Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 548

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. When did you last have cancelled plans? Were you happy about that or disappointed? 

2. On a scale of 1-10 how much of a planner are you? 

3. Do you have a menu plan for the week? If so tell us one or two things that are on it. If not, what's your plan for not having a plan lol? 

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Bucket List Day. Do you have a bucket list? Is it written down or just in your head? What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a list, what is one thing you'd add to a list if you did? Yes I'm going to make you think about it. 

5. Rain buckets, a drop in the bucket, couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, sweat buckets, cry buckets...which 'bucket' idiom applies to your life in some way currently? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

What To Expect When You're Expecting (not that kind)

The kind of expecting where you're looking forward to something happening and then it does, but not in the way you expected. 

I spent this past weekend with daughter2, mostly holding baby girl who we've decided going forward will be known here as 'Sugar'.  She's so sweet y'all. 

Anyway, I spent almost all of my time with this little miss in my arms so daughter2 could hold her brother. He was feeling puny, wanting momma and only momma. You kind of forget what it's like to have sick kids in the house until you have sick kids in the house. 

Was this our weekend plan? 

No it was not. The original weekend plan was for both my girls to be in Tennessee with their littles while all of our hubs had their own obligations to tend to. I'd been looking forward to this for weeks because it's been a long while since it was just us girls (plus their 5 small children, but whatever). This was going to be both girls and me in the same place at the same time, no boys allowed. 

Except for the 6 and under set of course. 

Anyway, we girls were going to have some fun, take a picnic to the park, laugh a lot at all the cousins playing together in their matching cousin t-shirts, share deep thoughts and skin care products, and gab late into the night (well, later than 8:30 which is our usual bedtime when kids are in the house) for three complete whole entire days. 

Didn't happen. 

I did drive to daughter2's on Thursday, and daughter1 did plan to arrive with her crew on Saturday. 

There's that word again-plan. 

Things started off nicely. Friday morning daughter2 needed to visit the jeweler so we loaded up the baby and big brother and off we went. While my daughter was in the shop chatting about an order I was outside with the mister watching a large construction crew operate all the big equipment just across the highway. There were cranes and bulldozers, dump trucks filling and dumping, and best of all a 'digger', all making a lot of noise and moving a lot of dirt and rock. Little man was in heaven. When he waved at the digger operator the driver lifted the bucket up and down in the form of a wave back and it was the best.

We had lunch before heading home for naps, but by the time we got to the house it was apparent sweet baby J was running a fever. Bother. We finally had to tell daughter1 not to come because we certainly didn't need to share those germs with her family, and that was that. Plan blown. Expectation unmet. 

What can you do? 

Nothing really. Life happens and we have to adjust and move forward even when what we really want to do is stomp our feet and rail at the universe a little bit. 

We don't though. We adjust and move forward. We choose to find the silver lining...the bright side...the blue sky if you will. Maybe not in the first five minutes but we do get there. We pull on our 'let's make the best of it britches' and then we do just that. 

There are hours and hours of snuggles with a lapful of Sugar. 

There is the same book read no less than fifteen times because sweet baby J is not his usual oh so happy self and when Nana reads '....sometimes you're happy, sometimes you're sad'...and makes a great big sad face, he laughs. Somehow my sad face makes him happy and it's pure gold.  

There is sunshine. Glorious sunshine. We load everyone up in the strollers and feel the sun hit our faces and Vitamin D flood our veins and we can say with complete honesty that there is beauty in this day, this weekend, in spite of cancelled plans and unmet expectation. 

After babies are tucked in tight me and my girl (just one not two, but we're making the best of it remember?) sit on the couch and watch Next Level Chef. We discuss in great detail the choices these contestants make because we both love to cook, but we talk about many, many other things too.  

And suddenly, somehow, I feel grateful, not for cancelled plans, but for being right where I need to be. Lending a hand (or a lap), and having a front row seat to watch my baby girl mother her very own babies. What a gift. 

There is grace for the day y'all. 
For the ones that go swimmingly and the ones that fall to pieces too. 

Going Bananas For The Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers! Here we are again with 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 the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's a skill you think everyone should have? 

There are more than a few skills I think everyone should have so narrowing it down to just one is hard. Critical thinking, cooking, swimming, communication...each important in it's own way. 

2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping? Do you still buy 'real' cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc? 

I sort of have a system, but it's not great. I actually keep my wrapping paper, ribbons, bags, etc in the attic. We have a walk up attic over our garage and I'm up and down the stairs there nearly every day for one thing or another. I need to better organize what I've got and also part with some gift bags that, let's be honest, I'm not going to reuse. Why are they so hard to part with???

I do still buy real cards. I love sending and receiving although will admit the cost has skyrocketed. I know that puts many people off, and I think the cost of stamps is going up too. Still l enjoy choosing cards that feel like they fit the recipient. 

3. It's National Banana Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you're not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

Yes I like bananas, not too ripe and not too green either. Just right lol. I really dislike the overly ripe ones though, so they get turned in to banana bread which I love. I have a recipe that calls for coconut and has a lime glaze poured over top, which sounds a little odd, but trust me it's delish. I also love bananas in my oatmeal. 

My favorite thing to eat that contains a banana is a banana. Not too ripe and not too green. Just right. 

4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

Yes. I think except in rare circumstances everyone deserves a second chance. 

5. What is your idea of fun? 

Jumping off the dock with my grandkids, a hike to a pretty waterfall, dinner parties, cards with friends, time in the kitchen with my girls, dining al fresco, boating to a friends dock for a champagne sunset, writing, a spontaneous road trip, a full house, porch time with my people...the list goes on. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I was inspired to clean out my closet today, a task that was long overdue. Have you ever gotten three quarters of the way through a job and decided you were no longer inspired? I feel ya. 

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 547

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 skill you think everyone should have? 

2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping? Do you still buy 'real' cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc? 

3. It's National Banana Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you're not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

5. What is your idea of fun? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Patiently Answering The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's 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. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

We fill out an organizer and send it on to the professionals. To be honest I find just completing the organizer 'taxing'. 

Something I've found taxing lately? Nothing springs instantly to mind. How about this...hubs is vehicle shopping and while he thoroughly enjoys the process, I find the whole thing taxing. 

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? 

Hiking. 

I could definitely enjoy planting a garden if I had the right spot for one here. And if we were home for more than three days in a row to manage it.  I like to hike and there are lots of nice trails nearby that we still need to explore so I'm going with hiking. 

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? 

I would say I'm a very patient person, although sadly not as patient as I was when I was younger. I asked hubs if he thinks I'm patient and he said "definitely".  Impatience rarely makes a situation better and in general winds everyone up in an unhelpful way. 

When is impatience a good thing? Well, the opposite of what I said a minute ago could also be true. Impatience can sometimes motivate me to get things done that need doing. 

Mostly though, in my mind, patience is a positive trait, and impatience negative. 

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

I love cinnamon, probably one of my favorite flavors. I make a sour cream coffee cake that's really more like a pound cake and it's definitely one of my favorite cinnamon foods. In the non-food category, I like a cinnamon scented candle in the kitchen. 

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

Depends what we're learning, but mostly I'm a learn by doing person. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Whatcha reading? I just finished Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano for our neighborhood book club happening today (Tuesday). I thought it was just okay, but I know people who loved it. I thought the story held promise but the character development was weak. 

I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar, historical fiction based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law. Enjoying it so far, but I've only just started this one. 

I recently finished Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, which is also historical fiction. Based on a real event, a plague that struck the English village of Eyam in the mid-1600s, the tale follows the story of a young woman named Anna. A really interesting plot line, but I have to say one of the weirdest endings to a book ever. 

I'm also reading Are We There Yet ?: My Journey From A Messed Up to Meaningful Life by the comedian Jeff Allen. I heard him interviewed on a podcast and am enjoying now reading his story in book form. 

If you're reading something great I want to know! Happy Wednesday everyone!

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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.