Happy Happy Hodgepodge!

It's Wednesday Hodgepodge time, and a very special one at that. Today is the birthday of our Hodgepodge hostess, Joyce! Won't you all click on the button and leave her some internet birthday wishes? She is nursing a bad foot, and would appreciate some comment love on her special day. She's not 20 anymore (her words, not mine). Happy Birthday, Joyce!

1. When did you last sing happy birthday to someone? When were you last sung to? Does that embarrass you or do you enjoy being the center of attention on your special day?
We sang to Jim on Saturday at the tailgate. It was just a day early but most of the kids were there to help celebrate. I prefer not to be the center of attention on my birthday.

2.  Name a famous or 'infamous' person (living or deceased) who shares your birth day and month. Is that someone you'd like to meet in person if it were possible?
I had to look this one up, because I didn't know any famous people born on my birthday. I did find a couple worth meeting.
Patrick Dempsey because, well, McDreamy.

And county singer Trace Adkins.

Because of this song, one of my favorites. Because well, Then They Do. So true.



3. Someone hands you a box tied up in a lovely bow...what are you hoping to find inside?
Gee, well, I don't know... tickets to the ball game or a Broadway show? For the whole family? And dinner out after? Can that all come in a box with a bow?

4. What can you guarantee about yourself?

I'll get it done, but I'll use every bit of the last minute to do it. 

5. Talking art and beautiful cities here...'The Last Supper' in the Santa Maria della Grazie Abbey in Milan Italy or 'The Mona Lisa' in The Louvre, Paris...which would you most like to see up close and in person?  Why?

My first thought was The Mona Lisa because I have never been to Paris, but I have never been to Milan either, so I'm picking both. Because I can.

6. Your favorite dessert?
I wrote about Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert in this post, and included the recipe. It is one of my favorites. I don't like to call any one dessert my favorite, though, it makes the other desserts feel bad. 

7. This coming weekend marks the official start of autumn (in the Northern hemisphere)...what is something you do to get ready for fall? What is one thing you're looking forward to on your fall calendar? Spring or fall-which do you prefer?

Fall means football around here. It means getting the tailgate box ready and preparing for Saturdays at the stadium cheering on our Boilers. We have plans to attend a couple Saints games this fall as well, and I'm looking forward to that. 

Fall also means harvest, and I love the sound and smell of corn in the dryer building behind the house. I also love the memory of wagons of corn, bright blue-sky days, and kids on the farm. (See #2, Then They Do.) I think fall is my favorite, but I do enjoy living where we can experience the changing of the seasons.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Baby Noah is 4 weeks old today! These photos were taken back when he was just a wee lad of 6 days. Enjoy!

Snoozing in the cradle that his great great grandmother slept in.

A Beautiful Day in Boiler Country

Saturday was our second tailgate of the year, a Purdue home game against Notre Dame. After last week's lackluster performance by the Boilers, expectations were low, even by the faithful fans. An 8 o'clock p.m. start, however, meant lots of time to enjoy the beautiful day, good friends, delicious food and ice cold beverages before heading into the stadium.

Little Noah did not attend the game, but he was supporting his Boilers anyway!

Haleigh and Ella didn't get to come to the game either, but they cheered for the team from Grandma and Grandpa's house. Matthew did get to come, and stay up late with the big kids. :)

We arrived early in the stadium parking lot,

and hoisted the flags to mark our spot. It is a good way for friends and family to find us!

We had lots of good food.

Matthew and Courtney had matching shirts!

Courtney and Chellsey.

Matthew and his new friend Mason had fun playing cornhole.

And the big boys did too.

Just part of the group.

Jonathan concentrates on his throw.

Jim tosses one.

Shylah helps Matthew with his tattoo.

Shylah, Darci, and Courtney.

Adam and Courtney.

Had to throw in one of Drew.

Matthew had a little tussle with the parking lot while playing football with his new friends. Good thing Granny had those Cars bandaids in the Tahoe!

Andrew, his friend Joe, and Jonathan. Joe roomed with both of these Stewart boys at the AGR house.

Shylah and her brother Joe.

The blimp.

David's friend Nate with his family.

Kyle and Kristin.

We had a birthday cake,

and birthday cupcakes,

and were led in song by Jonathan to celebrate Jim's 54 years one day early. Happy Birthday, Jim!

When we got to the stadium, we were super happy (and a little surprised!) that we scored first!

It is cool for us to play under the lights. There are no permanent lights at Ross-Ade, so portable lights are brought in on big lifts for night games. The stadium was full, and the fans were enthusiastic.

Especially when we scored again!

That made Matthew smile despite the scraped noggin'. (He had decided to ditch the Cars bandaids by that time.)

The ND band did the first part of the halftime show.

Complete with guys in dresses.

Then the Purdue band came on, featuring the drum, of course.

It's hard to see in the photos, but the band members were wearing lights on their uniforms.

You can see the orange in this picture. It was very cool, and the lights even changed color during the show.

They made a motorcycle formation to introduce an actual motorcycle coming over the ramp and onto the field.

Guess who? Purdue President and former Governor Mitch Daniels, of course!

He got off his bike, saluted to the band,

shook hands with the director,

climbed the ladder,

and directed the band as they played 'Hail Purdue.'

All Hail Our Own Purdue!

We liked watching the overhead camera move around the field. It looks a bit like something out of Star Wars to me.

Jonathan, Matthew, and Jim in the stands.

In the end, those pesky Irish came out on top, but we were proud of the effort by our Boilers, and hope to see more of it as the season progresses.

Matthew took a little rest against my shoulder,

and soon moved to my lap. Goodnight, Boilers!