The December Hodgepodge

Here goes my one and only December Wednesday Hodgepodge! Head on over to Joyce's at From This Side of the Pond to read other blogger's answers.

1. Do you believe in miracles?
Yep. I think I don't even realize the number of miracles that occur around me and in my life. I need to pray for God to open my eyes to those things, so I can praise Him for those miracles.

2. What's a recent fad you admit to trying?
Is putting a bright color in your hair a fad? Probably. I sneaked a little bright pink in my hair at my last appointment. It's not terribly obvious but I love it! (Might need to make it a little more obvious next time. ha.) 

3. Peppermint-are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite food or beverage containing peppermint?
Yes, yes, yes! I love peppermint any time of the year. I splurged today and bought some peppermint ice cream. I am usually strictly a chocolate girl when it come to ice cream. My exception to that is peppermint ice cream. (Although if I can drizzle some chocolate syrup on, even better!) Last weekend I bought some Peppermint Joe-Joe's (kinda like Oreos) from Trader Joe's.  I've had a couple and now am trying to forget how amazing they are. Writing about it isn't helping much... 

4. Break the ice, on thin ice, as cold as ice (emotionally, not literally)...which phrase have you run into most recently? Explain.
Sorry, but all I can think about when I read those expressions is how cold is has been here in the north-land. Can winter be over now please? A Facebook friend wrote last week how he was tired of winter and it wasn't Christmas or even technically winter yet. Hubby commented and said, "I'm sick of next winter and we haven't made it through this one." (I know that doesn't really answer the question...Oh Well.)

 5. Have you ever broken or spilled something in someone else's home? Still friends?
Many, many years ago when we lived in Missouri, our family visited the new home of a new engineer that worked with my hubby. They gave all of us some cans of pop as we looked around their house. One of the kids (I think it was a kid...yes, let's blame this on a kid...) dropped their can of pop all over the kitchen floor. I don't think it damaged anything, but it was embarrassing to leave a mess in someone's house we barely knew. Interestingly, years later, this same engineer, who is now in upper management in the company, was Hubby's boss for a few years! He never held it against us. 

6.  'Tis the week before Christmas...are you feeling more like Buddy the Elf or the Grinch before his heart grew?
Well, I never thought I would be one of those people, but I am feeling like the Grinch. (The reasons why are not going out into the world wide web.) Hopefully that will change over the next week. 

7. Share a favorite quote relating to Christmas.

"...with the dawn of Redeeming Grace."  

Last week Hubby and I went to a Mannheim Steamroller concert and I was caught up in worshipping while they were performing Silent Night and that one line stood out to me.

I am so grateful for that redeeming grace. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  

Hubby took this picture at an art/craft show we went to over Thanksgiving. I would call this creatively weird and random.

A Normal Hodgepodge

Let's throw some little bit normal on this blog and join in with the Hodgepodge!

1. What's one thing that's still the same about you as when you were young?

Besides the fact that I still have those two sisters and one brother, I still have that lovely cowlick. (I'm front center.)

2. What's more important-history or science? Why?
History. We need to remember where we came from in order to move on and grow.

3. Lima, kidney, string, garbanzo, black or pinto-your favorite bean?
 String Beans fresh from the garden.

4. What's something people come to your town to do?
 Hubby has been told that people from smaller towns and farms around here come to this town to retire since it is the biggest town in 50 miles. (And let's just say right here that having lots of retired people here does wonders for the traffic flow in town. Speed limit signs mean something like don't drive anywhere close to the speed listed here. The slower the better.)
I don't know what people would come here to do. There's not much to do here. (No movie theater, not many restaurants, pathetic shopping.)  There is a string of lakes, so I would guess the main thing would be boating or fishing or ice fishing. (Hubby and I don't do any of those things.) I wouldn't stick my big toe in any of those lakes, the water looks nasty.

5. When was the last time you were in a meeting? Sum it up for us in five words or less.
Advocating for my mom.
(With the doctor's nurse practitioner along with my dad, sister and brother-in-law.)
(Other than that, as a stay-at-home-wife, I don't have meetings to attend.)

6. What special event would you like a VIP pass to attend?
I thought and thought about this all day.  I can't think of a concert I'd really like to go to. Hubby is a big fan of Kansas City Royals baseball. I think it would be cool to be able to have tickets that would have us sit in a fancy box thing. (They do that for baseball, right?) I think Hubby would like that.

7. What's one piece of advice you'd give a writer?
Don't use too many fluffy and flowery words.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
My daughter and her husband have been in Thailand for the last two weeks. We'll see them this coming weekend and I can't wait to hear about their adventures!

But can I say that when I saw this on Daughter's Facebook I freaked out a little? 

That's my son-in-law rock climbing. Yikes! There some things I don't want to know about ahead of time. I heard my daughter telling someone they wanted to do some rock climbing while they were in Thailand. I think it would have been better for me to hear about this after the fact. I have spent several nights praying for their safety.
(Right after my daughter graduated from high school she went on a trip to Costa Rico with the Spanish Club. I cannot say how glad I was when she told me after she got home that she had done a zip-line over the rain forest. I was so glad I didn't know that was an option before she left.

(My Protective Mom Instinct doesn't fade with time and I don't apologize for it.)

A July Hodgepodge

I'm joining up with the Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. Click on over to Joyce's blog and read the other participant's answers to these questions or, better yet, link up yourself!

1. What's something people might ask you for help with?

I have had a few people ask me for a little help with making a quilt. Last fall my sister made her one and only quilt from a stack of our grandma's feed-sacks. We had a few texting and phone conversations during the process. She did a wonderful job!

I like to think that I would be asked for help with cooking, but the ever-knowing internet has taken over that job.

2. What's something you might ask someone else for help with?

I ask Hubby to help with vacuuming,  washing dishes, creating a spread sheet in Excel for me (his favorite) arranging quilt squares for me, and well, just lots of stuff. We make a good team.


3.  Did your family take summer vacations when you were a child? If so, where did you go? If you're a parent, did/do you plan summer vacations with your own family? Did/do they resemble those you took as a child?

Yes, we took vacations when I was a child. Every summer we went camping some where. And when I say camping, I mean in a tent. Quite often it involved driving ( six of us in a four-door sedan) across the country somewhere. Sometimes the trip included a conference that my dad attended. Sometimes we visited friends. Sometimes we just went camping. 

When our kids were growing up we tried to plan a vacation every summer. We even went tent camping a few times. While I enjoyed camping as a kid and the few times we went with our kids, Hubby and I decided that neither of us totally loved the whole camping thing. I don't think our tent has seen the light of day since 1997.

When the kids were very small, Hubby and I sat down and made a list of places we wanted to go with the kids. We managed to do several of those, but it got a bit derailed when we moved to Singapore. But then we were blessed to be able to travel to places we never thought possible.

Hubby and I just got back from what I dubbed The Giant Road Trip of 2013. We drove to the east coast. I'll blog about it later this week.

4.   Pool-lake-ocean...which one is most appealing to you on a hot summer day?

An air-conditioned house.
What? 
That wasn't one of the choices?
Fine.
Pool. I prefer a good-ole cement pond so I don't have to think about what might be lurking under the water. This thought was reinforced four years ago when a shark decided to nibble on my niece's foot and she had to get 42 stitches on her foot and ankle. When I was at the ocean recently, I only ventured in up to my ankles. I was just fine with that. 

5.  Have you ever justified using the expression, 'you gotta be cruel to be kind'?  Was it really necessary or were you rationalizing?

I don't think I've ever tried to follow that expression. I think it would fall under the category of rationalizing.

I have been on the receiving end of someone thinking being cruel was helpful. Take it from me it was not. It ruined the friendship.

6.  The Journal of Psychology recently mentioned the results of a survey identifying the ten most hated foods as-liver, lima beans, mayonnaise, mushrooms, eggs, okra, beets, brussel sprouts, tuna, and gelatin.  Of those foods, how many do you actually hate? Anything you'd add to the list?

Hate: Liver
Like:  Mayonnaise, Mushrooms, Eggs, Brussel Sprouts, Gelatin and Tuna if it's fresh and not canned
Have eaten, but care to not eat anymore, thank-you-very-much:  Okra, Beets, Lima Beans

7. What's your favorite book or movie set in a beach or lake town?

I thought about this all day yesterday and just could not think of an answer. Lame.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am wanting the advice of you people out there in blog-land. 
I have been considering buying a blender. For several years I had a blender attachment for my Oster Kitchen Center but for probably the last 10 years I haven't had a blender. I have a food processor and a hand-held blender. 

My questions are:
What would I use a blender for?
Is it useful for things that I can't do with my food processor or hand-held blender? 
What do you blog-land people use your blenders for?

I have this feeling that I am missing out by not having a blender. I found out after Hubby gave me a food processor for my birthday two years ago how much I was missing out on. Every single time I use that thing I think how much I love it and wonder how I lived without it for so long.

A Summer Hodgepodge

1. Summertime is a season of reunions, weddings, and other family celebrations and gatherings...are any of the above on your calendar in the next two months?

Last summer we had two weddings to go to. This summer we have none. Well, we were invited to one, but it was in Kansas the weekend after we were there for our daughter-in-law's graduation, so we opted to not go. 

Hubby and I are joining my side of the family at my sister's beach house in North Carolina. I think almost everyone will be there (parents, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces). Only my kids won't be there. (Oh well. Those girls of mine are busy with learning to be a pharmacist and a doctor.) 

2. June is National Iced Tea Month...are you an iced tea drinker? If so, how do you like yours (sweet, flavored, etc)? 

Good grief, I constantly drink Iced Tea! And not just in June... all year round.  I like black tea and no sweetener. Sometimes I like a little Earl Grey or Blackberry Sage. And decaf is better for me and my heart. When I was thinking about how much I drink Iced Tea, I decided that I am just like Uncle Si -- minus the beard and the jug of tea. I just get it from the fridge with plenty of ice, thank-you-very-much.

3. When were you last nervous?  Looking back, was the 'event' actually nerve-worthy?

I was nervous last week when an old friend came by for an hour or so. We seldom get company here, I forget how to be a hostess. (This was the first person besides the two of us and a plumber to be in this house since the day after Christmas. I cannot express how much I dislike that.) The visit turned out okay. I still feel like I am very rusty when it comes to being a hostess.

4. The bristle toothbrush was invented in China on June 26, 1498...not sure how that date was pinned down so precisely but, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being sick to your stomach and 1 being not at all, how nervous do you feel when you're headed to the dentist?  Do you see your dentist twice a year?

I'm usually not nervous when I see the dentist, so I'd say I'm at a 1. I don't have a history of a lot of dental work. Having said that, I was nervous when I had to get a crown done a couple of years ago. The plan is to see the dentist twice a year. We've kind of slacked on that here because we don't really like the guy we've gone to so we try to spread out the visits longer, if that makes any sense. 

5. What's making news in your town this week?

I have little to no idea. I don't read the local newspaper. Hubby takes it to work in the morning and tosses it there. The paper isn't very good and doesn't have a lot of local news, because in a small town there is only so much news to report. The one thing I would be interested in knowing about is when road construction on our road will be done, but if history is an indicator the paper won't be accurate about that anyway. Our road is the only road into the main part of town from this neighborhood. Our road goes between two lakes and the construction has been on a bridge over a channel between the lakes. So now to get to town we have to go into the country about 4 or 5 miles out of our way. Not a real big deal, but it will be nice when the drive to the ice cream place is only 3/4 of a mile rather than 4 1/2 miles. There are important things in life, you know. Grin.

6. Curtains, drapes, blinds...your window treatment of choice? Are there any bare windows in your house? Is that by choice or because you haven't gotten around to covering them? 

All the windows in this house have something on them except the kitchen window over the sink. I prefer that window to be bare. The rest have either matchstick blinds, wooden blinds or cordless shades. All the windows (except the kitchen) have some kind of fabric treatment. Some I bought, some I made. I really like the window treatments in this house. I am happy that NO windows have vertical blinds. I have had those in my previous two houses in the US and I am do not like them at all! (I never wanted to spend to money to replace them.)

7. Summertime is officially here (in the Northern hemisphere anyway)...what one song is a must-have on your summer playlist?

Monday night Hubby and I went out for supper together at one of the two decent restaurants in town. The playlist that night was 70s rock. We knew every single song that played the whole time we were there -- everything from Carole King to Chicago to Electric Light Orchestra to Elton John to Fleetwood Mac to Kansas. So I think a song from any of those would be great! (I know, I know -- I didn't choose just one. Sorry.)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  

This is one of my favorite photos that Hubby took when we were on our cruise in March. This was off an island in the Bahamas. Just look at that water....

A Late Afternoon Hodgepodge

Just to make myself actually write something on this blog, I'll join up with the Wednesday Hodgepodge late this afternoon. Click on the button to go over to From This Side of the Pond and read more people's answers to these questions.

1. Have you learned more from success or failure? Explain.
You know, I think most people would answer that they learn more from failure. But, I read Joyce's answer and I think I agree with her.
I learn more from success because then I have the courage to try something new again. If I fail at something, I'm less likely to try it again or to try something similar again.

2.  What did you call your grandparents when you were growing up? If you have children, what do they call your parents? If you have grandchildren, what do they call you?
I called all my grandparents Grandma or Grandpa. I would use the last name when trying to specify which person I was talking about. My kids started out calling my parents Nana and Papa, but eventually all their grandparents were called Grandma and Grandpa. Whenever the grandchildren arrive, I think I would like to be called Grammy.

3.  You're invited to a luau.  In keeping with that theme, what dish will you bring to share?
I'd probably make a giant fresh fruit salad with pineapple, mango and papaya being the lead fruits.

4. Besides Jesus, what one person's life story do you think everyone should know about?
Corri ten Boom

5. "Don't sweat the small stuff." Agree or Disagree? Why?
I think if you don't sweat small stuff and don't hang on to it then that's fine to let it slide. Also, one's person's small stuff may not be another person's small stuff. Hmmm. Something to think about.

6.  June is National Rivers Month. When were you last on a river? What's the prettiest river you've ever seen? What's a river you'd like to see?
We went on a Mississippi River cruise last October near St. Louis. It was interesting, but not the most scenic there along the river.

7.  Speaking of rivers-paddling, fishing, swimming, or bird watching safely from the shore? Which activity would you choose? Yes-you have to choose.

Bird watching would be cool. Especially if I knew what I was looking at. Grin. Last week we spotted a colorful bird in our front yard and I could not figure out what kind of bird it was. Hubby took a bunch of pictures and I looked in a bird book I have, but couldn't find a match. I finally emailed a couple of pictures to my mother-in-law (a bird expert) and she knew right away that it was a Scarlet Tanager. She said she has only seen one once.

 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I finally finished reading Jane Eyre. It was a free download for my Kindle, otherwise I don't think I would have ever read it. It liked it a whole lot more than I thought I would. I am glad I read in on my Kindle because there were a lot of words that I didn't know the meaning of and I could just tap on the word and up would pop a definition! When a book is written in 1847, some words are bound to change meaning or not be in use anymore. There were a lot of words that said archaic before the definition. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April showers bring May flowers...what have you been showered with this month?

 Snow!

This was the view out our front door Monday evening. Yes, this week! We have had snow every week this month. I am SO over the weather here.

2. What is the nature of compassion?  Is it learned or innate?  Can compassion be learned?  If you're a parent is this something you've purposely sought to instill in your children, and if so how?
I think that life teaches compassion.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ~2 Corinthians 1:3&4

3. Do you prefer to watch romantic comedy or romantic drama...or are you rolling your eyes saying bring on the action flicks?
I'm not a huge fan of action flicks. But then again, it all depends on what the action is. I don't like violent movies at all.  I mean not at all. Just ask my family what I did when they were watching "Last of the Mohicans". **shudder**  I tried to watch it, but the violence was just nasty. I often close my eyes or look away in the theater if there is a particularly violent scene.
Okay, let's move on to the next question....

4.  It's April which means baseball season is officially upon us here in the US of A. Humphrey Bogart is quoted as saying "A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." Agree or Disagree?
Disagree. To me, hot dogs are just okay. I don't remember the last time I ate one. 

5. What's something in your community or city that needs fixing or improving?
The first word that popped into my mind? EVERYTHING. There are so many run-down buildings in this town. There are way too many businesses that have used what I call machine shed architecture. (Imagine metal sided buildings.) It's ugly. There are barely any restaurants above fast food. There isn't a Target.

I'll stop now.

6. Share a song you enjoy that mentions flowers or a specific flower in its title.

Above All by Michael W. Smith

7. April 22nd is Earth Day...do you believe there's life on other planets?  That wasn't the question you were expecting was it? 
There's a song by Larry Norman called UFO. The song talks about Jesus and some of the lyrics are:

He will come back like He promised
With the price already paid
He will gather up His followers
And take them all away.

And if there's life on other planets

Then I'm sure He must know

And He's been there once already

And has died to save their souls.

That's all that really matters.
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
This winter that never ends is really getting to me. I feel almost claustrophobic.
Sorry to end on a depressing thought. But this is my reality right now.

A Mid-April Hodgepodge

I'm joining the Wednesday Hodgepodge a little later in the day than I usually do. I typically try to get linked up first thing after midnight, but I was too tired last night. So, even though I may not get as much traffic here today because of the later link-up, I thought I would go ahead and write my way through these questions. (I need something to motivate me to write on this blog.) Head on over to Joyce's  blog to see all those who linked up way earlier than me and go read their posts.

1. April 15th is the deadline for Americans to file their state and federal income tax returns.  What's a job you do on a regular basis that could be described as 'taxing'?
Let's just lump lots of jobs onto one and say housework. Those jobs never end. I remember my mom saying when I was still at home how she tired of thinking of what to fix for supper every night. I didn't understand it much then, but I sure do now!

2. I'm participating in the April A-Z blog challenge, and the Hodgepodge happens to fall on Day O this week. In keeping with that theme...olives, onions, oysters, okra...of the foods mentioned, what's your favorite O food?
OLIVES! I especially love Greek olives. Last New Year's Eve, Hubby and I ate at a nice restaurant and one of the appetizer choices was olives. I ordered some and enjoyed them all by myself. (Hubby isn't a fan.)

I took a picture and texted it to my daughter. We share the love of olives. :)


3. What is something memorable you experienced as a child that your own children (or future children/nieces/nephews) will not get to experience?
My children haven't experienced and my grandchildren will never experience getting up off the couch and walking across the room to change the channel on the television with a switch on the television set itself.

4. Term limits for our elected officials...your thoughts?
I think it's a good thing. A fresh mind is helpful.

5. On April 18th, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous 'midnight ride'...when did you last make a midnight ride?  Perhaps the fate of a nation wasn't hanging in the balance, but tell us where you were headed anyway.
I think the last time we were driving late was when we were driving to Colorado last summer to meet our kids for a week's vacation.  We were driving through Omaha, Nebraska at 10 pm and we thought we'd make it to Lincoln, Nebraska in another hour so we'd stop for a hotel there. We did stop only to be told that there were no hotel rooms available in the whole city. Sigh. I took the wheel, because Hubby was exhausted, and drove another hour to York, Nebraska. Same story there. No rooms. Hubby then called to Grand Island, Nebraska and lo and behold! An available hotel room! So, another hour down the road, we finally got to a hotel. (And can I just say here, that the state of Nebraska decided to resurface the entire length of I-80? We were driving in just two-way traffic and sharing it with all sorts of semi-trucks.) By this time it was 12:30 a.m. It felt good to lay down, I tell ya. But then a thunderstorm rolled through and I didn't get a lot of sleep. Sigh.
(We found out later that the reason for the lack of hotel rooms was that there were Olympic swim trials going on in Lincoln and the College World Series.)

6.  What would freak you out more...a mouse running across your floor or a big fat hairy spider?
A mouse for sure! I can stomp on a spider, but a mouse is just icky. When our son was just a little over a year old, a mouse an through the kitchen when I was feeding him breakfast. I screamed and it made him cry. Poor baby.

7. I love it when people ask me________________________?
I like to talk about quilting. Last fall one of my sisters embarked on a quilting project and called me and emailed me several times to ask me questions about how to do something.  I don't have any quilting buddies in real life so I enjoyed that.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Last night Hubby and I were just down-right frustrated with the lack of warm weather up here in the north land this spring. (We're supposed to get more snow tomorrow. Ugh.) We hopped in the car to see if the local ice cream place was open yet. IT WAS! So we indulged in some ice cream, trying to pretend it wasn't 41 degrees and there wasn't a snow bank that hasn't melted yet in front of the car.

Ice cream makes everything better!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you play games of luck/chance for money? Have you ever played bingo for money? Visited a casino?  Placed a bet on a horse? Bought a lottery ticket?
No. No. Briefly. No. No. (I'll explain the "Briefly" answer. Years ago, Hubby spent a week in San Juan, Puerto Rico on business. I flew down to spend a long weekend with him. The hotel he was staying in had a casino. So one night we wandered through and agreed to spend $20 on the slot machines. Which we promptly lost. We decided it was equal to flushing the $20 down the toilet. Pointless and a waste.)

2.  Will you be preparing and/or dining on the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage meal this St. Patrick's Day?
I don't believe I have ever eaten the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage meal on St. Patrick's day or any other day.
This St. Patrick's Day I will be basking in warmth and color somewhere in the Caribbean. Ahhhhh!
Last year I made this cake on St. Patrick's Day. It was more to honor my Swedish grandpa's birthday. It was on March 17th.

Mashed-baked-hash browned-french fried...your favorite way to have potatoes?
Yes-Yes-Yes-Yes. I'm not picky on how my potatoes are prepared. :)

3. What's the last thing you felt 'green with envy' over?
Reading people's blogs who live in the south and are talking about spring. We got 6 or 7 inches of snow Monday. Blech.

4.  What's at the end of your rainbow?
A big change in our lives. Hopefully.

5. March 12th marks the anniversary of the death of Anne Frank (June 12, 1929-March 12, 1945).  Anne's diary detailing her time spent hiding from the Nazi's during the war ranks as one of the best selling books of all time.  Besides your blog, do you keep any sort of diary or journal?  Was this a habit you developed as a child or is journaling something new for you?
I have never done much journal-ing in my life. I tried to keep one when I was in junior high. But I wasn't very good at it. I've looked at it recently and it's filled mostly with which boy I thought was cute that week. You know, stuff a 13-14 year old girl thinks about.
(We visited Anne Frank's place of hiding in Amsterdam in 2001. Very interesting and very sobering.

6. What's an item in your home or closet that contains every color of the rainbow?
I think I'd have to say my sewing room. No contest. There is so much fabric in there and in probably any color imaginable. :) It's wonderful. :)

7.  Write a limerick with you as the subject.  You can do it!!  Just remember this is a family friendly blog...don't make me get out my wooden spoon. 

There once was a lady who quilted
She sewed until she wilted
The quilts they were pretty
One was even itty-bitty
But none one them were gilted

(Oh my goodness that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever written!!! Ha ha ha!)
(You cannot imagine the stress when I read the phrase "Write a limerick." I never ever excelled at that part of school. Ever.)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I laughed out loud yesterday afternoon as I was watching TV in my sewing room.  The national news interrupted the programming with a Special News Bulletin to say that no Pope has been chosen. Huh? A news bulletin saying that nothing has happened? Someone needs to read this book.

A Lifesaver Hodgepodge

I have been struggling to find something to write about lately. There is just not much happening to produce much fodder for this here blog. I have really, really liked writing  on this blog for the last five plus years. I don't want to hang it up, I'd miss it too much.

It's times like this that I am happy that Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond hosts the Wednesday Hodgepodge. It gives me some great ideas to write about. Let's face it: it just gives me something to write!

 

 
1.  When were you last facing an ocean? Using just ONE word, describe how you felt as you faced that ocean.
Does the Gulf of Mexico count as the ocean? We were in Galveston, Texas a year ago last December. My one word? WOW. (The ocean is so vast!)

2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?
A dog barking incessantly.
The sound that happens when a car hits another car. (Thankfully haven't heard that for a long time.)
Snowmobiles in the field next to our house. They tend to idle right by our house. They are loud.

3. When you shop for yourself, do you try everything on in the store before buying or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?
I try things on in the store. The main reason for that is that I live, at the least, 60 miles from stores I like to shop in (i.e. not WalMart). It would be a pain to have to drive 60 miles back just to return things. I do order plenty of things online. If I need to return one of those items, I will try to coordinate it with a trip to the city that has the store. I'm cheap when it comes to having to pay postage. I know, I know. It costs money to drive somewhere. I guess I'll take any excuse to drive somewhere that has actual stores and real restaurants.

4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut? Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?
Yes, I like pistachios. I love to just eat them right out of the shell.

5. When did you last have to compromise with someone?  Were you happy to reach the compromise or slightly irritated it was necessary? 
My last compromise was likely with my hubby. I don't remember details. But the likelihood that I pouted is quite high. I tend to pout and then I have to have a talk with myself to shape up. (Maybe someday I'll grow up. There's always hope!)

6.  Have you ever written a letter to an elected official? Did you get a response?
Nope.

7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of this week...what's something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?
Ahhhhhhh! (That's me screaming with excitement...) In a couple of weeks we are meeting my parents and my siblings and siblings-in-law in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to go on a week-long cruise to celebrate my parents' 60 wedding anniversary. (Can you imagine being married for SIXTY YEARS? I hope I am blessed with that!) I am very much looking forward to being warm. That makes me smile just thinking about it. Warm. No coats. Capris. Sandals. Ahhhh!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I'm also looking forward to a trip to the southern Carolina in April. Spring should be in full swing there. (Definitely won't be here in Minnesota.) We hope to combine some pleasure along with the business Hubby has to do there.

Hodgepodge

I'm joining up with the Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. Click on over to Joyce's blog and read the other participant's answers to these questions or, better yet, link up yourself!

1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'?  You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.

Last summer we spent a week in Colorado. I didn't climb to the top of a mountain, but this was my favorite photo while we were in the mountains.

Hubby and daughter, Megan, climbed a 14,000 foot peak. What a view from that mountaintop!

2. Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?
Have you met my husband? Yes, we have a budget and we always have. When Hubby was a child he wrote down every penny he earned and every penny he spent. He even kept track of the money he would find behind the pop machines. I highly admire his ability to keep us on track financially. We continue to keep track of everything we spend. I have a 3x5 card in my wallet I write down whatever cash I spend.
What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?
The first year we were married we took a Sunday school class about finances from a very wise man. We have used his Biblical principles ever since.
One piece of advice: Start setting aside money for retirement, start the practice of giving money to God, keep track of every penny, don't make hasty financial decisions. (Okay, okay, I know that's more than one thing.)

3. Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one. 
I have no problem picking just one from this list. Cherry pie. I made one for my hubby a few months ago. Sooo yummy!

4. Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know? 
I would probably talk religion, but not politics.

5. When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger? 
Recently, I tend to like to be the passenger. When our kids were little, I liked to drive so I didn't have to entertain the kids constantly.
Where were you headed on your last road trip?
Last weekend we headed to Kansas to see our kids. (More on that tomorrow...)

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?
Green. I like almost any shade of green. (Not a fan of hunter green, emerald green, kelly green.)

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?
The four Senior Citizens in this photo are my favorites. Why? They are my parents and in-laws. After June 1st they will be 81, 82, 83, and 84 years old. My parents celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next month and my in-laws will celebrate their 56th anniversary this summer. How awesome is that?

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I watched Downton Abbey twice this week. The outcome of the last episode didn't change the second time even though I yelled at the TV. When does the next season start? I'm afraid to Google it because I don't want to spoil what will happen in Season 4.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm joining up with the Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. Click on over to Joyce's blog and read others answers to these questions or even better, link up yourself!

1.  This week marks the beginning of Lent...will you be giving something up or adding anything to your life during this season of the year?
I have never done anything to observe Lent. I used to think the whole "give up something for Lent" was silly. But I base that on some high schools friends who gave up earth shattering things like chocolate, chewing gum or soda pop. But now that I'm older, I understand the concept a little better. It is something I would be willing to look into sometime in the future.

2. The day before Lent is Shrove Tuesday... tradition states you eat pancakes on this day. In some parts of the world Shrove Tuesday is actually known as 'pancake day'. How do you like your pancakes? Or don't you?
Pancakes are yummy! I went out for breakfast yesterday morning, but opted for cinnamon french toast. When I have pancakes, I like them with a smidge of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.

3.  I'm sure there are many, but what's one love song you really love?
Well, this one is my hubby's favorite:



And just for fun and giggles:

(Is it sad I can still sing along with this?)

4.  What are some things you do to let others know you love them?
One of my love languages is Gifts. I love to give the perfect gift and I love to receive gifts. I love the thought that goes into choosing a gift. Another love language of mine are Words of Affirmation. I try to express to my loved ones how I feel about them and I try to encourage them. I need to study the love language of those I interact with to know how to communicate in their language.

5.  Roses...red, pink, or do you prefer another color? 
I love yellow roses. I based the whole color scheme of our wedding based on that.

Can you recall the last time someone gave you flowers?
My sweet daughter and her husband sent me flowers for my birthday.

Given your choice would you like to open the door and see a dozen red roses, a dozen purple tulips, or a dozen pink peonies?
Frankly, I don't care what type of flowers. I just love opening the door to flowers, or to Hubby coming in the door with flowers. I'm not picky. :)

6.  President's Day will be celebrated in America next Monday. Does US Presidential history and trivia interest you?  Many Presidential homes are open to the public and offer guided tours...Monticello (Jefferson's home), Mount Vernon (Washington's home), Montpelier (James Madison's home), Hyde Park (FD Roosevelt's home) and The White House (home to the sitting President) to name just a few. Of those listed which would you be most interested in touring? Why?
I would be interested in touring of any of those if I was in the area of them. I like history.

7.  Are you good at keeping secrets? 
Keep secrets from my hubby? Not good at all. Every single time I have thought to myself, "I won't tell him that", he knows by the end of the day. Well, who am I kidding? Sooner than that. Christmas and birthdays are torture!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I've been busy in in sewing room working on my next quilt. I've been busy sewing 394 little squares on 234 bigger squares. (Seriously, those are the numbers.) Yes, tedious. But TV keeps me distracted.

If you doubt my numbers, I figured it all out on graph paper. And I did math and everything!

End of January Hodge Podge

1.  In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl.  What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?

In the last three and a half years I've been to a few quite super events. Two were the weddings of my kids. I don't think anything will ever match that.

On a different level, seeing Wicked in Chicago for my 50th birthday was pretty super. I'd love to go to New York City one day to see a performance on Broadway. If only my birthday wasn't in January.

2.  Share something you're a fan of these days?

Oh Downton Abbey for sure! Before December 24 I had never seen a single episode and wasn't particularly interested. We gave our daughter-in-law the first two seasons on DVD for Christmas and sat down to watch "one or two episodes" on Christmas Eve. Boom. I was hooked. (And so was everyone else that was here.) We ended up watching all of Season 1 before our son and daughter-in-law went back home and had the nerve to take her present with them. Sheesh. ;) Over New Year's weekend, Hubby and I tried to find Season 2 to rent, to no avail, and ended up buying it (and Season 1) at Target. Anyway....Sunday nights find us parked in front of the TV tuned in to PBS. (And can I just say? Last Sunday's episode was heartbreaking!)

3. How do you feel about wings?  What's your preferred seasoning on a wing-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other?  Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?

It probably sounds cliche, but I like to go to Buffalo Wild Wings. I've had several different things there and several kinds of wings there. My favorite have a chipotle rub on them. I really like spicy food, but not so spicy you can't taste anything but heat and your head is sweating spicy. I've never tried to make my own wings.

4.  As long as we're talking sports today...have you followed the Lance Armstrong story?  Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks?

It bothers me that Mr. Armstrong cheated and doesn't seem to be remorseful about it. My brain just does not work that way.

5.  What's a question you hate to be asked?  

How do you like living in Small Town? (and related questions) I don't like it here and I don't like answering that question because my answer is not what most people expect to hear or want to hear. It's especially awkward when the person asking is someone who has lived here for a long time.

6. The coaches in this Sunday's big game happen to be real life brothers.  Were you and your sibling(s) competitive?  In what way? Are you still?  If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up?  

My siblings and I were not very competitive with each other.  I know I don't have a competitive bone in my body. I play Words with Friends and Scrabble on Facebook. I recently told my hubby and a friend that I never look at the statistics of how many games won/lost and they were both astonished. I really don't care if I win or loose. As a matter of fact, if I'm beating someone by a lot of points, I feel kind of bad and try to play words without too many points. (I will say that if I'm beating my hubby -- which happens about once every 42 years -- I try hard to actually win that game.) A game? Oh, it's just for fun!

7.  What's your favorite game involving a ball and when did you last play?

Um....see answer to previous question. I am not a huge sports fan. I will attend an occasional basketball or baseball game. Twelve years ago I took golf lessons and learned that I don't want to play golf. ha.  But to answer the question, my favorite game involving a ball is watching my hubby play golf. Last summer we went golfing quite a bit. He plays. I drive the cart. I like spending time with him like that. And driving the golf cart was my favorite part of the golf lessons, after all. grin

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

A Hodgepodge of Questions

Time to answer some of Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge questions. 

Since it's Wednesday and all, you know.

1. The popular saying, 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly.  Is he right?
No. If an action is a sin, then it is not "fair" no matter the circumstances.

2. Are you a cereal eater?  What's your favorite kind?
Not typically. If I do eat cereal, I would choose granola.
Interesting tidbit:
When my kids were little and I gave them cereal for breakfast, I gave it to them with no milk only because I didn't want to mess with the wet, goopy mess. To this day, those kids will eat their cereal dry. They have even been known to eat Grape Nuts with no milk. That makes for a loud breakfast!

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the gun blows bubbles).  She did not have the gun with her at school.
A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record.  The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts?  (If you missed the story click here for details).
My thoughts? Just one: Good grief.

4. Whatever happened to_____________________________?
The silver dollars my great-aunt put in my stocking when I was a little girl? I haven't been able to find them and I am just sick about it. I remember one had the date of 1923. I can not figure out where they are.

5.  January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil.  
Do you like your handwriting? 
I've never been a huge fan of my handwriting, but when I look back at something I wrote twenty years ago I think it looks okay. I think the lack of actual writing of late hasn't helped my handwriting any. Hubby says I have good handwriting.
Do you prefer to print or write in cursive?
If I am writing a list (like a grocery list of a to-do list), I tend to print. If it's something longer, like taking notes in church, or (gasp) writing an actual letter, I write in cursive. I prefer cursive, I think.
This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock. What's the last thing you signed your name to?
I signed my name on the charge at the grocery store yesterday. Although the machine pad I signed was so bad there's no way to tell if it was really my signature. I always feel like I'm a three year old trying to write my name on those things. When I do write my signature on a real piece of paper with a real pen, I'm amazed at how well I can actually write it.
Interesting tidbit: Before I was married, my whole name: first, middle initial and last, was a total of nine letters. I could fill up the whole blank on a check with those nine letters. After I was married, my last name grew to eleven letters long (and no, I don't hyphenate). I learned to start my signature on the checks before the line started.

6. Speaking of John Hancock...ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love?  

Nope. Never been to Philadelphia. Yep. I'd like to go there some day.

Interesting tidbit regarding John Hancock:

Years ago we went on a wonderful vacation to New Zealand. One of the places (a farm stay) we stayed asked us to sign their guest book. I started to make a comment about putting "my John Hancock" there and then suddenly realized they probably would have no idea what I meant by that. I asked them if they were familiar with that statement and they said no. So I enlightened them with a bit of American history.

(This post is just chock-full of interesting tidbits!) (You're welcome.)

7.  Share something funny you've heard a child say.  

Sadly, I'm not around little ones too much lately. I really miss that. A lot. I'll share what (I saw on Facebook) my nephew's little two year girl calls a fast food place: Chick-a-fway. Kids are awesome. I so love reading about and seeing photos of that little girl on Facebook.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Back on December 5, Joyce asked if there was something we wanted to accomplish before the end of the year. I answered that I wanted to read The Hobbit. I had thought I'd read it all before we saw the movie, but that didn't happen. I thought I would finish it before the year ended. That didn't happen. But TODAY I finished reading it! It's pretty clear to me now that the fantasy genre is not my favorite genre. BUT I FINISHED IT!
Interesting tidbit (I just had to add one more!): I first learned the word genre when my son was in the 4th grade. His teacher taught me that. ;)

A Snowy Hodgepodge

 

It snowed yesterday so I think it's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge! (yeah, I know, random...) Go on over to Joyce's blog and play along. Or you can just read through all those who linked up. Or both.

1. How will you spend 'the night before Christmas'?
Well, that all depends on how "Christmas" is defined. In my world, Christmas is a different day each year and most of the time it is not on December 25th. This year we'll be having our Christmas celebration with the kids on the 24th. So 'the night before Christmas' is on the 23rd. We will all be gathering here and enjoying a spaghetti supper.

2.  What is one thing you are not?
I am not a morning person. But then, I don't think that's a newsflash to anyone who knows me in person, or anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time. (In fact, Sunday morning when I got up, my sweet Hubby brought me a glass of iced tea [yes, I drink it year round] and said as he was walking out of the bedroom, "I'll let you have your wake up time." Smart man. He knows me well after all these years.

3.  Fudge-are you a fan?  Your favorite flavor?
Is there any other flavor than Chocolate? I do like fudge and if it's chocolate with some sort of nuts in it even better. I don't eat much of it because it is super sweet. I don't remember having ever made it myself.

4. Did you attend any craft/vendor fairs in the month of December? Do you prefer homemade goodies or the more professional stalls? Are you giving any homemade gifts this year?
I have not attended a craft fair in a very long time....as in years. I'm only giving one handmade gift and I probably better not say what it is. I will say, I got myself all sidetracked with making those quilts for those adorable twins that I didn't do more handmade things like I thought I might.

5. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering?

My favorite would be when I am with our kids. Last year we celebrated Christmas with them on New Year's Eve or what I called: Happy New Christmas Merry Year's Eve Day. It was a really fun day with them.

6. We're approaching a new year...what's going to be different in 2013?
I know some things I would love to be different, but I have no idea if it will be a reality....

7. Share a favorite scripture, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to peace.

“God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.”

-C.S. Lewis

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Snow on the ground means snowmobiles zipping around the field next to our house. Blech.

A December Hodgepodge

A little Wednesday Hodgepodge for this December day. Go on over to Joyce's blog and play along. Or you can just read through all those who linked up. Or both.

1.  Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking.
When I was growing up we spent most Christmas Eves at my grandfather's 1919 farm house.There was no fireplace, so we hung Grandpa's socks (with a red heel and toe -- think sock monkey) in the drawers of the built-in buffet in the dining room. We would wake up early and try to sneak down the squeaky stairs. We knew the outside edges of the stairs weren't quite as squeaky and tried to descend by walking along the edges. The stockings always had an orange and a chocolate bar and sometimes a silver dollar.
When I was in junior high, my mom made some stockings for us four kids for their house. She used red felt and scraps from all the clothing she (and us girls) had made over the years. A few years later I made some for my mom and dad and then have made umpteen more as the family grew. My sister has taken over the last several years. Here's a picture of my parents' fireplace. You can see how packed that fireplace is behind my great-niece. (Or is it grand-niece? I still don't know!)

I believe there are twenty-five stockings hanging there.
Here's a closer up, but not very good because it's cropped photo. The girl stockings have mostly flowered fabrics and the boy stockings are checks and plaids and stripes.

I made stockings the first year we were married. The names are candy-cane designed letters crossed stitched on.

 I have enough of that red fabric to make one more stocking...just in case.

Sometimes we don't just hang our stockings on the fireplace.

We haven't always had a fireplace to hang them on. For years we used a peg board (that we are currently using to hand our coats on in the mud room). We have even packed these in a suitcase and taken them to Christmases we celebrated in New Zealand and Australia. I always put a candy-cane in the stockings and we wrap the little gifts (mostly because it's way too tempting to peek inside). We typically open our stockings the night before we open presents. The specific day we do that changes every year. We haven't continued with the stockings with the kids since they were married. I'm the one who made that decision and recently, I've been wondering if that was the right decision. Maybe we need to have a family talk about that this Christmas when we are all together.

2.  How many hours of sleep do you average at night?  Is it enough?
I get anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night. The closer to 9 hours of sleep, the more rested I feel. I am blessed to not have to get up early for anything in particular, so I typically sleep until I wake up. I spent a lot of years getting up early with my kids and since I am nothing close to a morning person, the fact that I get to sleep until whenever in the morning is bliss.

3.  If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?
Give up something this time of year? Isn't that what New Year's resolutions are for?

4.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals?
Not really. (Sorry, Joyce.) I just hear whatever is said on the news.

5.  For me,  the sound of childhood is__________________.
LEGOS clinking together, coloring, laughter, a boy bounding down the stairs, a girl humming, grilled cheese sandwiches cooking (and likely being burned on one side), macaroni and cheese being stirred,  a piano, saxophone and trumpet being played, snuggles on nights filled with thunderstorms.

6.  Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?
Yay! My mom always makes fruitcake and I really like it. She forgets that I like and thinks my brother is the only one who likes it. :) I hope she makes it this year... (Mom?) I should look to see if it's in our family cookbook. If it isn't, then I need to copy the recipe next time I am at my parents' house.
Favorite dessert made with fruit.... I made a cherry pie a few weeks ago that was particularly yummy.

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?
I want to read The Hobbit. Hubby has convinced me I need to read it before we see the movie. Today I just finished the last book in a series and set The Hobbit on my nightstand. I have ten days before the movie comes out.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Here's my son and sweet daughter-in-law showing off their Hobbit feet. Maybe I'll know more of what the heck they are talking about when I get done with that book. (And see the movie.) (See previous question.)

100th Hodgepodge

It's late in the afternoon on Wednesday, but still Wednesday so I can still answer these Wednesday Hodgepodge questions, right? Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond has been writing up these questions for a long time. This is the 100th list. I've been praying for Joyce and her husband since they live in north-west New Jersey and hurricane Sandy smacked right into the area.

1. What creeps you out?
Caves. I hate going into caves. Dark, damp, under ground. No. Thank. You.

2. What's your least favorite candy?
I am not a fan of super sour candy or candy whose only flavor is super sweet sugar. It needs to be chocolate, of course.

3. Are you a fan of scary movies?  What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?
Am I a fan of scary movies? No, no, no, no, no. I hate scary movies. I think the scariest movie I have seen was Halloween when I was in high school. I remember going back home and turning on EVERY SINGLE LIGHT IN THE WHOLE HOUSE. My poor parents. I refuse to see anything remotely scary.

4. What part of life confuses you the most?
Why there is so much pain in life.

5. Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy...what's your favorite seed?
Let's go with which one is my least favorite... I don't like pumpkin seeds very much. The other three are very yummy! My daughter-in-law made a cookie with sunflower seeds in it that were so yummy. And I just love sesame seeds or poppy seeds on a bagel. And lets not forget a yummy Lemon Poppy-seed Cake!

6. Imagine your life ten years from today...what's changed?
In ten years Hubby will likely be retired. I really, really look forward to him not working every day. I can't see me wanting him out of the house. I look forward to not having to count vacation days. In ten years I also see us finally living somewhere we choose. I cannot wait!

7.  What do you a) love the most and b) like the least about the Hodgepodge?
a) I like the variety of the questions. It's fun to come up with creative answers.
b) I don't like that some weeks I just don't feel creative and then I choose to not participate.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
I am a huge fan of  buying shoes on Zappos.com. I have stupidly wide feet and have a hard time finding shoes in a real store. I have found a lot of shoes on Zappos.com. The best part is there is no shipping charge. When I get a box of shoes (yes, I order several pairs at a time), I try them on, decide which ones I like and then I can just print out a label and drop the box off at the post office. Simple! Zappos.com sells a lot more than shoes. Last year I bought a roaster through the site for Thanksgiving. The shipping is ridiculously fast. I usually get a shipment in 1 or 2 days. (Totally random thought, huh?)

Wednesday HodgePodge

I'll take a break from writing about our vacation and answer the Wednesday Hodgpodge questions from Joyce @ From This Side of the Pond today.

1. Noah Webster was born this week back in 1758....besides the online version, do you own a dictionary?  Do you ever use the hardback copy or is your hunt for a definition strictly online these days?
Hubby's parents gave him a dictionary when he graduated from high school. It's red. His brother and sister have the same one in their homes. It was a very appropriate gift since their father was an English teacher. We have used that dictionary a lot over the years. I rarely use the the hardback copy anymore. I always have my phone near me and to use the red one would mean I'd have to go into the living room to get it off the book shelf. An added bonus to my online version is it will pronounce the word for me. I never could figure out all those signs and symbols.

2.  Should public schools ban Halloween celebrations?  What about other holiday celebrations currently under fire? 
I've never been a fan of Halloween, so frankly I would love to see it out of the schools. Since I don't have any kids in school anymore, I guess I'm not aware of the controversy.

3.  What's your favorite 'dog' movie? 
The cursor has been sitting here blinking at this spot for several minutes and nothing is coming to mind, so let's just go with Old Yeller. Yes, I have seen it. It's been a long time, but I remember I liked it.

4.  When were you last somewhere you'd describe as 'too quiet'?
Every day at my house. I have actually had days that I don't utter a word until Hubby gets home from work. Not even to myself or to the TV. 

5.  Are you a neat cook or a messy cook?  In other words do you clean as you go or make a big mess and then deal with it later? 
I think I'm more of a neat cook. I tend to put things in the dishwasher as I get them dirty. But I still manage to have a mess to clean up at the end. Is that possible?


6.  Did you hear about Felix Baumgartner, the skydiver who broke the sound barrier via parachute?  Was your first thought  COOL! or was your first thought CRAZY!  Are you adventurous? 
CRAZY! I am less and less adventurous the older I get. Guess I'm getting old and boring.

7.  What's not a word but should be?
DECRUPID.
 Hubby insists it's really decrepit, but I never say it that way. I am positive my way is correct. ha.
;) wink, wink

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I know I'm in the minority, but Fall is not my favorite season. I am in love with spring. I love to feel things warming up and watch the earth come back to life. I love watching the trees leafing out and turning green and I love seeing flowers bloom. I'll leave you with a favorite picture of tulips in bloom in Pella, Iowa.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. In your opinion what's the most important job in the world? Oh, and parenting is a given so besides parenting, what's the most important job in the world?

I would have to say Farmers. If not for them, where would we get our food? If you haven't yet read my post about some friends of ours from college days who are farmers, click here and make sure you watch the video. You'll be glad you did.

2. Share a favorite or not so favorite memory from a childhood birthday.

I loved that my mom made cut-up shape cakes for our birthdays. We got to pick out from a book what we wanted and she would make it for us. It was so exciting to come into the kitchen the morning of my birthday and see the magical cake!

3rd Birthday (A Rocking Horse Cake)

4th Birthday (A Dog Cake)

5th Birthday (A Giraffe Cake)

3. Peanut butter-crunchy or smooth? 

Crunchy for sure! I want to try to make my own peanut butter. I doubt putting some peanuts in my food processor and hitting the button will be very hard. I think that's all I'll need to do, besides possibly adding a little oil and a little salt. Some recipes I've seen have called for honey, but I don't care for peanut butter that is too sweet.

4. William Butler Yeats is credited as saying, "Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth, We are happy when we are growing." Your thoughts?
Personally, I think growing or learning to be a better person, is painful. When I look back after I've been through one of those growth periods, I'm thankful and (sometimes) understand the purpose of the growing season.  But more often I don't always understand the purpose. But I trust God. I am happy when my eyes are on God. If you want to read more, I expounded on this in this post.

5. What's something that makes you cringe?

Watching Funniest Home Videos. Especially when it shows people doing not-very-smart-stunts.

6. Name a song that always puts you in a good mood? 

Mandisa's song Good Morning (I posted the video yesterday) or Mary Mary's Shackles. (I guess that was two songs...)

7. The answer is yes. What's the question?
Am I looking forward to cooler weather?

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I have a texting buddy that I am so thankful for. She and I were friends eons ago when Hubby and I first got married. She and I sat next to each other in the alto section of the church choir. Then we moved, and they moved, and we moved, and they... well,. somewhere in there we lost touch for several years. About 4 years ago, I got and email from her. We live 370 miles apart and we've only seen each other a couple of times, but we text often. I just love it! Sort of a modern day pen-pal.