Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge...so glad you joined the party today. Be sure to add your link to the bottom of my post and then go visit the neighbors. After all, that's part of the fun! Here are my answers-
1. It's that most wonderful time of the year...tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals?
If you told me I had to do my own return I'd probably curl up in a ball and cry. Just this week I submitted our UK return. No, we don't live in the UK...haven't lived there in almost three years in fact. Why yes, we do still have to file taxes there. Something to do with something, something or other blah blah blah. Good thing accountants are on hand, right?
Got that one in just in time to begin our US organizer. The tax fun just never ends around here. At least I only have to complete the organizer and thankfully someone else does the actual math.
As a side note-I'm not voting for anyone who thinks we need to pay more taxes. I could rant here but I'll refrain.
2. This next question comes from
Kansas Bob....he posed it in response to something I asked in an earlier Wednesday post and I asked him if I could add it to the Hodgepodge someday. Today's the day....
Which do you think has changed you more-love or pain?
Love. Its made me brave and given me a safe place to land. I haven't had a lot of pain in my life.
3.
Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in someway in 2012? If you're not sure what tangerine tango looks like click
here.
Personally I love the color and I do have a splash of tangerine in a painting in my guest room. The room itself is mostly neutrals with brown and tans in the bedding so the bright colors in the painting help give the room a lift. I wouldn't want it all over my house and don't think I'd do a wall this color but there is something about it that's energizing. You'd find it in my closet, mostly in the form of scarves, but I also have a couple of sweaters in this shade and they lift my mood when I wear them.
4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly?
I collect pottery which I've written about on my blog before. You can see some of it pictured here. Another small thing I quietly collect are sheep. The only people who buy these for me are my hubs and my girls. There's a story behind how this got started but I'm not going to share. Essentially, they only mean something if they're from my family so I don't tell people I collect them because you know how that goes...all of a sudden you're inundated with all things sheep. My girls put two super cute things in my stocking this year. These are measuring cups-
and this is soap-
The black one smells like licorice and the white one like vanilla- love!
5. February is National Heart Month...besides a green salad what is one heart healthy dish you like to prepare?
One of my favorites would be fish grilled in a foil packet with lemon juice, thyme, oregano and some veggies-usually onion, zucchini, and red pepper. So easy and delicious!
6. When was the last time you had car trouble?
Coincidentally you will find me sitting in the dealership on this Wednesday Hodgepodge morning. There's a lovely waiting area with fresh coffee, comfy chairs, a zen like atmosphere and free wifi. Its almost like home.
Nothing major is wrong (knock on wood!), just an annoying light on the dash that keeps blinking saying my tire pressure is low, which its not so likely a sensor needs replacing.
Ha-listen to me sound like I know what I'm talking about.
As long as they've got the car they're also checking out my key/doors because every now and then when I hit the unlock button only the driver's door unlocks. Since this is something intermittent they'll probably have to take the door off. Or not. I have no idea. Which is why I'm here. As a bonus they wash the car before I leave the lot and that makes me happy.
7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Is that a good trend?
I'm always pretty demanding of myself. I expect a lot from me. Sometimes I let myself down but I forgive myself and repeat my favorite verse...
" The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
That bold emphasis is mine but its worth emphasizing.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Do they have beefsteak dinners in your part of the country or is that a Northern NJ phenomenon? I haven't seen them other places we've lived but when we moved back here we'd notice signs from various fundraising groups advertising beefsteak dinners. We didn't know exactly what they were until two Christmases ago when friends invited us to their home and he promised to make an authentic beefsteak dinner. Essentially it's filet of beef that is marinated in olive oil, garlic, and some seasonings for several hours then slow roasted to a rare or medium rare state. Vegetarians look away.
Next its sliced and heated in a pan of melted butter and then served on white bread. Yes it has to be white bread. Firm healthy wheat bread doesn't soak up all the wonderful juices like old fashioned white bread does.
Pretend we didn't read question # 5.
Hubs has talked about that meal ever since and this past Saturday those same friends caved to his pressure and invited us over for another beefsteak dinner. I was kind of afraid it wouldn't live up to the memory, but rest assured it did not disappoint.
And yes, my random thought is about a meal.
Happy Wednesday!
