Hodgepodge ~ 11/11/26

 

1. Marilyn texted me something that inspired this question, so thank you Marilyn! Of the following sayings, typically associated with the (American) southern way of speaking, which do you most relate to right now? Explain. 

Bless your heart~too big for yer britches~ madder than a wet hen~you're preachin' to the choir~

knee high to a grasshopper~oh my stars

So glad to help with this question! My college roommate use to say Oh My Stars quite a bit.  I think that is what I would say because so many things happen where I am wondering, I can't believe he/she just did that.

2. The Hodgepodge lands on (US) Veterans Day this year. Are you a veteran? Have a family member who's a veteran? If you answered yes, tell us something about them. Will you do anything to mark the day in some special way? 

I am not a veteran, but my grandfather was and my mother is. I am thankful for all of those who have served in the military.  I have attended some Veteran's Day activities in the past on this day, but not sure I will today.  I am thankful to have a birthday on Veteran's Day! 

3. Is breakfast for dinner a stroke of genius or a sign of total household collapse? Is breakfast for dinner a regular thing at your house? Are all family members on board? 

This use to be a regular and was always a hit because we all liked breakfast foods and it seemed easy and affordable.  

4. How do you see the world? 

Hmm...I think I am jaded.  The dictionary defines jaded as to feel tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm because you have experienced too much of something, or because of overwork, excess, or negative experiences. I still enjoy so many things in life, but because of betrayal and rejections, jaded is how I see the world. I am in a very tired, heavy season.

5. And this week's gratitude question-what's something about your surroundings (home, neighborhood, city) you're grateful for? 

I am so thankful for my new apartment.   I moved here in the spring and outside of hearing the movement of people above me walking around, I do really like it.  I am thankful to have a place to decorate, cook, rest, play and welcome visitors.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Well, as mentioned earlier, today is my 56th birthday.  I am so thankful for another birthday, yet it is the first time I have been a little depressed about hitting the other side of my mid-50's with my current stage of life.  I am going to take it easy this morning with maybe a walk, meet a friend for lunch and then meet some friends this evening.  And also a treat of....you guessed it, frozen yogurt!

Have a good day!

Fashion Files ~ 11/10/26

 Good morning. I am linking up with a few purchases I have made in the past month.

This shirt from Madewell was on clearance and my birthday discount gave me an additional $25 off the purchase.

I also purchased two sweaters from Loft.  They were on sale and I had $20 of birthday rewards to use off this purchase.

I will probably wear this one on Thanksgiving.

A few other recent purchases I like:

These floral jeans! I plan on pairing this with the cream color  sweater above.

I also bought this dress

That is all for today!

Hello Monday ~ November 9, 2026

Good Monday morning friends! Life has somehow seemed really busy with lots of little things lately that don't always add up to pictures, but here are a few from the weekend.

Going back to last week, my sweet former co-worker dropped this off at my house as an early birthday treat.  So thoughtful and yummy!  

Friday night I enjoyed this Key Lime Margarita!

Saturday morning, Brook and I went out to eat for breakfast.  We started with this delightful appetizer of house-made Croissant-style Donuts hot, dusted with powdered sugar, and finished with a caramel drizzle. I followed this up with my favorite baja chicken omelette.  

We went to Marshalls and then to a yard sale after breakfast. This was my last Saturday morning with her at home.  I work this upcoming Saturday and then she is moving out.  It seems like she just graduated and moved home.  She is moving locally so it will be the first time for us to live in the same town, but not together.  I am excited for her, but honestly sad to go back to living alone again.  These past 5 months have been so nice having someone around, even if we do sometimes go a day or so not seeing each other.

I went to help a friend that afternoon whose car was in the shop and needed a ride.  While waiting on the car, we got this crawfish bread.  It was basically a crawfish dip baked into bread, but my goodness, it was delicious.  Needless to say, my food I ate on Saturday was all top notch.

Sunday, I made my first batch of chili for the season since I missed making it Halloween weekend.  It was very good and Texas style, which means no beans!  

 

I went for a walk at the park Sunday afternoon and went to small group Sunday evening.  In the midst of comings and goings, I pulled out all of my Christmas things, minus my tree.  I spent some time trying to take inventory of what I have and don't need anymore in this new space.  This will take a few days to sort through the things.  I was a little blah/sad feeling Sunday, but overall, it was a good weekend.

Enjoy your day and thanks for reading!

 

Currently Hodgepodging ~ November 4, 2026

Hi friends!  Linking up with some of my favorites, Joyce and Amy, today with Hodgepodge and Currently!

 1. Our  November Hodgepodges always include a question related to gratitude. What is one small thing you're grateful for today? 

I am grateful for time with my oldest daughter on Monday.  I drove 10 hours round trip to see her for about 3 hours.  I had not seen her in 3 months and won't see her again until Christmas.  It was worth it to spend some time with her.  

2. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage-camellias...your favorite in an autumn garden? Would we find any of these in your yard/garden this year? 

They are all so pretty!  I don't have any yet, but I have thought about buying some pansies to put in a pot on my patio.

3. If you could clear out or organize one physical space or mental habit before the year ends, what would it be?

I really want to spend some time in my garage going through a few more bins that I haven't gotten to since moving in the spring.  I spent some time getting settled and then it got too hot.  Soon it will be too cold, so I hope to do a little organizing soon!

4. Brussel sprouts...love 'em or no thank you? If you said love 'em how do you like them prepared? 

I didn't eat brussel sprouts until a few years ago. I like them if they are roasted and better yet, if they are cooked with bacon or a balsamic glaze.

5. It's reassuring to know that_this world isn't all there is and my eternal home will be in Heaven.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

No-vember – Saying “no” to

I am saying no to some extra things I have had on my calendar lately.  Some of these I enjoy, but just need to pull back on some things.  I am really trying to protect myself as we enter into this holiday season where it is "couple" emphasis.  I don't recommend becoming single in your 50's.  Having a birthday next week has me a little depressed.

Thanking for

I am so thankful for a new place to live this year.  I am excited to decorate for Christmas this year.  

Eating/Drinking

I rarely cook, but I do eat!  I keep so much cooked meat in my freezer, I always have something to pull out to eat.  I ate a Mediterranean chicken bowl from a local restaurant Monday.  Tuesday, I had I had a big breakfast and lunch with dessert, so I didn't eat dinner. Today I am going to lunch with a friend, so I probably won't eat much tonight.  I tend to eat most of my food at breakfast and lunch.

My new holiday drink of choice is the Coke Zero Creamy Vanilla.  I really have been enjoying these!

Cozying up to (could be literal or figurative)

For a single girl who's not dating, I cozy up to a blanket!

Watching/Reading

I am beginning to watch some Christmas movies!  I also have a few shows & movies I want to watch.  Maybe as my schedule slows down, I will have a little more time to watch tv.

Thanks for reading and have a good day!

Hello Monday/Life Lately ~ November 2, 2026

Welcome November, my favorite month!  So happy to see you! Today I am doing a little bit of life lately for my Hello Monday.  Somehow, life has felt busy, so much that I haven't been blogging as much the past few weeks it seems.  I really aim to blog several days a week, but as much as I love this blog community, I give myself much grace when I don't.  So today's post has a few things from my weekend and the past few weeks.

What better way to start November 1st than by watching a cheesy Christmas movie?  After waking up super early Sunday due to the time change, I watched a Christmas movie in bed.  This is one from the Great American Christmas channel.  Since it was raining outside, I walked on my walking pad for part of the movie.

Saturday evening, I went trick or treating with 8 of my greats.  So many homes had candy in a bucket by their doors.  I thought this was a creative set up in someone's driveway!  There were a few homes that had inflatables and other decorations, but weren't home and left no candy.  And some of these people had lights on but didn't come to the door. It was interesting to observe.

My niece made these yummy pretzels with caramel, apples and chocolate drizzle.

I met a friend for a late breakfast Saturday and sat in the "Elvis" section of the restaurant, which is in an old home.  

One of my walks last week, the fog was so thick that morning but pretty to see while walking.

This was a pretty sunrise another morning!

I tasted iced coffee a few weeks ago and it had this creamer in it.  I am not a coffee drinker, but I really enjoyed this drink so much that I bought this creamer.  

Friday night, I was downtown for an open house for my daughter's office.  It was so nice to see her office and meet her team.  Everyone was dressed up for Halloween, they had great food/drinks and it was a fun atmosphere.  Wild story, I actually graduated from high school with the guy that is my daughter's boss.  I don't think I had seen him in 38 years until Friday night.  

Before the event, I walked around downtown Memphis and my sister met me.  The last Friday night of each month, stores and bars stay open late with specials.  They call it South Main Trolley Night because it is on Main Street where the trolleys run. One of the sights is the National Civil Rights Museum.

The wreath you see in the distance is on the balcony where MLK was shot in Memphis.

After leaving downtown, I stopped by the hospital afterwards for a short visit with Jen and her son.  

A few other random life lately photos.....

I organized my fall clothes and have eliminated a few pieces.  It literally was just a few pieces, but I will probably get rid of a few other things as I start wearing fall clothes more and see what else is out there.  It felt so good to pull out all my pants, including jeans and leggings and take inventory of what I have.  I have pants in several sizes.  Does anyone else have or keep a variety of sizes??  

Last Sunday, we had a charcuterie board for an event at church.  A caterer was hired for this one and it was such a pretty, full table display!

Y'all know from time to time here I talk about my love for brisket.  I thought this was great that I saw at a BBQ festival!

Y'all also know my love of dancing!  I went line dancing a few weeks ago and met up with Kendra and one of her friends.  It was a fun night and I hope to go back soon!

Looking forward to a new week and hope your Monday goes well!

Hodgepodge ~ October 28, 2026

 Good morning blog friends.  I hope everyone is having a good week out there.  Thank you Joyce for hosting each week for Hodgepodge.

1. What most recently gave you goose bumps? 

I took dinner to a friend of mine Monday night whose father passed away a few weeks ago.  When she was sharing some stories with me, I had goose bumps.  It was a sweet time as we talked a lot about grief.  Grief is a recurring theme in my life and I am actually attending a grief event this week on navigating the holidays.

2. What does Halloween look like in your home and/or neighborhood these days? Do you participate? 

When my kids were little, I loved walking our neighborhood with the girls. For a few years, we would sit on our front porch and give out candy and have a fire in the fire pit.  Halloween was always the night I made the first pot of chili for the season.  I heard there really aren't trick or treaters in my current apartment complex.  I am sure most go to the neighborhoods nearby.  This year, I will probably go to my niece's house to see my kiddos.

3. Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy, chia...your favorite seed on the list? What's something you like to make/eat that calls for one of these seeds in the recipe? 

I do love a poppy seed chicken dish, but haven't had it in so long.  Maybe I can put that on my winter list to cook!  I use chia seeds in my smoothies, so I always keep those on hand.

4. What's the most (or one of the most) 'fall photos' you've ever taken? Share it here. Just one. 

I remember the first fall in my new house at this time & I was so excited to have this fall set-up.  It was my first fall living back in the USA and I had a variety of pumpkins, mums and a bale of hay. I loved sitting outside in our little cul-de-sac.

5. Somehow we're rolling in to November next week. If your October were a chapter in a book, what would the title of this chapter be? 

Birthdays Richmond Rethinking

I spent time celebrating birthdays this month & I spent 5 days in Richmond with family. I also have been rethinking of how to spend my time going forward with friends and activities.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

In a random series of events, my daughter and I met a friend at a Jewish BBQ festival Sunday afternoon for about an hour and met the mayor of Memphis while we were there and we all got a picture.  It was a different afternoon for us, but we had fun!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Friday Favorites ~ October 23, 2026

 Good Friday morning!  I think I am glad it is the weekend.  At least a little less work this weekend to do, right?

Monday after a few hours in the office, I drove to pick up my great nephew for his birthday outing.  Today he turns 10 years old!  This guy made me a great aunt and I treasure him.  He calls me his grandmother and it just melts me.  He is only close with one of his grandmothers (my sister) so I am like his other grandmother.  He has had quite the year as he had a cochlear implant earlier this year.  I am so proud of how brave he is and what he lives with each day.  We had Mexican food and then Lego shopping!

Later that afternoon, I met my old friend from work for frozen yogurt and a diet coke from McDonalds!

I early voted!

Then I joined two women I use to go to church with for a walk at our main park in the city.  We walked 4 miles & it felt nice after eating Mexican and yogurt earlier.

Tuesday was work & then I cooked dinner for Brook, Wade and I.  It was a simple menu of grilled chicken (using my bourbon marinade I bought in Louisville this summer), roasted potatoes and salad.  I took a walk after dinner then joined them to watch Dancing with the Stars.  The dedications to all the mommas made me teary.

Wednesday I worked at home and then went to sub for a few hours.  I sub from time to time, so technically, this is my 4th part time job, ha!  I piece several jobs together to make ends meet, while stilling have some flexibility with my schedule.  There are definitely pros and cons to this.  The pro is my flexible schedule.  The cons are no benefits, no paid time off and my brain stays tired trying to sort through the different roles.  But this is part of the life I didn't want, but have to keep going forward.  

Wednesday night was the season home opener game of the Memphis Grizzlies, our NBA team.  They played the Utah Jazz.  My favorite Grizzlies player was traded to that team earlier this year so I wanted to go see him play.  It being the season opener made it such a fun environment.  I picked up Wade & we met up with Brook downtown after she got off work.  I had a friend meet me down there too so it was a fun night and the Grizzlies won!

Hey Jaren Jackson Jr.

My Thursday was busy working a few hours as a sub and then I went to my regular job and got home at 8.  I am tired.  Do I stay this tired as I get older and older???

Y'all enjoy your people, football and fall weather this weekend!