Wednesday's Chocolate Day Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!

I am not sure why but the link doesn't seem to be working.  Joyce's blog can be found here: 

http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

1. Boo, boo-hoo, make a boo-boo, boo(ze)...pick one and tell us how it relates to life lately. 

Boo-hoo has become a funny saying in my home lately.  It usually follows something said that sounds like a big deal at the moment but really isn't.  

2. Do you like the color orange? Would we find this color in your home? Your wardrobe? Peach-pumpkin-tangeringe...your favorite shade of the three listed? 

I love orange leaves in Autumn.  I have fall decorations in my home that have orange in them.  I do not have anything orange in my wardrobe.  Tangerine orange is my favorite.

3. October 28th is National Chocolate Day. What's the last chocolate something you tasted? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being out of this world delicious, how would you rate it? 

Diet friendly brownies I made the other day.  I froze them so I can take one out when I want a treat.  It is made from a box of brownie mix and a can of pumpkin.  I would rate it a 6.  It isn't cakey which is how I prefer my brownies, but more chewy.  I enjoy having one with some frozen blueberries and light whipped cream on top. 

4. Life is like a box of chocolates or so says Forrest Gump's mama. Would you agree? Aside from the pandemic fallout tell us one way this saying has played out in your life. 

While we don't know all the details of life ahead of time we can trust the One who does.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths."  

Proverbs 3:5-6

5. As October winds down tell us three things you loved about the month we're bidding adieu. 

1. Cooler temperatures

2. Leaves changing colors

3. Being able to wear comfy jeans

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Congratulations Justice Amy Coney Barrett!

 

Wednesday's Traveling Fall Hodgepodge

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1. Just your weekly mid-week reminder that it's fall y'all and it's my favorite. I love nearly all the flavors of fall but let's weigh in with an either or today...pumpkin or cranberry? hot apple cider or pumpkin spice latte? cinnamon or maple? apple or pear? ginger or sage? carrot or butternut squash? Yes you have to choose. What's a favorite dish made with one of the flavors listed here? 

Fall is my favorite too!  Joyce is making this question hard, I like most of these.  Since I have to pick...pumpkin over cranberry but I love cranberry sauce.  Pumpkin spice latte over hot apple cider but I wouldn't say no to a hot cider.  Maple is one of my favorite flavors so I'd pick that over cinnamon but I use cinnamon pretty much all year long.  Apple over pear.  Ginger over sage.  Carrot over butternut squash but I like both.  I love pumpkin bread, apple pie and maple walnut balls which are a cookie that I make at Christmas time.  

2. Do you miss traveling? In this season of almost no travel do you think you've grown anxious or fearful about traveling again? Or has all this staying home not going anywhere made you restless to get out and see the world? What book have you read or what movie have you watched that has inspired you to travel? 

No I do not miss traveling.  Sadly I am not much of a traveler anymore.  Yes Covid definitely has made me more anxious and fearful about traveling.  Not so much about the virus but more about restrictions on travel, quarantine rules, etc.  Can't think of a recent book or movie that has inspired me to travel. 

3. A time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'? Explain. 

I think it was my first teaching job.  In retrospect I should not have taken the job.  It was a Hebrew Preschool that provided Special Education services.  I am not Jewish and a very limited understanding of the Orthodox community.  I had a class of twelve little ones, ages 18 months to 4 years old with various needs.  I wasn't given a curriculum or really any direction.  Many of the children had to be carried, some were deaf, some had various health needs.  In my opinion they should not have been grouped together like that.  It was very difficult to meet all of their needs.  I was so relieved to leave half way through the year and found a much more suitable teaching position for me.  Looking back I don't know how I did it except by flying by the seat of my pants.  I don't like knowing I didn't do my best :(  

4. Do you struggle with road rage or are you more of a 'Sunday driver'? Do you like to be 'in the driver's seat (literally and/or figuratively speaking) ?

I do not have road rage although I can be tempted to get annoyed at other drivers at times.  Actually just the other day I was in the passenger seat and my daughter was driving.  A car turned out and it appeared he was unaware of oncoming traffic.  My daughter swerved slightly.  I reacted and in retrospect should have been calmer.  My daughter reminded me of that ;)  I am not a 'Sunday driver'.  Yes I like to be in the driver's seat figuratively speaking but I prefer for my husband to drive most of the time.  

5. Something you've recently 'put the brakes on'? 

Late night snacking.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Wednesday's Sweet Hodgepodge

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1. Let's start things off right...Wednesday is National Dessert Day. What are we having? How often do you  make/serve dessert? Store bought or from scratch? 

I am having sliced banana, spread with PB2 (peanut butter powder bc it has no oil therefore less fat) and frozen, topped with a drizzle of chocolate syrup, light whipped cream and a few sprinkles.  That is because I am on WW.  For the rest of the family I usually make from scratch desserts like blondies,  chocolate chip cookies, apple crisp or chocolate cake.  If I don't bake anything we sometimes have ice cream or store bought cookies around.  

2. Slow as molasses, icing on the cake, that's the way the cookie crumbles, have your cake and eat it too, half-baked idea, that takes the cake...which phrase might be applied to something in your life in recent days? Explain. 

Have your cake and eat it too.  I started WW eight weeks ago.  I am losing weight and I have not been hungry.  As long as I plan my meals and snacks ahead of time and incorporate a treat each day I think I can stick with it.  In the past any diet I have tried restricted certain food groups and that made it hard to maintain long term.  

3. Something that's 'easy as pie' for you to do?

Giving myself a manicure.  I haven't been to a nail salon in years and polish my nails at least every week.  I don't think there is much to it but I have heard people say they can't do their own nails.  I don't remember what book I read this in...but the author included checking your nails as part of the preparations made the night before church because you don't want to look down and see your nails a mess on Sunday morning.  It really stuck with me.  

4. Are you someone who likes to 'sugarcoat' news you think might not be well received, or are you more of a tell it like it is and let the chips fall where they may? Do you like to receive your news the same way you give it? 

I think I am more of a tell it like it is although I hope that I am compassionate and gentle in my approach.  Yes that is how I like to receive news too.  

5. Something you did recently that made you feel like a 'smart cookie'? 

I preheated the baking sheets before cooking peppers and onions for fajitas.  I finally figured out how to have nicely browned peppers and onions instead of soggy ones.  I learned that from watching my daughter make homemade French fries 😉 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I managed to erase many of the comments on my blog accidentally.  I really do not like the new Blogger.  I was trying to figure out how to use the various features and before I knew it they were gone.  Apparently there is no way of getting them back.  That was frustrating!  I still can't seem to get my formatting and font the way I like it either.  I will have to keep working on it and see if I can figure it out.  If I can I will feel like a smart cookie for sure!

Have a great rest of the week 😀

 

Wednesday's Nice Everyday Hodgepodge

 

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1. What's one part of your everyday routine you'd be better off without? 

Internet surfing.  Usually I start out looking for one thing and end up in a hundred other places.  Before you know it much time has been wasted.

2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do? 

I went pumpkin picking!  Well actually it is a local church that makes their front lawn into a pumpkin patch but I did choose some pumpkins for my front steps.  I also bought a couple of Mums at a local nursery.  It was a gorgeous fall day and I enjoyed being out and about. 

3. What question do you hate to answer? 

How much do you weigh?  LOL!  I have lost 17 lbs. since the end of August though.

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us. In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix) and if so what did you think? 

I think we have control over technology although some people act as if they don't (I don't mean people who don't understand how to use technology but those who use it irresponsibly).  

I have not watched The Social Dilemna.  This is the first I am hearing about it. 

5. What are three small things that make your day better? 

God's Word, my kids and a steaming hot tea.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Last week Joyce asked us a question about coffee.  It got my thinking how some people make the best coffee.  Mine always comes out different and usually not so good.  What is the secret?