Three Cheers for the red white and hodgepodge

Here are the questions for this week's Hodgepodge....see you back here tomorrow (Wednesday) to link answers.

1. What is something about living in this country that you value? 'This country' is whatever country you call home.

2. What is a favorite something you own that is red, white, and/or blue?

3. Do you fly a flag at your house on patriotic holidays?

4. What ingredients do you think should be included in a great picnic basket?

5. What is one interesting piece of trivia you know? Interesting is of course a relative term.

6. Wednesday, May 24th is National Escargot day...have you ever tried them? Eww or ooh?

7. What is one thing you know for sure?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The weather, the workers, the weekends-oh deer!

What to talk about on this Monday morning? Hmmm....well, I could tell you that it's raining. It rained every day last week with the exception of a few bright spots on Saturday which were mixed with downpours. I don't think I want to talk about that.

Our patio workers were out in full force on Saturday trying to wrap up the landscaping and other remaining bits and pieces of this project. They almost succeeded.

Almost does not count.

The sprinkler is not working correctly in one spot and there is an entire length of gutter currently laying across the patio that will need to be reattached to the house. Lovely. I don't think I want to talk about that either.

I'm going to the dentist this morning. 'Nuff said.

Daughter2 arrived safely back in South Carolina yesterday afternoon and I for sure don't want to talk about that. How about something deer?

Is this the most precious thing or what?

Daughter2 and I had a girlie day on Friday which consisted of shoe shopping followed by a nice lunch out and then a visit to the salon for mani/pedis. Bliss.

As we turned onto our street I noticed some ears peeking out from under the tall grass (see paragraph 1, ahem) at the entry to our neighborhood. At first I thought it was a rabbit but we decided to turn around for a better look since something about that thought didn't seem quite right.

A newborn fawn. Oh my word. I've never seen one this tiny. We looked around and didn't see the mother at first so we got a little closer. We wondered if she was injured. (Yes, of course she's a she....so sweet and delicate.) She didn't look injured but she did sit almost motionless watching us with her beautiful brown eyes.

Can I have a pet deer Mom?

Tempting, but no.

We finally spotted the mother on the other side of the pond and she was chowing down like there was no tomorrow. Remember giving birth and feeling ravenous afterwards? She was just like that. We were cautious as we didn't want to disrupt the relationship in any way. We were pretty sure this fawn was only a day or two old.

Daughter2 googled baby deer and we learned a few things-

It's common for the mother to leave the newborn for extended periods of time following birth. The baby is safer this way than trying to keep up with an adult who is looking for food. And the newborn will sit almost motionless which is what this one was doing. If they are injured they will bleat continually and ours didn't make a sound. It did say that if they're left for more than 24 hours in the same spot they might have been abandoned and would need rescue. And although small and delicate apparently the hooves of a baby deer can still slice you and cause serious injury so that's a word of warning. Also, if you pet or handle the baby in any way it will bond quickly and attempt to follow you as if you are its mother. Daughter2 was all ready for this little thing to think she was its mother but we resisted petting or handling her in any way.

When we went out later that evening she was still there so hubs got to see her too. We all worried about her, not so much being hit by a car because she really wasn't up and moving, but we know there are fox and bobcats and who knows what else in the area that might feel the need to snatch her for their dinner.

Hubs walked down to the spot on Saturday morning and she wasn't there but he could see where she'd been laying. We didn't see any sign of her (if you know what I mean) so we assume she is now up and about and safely with her mother.

So deer dear isn't she?

I'm sure her mother thinks so too.

Kiss the Cook

Last night daughter2 made dinner. Raise your hand if you love having your college kids home? Daughter2 loves to cook plus did I mention it has been raining hard here for six days straight and it's been dark and gloomy so hunkering down at home just feels right?

Here is the finished product-

Chicken piccata, honey balsamic green beans and garlic roasted potatoes. Oh my word-so delicious!

She used Giada De Laurentis's recipe for the chicken which you'll find here. A real treat and not just because I didn't have to cook it myself. The honey balsamic green bean recipe is courtesy of Paula Deen. Go here for the recipe because it's definitely a keeper. The garlic roasted potato recipe ala Nigella Lawson can be found here.

Who thinks my daughter loves The Food Network?

She might have also baked lemon cupcakes with a lemon cream cheese frosting for dessert. I did not eat a cupcake (yet!...a finger in the batter doesn't count, does it?) but hubs said they were fab.

Fyi-he did not use the word fab but that's what he meant.

Hubs does not say fab.

Who's happy they taught their daughter to cook starting way back when she was just a cute little munchkin?

Who thinks she is still a cute little munchkin?

linking with Kelly's Korner today-show us your life/main dish recipes

Riding bicycles

Daughter2 has been home for almost two weeks and will return to collegetown on Sunday. It started raining here Saturday night and it was still raining when we went to bed last night. The sun is peeking out this morning but the forecast is for more rain later today. Daughter2 doesn't really mind although she brought summer clothes with her to NJ and it is most definitely not summer. She is happy to sleep til a ridunkulous hour and watch movies and she's read two books just for fun and oh yeah, she has spent a lot of time with me.

Daughter2 and I share some personality traits, one being we are both quite strong willed people. Why do I see my strong will as something positive and hers as something that occasionally needs taming? Perhaps my mother could answer that. Or maybe my husband.

Anyway, daughter2 is a college student too many states away so we don't have an opportunity for face to face talks as often as I would like. Oh we talk often, practically daily, but you can't have great heart to hearts over the phone...you need face time for that kind of talking. We see each other in spurts throughout the year so when we're together for a weekend or a week I feel the need to tell her all the things on my heart relating to her. I am quite certain this drives her a little bit crazy...I know it would me. I try to remember that but am not always successful.

"The hardest part of raising a child is teaching them to ride bicycles. A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard." ~Sloan Wilson

The truth of those words really hits home during the young adult years. When our children are young the line between parent and child is big and bold but when they hit the young adult years and are real live honest to goodness people it suddenly looks gray and blurry. How much to say and how much to hold back? Advise or let the chips fall where they may? Butt in or stay out? Demand or suggest?

I've noticed something about myself when it comes to parenting. I expect my children to be better than me. Better organized, better disciplined, better at containing their impatience, better at tolerating well intentioned advice, better decision makers, better at mostly everything. My expectations for my children are high and most of the time they exceed them. They inspire me to be better yet they don't demand it or feel let down when I'm not. Would they say the same is true of me? As a parent I think I need to be more like my children.

I think about my girls learning to ride bicycles...daughter1 at age 6. We finally lived somewhere flat with sidewalks. She was hesitant for Daddy to let go but determined to do it herself. She looked back to be sure he was there and ahead to reaching her goal. She kept trying until she got it perfect. She still likes to keep working at things until they are perfect.

Daughter2 was 4 and could barely reach the pedals. That did not deter her one little bit. She hopped on with complete and utter confidence and never looked back. It never occurred to her there was anything to fear. It never occurred to her she wouldn't succeed. Fearless is how she goes thru life....confident and completely certain she will succeed at whatever she tries.

There are days in this season of parenting kids in their early 20's when I need to support and encourage and guide. There are also days when freedom is demanded and must be given. I confess I'm better at the supporting and guiding than I am at that whole freedom thing but I'm learning. Like my kids, I'm a work in progress.

edited to link with Kelly's Korner on 7/29-SUYL Parenting Advice

If it's Wednesday it must be the Hodgepodge-Vol 27

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Hodgepodge. The only edition of the Hodgepodge actually. So glad you played along today...add your link at the bottom and be sure to read my answers before you run off and visit the neighbors.

1. What reveals more about a woman-her refrigerator or her purse?

Probably her purse...it's filled with what she considers the daily essentials and also tells you where she spends her money. I'm not the only one with a wallet crammed full of lists and receipts am I?

2. When was the last time you visited a zoo? Where? What's your favorite zoo animal?

Last Saturday. We went to the Bronx zoo and I wrote about it here. It's hard to pick a favorite animal but on this most recent trip it was definitely the snow leopard. Pretty sure the Bronx is not its native habitat.

3. What social issue fires you up?

Where do I begin?

fiscal responsibility on the part of our government

the mistreatment of children

healthcare reform

I could go on.

4. Are you a coupon clipper? Are you extreme?

Not anymore. I used to clip a lot of coupons when I was regularly feeding a family of four but once we moved to the UK coupons were not as prevalent and I lost the habit. Most stores now offer discount cards and I do take advantage of those types of savings. I was never an extreme couponer...time is money too ya know!

5. What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?

As you would imagine we have more than a few souvenirs from our travels but we tend not to go for the chachki stuff....my favorites (no I cannot pick just one) would be my Italian pottery, some of which is pictured here, the beautiful hand painted backgammon board we bought in Dubai-

and my Colonial Soldier who hails from London.

All of these things are out in my house and all of them make me smile.

6. Lemon meringue or key lime?

I love them both but if you make me choose I'll go with key lime.

7. What is the most beautiful word you know in any language?

grace

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Daughter2 and I went to see African Cats yesterday. Wowza! I cannot remember feeling that tense during a movie in a very long time. We both watched portions of it with our hands covering our eyes. It's rated G but I think it would be disturbing to young children. The African Savanna is harsh, even is you are King of the lions. And of course that whole circle of life thing is on display...keep in mind it's Disney and we all know how Disney deals with mothers. Just sayin'

The movie also confirmed for me why a trip to the Masai Mara in Kenya is still on my to-do list...so staggeringly beautiful that I think I must see it in person.

Road signs

If you're looking for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge questions you'll find them here. This post is part of today's One Word Blog Carnival hosted by PeterPollack.com. Visit Peter's blog to read more entries using today's word-road.

Daughter1 graduated from university one year ago this month. As college wound down and graduation approached she dove into the job search with great diligence. She knew she didn't want to move too far away from collegetown because the boyfriend still had a year of school to finish before his graduation. She wrote letters, sent resumes, had a few interviews, contacted people she knew...all the usual stuff you do when you're trying to become gainfully employed.

About a month after graduation she landed a job. It was a nice job, not her dream job, but a paying job nonetheless. We had many a phone conversation prior to her accepting the position about whether or not this was the right road to take. She was feeling a lot of stress and pressure to find something so these phone calls home were fraught with emotion. While we as her parents, aka the bank, were anxious for her to become self supporting, hubs also cautioned her against taking a job just to take a job. He reminded her of everything that is wonderful about her sweet self which included, but was not limited to, the college diploma. In the end we all agreed that she should take the job and get some practical experience. She could remain in her then apartment and avoid the expense of a move as well as the upset of leaving the boyfriend and everything familiar to go live somewhere new and most likely alone.

I think we tend to remember the road leading to our own foray into adulthood thru the lens of rose colored spectacles, or at least I do. To be honest I see most of life this way but that's a post for another day. When I graduated from uni I went straight to grad school because there were no jobs available in collegetown and I couldn't possibly move away from the boyfriend who still had a semester of school to finish. Sound familiar?

As luck would have it, a job did become available for me just before the public school year started so I took it and did the work/school combo thing for a year. I am sure there was much hemming and hawing and angst and drama but I don't remember that. I only remember everything working out in the end and life being rosy and me feeling like I could take on the world.

Back to Daughter1...she and the boyfriend talked and knew they wanted to be in the same town or at least not too many states apart once he graduated so she started looking for a job in the big city shortly after Christmas. Boyfriend hails from the big city and we lived in a suburb of that same town once upon a time. She put out resumes, wrote letters, and even had some interviews, yet nothing materialized. She was frustrated and unsure of what was next but continued working hard at her less than dream job and we talked often about all the what ifs....What if you get a job offer in the big city?

Where will you live?

How will you get moved?

How will you afford to live on your own in a much more expensive place?

Is it safe?

How will you interview in State B when you're in State A?

Is this the road you should travel?

So many things to worry about and this is when I began to really pray in earnest for the right living circumstances to go with the right job at the right time in the right place. Who else hates the gray zone?

At the end of March she sent a resume to a company she knew had an opening. They were located in the big city and they immediately contacted her for an interview. After months of dead ends suddenly there was a one way sign pointing straight ahead. I think it might have been flashing.

I've been going to a women's bible study on Tuesday mornings this year. These women don't know my daughter yet they included her in their prayers each week. Daughter1 had three interviews with her future employer. Each one of these interviews fell on a Tuesday morning. Coincident? Hmmm...I think not.

Her very first interview occurred in a week when her current employer's office was closed for some maintenance work so she did not have to ask for any time off to travel to another state. During her second interview she met with the HR Director and quickly discovered that like my daughter, he too had spent his high school years living abroad. Expats feel an instant connection with one another as no back story is needed. They get where you've been and the pros and cons associated with that experience so the conversation is usually easy.

When Daughter1 knew she'd be going to the city for an interview she got in touch with a very good friend from uni who'd been living there since they graduated. This very good friend was living with two roommates and one of the girls just happened to be moving out in May. They were very excited to have Daughter1 move in and fill the vacant spot. This same sweet friend was so kind and helpful during the interview trips too. She even took a day off from her own job to help Daughter1 make a practice run using public transportation so she'd not waste time looking for the office on interview day. And she has continued to give her lots of practical and moral support throughout the transition.

Daughter1 was offered the job and her new employers were anxious for her to start right away. Her old employers back in collegetown were kind enough to allow her to leave on good terms with less than thirty days notice and she was able to spend Easter at home with us before heading to the big city. The new role is a logical step in her career aspirations and speaks to her creative instincts as well as making use of her wonderful communication skills. Conveniently we were able to move her belongings from State A to State B on a weekend we'd already planned to be in State A. We live in State Z. If you read my blog you know logistics are usually very complicated for us.

When Daughter1 first started the big city job hunt I will admit to some anxiety. Hubs and I both love collegetown partly because it's lovely but mostly because it's safe and familiar. As the pieces to this job fell so perfectly into place we both recognized this move was the right thing. "The right living circumstances to go with the right job in the right place at the right time" It doesn't get much clearer than that.

Not all of life's decisions are laid out before us like the wide open highway. Most of the time we hit a speed bump or two, some dead ends, sudden merges, crazy circles and more often than not a fork in the road. But the road to this opportunity was like a freshly paved superhighway and my daughter was the only car on the road. I cannot remember when something big unfolded in such a way that it brought peace and clarity and confirmation regarding the right way forward.

The young adult years are perilous. So many of life's biggest decisions are made during these years and there are a lot of people living with regret over missed opportunity, poor choices, moments of weakness and a multitude of other things they did or didn't do in their early twenties. All their lives my children have heard me say that God loves them. I remind them often that He has a plan for their lives and that He is in the details of our everydays. Most of the time we have to look back at our life to see that He was indeed going before us and making the way clear. It's not often we can see that in the moment but when we do, its nothing short of amazing.

I hope one day my daughter looks back at her own road to adulthood and sees it not just thru rose colored glasses but in black and white too. I hope she has tucked this experience away and can call it up when she encounters life's inevitable speed bumps. That the expression, "God cares about you" is not just a platitude but a promise she carries with her throughout her life, thanks to a road she traveled way back in 2011.

I hope she remembers feeling like she could take on the world.

And I hope she remembers why.

The all important Hodgepodge questions

Here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Everyone is welcome to join the party...answer the questions on your own blog or facebook page and then come back here tomorrow (Wednesday of course) to link answers.

1. What reveals more about a woman-her refrigerator or her purse?

2. When was the last time you went to the zoo? Where? What's your favorite zoo animal?

3. What social issue fires you up?

4. Are you a coupon clipper? If so, are you extreme?

5. What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?

6. Lemon meringue or key lime?

7. What is the most beautiful word you know in any language?

8. Insert your own random thought here.