Currently Hodgepodging ~ September 2, 2026

 Hi friends.  Today I am linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge and Amy for Currently. Here we go!

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

I wanted to take a day to go to a state park and go kayaking.  I may try to make that happen this fall though.  The summer got away from me and now I need it to cool down during the day.

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

I wasn't a front row girl, but I don't remember hiding in the back.  My maiden name begins with a "W", so if it was an alphabetical seating chart, I was in the back.  If I could take a class again, it would probably be anatomy and physiology.  I liked that subject the best.  However, based on teachers, it would be my senior English teacher.

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

Patience, classroom management, & listening to your students come to mind.  I have only subbed, so I have never been a full time teacher.  However, my sister has been a teacher for almost 40 years and my father was a college professor for over 45 years.  They are both very good at what they do.  

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

I do like grits, but rarely eat them.  I would prefer shrimp and grits over plain grits.  I think people would describe me as having grit for pressing on with learning to enjoy my life again after an unwanted divorce.  I did not let this deter my bucket list trip I went on this summer. The 4 days by myself were very empowering.  I felt like Rocky after these 4 days, ha!

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

Dancing comes to mind!  

This is a picture of my daughters from a wedding reception this summer where we had so much fun!

On our cruise this summer, we got in the cruise video they played on the ship because we were front and center at the ABBA sing a long party where we sang and danced.  We also went to a dance party the last night that was fun!

I still take dance lessons, but go every 2-3 weeks.  I love this and do mostly latin dances, but I do enjoy some of the traditional ballroom dances too. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I purchased this set of pictures from Mixtiles to have memories from my trip and I love them!  Brook hung them for me last weekend and I have enjoyed looking at them so much.  I had been waiting for the right picture/pictures for above my sofa.

I also framed these 2 pictures from my trip:

This is the picture of me driving across the bridge that represented me living life at new heights.

And this picture below is my picture taken at the Squamish River on the day that meant so much to me.  I hung this up in my bedroom.

And now on to Currently!

Adjusting (to)

I feel like I am always adjusting to being a single person.  I am doing okay, but it is an adjustment.  After a long marriage and trying dating, let's just say it is an adjustment to this new stage.

Baking/Cooking

With fall approaching, I am inspired to bake and cook more.  Y'all know I bake sourdough, which I enjoy and usually do every 2 weeks, depending on if I give away any bread or not!

I made some pesto chicken last weekend that was very tasty. The recipe consisted of mixing a block of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of pesto sauce.  I spread that over chicken breasts and then sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top. I baked it at 375 for 30-40 minutes and it was perfect.

I also bought some tilapia from Trader Joe's last week.  I like tilapia, but had never cooked any.  I usually just cook salmon or shrimp when it comes to seafood.  I coated the tilapia in parmesan cheese, oat flour, garlic, salt and pepper.  I cooked it in my air fryer at 400 for about 20 minutes and it was tender and so light.  I need to do this more often!

I also made a quick dinner one night with ground turkey mixed with my homemade cheese dip.  The cheese dip is cottage cheese mixed well so it is smooth, mixed with cheddar/mexican cheese and taco seasoning.  It was all tasty and I ate this with chips.

Decorating

I haven't done it yet, but I will be decorating for Fall soon. I think I will do that in a few weekends when the temperature is below 90.

 Balancing

Time on my own, family and friends - I enjoy all of these so it is balancing and learning when to say yes and no.

  Learning

I am always learning grace and peace for myself in relationships and work.

Here's hoping your week is going well and thanks for reading!

Currently Hodgepodging

Good morning & Happy 1st day of July!

 It has been pretty quiet in my world and I have been processing a lot the past few days, but I am joining in today with 2 of my favorites...Hodgepodge and Currently!

 1. What do you love most about your country? 

I love all the freedoms we have.  Just a few of the freedoms that come to mind are being able to worship, drive a car, travel, walk outside,  and access to medical care. I am always thankful to be a US citizen, regardless who is in office.  From my time abroad, I have a deeper appreciation for our country and learned a lot from citizens of other nations. 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

I am going to choose America the Beautiful.

I love the references to the beauty of our country, God's grace that has been shown to us and the sacrifice of so many. I do think America is beautiful.  While we aren't as old as places in Europe, we have a beautiful country to explore!  My desire to leave the country is less and less.  However, there are a few more places I would love to see or re-visit.  But, I also want to visit more places in the USA and Canada too. I feel fortunate that I have traveled a lot, but can still name some great places I haven't visited.

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

I love all 3 colors!  I have some USA decor, but haven't pulled it out this year.  I am thankful and celebrating, but this holiday will be bittersweet for us here.  It marks the one year anniversary of the Texas floods.  We are still in touch with the mom of my daughter's dear friend who lost her life in that event.  If you think of them, will you pray for this mom? And pray for all of the other families who lost family members last year on this day too.

Thank you and moving on to the next question...Stripes over stars, but I like both.

My first house was nicknamed Lady Liberty because it essentially was decorated like 4th of July year round! Not excessively, but I did have flag decor throughout my house.  I am sure I have pictures of this somewhere, but this was way before cell phones and before I was married.  I bought my first home when I was 23 and owned it for 4 years.

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

I would vote for connection.  I miss the connection piece knowing I always have someone to call at anytime, but I will also say, it makes me more dependent on crying out to the Lord when I can't call a friend. It was a lonely weekend without anyone to call about some things, but I am always grateful for the growth I have had being alone and dependent on Him instead of another person. 

I also would love more confidence & who wouldn't want a little more fun?

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid?  

I can't help but think of summers at my grandparents house.  We played outside all the time.  They lived on about 100 acres, so there was no shortage of where to play!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sparkling – What is currently “sparkling” in your life?

Gosh, this was a hard one for me.  The only answer I can think of are a few of my Spotify playlists.  They are a mix of Abba, Lisa Marie Presley, Teddy Swims, Taylor Swift, Huey Lewis, Prince and Harry Styles to name a few.

Grilling/Cooking 

I don't do much of either.  I did cook some bacon on Saturday and it turned out perfect! I usually try to cook breakfast on Saturday's, but it is usually just bacon and eggs.

Heating up 

It is warming up to be our hottest week of the summer! Oh my, the air feels oppressive.  However, I was still able to walk to church on Sunday and I still love doing this. I haven't driven to church since Easter!

Using 

With the heat, I am trying to use my indoor walking pad and vibration plate a few times a week for movement.  I need to use it even more, but I just get lazy honestly.  I don't do well walking outside in the heat.  

Celebrating 

My daughter received her actual college diploma in the mail this week and it seemed like a celebration all over again.  I played Pomp and Circumstance on my phone as she opened it :). I am celebrating that my older daughter starts a new position next month with her work. I am celebrating that I am going away on vacation and thinking about some fall trips too.

Hope your week is going well and thanks for reading!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ May 6, 2026

 It is the first May hodgepodge and always thankful to be linking up with Joyce for this fun post! I am also linking up with Amy below for May's currently!

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

I may walk outside more before the summer heat comes. I also may organize some boxes in my garage.  

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option? 

I do love me some Mexican food & I will eat it out or home.  If I eat out, I either get tortilla soup, fajitas, or a taco salad.  At home, I am probably just eating tacos & chips & salsa :).

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember? 

We were always looking at our phones :(.  I hope my greats all remember the simple joys of life, how much they are loved & supported, and mostly that they are a child of God!

4. What advice would you give a new mother? 

Sleep!  Realize that everything doesn't have to be perfect or even close to it.  Don't let comparisons creep in. Let others help, even if they do some things differently than you would do it.  Focus more on the heart, acknowledge feelings, and apologize often.

5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children? 

I can't think of a saying off the top of my head that my mom said to me.  A few things I have say to my girls are:

1.  Put your own oxygen mask on first.

2.  Wear sunscreen.

3.  Never ask a woman if she is pregnant unless if you can see the head :).

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Moving right along into Currently with Amy!

Digging – Literally or the 70s version meaning “loving”

My new home!  I am digging all of my new decor and furniture.  Nothing that is in my bedroom was in my previous master bedroom. I have a new dresser, bed, bedding, bookshelf, curtains, bench and pictures on the wall.  I have a chair that belonged to my grandmother, my nightstand that my parents had when they first got married, and a round table a friend gave me that was in my previous guest room. 

In the den, again, everything in there is new within the last few weeks or within the last 3 years.  

I am digging having an extension of my living space in my garage.  I actually have set up my home office in the garage.

I am digging being able to go on walks in a beautiful area.

Weeding– Literally or “cleaning out”

I am weeding through my clothes and boxes in my garage. I currently have a lamp section, a throw pillow section and a huge pile to try to sell on Facebook Marketplace.

Enjoying – foods, shows, books, clothing, people – whatever!

Eating/cooking at home!  I am still trying to eat from my freezer as much as a I can.

I am watching the last season of The Way Home on Netflix and I just finished the new season of Virgin River last week.

I purchased a few new clothing items from Shein recently.  It is my 2nd order from them.  I have liked what I have received, but don't think I will purchase from them on a regular basis.  I will try to share some of these on Tuesdays with Amy's fashion link up.

I enjoy my people.....my daughters, my greats, my parents and extended family, my church friends who are like family, Jenn and the rest of this blog community!

Eating/Drinking –

always frozen yogurt & sourdough bread!

Shopping for –

I recently purchased new furniture from Wayfair's recent sale- coffee table, entertainment center, bed, bar stools, & curtains.  I also purchased a new sofa since I no longer owned a sofa.

That's it for today y'all....thanks for reading and enjoy your day!

Currently Hodgepodging

 Happy Hodgepodge and Currently Day!  These ladies are some of my favorites.

1. March is rolling on out of here. Sum up your March in ten words or less. 

March was lonely, except for the week Brook was home for Spring Break.

2. Are you afraid of heights? When was the last time you found yourself dealing with a height, and did it make you nervous?

Less and less do I like heights.  I will ride a roller coaster, but I won't do a zipline, sky dive, or anything like that.  Oh goodness, I can't remember a literal height I have dealt with in the past year.

3. What's a word you struggle to spell on a regular basis, and sometimes need to double check before writing it down? Use the word in a sentence that tells us something about your April calendar. 

Cinnamon.....For some reason I can't ever remember if it has 2 n's or 2 m's.  

"I made cinnamon sourdough bread this month and hope to make some in April".

4. Love 'em or hate 'em, with Easter comes the sweet treat known as Peeps. So... do you love 'em or hate 'em? Speaking of peeps, what's your favorite way to have chicken? 

I would have to go with hate 'em. I certainly don't love them or would eat them.

I like a good grilled chicken with seasonings.  Chicken salad, chicken spaghetti, and poppy seed chicken are some other favorite ways I like it. I actually made poppy seed chicken last night for dinner.

5. This week's Hodgepodge lands on the first day of April, which happens to be National Poetry Month. Do you like poetry?  Share a favorite line or two from one of your favorite poems. What makes this one a favorite? 

I don't follow typical poetry, but my thought goes to the Psalms in the bible for poetry.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Planting or hatching (literal or figurative – like planting an idea or hatching a plan)

I would love to have a houseplant for my new apartment!  

I plan on walking outside in my new neighborhood.  It is a very walkable area & I am excited about this.

Cleaning (spring)

I will be cleaning my new apartment next month when I move in and decorate.  I will also clean in the house where I am currently living.  I have a pile of donations to make as I have been getting rid of clothes and a few other random things as I pack up again.

Eating and drinking

I have been eating frozen yogurt, sourdough bread and a lot of Mexican food in the month of March!

Reading and watching

Age of Attraction

 Virgin River

Kelly and Mark

When Calls the Heart

Bachelor Mansion Remodeling Show on HGTV

Loving

Spring weather

Texts/phone calls from my daughters

Baseball season

Shopping for my new apartment - I have bought oh many new things for my apartment, but the biggest purchase I have made is a new sofa!  I am very excited about this.  It did seem weird/sad to go do this by myself thought.  It also felt very independent too and I am definitely an independent woman.

Any time with my greats

Hope you have a great day & thanks for reading!

Hodgepodging Currently ~ March 4, 2026

 Hi guys!  We had an icestorm in January and then February was a slow month for me, but this week has been busy so I haven't been on the blog as much.  I will get caught up soon though, here in the blogland and at home hopefully.  I am happy to join in with Hodgepodge and Currently today with my sweet friends, Joyce and Amy.

1.  As the saying goes, 'March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.' Did your March come in roaring or like some other animal? Every month carries with it certain feelings, which is why some people love and anticipate December and others dread it. How do you feel about the month of March? 

March has come roaring in like a lion in the way that is has been busy.  I always look forward to March because usually a little taste of Spring comes (although we have had some historic big snows in March).  It is also good to know I have survived January and February!

2. Where in your life are you a lion? Where are you a lamb? 

I am like a lion by being a strong, independent woman who lives alone & doesn't have a male protector. 

I am like a lamb, hopefully, to my friends & family by being gentle, dependent and calm.

3. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pound Cake day. Do you like pound cake? If so do you have a favorite flavor? Let's play this or that-

pound cake or layer cake?

If my dear friend makes it, I vote pound cake.

pound cake or cheesecake?

cheesecake

pound cake or angel food cake?

pound cake

pound cake or brownie?

brownie

pound cake or pie?

pie...well, if it is lemon or key lime!

4. What makes you feel childlike wonder right now? 

The first thing that came to mind is the idea of getting my own apartment.  I am excited to have more of a permanent place soon. 

5. What's one thing you need to add to your wardrobe to get ready for spring? If you're in the southern hemisphere, then answer for fall? 

I would like to have a few new shirts.  I may look on Shein.  I have only placed one order with them, but it went well!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today is my parents 60th wedding anniversary! Last night, my sister, brother-in-law and I had dinner with them to celebrate.  My brother lives out of town, so we missed him and my sister-in-law.

Now on to Currently!

Saving your life right now

Truthfully, the humor of reels and comedians!  I watch reels and my friends and I send reels every day about the stresses of work, relationships and other things that helps us laugh about our lives.  Watching comedians/comedy keeps me laughing and I need laughter in my life!

Cleaning/purging

As most of you know, I moved last fall, so I purged a lot then.  I am living in a rental home now, but I will purge some more things before I move to an apartment this spring/summer.  I am purging kitchen items, clothes and other household items or old memorabilia. I am hosting a wedding shower this weekend, so I do have a lot of basic cleaning to do!

Loving

I am loving my friendship with my work friend.  She is the same age as my daughter, like born on the same day!  She calls me her bonus mom.  Yesterday after work, I went by her house to join in on her family's celebration of Purim.  It has been so interesting to learn about her Jewish traditions.

Planning (trip wise)

I have 4 trips to take this year, so far. I took one trip back in February. I am working on details for all of these upcoming trips.

Next, I have a blog trip...YAY!

Then I have a work trip, which is my once a year travel for work event.  I drive, so I don't have to fly anywhere.

I will travel at the end of spring to see my newborn baby daughter graduate from college!

At the end of the summer, I have a bucket list trip with my daughters for an Alaskan Cruise!  I am also doing a bonus trip by myself during the same time frame.

Taking a break from

Honestly, I have taken some breaks from blogging.  Don't get me wrong, I love this community and this outlet.  I have made some dear friends through blogging and I definitely consider you to be real friends and not just an online random person.  I am so incredibly thankful to have met such delightful people here!

Sometimes, life just isn't exciting in my little world of living alone.  I spent the last 2 weeks going to work and coming home at night and no weekend plans.  So not to sound depressing, but as they say, there just wasn't much "to write home about". Then the complete opposite happened this week, I have something every night and after being out of my house for over 12 hours, I am just too tired to do anything honestly other than crawl in bed. And okay, watch some funny reels.  

I hope you are enjoying your week and I may be back Friday....or not :). Thanks for reading!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ February 4, 2026

The temperatures are above freezing finally!  What a great way to celebrate by participating in Hodgepodge and Currently with our 2 great hosts, Joyce and Amy!

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 love watching the opening ceremonies to the Olympics and seeing all the countries represented.  I know they are all competing, yet it seems like such a time of the world coming together too.

I enjoy watching the ski jumping because I am in awe of how people really do this.  Ice skating is also fun to watch!

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?

Oh, I wish I could time travel (in the words of Huey Lewis, back in time), but I don't have that superpower.

3. Are you a romantic? 

Unfortunately, yes.  Although, because it has been about 5 years since anything romantic has happened towards me, I would say I am less and less of one.  I just want someone to be kind at this point, much less romantic.  

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? 

Blue cheese, not so much.  I do like feta cheese on a salad!  One of my favorites is spinach leaves, pecans, strawberry halves and feta cheese.  Adding grilled chicken to this is great too!

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

I think there has to be a balance.  Doing what you love gives you energy, but it can change and doesn't always pays the bills in regard to a job.  Loving what you do means gratitude for what is before you.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Tomorrow is my firstborn's 25th birthday!!  I love this girl so much and look forward to seeing her.

Loving

I am currently loving that it isn't January, ha!  I thought it was going to be okay, but mercy, I could have done without January 2026 for many reasons.  No thank you.  Here's to February being better.  Bye winter decor!

Baking/Cooking

Due to the cold weather and being at home so much, I have done some cooking lately:

Pork, veggies and sweet potato fries

Sourdough bread

Scrambled eggs with crumbled turkey sausage & cheese was for breakfast several days last week.

Chili

Watching/Reading

I finished these first 3 shows during the snow week and am in progress watching the other one.

Planning

I have been planning a few trips.  I have a blog trip, a trip to watch my daughter graduate, and an epic end of the summer trip that has been in the works for over a year!

Savoring

I have been savoring any night where I sleep all the way through more than 6 hours.  It rarely happens, so when it does, I am so thankful,

Hope you have a great Wednesday and thanks for reading!