Currently Hodgepodging ~ September 3, 2025

 Happy Wednesday.  Today I am joining in with my favorite weekly Hodgepodge post and monthly Currently post. 

1. Next Sunday is Grandparent's Day. Share a favorite memory, photo, recipe, or something you learned from a grandparent. 

Oh, I adored my grandparents!  I just said last week the best man I ever knew was my grandfather, who I lovingly called Pop.  He passed away when I was a sophomore in college.  

Here is my sweet grandmother, who lived 19 years later without Pop by her side. She was an amazing woman as well.  

My other grandfather passed away when I was just a year and a half, so I don't have any memories of him unfortunately, but love hearing stories about him.  His wife, my grandmother, was also an amazing woman.  I don't have a picture here to show of her.  She passed away a few months after I got married so she never knew my kids.  

I am so thankful for the Christian legacy my grandparents left me by setting an example of loving Jesus and their families well.

Here are my parents as grandparents to my girls. Obviously, this picture was from quite a while ago!

And it has been so fun to see my parents become great grandparents!

This is also a picture from years past, but these are my in-laws, with my girls.  I am thankful my girls are blessed with knowing all of their grandparents.

2. What's a quote from a book (besides The Bible) that has stayed with you? 

These are not from a book, but two quotes that I say often are "Behavior is a language" and "Put on your own oxygen mask first".

3. What's your number one food pet peeve? 

Using raisins instead of chocolate chips in cookies?

Adding nuts in brownies?

4. What's one thing about you that is still the same as it was when you were young? 

I have always loved concerts and music!  Elvis was my first concert at age 5!  That was followed by the Osmonds & Shawn Cassidy.  Then I got into my teenage concert era in the 80's.  We always had music playing in my house. My girls now are familiar with a lot of older music! 

Posing with "Elvis" at a wax museum above and Graceland below.

I have seen Huey Lewis and the News more than any other performer, probably 10 times at least.

The 3 of us have been to see Harry Styles twice and he puts on a great show!

5. September is National Preparedness Month...does your family have an emergency plan? Do you have some sort of preparedness kit you keep on hand? If so, tell us one thing that's kept there. 

I have a an emergency fire blanket and a few fire extinguishers in my home.  The fire blanket is something I added in the last few years.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My random thoughts lead into my Currently post.....

Here are the the things I am currently loving, beginning, ending, picking, and posting.

Loving

I am loving the cooler weather.  Even when it is still a little warm in the afternoons, the mornings and evenings are wonderful.  Now I just need to get outside more!

Beginning

I hope some work is beginning in the next few weeks to complete some punch list items that need to be done at my house.  

Ending

I am ending my summer with Brook.  She leaves tomorrow to return to her university.  This momma is sure going to miss a daily hug & seeing someone in my home. 

Picking

My first thought when reading this prompt is picking my battles.  I try to do this and the other thing I am picking is me!  I am picking me and trying to take care of myself.  Pick you my friends!  It will help you be a better person to those around you I believe.  

Posting

I try to do a monthly social media post on highlights from my month in pictures.  I sometimes will re-post something else or share an event/birthday online.  I am active on social media, but don't post every day.  I aim to blog 3 times a week, but as life goes, sometimes it is more or sometimes less. 

That's it for today!  Thanks for reading and enjoy your day!

Hodgepodge ~ August 6, 2025

 Good morning!  I am beginning the post linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!

1. The midpoint of summer (believe it or not) is August 7th. Describe a perfect summer day. Have you had one this year? 

I wouldn't say I have had a perfect day this year, but I have enjoyed some moments for sure.  What would that perfect day be? 

Maybe sleeping in after a good night's rest.  Waking up in a new place with my girls with me. We would eat a good breakfast, spend the afternoon swimming and playing with my great nieces and nephews.  An evening boat ride on a lake with a picnic dinner and a cute date would be a great ending.  Keep in mind I don't have a boat, lake or a cute date, but just dreaming :). 

2. What's one thing you wish you knew before starting high school? 

You won't remember 99% of the things that happen to you during this time!

3. What's something that bothers you if it's not done perfectly? 

I am thinking of breakfast foods.  I like scrambled eggs well done and bacon crispy!

4. What's the most overrated food you're convinced people are just pretending to enjoy? What's a trendy food you actually do enjoy and would say is definitely not overrated? 

sushi? I don't eat sushi, but I know a lot of people do like it.  

I enjoy blended cottage cheese in recipes and I feel like it is definitely having a moment with the push for us all to get extra protein.

5. Wrapping it up this week with five fun this or that's...

personal stylist or personal chef? 

Personal Stylist!  I would love to have a professional color analysis.

dance like nobody's watching or sing like nobody's listening? 

Dance like nobody's watching!  I love to move to the music.

unlimited tacos or free pizza? 

Free pizza

bookshelf organization-by size or by genre? 

genre

ten minutes late or ten minutes early? 

10 minutes early

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My random leads me into this month's Currently prompts with Jenn!

Loving

I am loving the temperatures being back to normal, manageable summer weather this week and the cooler weekend we had.  I am loving having Brook home.  I know I say that a lot, but it is so true.  

Looking to

I am looking to others to help me with a few house projects.  I have a list of things I need to do to get my house ready to sell. I still don't know when that will be, this year or next, but I am trying to get a few things done here and have to hire people :(.

Scheduling

 I am always trying to schedule a trip!  I may try to have a quick trip in September.  This usually helps me as I adjust to not having Brook home. I always schedule little things on my calendar and write down most things so I don't forget!! 

Buying

I did a lot of Amazon buying this summer and still am working on that post to be released soon! Other than Amazon, I am buying food and that's about it.

Gearing up for

I am gearing up for the fall and lots of little things to bring me joy in the midst of dreading some hard things.  I am always trying to hold both joy and grief.

Sending lots of love to you on this Wednesday and thanks for reading!

Currently Hodgepodge ~ July 3, 2025

 

1. What does freedom mean to you? 

Freedom means the liberty to worship freely, own things, sell things, travel, speak freely with respect to other people and  still abiding by rules and having boundaries.

2. How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? If you live outside the USA answer this question as it relates to your own country's patriotic holiday, wherever that may land on the calendar. 

I will celebrate with family at my sister's home, who has a pool.  I am sure we will eat together and snack too.  I have no idea what I am bringing yet!

3. This or that...red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Watermelon, home made ice cream, or blueberry pie? How do you feel about fireworks?  

White

Stripes

Strawberry pie, if I can add a new choice :)

I am indifferent to fireworks.

4. What have you purchased recently that made you excited? 

I do plan on making an Amazon post soon, but until then, this one purchase that has made me excited.  I have a new purse and wanted some organization within my purse. I ordered these bags and love them!  They have a magnetic closure and keep little things organized.  I have some lipstick in one, makeup and hand sanitzer in one, eyeglass cleaner and some sweetener packets in another one (which I realize makes me sound old, but I don't care).  I love that they are different colors too.

5. I'm thankful to live in America (or fill in whatever country you call home) because____________.

I have lived in another country for a few years and honestly, it does make me thankful to live in America.  I am thankful for our freedoms and conveniences I have.  There are so many simple, little things that make me thankful to live here.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I bought these snacks last week at a Trader Joe's and they are so good! If you are not a fan of fried okra, it may not be your thing though.

Now to join in with Jenn for Currently...

loving

I am loving time spent with friends & family.  I am so thankful for each of them, especially during this season which still has a lot of ups and downs for me.

 savoring

I am savoring the time of having Brook at home for the summer.  She has been home one month and I have 2 months left with her.  We often go at different schedules, but it is still nice to have her here at night and in the morning, even if we don't see one another.  

celebrating

I am celebrating the Independence Day holiday Friday with swimming and cooking out with family.

remembering

After seeing some friends from Bogota' last week, I was remembering stories from living in Colombia.  It was funny to think back on some of these!

 trying

I am trying my hand at doing some plumbing repairs this weekend.  These are some things I wish I didn't have to do, but I am thankful I live in an era of You Tube, ha!

Have a great Wednesday!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ June 4, 2025

 Good morning!  Today is a double link up post with Joyce for Hodgepodge and Jenn for Currently.

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? 

When my daughters were young, I would always hang streamers from their doorframe to walk through the next morning.  I always had a Happy Birthday banner hanging, along with other decor.  I used birthday plates to eat each meal on throughout the day.  I loved hosting themed birthday parties for my girls! Some themes we had were a farm party, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, prairie, Legos, dance, Polly Pocket, books, painting, space, William and Kate, and Hollywood. I would either cook a favorite meal or we would go out to eat at a restaurant of their choice.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses...what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

I would take any color.  I think a variety is just beautiful though! I do try to look through rose colored glasses most of the time.  I try to often remind myself the alternative is to be negative, depressed, cranky, etc.  I am realist, but prefer to stay hopeful as much as I can!

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day...will you celebrate? What's something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

I could celebrate cheese every day, ha!  I eat a low-fat mozzarella cheese stick most days. I want to make a broccoli salad this summer, which calls for shredded cheese.  

4. 'tis the season...any weddings on your June calendar? What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

I had so many weddings to attend last year, but only have one confirmed to attend later this year in September.  The first word that comes to mind when hearing marriage is idol.  I believe marriage is idolized in society and especially in the church.  I am so thankful Jesus came to die for you and for me, for individuals and not for marriage.  I am pro-marriage, but I do think it is idolized.

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

I am looking forward to having someone in the house with me, seeing my older daughter and a friend from South America who will be stateside.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am going to transition to linking up with Jenn for Currently.

 loving

I am loving having Brook home to say good morning and good night to, even though there are a few these I will miss with our schedules. Monday, we took a Costco trip to stock up on food for us and we went to Chick-fil-A for lunch afterwards.  Because of all the food we bought, none of it quite seemed like lunch food and Costco will work up an appetite! 

doing outside

I am spraying weeds and trying to get weeds out of my flower beds.  This, and weed eating my back yard, are both never-ending outside chores.  I know by July it will be too hot and I will just let it go more than likely unless if we have a cooler weather day.  I do enjoy having a cleaned up yard though!

cooking/grilling

I cooked some beef sirloin and sweet potato fries Monday night for dinner for Jenn and me.  These were both Costco items I bought!  I served it with salad, sourdough bread, carrots and hummus.  I also purchased some delicious pimento cheese flavored crackers.  I hope to eat some grilled meat this summer, but I don't have an outdoor grill. 

 excited about

I am excited about having outdoor concert events this summer, having weekend plans, and life going forward!

wearing

American Eagle is my go to place for jeans and casual pants because I can order online in an X-Short size vs just short length.  I recently got these jeans and I am loving them!  

Here is another pair of AE jeans I have.

This is my new dress I bought in Texas. It is becoming dress season as it slowly warms up here.  

Have a great Wednesday friends and thanks for reading!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ May 7, 2025

Good morning!  I woke up not feeling so well yesterday, so I am hoping to feel stronger today as the weeks in May are coming at us fast!  How are you friends?  I am linking up with Joyce and Jenn today. 

1. Let's compare this May to last May. What's changed? What remains very much the same? 

I went back to look through some blog posts from last May.  What has changed is I am even stronger and in a better head space this year.  What stays the same is that I am staying active, doing new things and embracing life.  Unfortunately, a few other things have stayed the same, but I am confident more things will change by next May!

2. What's something you may do this month? 

I may try to cook more for myself.  I need to do this more and do better at meal planning this summer.

3. Mother's Day is approaching (in the US of A)...in what way(s) are you like your mother? 

 

I am like my mother in the fact that I am short, but more than that, my mother is a thoughtful person, always wanting the best for her kids.  She is a strong supporter and defender of her kids and I try to be that way for mine.

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite. 

I read whatever was assigned to me at school. I can't remember a favorite.

5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. 

Between the two, I would say a tortoise. While I sometimes stay busy, I don't think I am fast.  Especially in the last 2 years, I have a hard shell and sometimes hide to a safe place to retreat.  When I was kid, I collected decorative turtles and had a real turtle as a pet for a short time.  I named him Rocky (because I loved that movie!) and I remember feeding him pieces of bacon!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Now I will move on to the Currently post for May. Today we are looking at things we are loving, looking forward to, leaving behind, letting go of, and looking at. 

Loving

I am loving my new coaster I purchased at Churchill Downs.  I also bought a magnet and Christmas ornament.  This reminds me of what a great trip I had to Louisville!

Looking Forward To

The past 2 Mother's Days, I haven't seen either of my daughters.  This year, I have one coming home, so that makes me really happy and of course I will sure miss my other daughter. I love them so!

Leaving Behind

I am leaving behind alot of hopes and dreams for my future with my former spouse, but am still hopeful for those dreams, even though it will look different than I thought. 

Letting Go Of

I am letting go of most of my wardrobe from the last few years as I slowly try to rebuild my closet.

Looking At

I am currently looking at a candle burning, Ransom Canyon on the tv and hanging out with Jenn!

Hope you all are currently having a good day! 

Currently Hodgepodge ~ March 5, 2025

Good morning!  I am linking up Joyce and Jenn today.

1. What do you love most about March? 

I love the sunshine, the spring clothes, taking walks outside, seeing new blooms and things come to life.  The season is a visible representation of a new season of life.  

2. Hey! Did you know March is National Celery Month? Do you like celery? What's something you make (or like to order out) that calls for celery? 

I am not a celery fan.  The only way I can think of that I would eat celery would be in dressing I eat on Thanksgiving Day.

3. "You're Not Done" by Leeland and Charity Gayle is the soundtrack to my life right now. 

4. Share a favorite motivational quote for overcoming challenges. 

Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace.  You're going to be okay.  

(That may not sound like rocket science, but it is simple, profound and powerful truth in these familiar sayings.)

5. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday this year. Do you participate in Lent in some way? If so tell us more. 

It is not a yearly tradition for me, however, I have had a few lent seasons where I have given up something or tried to do a new positive practice in my life.  With so much in life right now, I won't be participating this year.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

See below for Currently!

loving

As mentioned above, I am loving the weather.  It is mild during the day and still a little chilly at night.  I have enjoyed taking walks with friends lately.

craving

Granted, my first thought when I read the word craving is to think of foods.  However, it didn't take long to think my craving is for a hug from my daughters, more freedom and new opportunities.

 pinning

Here are the last 2 recipes I have pinned.  I haven't tried the one below, but it sure looks good.  I have made the soup and it was tasty.

Crispy Chicken Roasted Sweet Potato Bowl

Crack Chicken Soup

planning

I am planning for a few small trips this spring.  I am trying to do a little meal planning, at least a few days in advance.  I am doing this to try to help me eat a little healthier. 

appreciating

I am appreciating all the love, prayers and support from family and friends during the hardest few years of my life, especially this last year.  

Happy Wednesday friends!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ February 2025

 Good morning!  I am linking up with Jenn and Joyce today for Currently/Hodgepodge....Wednesday favorites!

Loving

I am currently loving going through every closet/drawer in my house.  I am looking forward to streamlining and pairing down stuff.  I am trying to sell things on Facebook marketplace. It is a good feeling!

Anticipating

I am anticipating some current hard situations to be resolved within the next 2 months, or hopefully sooner!

Remembering

Today I am remembering my firstborn daughter who is 24 years old today!  Oh, such sweet memories of 24 great years with her and looking forward to many more!

Sharing

I am sharing time and hugs with friends and family throughout the week whenever I can!

Wish-listing

I am wish listing a lot of things these days!  I am wish listing a clean house, a future place of my own, some freedom in areas of life and wishing for self control for healthier eating!

1. What area of your life feels like you're stuck in a Groundhog's Day loop, doing the same thing over and over? Does it bother you or is that just how life is in this particular season? 

I am in a season of waiting.  Like so many other things recently, I have just learned to accept it and know my life is in God's timing.  

2. Something that makes your heart skip a beat? 

Phone calls/hugs from my daughters; when my greats greet me by name and hugs!

3. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve or are you more of a closed book? Elaborate. 

I would say yes at one point, but I have grown a little toughter over the past few years.  I don't think I am a closed book though, After all, I have a blog!

4. According to Prevention Magazine, these are 25 of the best foods for heart health-

wild salmon, sardines, liver, walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, oatmeal, blueberries, coffee, red wine, green tea, soy milk, dark chocolate, raisins, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, whole grains, apples, oranges, grapefruit, avocado, avocado oil, olive oil 

Which five do you include in your diet most often? Are there any foods on the list you simply cannot abide? 

I include dark chocolate, apples and oranges in my diet most often.  The foods on the list I don't consume are sardines, liver, oatmeal, blueberries, coffee, raisins and grapefruit.

5. What was the last piece of furniture you bought? Is there a piece of furniture you need/want to purchase this year? 

I bought this chest to put at the end of my bed in December.  I am excited to use it.  I would love to purchase a new sofa and round coffee table in 2025.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My song of the week is Dragons by Drew Holcomb.  The main line in the song is

"Go slay all the dragons that stand in your way."

This is what I am praying for in my life!

Enjoy your day and thanks for reading!