The Wednesday Hodgepodge

And, the last Wednesday of February is here.  Wow! doesn't seem possible that we are about to enter the 3rd month of the year.  Just proves once again that life is moving swiftly.  Now, for more answers to Joyce's questions.............

1. Your favorite cleaning product? Do you clean your own house or hire out? Most disliked household chore? What one chore do you not mind so much? 

I love cleaning products in general but think that Clorox Clean Up would be my favorite.  Now, you have to be soooo careful with the one that contains bleach but it does such a great job.  I was using it LONG before the blessed Covid came into being but likely have used even more of it since Covid.

I do have household help but I still a lot of it myself. I'm such a "clean freak" that if I didn't have help, I'd be cleaning all the time. ~chuckle!

I guess my most disliked chore would be dusting.  It seems to accumulate almost as fast I wipe it away.  And, I have lots to dust.

Other than dusting, I really don't mind any of them.  I'm quite an accomplished house cleaner as I started out very young.  I started cleaning houses when I was 15 years old to earn extra money.  And, when I think of what I made, $3 a house, and what I pay for my help today it is pretty unbelieveable. ~just sayin'~

 2. It's Canned Food Month...do you use a lot of canned goods? What are the three canned items you purchase most often? Last thing you made using a canned ingredient? 

I guess I use a moderate amount of canned goods if you count soup.  I purchase Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken and Hearty Chicken noodle soup often.  I just made some chicken salad with canned chicken.

 3. Can of worms, anything can happen, can you imagine?, as best I can, kick the can down the road, more than one can take, no can do, not if I can help it...choose an idiom and tell us how you currently relate.

More than one can take........

We have a dear friend who underwent brain surgery for what they called a gigantic aneurysm the last week of November.  Since that time he has encountered more set backs than one should have to endure.  He and his precious wife are strong, strong Christians and know that the Lord is with them every step of this journey but it's almost, at times, "more than one can take."  He has been in 4 different facilities since the surgery and our prayer is  that he will soon be able to come home. 

4.The last Tuesday in February is National Spa Day. Are you someone who enjoys a day at the spa? Last time you visited a spa? Do you have a favorite spa? Are salons open for business in your area? Have you made changes to your hair and nail routine since Corona hit? In what way? 

Well, I have never spent an entire day at a spa but the few hours I have were most enjoyable.  I haven't visited a spa in a very long time but I do enjoy a good massage from time to time.  In fact, I'm long overdue and need to treat myself to one soon.

Yes, our salons have been opened for business since last August I believe.  I know my hair was wayyyyyy past needing attention.  I go every 4 weeks for color and trim and it was a mess.  And, the same goes for my nails.  I was as excited as a "kid in a candy store" when the salons opened back up.  It's the little things folks. ~smile~ 

 5. Believe it or not this is the last Hodgepodge of the month. In one sentence sum up your February. 

It was a bitter, stay in the house, kind of cold!

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am ALWAYS game for a recipe that is easy and delicious. 

This one fits the bill for sure.  I think I might have seen it on FB and perhaps you've already seen it, and already made it.  But, for those of you that have not, here's your chance.

These show the 3 phases of the cake and you can use any pie filling your heart desires.  I used cherry last week because it was all that I had.  But, next time I'll use blueberry.  I did not put a glaze on mine.  It is a super moist cake and it has a bit of "ooey gooey" goodness where the pie filling lands.  It was a hit last weekend when we had the kids come over for lunch.  Even the Gran girls chowed down on it.  It's not only easy and delicious but very QUICK.  It's a win from all aspects.

And, I leave you with this.................

A Fired Up Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday and Joyce supplies the questions and we supply the answers.  I'm especially thankful for the HP today as answering these helped me deal with this bad, bad winter storm we are in the middle of here in good ole Northeast Louisiana.  I mean, I think Mother Nature forgot that we aren't cut out for this mess.

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more. Did you grow up 'celebrating' Lent? Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? 

I have never marked the season of Lent in any particular way now or in the past.  I did not grow up celebrating Lent.  Yes, indeed, church is a huge part of my life and thankfully we are having "in person" worship now and our Life Groups just started back up this month.  They had been started back up in the fall but when Covid became so rampant, they stopped them until it calmed down.  We still have online worship as well because there are still many folks who are just not comfortable coming back to church at this time.  Thankfully we have an awesome media team that does a stellar job with our online worship.  

2. When is the last time you sat beside a 'real' fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire? 

I've been sitting by the fire way more than I care to the past few days.  We have gas logs as we did not want to fool with the work that goes into a log burning fireplace.  We have a remote switch and have total control over our gas logs from our chairs.  We love it!

3. Something that's currently got you fired up? 

OUR WEATHER!!!!!! As I mentioned above we are presently enduring a winter storm unlike anything we have seen in 50+ years or longer.  We will have snowfall every couple of years.  It's here today and gone tomorrow.  But, this, my friends, has moved in and is staying through the end of the week.  It started with sleet and ice and then came the snow and now today we're suppose to get more wintery mix on top of what's already out there.  We're having single digit temps and folks around here (unless they go skiing) do NOT have attire for such as this.  I have been doing bulk cooking and of course, baking cookies.  I have not so much as stepped my foot out of the house since Sunday afternoon.  I feel a little like a bird in a cage and I'm planning my escape. ~chuckle~  Schools are out all week, most all businesses are closed and it's just a really big mess.  But, as my precious Mom would say, "this too shall pass."  But, my question is, WHEN?????? By the way, my sweet across the street neighbor took the above picture of our house for me from her front door.  I was too afraid I might break my neck and more if I tried to walk out to the street to take it myself. 

    

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage? Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday? Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski? 

I LOVE cabbage!  It is not on our menu today but if I had some it sure would be and lest you forget, I can't get to the store to get any. ~boo~ I like mayo coleslaw, sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, grilled cabbage and boiled cabbage.

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00? 

We do not save pennies per say, but Hubby does have a change jar in his dressing area and he puts all his coins in it at the end of the day, pennies included.  I go to the Dollar Tree a lot and was just there a couple of weeks ago and I know I got 2 padded envelopes for $1 and a host of other items that I can't recall.  I enjoy meandering through the store every couple of weeks or so.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubby and I were scouring Netflix and Prime for a series to watch about 3 weeks ago.  I came across this on Prime and we became "fast fans."  There are 4 seasons with about 12 episodes in each.  It is an Australian series and is from 1993.  The filming is definitely not up to today's standards but, nonetheless, it is a great series.  A great family series, so very clean!  I can't remember at what point but I think it was after the 1st season that we had to switch over to UP TV for the remaining seasons. It seems that Prime will often do that and it is a bit aggravating but, I will go in and cancel it once we finish.  There are lots and lots of series out there but so many are just so "off color," so it was good to find one such as this. We finished this last evening and I'll say that we both thought it needed at least one more season to wrap things up, but, we still enjoyed the series. 

And, I'm so thankful for this..............

Prime Purchases

I get so many positive comments on my Prime Purchases posts and it makes me happy that I can recommend items that you might enjoy or need as well.   So, here's the February Prime Purchase post for your enjoyment.  

 OXIMETER  BLOOD  OXYGEN METER

I saw this on another blogger's post 2 - 3 months ago.  I didn't order it at that time but, after Christmas and the rampant activity of Covid, I decided it would be good for us to have one on hand.  It is simple to use and will tell you in 15 seconds what your blood oxygen level is and that is VERY important if you have Covid.  It could be the best $30 you have ever spent.

AMAZON

SKETCHERS  SLIPPERS

I think I may have featured these before because this is my second pair, but, nonetheless, they are worth mentioning again.  I love substantial house shoes/slippers.  I want to be able to walk out to the mailbox if need be and not have to put on my regular shoes.  These are especially warm, very well constructed and comfortable.  They are my winter slippers and very reasonably priced.

AMAZON 

ACACIA  WOOD  TRAYS

If you have been reading my blog for very long then you know that I love anything that is made of Acacia wood.  These two trays were no exception.  I am using the octangle one as a tray beside my coffee pot that holds the creamer, the sweetner and a spoon holder.  They can be used for a host of things, one being a small Charcuterie board.

AMAZON

OXO  GOOD  GRIPES  COOKIE  PRESS

I love baking cookies and saw this featured on another blogger's prime purchases and decided I wanted to give it a try.  I had bought an electric cookie press many years ago and it was a disaster as far as I was concerned.  But, the description of this one sounded like something that I could very easily use and enjoy.  And, it is!  Let me give you a little "heads up" though.  The instructions say to place the press on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Well, I always use parchment paper when I am baking cookies, so I put parchment paper on the pan.  I tried 6 or 7 cookies and they were disasterous, they stuck to the bottom of the gun.  It finally dawned upon me that perhaps the parchment paper was the issue.  And, sure enough it was.  When I removed the parchment paper and placed the press directly on the cookie sheet it worked like a charm and each cookie turned out perfectly. 

 The press comes with 12 different discs and 4 really good recipes. I used the sunflower disc for the above pictured cookies  I couldn't tell you the dozens and dozens of cookies that I have made since Covid reared its ugly head last March.  It has become a favorite past time and this cookie press has made it even more enjoyable.

AMAZON

GORILLA  PADS

 

Okay folks, if you have a piece of furniture that you DO NOT want to move, then you need these "bad boys."  Hubby's recliner seems to never be where it is suppose to be, always slid back 2-3 inches. I had put some rubber strips on the runners of the chair that were "suppose" to keep it from sliding but they did not work.  I've never seen such grippers as these and I have grippers on a whole lot of furniture in our house.  I did have to cut these down to fit but that was not a problem.  I put two on each runner and, as I said, the chair has not moved!

AMAZON

MAGNETIC  BOOKMARKS

These little magnetic book marks make the neatest little enclosure to a card.  It might be a birthday, get well, or thinking of you card.  It's always fun to get a card with a little "happie" tucked inside.

AMAZON

MAGNETIC  CORD  AND  CABLE  TIES

These are just dandy!!!!  They are magnetic and work great for phone charging cords and other smaller cords.  They keep the cord neat and out of the way.  I cannot stand cords everywhere and I generally used zip ties but these are so much better.  They do need to make them for bigger cords though.

AMAZON

AMBER  SPRAY  BOTTLES

I seem to quite often need a spray bottle for something.  It's generally for something to do with general house cleaning.  These are such nice ones and they DO NOT leak and have a great spray.  They are 8 ounces and that is plenty big enough for my needs.  Hubby has also been known to use them for things out in his shop.  They are a nice item to have on hand.  You just never know when you might need a spray bottle.

AMAZON

BLACK  DISPOSABLE  FACE  MASKS

I've gone the whole gambit with mask wearing.  I started out with the whiteish  ones and then went to those that made a fashion statement and now I'm "loving" these.  They are individually wrapped, they do not shed on the inside and I like the black color.  I really like that they are individually wrapped and I can keep a couple in my purse without them getting messed up. And, I love the fit, I never have to pull them up or down.  They stay in place very well.  

AMAZON

TIFFANY  LAMP

I LOVE Tiffany lamps!!!  I have several throughout our home and just added this one.  

I have this little space in my kitchen and I thought this lamp would be the perfect addition to the corner.  I am very pleased and, as with most all of our lamps, they are never turned off.  I guess you might say, I LOVE lamp light!  They give such a warm feeling to a house.

AMAZON

STORAGE  OTTOMAN

 I am so excited to tell you about this purchase.  I was looking for some smaller storage ottomans to replace some large woven baskets I had.

Here is where I am using the ottomans.  I use one of them for throws and one for toys for the Grans.  I just wanted a little dressier look than the baskets.  One issue with my search was finding the right size and look.  I could find lots of square ones where the tops lifted off , and I found a lot of longer ones with tops that lifted.  After keeping on with my search I finally found these and I could not love them more. They are 24x18x18 and the tops lift and stay until you push it shut.  And, the fabric is perfect.  It comes in both fabric and a faux leather in about 5 colors each.  The bronze brads around the bottom and the curved legs give it such a nice look.  And, the tops are tufted and it says they can hold up to 300 pounds if anyone wants to sit on them.  Well, we won't put that to the test but the Grans can sure sit on them.

AMAZON

FIREPLACE  SCREEN

I've sort of had a "decorating bug" this month and have enjoyed "fluffing our nest" a bit.  We had a tri-fold fireplace screen and I wanted one that would just be flat across the fireplace opening. This one fit the bill to a "T."  It is a beautiful oil rubbed bronze and I love the vine design on the very sturdy screen.  And, the brackets it sits in are sturdy but do not stick out.

And, it has handles on both sides at the top that makes moving it very easy.  The only draw back is that it is PRICEY but the workmanship is stellar and it's exactly the look I wanted. It also comes in black and gray.

AMAZON

And, there you have it!  

I'll leave you with these............

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

And, here we are, the last Wednesday of January.  What a month it has been!  I'm so thankful for Hodgepodge as it serves as a nice diversion to all the "hulabaloo."  It's a nice diversion for me to participate in answering Joyce's questions and it's a nice diversion for you to read my answers.  Hey, it works!  Hope you enjoy!

1. Have you done more binge watching this past year than in 'normal' years? Any plans to break that habit in 2021? Tell us one or two shows you binged last year that you really liked. 

Well, not sure it would be classified as binge watching but Hubby and I started watching a lot of Netflix and Amazon Prime series last year when the pandemic started.  One series that we thoroughly enjoyed was Heartland.  It is somewhere around 13 or 14 seasons and some of the seasons have 18 episodes, so it keep us busy for about 3 months.  We enjoy a good series but so many of them are just not fit to watch, so we love it when we find one that is fit.  And, we enjoy good movies as well.  Suffice it to say, there's just not much on TV anymore.

2. January 26th is Australia Day. Have you ever visited or lived in Australia? Have you ever tasted Vegemite, and if so what did you think?  Is a trip down under on your bucket list? We answered a question about travel three months ago (the October 21st Hodgepodge), but let's revisit now...where are you when it comes to planning or even imagining travel this year? 

I have never been to Australia and have no plans to go.  It is NOT on my bucket list.  We are planning to go to Oklahoma and see our Granboys and their parents for Easter this year and then we have a family trip planned for Branson the end of May.  There will be others as the year unfolds.

3. Something that zaps your energy? Something that energizes you? 

I think I am still a pretty energetic person but, the intense Louisiana humid heat can zap the most energetic person for sure.  I enjoy a moderate amount of outside work but especially in the early spring when I'm readying our porches and patio for the season.

It doesn't take a lot to energize me, most days I get up raring to go.  I guess I would say that mornings energize me.  Does that make sense?

4. On a scale of 1-10 what are your eating habits like these days? (1=all junk food all the time and 10= juicing every green thing in the frig) Healthiest meal you've eaten in the last week or so? 

My eating habits have been pretty much the same all my life.  I don't deprive myself of anything but I use extreme moderation.  I'm probably a 7 or 8 on a scale of 10. Most days, if I'm at home, I eat several slices of turkey pepperoni, a small slice of cheddar cheese and veggie stick chips for lunch.  I don't know if it's all that healthy, but it's sure low calorie.

5. What's your most often 'Back in my day....' thing to say? 

"Back in my day, we didn't have a TV in our house until I was 9 years old."  When my kids first heard me say that, they were speechless, and they are still.  They have never known life without a TV.  As I told them, I never missed it because I didn't know what it would be like to have one.  But, I well remember the day we got our first TV, and it was gigantic!  I was beside myself with excitement and then I knew what I had been missing.  And, truly in 1961 there were lots and lots of great TV shows and we watched them as a family. And someone in the family had to get up and change the channel and adjust the rabbit ears, depending on which of the 3 channels the TV was on. Yes, that was "back in the day" for sure.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Okay, I have something funny or scary to share with you.  You can decide which after you read this.  Each morning I go straight to the coffee pot and grab my first cup of coffee and then head into our home office for my morning devotional and prayer time.  It's not really as cozy of a place that I would like but it works and it's private.  So, this past Tuesday morning I was having my prayer time and I decided to ask the Lord to help my Dad's Alexa to stay connected to the wi-fi at his facility. NOTE: my Daddy loves Alexa, she is his best friend.  She plays him whatever music he wants to hear, she tells him the time, she gives him a weather report and answers questions he comes up with.  With his limited vision she is a great companion for him but for the past couple of months she hasn't been behaving. Now, back to my prayer time................I pray in a quiet voice, just above a whisper and when I said Alexa in my prayer, the Alexa on my desk came on and said, "did I hear you whispering to me? Would you like for me to use a whisper voice with you."  Folks, I almost had a stroke and needless to say, it was a huge interruption to my prayer time.  And, as I said, I couldn't decide whether  to laugh or take her and throw her out the window.  I'm afraid if we really knew all our devices heard and knew it really would scare us.  

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

Inauguration Day 2021, yep, it sure is but right now, I'm more concerned with answering Joyce's fun HP questions.  I think I'll likely miss watching any of the events or the inauguration.  I'll just wait and hear about it later.  I do pray it will all come off peacefully.

1. What's something we'd find you doing most afternoons? 

4-5 afternoons a week you will find me going over to visit with my Daddy.  Some of the visits are longer than others, some are just a run in and run out, making sure everything is in good order for him.  The rest of my afternoon can be baking, working in my home office and occasionally  cooking a nice dinner. ~sigh~   With the Covid restrictions, several things I am involved in are not meeting, we see friends only occasionally,  so I generally have a lot of time on my hands here at home.  I miss terribly the opportunities for socialization.  

2. Who do you take after? In what way(s)? 

I have ways of both my Mom and Dad but I would definitely be more like my Daddy.  I have two brothers and my brother that is 3 years younger than me is more like our Mom than either myself or our younger brother, who is also more like our Daddy.  Both of my parents were planners and organized so I got a double dose of that.  I love people and make friends easily and I can have a very aggressive spirit if need be and am a born leader, much like my Daddy.  I think these last two traits have served me well in all the "care overseeing" I have done of my paternal grandparents, my mother in law and now my Dad.  If you need an advocate, I'm your gal!! ~that's no brag, just simple fact~  

3. 'After every storm comes a rainbow' or 'the calm before the storm'...which phrase do you relate to more right now? Tell us why? 

I don't really think I relate to either one right now.  But, I'm hoping that a rainbow is going to come over our country after all the stormy days we are seeing and have seen in recent months.  I certainly hope this is NOT the calm before the storm for our country.  May the Lord have mercy!

4.What are your plans for the day after tomorrow? 

Let's see, that would be Friday.  I don't really have any plans, same ole, same ole.  We have plans to meet friends for dinner at a restaurant that is abiding by Covid rules very strictly.  I may come up with something  a little more exciting than my usual trip to Wal-Mart.  And, who knows, I may decide to bake more cookies. ~chuckle~ Such is life at this time.

5. Complete this sentence-"After all is said and done_____________________."

Not to be catty, but "After all is said and done, more is said than done."  I'm afraid that is true more often than not.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

CVS came to the assisted living facility where my Dad lives to give the Covid vaccine this past Monday.  This has been in the works for a couple of weeks, and while it was not mandatory, most all of the residents did opt to take it.  Around mid-morning the administrator of the facility called and ask me if I wanted to come and get the vaccine.  I had not fully decided exactly how I felt about taking it but, I decided very quickly that I would get it.  She said they were going to have extra vaccine and it would go to waste if not used and if I knew others that would like to get it to let her know.  Well, I immediately thought of our son (who is a diabetic) and my dear friend whose husband is very sick in a facility and getting the vaccine might enable her to get in to see him earlier.  So, I called both of them and we all showed up at the facility to get our first of the two vaccines. (Hubby had already gotten it a couple of weeks ago)  I had and still have a very sore arm and experienced a little light headedness a few hours afterwards.  Other than that, all has been good.  And, I will not read or listen to conspiracy theories about the tall tales concerning the vaccines.  I have taken it and I  will go forth.  

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

And, here we are, the 2nd Wednesday of the new year and before we turn around, it will be the last one.  Time certainly does fly and not just when you are having fun. ~smile~ 

1. When were you last a guest at an event or in someone's home? Tell us about it. Do you enjoy having guests in your own home? 

Our last time to be guests in someone's home was last September when we went to see Tommy's sisters in the Atlanta area.  We have been other places since then but we stayed in a hotel.  Tommy's sister and brother in law are the most gracious of host and hostesses.  They have lovely guest accomodations and it's a delight to be in their home.

This is the wall art that our guests see as they enter our guest suite.  Adding this private guest suite to our house plan was such a great decision and is enjoyed by our family and friends.  We do enjoy having guests and hope that they always feel welcome and enjoy their time here.

2. What has you 'tied up in knots' currently or recently? Are you any good at tying actual knots? 

I think a lot of our country is "tied up in knots" over our country's unrest. I don't even know what to say but, I know that we as Christians had better be on our knees calling upon the Lord.

As to me tying a good knot...........well, my husband is a pro at tying all kinds of knots and I usually leave the knot tying to him.

3. What's something you've been wanting to do and have decided 2021 will be the year you 'take the plunge'? 

Hummmm...........I can't think of a thing but, I have a love affair when it comes to 

One would think that I could not possibly do any more organizing in our home but I seem to always be able to find something else that could be better organized.  This has been especially true since Covid hit last March.  Organizing and cleaning out have become my past time these past months. 

4. Something in your home that's old? Something new? Something borrowed? Something blue? 

 

I am pretty sure these are the oldest items in our home.  This was my paternal Grandfather's pipe bowl and 3 of his pipes.  This bowl set on a small table beside his rocking chair for as long as I can remember.  I loved the smell of pipe smoke and can still smell it when I look at this.  It is setting out on some built in shelves we have and I see it everyday.  It is well over 100 years old.  And, I hope it is something that my kids will choose to keep when I am gone from this world.

I LOVE handmade pottery and I love birds.  These pieces are brand new.  I found both of them from artisans off of Etsy.  The workmanship is perfection.

I can't think of a thing that is borrowed but the blue would be the two dishes above.  I do have other decor that is blue as well.  I'm a fan of grey blue.

5. Share a favorite quote, a verse of scripture, and/or a bit of wisdom for couples getting married in this challenging and seemingly unpredictable season we're currently/still experiencing. 

This is just the greatest verse for all mankind, not just married couples.  Now, if we could just get folks to live by this, especially "love is kind.."  But, I think we first have to LOVE and therein lies a lot of our country's issues.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We had our first snow in 3-4 years this past Sunday night and folks almost went crazy.  I "heard" that the grocery stores were maddening Sunday afternoon.  I suppose folks thought we might be housebound for days and days.  Well, that was certainly not the case.  We got between 3-4 inches, enough for folks to get out and enjoy for a few hours Monday morning.  It was melting fast by 11:00AM  I snapped the above picture just before we went to bed Sunday night.  We wrapped the trunk of this Red Maple in clear lights back in Dec. and they were especially beautiful with the backdrop of the snow.  This is the view out of our bedroom windows.  The snow was a lovely diversion.