Ten-hut! It's The 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 go say hi to the blogger linking before you. Here we go-

 

1. We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how. According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3 PM (the National Moment of Remembrance)....of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try? 

We definitely try to mark the day and will for sure be flying the flag.  I don't know of any local parades but we hope to attend a nearby Memorial Day service on Sunday afternoon. 

I've been on an in-person tour of the White House so won't be doing the virtual. I like the idea of the 3 PM moment of silence, and I don't think I knew that was a thing until recently. Now that I do I'm going to respect it. My dad is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and when we lived close by we used to like to visit sometime over the Memorial Day weekend. They do a wonderful job of honoring those who've served their country. 

2. What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'?

The price of gas.

3. In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'?

Cleaning out my desk and file cabinets. In terms of desk space I'm downsizing so I need to empty out this great big desk and decide what to keep, what to file in a separate file cabinet, and what absolutely must be within arms reach in the new desk space.  This big desk was overdue for a clean out anyway, but I'm easily distracted. 

4. As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu?

Home made ice cream. We don't have an ice cream freezer, but I'm going to get one before my grandsons visit so we can make ice cream with them.  

5. Your favorite patriotic movie? 

Apollo 13 and Saving Private Ryan would be my top two. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time 
that men have died to win them." Franklin D. Roosevelt

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 421

Here are the questions to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

 

1. We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how. According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3 PM (the National Moment of Remembrance)....of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try? 

2. What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'? 

3. In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'? 

4. As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu? 

5. Your favorite patriotic movie? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Post-Pandemic Blogging

Are we post pandemic? Depends who you ask-ha! We have resumed normal life for the most part here, with a few exceptions when exceptions are called for. I am not getting into a fist fight or verbal altercation with anyone over masks, vaccines, or the like, and wish everyone could at least agree on that. 

Mostly hubs and I say it feels like someone flipped a switch and the train is back on track. Our calendar has certainly ratcheted up a notch or ten and it feels good.

At the same time, this past year and a half has shown me I don't want to be busy every single day. While I'm super excited to have houseguests once more, I am purposely leaving some blank space in the summer calendar for quiet daydreams, naps on the porch, and the occasional orange crush from our lakeside Cabana. 

The weather is most definitely saying summer here, so on Saturday night hubs grilled steaks on the Big Green Egg, and afterwards we took our first boat ride of the season. 

Early evening into sunset is one of the best times to be on the water, partly because day boaters have exhausted themselves and are docked for the night, but mostly because the sky is everything I love about summer. 

On Sunday we had Sunday School via Zoom, but church in person. Hmmm...here's how I feel...everyone is doing their best to make good decisions for the benefit of all so we're rolling with it. Funny story-we attended church in person last Sunday too and y'all! In true 2020 fashion (yes I still call the whole big mess 2020) a baby possum entered the sanctuary mid-sermon, and created a bit of a ruckus. 

We had the side doors open at both the front and rear of the church and he walked on in like ain't no big thing. One of the Deacons sitting nearby leapt to his feet and gently nudged the possum out the back door, and if that isn't this past year in a nutshell I don't know what is. 

In other news, my favorite people will be stateside in the not too distant future (time is relative of course) and I cannot wait to get my hands on these happy little men. I don't want to wish away the summer, but it's awfully hard not to count the days. 

God grows us in seasons of waiting and I guess I've still got some growing to do. 

In the meantime I look at the beauty of a watercolored sky and remember He's got the whole world in His hands.

Ideally It's 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, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. That's what good neighbors do! Here we go-

 

1. Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist...which one are you? Elaborate. 

Definitely not a pessimist. I'm going to say I'm a realistic optimist. I read an explanation of this and it said that realistic optimists believe they will succeed, but acknowledge that it may not be easy and will likely take work to make it happen. Realistic optimism means having a positive attitude while honestly acknowledging the challenges you will encounter along life's highway. 

2. What's something currently on your wish list? 

Literally or figuratively speaking? Literally-chairs for my keeping room. 

Figuratively-sanity and civility to be restored to our nation, revival in America, and a cure for cancer.

3. Three things on this week's shopping list?

Outdoor trash bags, avocados, half and half...I actually went to the store today and wish I'd known outdoor trash bags were on the list. Bother. 

4. According to Trip Advisor here's a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-

Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Skip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day guided sightseeing tour, Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour, Grand Canyon helicopter tour, Full day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle), New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago...read more about each excursion in the link here. 

Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing? Have you already experienced anything on this list? 

I've done quite a few of the excursions listed including the Architecture River Cruise, the Horse and Carriage Tour, and D.C. at dusk. In addition I lived outside of NYC for a while so could probably give a tour there, and I've been to the Statue of Liberty although not in a long long while. You will never get me on a helicopter over the Grand Canyon and I have no desire right now to visit Seattle or California which leaves just a couple of options. I think the New Orleans Swamp boat tour might be fun as long as it's not a million degrees outside. Or I'd for sure take another carriage ride around Charleston because I enjoy that city a lot. 

5. Besides home and work where do you spend the most time? 

Hmmm...maybe the supermarket? I don't actually spend a lot of time there but it's a regularly visited spot so I'm going with it. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

How about happy Wednesday? I got nothin'. It has been such a busy couple of days here and I'm getting this in just under the wire. Happy Wednesday it is! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 420

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. Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist...which one are you? Elaborate. 

2. What's something currently on your wish list? 

3. Three things on this week's shopping list? 

4. According to Trip Advisor here's a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-

Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Skip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day  guided sightseeing tour, Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour, Grand Canyon helicopter tour, Full day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle), New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago...read more about each excursion in the link here. 

Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing? Have you already experienced anything on this list? 

5. Besides home and work where do you spend the most time? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Perfect Spring 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 then leave a comment for the blogger before you, because that's what good neighbors do. Here we go- 

1. It's like my mama always said, "__________________________________________." 

If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all. 

2. May 11th is National Eat What You Want Day. What will you be having by way of celebration? 

Hmmm...hasn't this been National Eat What You Want year? It feels a little bit that way which is why I will try to make good choices. We had a weekend of indulgent eating so I guess I've already celebrated. 

3. Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.

Temperatures in the sunny 70's, morning coffee on the covered deck, dinner in the crock pot so I don't have to think about it the rest of the day, spring flowers going into patio pots, a great book read on the porch, a walk somewhere, daughters in the house and grandsons fishing on the dock...sounds pretty perfect to me. 

4. Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement...pick one and tell us how it relates to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by. 

I pick growth. Do we ever stop growing? It seems I'm a slow learner in certain areas of my life, but thankfully God is not done with me yet. 

5. I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it would be fun to answer here. The last thing you bought on Amazon is your weapon in battle. How will you wield it?  (if you're not an Amazon shopper, then the last thing you bought online anywhere)

Computer ink cartridges....I suppose I could frustrate you to death trying to figure out how to get it loaded into this new printer?

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our new birdbath...so pretty in the sunlight-

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Tuesday

It's feast or famine here in terms of blogging. How about just an ordinary Tuesday what's new with you kind of post? 

We spent a lovely spur of the moment weekend in the mountains where we did a little bit of shopping and a lot of eating. We stayed in the charming town of Highlands NC which has so many wonderful restaurants it's hard not to indulge. 

I took almost no pictures and just enjoyed the views and the company. 

It seems like we've gone from doing absolutely nothing to a somewhat busy calendar these past two weeks which may explain why, when we pulled in the driveway on Sunday I remarked, 'Hey look, someone has gifted us a beautiful bird bath.' 

I don't know who I thought might have done that, but hubs said, 'yeah, I put that out there about four days ago and have been waiting for you to notice.' Apparently all this staying at home has messed with my powers of observation. 

We're still blaming everything on Covid, right? 

Anyway, the lovely purple finch has been enjoying the new splash pad and I'm sure has friends who will join him before too long. 

I heard from both my girlies via Facetime on Mother's Day which is not as fabulous as having them here in person, but still very special. Daughter2 sent me a framed wedding pic of the two of us that I absolutely love, and daughter1 sent Farmgirl Flowers of which I am a big big fan. Their creations are completely extra, plus there was a fun little bag of goodies tucked inside the box too...Swedish candy, salted caramels, toffee popcorn, a couple of face masks, and a candle. 

I spoke to my own mama Sunday afternoon and every Mother's Day I have with her in my life means so much to me. 

In other news we've got a couple of little-ish interior home projects going on, and I specify interior because if you know my hubs you know he has a never ending list of exterior home projects and would happily landscape, plant trees, plant shrubs, plant more trees and more shrubs if I didn't intervene. 

I'm changing up my office right down to the walls, re-doing our keeping room with a larger, lighter hued rug, and four new comfy chairs, adding wallpaper to a water closet in one of the guest suites, new bedding in that same guest suite, and reconfiguring shelving in my closet. It will be a lovely re-fresh when all is said and done. It's hard to believe we've been in this house nearly four years now but the calendar does not lie. 

Does 2020 count double time because I feel like maybe it should? 

The weekend is looking lovely so perhaps an inaugural boat ride is in order. We like to let the pollen calm down before we do too much boating, and like I said, we've been busy with projects and assorted other goings on. Hubs had the boat out once for a quick 'let's make sure it's running' spin around the neighborhood, but I haven't had a ride yet this season and I'm thinking it's time. 

Yes it's Tuesday and I'm already talking about the weekend. 

It's nice to be a little bit busy but I also know I cannot be busy all day every day. Chalk that up to life lessons learned courtesy of Corona and the crazy year that was. Is? Whatever. Here's a picture of the Cobb salad I made for dinner last night-

Because salad pics are blog content on ordinary Tuesdays. Enjoy yours!