Hodgepodge With Gravy

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered the questions, add your link at the end of my post, then run say hi to the blogger who linked before you. They'll thank you! Here we go-

1. What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

About my life, probably all the travel. It wasn't until well into adulthood I discovered I had a heart full of wanderlust. 

2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year...awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable.

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?

A sad commentary on the English language. I find cat cafe the most ridiculous, although probably more the concept than the actual word. I cannot imagine using the word fatberg since I rarely discuss congealed lumps of fat that won't break down. Shudder! You won't hear me calling anyone Mx. either. My word of choice on this particular list is hangry. The struggle is real y'all. 

3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy...which on on the list is your favorite?

I'm kind of meh on the whole gravy thing. I can take it or leave it, and there's nothing I absolutely must have smothered in sauce. I like gravy on my turkey if the turkey is dry, but I love plain mashed potatoes. If I do have gravy on something I have a very small portion. I don't like my food swimming, and feel the same way about salad dressing and pasta toppings. 

I have a wonderful make ahead turkey gravy recipe I got from Southern Living a few years ago, and I make that. The past couple of years we've had gravy from a local butcher. It's made there and tastes homemade. Delicious and one less item to prepare on Thanksgiving Day so why not? I don't like canned or jarred gravy. My favorite of the foods listed would probably be turkey and gravy. 

4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.

Do I have a plan? Always.  Currently we have a house plan, a holiday travel plan, a retirement plan, a health care plan, etc. etc. Do I need a plan? Yes. There are areas of my life that are in need of a plan. Ever had one fall to pieces? Ha! Of course, but it's still a good idea to have a plan. 

5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

I like Monopoly. I wouldn't want to play every day or even every week, but once in a while and with the right people, it can be fun. We own the original, a UK version, and also a Wizard of Oz version although I think that last one might have been given away in our most recent move. It's unlikely I'll play on Friday since our game is in storage. 

I've been to Atlantic City many times, but it's not my beach of choice on the Jersey Shore. I've ridden on a railroad many times too, and parking in our town is a combination of both free and paid. You can find free parking on Main Street downtown, but if it's full you have to pay for a garage.  Last thing I took a chance on? Maybe our retirement? I'll let you know how that works out-ha! 

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

Some of my favorites are How Great Thou Art, My Tribute by Andrae Crouch, and an old camp blessing we used to sing before meals in the dining hall-For Health and Strength. 

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?

Lots of things, but it boils down to this-having life's most basic needs met on a regular basis. A warm bed, food in the frig, gas in the car, clean water right from the tap, money to pay bills, etc. I don't think I take these things for granted exactly, but since my basic needs are always met I also don't spend a lot of time truly reflecting on what a blessing that is. When the power goes out or the car breaks down, that's when I tend to stop and really consider how grateful I am for these things that are a part of everyday life. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This one never gets old-

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 244

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

1. What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year...awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable. 

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?

3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy...which one on the list is your favorite?

4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.

5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude....what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. A very special and heart felt shout out to anyone joining us today who is a veteran. Thank you for your service to our country. 

If you've answered the questions today, please add a link to your answers at the end of my post. And do say hi to the blogger who linked before you because comments make the world go round. Here we go-

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?

I grew up in a military family and have a son-in-law currently in the US Army. I feel a special affection for those who take an oath to serve and protect this land we love. The freedoms we enjoy in America are something I think most of us take for granted on a daily basis. It's not until our lives are touched by war, a family member entering the armed services, or some national tragedy like 911 that we really stop and think about what it looks like to 'serve your country'. 

I'm so glad we set aside this date to recognize our servicemen and women's commitment to freedom. Their commitment to defending the ideals our country holds dear and what that commitment means to the average citizen. I'm grateful for their willingness to serve, some giving even their very lives in the call of duty. I think of the words honor and sacrifice, and how to our veterans those aren't just words. I'm proud to be the daughter of a United States Marine, and on this day feel humbled by the bravery of our veterans. 

2. What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

It's too hard to choose just one. A few of my favorites falling under this heading would be The Dirty Dozen, Argo, Saving Private Ryan, Lone Survivor, and American Sniper. Of the movies listed Saving Private Ryan is probably my #1. 

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

I did get a flu shot. I had the flu once, it was several years ago but it's not something I care to ever have again, so since then I've had a flu shot every year. 

4. I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are you thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

In the words of Nadine from SNL's Burger Castle (go here if you're clueless) everybody 'simmah down nah'! Have mercy we're easily offended in 2015, aren't we? Also, I feel like now people complaining about people complaining about red cups is a thing. We just need a thing I guess. 

Starbucks is a business and if they want plain red cups vs. snowflakes and polar bears I say go for it. This isn't an organization claiming to represent Christianity. It's Starbucks. I don't get why a red cup is offensive?? That being said, if you don't like their business philosophy don't buy their coffee. God bless America! 

Also, it's capitalism with a Capital C, but I'd love to see stores hold off until at least November before decking the halls. And I DO NOT understand people with their trees up on the first of November.  I think it's ridunkulous, but it's your house and if that's what makes your family happy then you go right ahead and hang that mistletoe while snacking on Halloween candy. 

5. What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

Well I'm sure I should say a copperhead or a big fat crunchy spider, which are both high on my list of things to avoid and not something I ever want to encounter, but I'm actually going to say a possum. I don't know if it's their rodent-y bodies or their beady little eyes, but there's something about them that sends shivers up my spine. They're creepy. And they like to get in the garbage cans so when you lift the lid they stare back and scare the daylights out of you. 

6. Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?

Not particularly. Hubs and I are building a house, but technically we're watching our builder build a house. The last thing I built? Hmmmm.....perhaps a casserole? I'm not a hammer and nail kind of girl. 

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

Sunlight on the water and a clear blue sky. I'm slightly obsessed with both. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 243

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

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?

2. What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

4. I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

5. What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

6. Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Is It Just Me?

Birthdays. Is it just me or does anyone else have a baby sister celebrating a birthday today? Happy birthday to my little sister. The girl I shared a room, clothes, chores, secrets, and life with. We have our own rooms now, but we still share life.

c. 196_ something

I'm on the right and she's front and center because that's where she always liked to be. Really. She was photo bombing before photo bombing was cool. Case in point-

This was going to be a picture of me and my mom, and look who managed to get in every shot we ever took the shot. You know what they say though?

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree-

c. 2013

Like mother, like son.

For the record, we're just a year apart only my babies are in their mid-20's and hers is nine. Let that sink in for a minute. Ha! He keeps her young or at least that's what I tell her.

I'm so thankful for my sisters, thankful too my girls know the joy of both having and being a sister. Happy birthday little sis!

A hornet's nest. Also known as politics in America. Is it just me or does anyone else feel like we've been at this election thing for-evah? And it's still over a year way. More than one whole complete entire YEAR.

I have an idea...let's call a two-month time out on all things presidential election, take some deep breaths, and not hear another word about it until 2016. The year we actually vote.

Football. Is it just me or is the NFL not as much fun this year? I feel like play stops every other minute and the penalties are excessive. In my opinion (not that the Commissioner asked) they play too many games. The players aren't rested and the commentators have waaaay too much air time to fill and the refs are struggling and what's up with the game clocks going wonky every week? I love watching football but if I were commissioner I'd eliminate those Thursday night games.

I feel like money might be a factor snort so not betting on him taking my suggestion to heart. But he should.

The Write31 Challenge. Is it just me or did anyone else drop the ball on the Write 31 challenge? In my defense I did write 25 posts in October which isn't 31 but it's something. I only wrote 13 in September, so winning!

The Home Build. Is it just me or does anyone else feel like we should be further along in the home build process than we are? Pesky rain. Pesky pesky rain. On the bright side we've been busy making selections on the very long list of things we need to select. We started with the plumbing and have our sinks, faucets, tubs, toilets (more options than one might think) and showers chosen. We neglected to choose a sink for the garage, and we've already made a change in color to a lower level sink, and also to the kitchen sink after we selected our granite. This is how it goes, or so I'm told.

We've also almost settled on all of our appliances and we may have gotten a little carried away by ALL THE THINGS on offer and gone just a smidge overboard. We've since gone back to the appliance shop and made a course correction. Ahem. We may need another, but we're holding out to see if we save money in some other category. Our decorator looked at hubs like he had two heads when he suggested it, but we're nothing if not ridiculously optimistic.

The whole house build budget thing is a little bit like wedding planning. You have all these categories and an allowance for each one. And just like with the wedding, if we're under budget in one area we can shift the savings to another.

Yeah, so far not a lot to shift, but I'll keep you posted.

Last week we trekked to the granite warehouse and today we're off to pick tile. I predict this will be one of the more stressful categories because I'm flashing back to picking tile for the shower we renovated in our previous home. Have mercy there are so many choices and combinations and that was just a shower. Today we're selecting tile for more than one shower, floors for a hallway-laundry-bathrooms, back splashes for the kitchen, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Is it just me or is building a home from the ground up just a teensy bit nuts?

Remember Remember the Hodgepodge November

It's November. How did that happen? Welcome to the first Hodgepodge of the month. I love this season of gratitude and look forward to incorporating it into the questions as we roll towards December.

Also, who gets my title? Anyone playing along today from the UK? 

If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. We're all grateful for comments, so be sure to at least visit the blogger who links before you. Here we go-

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

We're going to see the Vols play in Neyland Stadium this month, something we haven't done in years, so that will be fun. As long as they win. ahem. We're also visiting college friends in Atlanta later this month, and that's always too much fun. Finally, we're meeting Daughter2's boyfriend's family at the end of the month, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them in November. 

2. If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

We were treated to a really nice dinner Monday night, so I'll send a thank you card to our hostess. She works in our financial planners office in NJ, and happens to have family in our little SC town. Small world people. My favorite thing. We'd never met her in person, but have spoken on the phone several times as she handles some of our paperwork. Dinner on a Monday night? Why not? 

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?

Oh dear. I don't eat plain old fashioned white bread so that's an easy one to take off the list. Probably my favorite would be Naan because I love Indian food, and you can't have Indian food without Naan. I would not turn down a piece of homemade cinnamon bread either. 

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

Rain. I'm not going to complain much, but holy cow we've had a lot of rain. Buckets and buckets. Cats and dogs. Round up the animals two by two. I think you get the idea. Do you know what goes together like oil and water? Home building and downpours. 

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?

I married into a family of redheads so the easy answer is yes. My favorite? Hubs, of course. 

Also, fun fact...red hair + gray hair = blond hair. 
No fair! 

6. The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state?  Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state city or province.

I live in SC and the most Instagrammed spot in the state is Myrtle Beach. I haven't been to Myrtle Beach in decades, but it's a popular tourist destination so I guess that answer makes sense. I've snapped many a picture in Myrtle Beach, but nothing recent. 

What do I think should be the most Instagrammed spot in SC? 

Pretty Place Chapel. A location that truly lives up to its name. 

7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?

Hmmm...that we can do this retirement thing? 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Did you watch the World Series? I didn't because the teams didn't interest me all that much, but I did love this. Billy Joel is a Mets fan and he sang the National Anthem in game 3. This season the Mets have been playing Piano Man in the 8th inning to rev up the crowd. Everyone sings along, and in game three they sang it with the original 'Piano Man' in the crowd. Awesome! Especially when he joined in-

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 242

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then scoot back here tomorrow and add your link to the party. Here we go-

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?

6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?

8. Insert your own random thought here.