Tag Archives: Wednesday Hodgepodge

Goodbye Hello Hodgepodge

Goodbye to Summer, Hello to Autumn!

1. What’s something you’d rate a 10/10? Tell us why.

First and foremost being redeemed by Jesus is always something that is a 10/10 because I’m at peace with God and enjoy all His benefits. But here’s another little something that rates 10/10 these days.

Being a grandparent rates a 10/10 for me. We’ve only been grandparents for 6 months now but it has been delightful in so many ways. It’s fun to see our children step up in new roles surrounding this little one. So many new things to experience while watching her grow in the first year of life.

2. What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?

I do not think I’d be a good manager. I’m just tempted to do things myself instead of telling people what to do.

3. When did you last take a fall?

Thankfully it’s been a while since I’ve fallen. My last significant fall landed me in the ER for several hours. I met a few rainy, slimey cement stairs with my face and had to have x-rays and be put on an antibiotic because of the significant cut on my nose. It was not a pretty sight, for a very long time.

What’s something you’re falling for (in a good way) these days?

Having Dear (my husband) around all the time. Now if he could be around and get a paycheck, too, that would be grand!

4. According to the Travel Channel here are some of America’s best fall festivals-
National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM)

Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed?  No

Which one appeals to you most?

I think I would really enjoy visiting Maine so I’ll pick Harvest on the Water in Portland, Maine.

Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend?

Seattle and some neighboring cities have some (Sausage Festival, Octoberfest, Autumn Leaves) but my hometown does not have any. These days I’m not a fan of navigating through crowds of people so I won’t be making a point to attend. I might take an Autumn drive to see some changing of the leaves.

5. What is your goodbye message to summer?

Adios smoky dry summer! Come back next year with less dryness and no forest fires, please. The air quality was so bad in Addy’s hometown that she had to stay indoors for a significant amount of time lately. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Our grandparenting skills will be put to the test this Saturday as our kids have their first evening out planned since Addy was born. They are flying in Thursday evening (Addy’s first airplane ride) and will join good friends for a concert in Seattle on Saturday evening. Addy will have a couple days to get used to seeing us again before she gets left alone with us. We get to put her down for the night. Here’s hoping she won’t refuse a bottle. She’s not a fan of bottles. Mommy is best. But…we have a saying in Russian that loosely translated says “by the time she gets married this will have healed”. She and we will survive whatever may come.

A big thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for the Wednesday Hodgepodge questions.

A Wordy Hodgepodge

1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

Yes! Don’t tell me, show me. I’m a visual person and a visual learner.

And I have many words for the photo above of little Addy May chasing cheerios. Look at those sweet fingers and the concentration!

2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?

It probably would be easier to say which parts we’ve never driven on. Dear and I were born and raised in Southern California. He grew up right next door to Santa Monica. On our honeymoon we traveled up the Pacific Coast as far as San Francisco. We lived in Huntington Beach and Ventura in the 70’s and 80’s before we moved to the Seattle area. In the mid 80’s we went on a bike ride and traveled on the coast from Mendocino down to the Russian River. For our 25th wedding anniversary we met our friends in California and stayed at Bodega Bay (The Birds) for the weekend. When we lived in Camarillo, Ca. from 2006-2010 we made a few weekend trips up the coast to Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach and beyond. We’ve made a few trips to the coast of Oregon and Washington.

The collage above is from our trip to the Oregon Coast where we came home via Multnomah Falls and across the Columbia River to Bonneville Hot Springs. The falls were in the path of a huge fire recently and the brave firefighters saved the historic lodge situated at the base of the falls.

Too many great spots to pick a favorite.

3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is?

I’m so thankful to finally have landed in a state where I can enjoy all four seasons and the changes they bring. Growing up in Southern California there were only slight differences. I can get a little blue in the winter if it has long stretches of bleak and dreary. Light has a good effect on my mood. I think for the most part I look forward instead of backward.

4. It’s your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?

I do not lie about my age since I’ve been an adult. In my youth I tried to sneak an age or two older for certain privileges. Now about that dinner…We are having a butter basted barbecued rib eye, some roasted root vegetables with lots of onion and seasoning and a fluffy souffle for dessert with red wine for the main course and a glass of champagne with the dessert.

5. What’s a life lesson you’ve learned recently?

I’ve been reading and listening to lessons on prayer these days and on being persistent in it like the parable of the persistent neighbor from Luke 11…

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Today, September 13th is my parents wedding anniversary. On my mom and pop’s 70th wedding anniversary my mother died. That was four years ago today. My mother was ready to go to her eternal home and to see her Savior.  I’ll be calling my dear old pop today to talk to him and hopefully encourage him. It’s hard for him as he lives these days on earth without his wife and companion of so many years. Thankfully my oldest sister and her husband are gracious in giving him room in their home to live and thrive as best he can at 94 years of age.

I’m linking up to Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce From This Side of the Pond. She comes up with the questions and we answer them.

Rolling On Hodgepodge

1. Can you believe we’re rolling in to the Labor Day weekend? What’s a project you’ll labor over this fall?

Our fall projects will include continuing sorting through and getting rid of stuff we really don’t need. We will also prune trees and clean out planters. Baking in the Fall is always a great project, too.

2. Tell us about the best perks you ever had in a job?

I really never worked at a job with perks except for when I was an elementary school teacher and enjoyed summer vacation and other holidays even though I wasn’t  paid extra. I enjoyed traveling with my husband with his job responsibilities but had to pay my way. I thought that was a great perk regardless. I traveled to places I’d never have planned on like Milan, Chicago, Washington D.C., Orlando, Atlanta and San Antonio.

Then with the Mennonite Girls for book launches and signings and play openings we traveled to Winnipeg, Steinbach, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Vancouver, Fresno, Indiana Amish Country and Ohio Amish Country. We had to pay our way for the most part but the perks were meeting lots of great people, funding our missions, and being with the “girls”.

3. August 31st is National South Carolina Day. Have you ever been to SC?

I have been to SC to go to our son-in-law’s graduation from MCRD and his successful entry into the Marine Corps. Our daughter and I stayed in Beaufort. The Marine Corps graduation was an amazing experience. We did enjoy our time there although my hair does not agree with the weather. Beaufort is a small southern town with great architecture and other southern charm to enjoy. All my photos from Beaufort are being held hostage at Photobucket. I do have the photos saved on CD’s and Memory cards that I’ll need to upload onto this computer.

Any desire to go? According to Southern Living, these are the top ten things to do in South Carolina…

Explore Charleston, bike, golf or relax on Hilton Head Island, see the beach and the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach, visit the state museum in the capital city Columbia, observe the wildlife and natural beauty of the Ace Basin, take a walk or hop on a trolley and check out Greenville’s charming main street, visit Fort Sumter where the Civil War began, stroll through Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden in Bishopville leaving time to check out The Button Museum, also in Bishopville, see Morgan Island (also known as Monkey Island)-home to nearly 4000 Rhesus monkeys. 

Which is most appealing to you today? If you’re a SC native, resident, or frequent visitor what would you add to the list?

Charleston is the most appealing to me but not in the summer!

4. Beef, pork, country-style, barbecued, baby back, spare or short…your favorite kind of rib? What’s a dish you enjoy that really ‘sticks to your ribs‘?

Barbecued Ribs please.

I love food and unfortunately it sticks to my mid section. But to answer your question I enjoy dishes like Stroganoff or Prime Rib with potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding. So I’m more of a beefy girl. Fish is rarely my choice unless it’s Fish and Chips or fish tacos.

5. What’s one important skill you think every person should have? Why?

I think everyone should be able to cook meals for themselves, that includes men and women. My dear old pop almost starved himself to death after my mom passed away. Dear and all of our sons and daughters can cook and I’m grateful for that. I’m sorry Home Economics is dwindling out in schools or completely eliminated. And Dear says if you drive a car you need to know how to change a tire!

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

This little one is always in our thoughts. Our Labor Day weekend will be filled with extended time with Addy and her parents. We are also going to be able to enjoy a wedding reception barbecue half way to our kids home. Our hairdresser was married last weekend in Seattle and she and her new husband will host a country barbecue reception on their 270 acres in the Okanagon area of Washington State.

Linking up with Joyce From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. She asks the questions and the answers are up to us. Do you have Labor Day plans.

We continue to follow what’s happening in Texas and we pray for all the displaced people and for relief of the suffering that everyone is enduring.

Heavenly Hodgepodge

1. Did you watch the solar eclipse? Your thoughts? Sun Chips, Moon Pies, Starburst candies, a Blue Moon beer, a Sunkist orange, or a Milky Way candy bar…what’s your favorite eclipse related snack on this list?

Yes we did watch the solar eclipse. We did not have the full deal but it was cool. I had a post up yesterday on the great eclipse shadows we enjoyed. A Sunkist orange is the favorite from that list.

2. What are you ‘over the moon‘ about these days? What’s something you enjoy doing every ‘once in a blue moon‘?

This little one is what I’m over the moon about these days, sweet little Addy May!

Once in a blue moon I will try a craft project. I find crafts and sewing frustrating and generally I don’t get a great result.

See these cute little Matryoshka dolls my sister Lana, daughters Katie, Laura and I created in 2011. Mine is the angry one on the right side. Just wanted to show y’all proof that crafting isn’t my gift.

3. Tell us about something in the realm of science that interests you. How do you feed that interest?

Tides and the ebb and flow of water. Whenever I’m close to the ocean I’ll make sure to have a walk along the water or to the end of the pier.

4. What are a few things you remember about going back to school as a child?

I was always very excited to go back to school. My mom made sure I had a new dress which I was proud to wear. I’m olden and girls were required to wear dresses or skirts and blouses to school all my schooling years from K-12 except for physical education in junior high and high school where we had gym uniforms issued to us.

The photo above is of my niece Hope walking to school a few years ago with the Matryoshka back pack I bought her in Poulsbo where I was visiting and shopping with my friend Beth. (Hi Beth!)

I’m on the top row on the left. Looks like I’m the happiest kid in kindergarten!

5. I’ve seen several versions of this around the net so let’s make one of our own…share with us five words that touch your soul and briefly tell us why.

Grace: Greater than all my sin.

Forgiveness: Undeserved but so grateful for it.

Peace: With God through Jesus.

Joy: Down in my heart.

Family: Accepted, loved and appreciated.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Addy’s mommy and daddy surprised us with a special overnight stop at our house last Friday even though it took them well out of their way on their way home from vacation on the Oregon Coast. We were so surprised and overjoyed to enjoy them and our other kids who live close by. They made sure to hang out for as many hours as they could. We ate meals together, took a walk and had turns holding and entertaining Addy. It was Christmas in August for all of us!

Linking up with Joyce From This Side of the Pond for Hodgepodge Wednesday. Joyce provides the questions and we answer them.

Dog Days of Summer Hodgepodge

1. Do your actions match your words? Elaborate.

“They are both approaching the same level of confusion” says Dear. We’re having some issues with the word match in this sentence. My actions are in harmony or in agreement maybe not so much matching. Seriously though, I do think I speak and act consistently.

2. Sick as a dog, go to the dogs, dog days of summer, dog tired, it’s a dog’s life, every dog has it’s day, can’t teach an old dog new tricks…now doggone it which saying could most recently be applied to your life?

Probably the Dog Days of Summer. Summer makes me lethargic. Truth be told…it’s not my favorite season.

On the whole subject of dogs we have never had a pet dog in Dear and my house. Our son Dan now has a dog he inherited when he married Jamie. Rayna is the golden in the photo above the photos in the collage are of the dogs coming to the self-catering cottage we rented for a week in the Cotswolds when the sausages we were cooking reached their noses.

3. Your favorite book featuring a dog in the storyline? What makes it a favorite?

I’m going with Spot in the Dick and Jane series. I can still remember how excited I was to learn to read and I just couldn’t get enough of reading in my elementary years. Spot was the first dog in the first books I read and now I just found out in the original books from 1932 that Spot was a cat to begin with and then they changed Spot to being a dog! I cherished my time in the bookmobile when it came to school. The only books we had in our house growing up were the Encyclopedia Britannica and a Bible…written in Russian. We eventually got Bibles in English, too. My older siblings and I would walk a couple miles to the library every month to return and check out new books. We would always check out as many as we could carry home. The above photo are of the original 4 of us who walked to the library together before my mom and pop had 4 more to make our sibling count eight!

4. What’s something you hope to one day have the confidence to do?

Make bread. Yes, I’m part of the Mennonite Girls Can Cook but I don’t make bread and I’d like to change that. I have mastered the roulette above that was a favorite that my mom made growing up and I’m pleased about that.

5. August 16th is National Tell a Joke Day. So tell us a joke.

Just changed my name on Facebook to “No One” so when I see stupid posts I can click on it and it will say ‘No One Likes This’.

Hope you are laughing…

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Here’s something I really like, love and can’t get enough of, Addy May!

Love the eyebrows on this little one and all the expressions she makes. Counting down the days when I can kiss those cheeks…

I’ll be linking up with Jo From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. She comes up with the questions and we come up with the answers.

Dear and I had a great road trip on Tuesday to Mount Baker Scenic Highway. We enjoyed beautiful vistas and a lake and waterfall. I’ll post about it soon.

Light My Way Hodgepodge

1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.

Sometimes. Right now Dear and I have set rules on our eating and drinking habits. The rule is not to eat after five and not to drink after six. This works well when we don’t have overnight guests.

When I’m in a slump I like to use the fifteen minute timer rule. Set the timer and get busy for 15 minutes. It’s amazing what you can get done in fifteen minutes and sometimes this is just the kick start I need to get going and finish a project.

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-

We have visited a few lighthouses in Washington State, see collage above. These are from the far southwest edge of Washington, the Northeast edge of Washington and the Puget sound area of Seattle.

Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

I’d like to visit Portland Head Light in Maine and Fanad Lighthouse in Ireland.

When you’ve been away, what’s your ‘lighthouse’ telling you you’re on the right road home?

When we are on the road on a longer than usual trip the “lighthouse” for me is turning on Simonds Road and heading up the hill to our street and finally our driveway.

My spiritual lighthouse leading me to my ultimate home is Jesus.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?

Counting calories and cutting down on what I’m eating has stopped because of our summer company. We’ve had three different groups of loved ones come from far away to enjoy time at this old house and what the Seattle area has to offer. I intend on picking it up again tomorrow since we have no more company coming, that we know of.

4. We’ve had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.

We had a grand time on Lake Union yesterday late afternoon into the evening on an electric boat. I will share a full post about it soon.

5. Tell us one song you love with the word ‘baby’ in the title.

Baby, Baby by Amy Grant

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I’m late to the Hodgepodge party as I’ve been busy with our latest company.

We won’t be seeing our eastern girls and our eastern son till September…boohoo. So thankful for text messages with photos attached!

See what others are posting for Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond. I’m sure you’ll get to see Jo’s new little grandson who has freshly arrived this August!

A Strong Hodgepodge

1. We’ve reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what’s your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

Most Tuesdays at or close to 3:15 you’ll find us enjoying Tequila Tuesday at our local Mexican Restaurant. We’ve been enjoying this tradition for a few years now. When our favorite waitress, Liliana, sees us drive up she heads to the bar to make us a Cadillac Margarita (no salt). Yesterday was no exception and we enjoyed our early dinner/late lunch close to 3:15ish. Things are usually slow at the restaurant so it gives Dear and me a nice stretch of time to talk and get caught up.

Energy level at 3:15 is probably about a 6.

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball…which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

Most recently a party since we had guests for 6 days and we had as many meals and outings as we could fit in over those days. My dishwasher was in constant motion. Thankfully one of the full party days was at our oldest son’s and dil’s so my dishwasher had a day of rest.

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

  1. Healing of my carpal tunnel syndrome in my left wrist. It is slowing me down in the scrubbing and weeding departments. BUT just today I was reminding myself that my dear little babushka lived most of her life with just one hand and she accomplished incredible things like raising kids, cooking, cleaning, embroidering, etc. etc.
  2. A contractor or plumber. We have a leak in our water pipes somewhere between the house and the meter and having someone come in to do the repairs would be great. But, Dear will have to be in charge of that since he’s unemployed right now and the extra expense of hiring someone is not in the budget.
  3. A walking partner. Someone who is motivated and won’t let me off the hook. I need to burn more calories than I put in my body.

4. Do you think you’re strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

Strong enough physically, except for my carpal tunnel issues right now. I’m strong in my beliefs and this protects me from straying from the Truth. I react strongly to trends that are a load of lies, spiritually. My Dear is a wise man spiritually with good discernment and he helps me stay on tract, too. Staying connected to God and His Holy Spirit makes me strong.

Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What’s your favorite book set sometime in the past?

One of my favorites is Byzantium by Stephen R. Lawhead

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Time is flying with our little Addy May. She’s four months already. Babies change so quickly during their first year of life. We need to plan our next trip across the mountains to see her soon.

3 days,  1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months.

Linking up to Wednesday Hodgepodge, where Jo asks the questions and we come up with the answers.

There She Goes Hodgepodge

1. Growing up, were you close to your grandparents? My maternal grandfather died in Persia before my babushka immigrated to the U.S.A. I was closer to my little maternal babushka. We visited my paternal grandparents regularly and honored them but never were as close to them as to my little babushka.

Tell us one or two specific things you remember about them.

Me and my little babushka on my wedding day. She was a believer and prayed for me all her days and tried to teach me to embroider. She embroidered with one hand because she lost one hand up to her elbow when she was young.

My paternal grandparents loved us as they could. We enjoyed a Russian Banya (Steam bath/sauna) at their home regularly growing up.

2. What’s an item you were attached to as a child? What happened to it?

I have not one item from my childhood that I’m attached to, in fact I have not one item from my childhood.

3. When you look out your window, do you see the forest or the trees (literally and figuratively)? Explain.

Out my current windows I see trees but no forest. I see houses no big views.

4. Do you like sour candies?
I enjoy Mike and Ikes.
Which of the ‘sour’ foods listed below would you say is your favorite?
grapefruit, Greek yogurt, tart cherries, lemons, limes, sauerkraut, buttermilk, or kumquats
limes
Have you ever eaten a kumquat?
Yes, I have. Growing up in Southern California our relatives had kumquat trees and we’d enjoy them fresh off the tree. It’s fun getting past the sour skin to the inner sweetness.

What’s your favorite dish containing one of the sour foods on the list?
I like the effect and taste that limes add to pica de gallo and I enjoy lime in my gin and tonics.

5. July 1st marked the mid point of 2017. In fifteen words or less, tell us how it’s going so far.

Becoming grandparents and watching our granddaughter grow makes 2017 a stand out year.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Summer is great but it’s not my favorite season.

Linking up to Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond. Joyce asks the questions and we answer them.

Free to be Me Hodgepodge

1. When and where were the best fireworks you’ve ever seen? Speaking of fireworks…do you know your hot buttons? The things people can say and/do to set you off? When was the last time someone pushed one of your hot buttons?

The collage above is taken at Disneyland with Josh and Dan in the early 80’s before Katie was born.

Disneyland puts on a great fireworks show every night.

My hot buttons are pushed when someone who is outspoken speaks out including me in their opinion and then because it’s so against my principles I have to speak out. Those kinds of scenarios make me sweat uncomfortably. I could keep quiet generally and not make a scene but I can’t stay silent when someone includes me in their convictions that are totally against my own.

2. Have you hosted any outdoor summer parties this year? Attended any? What makes for a great outdoor party?

Just hosted our first summer party on the 4th of July with 14 people we love. Some family and some dear friends. The weather was right and the food was satisfying. For me an outdoor party is perfect when the weather, food and people align well. I like an outdoor party with a close home base where the food can be set out inside and people can gather outside with access to the food and facilities close by. Another key to a great party is when everyone who comes contributes to the food table.

3. What does freedom mean to you?

I am so grateful to have been raised in the Home of the brave and land of the free. I love the U.S.A. I am even more grateful for the freedom that I have in Christ.

Galatians 5:1  “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Galatians 2:4 “…our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus…”

John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

4. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy month…what annoys you most about people’s cell phone habits?

I don’t appreciate how loud people are when talking on the phone in public places. The worst thing is looking in your rear view mirror riding down the freeway at very high speeds and realizing the person behind you is texting! Yikes, if the traffic stops will they notice in time before crashing into me? I have changed lanes to get away from these scenarios.

5. What’s your current summer anthem?

God Bless America

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Can’t get enough of this little smiley face! She has rolled over from her tummy to her back and now she just rolled over from her back to her tummy! She will be 4 months on July 20th!

Thank you Jo From This Side of the Pond for coming up with the questions and prompts for us to react to on Hodgepodge Wednesday. Click over to read more responses.

A Snail’s Pace Hodgepodge

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge and it’s the first Summer edition of 2017!

1. The first day of summer rolls in later this week. What are ten things you’d put on your list of  quintessential summer activities?  The collage above has some of my ten.

  1. Decorating and having folks over for fourth of July is one of my favorites.
  2. Eating summertime fruit and baking with it.
  3. Entertaining out of town guests with all our area has to offer like canoeing on Lake Washington.
  4. Casual barbecues with family or friends.
  5. Day trips to see a new town or area.
  6. Completing projects outside.
  7. Going to Canada for a summer get-together with the MGCC and their husbands.
  8. Taking some walks.
  9. Enjoying summertime flowers and decorating tablescapes with them.
  10. Going to the Lavender Festival in Sequim.
  11. Attending soccer games in warmer weather, oops that’s 11.

Will you try to manage all ten this summer?  No. Our fourth of July party probably won’t be on the 4th this year and with summer company coming I’ll probably miss the lavender festival since it’s not something little ones would enjoy.

2. Do you collect seashells when you’re at the beach? 

If we can find them we do like to collect them.

What do you do with them once you get them home?

 

The Abalone shell is from Dear’s early years in Southern California.

The Ginger Jar is full of shells Dear and I gathered our 4 years while we lived in Camarillo from 2006-2010. Most Saturdays while we were living there we’d drive to Emma Wood Beach in Ventura and walk along the seashore just as the sun came up. The little glass bowl has shells and little pine cones from somewhere before we got married. The spiny shell is one we keep out of reach.

These larger more dramatic shells are from Dear’s parents who got them from his Uncle and Aunt who were stationed in Hawaii for a few years with the Air Force. Right now they are living on the bottom shelf of the tea cart in a metal tray, the shells, not Dear’s folks or aunt and uncle.

What’s your favorite place to comb for seashells?

Emma Wood Beach is the most recent and favorite. And for the record winter beach combing is my favorite. I like to avoid southern beaches in the summer.

How many of these ‘best beaches for hunting seashells’ have you visited?

None.

Which one would you most like to visit?

Calvert Cliffs State Park (Maryland), Jeffrey’s Bay (South Africa), Sanibel Island (Florida), Shipwreck Beach (Lanai Hawaii), Ocracoke Island (North Carolina), Galveston Island (Texas) and The Bahamas

I think I’d pick Shipwreck Beach. I like the name.

3. At a snail’s pace, shell out money, come out of your shell, go back into your shell, drop a bombshell, happy as a clam, clam up...which ‘shell’ phrase could most recently be applied to some event or circumstance in your life? Explain.

At a snail’s pace is the one I’m going to pick because we seem to be waiting on things that might develop to make plans that might come to be if nothing else changes and in the meantime nothing has changed.  So we are waiting…

4. What summer activity do you dislike? Why?

Pool parties that involve little ones who might or might not be watched properly by their parents.

5. What’s something you see as quickly becoming obsolete? Does that bother you?

Actual reporting of the news. Too many opinions, not enough facts. Yes it bothers me.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We got these photos by text on Tuesday the 20th. I love all of her expressions. We get to see Addy May on Friday! Woohoo. She’s changing so much every week. It’s been a month since we have seen her in person.

It’s the first day of summer and we had…wait for it…rain! I added that for Vee’s sake. It’s not just in your corner of the world!

Thank you Joyce for asking the questions. Click over to From This Side of the Pond to see more Hodgepodge.