It is once again time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond.
1. How would you define ‘the good life’?
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7
2. What’s the most used app on your phone (and are you proud of that)?
(WhatsApp) It is the app we use with the Mennonite Girls and also with our immediate family. It is easier to send videos and photos with this app than with text messages.
I’m proud of myself when I figure out how to use any app!!
3. ‘Every rose has it’s thorn’, ‘everything’s coming up roses’, ‘looking through rose-colored glasses’, ‘it’s no bed of roses’ or ‘stop and smell the roses’…which rose idiom best relates to something in your life currently. Explain.
‘everything’s coming up roses’ (or peonies)
It’s a busy and good time of year with so much happening all at the same time including flowers blooming on our property. We’ve had performances, visitors, events, meals in, meals out, preparations for a community garage sale this coming weekend. Life is blooming!!
4. How do you feel about floral flavorings in food or drink (rose, hibiscus, elderflower, lavender)?
No, thank you. Elderflower has been acceptable in the past.
5. Over the course of your life what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else?
This is a tough one. It is not my habit to be introspective. I know I’ve laid awake at night pondering things but it has been a variety of things over the course of my life.
When I was young I remember pondering whether my parents would die and being sad about that prospect. They did die but not until they were in their 90’s so that was a waste of emotions.
In my teen years I probably pondered too much about myself and whether people or certain boys liked me. That was a waste of time and emotions, too.
I’ve spent a lot of time pondering what to make for dinner.
I’ve also spent a lot of time pondering what to do and see on any given trip we’ve enjoyed over the years.
In my older years, I’ve pondered how and why friends that I used to worship Christ with and who I’ve served Christ with have walked away in disobedience to His Word and how they have embraced the world and the ways and philosophy of this world.
Right now I’m pondering what else I should try to get rid of at the garage sale this Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
The 2026 World Cup begins tomorrow. I’m excited and have set our DVR to record many of the games. We were at the last World Cup in the USA in 1994. This Cup I’ll be watching from home. Josh and Laura will be attending the USA v. Australia game in Seattle a week from this Friday!
Dan and I were able to attend the Brazil v. Cameroon game at Stanford in 1994.
We have great memories from the ’94 World Cup and I’ll share more on another day. In between games, I’ll be working on the new 2026 World Cup puzzle our Josh and Laura gifted me.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Soccer was not played by any kids (or adults) where I grew up. And then I went to college and realized how hugely popular soccer was. And then I was in Germany one summer during a World Cup year and Germany was doing well, and I really realized how popular it is!! That is really neat that you attended a game and that your kids are going to this year! I can relate to all of your ponderings! Have a great day!
Love your answer to #1, Ellen. Elderberry is good…and I also enjoy Hibiscus tea, in my humble opinion. And both are excellent for our health.
I enjoyed your answers to the question about pondering. I’m with you when it comes to all of the pondering done over what to fix for our meals. lol
Those Peonies are absolutely beautiful. One spring we visited Monticello and the one thing that I remember vividly was that there were vases of Peonies scattered throughout the home and how wonderful it smelled there.
Have a great remainder of your week, Friend. xx
I think most moms could say we have pondered that dinner question far too much : ) We’ll enjoy the world cup viewing here too. I’m following a German tourist online who is in the US for the first time and going to all the games so traveling the country. He loves it and it’s fun to hear his perspective, especially about the foods he is trying. He had Taco Bell the other day and that was a favorite. So funny. I too ponder the enormous and sad deconstruction movement that is somehow trendy. Heartbreaking too. Have a great day!
I don’t have a clue how to use WhatsApp. I think it’s the only app I have never bothered with. You should be proud of yourself figuring it out. Those peonies are so pretty! It sounds like such a busy time for you. I hope the garage sale goes well. I can’t wait for the World cup! A lot of the matches are on an evening here so we can watch but I have some set to record that are on in the early hours.
Your peonies are gorgeous! I don’t see them around here, I wonder why? ( there I go, pondering again ) 😉 Love #1 and I too have seen friends and family leave the faith to follow false teachers. Sad.
My son just had me download a app for his messages on his Garmin satilitte/GPS app so he can message me,when he is out backpacking. I haven’t used it yet.
Hi,
I love the peony photos.
I like how you answered #1.
I would enjoy sitting with a cup of coffee or tea and talk over the why people we know who walk away from Christ. We currently are going through this with friends. Very sad.
Carla from The River
Last night, Argentina and Iceland played a soccer friendly (I think that is what they called it) at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. Quite a few of our young adults drove down for the game and back — it is at last 2 1/2 hour drive depending on traffic. They posted pictures and the stadium was packed – sold out at about 88,000 people!
Yes, to your life is blooming!
Lovely answer for the first question. That app sounds good. The flowers are beautiful. You have definitely done a lot of pondering. Enjoy the World Cup games.
Hello,
I love your peonies, they are beautiful. Great answers!
I am not much of a sports fan, I know the World Cup games are very popular.
Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.
…peony time, enjoy it.
Lindas peonias! “Eu aceito os espinhos que vem junto com as rosas”, Santa Teresinha do menino Jesus. Gosto de chá de hibisco vermelho🌺! Agora estou aposentada, mas sempre passei as madrugadas pensando no meu trabalho, se tinha feito o meu melhor para os meus pacientes. Gosto dessa publicação das quartas feiras! Abraços.
Beautiful peonies! “I accept the thorns that come with the roses”—Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. I love red hibiscus tea! 🌺 I’m retired now, but I used to spend the early morning hours thinking about my work and whether I had done my best for my patients. I enjoy this Wednesday post! Best regards.
Gorgeous blooms! Great photos! I also am not that much of a sports fan but do try to pay attention to what’s going on. I was brought up in a home where my father – and he was a sweet man – always used to say young ladies don’t talk sports or play them either. What can a say? He was a throw-back to the Victorian age I always used to tease him. He was aghast when my sister joined her work’s female soccer team. Makes me smile when I think about him. But all that being said, I am not a true sports fan but husband follows all games 🙂