Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Wednesday Hodgepodge

From this Side of the Pond
 
1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter.

Making my own chocolate covered strawberries sounds the best to me. I love strawberries and chocolate. And strawberries dipped in melted milk chocolate are somewhere near the top of the list of yummy treats I enjoy occasionally. I don't like the chocolate fountain chocolate though. Any event I've ever been to that had one of those, the chocolate was sadly lacking in being chocolate-y.

February doesn't bother me. I love being able to dig out crafts and sewing projects to work on that stay tucked away during warmer weather. Then there are books, and games, and puzzles, and coloring that we get to enjoy in the evenings. It's also the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen.  Actually the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that I'm a big fan of February.

2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?

For years already I've been wishfully thinking and dreaming of a bookshelf of sorts that I could set on top of an existing cupboard we have. On Monday Kenneth invited me out to the garage to see something he's been working on. I knew he was working on a tractor, it's not something I get all that excited about, but I do try to cheer on his projects. He opened the garage door, and there in front of me was a lovely shelf he built. It still needs paint, but I think it's super! Having a teenaged son building it is pretty super as well.

3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?

The best thing I ate in a bowl last week was a spinach artichoke dip. The recipe I use is supposedly a copycat of Applebee's and it's ridiculously delicious.

4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?

I'm cheering for my children as they continue to try out their wings and pursue their goals and dreams.

5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).

I enjoy watching the skiing, and will probably watch some. I don't really know what number to assign to my interest level though.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

When I signed up for Pinterest a number of years ago, I selected the option to have them send me suggestions of boards I like based on the things I have pinned. I have enjoyed those weekly emails and have found a lot of good things because of them, but the latest one has left me scratching my head.

Pinterest in all of it's Pinterest-y wisdom sent me an email suggesting boards filled with cowboy hats that they're sure I will love. Um ... no. I'm not interested in cowboy hats in the least. It's like they don't know me at all.

34 comments:

  1. I don't like the chocolate fountains, either. They aren't that tasty and most places that have them I've found that people tend to let their children play around in them unsupervised. Blech!

    You have to love Pinterest. If I pin one thing then my feed is clogged with suggested pins of that one thing for months, it seems.

    Thank you, by the way for including my friend's marriage in your prayers. :)

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    1. Good point on the children playing in the chocolate fountains. Eww!

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  2. I agree on the chocolate fountains. The taste is wimpy, for lack of a better word.

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    1. It really is. I wonder what they add to it, or if there's even actual chocolate involved.

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  3. Mary Ann,

    Chocolate dipped strawberries are not my thing. I don't get the appeal. Store bought berries are never rip enough to suit me and perhaps that's the biggest draw back. I do like a good truffle, though. :) Thanks for visiting!

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    1. Some people don't like chocolate and fruit. I on the other hand, think it's delicious!

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  4. I don't care for the chocolate fountains either. Not very tasty in my opinion. I do love that Kenneth made a shelf for you. That was so sweet. I cherish the things that my kids made for me.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. I also cherish the things my children make for me. This shelf is by far the biggest thing so far. :)

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  5. How awesome that your son built a shelf for you! Something you can always treasure.
    I like your list of February activities. They sound like a fun way to spend some time:)
    Kathy (Reflections)

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    1. The shelf will always be special to me.

      We've been enjoying our February so far.

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  6. Ha! It's nice to read about someone who is a fan of February. :) Very sweet thing your son did for you by building that shelf. My favorite way to enjoy strawberries is when I can buy them at roadside stalls next to the strawberry fields in Southern California. So fresh and juicy and sweet! Hope your week finishes well.

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    1. Yay! Someone else who likes February!

      Freshly picked strawberries are the best!

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  7. I'm a big fan of February in Charleston, SC, where at the moment it's 72 degrees. It almost makes up for how awful the summer is.

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    1. Your February weather sounds perfect! The only times I was in Charleston was during the summer, and you guessed it, I was too warm then.

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  8. Haha! That's funny about the cowboy hats. I didn't really "get" Pinterest at first, but I love it for recipes. Where is the pic of your son and the bookcase! What a super thing for him to do. I don't mind February here in Texas. I was wishing for snow. Last night we had freezing rain and this morning was so pretty with everything all sparkly. No snow though.

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    1. I really love Pinterest too. Just not for cowboy hats. :)

      I need to take a picture of Kenneth and the bookshelf.

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  9. I am quite enjoying February, it has been a real joy sitting by the stove with a craft project and enjoying making our little cottage a home.

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  10. So this is happening to you on Pinterest too? I thought it was just me. It started after the holidays and since then, I have gotten nothing that relates to any of my searches or interests...mostly like you said, a bunch of hyped up useless information that has NOTHING to do with what I like. I wonder what is going on?

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    1. Pinterest seems to be getting less user friendly. :(

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  11. YES! Same here with Pinterest. They don't know me at all. LOL I love any month that isn't a summer month. The summer heat here is oppressive and I'd much rather have winter. How sweet your son built you the bookshelf! The best thing about my quilts are that my daughter made them for me. :)

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    1. Summer is my least favorite season.

      How sweet that your daughter made quilts for you.

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  12. I enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge and your February sounds wonderful. I’ve been doing some reading and crocheting in the evenings. Plus watching TV with hubby. I think you’re right, February is a pretty great month.

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  13. What a treasure and keepsake that book case will be. Not to mention the fun you will have filling it up. I'm with you about February. It is our last cool month and I'm already dreading the hot, humid summer months in the south.

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    1. I'm really looking forward to filling the shelf! He got paint today, so hopefully it will be ready soon.

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  14. Great responses to the hodgepodge, and I agree with you about chocolate strawberries and the chocolate fountains.
    I think I need to absorb some of your love of February so that I don't dread this month so much.

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    1. I'm sorry you're not enjoying February that much.

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  15. I am not a fan of the chocolate fountains at all.
    What an great treasure you will have with the bookshelf.
    I really don't mind February...our winter has been mild.

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  16. I'm in agreement about the chocolate fountain 100% and I'm not a big fan of buffets either. I love summer and can't wait for it's arrival. In the long winter months I can't seem to get warm enough. I love to curl up by the wood stove with a good book and I am wanting to teach myself how to quilt.

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    1. Yay, someone else who isn't a fan of buffets. Church potlucks are the worst for me. I usually don't eat anything.

      Curling up next to a woodstove with a good book sounds lovely!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.