Category: Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Did you watch The Oscars? How many of the Best Picture nominees have you seen? (American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, Selma, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, and Whiplash)

Only saw American Sniper. I thought it was a great movie and I wish two things. 1. More people will go out to see it. and 2. That it would have won.

Do you think actors should use their acceptance speeches as an opportunity to promote their political and/or social agenda? Does that sort of speech make you more or less inclined to change the channel?

No. They certainly have the time and status to call a press conference later, but I really resent my time being “used” by them during, what is supposed to be a fun award show. (At least it supposed to be fun!)

2. Speaking of the movies… are you comfortable going to a movie alone? How about dinner in a restaurant (not fast food, but an actual restaurant)? The second half of this question was posed by Carrie who blogs over at It’s Not Easy Being Queen. Thanks Carrie!

I can go out to eat alone, but I prefer a partner. I don’t like going to the movies alone. I’d rather stay home and watch a movie there.

3. What’s the last home repair or home improvement project you had to pay someone to complete? In hindsight was this a project you could have done yourself?

Our leaky pipes int he kitchen and master bath. After 15 years they both needed to be repaired and faucets replaced.

4. Have you ever had Indian food? Like it or no? If you’re a fan, what’s your favorite dish? Have you ever prepared this yourself at home? Is there an Indian restaurant in your current hometown?

Yes, and I love it. I tend to go for the sweet and savory dishes. Nan bread, Coconut Soup, Chicken Tikka Saag! I also love saffron rice.

5. A song that reminds you of your parents?

That is a tough one. You see, Dad was a music teacher and church organist, so there are literally hundreds of songs that make me think of him and them. Mom loved his playing so much and it was his gift at the piano that brought them together. Mom was, I think 13 and Dad 14, when she was to dance in a recital. Dad was playing the piano to accompany her and that was how they met. So music was always in our home.

6. The 26th of February is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day. What’s your favorite, or one of your favorite, fairy tales? Do you have any childhood memories associated with a particular fairy tale?

I always have enjoyed Fairy Tales. Do I have a favorite? No. In fact I gave Savannah a book of Fairy Tales because you know, you can never have just one!

7. What’s a problem you solved yesterday?

I got all three dackels to the Vets for their yearly shots. I thought Anneliese was having a bladder infection, but it turns out she has a a high alkaline ph to her urine and it’s causing crystals to form. Thus making it painful for her to urinate. My Vet prescribed Vitamin C daily to help break up the crystals.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Tuesday I had my root canal done on my right, back, upper, molar. It was a tough job as I have more canals than most people and it took the young doctor, two and a half hours to complete. He said that on a scale of 1-10, ten being the worst ever, my tooth was a 15! ***GROAN***

1. When did you last have to interact, either by phone or in person, with someone in a government run agency? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the experience? (10 being fabulous and 1 being pass the Tylenol)

I always pay my taxes tot he town in person. That was back in December. Our Tax Collectors are not appointed, but voted into office. I have to say, they are all a pleasure to work with.

2. The current governor of Wisconsin is considering a run for President next time around. Walker attended Marquette University, but never graduated. In terms of any candidate running for the office of President (not asking here if you agree or disagree with Scott Walker’s politics) would the lack of a college degree influence your vote or no? Would that be a factor in your support of any candidate running for public office, even a role less weighty than President?

I admire those who have degrees, however, that being said, I also believe that there are those people who are so “smart” that they couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag. Many very intelligent people have not been lucky enough to have a college education, and yet, they have learned more than many who have gone, do. Would I vote for a candidate without a 4 year college degree? Yes.

3. When did you last visit a place or site named for George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, and what was that place or site?

Mount Washington, here in New Hampshire is a wonderful place to hike or to take the Cog Railway to the top.

You can also drive on the tote road. We also have the Mount Washington Cruise Ship.

The ship cruises around Lake Winnipesaukee. It is a relaxing and fun time in the summers.

4. February 16th was President’s Day in the US, but did you know it was also National Almond Day? I didn’t think so : ) Do you like almonds? If so, what’s a food/dish/recipe you enjoy that contains almonds?

I love almonds! And I like them raw, cooked, candied, any old way at all!!!

5.The television program Saturday Night Live celebrated it’s 40th anniversary this past weekend. Were/are you a fan of the show? If so what has been your favorite (or one of your favorite) skits, sayings, or characters that came out of the program?

I was way back when. I’m afraid I lost interest when so many of their cast members got involved with drugs, and either died or moved on and were replaced with others.

6. Anything purple within ten feet of you? What is it?

Purple, eh? Well there is a picture of Savannah sitting on Santa’s knee wearing a purple shirt!

7. Back in December I asked you to submit a question for a future HP as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I grabbed this one from those entries, submitted by Zoanna who blogs over at Penchant for Pens. Thanks Zoanna!

She asks, “How often do you make your bed, and how do you like to make it-pull the covers all the way up over the pillows, tuck the covers in around the pillows, or place all the pillows on top of the covers?”

I make my bed so the covers go all the way up and under the pillows. I tend to sleep all curled up under the covers.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am so tired of all the snow. Everywhere we go, the snow has been piled high, simply because there is no place to put it. We are due for more tonight and tomorrow!

1. Have you ever written a love letter? Have you written one recently? Had one written to you? Did you keep it?

I haven’t written one recently, but I have written them. I wish I could say I have received them, but alas, I guess I haven’t stolen anyone’s heart enough, that they put it down in prose!

2. What’s a movie that ends in a way you especially love?

“It’s A Wonderful Life”. Quite wonderful when you get a happy ending like that.

3. Something that makes your heart sing? And for those of you who are parents, I mean something besides your children that makes your heart sing?

Grandchildren! Ah, the best. When I see Savannah, and I listen to her talking away, or she helps me cook lunch, well, my heart sings!

4. What’s the last event you had to attend, phone call you had to make, routine task you needed to complete, or meal you had to prepare, that you did do, but only half-heartedly?

I went to the dentist today. I knew I had to go (pain), but I really did it grudgingly. Root canal is scheduled for the 24th. Yuck!

5. Tuna fish salad-yay or blech? If you said yay, how do you like your tuna salad prepared? Hey, this is the Hodgepodge, right?

Love Tuna! I make my tuna salad with a tiny bit of diced onion, sweet green relish and mayo. Love it!

6. What’s something you ‘know by heart’?

The lyrics to most Beatles songs, how to boil and egg, how to make potato salad and how to build a fire in the fireplace. I know there are many more things that I have memorized, but these are a few.

7. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, what two or three word phrase would you write on a conversation heart for someone you love? That someone could be a spouse, child, parent, cousin, bestie…anyone at all whom you love.

Love truly does make the world go round!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We gave Lili an old hard plastic bone today and she is beyond thrilled. It is her bone, and no other pups and she is one very happy dog!

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your emotions tucked in tight?

Oh I tend to be an open book. Although, as I age I realize there are times I have to tuck it up, and be the one who doesn’t flip out.

When Katie died nearly 30 years ago, people came to the house to bring food, and they would come in and fall apart. Oddly enough, for the first 6 months, I was comforting them. Looking back, I think that is so strange.

2. How did you meet your closest friend?

I am lucky to have several amazing women in my life.

My sister, Melodie, cousin, Janet and daughter, Amanda are all special family members and friends as well! I am so lucky!

Uschi, I met online on a German Dog Web Page. We’ve been email friends ever since, and have been so lucky to spend various vacations together.

Gail, I met when I was 13 at Summer Bible Camp. It was strange because we never imagined we would be life long friends, but here we are and I am so grateful to God!

Candy, I met in Church in Florida. We share a great love of music. Singing in the choir together while I lived there.

Carol 1: I met in Florida, as we both were Lay Eucharistic Ministers. She is an amazing woman.

Carol 2: I met when I joined Weight Watchers. She is very much both friend and mother to me. I am so blessed.

3. Pink lemonade, grilled salmon, cotton candy, pink grapefruit, a strawberry milkshake, or raspberry sorbet…of the pink foods listed, which one is your favorite? Least favorite? Which one have you most recently consumed?

Are you kidding? I just listed myself as a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. I love them all!

4. When were you last ‘tickled pink’ over something? Explain.

Perhaps this past weekend. I babysat my favorite little girl grandchild, and had the best time playing with her, eating lunch with her, and watching her nap. Then in the evening, Mandy and I went to dinner with my cousin, Janet, and her sister in-law, Sue. We had such a great time! After dinner, we went to a painting class! That was so much fun!

5. Are you a fan of television talk shows? Daytime, nighttime, or both? What’s your favorite?

I used to be. I loved Regis and Kathie-Lee. Now I occasionally watch Kathie-Lee and Hoda. But mostly, I don’t watch them anymore.

6. When was the last time you wanted to ask a question, but felt too foolish to do so?

Long, long, ago. In my 30’s I finally got it into my head…the only stupid question, is the one you don’t ask!

7. My favorite evening treat right now is Klondike Sugar Free Ice Cream Bars .

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m in the process of making fresh blueberry muffins for breakfast. Hubby is still sleeping, (It’s 9:45 AM on Tuesday morning!), so I thought I would spoil him with some sugar free muffins!

1. When did someone last suggest you ‘chill out’? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to ‘chill out’? Or, when did you last tell yourself to ‘chill out’?

Yesterday when I woke up and was all stressed out about the impending blizzard. I told Hubby I needed to shop and stock up, and how would I ever get it all done before the snow flew! They were forecasting 1-2 feet of snow for us! Yes, on Monday afternoon, I was flipping out! Hubby did, what Hubby does best, and just let me go. By dinnertime, I was exhausted and somehow fell asleep pretty quickly.

Today, I sat watching the snow, telling myself that I could now chill out. Not a darn thing I can do now about the snow. We have 8-10 inches and it is still snowing. But my daughter got the jackpot!

Savannah and her kitty

See the snowbanks?

A real New England baby!

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?

See the above photos of Savannah Rose! She simply melts my heart!

3. “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” G.K. Chesterton

Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience? Does it feel the same in hindsight?

Getting ready for this snow storm. Definitely an adventure! Not an inconvenience at all.  Actually, I felt a true sense of purpose and accomplishment!

4. A Wendy’s Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake…of these three, which one is your favorite ‘frosty’ treat?

What about a Rootbeer Float? That presented in a frosty mug is darn good!

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.

A Circus I think. It’s been a wee bit crazy, with both Hubby and I getting the flu, despite the flu shots we both had. Things are looking up, and getting back to normal now.

6. Since it’s a ‘snow day’ here, what’s your favorite song containing the word ‘white’?

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?

I think the small town atmosphere that we all share. I go out to the Post Office or grocery and I see people I know and have known for years. I will miss that.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby has been working on keeping the driveway cleared and the path for Lili and the dackels. Tonight he is really tired. I think I will just let him dose in his recliner.

1. American Idol is back for a 14th season. Are you watching? Have you ever watched? If you were to audition for the show (or were made to audition), what song would you sing?

I’ve never watched, and I won’t be. However, I’d sing, “Only Yesterday” by the Carpenters. It’s tremendously sad, that Karen Carpenter, never saw her own worth and beauty. Her voice was totally like no other.

2. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

So when did you last have to ‘eat a frog’? Or two? How’d that work out?

Years ago, I had frogs legs. Didn’t really care for them, which is probably why I haven’t had them since.

3. If you were going on safari, what is the number one animal you’d want to see?

Elephants. I love elephants. They are my favorite at the Zoo. There is something so sweet and lovable about them.

4. January 21st is National Granola Bar Day. I know. Do you like granola bars? Chewy or crunchy? Your favorite flavor? How about regular granola? Let’s exhaust this topic in honor of the holiday okay?

Like granola. Not so much the bars as the real thing. I like Nature Valley High Protein Granola!

5. If only:

Chocolate wasn’t fattening! LOL!

6. You can add one item to your bedroom. What will it be? Keep it family friendly please.

A new mattress and box spring. I think it’s time, but I keep putting it off because of expenditures like, a new gas stove, new dishwasher, new fridge! But sometime soon, it will be time!

7. What is one thing you’ve enjoyed about winter thus far? If it’s not winter in your corner of the globe, what season is it, and what is something you’ve enjoyed about whatever season it happens to be?

I love the first snow fall. You know, the one where you go out and stand in the silence as the snow falls around you. Now the snow, ice and slush, is just a pain. I’m ready for spring! But that first snow fall, is truly magical!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I was going to go in to my doctor’s today, but as I have come down with the flu, I was going to call and reschedule. Then I got a phone call from his office, rescheduling me as my doctor has the flu. Apparently the flu shot did not work this year as they did not know the flu germs were mutating. Hubby is terribly sick with the flu and all he does is sleep, cough and repeat!

1. What’s your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I’m asking for a friend.

Live, learn, love and remember, we are all human and fallible. So be kind to each other and do not judge your spouse harshly.

2. Before we’re too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi.

Teresa asks, “What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?”and “Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?”

We got a couple of bottles of champagne, and some appetizers and held down the fort, hoping for a good outcome.

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn’t a word. It’s the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that’s not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?

I digress. That’s the word, digress. This year I am going to attempt to stay on track. And not “digress” so much!

4. Speaking of words, it’s that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they’d like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year’s top vote getters are-

bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

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

bae. I hate abbreviations like that.

5. January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day?

I love tea. I drink Twinnings English Breakfast Tea. With a little cream and a little Splenda. I drink 2-3 china mugs of tea a day.

6. Whatever happened to:

People being respectful of each other, their religions and basic human rights? This whole Terrorist act in Paris has shook me to the core!

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter?

8. Insert your own random thought here

I am sick of below zero temperatures. I am so cold and finding it difficult to get warm!

1. Time magazine has selected The Ebola Fighters as their person of the year for 2014. Do you agree, and if so who would you say is a close second? If you disagree with their choice, who do you think should have been chosen?

That’s difficult. How does one determine who is the person of the year? I just think it is really presumptuous to say that one person is above all others.

2. This question comes to you courtesy of Susan who blogs over at Stew Mama Says. She knows we have a wedding happening any minute now, and she asks, ‘What’s your favorite-something old? something new? something borrowed? something blue in your home? Be sure you hop over and say hi to Susan today!

Something old, is the Noah’s Ark that was my grandfathers. He brought it over with himself, as a child from Germany. Something new, Sheesh, all my new refrigerators! Both our regular and drink fridges dies at the same time. Something borrowed? Mmmmm, not sure. I don’t think I have a something borrowed. Something blue? Lots of blue in my house, so people can take their pick!

3. Fudge-yay or nay? Your favorite flavor? Do you make it yourself? With nuts or without?

I love fudge chocolate with nuts. However, I stopped eating it for two reasons. First, it is bad for my teeth. Second, I am allergic…I break out in fat! lol!

4. December 17th is Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the first successful flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. How old were you when you made your first flight? Do you like to fly? Have you ever been to Kitty Hawk or other parts of the North Carolina Outer Banks?

I have been to Kitty Hawk. I’m married to a pilot!  I think my first flight was  13 or 14 years old. My parents and I flew on a Pan Am jet to Bermuda. Loved it!

5. Do the people in your family tend to follow a particular career path, and if so what’s the path?

Not really, although we seem to have had our share of teachers.

6. What is one thing you absolutely, positively must accomplish today?

Pay the taxes, and pay for another year of having a mailbox!

7. This Christmas I hope:

That there will be peace, love and joy in the world.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We’ve been searching for baby sitters for the pups on Christmas and finally today I found them! Yay! Now we can go down and visit with Mandy and Savannah and Matt and enjoy the day!

1. What’s something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for?

I stopped taking things for granted back in 1985. Back then I took just about everything for granted, including life. After I lost Katie, and was nearly killed myself, I realized how very fragile life is. In the years that followed, I began to value life, family and friends more and more. Suddenly I found that family or friend feuds were not important. What mattered was kindness, love, and those around me.

2. The color brown-love it or no? What’s your favorite shade of brown? Most loved something in your home or closet in a shade of brown?

I love brown. With my brown hair and eyes, it looks pretty good on me. Back in 5th grade I had a brown dress that I loved!

3. What’s something you’re looking forward to today?

Oh our trip to the Caribbean! I love cruising, and this time we have booked a ten day cruise! Yay!!!

4. The word ‘feminism’ is not new, but it has been generating all kinds of headlines in recent days and months. What do you think/feel when you hear the word? If you’re a woman, do you want to be described as a feminist? Why or why not?

I dislike labels. Although I believe in equal rights for women, I dislike all the fanatics who seem to hate men and all other groups, in favor of being a woman.

5. What’s something you personally can’t eat without making a mess?

Lobster or Crabs. Love them! Half the fun of eating them is making a mess!

6. When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift? What was it?

I like to always have a little bag with goodies for Savannah. So it was on my birthday, and it was apples from our yard, and a bath time Minnie Mouse

7. Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric or scripture relating to gratitude.

“Dear George, Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love, Clarence.” From “It’s A Wonderful Life”

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We leave in Saturday to begin our much anticipated cruise vacation. We used to plan driving trips, and often came home more tired then when we left. Our dear friend, Keith, introduced us to cruising and we have been going almost every year since. For me it is the ultimate vacation. I get up in the morning and dress. I then have people waiting on me all day. I see new places, swim every day, and then have gourmet meals at night, that I do not have to cook or clean up. Below is a picture taken when we did the Panama Canal Cruise trip!

1. My hubs spent last weekend pheasant hunting. Are there hunters in your family? If so, what do they hunt? Which of the following have you tasted-pheasant, rabbit, venison, duck, goose? Which of those would you most like to taste, or be most willing to taste?

When I bred dackels, I bred them to hunt wounded game for hunters. Four of them were exceptional. Hubby was a hunter in his youth. I have tasted them all, and I love venison, but I wonder, have you tasted wild boar? I was reluctant to try this, but when we were in Prague I tried it and it was delicious!

Vegetarians keep calm and Hodgepodge on.

2. What high spot have you visited that gave you a wonderful ‘bird’s eye view’ of something below?

I tend to avoid heights, but I guess the Empire State Building. That same day Hubby wanted to go up in one of the Twin Towers to the restaurant. Something in me said no, and I told him I didn’t want to. Years later they were destroyed during 9/11. I’ve always wondered if I had a premonition.

3. Do you have any birds in your home? These could be either real live pets or decorative, as in bird prints, knickknacks, fabric or pottery.

No, but there are plenty outside. Including our very own pair of Cardinals, and Bald Eagle.

4. Tell about a time you ‘killed two birds with one stone’?

Well, I knew that after Greta had her second C-section, her next litter of pups would not be register-able in Germany. (They allow only two C-sections) So, when the pups were born via C-section, I had her spayed at the same time.

5. Your favorite song with a bird in it’s title?

6. What most recently gave you goose bumps?

A cold wind blowing up my bathrobe, while I was out walking Lili in the back yard! Brrrr!

7. Halloween is this Friday…any plans? Did you trick or treat as a child? Carve pumpkins? Share your most memorable costume.

We live down a long dark road, so we never have trick or treaters. As a kid I loved it, until an incident that scared me so much. After that I never went out. With my kids, we always carved pumpkins, and my ex-husband always took the girls out, while I stayed home (happily) and doled out candy. My most memorable costume? In high school my ex-husband and I went as the King and Queen of Hearts. I made the costumes and it was fun.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I had so much fun shopping with my girl friend the other day, and I found some really cute tops, both knit and blouses. If I could find a nice dress I would be so happy, but I have my little black dress, so that may have to do.