Tag Archives: Wednesday Hodgepodge

Fishing for Answers Hodgepodge

Another week and another Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!

1. When someone finds out what you do or where you’re from, what’s a question they always ask? 

When I say Colville (pronounced Call-ville) people get a puzzled look on their face.

It seems most always I need to add…”It’s a small town in the Northeast corner of Washington State about 70 miles north of Spokane and about 35 miles from the Canadian border.

2. Did you participate in ‘Greek Life’ when you were in college, or have children who did? If so what was your experience like? Taking another tack…have you ever been to Greece? If not, is that a destination on your bucket list? 

My answer is no to all the above. Growing up with immigrant parents who escaped communism made my parents and us in turn skeptical of many organizations and we saw them as unnecessary in our lives.

Greece would be a very interesting place to visit, especially for the Biblical history there, but it is not on my bucket list.

3. Do you like Greek food? If so what’s your favorite dish? 
Photo above from a great Greek restaurant in Walla Walla that our family enjoyed a while back.
Yes, I do enjoy Greek food. We just enjoyed home made Gyros at Dan and Jamie’s to celebrate Josh and Laura’s 24th Anniversary. Home made gyro meat, home made pita bread, home made tzatziki. It was all delicious.
4. What incredibly common thing have you never done? 
I don’t believe that I’ve ever fished or if I have I’ve totally forgotten it.
I’ve been to ‘Fishing’ parties and played fishing games.

5. What is a telltale sign that you’re upset? 

My hands will start shaking more than usual or my voice will be shaky.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here’s another great Summer salad.

Greek Salad
Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cucumber chopped
  • 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup canned chickpeas (garbanzo), drained, rinsed.
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted, sliced
  • 1/4 cup scallions, sliced (you can substitute red onion here)
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2-3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

Method:

  1. Combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, olives, scallions, and parsley in a large bowl.
  2. Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper for the vinaigrette in a bowl.
  3. Drizzle olive oil into lemon juice mixture in a steady stream while whisking, after it emulsifies stir in mint and adjust seasonings to taste.
  4. Pour over the combined ingredients and mix well.

Double the recipe if you are serving this as a main dish. This recipe would serve 2 as a main dish.
As a side it serves 4-6 people.
I used the whole English Cucumber for the salad pictured above which was probably 2 cups or more of the cucumber.

Food and Friends Hodgepodge

Sticky Toffee Pudding at Tom Morris Bar and Grill in St. Andrews, Scotland.

It’s the middle of the week and time for Wednesday Hodgepodge thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond!

1. What’s worth standing in line for? 

I’m going with Greg’s answer here. :0)

A Restroom!

2. Tell us about a favorite food related memory. 

We have many food related favorites and it is hard to choose just one but here goes.

In 2006 we along with two other couples (our doctor and his wife and our pastor and his wife) took a trip to Great Britain together. This was dubbed a ‘walking tour’. One of our over the top favorite and delicious eating experiences was at Conwy Bistro in Conwy, Wales. I had the most delicious shoulder of Welsh lamb and my mouth still waters when I think about it. We were also treated by the owners/chef with special treats while we dined. A remarkable food experience.

On this same self guided tour we decided to try Sticky Toffee Pudding at every food establishment we visited and to rate them against each other. This one above that we had in a Pub in York was a favorite.

3. What are some things you find particularly peaceful or calming? 

Quiet mornings with nothing pressing on the agenda watching the wildlife on our property.

4. Is there something you do now that gets you just as excited as it did when you were a child? 

Going on a trip. Now it’s the planning of a trip that gets me excited.

5. To what degree are you in touch with friends from grade school?

I am not in touch with any of my grade school friends.

high school?

There are a group of friends from high school that I’ve been in contact with, especially during the short years we lived in Camarillo (2006-2008). We had several mini reunions. I attended our 50th high school reunion in Montebello in 2018. We still exchange Christmas cards with two of my high school friends.

college if you attended college? 

My best friend from Cal-State LA married my cousin. (She’s on the left in the photo) We’ve had a lot of contact the past fifty plus years.  During my college years my friendship with Heidi developed not from school but from our Russian Baptist Church in L.A. (She’s on the right) We continue our friendship and cherish each other even though we live far apart.

I’ve also kept in contact with my first college roommate from the University of Redlands.

Having friends that are ‘forever friends’, ‘through thick and thin friends’ or ‘a friend that sticks closer than a brother’ are a treasure. We have a few of those kinds of friends we’ve made since college, too.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of Sticky Toffee Pudding…

From The Turf in Oxford, England.

From Dublin, Ireland, we ordered the pudding to go promising to return the plates and utensils.

We’ve enjoyed versions of it here in the USA, too.

SeaJack #6 141

This Sticky Toffee Pudding was enjoyed on the Sunset Terrace at The Grove in Asheville, North Carolina.

SeaJack #6 142

We made homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding for a British Pub Sunday Roast at our home. You can find the recipe here.

Pub Night 034

Sticky Toffee 017

Pub Night 045

 

Half Way Hodgepodge

Our summertime visitors have been entertaining us here at our country bungalow. I’ll post more photos later in the week.

Time for the Midweek Hodgepodge with thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond.

1. The midpoint of summer (believe it or not) is August 7th. Describe a perfect summer day. Have you had one this year? 

A nice clear blue sky with fluffy clouds at 78 degrees or less with no mosquitoes, yellow jackets, or wasps to bother me. Have not had one this summer.

2. What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting high school? 

It was a waste of time, emotions and regrets to have boyfriends. It would have been good just to keep all relationships at the friend level.

3. What’s something that bothers you if it’s not done perfectly? 

I think perfectly is a very high standard that has different opinions attached. I like events that are well planned and that have flexibility if things go wrong.

It does bother me when you arrive to help someone move and nothing is packed or that there aren’t boxes and paper and tape to get the job done.

It bothers me when an event is planned but then there is no one really in charge.

4. What’s the most overrated food you’re convinced people are just pretending to enjoy?

Green Juice.

What’s a trendy food you actually do enjoy and would say is definitely not overrated? 

Thai Food

5. Wrapping it up this week with five fun this or thats…

personal stylist or personal chef? 
Chef!
dance like nobody’s watching or sing like nobody’s listening? 
Sing like nobody’s listening!
unlimited tacos or free pizza? 
Unlimited Tacos!
bookshelf organization-by size or by genre? 
By Genre and within the genre the authors.
ten minutes late or ten minutes early? 
Ten minutes early!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our younger summertime visitors from the animal kingdom.

These two were crying for their mother on Monday night when I got home from VBS. A sad cry I had never heard before.

Our church is having Vacation Bible School, Wonder Junction, this week. I’ll be selling t-shirts and hats each evening.

Just Beachy Hodgepodge

Three generations at the beach in Southern California in the early 70’s.

It’s time for another summertime Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!

1. When does time pass slowly for you?

When waiting on news from a loved one. When flying from Seattle to the U.K.

When does time pass quickly for you? 

When spending time with loved ones and watching how fast our grandchildren grow from stage to stage.

2. Do you have a favorite beach? What’s your favorite ‘beach’ activity? Tell us what we’d find in your beach bag.

Laguna Beach in the early 70’s.

Over the years favorite beaches included, Newport, Huntington, Laguna, Emma Wood (Ventura), San Clemente, and Refugio (campground on the beach above Santa Barbara).

In my 74 years of life, over half of those years were lived close enough to a beach to spend a day there or just a few miles from a beach. Our sons were born while we lived in Huntington Beach and our daughter was born in Ventura which is also a ‘beach’ town. In my younger years I loved to be in the waves or do a little body surfing. In high school, I enjoyed playing ‘Hearts’ on a beach towel with friends slathering on the cocoa butter to get a tan (I know…dumb). With small children, I didn’t like the beach because of all the sand I had to clean off everyone, the sand in the food and the panic I’d feel about them being swept away in the waves. In my older days we lived temporarily in Camarillo a short distance to the beach. I loved to have a walk on the beach before dawn and watch the waves and the sea birds. Currently, I’m not a fan of being on the beach on a hot day. If I’m going to spend any amount of time on the beach it will be in the Winter, at sunrise or sunset.

My bag is most likely in the car and I would be hands free except for my camera or my cell phone. I would be taking photos of the birds and the surfers and the waves. I’d have sunblock on and a hat. I would be walking along the shore and not sitting. 🙂

Cousins camping at Refugio State Beach in California, 1984.

3. Your favorite book or movie with a beach setting? 

Flipper and Voyage of the Dawn Treader

4. What’s a food you love, but find it’s a pain to eat? Is it worth it? 

Love is a strong word. I enjoy mussels and they aren’t the easiest to eat. Caramels are delicious but they might pull out a crown. Peanut brittle is another thing that can be dangerous for teeth but is delicious.

5.  Do you like roller coasters? What’s the best (or worst) roller coaster you’ve been on? 

Big Thunder Mountain January of 2023.

I enjoy the Disney rides that are roller coasterish like, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, or Space Mountain. I’m not a fan of carnival rides.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Addy and JJ below the Huntington Beach Pier in the town where their Dad and Uncle were born.

Better or Worse Hodgepodge

There is always a way to take a photo of our acreage without showing you the close-up of our out of control weeds! 🙂 We got behind and it seems there is no catching up. A couple evenings ago, I was thanking the LORD for this view out our bedroom window. It is His handiwork, not mine. I just water between the rain.

Thank you, Joyce, for more Hodgepodge Questions this week. 

1. What’s an adult problem nobody prepared you for? 

All the technology stuff and apps you need on your phone and those QR thingies to take a photo of so you can do stuff like, parking downtown, checking in for a flight, ordering food at your table. Besides being unprepared for it, I dislike it and avoid it as much as possible.

2. How tuned in are you to all the recent food related health news? Have you gotten rid of your scratched cookware? Did you pay attention to food additives before they made the news? What’s one healthy eating/cooking/food shopping habit you need to adopt? 

Oh no, what have I missed or should I be glad I missed it. Maybe I will learn more when I read all the answers from other hodgepodgers. The one habit we’d like to adopt is to eat less sugary things.

I was a home economics major but that doesn’t mean I’m the model of excellence in all things home economics. One thing I learned in a nutrition class that has always stuck with me is that there aren’t fattening foods, per se. What is ‘fattening’ is the total of what you eat not one individual thing. Does that make sense. Some foods have gotten a bad wrap.

3. What’s getting worse and worse as you get older? How about better and better? 

Worse and worse is my memory and being able to recall the right word or the name of something or your name in a pinch! The struggle is true and real.

Better and better is my assurance of and the hope I have in the one true God who saved me by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to be the substitute for my punishment and the redeemer of my life here and the giver of my life in heaven for eternity.

4. Are you more of an indoor person or an outdoor person? Elaborate. 

I’m a little of both. By outside, if you mean having a stroll through a beautiful garden or around beautiful ancient ruins I’m a fan. I’m not a fan of getting to the top of the mountain by hiking where there are mosquitoes and other bugs and natural prey to contend with all the way. I do enjoy an early morning stroll along the beach. The cool of the morning calls to me. I guess I’m a comfort traveler or outdoorsy person. Strong emphasis on comfort.

From 2006-2009 we lived in Camarillo, California while Greg worked in Thousand Oaks temporarily.  Most Saturdays we would walk the beaches starting before sunrise. We moved back to our home in Kenmore (NE of Seattle) in early 2010.

I enjoy being inside in the morning hours in my robe and slippers getting ready for the day leisurely. I’m not a fan of being stuck indoors, though. I will enjoy strolling through a cathedral, or a museum, or a library. I prefer eating inside.

5. If you had an expert personal assistant today, what would you have them do? 

Since being healthy is all the rage, I’ll take a personal chef who makes healthy food Greg and I would eat.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We are having a garage sale this Friday and Saturday. Pricing and organizing takes a lot of time. Hopefully we’ll make enough so that we feel it was worth it and at the same time get rid of a lot of stuff we don’t use anymore.

There will be several more tables added and more stuff but this was the start of things for the sale. That pretty butterfly came to visit while I was pricing things.

We have a fire in our area and people are pulling together to help and give shelter to people and animals.

This fire is north and across the Columbia river from us.

Staying safe in Colville. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

Freedom Rings Hodgepodge

Sizzling into Hodgepodge Wednesday this week. Thank you, Joyce! 

Today is forecast to be hot, hot, hot. If I do anything outside it will be in the early hours. But now on to the questions.

1. What does freedom mean to you? 

Freedom means I can choose. I can choose what I believe, where I live, where I get an education, where I go to church, what I wear, what I eat, where I work, what I do for fun, where I travel, and all of that without fear of being thrown into prison because of those choices.

I can also choose to give up a freedom for a greater cause like parenting, being a wife, being a friend, being a citizen, being a member of the Body of Christ. As a mother I chose to give up many freedoms so that I could help my children. As a wife I can give up some of my freedom to be a better helpmate. In serving others sometimes you give up personal freedoms, too.

There are national freedoms and personal freedoms.

I don’t want to abuse my relationships by demanding my freedoms to the extreme.

The more I think on this the more there is to say about freedom. There are times that God will take my freedoms away to teach me something I need to learn. Maybe through an illness or a loss. I’ll save those thoughts for another time.

2. How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? If you live outside the USA answer this question as it relates to your own country’s patriotic holiday, wherever that may land on the calendar. 

We will go to an annual party in Colville with many of our church family. We bring our own meat to cook and a side or dessert to share. There are several grills for cooking the meat. There are games to play including an annual corn hole tournament. Fireworks are set off later in the evening.

3. This or that…red, white, or blue? Blue

Stars or stripes? Stars

Watermelon, home made ice cream, or blueberry pie? Watermelon

How do you feel about fireworks?  I enjoy watching them. I’m always reminded of our dear Pop who never bought fireworks that I’m aware of. If we asked, he would say, “Here’s a dollar, just burn it.” His sentiment was that spending money on fireworks was just burning up money that was better spent for something necessary. 🙂

That said, here in Colville we don’t set off fireworks just anywhere because we are in a high fire danger season. Many families shoot off fireworks on New Year’s Eve instead when there is snow on the ground. People in town can set them off without the greater danger of starting a wild fire.

4. What have you purchased recently that made you excited?

I talked about my new riding lawnmower last week. This week I was excited to have the window washers come. Clean windows are exciting and when someone else cleans them that is even more exciting!

5. I’m thankful to live in America (or fill in whatever country you call home) because____________.

…it’s the land of the free and home of the brave.

I’m so thankful God led my parents to make the choice to immigrate legally to the United States from Persia. They made the hard journey to settle in the Los Angeles area with our oldest sister Kathy and while our mom was pregnant with our sister, Vera. God led them on that journey and was with them all their 90 and 95 years. They enjoyed their freedom in the U.S. and their abundant life in Jesus Christ. That freedom and abundance is available to all of their children, children’s spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I love decorating and celebrating the 4th of July, Independence Day in the U.S.A.

the fourth of July 019

Wrapping Up June Hodgepodge

June was a month full of growth with lots of flowers to enjoy.

Joyce has some final questions for the month of June for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. What does adventure mean to you? 

Doing something I’ve never done before or visiting somewhere I’ve never been before. I’m so thankful to God for all the adventures afforded to me in my life.

2.  What are your thoughts on tipping?

We’re happy to be able to tip and tip extra when service is exceptionally good.

What businesses or service providers do you regularly tip?

We tip at sit down restaurants, hairdressers, massage therapists, and shuttle drivers.

Do you resent being asked if you’d like to add a tip? What about when a suggested amount is presented? 

I don’t resent it because I’m not bullied into doing something I don’t want to do. Ask all you want but I’m free to say no. I always say no at Goodwill when they ask if I want to just round up the amount of my purchase. Everything they sell was a donation and they should be able to manage the money they make to pay their employees and offer them training.

3. I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream…do we? Is ice cream a favorite treat at your house? What’s your favorite flavor? Regular, soft serve, gelato, sherbet, or some sort of non-dairy version of ice cream…what’s your pleasure? 

We do enjoy our ice cream. We like a variety but favorites at this time are Haagen Daz Coffee chip and Vanilla Swiss Almond. I enjoy Umqua Orange Sherbet, too.

4. What’s your ‘back in my day, we____________________ ‘ story or saying? 

So many because I am old.

Back in my day we used paper maps and had to stop at gas stations for directions if we got lost.

Back in my day we had to get up and walk to the T.V. to change the channel.

Back in my day we had one phone attached to the wall.

Back in my day we only wore dresses or skirts and blouses for school.

Back in my day we did not have computers. We used encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other research materials.

Back in my day we did not have credit cards but paid with cash or check.

Back in my day our suitcases did not have wheels.

5. Somehow this is our last Hodgepodge in the month of June. Next week’s Hodgepodge lands in July. Wow. Sum up your June using three adjectives. 

Painstaking: As in completing some hard physical jobs on our property.

Painful: As in dealing with Plantar Fasciitis (It has improved, I’m happy to report)

Adventurous: As in traveling primitive and new roads to us.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I managed to work on and finish two puzzles in June.

This Norman Rockwell one was tough with all the white. It helped to sort the pieces into shapes to make it easier. Someone dropped off a load of puzzles where our DIL works and she had a few for me to enjoy. This was one of those.

This next puzzle was a purchase on our road trip at the Mercantile in Metaline Falls. It was $4 and I was happy that there were no missing pieces.

This was a fun one to complete.

Happy Summer to all of you. Hope the bees are buzzing and the heat is bearable where you are.

Sorry to See Spring Go Hodgepodge

Last week it was time for the white peonies. This week it is time for the pink peonies and they are my favorites!

Wednesday Hodgepodge with thanks to Jo From This Side of the Pond.

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)…what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid?

We grew up in Southern California so a favorite was going to the beach. Newport Beach in California was where extended family gathered. I remember scouring the beach for soda bottles and turning them in for the deposit at a store and buying a treat, ice cream or a candy bar.

What do you like most about summer now? 

Visits from family. Watching the Grands at their summer sports.

First golf, then swimming and lastly soccer.

2.  Something you’ll celebrate this summer? 

The 4th of July is the traditional day we celebrate in the summer. I love to pull out my bins filled with red, white and blue decor starting in June.

3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like?

Taste~Watermelon

Smell~Lavender

Sounds~Mosquitoes buzzing around my head

4. June 18th is National Splurge Day…what’s the last thing you splurged on? 

My old riding mower died and we bought this new beauty.

What might you splurge on today? 

Not today but tomorrow I’m splurging on a massage.

5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme. 

When I was younger it would be ‘Schools out for the summer’.

These days it will be ‘Where’s the shade?’

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

By next week the Peonies will have wilted away so here are some more for today.

Thank you for visiting today!

A Seasoned Hodgepodge

I’m adding some blooms to sweeten things up.

Welcome back to another Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Jo From This Side of the Pond.

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often?

We like Lawry’s Seasoned salt.

Is there a spice you truly dislike? No

What’s a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

Chili calls for chili powder and cumin and we use those spices often.

2.  It’s been said ‘variety is the spice of life’…in what way is this true for you? Elaborate. 

I enjoy variety but there is a lot to say for the good ole familiar and a regular schedule, too.

3. What’s something in your life that adds ‘spice’ (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

Traveling adds lots of spice.

Grandchildren have added so much spice to our lives. It’s a joy to be able to see them at each new stage of life. It’s a challenge to keep up the older we get.

Some of the spice we enjoy right now is watching Addy with her Irish dance troupe.

And we love to see JJ with his new skills at Taekwondo.

 

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why?

It would be amazing to be able to master playing piano with the ability to read music instantly.

5. We’re halfway through the year…what’s one book, movie, or activity you’ve loved this year that you’d recommend to others? 

We’ve enjoyed some series on Britbox and Acorn like Ludwig, Death Valley, Harry Wild, Mr. & Mrs. Murder, The Brokenwood Mysteries and our fallback, Midsomer Murders.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Right now on our property the white and pink peonies are blooming and I’m having a hard time keeping up with them. It’s a wonderful problem to have.

I love the white but the pink are my favorite.

Hope to get around soon to see your spicy posts!

Choo Choo Train Hodgepodge

Our second born, Dan, enjoying his Choo Choo Train engine at his 3rd birthday celebration.

It’s time my friend for another Hodgepodge thanks to Joyce From this Side of the Pond.

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions?

We always tried to have a special celebration for each of our children on their birthdays. Their first birthday was an extended family and friend event with lots of adults and kids. As the years progressed birthdays morphed. After having the inspiration to have a Choo Choo train cake for Dan’s 3rd birthday, it became a special tradition for him.

The photo above is from his 5th birthday celebration.

From Dan’s 19th birthday celebration.

When Dan met Jamie and before they were married, she made him a Choo Choo Train cake for one of his birthdays. This next cake was her idea, too, at his 40th birthday celebration in Arizona.

Dan’s 40th birthday Pokeman choo choo train cake.

What about birthdays growing up? 

Birthdays were celebrated growing up but they were not the over the top brand of today. Simple cake and ice cream. Sometimes there was a gift and sometimes there was not a gift. One unique thing my parents did for my older sisters and me was to buy us a special birthstone ring for our 16th birthday.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses…what color are you hoping for?

I enjoy roses with subtle color, not the bold reds or yellows. You don’t have to send me roses but do bring a bouquet from your garden, please.

 Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

I would say that I lean toward black and white, not rose colored. I’m more of a realist and less of a poet. Saying that, I do choose joy and am filled with hope for a future in heaven that far exceeds anything on this earth. I will be upbeat and have a smile on my face in many circumstances of life.

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day…will you celebrate? What’s something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

There is nothing specific that calls for cheese but we’ll add cheese to egg scrambles, burritos, tacos, and some salads.

Summer reminds me of Bible Camp and Bible Camp reminds me of the classic grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup!

4. ’tis the season…any weddings on your June calendar?

No June weddings on our calendar.

What’s the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

It was a jumble of words because of our current climate where the marriage covenant has been so mistreated and undermined and attacked. It’s not a surprise since marriage was ordained by God and the model is His model. The original is the standard, a man and a woman, leaving mother and father, becoming one in marriage. I believe in the Word of God, the Bible, and what it has to say about marriage.

Mark 10:6-9

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.

This is a great month to celebrate and affirm marriage as God intended. Marriage reflects Christ and His Bride, the church.

Ephesians 5:31-33 ~Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

Having our epic garage sale behind us. The dates for this sale keep shifting but we hope to get it accomplished by July!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The above photo is from a Happy Birthday meal on the Westside for Greg in 2024 just before we flew to Scotland for more celebrations.

From September of 2024 through April of 2025, we celebrated all 10 of our ‘family’ birthdays.

We sing, we blow out candles, we eat cake or pie, we gift, and most of all we love and affirm one another on birthdays and other days, too.

“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”