Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 546

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. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

2. It's spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? Flowers, vegetables, or a bit of both?

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person? In what sort of situation is patience not desirable? Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? 

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what's your favorite something made with cinnamon? 

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Heavens Declare

The sun rose with quietness and great beauty on this springtime Monday morning-

Later the skies did their thing. We were not in the path of totality for this particular eclipse like we were back in 2017, but we still popped outside and wore our special glasses to take a look. The sky grew darker than normal, but not complete darkness like we experienced seven years ago. 

Seven years ago. 

Is it just me or has our nation gone crazier? Nuttier? Meaner and less harmonious than ever before in a quick seven years? I mean I imagine 1775 was rough, but there was no social media, no internet in fact, so news traveled slower and civility amongst strangers was a thing, even though there was a literal war going on.  

I remember in 2017 how excited we all felt for the big event. There was a real buzz in the air, parties were organized, the media was it's usual over-the-top self, but in an upbeat sort of way. This time around there's been a lot of doom and gloom in the reporting. A bit of fear mongering about what this particular eclipse might mean. 

2024 America is exhausting. 

While our country may not be in a literal civil war it certainly feels like we're in the middle of something more than a quarrel. When I sit down to blog I find myself thinking about what areas of our lives remain untouched by anger and friction, and I'm hard pressed to come up with a single one. This weighs heavy on the minds of almost everyone I talk to. Most of us are longing for less conflict while struggling to see how we as a nation get there. 

Then today happens. The intricacy and design of the heavens remain mysterious and unfathomable. 

As the moon passes into the path of the sun I'm reminded once again that God is on His throne. Still master of the universe He created and set in motion. Still working out His plan for this tired troubled earth and the people He loves.

Which is all of us. 

Keep looking up.  

What's Up?

Hi. It's been a while. I say that a lot here, but I always feel the need to explain that it has indeed been a while. Nearly a month if you don't count the Hodgepodges. Which I do appreciate because that weekly link up keeps me tethered here when life pulls and tugs. 

So what is up? Well for starters, my odometer. I've logged some miles here in the past month y'all, mostly revolving around our mamas. 

My mother-in-law had a birthday in early March and hubs and I drove over to TN to spend the weekend with her. We took her out for a celebratory dinner, then drove her to daughter2's the next day so she could meet her newest great granddaughter. I posted this pic on a recent Hodgepodge but am adding it here too because its cute and it fits. 

The next week my mama came to town and I also drove her to daughter2's so she could meet our newest little love-

Then came Easter. We had a wonderful day starting with church, followed by lunch with some friends here right after. 

I love a pretty spring table. 

Spring in the neighborhood too. 

The day before Easter my mama, my sister, my niece and I all met up at a university about an hour from me for a special Easter program they have every year. Works of art relating to Jesus life and death are brought to life by actors who hold so very still you're not sure if they're real or not. There's music and narration and its beautifully done. 

The day after Easter daughter2 drove here with her crew to spend the week. Her hubs had business in our area, and his grandparents live in this general vicinity, so it was their turn to meet baby girl. 

Four great grandparents. What a blessing to be loved and prayed for by so many. 

We had a grand time all week with sweet baby J and his little sis.

 Hubs took him for his first kayak trip around the cove-

He absolutely loved it. We also read books, stacked blocks, raced cars, and we watched the birds and the sunrise too...

J caught his first fish-

With a little help but still, he was here for it. His favorite part? 

Holding the worm lol. Snips and snails and puppy dog tails...

In case anyone is wondering, today I sipped coffee in my pjs until 11 o'clock. 

It was very necessary. 

April Showers Bring The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another 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 your neighbor there. Here we go- 

1. What's a talent you wish you had? 

Singing. I've always wanted to sing well, or at least in tune lol. 

2. In one word, what's your state of mind right now? 

buzzing

3. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? 

We need a car. Probably two cars, but we'll start with one (hubs). It won't happen this month, and while we'd love to wait until next year, I think it will probably end up being sooner. 

Have I told you car shopping is my least favorite kind of shopping? 

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day...did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What's your favorite kind of jelly? 

I did not celebrate. I like peanut butter and jelly okay, but I very rarely have it. I can't remember the last time I made a pb & j sandwich. I prefer peanut butter on toast, no jelly. 

What's my favorite jelly? It depends on what I'm in the mood for, but apricot is probably my fave. 

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

Easily? Hmmm...I hate conflict, but I wouldn't say I'm easily intimidated. I'm pretty comfortable in groups and in places where I don't know anyone, and I don't mind speaking in front of a crowded room.  I know some people find that sort of thing to be intimidating. 

Bullies. I cannot abide them and yes, there are still grown adults who act like bullies. I suppose dealing with them can be a bit intimidating, but I think that's mostly because I know there will be unnecessary conflict. I avoid interacting with a bully when avoidance is an option. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Enjoying a couple of days with daughter2 and her two little cuties in the house. This little guy had a big time kayaking with his Pawpaw...

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 545

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

1. What's a talent you wish you had? 

2. In one word, what's your state of mind right now? 

3. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? 

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day...did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What's your favorite kind of jelly? 

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hodgepodge Madness

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. Here we go-

1.What do you love about your life right now? 

Grandchildren. I'm a broken record I know. 

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? 

I couldn't stand spinach as a child, but I love it now. I like a spinach salad, but also love it sauteed and topped with a splash of apple cider vinegar. 

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why. 

Normally I'm way too much in my head, but life has been spinning wildly since November of last year, and I still feel like I need to sit down and regroup for 2024. 

4. Are you following the 'March Madness' madness? (That's US college basketball in case you're out of the loop) What's something that feels like actual madness to you right now? 

We enjoy following March Madness in our house. We make brackets and create a family group where we see who has the most points, no money involved, just bragging rights for the winner. We're big Tennessee fans and they're still in it, so that's been fun plus super nerve-wracking to watch. 

What feels like actual madness to me right now? Hmmm....so hard to choose but I guess the chaos at the border, really the actual lack of borders (hence the very definition of a country) would rank right up there. I don't really understand why it's controversial or cruel to know who's entering our country or to expect people to follow the law. 

I  feel like I ranted about this in another post recently, but it continues to be maddening. 

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year? 

A couple of years ago some neighbors who also attend our church, invited us (and three other couples) to have Easter lunch with them. We all have grown kids who live away, and who won't be in town for the holiday, so this makes the day still feel warm and cozy. 

Everyone brings a dish or two to add to the meal so it's not an excessive amount of work for the host. Last year one of the other couples in the group offered their home, so this year we offered ours. We'll all go to church, then lunch here afterwards. I'm sure it will be a great afternoon. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I mentioned in a recent Hodgepodge ('cuz that's all I manage to get on the blog lately) that I had some canvases made for a wall in my office that was in need of a bit of zhuzzing. I use the company Canvaspop, which I've been very pleased with. I'm sure I'll change these out periodically, but for now here's my wall of happy-

Wishing you all the blessings of Easter!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 544

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

1.What do you love about your life right now? 

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? 

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why. 

4. Are you following the 'March Madness' madness? (That's US college basketball in case you're out of the loop) What's something that feels like actual madness to you right now? 

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.