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!

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!

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!

Hodgepodge ~ October 21, 2026

 Hi friends!  Linking up with Joyce today for this week's fun Hodgepodge questions.

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on 'Back To The Future Day'. October 21, 2015 was the date the movie characters (Marty McFly, Doc, and Jennifer Parker) traveled to in the future in the 1989 film Back To The Future Part 2. 

Did you see the movie? Tell us a something about what was happening in your life in the fall of 2015. 

Oh, I loved this movie!  Here are some pictures from October 2015.  I went down a picture trail and found a lot :).  It happened to be a good travel month for me.  I was living in Colombia at the time, but flew to New York City to meet up with my mom, sister and sister-in-law for a girls trip.

I also went on a trip with my family to Armenia, Colombia, which is in the coffee region.  We were with the team we worked with while living in Colombia and took a retreat there.  It was so cool to stay on a coffee plantation and take a tour of how Colombian coffee is made from watching them actually pick the beans to tasting their coffee!

We went horseback riding and this area was known for their wax palm trees.  

We went to a restaurant that is known for their trout.  It was served on a patacones.  I specifically remember when I ordered this in Spanish to ask for the fish to be served without the head!

The girls also went zip lining.  It was quite the experience!

On another Back to the Future note, I went to see some of the cast last year on the 40th Anniversary of the original movie.  I went mainly to see Huey Lewis, who had a brief part in the movie and sang the theme song.  I was also a big fan of Michael J. Fox in the 80's because I loved the TV show, Family Ties.  Michael J. Fox was on a panel at this event, so I was able to see him, which was really cool.  This was a really fun day & another trip I did on my own in New Orleans.

2. Which -ber month is your favorite? (September, October, November, December). Explain why. 

November is my favorite month of the year.  Here are my top 5 reasons in no particular order:

The weather is cooler.

There is an emphasis on what we are thankful for in life.

People decorate for Christmas and begin the holiday spirit.

Black Friday/ week of sales!

It is my birthday month!

3. Red, yellow, orange, bronze...your favorite fall color to wear? To eat? To see in nature? 

I like to wear red or bronze color clothing.

I like to eat most foods these colors!

The red and yellow leaves really stick out to me as such beauty.

4. What do you miss most about being 20? 

I miss the easier schedule because I was in college then.  I miss having most of life in front of me.  I would probably do a few things different....study something else, eat healthier, wear sunscreen and spend more time with my grandparents.

5. We're roughly three quarters of the way through the year. What's one goal, habit, or mindset you want to purposely carry into the final weeks of the year? Elaborate. 

I want to carry the goal of keeping up walking most days and a mindset of being okay with being alone.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Happy Wednesday!

Hodgepodge ~ October 14, 2026

 Happy Hodgepodge Day!  Thank you for reading today with me as we link up with Joyce.

1. Do you think you're driven more by curiosity or comfort? Explain. 

I love the Ted Lasso quote, "Be curious, not judgemental."  I am a curious person, but if choosing what drives me between curiosity or comfort, I am going for comfort at this stage of life.  

2. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer? 

An artist palette with paint is kept in my freezer along with freezer/cooler bags.

3. Are you comfortable with silence? If you're home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise? Do you seek out times and places to be silent? What's your favorite place to find silence/be silent? 

I am surrounded by quite a bit of silence.  My youngest daughter moved home this summer, but won't be with me for too much longer.  Even with her there, there are days we miss seeing each other and other days we see each other for just a few minutes.  In so much alone time, I usually at least have music or the tv playing.

4. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping...which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

I would like all to use!  I probably know more about carpentry than the others.  The one I know the least about is electrical.  I can re-set breakers on my breaker box, but that is about it.  Since I live in an apartment, I have my built in handymen, so I am not sure which I would use today.  

5. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others? 

Oh I definitely lean towards being too independent.  I am so use to doing things for myself.  I am actually working on trying to accept outside help, especially from strangers.  I find it hard to be around someone who is so needy.  Someone who is independent is admirable to me.  I have learned in the last few years how unhealthy it is to be so needy on someone.  I think it deters my dependence on the Lord. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have been deep in my thoughts lately. 

Loving deeply results in deep grief in so many layers.  Again, I have been deep in my thoughts lately.  I am so thankful for hope and healing though!  

Have a great day!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ October 7, 2026

 Happy Wednesday!  It is always good when we make it to the mid-week point.  I am linking up with Joyce today for Hodgepodge and Amy for Currently.  Love these blog ladies/friends!

1. Let's embrace it shall we? What's something you recently forgot to do? Is your memory these days more like a sieve or an elephant? 

Ha, my first thought is I can't remember what I forgot!  I guess I don't have the memory of an elephant.  I do repeat myself a lot to friends/family, so I forget what I have told someone on a regular basis.

2. Share a trick/strategy you have to help you remember things you need to remember. 

For anything I need to do/buy, etc., I write it down on my phone calendar for the most part.  This can be anything from a text/call reminder, a grocery list, to a household chore I need to accomplish.  I do keep a running grocery list on a magnetic paper notepad that hangs on the side of my refrigerator. 

3. What's your favorite fall vegetable to cook with? Do you prefer your fall veggies roasted, blended into a warm soup, or fresh in a crisp autumn salad? 

I like roasted broccoli as my favorite veggie.  I like grilled/roasted veggies on a salad too.  

4. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. Did you? If so tell us about it. Or maybe someone did something nice for you, and if that's the case please share. 

The past 6 Monday mornings, I have been leaving my house before sunrise to go help my mom while my dad has to be out of the house.  Due to her health, someone needs to be with her in the mornings when she wakes up, so I have been the caretaker on Monday mornings.  I also treated a friend to yogurt Monday because this is her birthday month.

5.  Nathaniel Hawthorne is credited with the quote "I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."  

Do you tend to spend more time outside this time of year? 

Absolutely!  I would much rather be outside this time of year than any other time of year.  I love fall outside whether that is a walk, a sporting event, a town festival, a fire pit or just sitting on my patio doing Duolingo :).

Do you actively pause to soak in fleeting moments of beauty in your daily routine? Elaborate.

I am definitely trying to do that more and more while my daughter is still living with me.  I don't want the beauty of this time with her lost on me.  I also want to soak in the continued gratefulness I have for such a cozy, nice place to live.   

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Falling for

Fall weather.....Yes to fall weather!  We are still having some mid 80's weather, but the mornings and evenings are so pleasant and I love that.  I am just thankful to not have temperatures in the 90's anymore. That just doesn't go with October.  Saying that it is October makes me realize how fast this year has flown. 

Scaring (me)

Being alone...Being a little vulnerable here probably for the rest of these questions!  There are things about being alone that do scare me.  I know I will be okay, but that doesn't mean I don't get scared.  I am just not letting the scaring take over me when the feeling comes.

Working on

Myself...I am always trying to work on myself as I have healed so much in my alone time.  This is ongoing, the healing and the alone time :).

 Loving

Any time with my daughters and greats....This goes without saying I feel like if you have read my blog for any amount of time.  Time with my daughters is the best medicine and so are hugs and hearing little voices call my name when they see me!

 Entertaining (me)

Ted Lasso....The last episode of the newest season drops today.  There have been multiple scenes from this season that have made me shed some tears.  This show has the best one liners.

Leanne....I enjoyed season 2 of this show on Netflix.  It was reality of a divorced woman who is also helping care for her aging parents.  

The Voice....I haven't watched this in a few seasons, but I am enjoying the newest season, especially Riley Green as a new coach.  

Dancing With the Stars....I haven't watched all the episodes, but I have watched a little more this current season.  Y'all know I love dancing and Brook and Wade watch each week, so this an opportunity to hang out with them each week.

That wraps up today's post. Thanks for reading and hope you are currently having a good hodgepodge week!

Hodgepodge ~ September 30, 2026

 Hi blog friends!  How are you?  Thanks to Joyce, I am linking up with Hodgepodge this week.

1. When you think of autumn what sounds come to mind? 

I think of crunching leaves and the sound of a crackling fire.  I need to get a woodwick candle!

2.  Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy? What's your favorite mountain? 

Why, yes it is.  I would take any mountain trip.  After my trip this summer, let's be real, Canadian mountains are my favorite.  But in a world of reality, the mountains in Western NC are some of my favorites.  A little closer to me though would be northern Arkansas, Georgia or Eastern Tennessee.

3. What's something that once felt like a mountain, but is now just a molehill? 

Raising kids into young adulthood seemed like a challenge, but not sure if I honestly would have described it overall as a mountain.  Don't get me wrong, parenting is forever a learning game, but so worth it.  Unfortunately, divorce still feels like a mountain.  I am just climbing it with more strength!

4. Let's play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes you have to choose. 

• pumpkin spice latte or chai latte 
• Neither :) I am choosing a hot tea.
• apple cider or hot chocolate  
• Hot chocolate
• stew or chili
• Chili, no beans please
• sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole 

Sweet potato casserole

• butternut squash soup or creamy mushroom soup 
• Butternut squash soup
• cranberry sauce or gravy 
• Both are traditional for holiday meals in the south, but I pass on both.

5. Sum up your September in a sentence or two. 

September was stupid hot until last week.  It also felt a little sad.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This are some of my favorite things all in one....a dark chocolate Huckleberry bar, from Alaska.  I brought one of these back for my parents back in August.  I decided I wanted a few more, so a friend of mine from church went to Alaska a few weeks after I went and I had her pick up a few more for me.  Oh my goodness, it is such a treat I have been enjoying little by little!

Have a great day!

Hodgepodge ~ September 23, 2026

Good morning and happy Hodgepodge Day!  Thank you Joyce for hosting us each week! 

1. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live?What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall? 

After 7 weeks of record temperatures, cooler weather has finally arrived.  By cooler weather, I mean low 80's this week, but that sounds glorious. 

I would love to go to a football game, whether college or high school.

*If you're answering today from the southern hemisphere feel free to sub spring for the word fall. 

2. What's a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy?

If I am super tired at night, I will use eye make up remover and a make up wipe remover instead of my normal nightly routine.  I try to wash my face before I get too tired at night to avoid this.

3. What's something you're falling for lately? 

I am falling for Canada, Alaska, & anywhere in the Pacific Northwest!

Locally, I am falling for taking walks outside.  Let's just hope I don't actually fall as I am prone to do!

4.  Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year.  Are you a fan? What's your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?  

I began eating pumpkin flavored things about 6-7 years ago.  My favorite is a pumpkin chocolate chip bread. Here is a new recipe I am going to try:

Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin purée
2 large eggs
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp avocado oil or melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract1 
¾ cups oat flour
¼ cup vanilla protein powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
¼ tsp salt
½ cup chocolate chips (plus extra for the top)
Instructions: 
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
 Whisk wet ingredients (pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, yogurt, oil, vanilla) until smooth, then mix in dry ingredients (oat flour, protein powder, baking soda, spice, salt) until just combined.
 Fold in chocolate chips, pour into the pan, top with extra chips, and bake for 45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before slicing

5.What's something you wish would never change? Explain. 

Oh my goodness.  I go back to happy times with my family when my daughters were younger.  I also wish I could have frozen time on my recent trip to Canada & Alaska.  

I also wish prices would never go up anymore!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am so thankful for where I live, my summer trip, my daughters, my family and friends.  However, life is still comes at me strong with storms.  This was encouraging to me this week to keep working on rebuilding and rebuilding some more.

Hodgepodge ~ September 16, 2026

 Happy Hodgepodge Day!  Thank you Joyce for hosting.

1. How do you define beauty? 

Kindness and confidence portray so much beauty in a person.  Beauty on the outside only goes so far.  It is much more about what is on the inside.

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World)

Well, yes I have, thanks for asking.  My first train experience was from Minneapolis, Minnesota to West Glacier, Montana.  It was 24 hours on the train and so cool to go through North Dakota and see so much of the USA I would have never probably seen otherwise. In 2013, we did a quick trip from Washington DC to Charlotte, NC so the girls could have their first real train ride.

We spent a month living in Brussels, Belgium so we took trains a lot during that time.

We quoted this for years..."de volgende halte is" means "the next stop is" in Dutch.

This was the train we took for a weekend trip from Brussels to Paris.

We took the chunnel train from Brussels to London on Isabella's 13th birthday.

More recently as I shared here, I took Amtrak last month from Vancouver to Seattle.  If you're wondering, the business class ticket was worth the small upgrade price.

I will write about this train ride later, but we took the most amazing train ride excursion in Alaska too.

I have also taken the train a many a times in New York City, Chicago, London, Amsterdam, Paris and throughout Belgium.

Thank you for reading my train talk! :)

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells...choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.

I would say in a nutshell, I am feeling content with life now.  I am so thankful for the growth I have experienced through being alone and the transitions that have happened this year.  In a nutshell, I am claiming peace for my life and learning/practicing not giving anyone else power to take that away. It is a good place to be!

4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs...your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell? 

Eggs would be my favorite from this list.  I like pistachios, but I like them unshelled, like my eggs, ha! 

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

Yes ma'am. I actually just said those words to my daughter two weeks ago.  I mentioned I may be traveling near her birthday but would be back on her actual day.  I told her every birthday is a big deal and to celebrate.  Here is a link to a past post on my kids birthday party themes.  I loved planning their parties!

Here are a few of my birthdays in years past:

This is with friends from church at my 54th party.

With my sister on my 50th

This was 40 something

This would have been 44 when I lived in Colombia.  My sweet Colombian friend wanted to celebrate my birthday with me.  She knew only hello and thank you in English and that was about all I knew in Spanish too at the time, but we sure laughed a lot together.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Last week the ladies at my church had our bible study kick off gathering at the rooftop of a local building overlooking the square.  We had appetizers and desserts surrounded by friends and a pretty view!

It felt appropriate to end this post with a picture of a train, ha!

Enjoy your day!