Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert? What did you think? Travel and Leisure lists the 'coolest' American desert towns as-

Palm Springs CA, Virgina City NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT, Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac AZ

Have you been to any of these? Would you like to visit a desert town? Which on the list would you most like to see?

I have been to a few different deserts already, and found that I quite enjoyed my time there. Of the ones listed here I have been to Taos, New Mexico. A very lovely place!

I would enjoy seeing all the deserts on the list, and hope to someday. In fact we like deserts so much that LV and I have plans/hopes/dreams that once we retire and need a winter home, we will be heading to a desert in Arizona.

2. What's a plan or project you've deserted in the past year? 

Sadly, because of some things life threw our way, the girls and I abandoned our list of craft goals we had set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. We have hopes of picking it up in the future, but I think it's safe to say it won't be in the last three months of 2016.
 

3. Desert-dessert? Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling.  

Traveling ... somehow I often have the urge to stick another "l" in there.
Stationary - stationery.
 

4. High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house...which phrase can you relate to currently? Explain. 

Like watching paint dry, and not because of all the painting that has been going on around here, though that would qualify.

There was this little gif someone shared on Facebook of a guy climbing a tower. It said something along the lines of ... you won't believe what happens when he reaches the top. I shared it with Sailor, and he sat there staring at it for a long time. Finally he checked, and discovered it was a gif instead of a video. I thought it was funny, and even though he laughed, I have a feeling that just maybe I broke a little of that trust he had in his mother. He described this episode as boring as watching paint dry.
 

5. How often do you frequent the dry cleaners? Starch or no starch?  

I have never been to the dry cleaners. As for starch, nope, no way. I did quite enough starching in my previous life, (what I prefer to call the years of being Amish) that I don't care if I never have to starch anything, ever again. I don't even like to iron unless it is absolutely necessary.
 

6. What's a food or beverage you enjoy that's named for a place? 

Water is about as far as I go when it comes to beverages. As for food hmm ... I don't really know. Sandwiches are named after some guy, instead of a place, right? Hershey bars ... maybe, though I'm not that big into chocolate any longer. Shocking, I know.
 

7. Do you need solitude? 

Somewhat. I relish my solitude in the morning before the children get up, but I do love spending all day, every day with them.
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 Buddy has an eye for finding and picking up treasures, outside. The collection of sticks, feathers, seeds, pretty leaves, and stones he is accumulating is starting to be quite impressive. I find it fun to view the world through his eyes, and trying to see the beauty in things the way he does.

Picture my Week

There used to be a time when fog made me feel claustrophobic, but in the past few years that changed, and I actually quite enjoy a light fog. Heavy fog is still a bit oppressive. There was one morning this week when we had fog. I like how it makes everything appear softer, kinder, and just a tad as if you were wrapped safely in a cocoon of sorts away from everything else that is going on in this world.

The worst thing about a bright sunny morning is how for a while the blades of those big, ugly windmills throw shadows on the walls. I have to move to a different room so as not to feel queasy. Thankfully the sun rises fast enough that it doesn't last very long.

Buddy loves when someone takes time to play chess with him. Thankfully he has siblings who have the patience to help him play.

 

As much as I detest spiders, I do admire spider webs. They're especially pretty in the morning while there are still dew drops hanging onto them.

 

 

 

Our favorite part of every day, is when LV gets home from work.

Random Bits

Sickness, job issues, emotional turmoil. It's hard standing on the sidelines and seeing someone you love going through tough times, and there is nothing you can do to fix it. Nothing except lend a listening ear, and offering a prayer to the One who can take care of everything.

~~~~~

I'm so thankful for laughter. It's healing and soothing, especially when you're emotionally drained.

 

~~~~~

I don't know what it is with our local Wal-Mart, but ever since they have replaced their floors a month or so ago, shopping there has been an adventure.

Anytime I touch a shelf or open a door I get shocked horribly. Not just a little static shock, but a full blown, make me shriek, shock that burns it's way from my fingertips all the way up my arm and into my chest. It hurts so bad!

I thought I might be unconsciously dragging my feet, but even after risking looking like a total weirdo and doing something of a prance through the store, I still got shocked.

 I give up. I'm not touching anything any longer.

Thankfully LV is willing to get everything we need from the shelves and into the cart for me. Somehow he doesn't have any trouble with getting shocked. I'm assuming that must mean I'm doing something wrong, and I haven't figured out yet what that might be.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it's official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What's a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home?

The leaves here have already started changing a while ago. I go by them, more than I go by a calendar regarding the arrival of fall.

I love, love the air during fall. To get my house smelling that way is quite simple, really. All I need to do is open all the windows and let it inside.

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

Apple everything. I do like some pumpkin things. Cookies and certain kinds of pumpkin pie. Definitely not the run of the mill heavy, orange, pumpkin-y pumpkin pie though. Ugh. And I certainly won't be trying pumpkin spiced drinks of any kind. I like apple cider, but I want mine nice and cold.
 

3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here?

I don't have a problem with the afternoon slumps like I used to. Since I no longer crave sugar, I have found those slumps don't happen any longer. I'm really happy about that!

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

I have been blessed in the friend department. I find it encouraging to have women in my life who also have God and family as their most important focus in life.

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser? 

I'm a recovering people pleaser. It used to be very hard for me to say "no" to people, but I'm learning.

Life is so much better when you don't worry about what others think, as long as you're doing what is best for you and your family.
 

6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).
 

7. What do you wish would never change? 

I have so enjoyed being a mother. Having all our children here with me is something I wish would never change. At the same time I don't. I want them to be able to go out on their own and lead Godly, productive lives.

I guess since I can't freeze time to keep them with me. I really hope that we will always be close. And not let anything damage our relationships with each other.
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

With cooler days of fall upon us, I'm getting that yearly fall housecleaning urge. I started .. gently ... yesterday, instead of diving in headfirst like I have done in the past.

Picture my Week

We had a very full week, but somehow that didn't translate into a lot of pictures. I was actually surprised when I discovered how few I took.

Somehow even amidst the overly packed days we had we always managed to make time to cook a decent meal every evening. We enjoy the family time spent around the table with good food and even better fellowship. This week's menu included one of our all time favorite meals.

While we lived in Missouri we used to visit this little Mexican restaurant that we really loved. We haven't found anything like it where we live now, so I set to recreating what used to be my favorite meal there. Chicken enchiladas in a white queso sauce, fried rice, and salad with slightly chunky guacamole.

 

Another evening I had made Chicken n Dumplings. After I had rolled out the dough for the dumplings, Buddy enjoyed driving one of his little cars through the left over flour.

 

 

Rosebud has been bitten by the fall baking bug, and we've been enjoying sampling all her new creations.

 

These apple cider cupcakes were fabulous!

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday?

Nothing huge or stand out. It's more a collection of smaller things. We've learned how to do some new things, progress has been made on a major project we have in the works. I've been sitting in Sailor's seat in our mini van on the way to church while he drives. I've been enjoying teaching Buddy. He's like a sponge trying to soak up everything he can.
 

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what's a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer? 

Classical music and I don't mix well. Rosebud enjoys it but listens to it mostly on her own. We've finally come across something we can both enjoy. Instrumental music by Brunuhville and Adrian von Zeigler.
 

3. Besides The Bible, what's a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so? 

Both The Hidden Rainbow and The Hiding Place made an impact on my life. It's inspiring hearing how those facing hard times were still able to serve God in a big way.
 

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter...play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try? 

I love reading, though I don't have time to read as much as I'd like to. Puzzles and games are a regular part of my life. Blogging, journaling, and writing .... some form of writing happens every single day. We cook new and different kinds of meals on a regular basis.

I would love to learn how to play a musical instrument someday.
 

5. What sports traditions does your family have? 

Though we do enjoy baseball, it doesn't rank very high on our list of important things. Especially this year since we've been too busy to pay a lot of attention to sports related things.
 

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please. 

I haven't seen any football/National Anthem goings on .... as such I don't think I'm qualified to weigh in on the matter.
 

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience? 

When it comes to preparing pretty food, I have the patience required to concentrate on it. I'm finding I have a lot of patience with loved ones as well.

Where I lack patience the most is when I'm subjected to bad driving from people in other vehicles.
 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I don't usually jump on the bandwagon when it comes to seasonal foods, but we've been enjoying pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. They're ridiculously delicious.

The Crunchy Banana

On our way to church we met an Amish horse and buggy heading for their church services. It was a two seated buggy. The parents on the front seat, a little child sitting on the mother's lap, and an assortment of bonnets and hats visible from the back seat where a number of younger children were packed in.

There was no indication that they recognized us, but immediately my mind took me traipsing down memory lane. The woman was the older sister of my best friend.

Occasionally when my parents would travel out of state, she would come stay with us while they were gone. Making sure we got off to school on time, taking care of any customers that showed up, and helping get the chores done.

One cold October, my parents left to attend a wedding in Michigan, and Mary came to stay with us again. We were in the midst of our first bout of having the cold of the season. Coughing in the middle of the night so bad that it made that Mary couldn't sleep well. The next night she gave us all a choice, apples or bananas, we could take our pick. She instructed us to not eat the entire thing at one time, but only take a bite when ever a coughing spree started to help get rid of it.

I chose an apple, and she decided to take a banana for herself since she was starting the cold as well.

The night passed, I only needed a few bites of the apple, which amazingly worked quite well in ending coughing fits.

Later that night I woke up to a light and weird noises. Mary had taken another bite of her banana, and after it crunched weirdly she discovered she had half way eaten a large bug. Somehow in my sleep addled mind I found it to be hysterical, and laughed so hard I fell out of bed, which in turn made her laugh, which made both of us go on the worst coughing fit of the night.

I smiled as the memory replayed itself, and wondered if she even remembers it. Life has brought so many changes, and though we no longer get to enjoy each other's company I really treasure all those memories, crunchy bananas included.

Picture my Week

Rosebud loves crocheting. She has made quite the assortment of things already. Not quite halfway into this afghan she decided it is much, much too wide and wants to undo it and start over. Only problem was she didn't like thinking of undoing all her carefully woven in yarn ends, so it was folded up and ignored for months .... until a friend came over.

 

We sat down and began unraveling. It took a while to undo those woven in ends, because she had done a really good job at doing them. But we finally got it, and now the afghan looks like this.

My Sunday morning bedheads .... melt my heart!

When a neighbor called to see if Sailor would like to help make hay one afternoon, he was happy to jump at the chance.

 

Buddy loves helping with everything. So when I made a batch of vinegar fries, he pulled a chair up next to me in order to pat them dry before I fry them.

 

 

Rosebud spent a few hours on our top porch with her crocheting. When she was finished she came downstairs modeling her latest creation. (I don't know where she gets her patience.)