The Wednesday Hodgepodge

And, here it is, our 3rd Wednesday of the new year. What???? And, here it is, another fun Hodgepodge

1. It's National Popcorn Day-my favorite! Are you a fan? Sweet or salty? A good or great movie you've seen recently (at home or in a theater, either one)? 

I would say I am an AVID fan of popcorn.  I pretty much eat some every night of my life. Salty, salty, no sweet for me!

Hubby and I just got home today  from being at our daughter's keeping the 3 Grandson's while she and her husband got away for a few days.  I had the bright idea of us going to see American Underdog Sunday afternoon.  I mean, why wouldn't a 2 1/2 and 6 year old enjoy it???  Well, they did enjoy the popcorn and slush but did get a bit restless and rightfully so.  But, not so much so that Hubby, myself and Clancy (13 years old) didn't enjoy it.  It was a great story!

2. What's something you didn't realize was going to take so much of your time as an adult? 

Wow! what an interesting question...........There's no one thing, just a whole lot of daily things such as: cleaning, laundry, over seeing care of parents, cooking, keeping up with appointments and the list goes on.  I'm not sure anyone really realizes the many responsibilities of "adulting."

3. Your favorite yellow something? 

I thought off 2-3 things right off but the yellow rose would probably be a favorite.  Roses of all colors are beautiful but there's something about the yellow rose that makes it extra special.

4. Why do you write? 

I enjoy writing but about the only writing I have ever done is through my blog.  I use to blog far more regularly than I do now but it became work and I wasn't enjoying it as much so I started blogging less often.  Now, I'm trying to get back with more regular blogging but I haven't been successful just yet. ~chuckle~ Why I write, I guess because I enjoy it, no other real reason. ~ such a profound answer~

5. Share a favorite memory associated with snow.

I have no recollection whatsoever of snow when I was growing up.  Surely it snowed at some point and my "older" brain has just forgotten.  But, last February, we had the prettiest snow here.  It was just enough as far as I'm concerned.  Enough that the kids had a good time in it and it didn't close down roads but I do believe schools were closed for 2-3 days.  I'm pretty sure I spent the time in the kitchen baking cookies. ~smile~

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

As I mentioned earlier, Hubby and I got home around noon today from Oklahoma where we spent 4 days keeping the Gransons.  Let me assure you that keeping up with a 13, 6 and 2 1/2 year old is not for the "faint of heart."  My goodness, just their age difference presents it's own set of issues.  Clancy loves his little brothers dearly but they can absolutely aggravate him too death.  And, I wish I could say that he never aggravates them, but that would not be true.  So, noise of some kind is generally always happening. ~smile~  I rarely stopped between meals, laundry, baths, and cleaning.  I don't even know how they do it day in and day out and we were sure glad they could get away and leave their responsibility behind for a few days.  Need I say that Hubby and I are enjoying the QUIET of our house this evening as we count our blessings and the memories of these past days.

I like this and wanted to share it with you..............

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

It is Wednesday and that means that Joyce shows up with 6 questions for us to answer and we are all so thankful for her.  It helps those of us with "blog fog" write a fun and interesting post.

1. What do you wish you'd done more of last year? Less of? 

I could have definitely spent more time in God's Word.  I mean, I can soothe myself by saying that I was definitely in His Word, but........... It was often NOT quality time and I want each time I am in His word this year to be quality.  A time where I've tuned out everything else and listening to His still small voice as I read and study.  I'm betting some of you know exactly what I'm talking about. ~wink~

Less of................well, stewing over things that I cannot do ONE thing about.  Have mercy, it seems that I must stew before I can finally lay it down.  I had an incident of stewing in recent days  over a situation and all my stewing did not do one bit of good.  But, I always feel a bit better after a little stewing. ~I'm jokin'~  I must always remember, "what is out of my control, is under HIS rule." 

2. What's the tallest building you've ever been in? Do you have a fear of heights? 

The tallest would be the Empire State building on one of my 3 trips to NYC.

Yes, indeed, I do have a fear of heights!

3. Do you have a word for the year? Elaborate if you'd like to elaborate. 

I have not "adopted" a word for this year yet and haven't decided if I will.  But, in 2020 my word was "trust" and what a great word for 2020.

Last year my word was "enough."  As in "He is enough."

4. January 11 is National Milk Day...are you a milk drinker? What kind? Your favorite recipe that calls for milk (cereal doesn't count)? 

I mean, that picture of milk looks so refreshing and delicious but, it.is.not.for.me! I don't think I've drank milk since I was probably early teens.

I am a big time baker and I can't, off the top of my head, think of a recipe that calls for milk in some of the delicious recipes I use.  But, I do use a prepackaged cornbread mix that calls for milk.  Not sure that counts but it's the best I can do right now. ~laugh~

5. What excites you most about the future? What do you miss about the past? 

Well, well, well, I am staring a very big birthday in the face this year.  In 6 months and 17 days I will be 70 years old, yep, that's right, 70!  I haven't ever given any birthday too much thought but I seem to be giving this one a whole lot of thought.  But, that wasn't even the question was it?  I look forward to continuing to watch our Grans grow, spread their wings and ultimately fly and hopefully all 5 will choose the path that the good Lord has designed for them.  And, I hope I live to see it all.

I miss a simpler life and I could expound on that but I'm pretty sure most of you can relate.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am pleased to inform you that this man right here is doing very well after his bout with Covid (the Omicron variant).  This picture was on day 4 and I think he looks good considering he really wasn't feeling too well that morning.  He asked me to fix him a cup of coffee and, at this point, he pretty much gets what he wants.  Isn't that a right at 92? ~chuckle~  He has tested negative now and is real close to feeling normal.  And, I am soooo glad because Hubby and I will be leaving this morning headed to Oklahoma to keep the granboys while their Dad and Mom enjoy some well deserved time away.  I feel like if I were going to get Covid that surely to goodness I would have gotten it by now.  So, please pray that I will stay well while we are in Ok as there will be no time for sickness and besides, who wants to get sick away from home?  Not me!  We look forward to a good and busy time with the boys and we'll get to enjoy some frigid and windy weather while we are there. Burrrr!

First Hodgepodge of 2022

And, here we are a new year and our first HP of the new year. So glad that Joyce saw fit to keep on keeping on with the questions.

1. Share one happy moment/memory from the holiday season. 

It's hard to name just one but seeing Clancy finally get to go out and fish and come in with this was definitely a favorite. The weather was so "poopy" the first couple days they were here that he didn't get to fish.  But, on the 3rd day the weather was much better and Poppa let him take the "bass buggy" out.  He was a most excited little boy.  There's nothing like having a pond in your backyard!

2. Let's be reasonable with our expectations going into this new year, k? What is one thing you'd like to accomplish/improve/complete/do in 2022? 

I have been slack in blogging for the past couple of years and I'd really like to get "back with it."  I'm pondering some ideas and subject matter that might give me some inspiration to get going.  Maybe 2022 will bring me back to regular blogging. Time will tell. 

3. Every January 1st (since 1976) Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words are chosen). Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2022-

wait, what?-no worries-at the end of the day-that being said-asking for a friend-circle back-deep dive-a new normal-you're on mute-supply chain

Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly? Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word/phrase not on the list you'd like to add? 

I do not use any of them.  I would definitely like to see "circle back" and "asking for a friend" banished.  Have mercy, they have been worn out.  I can't think of any to add to the list.

4. Best thing you ate in the month of December? 

I often do "pots of" cooking when all the kids are here and one night I made a delicious pot of Etouffee.  It is really a simple recipe but it is so good and everyone loved it.  It's hard to beat any dish with shrimp in it. 

5. January 5th is National Bird Day. Are you a bird lover? What's your favorite bird to see in the wild? Choose a phrase from the list that follows and tell us how it relates to your life currently...eat like a bird, bird's eye view, early bird, bird-brained, free as a bird, a little bird told me, or kill two birds with one stone.

I do love birds!  I love them both in nature and in decor.  I have used birds in our home decor for many years and I have a beautiful collection of Andrea birds. I have incorporated them into almost every room of our home.  Hubby takes very good care of the ones outside and with the back of our house pretty much all windows, we get to enjoy them at the feeders often.

Since I am a rather early riser, I'll go with "early bird."  I've always enjoyed the early morning hours and find that I am much more productive when I get up early. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I don't know about where you live, but here in our fair city, Covid is RAMPANT! My Daddy started feeling badly last Thursday afternoon and by Friday he had his usual symptoms of bronchitis.  I called his Dr. and he started him on meds.  He showed signs of improvement in about a day and a half and then yesterday he started with head congestion and runny rose to go with his chest congestion.  There are several residents "under the weather" at the assisted living facility where he resides so the administration decided that they needed to do the rapid covid tests this morning.  And, just as you guessed, Daddy tested positive.  I really wasn't surprised as I thought when he started with the head congestion yesterday and the runny nose that it fit the description of the Omicron variant.  Thankfully he is handling it pretty good and while he definitely doesn't feel good, he isn't in the bed but just stays in his nice comfy chair during the day.  He should be on the tail end of it and hopefully by weeks end he will be much improved.  Like you, I am soooooo tired of all of it!!!  There are about 7 residents that tested positive and none of them are seriously ill.  They've enacted some tight restrictions for the next several days to try and get a handle on the spread of it within the facility.

Stay well my friends!

Prime Purchases

And, here we are, the FIRST Tuesday of a 2022.  I do love a new year but it does seem that they sure did get here a lot faster in recent years.  But, let's jump right in to my Prime Purchases!

IRON  FLASK  INSULATED  MUG

If you have been hanging out here for very long then you know that I am an insulated mug "snob."  I drink my coffee out of nothing but an insulated mug.  I mean, who wants lukewarm coffee?  Not me! I want it as hot as possible.  When I hear about a new one then I usually have to give it a try.  This one did not disappoint and it comes in some great colors and in a great box in case you want to give it as a gift.  And, is much less expensive than some.

AMAZON

FAKE  COLLAR

I love the look of a white blouse under some of my sweaters but I DO NOT like the bulk of a blouse under a sweater.  So, this achieves the look without the bulk.  It looks exactly like you have on a blouse and they do come in other colors in some other brands on Amazon.  This particular one only comes in white.

AMAZON

MOLTEN  GLASS  AND  WOOD  SCULPTURE

I first saw these sculptures at The Keeter Center in Branson, Missouri.  The Keeter Center is our FAVORITE place to stay in Branson and they have these sculptures, small and large, throughout the place.  They have beautiful arrangements in them and I asked them what they were called on our visit there in November.  I've always wanted one for our home and it is currently at the florist having an arrangement designed.  I can hardly wait! They are so unusual and make such a statement.

AMAZON

SONICARE  ELECTRIC  TOOTHBRUSH

I've been using an electric toothbrush for about 8 years.  I've always used another brand but this time I decided to give the Phillips Sonicare a try.  It is the BEST!  It has 3 speeds and I love the way my teeth feel after using it.  If you are thinking about an electric toothbrush then I highly recommend this one.

AMAZON

FANZY  PAN

Okay ladies, do you ever take a dish of food somewhere?  I'm pretty sure you do and if you are like me, you don't like to take an aluminum pan because they often are not sturdy enough.  Well, Fanzy Pans changes that.  These are the neatest holders for different sized aluminum pans.  I first saw these at a shop and came home to see if Amazon had them.  And, of course, they did.  And, I love taking aluminum pans because there's no clean up, just throw them away.

AMAZON

LONG  LIFHTWEIGHT  QUILTED  VEST

This is a lightweight long quilted vest and is so sharp looking.  It will definitely add light warmth but probably not enough on a really cold day.  That's when you just add a coat over it.  It comes in other colors as well.

AMAZON

ELEGANT  COMFORT  SHEETS

I do believe I have mentioned these sheets in another Prime post a while back.  But, they deserve being mentioned again.  These sheets are awesome and so very affordable.  These gold ones are so pretty and I'm sure these are available in other colors are will be because I have them in several colors.

AMAZON

SWEATER  VEST

This is the cutest long vest! It looks great over a white blouse with leggings and booties.  It comes in a lot of great colors.

AMAZON

MRS. MEYERS  CLEANER

I imagine all of you already know about this great product but, just in case you don't, let me tell you.  I use Mrs. Meyer's multi-surface cleaner for all our counter tops in kitchen and  baths.  I even use it when I wipe down the cabinets.  And, it smells so clean and fresh.  The Lemon Verbena is one of my favorite scents.  I've been using it a lot since Christmas with all my post holiday cleaning.

AMAZON

And, there you have it, my last Prime Purchases of 2021.  Hope you saw something that you can't live without.  

Blessings abundant for 2022!