Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? 

This weekend in Farmville, it was more like summer.  The temps reached 88 degrees.  Sunday was a gorgeous day with 70s .  Monday morning when I left for school, the temp was around 65 degrees and when I walked out of the school building it was in the 40s...WOWZER!!! So yesterday, was kinda cool.

I prefer autumn.  Not only is autumn beautiful, but it gives me a cozy vibe.  A time to sit around the fire pit with a hoodie on. AND in autumn there isn't many bugs around!

2. What's your favorite thing about spring? 

Spring just gives me motivation to be productive.  I have a boast of energy (and I need it) in the spring.  I feel like the earth is waking up and me too!  Seeing the lush grass (but I dread mowing, but someone told me to think of it as getting my steps in), the flowers blooming, hearing the birds chirping, etc just gives me energy. I  am not a fan of the pollen that comes along with spring.

3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

This past weekend it was definitely spring to life.  I was full of energy with the bright sunshine and warmer temperatures.  Keeping up with the grands next week, spring to life will probably most fitting.

4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? 

asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions

My favorite spring food is salad greens like mesclun

5. What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

Currently, I do not have a written down list, but I do have a mental list.  My house needs a a really deep cleaning.  I usually won't do any deep cleaning till school is out for the summer. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had a great time with some friends this weekend.  We went to Farmville for the weekend just to get a way for a few days.

The sky was gorgeous!

I love the reflection of the sky on the water.

I think I found a chair I could get my big, fat tush in.

I will be MIA for the next couple of weeks. I am taking grandsons on a Disney Cruise. We are flying to Orlando April 1st and boarding our ship April 2nd.  We will not be returning home till April 8th.  The grands are so excited (parents are too), but me a little apprehensive.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. St. Patrick's Day lands on March 17th. Do you believe in luck? Are there things you do thinking they'll  bring good luck or  things you avoid because, they're considered bad luck? 

Not really, but I think luck is just random chances.  However, I do things to avoid bad luck such as:  if I enter one door I make sure to leave out of the same door, a black cat crossing in front of me ( usually put a X on the dashboard of my car), opening an umbrella in the house, are just a few I avoid.

2. Forest-lime-sage-mint-olive-emerald...what's your favorite shade of green? 

My favorite shade of green is olive.

3. In Ireland the meal on this day is often a hearty beef or lamb stew served with colcannon (mashed potato mixed with cabbage and leeks). In the US corned beef and cabbage is the more typical St. Patty's Day meal. Will you/did you mark the day with one of these dishes? Baked-fried-roasted-mashed...what's your favorite way to eat a potato?

Although, I do love corned beef and cabbage, I will not be having this on St. Patrick's Day.

My favorite way to eat a potato is baked and instead of butter, I put AI Sauce on it.

4. What color of the rainbow best represents your personality/mood today? Tell us why. 

Yellow   I try to be happy and positive each day.  I am a caring person and really care about others.  Also, I am usually cautious about some things. 

Yellow is the sunshine and I thrive when the sun is shining!

5. Which 'lucky' quote resonates with you. Elaborate. 

 'Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.' E.B. White 

'Diligence is the mother of good luck." Benjamin Franklin 

'Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.' Seneca 

'Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.' Ralph Waldo Emerson 

'Diligence is the mother of good luck."   Keep working hard and being prepared is the key to success.  Teachers are diligent when it comes to finding different approaches to teach students.  After many attempts at new strategies, finally the lightbulb goes off!!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It has been a busy month.  I took the boys to Charlotte to see the Mavericks play.  Two of the grandsons love Cooper Flagg and the other one loves Kon Knueppel.  Of course, Flagg didn't play due to an injury.  The Hornets won so one grandson was happy.

We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord.  The next day we played Putt-Putt, went to the water park, and bowled.  

The following weekend after the game, my oldest grandson played in a basketball tournament about 2 hours from my house.  BUT they won!!  I was inside a gym for over 8 hours!

Last Wednesday, we took our 8th graders to Pigeon Forge.  We always go on a Friday in December, but with all the snow, we had to reschedule and Wednesday was the last day to see the bald eagle, Lincoln, who flies into the NFL Eagle Stadium.

This is Lincoln with his trainer.  And yes, the trainer goes wherever he goes!

This coming weekend, we are finally being able to have our girls' weekend trip.  We have had to postpone twice due to weather.  Looking forward to seeing all the girls, relaxing, and winding down before heading out on the Disney Cruise with the grands the first of April!

Hoping all has a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see? 

I haven't been to Philadelphia or Charleston, SC.  I would love to visit Charleston but not in my plans this year. 

I think everyone should visit Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. This 'historic triangle' is the origin of the US. In my county, every fourth grader, who wants to go, is taken to these cities for three nights and two days.   A lot of fund raising takes place for this to happen and many businesses donate money.  

2. Three sounds you love to hear? 

1.  A child's laughter

2. Mamaw!!

3. "I love you"

3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

1. Mosquito or fly buzzing around

2. Someone chewing with their mouth open

3. Dentist drill ( I have an appointment Thursday)

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day.I Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

Yes, a fan with the works!  Lover of nachos. I love chicken fajita nachos!

5. We Mar  ch into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

I am taking grandsons to Charlotte to a professional basketball game.  They love Cooper Flagg, who played for Duke, and is playing for the Dallas Mavericks.  Also, my girls' trip is happening in March; we have had to reschedule twice due to weather.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week, the temps were in the low 60s, and I had spring fever.  THEN BAM!!!!  snow on Sunday, schools closed on Monday and yesterday we were on a 2hr delay.  We have missed 15 days this year.  We have a new superintendent who doesn't like remote learning days.  Right now, our last day is June 5th for students, and school starts back for teachers in July!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

I have never marked Lent, BUT last night at my Bible Study Group we discussed this.  This year, I am giving up something for Lent; it is Facebook.  I first thought alcohol, I enjoy a glass of wine sometimes, but I thought this is't good enough because I don't drink daily.  However, late at night, I do check out Facebook.

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

I am not a fan of pancakes.  Pancakes remind me of doughnuts and when I eat a pancake, it just kinda sits in my stomach, and I feel yucky.

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'?

I guess it would have to be last Tuesday.  I was late getting home from school.  Daughter texted me at around 5pm and needed me to come to Abingdon to take the twins to basketball practice so she could take the oldest grandson to his practice.  I rushed around and did over the speed limit to get there and was only 5 minutes late.  My school is an hour away from her house, so I was really trucking down the interstate! They were waiting in the driveway for me.  Quickly hopping out of my car, I jumped in her van.  Daughter did ask if the keys were in my car, which I replied , "Yes."  My phone was on silent in my purse and when I arrived at the destination for the twins practice, I was putting her keys in my purse and say MY keys.  There was also seven missed calls from daughter and she was highly upset.  I returned her phone call, apologizing, and explaining I rushed there and had not turned my phone back on.  I guess I was spread a little too thin that evening.

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

I have many favorites...opal ( I have an opal ring that I love but someone told me it was bad luck to wear opal if my birthday was not in October), I like sapphires...Burmese Blue and Pastel Pink. 

My wardrobe consist of all!!!  

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

I don't like being in charge.  If I am in charge, then my decisions affect people. If something goes wrong, then it is my fault.  Since this question asked about a responsibility, if in charge that would be hard...to me that would be firing someone or having to let someone go.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This week is turning out to be better than last week.  Tuesday was the key mix up (see answer #3), Wednesday I almost tore up my safe ( a long story), and Thursday I had water in my basement from a pipe that was on the Town's side and was finally fixed on Friday!!  I told my Bible Study Group that I must be living right because the devil was after me all last week.  AND I forgot to post my Wednesday Hodgepodge!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th...on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What's your favorite Winter Olympic sporting event? 

I enjoy watching the Winter Olympics.  I have a few favorites...Bobsleigh (this just amazes me how fast they go), Skiing (Freestyle), and my favorite is all of the Skating. 

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football's championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us...what's your superpower?

Besides being able to shovel my driveway, I guess my superpower would have to be resilience and staying positive.  Some days are harder than others. 

3. Are you a romantic? 

Not really.  And with Valentine's Day approaching, I did not like for my late hub to shower me with gifts.  I always thought it 'not right' to just show me one one day of the year how much you love me.  I want you to show me you love me EVERYDAY!

But if you celebrate Valentine's Day, that is you...I don't want to rain on your parade. This is just me.

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what's a dish you like that calls for one of these? 

I like both.  Mainly use blue-cheese on salads.  I make bake feta pasta without the shallot and in the summer I make watermelon feta .

5. What's more important-doing what you love or loving what you do? 

I think loving what you do is more important.  Loving what I do gives me motivation to do it, rather than dreading it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Rain and warmer temps are on the way!!!  Yay!!!  Today is our first day back in school since January 23rd!

The snow was beautiful, BUT the ice caused a mess!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgeodge

1. I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way? 

Weather report from Southwest Virginia:   Sunny and very cold with temps around 8 or 9 degrees that is not including the wind chill factor.  Trees down blocking roads from the ice storm that occurred Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  Probably around an inch or more of ice.  Some snow overnight (Monday night) with little accumulation, but the snow helps one to walk on the ice.   Temps are going to rise into the mid 30s by the end of the week.  BUT, I just say maybe more snow heading into the weekend.

This weather doesn't affect my mood. 

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  

Yes, I love cabbage.  Last summer, I planted 12 heads of cabbage in my garden.  I like making fresh  cole slaw with cabbage, cabbage and corn beef, fry cabbage with onions and peppers, and I make egg rolls with cabbage and sausage.

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? 

Cabbage Patch Dolls were not a part of my childhood.  My girls didn't care for them, either.  My girls were mainly into Barbies.

I loved Mrs. Beasley.  I remember wanting her for Christmas.  She had a string on the back that you could pull and she would talk.  She had the softest body.  Mrs. Beasley was my best friend.  She wore glasses and I think this was about the same time I had to start wearing glasses!

4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? 

Reading and doing word searches.  With the ice storm, I had no internet until yesterday (Tuesday).  I know most people get productive during this time...cleaning out closets, just decluttering, BUT not me.  I love to read and that is what I have been doing.  I do try to go out and get some fresh air, but Bentley, my little dog, is ready to come back in to the warm house.

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. 

. School opened up smoothly, children happy to be back and in rare form, while teachers were dragging by the end of the day.  Saturdays were spent at a gym watching basketball. Then BAM!!! you ended with vengeance.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The girls' trip was canceled and so happy we were smart enough to do this.  Well, it was a husband of one of the girls who set the wheels in motion...worried about ice, snow, of if we would even have heat if power went off.  We didn't think about this.  We knew the storm wasn't going to hit till Saturday and we just planned on staying longer, until we could get out.   The rental company exchanged our weekend to another weekend with no problem at all.

I am so thankful that during this entire ice storm, I didn't lose electricity. Hope all was safe and warm.  

Have a great rest of the week, stay safe, stay warm, and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

I love a snowy walk only if the temps aren't in the teens!  When the grandsons are here, I do enjoy playing in the snow with them.  Unfortunately, we haven't had much snow this year, but it is only January so February might be brutal.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

My late daughter and grandson (Late hub's son had a child) swimming.  We probably went swimming everyday!  I miss my daughter tremendously!!!  And the grandson is 17 now and I haven't seen him in SIX years!!

My late hub and I would take a walk/hike about every Sunday!  I miss him, also.

I have a hard time believing this was only 10 years ago.  

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year? 

Some of this new technology 'stuff'  I know AI is good sometimes, but it can also be not good.  I think, our society has gotten away with plain 'ole' communication and technology has taken it away.  I see so many parents out to dinner with their children and the parents are on their phone instead of communicating with their children.  I also think technology has limited our brain use.  Instead of trying to figure out a math problem, we use AI for answers.

I know technology is good and I use it daily, BUT I think it has gotten a little out of hand.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I like granola bars!!  I usually just buy Nature's Valley granola bars.  Also, when taking yogurt to school, I usually add oats and honey granola.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

A trickling stream is probably the best choice than the others.  Although sometimes my live can be a frozen lake...not dangerous but just frozen in time.

A trickling stream because even though I have experienced a blessed life, I have had to face obstacles.  I do feel like the obstacles have changed the course of my life. These obstacles have caused me to realize that no one has the promise of tomorrow and to appreciate each moment.  But just like a trickling stream, I face each day and continue to move forward.  It might be a slow pace, but I make myself get out of bed each morning and face the day.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Keeping an eye out on the weather that is supposed to happen.  All stay safe and warm.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!