It's A Homey Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!

1. Besides your very own house, describe a place where you feel most 'at home'?

At my sister's house.  She lives in the house we grew up in.  I lived there for 27 years and although she has made many changes, it still has a very familiar and comfortable feeling to me. 

2. When did you last 'hit a home run' with something? Explain. 

Dinner tonight.  I made pork chops in the crockpot and they were moist and tender.  You can find the recipe here if you are interested:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/slow-cooker-pork-chops

3. Tell us about something you love in your house or kitchen that is 'homemade'. 

We have a handcrafted metal cross that was made by a dear older gentleman that we used to go to church with.  He has since gone home to be with the Lord and I am thankful for the thoughtful gift he gave us. 

4. 'A man's home is his castle'...which of the world's ten most captivating castles (according to The Travel Channel) would you most like to visit and why-

Mont Saint-Michel (France), Edinburgh Castle (Scotland), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Glamis Castle (Scotland), Windsor Castle (England), Chateau de Chambord (France), Hampton Court Palace (England), Prague Castle (Prague), St. Michael's Mount (England), Leeds Castle (England), and Swallow's Nest (Ukraine)

If travel weren't an issue, I'd choose Neuschwanstein Castle because I'd love to visit Germany.  I have German heritage on both sides of my family and it would be interesting to see the country. 

5. What's a recent or upcoming plan or project that's required you do a little homework before getting started? Did the homework cause you to abandon your plan or adjust it in some way?

I can't think of anything.  Right now my husband has some projects to do but I try to stay out of the way ;) 

6. In your opinion, is homework an unnecessary evil or a valuable practice? Should schools be done with homework? Why or why not? 

I think homework is a valuable practice but I do think many kids today have way too much homework.  As a former teacher, I would send homework to reinforce what was taught in school, and tried to keep it as simple and stress free as possible.  Many times it is the parents who end up stressed out over homework.  I never wanted to be responsible for that. 

7. Share a favorite memory of your childhood hometown. 

Each summer we would spend our days at the neighborhood pool.  We would ride our bikes there or get dropped off and picked up.  I remember fun times spent with my sister, cousin and friends.  My mom would give us money to buy a treat, which was often an ice cold soda from the vending machine.  Does anyone remember Tab or Pepsi Light?  Back then we didn't know how bad it was for you! 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

All of a sudden it feels like fall.  The mornings and evenings are chilly, the leaves are changing color and falling, and I am making hot tea more :) 

Time to Smell The Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!

1. What would you say is your strongest sense?

My strongest sense is the sense of smell.  I often will say "Does anyone smell that?" Many times no one else does. Last night I brought a plastic shopping bag home and it smelled like cheap scented laundry detergent- yuck!  They must have stacked the bags next to something that stunk. 

2. Do you believe in the idea of a 'sixth sense'? Why or why not?

I like to think of it as the promptings of The Holy Spirit.  We can be deceived by our feelings so I think we have to be careful with intuition.  Pay attention to it but don't be ruled by it. 

3. When do you most feel like a slave to time? Explain.

At dinner time.  I try to have dinner ready at a decent time but lately it seems like everything is taking longer than I expected. 

4. Have you ever worked in a restaurant? How would you rate the experience? If you could own a restaurant what kind would it be?

No, I've never worked in a restaurant.  The closest thing would be a bagel store that I worked in when I was in high school.  That was a cool job because I worked with my best friend and the owners trusted us enough to go home and leave us there until closing.  If I could own a restaurant it would be waterfront with an amazing NY dessert menu. 

5. Ever traced your family tree? Share something interesting you learned there.

I haven't done it myself but my great aunt did.  I always find it interesting how many children there were born into the different families and where the family settled when they came to America.  My grandparents parents came from Ireland, Germany, and Poland. 

6. What did your childhood bedroom look like?

When I was a little girl I had a Raggedy Ann and Andy theme.  I remember the toy box, plaques on the wall and metal box that held my hair ties and barrettes.  I think the walls were painted yellow. 

7. Anyone who knows me knows I love_______________________?

being organized and things being done decently and in order. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Sunday morning on the way to church we saw a message flashing stating that the Causeway that led to the ocean beaches was closed.  My husband asked me if I knew anything about it but I didn't.  I thought maybe there was a marathon or something.  Today I saw the reason why and it was so nice to see a happy police story.  Two police officers scaled a 287 foot bridge to save a suicidal man.  They were up there for over 2 hours convincing the man to come down.  Thankful for those who serve so selflessly. 

 

A Moving, Still The One Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!

1. What would you say is the best and worst thing about moving house?

The best thing is getting rid of things that you don't really need as you pack.  The worst thing is all of the packing, unpacking and finding a place for everything. 

2. What's moved you recently?

I watched a movie on Amazon the other night with my daughter.  It is called "Touched By Grace" and I liked it a lot.  It was about a girl in high school who moved and became friends with a girl with Down Syndrome.  The girl with Down Syndrome was a Christian and invited her to Young Life events.  There is more to the story but I don't want to give it away in case anyone wants to see it.  But it moved me. 

3. Do you feel your life is moving forward, backward, or is on hold? How so?

I feel like my life is on hold.  Due to my dizziness acting up I am not doing as much as I'd like to.  Hopefully I'll be moving forward soon. 

4. On the move, move mountains, get a move on, it's your move, or bust a move...which phrase best applies to some aspect of your life right now? Explain.

Get a move on, I suppose.  I have not been moving as fast as I'd like to (see previous answer). 

5. What song makes you want to get up and move?

"Still The One" by Orleans. It makes me happy and I just want to dance when I hear it. 

6. Your favorite snack to grab when you're 'on the move'?

A Lara bar. Apple pie is my go to classic flavor, but there are several other delicious flavors. 

7. What one accessory makes your house feel like home?

My picture frames with family photos in them.  When I moved last year I remember what a difference it made to have my photos out and displayed. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Autumn has arrived at last.  It's been a few days since we've needed the A/C.  It is time for me to take my long pants out of storage.  There is nothing like putting on a pair of jeans after wearing capris and shorts all summer long.  One of my favorite things to do when fall arrives :)