Beauty, Beast & Bell Hodgepodge

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1. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'  What's something you've seen recently that you thought was beautiful?

The sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. 

2. Our culture and beauty...your thoughts?

I think our culture has it wrong.  There is too much emphasis on outer beauty and being the "perfect" size.  I think of Proverbs 31:30

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."

3. Age before beauty, beauty queen, beauty mark, beauty sleep...which beauty-ful phrase resonates with you today? Why?

Age before beauty, only because I thought of it recently when someone stepped aside so I could pass first through a hallway.  It didn't apply in that situation but I have used it before for a good laugh.

4. I read here a list of the top ten
beasts animals that scare us the most-

alligators, coyotes, black bears, birds (but pigeons in particular), sharks, bats, bed bugs, rats, rattlesnakes, and the black widow spider. 

Which 'beast' on the list scares you the most? What is the liklihood of you having an actual encounter with that particular beast? Did a movie contribute to your fear of this creature? Have you ever had a real life encounter with any of the animals listed?

A few of them really gross me out but as far as the scariest I'd say a rattlesnake.  I don't think it is likely that I will have an encounter with one because they are not indigenous to this area.  I've only seen them on TV shows and they look really scary.  No encounters with any of the animals listed, thankfully.

5. Where were you when you last heard a bell ring? Was it alarming or musical?

I can't remember.  My husband has a brass bell that his father used to ring when it was dinnertime and once in a while he will take it out and ring it for fun.  It is mostly alarming because I am not expecting it. 

6. What's your favorite carb? How's that for random?

Bagels.  Old fashioned kettle boiled bagels, not rolls with holes.  I do not have them often but when I do it is hard to stop eating them until they are all gone. 

7. Let's wrap up another month of Hodgepodging and life with an acrostic. Recap your month using the word MARCH.

M- much activity
A- a couple of missed snowstorms
R- rainy days
C- caring for others
H- hearing good news

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Time to put my snowmen away and decorate for Spring and Easter.  I wore my first pair of Capris for the season and I can tell from the way the birds are chirping in the morning Spring is near. 

photo credit

A Spring Hodgepodge

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1. Setting aside the real March Madness (NCAA Basketball) describe something happening at your house this month that might earn the title 'March Madness'?

Well my mother-in-law has been in the hospital and rehab since January and is coming home this week.  There are some adaptations that need to be made before she gets home so let's just say I have been feeling the March Madness.

2. What's a favorite made up word from your childhood or a favorite from your children's childhood? Does your family still use the word today? If there's a story behind the origin please share.

Ketchip- it is not really a made up word, but a pronunciation of ketchup from when my daughter was a little toddler.  My family still uses that word every once in a while and we all smile.  I remember my husband not wanting to forget the way she said it and of course I was quick to correct her.  She learned to say it correctly soon after but I am glad my husband held onto that word.  He is very good with being in the moment and enjoying the everyday things. 

3. Will you be doing any spring cleaning now that the season is upon us? I read here a list of 15 quick (under one hour) spring cleaning tasks. They were-

clean out a drawer, vacuum furniture, whiten tile grout, dust the nooks and crannies you don't get to year round, degrease kitchen cabinets, wipe down walls, go behind furniture, wipe down ceiling fans, vacuum the mattress, clean the range hood, wash baseboards, shine the stainless steel, clean out vents, tackle the windows, and wipe down gadgets

Of the fifteen 'quick' tasks listed which two most need doing at your house? Will you do them?

I do plan on getting to washing the windows but it will be a little bit later in the season.  The two that most need doing at my house are degreasing the kitchen cabinets and wiping down walls.  Before we moved in I don't know how many years passed since the cabinets were degreased.  I have done them numerous times but never seem to be clean enough for me.  I am waiting for the living area and kitchen walls to be painted so they will need to be wiped down first. 

4. A favorite movie set in Paris or New York?

"You've Got Mail" with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, which is set in New York.

5. What's put a spring in your step this month?

Breathing in ocean air and walking on the sand.

6. Did you ever want to be a teacher? Why or why not?

Yes and I did become a teacher :)  I did not like school much but had a few amazing teachers along the way who changed that for me.  In high school my social studies teacher had me volunteer in a Special Ed. class instead of having study hall.  That was the changer for me.  I went on to get my degree in Special Education and then graduate school for Elementary Education.  I taught preschool and second grade and loved it!  I wanted to make a difference in my students' lives the way some of my teachers made a difference in mine.  Over twenty-five years later and I still get teary eyed thinking of those amazing teachers. 

7.  What's your favorite floral scent? Do you have this somewhere in your home or maybe in a perfume? How do you feel about florals in food? How about wines with floral notes-yay or nay?

I like the smell of roses.  I do not have that scent anywhere in my home.  I don't usually wear perfume but occasionally will wear essential oils.  I don't have any rose oils.  I do not like florals in food.  I couldn't recognize floral notes in wine, even if I tried. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

A few weeks ago Joyce asked us a question about being in need of a winter getaway.  I had answered how I longed for time at the beach for a quiet getaway.  I didn't think it would happen this year, but it did, on the first day of Spring!  I thank God for working out circumstances and providing a few days right on the beach for my family.  As I write this I have the perfect view of the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean.  A slice of paradise for sure!  I am having trouble uploading the ones I took this morning, but here are a few of my other favorites:

Happy Spring!

Happy Pie Day!

   

To celebrate Pi Day (since today is 3/14) my daughter and I made Dutch Apple Pie with Oatmeal Streusel.  It was completed was homemade caramel sauce and toasted walnuts.  Delish! 

The blizzard that was supposed to hit today moved north of us and we ended up with a few inches of snow, sleet and rain.  It is a sloppy mess outside and a bit disappointing.  We were looking forward to one more significant snowfall for the season and some sledding.  Could still happen ;) 

I want to thank God for answered prayer regarding a health situation with a loved one.  We are pretty private people so I haven't shared the details.  Last week we received good news from the doctor that the treatment was effective.  Praise God! 

There is no Hodgepodge tomorrow.  Hope you all are having a good week :)

   

A Perfect Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!  It is still the same Hodgepodge and gracious host, just a new, updated button :) 

1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?

I have perfectionist tendencies for sure!  One area is cleaning.  I like things a certain way and I believe everything has a place.  It bothers me when things are not in their proper place. 

2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous?

I'm not sure if I'm answering this one right, but as for ridiculous....how about all the protests that are still going on?  I'm all for free speech but let's move on people. 

3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?

Cooking well.  I didn't have much practice until I was married but have had lots of practice over the past 15 years. 

4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?

If I could eat anything I wanted without having any dietary restrictions it would be 2 fried eggs, toast, bacon, orange juice, coffee and a piece of coffee cake.  My Grandpa used to make that breakfast for me when I would visit.  I sure do miss him and my Grandma. 

5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.

A few years ago when we drove down to Florida to visit my aunt.  We stopped along the way to see family and friends in different states.  I'd say it was a perfect 10 because we had safe travels and everyone stayed healthy.  It was a relaxed time just enjoying each other's company and having lots of fun. It was the first time in a long while that I could tolerate being in the car for that long due to my dizziness.

6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close?

7. How would you spend $300 today?

I would book a hotel for a night out at the end of the island.  I'd take my husband and kids for a day away from it all and to listen to the ocean waves. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

A Slow, Wonderful World Hodgepodge

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1. 'Slow and steady wins the race'...tell us about a time this was true in your own life.

I have difficulty doing anything slowly so I can't think of anything right now.  I am sure there is truth in that statement and I will be agreeing as I read other hodgepoders' answers. 

2. 'As slow as molasses'...Do you like molasses? How about maple syrup? Caramel? Butterscotch? What's your favorite of the slow moving treats mentioned here, and what's your favorite food made with that sweet treat? 

No, I do not like molasses.  Actually I was told taking a spoonful of black strap molasses was good for my thyroid but I couldn't stand the taste of it.  I love maple syrup and caramel and like butterscotch.  My favorite is caramel and my favorite way to eat it is poured over vanilla ice cream.  Since I am mostly dairy free, I haven't had that in a long time.  While I realize fast food is not healthy, years ago I had a weakness for McDonald's caramel sundaes. 

3. Your favorite slow song? 

"What a Wonderful World" by Louie Armstrong.  I chose that song to be the last song played at our wedding. 

4. Your favorite thing to make in a slow cooker or crock pot? 

Shredded pork, which I will be making today. 

5. 'You may delay, but time will not.' ~Benjamin Franklin Are you more a hurrier or a delayer when it comes to unpleasant tasks that need doing? What are you currently either delaying or hurrying to get through this week or month?

I like to "get things done" but there are a few unpleasant tasks that I will delay for as long as possible.  I am delaying getting some items posted on Ebay although last night I began preparing. 

6. Tell us three things you encounter regularly or even just occasionally that you find to be annoyingly slow.

The line at retail stores.  I usually get on that line, you know the one that has a problem and moves very slowly.  Waiting on line is one my least favorite things to do. 

Bank tellers.  I don't encounter them often thanks to online banking but there never seems to be a quick stop at the bank. 

Customer service over the phone.  Something so simple seems to take forever to get fixed. 

7. March is National Craft Month. Are you crafty? Tell us about something crafty you'll try in the next thirty one days. Or something crafty you'd like to try or wish you had the skill to make happen. 

No, I am not crafty although I enjoy crafts.  I usually will choose crafts to do with the kids rather than by myself.  I would like to try to make a flip flop wreath when the warm weather comes.  I saw a few last year and think they are so cute. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Thank you Joyce for all you do to keep the Hodgpodge up and running.  I don't blog much anymore but keep my blog up just so I can participate in the Hodgepodge.  The questions exercise my brain and I look forward to it each week :)