you have a dedicated home office space? Are you happy with that space? 

Right here whenever possible-

I do have a semi-dedicated office where I sometimes work and sometimes blog. It's mostly where bills are paid but I do blog there now and then too. I like the space, it's roomy and I can see the lake so there's that. We had a Murphy bed added to the room for the overflowing houseguests we often have here. The room is mostly an office, but also serves as additional sleeping space when needed, which is useful. 

I often blog from the couch in the evenings while watching tv. I really like blogging while sitting at my dining room table with a view to the front yard. It's a sunny spot and there's something about the order in this particular room I find helps with my concentration. 

5. Snow drops, daffodils, lenten roses, crocus, hyacinth, or early tulips...what's your favorite early Spring flower? 

Impossible to choose! If you make me pick I suppose I'll say daffodils because they're generally the first ones up here and are bright and cheery against the gray skies we so often see in February. I have iris popping up now and they usually arrive on the early side of spring too. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My March mantra-

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 644

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

1. Are you a naturally trusting person? Is trust built on logic or 'gut instinct'? Does everyone deserve a second chance? Elaborate. 

2. 'Beware the Ides of March'...March 15th on the ancient Roman calendar, these words were made famous by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar.  Caesar was assassinated on March 15th 44 B.C. Have you read any Shakespeare? If so, do you have a favorite? Have you ever been to Rome? 

3. Do you like a Caesar salad? If given the choice between a garden/house salad or Caesar which do you order? Anchovies or no? What's your favorite salad dressing? 

4. Where do you typically work (or blog if that's easier) at home? Do you have a dedicated home office space? Are you happy with that space? 

5. Snow drops, daffodils, lenten roses, crocus, hyacinth, or early tulips...what's your favorite early Spring flower? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 639

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (February 4th) to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there!

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th...on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What's your favorite Winter Olympic sporting event? 

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football's championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us...what's your superpower?

3. Are you a romantic? 

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what's a dish you like that calls for one of these? 

5. What's more important-doing what you love or loving what you do? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Summer's Tale

I mentioned in yesterday's post that there was one anecdote from our week in Hilton Head I wanted to share separately. But first, the back story. 

Because there always is one on From This Side Of The Pond. 

Also, it's not as much fun if I just get straight to it, so let's roll back time to the 1990's. 

Remember the 90's? 

Thirty years ago but whatever. Hubs started working in 1985 for the company he then stayed with for thirty years. The company's headquarters were in Northern New Jersey and we lived there two different times during his career. He started as a rep in Richmond, but we moved not too long after (1989 to be exact) to the main office in NJ. As hubs says, those were some of the most fun years of his work life and this was mostly due to his colleagues. 

Colleagues who became friends. 

New Jersey geography is funny. It's a tiny state but there are many many towns squished side by each and lots of traffic. Lots. Hubs office at that time was situated almost in NYC. Not quite, but close enough you had to get into all the Lincoln Tunnel traffic just to get to work. 

I know young adults today talk a lot about how they can't afford to buy a house, but let me just tell you in 1989, five years married, working good jobs, and we bought a house with no air conditioning, a one car garage, an hour+ commute in some of the world's worst traffic, and a mortgage interest rate of more than 12%. 

Hey, the 90's wasn't all neon windbreakers, beanie babies, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. 

I'm not saying it's not tough out there today, but our expectations for the kind of house we'd live in were pretty small. 

Anyway, what does all this have to do with Hilton Head in 2025? 

I'm getting there. This post is 90% a trip down memory lane and 10% present day. Back to the 90's. Work friends lived in various towns all around the office town. Nobody lived in office town, and very few lived in the same town as any other but that didn't stop us from socializing together. We thought nothing of driving 45 minutes to have dinner or go to a party at someone's house on weekends. 

We were all young (ish) and most of us were raising children and trying to get ahead, but also loving life and sharing life and encouraging each other in whatever way we could. It's a mega ginormous beast of a company today, but back then it still felt a bit like family. 

After five years in  New Jersey (that first stint) we moved to Maryland, still with the same company, and other friends moved around too. Some we kept in contact with for decades, are still in contact with today. Some have visited the lake and some were in our lives for just a season. When we think back on those friendships, those early hard years of working like crazy and raising children, we think of them with tenderness. 

Okay, back to 2025. Finally. We had plans to go into Harbour Town on Thursday evening, but the kids were worn out and decided they wanted to stay home and order pizza, so hubs and I were on our own.

We walked around for a bit and had a drink at the Quarterdeck's Umbrella Bar in the marina there. 

Charcoal roasted oysters and spicy strawberry margarita with a view. 

We shopped a little then decided to grab dinner at The Crazy Crab. So cute! It's exactly what you think of when you think of a beachside restaurant with it's nautical decor, fishing nets, that sort of thing. 

We'd ordered our food when we noticed a family being seated at the table beside ours. There was a mom with her three small children and what we guessed were the grandparents. As they were seated hubs said,  'that guy looks just like Dan C'.  So I looked more closely at his wife and said, 'you know I'm pretty sure that IS Dan C.' 

Dan C. and his wife are some of those 90's work friends I mentioned above. Friends we haven't seen since the 90's. 

So hubs said, 'Dan?' and the guy immediately turned his head and then he did a triple take before giving hubs a big hug. Their daughter was born about a month after my youngest, and now here she is with her three kids, and we're all grandparents trying to cram thirty years of catching up into an aisle conversation at a Hilton Head restaurant. 

We exchanged new contact info and since they live in HHI now, and also want to come our direction sometime, we hope to make another get together happen. 

I'm a sucker for a small world story. Hubs and I marveled at the odds of this happening and they're miniscule. We've had a few in our lifetime and they always make me feel grateful. I guess some would call it coincidence, some say serendipity. I say it's just one of the many ways God shows us He's got this whole big-little world in His hands. 

Linking today with Joanne at Talking About It Tuesdays 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 598

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (April 16) to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. Do you complete your own taxes? Besides actual taxes, what's something you've found taxing lately?

2.  What are three values you treasure most in a friendship? 

3. Do you meal plan or do you mostly wing it? Share your dinner menus for this week. 

4. Thomas Sowell is credited as saying, ''There are no solutions, only trade-offs.' Agree or disagree? Discuss.

5. What's the best perk you've enjoyed at a job?

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Everybody's Workin' For The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you, or all the bloggers if you have the time. Here we go- 

1. Something you're working on currently? 

Cleaning out my closet and getting myself organized for our hop across the pond. I've needed new luggage for a while now and finally ordered myself a two piece set from Travelpro. Hubs has traveled round the world with his and it's held up well so I went with them again.  

I rarely use an extra large suitcase, but for longer trips it's nice to have that option. I'm bringing birthday gifts for two of my grandchildren and a few Christmas items I've picked up as well so I think I'll need the space. 

2. Tell us something about your first job? Was it a positive or negative experience for you? Did your parents insist you work while in school (either high school or college) or did you work because you wanted to? 

I guess technically my first job would be babysitter. I started babysitting after school for our across the street neighbor's nine month old daughter when I was in Jr. High. I was a responsible young teenager, and my mom was right across the road. My neighbor was a nurse and worked the second shift, so I'd sit for a couple of hours after school until the dad got home. They overpaid me all the time and I loved that little girl so much. They were true New Yorkers and would go out to dinner at something like 9 PM and come home in the wee hours of the morning and occasionally they'd find me sound asleep. 

Babysitting was a positive for me. I've always loved children and enjoy spending time with them. I always wanted to be a mother and I think babysitting only made me more certain of that. 

The family moved my senior year in high school and I got a job in a nursing home, working in the dining room. I liked the work and the people so would say this was also a positive experience. 

I don't think my parents insisted I work. I guess they probably expected us to work and we all did. That's just what teenagers/college students on summer break did. I'm not sure any of us saw not working as an option, but we didn't complain about it either. There were far fewer activities on the calendar when I was a teenager, so that probably helped. I enjoyed having spending money and liked the sense of responsibility a job gave me. I think those early jobs were confidence boosters too. 

3. Have you ever had a job that required overnight travel? How did you feel about that? Have you ever had a job that required you to wear a uniform? Do you work better in the morning or at night? 

I've never had a job that required overnight travel, but my hubs always had a job that required a lot of overnight travel, so I've experienced that side of it. When you have a hubs who travels a lot you learn to manage things you might not manage otherwise, you get on with things, and take care of the business of running a home.  I would say those are all positives. 

Here we are back in the mid-90's at BWI Airport, picking up hubs from an out of town work trip. How sweet it was to step off a plane and have your girls run right into your arms. Remember when you could greet your family right at the airport gate? Remember Continental Airlines-ha! 

Re: uniforms...the nursing home position I mentioned above required me to wear a white uniform, apron, white hose!, and white work shoes that were truly ugly. I didn't love the uniform, but it was part of the job. 

No question about it, I work better in the morning. I have never been a night owl. 

4. What's something you bake or cook that is labor intensive? Is it worth it? 

Eggplant parmesan would be one. I make Alex Guarnaschelli's recipe and it's definitely labor intensive and definitely worth it. I usually make one a year with eggplant my daughter's mother-in-law grows and shares. 

My mama's enchilada recipe is an all day affair too, also totally worth it. My mom used to make them every year for hub's birthday because he could eat a whole pan himself. I haven't made them in a long while, but this post has me thinking about how good they are so maybe that will happen soon. Or at least before year's end. 

5. One thing you're looking forward to in the month of September? 

The list is long, but first things first...it's my birthday month. On top of that I'll be seeing both of my girls and all of my grands in person (not at the same time but we take what we can get) and, best of all, we're making a trip back to a place I lived and loved and have tucked into my heart for always (England). 

Out of all the months on the calendar I think September might just be my favorite.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

There were no less than a dozen people here Tuesday working on 'the great backyard reset' as I've taken to calling it. As a result lots of progress has been made and I can finally see what it is we're doing lol.

Of course we still have a ways to go...

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 567

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. Something you're working on currently? 

2. Tell us something about your first job? Was it a positive or negative experience for you? Did your parents insist you work while in school (either high school or college) or did you work because you wanted to? 

3. Have you ever had a job that required overnight travel? How did you feel about that? Have you ever had a job that required you to wear a uniform? Do you work better in the morning or at night? 

4. What's something you bake or cook that is labor intensive? Is it worth it? 

5. One thing you're looking forward to in the month of September? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Good Grief, It's The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then go say hi to your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Did you watch any coverage of the 9/11 services on Monday? How do you feel on this day some 22 years after the events occurred? Share more if you want to share more. 

We did watch coverage of the services and remembrance ceremonies. It still is just so incredibly sad and listening to the names read aloud and family members speak of their losses still makes me cry. When I think of the firefighters, police, and emergency responders especially I want to weep at their courage and their sacrifice. 

I think the day should be marked and am glad we don't just lower the flag and carry on. I think it's a disgrace the President wasn't at any of the sites on Monday, but he struggles so much these days to speak coherently perhaps its best he wasn't present. 

2. September 13th is National Peanut Day...do you like peanuts? Your favorite dish that contains peanuts? 

I do like peanuts. My favorite dish made with peanuts is a Thai chicken curry. 

3. Something you're currently 'nuts' about? 

Surprising no one here...grandbabies of course. 

4. Your favorite Peanuts character? There are several quizzes online if you're curious...I took two and got the same character for both so I'm sure they're accurate lol. (Click here for the link)

I got Charlie Brown and based on the quiz description it mostly fits...it says I'm an ambivert which I do think is true (both introverted and extroverted depending on my mood or the situation). 'Gentle, lovable, determined, and hopeful'...I'd like to think I'm all of those things. 'You mean well and care about your friends' -for sure! When it comes to failure you 'stay optimistic, press on, and cheer for your friends to keep on going.' Pretty accurate for a ridiculous online quiz. 

5. Tell us about a job you worked 'for peanuts'? 

Well I was a camp counselor for several summers and the actual pay was peanuts. The rewards though, were pure gold. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I went to a local small town apple festival over the weekend and yesterday I baked an apple pie. I followed a new recipe very carefully, even rechecking the instructions before putting it in the oven. Just as I was closing the door it I thought, 'hey I never put any sugar in the mix...was there sugar in the mix?'

Yes of course there was supposed to be sugar in the mix. I mean what's apple pie without sugar? So I went back and checked the ingredient list and there was indeed sugar mentioned, but adding it was nowhere in the recipe. I carefully peeled the top crust back, put most of the apples back in the bowl, added the sugar, and baked.  

Delish! Now bring on fall! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 519

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

1. Did you watch any coverage of the 9/11 services on Monday? How do you feel on this day some 22 years after the events occurred? Share more if you want to share more. 

2. September 13th is National Peanut Day...do you like peanuts? Your favorite dish that contains peanuts? 

3. Something you're currently 'nuts' about? 

4. Your favorite Peanuts character? There are several quizzes online if you're curious...I took two and got the same character for both so I'm sure it's accurate lol. (Click here for the link)

5. Tell us about a job you worked 'for peanuts'? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Everybody's Workin' For 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. Before you run off be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you, because that's how the Hodgepodge rolls. Here we go-

1. Something you've labored over recently? 

Hmmm...I can't think of anything recently that involved true labor.  I guess I'll say planning a trip. Not physically laborious but it's been a bit of a brain drain getting all the bits and pieces to come together. 

2. How will you rest on Labor Day? 

Ha! We'll have a houseful here, including all three of my grandsons, so I'm not sure rest will be on the agenda. We're all looking forward to being together though, and there will be plenty of time to rest next week. In the meantime I plan to embrace all the noisy fun. 

3. Margaret Mead is quoted as saying, "I learned the value of hard work by working hard." Would you agree? Where and how did you learn the value of hard work? 

I agree with the saying. 

I learned the value of hard work from my parents. Growing up we were expected to work hard- try hard- do our best-whether that meant in school or in a household chore we were assigned. My parents worked hard too. They lived within their means, saved for a rainy day, and were generous with their time and resources with those less fortunate. That was the example I had and the one I have tried to emulate. 

4. It's National Eat Outside Day (August 31st). Will you? Do you enjoy dining 'al fresco' or do you prefer indoor seating? 

Hubs and I love dining al fresco and we eat outside every chance we get. If the humidity is ridiculous then we opt for indoor seating, otherwise we're all about eating outside. We have a table on our screened porch and love to eat out there in the autumn months especially. 

5. Somehow it's the end of August. What was the best day of the month for you and tell us what made it so?

We've had a lot of 'best days' this month so it's nearly impossible to choose just one. My best day would definitely be one where grandchildren were part of the equation. A day at the beach with Daughter1 and her family or a morning spent sitting on the porch with the cutest little nugget I know.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of the littlest man, here's the cutest thing you'll see today. This month. Maybe ever-

Be still my heart. 

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Hodgepodge Laboring

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you.  Ready-set-GO!

  

1. Something you've done in recent days or months that might be described as a labor of love?

Planning my daughter's birthday dinner with all her favorite things, finding one or two special gifts that will be meaningful to her, shopping for family Christmas pjs for my daughter overseas...

Preparing foods and shopping for/making small gifts with meaning are a labor of love for me. 

2. Last time you 'worked your fingers to the bone'?

I pulled weeds on our back slope for an hour on Saturday morning, and I don't know about my fingers but I definitely worked my back to the bone.

3. According to a recent survey people named the following ten jobs as the hardest-nurse, doctor, paramedic, police officer, firefighter, surgeon, healthcare worker, bomb squad, farmer, and prison warden. Of the jobs listed which would you say is the hardest? The one you'd most like to do? Least like to do? What's one job you would add to the list?

Currently I'm going to say being a police officer in America is the toughest job there is, and the one I'd least like to do. Of the jobs listed the one I'd like most would probably be nursing. I thought about being a nurse while in college, then changed my major to speech pathology which was also a rewarding field. 

What job would I add to the list? How about window washers on our city skyscrapers? Or oil rig workers, the people who climb those ginormous communication towers...anything where you need your wits about you to do your work all the while knowing there is a danger of falling from a great height. Shudder. 

4. A recipe you make that is labor intensive, but worth it?

My mamas homemade enchilada recipe. They take me all day, but of course that could just be me. Honestly they've always taken my mom a fair chunk of time to put together too, so I think it's just a labor intensive recipe. Worth it? Absotively posilutely!!

5. Last job you did or task you completed that required teamwork?

I feel like hubs and I do things on a fairly regular basis that require teamwork of some sort. Managing the dogs (I'll feed while he waters), getting the kayaks back on the rack (he lifts and I help guide then in to place and hang on to the straps), docking the boat (I hang the bumpers while he maneuvers the boat into the slip, then I carefully, and also occasionally not so carefully, step off and pull us in), and the list goes on. We docked the boat more than once this weekend so that's probably the best example of recent teamwork.  And good news! There was hardly any yelling or swearing. 

We need this shirt. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Daughter2 has a birthday coming up this week and I will write a birthday post on the actual day because years ago she told me it's the one thing she looks forward to the most (no pressure Mom-ha!) but for today I want to share this-

For my beautifully strong hilarious girl on the eve of a brand new decade xoxo 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 385

I don't know why, but a post-holiday weekend Hodgepodge always catches me by surprise. Here are this week's questions...you supply the answers on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday to share answers with the universe.  See you there-

 

1. Something you've done in recent days or months that might be described as a labor of love?

2. Last time you 'worked your fingers to the bone'?

3. According to a recent survey people named the following ten jobs as the hardest-nurse, doctor, paramedic, police officer, firefighter, surgeon, healthcare worker, bomb squad, farmer, and prison warden. Of the jobs listed which would you say is the hardest? The one you'd most like to do? Least like to do? What's one job you would add to the list?

4. A recipe you make that is labor intensive, but worth it?

5. Last job you did or task you completed that required teamwork?

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

High Five From The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered the questions add your blog link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor on the list. Here we go-

1. Five years ago this month hubs and I relocated from New Jersey to the Palmetto State. What were you doing five years ago this month?

I mentioned we moved, but when I glanced back at my photos I saw a few other things were happening too. I have some thoughts so instead of writing a short answer here I think I'll make this the subject of my Thursday post. Why use fifty words when you can use 250? 

2. What was the last 9-5 job you worked? Tell us about it.

It has been a long time since I've worked a 9-5 job. The last full time job I held was serving as the Director of a local church preschool in the state of Maryland. To put it another way that was four moves ago. 

I loved it though. I remember standing in front of a crowded sanctuary filled with parents, and telling them I was leaving. I got so teary I could hardly speak. It was a job that was well suited to my temperament and training, the people were wonderful, and it was a really nice place to work. 

3. Plead the fifth, high five, take five, it's five o'clock somewhere, or the big 5-0...which number five phrase relates to your life in some way currently? Tell us how.

Hmmm...maybe the big 5-0? I wrote a whole post about that decade here (Check Engine Light), and with another big birthday coming up fast I suppose the calendar turning has been on my mind.  

4. During this season of spending so much time at home, what distractions get in the way of being your most productive? Or have you been extra productive since this whole thing started?

Definitely not standing in the extra productive camp. I need a little pressure to get things done and the past few months have (in a sense) been pressure free. No deadlines, no company coming, no trips  to plan, nothing to shop for...everything feels like it can be done another day.  

I do meal plan, grocery shop, cook, and all the basic household chores get done, but I'm not one of those people who've learned to speak Italian, took up painting, or reorganized their attic just because they've had a lot of time to fill. I'm more of a let's read a book on the porch kind of pandemic survivor. 

5. Give us a list here of your top five anything.

Not sure if this is my top five, but here are five Instagram accounts I enjoy following, all pretty much politic-free. I am so over that side of social media. 

Chateau de Gudanes-the ongoing restoration of an old chateau set in the south of France. 
Cristin Cooper- a semi-local instagrammer sharing southern style, home and all things beauty
Half Baked Harvest-NYT best selling author of HBH Super Simple Cookbook
National Trust -protecting special places and outdoor spaces in the UK
Ruth Chou Simmons-mom to six boys, artist and author, founder of @gracelaced

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Life feels like a whole bunch of random lately, which is maybe why I've been struggling to fill this question #6 space the past few weeks. We had friends come for dinner Tuesday night (on the patio because 2020) and I made a delicious creme brulee for dessert. How's that for random? I use the recipe found here.

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 382

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

1. Five years ago this month hubs and I relocated from New Jersey to the Palmetto State. What were you doing five years ago this month?

2. What was the last 9-5 job you worked? Tell us about it.

3. Plead the fifth, high five, take five, it's five o'clock somewhere, or the big 5-0...which number five phrase relates to your life in some way currently? Tell us how.

4. During this season of spending so much time at home, what distractions get in the way of being your most productive? Or have you been extra productive since this whole thing started?

5. Give us a list here of your top five anything.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Hodgepodge Secrets

First things first, happy birthday to my mama! I wrote a celebratory post earlier in honor of her big day, which you'll find in the link here. Now for the Hodgepodge...if you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-

1. The Hodgepodge lands this year on National Secret Keeping Day...on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being I'm a blabbermouth and 10 being I'm a vault) how good are you at keeping secrets?

I read here nine jobs for people who can keep a secret-cybersecurity worker, executive assistant, housekeeper, lawyer, nuclear plant technician, physician, private investigator, psychologist, security guard  Of the jobs listed, which one most interests you and why?

I think I'm pretty good at keeping a secret, particularly if it's related to something serious in nature. Giving myself a 9 because I'm not sure I've never accidentally spilled something I shouldn't have. 

As for the jobs listed I'm intrigued by the private investigator, but far too chicken to actually try it. I'll say psychologist since I'm a mom and I've also worked as a kindergarten teacher, speech pathologist, and school director, all roles requiring a bit of psychology. 

Plus hubs says I like to analyze him-ha! 

2. What's the secret of life (or one of them anyway)?

I think Solomon summed it up best...'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Off the record, best-kept secret, a fly on the wall, top secret, my lips are sealed, secret shopper, as quiet as a mouse, poker face, spill the beans, open secret, bite your tongue...which secret idiom can you best relate to right now? Explain.

When to speak and when to bite your tongue...a real dilemma in the year 2020. 

4. Spill here the secret ingredient in one of your favorite recipes?

Since it's my mama's birthday and she's both a fabulous baker and a serious chocolate lover I'll say her chocolate cake, the one with coca cola in the mix and also cooked into the fudgy icing. So yummy! 

5. Speaking of my mom...she celebrates a birthday today and she reads my blog.  Share a favorite quote, song lyric, saying, or verse of scripture that will add some sunshine to her day (ours too!)

'Mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.' Emily Dickinson 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Was this really just last year? 

Little man says yes indeed. 

And where's the party this year?

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 376

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Hop back here tomorrow to share answers and link your post with Hodgepodgers around the globe.

1. The Hodgepodge lands this year on National Secret Keeping Day...on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being I'm a blabbermouth and 10 being I'm a vault) how good are you at keeping secrets?

I read here nine jobs for people who can keep a secret-cybersecurity worker, executive assistant, housekeeper, lawyer, nuclear plant technician, physician, private investigator, psychologist, security guard  Of the jobs listed, which one most interests you and why?

2. What's the secret of life (or one of them anyway)?

3. Off the record, best-kept secret, a fly on the wall, top secret, my lips are sealed, secret shopper, as quiet as a mouse, poker face, spill the beans, open secret, bite your tongue...which secret idiom can you best relate to right now? Explain.

4. Spill here the secret ingredient in one of your favorite recipes?

5. My mama celebrates a big birthday tomorrow (Wednesday).  Share a favorite quote, song lyric, saying, or verse of scripture that will add some sunshine to her day (ours too!)

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

It's Tuesday

I felt that needed to be said, because when a weekend lasts three days it's easy to forget what day it is. That also explains why there are no Hodgepodge questions on my blog today. I normally write them on a Monday so they'll post on Tuesday, but I spent all day yesterday thinking it was Sunday so no Hodgepodge this week.

Let's talk about other interesting things. Like the weather! Ugh! Memorial Day weekend feels like the official start of the summer season which I guess is why we expect the weather to be lovely and summer-like. We're almost always disappointed. I keep reminding myself it's May and it's still spring so rain is the norm, but it feels like warm sunny skies should be the norm.

I remember when my girls were young we always went to a friend's parents house on Memorial Day weekend because we lived in Annapolis and the Blue Angels would fly right over her parent's pool. The water would be freezing and the skies were most often gray and cloudy but the kids would try to convince us it was perfect swimming weather and we'd let them swim because it really does feel like the kick off to summer.

In spite of the dreary weather, or maybe because of it, we had a really enjoyable, low-key, restful weekend here at the lake. Daughter2 drove out after work on Friday and made it in time for dinner. Hubs grilled chicken and made yummy margaritas, and we set up a taco bar of sorts. It was perfect.

We ate almost all our meals this weekend on the screened in porch which is my favorite thing to do. The lake is never not pretty, and honestly watching rain fall from the comfy coziness of the porch is good for the soul.

We've had a houseful of company all month long so a quiet weekend was definitely in order. Hubs likes the idea in theory, but in reality not so much. He can create a project where none exists. At one point this weekend I actually uttered these words, which I know some of you won't understand, but if you're married to a do-er like I am you'll get it..."Hon, I really need you to do less this weekend." 

Seriously, how can I stretch out for a nap with a book on the back deck when he's killing weeds, rearranging hoses, and moving rock??? Turns out I can, but 1% of me feels like I should also be 'toting that barge and lifting that bale' right along with him.

Daughter2's fiance arrived from out of town late Friday evening and the four of us had a great time lounging. I actually got the kayak out early Saturday, they're new so this was my first time in ours and it was nice. We're still waiting on the other one to get here because somehow the place we ordered from 'lost' the other one. Not sure how you lose a lime green kayak, but apparently it can happen.

Hubs took my advice mid-morning Saturday and joined us on the porch. There were a few pockets of sunshine late in the day and some neighbors popped over for cornhole on the back drive. We had steaks for dinner and taught the fiance how to play Hearts which was fun. Daughter2 and I both LOVE to play games, the fiance likes to play games, and hubs (once he's talked into the fun) tolerates playing games.

He did grill some awesome ribs on Sunday which is basically an all day kind of process, so while he did that Daughter2 and I played dress up. We pulled out my wedding gown, circa 1984, and I took pictures of her and marveled at my once tiny waistline. I was so in love with those Cinderella sleeves and seeing them again makes me secretly happy.

There's nothing quite like seeing your baby girl in a wedding gown, yours or the very elegant and beautiful gown she'll wear on her actual day. I'm so looking forward to that!

Sunday evening the weather perked up long enough for a boat ride which we all enjoyed. The clouds were impressive!

Monday the monsoon rains were back again. Daughter2 and I spent the morning looking at all things wedding related while the fiance took care of some work stuff on his computer, and hubs...wait for it... napped! in the porch rocker.

Porches make life sweeter y'all.

Before 'the kids' headed back to the small big city Monday we had an afternoon of bowling and burgers at a nearby place. I'm a terrible bowler but it was really fun and we will definitely do that again before summer's end.

Which isn't for a long long while because summer hasn't even started yet.
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It's Not So Elementary

My daughter2 has been teaching school for over five years now. She started her career as a third grade teacher but transferred to kindergarten last year. I've visited every one of her classrooms at least once to help with some sort of special project and to read a book to her students. Shhh! Don't tell, but my real reason for going is to see my girl in her natural habitat. When it comes to teaching she is a natural.

Until yesterday hubs never had the opportunity to see her run her classroom like a boss. Yesterday he spent a couple of hours in her classroom, ate lunch in the cafeteria, and basically tried his best to keep up with the crazy pace and activity level of a room full of five year olds.

Here's his takeaway-

1. His daughter is amazing.

2. Seriously, if he had to do what she does on a daily basis he said he'd likely pull the covers over his head and never come out. It's a steady stream of walking, talking, not sitting, re-directing, suggesting, guiding, consoling, herding, answering, having a Plan B, smiling, encouraging, helping and whew! 

Teaching is not for the faint of heart!!

3. Kindergartners are busy busy busy. There are many moving parts and they ask a lot of questions.

4. A whole lot of questions. Not always about the topic at hand.

5.  Besides a room full of students there were chickens.

6. Baby chickens. Daughter2 had seen a program available to teachers through I think the Cooperative Extension where you could pick up eggs and everything you'd need to hatch chickens in your room including feed, brood box, water bottles, incubator, and instructions. They will also take the new baby chicks back unless someone takes them home.

No she is not taking them home, but don't think for a minute she hasn't considered it-ha!

7. Anyway, one evening after school she trekked down to the Extension Office and picked up all the necessary materials and three weeks later she and her room full of kindergartners watched six baby chicks enter the world right before their eyes. One is still struggling to make his way out so here's hoping today was the day. Her students have recently completed a unit on animals and there's nothing like hatching your own chicks to make it all come to life.

8. Hubs brought her chick-fil-a for lunch. Circle of life?

9. He read a book to the class too. Horton Hatches The Egg because great teachers know how to work a theme.

10. After he read the book Daughter2 told her students they could ask him questions. She told them he knows a lot about a lot of things, for instance snakes. He knows a lot about snakes.

11. He was then asked approximately 546 questions about snakes.

12. This profession is under appreciated on so many levels.

13. And his daughter is completely amazing.