Category Archives: Blog Carnival

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

We’ve had a few days of showing our friends from Southern California around our parts and even took a little trip into Canada with them. I’ll share all the fun in a future post.

Time for the first Hodgepodge of November, thank you, Joyce! 

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you’re looking forward to? 

We have been gifted tickets to the Nutcracker and we are also going to enjoy a performance of the Messiah in Spokane.

2. Dictionary.com’s word of the year is ‘6-7’. Huh? 

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it’s meaning because apparently I’m old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it’s a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.

What do you think?       Oye is what I think.

Dictionary. com says it’s selection each year is a ‘linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by ‘6-7’. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.

What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

3. What’s a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so? 

Cruising on the high seas in a little city called a cruise ship! Specialty coffee drinks. Sushi.

4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc? 

These days I’m a morning coffee drinker. I’ll enjoy teas if I go to high tea or other tea experiences but tea is not an everyday thing for me.

5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here’s the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing? 

  1. Being with family, part or whole.

2. Listening to a sermon from the Word of God. Here’s a quote I saw on Sunday at Tim Challies Blog;  

“Preaching is the miracle of God communicating himself to a fallen world through the words of a fallen man.” Brian Edwards

 “Each Sunday, he (God) communicates to fallen men through fallen men to save his people and to sanctify them. What a miracle!” Tim Challies

If you are interested in reading the whole article, click on Tim Challies Blog, above.

3. Trips to the United Kingdom.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We have adopted the first line of the Guy Fawkes Rhyme and repeat it on November 5th because it was on November 5th of 2022 that Greg had his stroke. By God’s providence. Greg survived and he survived well. There are lingering difficulties as we continue to live with the ‘thorn in the flesh’, but we thank God that Greg’s life was spared and trust God with our future.

Here’s some history about Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night in the UK the Rhyme is included below.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!

 

Adieu to October Hodgepodge

Time for Joyce’s questions for the last October Hodgepodge of the this year.

1. Are you a risk taker? To what degree? 

I will take risks in the kitchen by trying new recipes or throwing things together in desperation for a meal.

2. What’s your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth? 

I have sweet and sour favorites. See’s Almond Royal is a favorite. I gravitate to dark chocolates from Sees. I enjoy Mike and Ike’s Original Fruits. I do have a sweet tooth. My favorite kind of sweet is in pastry form and not overly sweet.

3. Somewhere you’ve been recently that had you feeling ‘like a kid in a candy store’? 

The new brand from Homegoods/TJMaxx/Marshall’s has been fun to explore. Sierra is the name of the store and it is a more outdoorsy themed store.

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world? 

On my knees in prayer and keeping close in obedience to the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ my LORD.

5. Do you like surprises? 

Yes, but not in me being the center of attention as in surprise parties. I love a surprise visit from loved ones! I love a surprise sighting in the stores in town when I happen to run into our grands with their mom.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Speaking of sweet surprises, It was a surprise when Uncle Joshie and Auntie Lolo  pivoted their plans for the weekend and drove to our side of the mountains after they heard our weekend company had their flights canceled. We were able to continue our Family Fall tradition of mastering the corn maze!

O-range You Glad It’s October!

If it’s Wednesday it must be time for the Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce.

1. What do you like most about your family? 

The different Gifts that God has given to individual members of our family and how it enhances our times together. We have peacemakers,  servants, caregivers, loyal friends. We also have those who display gentleness, wisdom, discernment, faith, generosity, courage, wit, a sense of humor and above all love. We all have ongoing areas that God is sanctifying in us like humility, patience, and forgiveness, to name a few. None of us are perfect but hopefully we’ll cooperate with the Holy Spirit in growing us up in our faith and obedience to be more like Christ.

2. What’s something nice that’s happened to you recently? 
I received this special gift from Andrew and Katie from Scotland (Edinburgh). It will have a special post on Friday. The Islander Handbag Workshop invites you to design and craft your very own bespoke Islander Harris Tweed® handbag. 
3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what’s something orange you love?
An orange sunset!
4.  What’s something you have now you couldn’t have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What’s possible now because of it? 
I’ll answer this on a temporal level. Five years ago our freedom to breathe, move about, worship and make our own health decisions was threatened by those in power or those who were given more power than they should have had. For me this threat to our freedom was oppressive, harmful and sad. I’m thankful for the common sense and freedom I feel now.

5. Let’s wrap this one up with an October this or that…

  • pumpkin bread or apple cider donut
  • cozy sweater or cozy hoodie
  • apple picking or pumpkin picking
  • scary movie or Hallmark movie
  • hay ride or corn maze
  • twinkle lights or candles
  • autumn hike or autumn bonfire

My answers are highlighted in Bold.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

These two found a huge boulder while they were digging to China!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hodgepodge

It’s another week with fresh questions for Hodgepodge Wednesday. Thank you, Joyce!

1. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music? Last time you went somewhere for the live music? 

We enjoy live music every Sunday at church.

We haven’t made an effort to enjoy live music elsewhere lately except for attending evensong while in Great Britain, Scotland or Ireland and our Church’s Children’s Musicals at Christmas.

We are looking into attending a live performance of The Messiah this year.

2.According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here’s what’s on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)

  • Sherwin Williams-universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)
  • Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)
  • Valspar-warm eucylyptus (a warm sliver tinted green)
  • Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey tinted beige)
  • Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)
  • Krylon-matte coffee bean
  • Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)
  • Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)
  • Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere) 

First question-did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers?

Yes, I’m married to a former painter and his first job was with his father in a painting business.

Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style?

Decorating style is not a term that I would use for me or my home. 🙂 The base color in our home is Khaki Shadow with white trim.

Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list? 

The only plan is to complete some areas that were started awhile back. Just a little trim here and there.

Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most? 

Hidden gem is appealing.

3. What’s something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that’s about as exciting as ‘watching paint dry’? 

For this one, I’m going with drying my hair.

4 . Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert day…did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What’s your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!! 

I would pick roolyete. A traditional nut roll our mom made and we have now duplicated. I like pastries that have a soft chew to them. Here’s the recipe.

5. Perhaps today is the day I will…

Sort through my clothes and purge.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Tuesday October 14th was also Charlie Kirk Day. It was a day to wear red in remembrance of this young man who would have been 32 on that day and I was happy to participate.

We also watched the White House ceremony to honor Charlie Kirk’s memory with President Trump awarding him the Medal of Freedom, posthumously.

October Prompts Everyday Images

Everyday Images #72: I’m linking up with A Fresh Cup of Coffee for her Everyday Images and sharing my photos for her October Prompts.

listen
matching
clock
current season (quarterly)
dishes
orange

listen:


matching:


clock:

current season (quarterly):


dishes:


orange:

I’ll be working on these next prompts to post in a couple of weeks:

October Prompts – Everyday Images #73
~~~~~
leaf or leaves
at home (monthly)
harvest
gold
doorway (quarterly)
on my plate (quarterly)

Have a great October weekend y’all!

Singing Apples and Leaves Hodgepodge

Wednesday Hodgepodge has rolled around again, thank you, Joyce!

1. ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made? 

In the family I grew up in, singing was something my parents enjoyed and that has been passed down to me and most of my siblings. Singing at church and singing when we had company over was a regular thing. Singing in choirs, singing in quartets, trios, duets, singing in Russian and in English, singing for recordings, and for me, singing in a Christian ‘rock’ band. Greg and I met because of that group.

The Russian Sacred Singers of Los Angeles are a group of California young people of Russian background. They sing in English and Russian under the inspiring leadership of director Leonard Wozniuk. The unique bi-lingual choir responded to our challenge to record their selections for radio use. Today, their joyful singing is heard world-wide over several short-wave radio stations and over local broadcasts in North and South America.

I’m on the bottom right, my sister, my cousins, and best friend complete the row.  Second row on the left are two more cousins. The director is my brother-in-law. The Russian Choir and the Rock band were active in the 70’s!

Greg and I are on the right end of this photo. The photo was from somewhere in England, possibly Liverpool.

2. Something you’re nuts about these days?

Time spent with family.

How about something that’s driving you nuts? 

Stink bugs are in abundance this year! This is a male stink bug. The females are rounder in the body.

Stink bugs, especially brown marmorated stink bugs or BMSB, are notorious for invading homes when the weather starts to cool. And while they aren’t interested in stealing your food or sucking your blood, their offensive odor is just as annoying to homeowners.

3. What does abundance mean to you? 

These words from Jesus from the Amplified Bible:

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

Jesus is my abundance and I thank God for his plan of salvation through Jesus and for the Holy Spirit who helps me have faith and belief in the triune God.

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto…what’s your caramel treat of choice? 

5. What’s a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall? 

Growing up in southern California did not afford me many memories of fall, at all. We moved to Washington state in 1988 and that is when I became more familiar with fall color and having to rake leaves! Our children were young enough that they are now the ones with childhood memories of leaves!

6. Insert. your own random thought here. 

Our Grands are growing up with four seasons and lots of leaves! These photos were from a few years back while helping their Granny blow the leaves into a pile for the city to pick up.

‘

I’ll (leaf) leave you here. 🙂

Hello October Hodgepodge

Speaking of Southern Charm and September…

The Rhett House Inn, Beaufort S.C.

Hello October Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!

1. What’s your favorite fall scent?

Vanilla with just a hint of cinnamon.

Would we find this in or around your home right now? 

No

2. October is Country Music Month…are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville?

I enjoy country music but I do not have a favorite artist and I’ve never been to Nashville.

In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse? 

I was raised and lived the city mouse lifestyle for 67 out of my 74 years but I’m adjusting to the country mouse lifestyle. We moved to the country in 2018 and we are enjoying the country life. I have bonded with Wal-Mart. 🙂

3. How about ‘country cooking’? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)? 

Fried Green Tomatoes were delicious at a restaurant called Wren in South Carolina. Katie and I were in South Carolina in 2010 staying in Beaufort to attend Andrew’s graduation from Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island.

chicken and dumplings-fried chicken-shrimp and grits-biscuits and gravy-mac and cheese-fried green tomatoes-cornbread-collard or turnip greens-deviled eggs-‘barbecue’-gumbo-banana pudding 

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? 

I would say that barbecue, deviled eggs, cornbread, biscuits and gravy are favorites.

Any on the list you haven’t tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered? 

I would be fine with eating any of the items on the list once in a while.

4. What’s something that always has a positive impact on your mood? 

Good Christian Worship Music and Hymns. Music speaks to my heart.

“May I be singing when the evening comes.”

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you.

September had some fun travel and joyful events but the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk hit me hard. His Memorial service reaffirmed my great hope in God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

noun: assassination ~~verb: travel ~~adjective: horrific

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

September of 2010 was a memorable one in our family.

The photo above is from the Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort, S.C.

This wonderful old church and graveyard were around the corner from our lodgings in Beaufort. (Photo at the top of this post) I took several photos here of the grounds and of the fresh in love couple!

Beaufort is a city on Port Royal Island, one of South Carolina’s coastal Sea Islands. It’s known for its antebellum mansions, especially in the downtown historic district.

Being at Parris Island and experiencing all the ceremonies involved with Andrew officially becoming a Marine were amazing and unforgettable.

Katie and I stayed in Beaufort while we attended Andrew’s graduation from Parris Island Marine Bootcamp in September of 2010. Later that month on September 29, 2010, Katie said yes to Andrew’s proposal of marriage. The photo below was taken on that evening.

We are looking forward to some special times in October starting this Saturday with Marcus Cider Fest! It was fun to turn the calendar page this morning.

The Golden Season Hodgepodge

It’s Fall y’all and Joyce has a fresh batch of questions for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Fall officially rolls into the Northern Hemisphere on Monday (9/22)…what’s your favorite thing about fall?

All the things! I like the weather, the changing colors, our local Corn Maze, Cider Fest, Thanksgiving, Flannel and the end of mosquito season.

2. What’s one thing on your real or proverbial autumn bucket list?

New England or Prince Edward Island would be nice to visit during the Autumn months.

3. Apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and cranberries are some of the top fall foods. Which one is your favorite and how do you like it prepared?

A Thanksgiving dinner favorite is sweet potatoes/yams baked in buttery brown sugar and marshmallows on top golden and delightful, a favorite of kids young and old.

A good butternut squash soup with a little spice is delicious!

Any on the list you don’t eat?

I can eat any of those things.

Which one have you had most recently?

I might have had dried cranberries in a nut mix the most recently.

4. ‘Fall is proof that change is beautiful’ is a popular sentiment. Would you agree or no? Elaborate.

I am a fan of Fall so I could describe it as beautiful. I also like the changes that occur from summer to fall. Not all change is beautiful and not all the changes from Summer to Fall are beautiful. This isn’t a sentiment that would come out of my mouth. That’s a  little nitpicky but I’d share another sentiment for Fall like “Fall is the season for cozy hugs and warm mugs.”

5. Is there a spot near you where people go to see the leaves change color?

Around our parts you can see the Larches/Tamaracks in some nice groves that have taken on their golden hue.

Will you try to leaf peep somewhere this fall? Lonely Planet lists the following ten places as the best for leaf peeping…of those listed which would you most like to visit?

Stowe, Vermont~Shenandoah National Park, Virginia~Columbia River Gorge, Oregon~Zion National Park, Utah~Tennessee/North Carolina border~West Virgina~Northwestern Wyoming~Wisconsin Northwoods~Northern Nevada~Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, Arkansas

We are closest to the Columbia River Gorge and that would be a nice Fall road trip.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We were thrilled to hear on Tuesday that all evacuation levels were suspended for the Crown Fire which is the closest fire to us. We are so thankful for all the fire fighters that have been battling these fires. Thank you, LORD, for them and for the rain we received on Sunday!

Happy Autumn/Fall to all hodgepodgers and visitors here!

Adieu to Summer Hodgepodge

A summer sea scape dinner party to celebrate the end of summer from our deck in our former home. This is also a nod to Addy’s creative under the sea outfit at the Feis. (End of post)

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge and Joyce has a fresh batch of questions to prove it.

Dinner parties were mentioned in one of our questions so here are a collection of dinner parties from the past with the Mennonite Girls Can Cook in Canada.

1.  Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle which side of the middle do you lean towards more? 

I think I’m a little above middle, more toward life than pooper. 🙂 I might be one of the first ones to say goodnight these days.

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what’s your favorite kind of party? 

Dinner party and Christmas Party are my favorites!

2. Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list? 

Personally I believe human beings, relationships, marriage, and friendships should all improve with age. Most importantly, my faith and trust in Christ should improve with age and I should be more like Christ each new year. This is challenging and humbling and something I’d never attain to without the Holy Spirit, our Helper.

3. How do you feel about your birthday? How do you want to be celebrated? Or don’t you? 

I enjoy my birthday regardless of fanfare. I do enjoy having special meals with loved ones to celebrate my birthday. I’m past needing or wanting gifts other than good times with family and friends. A card or note or text is gift enough.

4. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month. 

March 14th: It is Pi (π) day, 3.14.

In 1942 Anne Miller became the first American patient to be treated with Penicillin on this day.

5. Share two good things about your life right now. 

Right now my health is good (I do have some typical old lady aches and pains) and my life in the country is good. I’m where I’m supposed to be. It is so good to be in the same town as our grandchildren.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

On Friday I’ll share more about Addy’s first Irish Feis!

This outfit isn’t representative of an Irish Feis but it played a special role in a creative dance challenge (Water, Under the Sea) at the end of the festival (feis).

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Hodgepodge

Our current views are smoke filled and our air is very unhealthy. When I was at the library yesterday they were handing out smoke rated masks.

Continuing with Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce From This Side of the Pond this historic week for our family and nation. 

1. What gives you energy?

Planning for a trip or an event gives me energy.

What takes it away?

Confrontation

2. How often do you shop for clothes?

Not often. If I’m going to shop for clothes it would be for a wedding or another special event.

What accessory do you always wear? 

My wedding ring and my watch.

3. What’s something free that you feel grateful for? 

The air we breathe. This is what came to mind because of the smoke filled skies and ash in the air. My throat is scratchy and my eyes are sore. Looking forward to our fires being put out and our skies clearing.

There are 5 fires burning in our area, maybe more. The two largest in our tri-county part of the state are within 15 miles from us. Agencies from across the state are camping in our little town as they help with the fires. I’ll have to get a photo of the camp sites to share.

4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner…which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What’s your go-to comfort food? 

Any one of them is enjoyed when the food is tasty and good. I find soup to be very comforting. Russian foods that our mom made are high on the list for comfort, pirishky, lopsha, apricot filled pastry, Vareniki, Roolyet, blintzes.

5. This week the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way?

A day we’ll never forget.

This was taken in 2001. In reaction to sitting and watching all the horror unfold on our television, the attacks on our country, I found the flag that was presented to Greg’s mom at his father, Rex’s, funeral. I slipped it out our daughter’s window on the street side of our home in support of our country.

On the 20 year anniversary we put out all the flags!

There is a 9/11 ride here in our town every year and when we can we go out and wave our flags somewhere along the route.

How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges?

In our travels in Oxford and in Scotland and interest in reading books about the reformation and reformers and all the history surrounding those who stood for truth and were martyred for their faith makes my personal challenges seem trivial in comparison.

Having a son-in-law who was deployed twice to Afghanistan and friends and a brother-in-law who served in Viet Nam and knowing all the challenges that they faced during and after their military service also gives me a different perspective on my aches and pains.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

In 2026 we will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Country and the 25th Anniversary of 2011. We’ll have to pull out all the stops with all of our red, white, and blue!