Get your muck boots on and tiptoe through the tulips with me.
It’s not taxing to answer Wednesday Hodgepodge questions, thank you, Joyce!
1. Big week in the US of A…do you do your own taxes?
We don’t do our own taxes.
I am in charge of the books for our well that four properties share and I have to file an annual nonprofit tax form and I’m patting myself on the back for getting that done.
What’s something you’ve found ‘taxing’ lately?
Exercising.
2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type?
I don’t lay it all out but I do think about it and make lists.
Do you struggle to pack light?
For our trip this past March we packed very light and proved we could do it so we will be packing light for any trips in the future unless it is a road trip.
Share a packing tip that has worked for you.
Pack your socks inside your spare pair of shoes that you are packing.
3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm…who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level?
We do enjoy a good grilled cheese sandwich. A good slice of salami can take it to the next level.
4. There’s a well known quote that says-
‘A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” John A. Shedd
Is constant growth necessary or do you think it’s more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life?
As a Biblical Christian I am admonished to grow. Grow in my knowledge of the Word of God. Grow more like Christ. Grow in my love for God, my Savior. My peace and stability come from walking with God and knowing Him more and growing more and more like Jesus Christ. This does not happen overnight, it is a lifelong process of Sanctification.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17-18
5. Let’s wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-
- daffodils or tulips ~ first daffodils and then tulips!
- lemonade or iced tea ~ lemonade
- gardening or hiking ~how about walking
- ladybugs or butterflies ~ butterflies
- umbrella or raincoat ~raincoat
- floral patterns or polka dots ~polka dots
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Speaking of tulips, you don’t have to travel all the way to Amsterdam to enjoy amazing tulip fields. When we lived in Kenmore, Washington we tried to make an annual trip to Mount Vernon, Washington for the tulip festival. That was just an hour to an hour and a half drive. It was worth the tulip traffic and dodging all the people like us who wanted to enjoy the glorious fields of tulips.
I could go on and on with the photos I have but this will give you a good taste of the variety and massive industry of tulips from this area of Washington State. Besides the fields there are several gardens to enjoy with many more unique varieties of tulips with gift shops, etc.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Those tulips are stunning. Glad you’ve finally made have them locally too. B x
The tulips are amazing! What great photos!! Tulips don’t bloom for long- I can imagine people flocking to the fields since they don’t last too long. I like your answer to question 4- everything you wrote is true. Thanks for the reminder. Have a great day!
I love all the tulips photos. Grilled Cheese is one of my favorites. Take care, enjoy your day!
My daughters and I went to the tulip fields one year when we were visiting #1 in Tacoma. I think it was a little over an hour drive but we didn’t go on a weekend so traffic around the fields wasn’t bad. Around Seattle of course it’s always bad : ) Your pictures of the blooming fields are so pretty!
…I’d love to see this in person, Until that, thanks!
Love these!
For the ship in the harbor being safe, I love how you expounded on it. When I posted a note around that quote a couple of weeks ago on Substack, I got an interesting comment from a retired sea captain which took it even deeper and so true. The reality of when a storm comes, the shore (land) is the worst place to be. Ships are sent out to sea for safety.
I love how you brought that out here. He is our shore even in the midst of the sea/storm and not the supposed safeness of land.
~ Rosie
Rosie, thanks for that insight from the retired sea captain!
I’ve never been to see the tulip fields. I’ve been to Mt. Vernon, but not at the right time of year. Your pictures are beautiful
Maybe one year we should plan a FBC ‘girls’ trip to see the tulips…
Thank you for sharing the tulips. 🙂
I took a online flower farming course from a Washington flower farmer, Floret, she shares photos of the tulips too.
Have a blessed day!
Carla, I love following Floret on Instagram!
I took Erin’s online class several years ago when I started my flower farm and selling my flowers at farmers markets. She is so kind and helpful. I love her work. The photos are outstanding. I also like when she has her kitty in the photos. 🙂 Or the ducks and more. Hee Hee!
I just bought a bouquet of tulips from Trader Joe’s yesterday. They haven’t opened up yet but they are still beautiful.
Good job with getting the taxes done and for packing light on your last trip. Tulips are such pretty flowers, how wonderful to see them.
Those tulips!!!!! Thanks for sharing the beauty!!!
Those tulip photos are stunning! Reminds me why I chose tulips! Amen to your #4 answer…and thanks for sharing verses to support it. I should have done so. Hope you are enjoying a nice afternoon…enjoyed my blog visit today:)
I’ve always wanted to visit Mount Vernon and see the tulips, but hearing about all the people and traffic has deterred us. I enjoyed your pictures, so incredible to see the variety of colors and blooms! Loved your answer to the ships in the harbor – with Jesus, we can face it all. He is our great Captain! Blessings to you dear friend!
I need to schedule a trip to one of the tulip fields in Alabama next year. I think we have two. Tulips are so beautiful!!
I enjoyed your answers to the Hodgepodge questions, Friend…especially about growth. 🙂
I always enjoy seeing your pictures of Tulips…fields of them. They brightened my day today. xx
Rows and rows of tulips!! Breathtaking.
Enjoyed reading your answer to #5. My, those tulips. They can be seen in an occasional yard here in the Dallas area, but never a showcase, and never last very long.
Breathtaking views across the tulip fields and a fun hodgepodge Ellen.
Simply beautiful tulips!