Monday Rememberings On A Tuesday

These weeks that 'start' on a Tuesday always throw me off, and I will be a day behind until at least Sunday. 

How was your weekend? Ours was lovely, leisurely, filled with friends, the flag, extended family and lots of yummy food. Saturday I prepared a trifle then had a nice long nap.

That's basically the highlights-ha! 

Hubs and I went out to breakfast which is one of my most favorite things to do on any given weekend, and we stopped in a local produce market to pick up a tub of berries. Daughter1's in-laws invited us for a cookout at their lake house and I was bringing dessert. I love to make a trifle but you need to be feeding a crowd so this was perfect. Plus the patriotic nod made it extra pretty. 

Sunsets from their deck are not too shabby either. 

The weather was gorgeous all weekend long and we spent a lot of time outdoors soaking it in. We didn't take the boat out because holiday weekends can be a little crazy on the water, especially this early in the season with lots of newbies out there. Unless we have company we like to boat on weekdays when things are quieter. We still did a lot of porch sitting and there was almost no humidity so that was wonderful. 

On Sunday afternoon we went over to the nearby university for a very special Memorial Day program. The Star Spangled Banner was sung, an alumni who'd lost his life in service to our nation was honored, a bugler played Taps, and I felt so much pride and gratitude for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for this land I love. 

On Monday we met up with some former neighbors who were in a nearby town to attend a graduation ceremony. We had lunch and caught up and it felt like old times. 

Our current next door neighbors came over for dinner Monday evening and hubs grilled brats and we had our first corn on the cob. We dined al fresco because did I mention the weather??? And please just ignore the ginormous spider bite on my arm. It feels as delightful as it looks. 

In other news, I recently purchased an ice cream freezer because I think it will be a fun thing to have when the grandboys are here. Hubs did not object. 

Somebody was ready to act as taste-tester. 

We thought we'd do a test run and I'm sure there will be a few more "test runs" before they actually arrive, but I had loads of strawberries in the frig so we opted for strawberry first.

It was really really good but I think the base needs a bit of tweaking. If you have a recipe you love for home made ice cream send it my way. 

All in all it was a low key weekend with just the right amount of activity, people, and patriotic happenings to feel pretty perfect. 

We're ever grateful to the men and women who let it be so. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 422

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. Besides the flag, tell us about something red, something white and something blue from your weekend. 

2. June is here and it's National Give A Bunch of Balloons Month. Who would you give a bunch to if you could? Tell us why. 

3. What are three adjectives you associate with the month of June? Something you're looking forward to this month?

4. Tell us about a time (besides the obvious Corona answer) when you felt stuck in second gear.

5. Sum up your May in fifteen words or less.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

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.