Wednesday Hodgepodge - Hello April!

I'm joining Joyce again this week for a little Wednesday Hodgepodge. She gives the questions, we give the answers! Be sure to visit her at From This Side of the Pond.

1. April rolls in at the end of this week and in celebration of that infamous date (April 1st) answer this question-What is something foolish you've done?

Three words: Spanish Bay Getaway. (Only my family knows for sure.)

2. With April comes Easter and that classic edible treat known as Peeps...so tell me...what's your favorite way to fix/eat chicken? That wasn't what you were expecting, was it? I 'fooled' you. teehee.

My family's favorite chicken dish is one my mom makes, so I'll call it "Nana's Homemade Chicken Nuggets." It's really very easy, and everyone loves them. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into nugget sized pieces. Mix equal parts bread crumbs and grated parmesan cheese. Dip chicken in melted margarine, then into crumb mixture to coat. Place in baking dish and bake at 350 degrees until done, about 30 minutes, depending on the size of your nuggets. Enjoy!

3. What's the best museum you've ever visited? Or your favorite? Or the one you'd most like to visit?

Our family has always loved museums. Of course, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is quite well known, and is always a good choice for field trips for grade school children. Since we live close enough, our children visited many times, and I endured enjoyed quite a few bus rides there to chaperone their class trips.

One of the favorite museums we visited was the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. The kids loved the interactive exhibits. They could watch and re-watch all the Derby races, sit on a life size horse in a replica starting gate, weigh themselves like a jockey does before a race, stand in the "winner's circle", and much more. In fact, when we were there, guides were giving track tours every half hour from the museum. Our kids probably passed on the first three opportunities to see the track because they were having so much fun in the museum that they didn't want to leave. Vintage photo circa 1995.

Then of course, there's the granddaddy of all museums, the Smithsonian. We spent several days in Washington D.C. in the spring of 1997, and visited just a few of the 19 museums. Our favorites were probably the Air and Space Museum, and the American History Museum. In fact, on our last day there, we decided to spend the morning at the American History Museum for one more visit before heading to Gettysburg on our way home.

To make a long story short, the 5 children and I headed to the gift shop, leaving Jim to finish his look at a coin exhibit. He had instructions to meet us in the gift shop. We waited. And waited. Seems he allegedly went to the "other" gift shop, didn't see us, and went back to the hotel. After a couple hours searching, alerting security, searching some more, we headed back to the hotel where we finally found him. I was um, a little tiny bit hysterical, distraught, irritated, upset.

It does make for a good story now, and someday one of the kids may write a short story entitled "Lost Dad in the Smithsonian." And we missed Gettysburg.

4. You know what they say about April showers...what's your preference-a shower or a bath?

Definitely shower. I'm not really fully awake and ready for the day without my shower in the morning.

5. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...fact or fiction? Why?

I think it's fact. I think that longing to see someone you love, the anticipation of that moment, and the power of  imagination makes the feelings grow stronger.

6. What's your favorite product made/grown in your home state/province?

My home state of Indiana has several great "home grown" products worth mentioning. Besides Stewart Seeds, of course. :)

Bar Keeper's Friend is made in Indianapolis, and is great on the rust stains we get here in the country. I recently discovered the liquid cleanser, and I'm sure it will work as well as the original. Makes everything shiny and new looking.

Red Gold Tomato Company has several locations here in Indiana. Red Gold Ketchup is the best! This silo, painted to look like a Red Gold Tomato can, is located off I-65 in southern Indiana.



Finally, Vera Bradley Company is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Everyone loves their colorful bags and purses. They now even have beach towels, stationery, sunglasses, and many other products with that signature Vera look. One of these years, I'm going to get up to Fort Wayne for the big outlet sale. I've heard it's crazy! Thousands of women and discounted purses. Need I say more?

7. What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?

This is a hard one for me. Of course, I am moved by the tragedy in Japan and the plight of my friends in Haiti, and I am concerned about the Middle East, gas prices, and the economy. I pray for each of these very real issues. And... to lighten things up a bit... I'm hoping for an NFL season next year. You see, money and greed aside, our family likes football. It is something we enjoy together. So maybe let's everyone, players, owners, politicians, co-workers, neighbors, friends, family members, just try to get along. Ok?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Liz, at Hoosier Homemade, posted these adorable March Madness cupcakes. I wish my team was still in the fight, but it's great that Butler is representing the state of Indiana well for the second year in a row. Wow! It's always fun to follow the stories of the teams, their coaches, and the players to see who will earn that "One Shining Moment." I think these cupcakes would be perfect for the party!