Good Wednesday morning, and welcome to the Hodgepodge. This party is hosted each week by Joyce, who asks thought provoking questions and invites us to answer on our own blogs, and link back to hers. It's lots of fun, so come along for the ride! Click on the button below to participate (or just to say "hi" to Joyce and the others).
Now it's time for her questions and my answers:
1. What's something you're looking forward to in the month of June?
A wedding, some birthdays, and weekends spent here:
Ahhhh...
2. In what way have you come full circle?
I have mentioned it before, but living in the house that Jim's grandparents built, and where he grew up, raising our family, and now welcoming grandchildren here, feels like full circle to me.
3. Lonely Planet lists 10 spots in America you should see in 2015 and the reasons why. How many on the list have you seen? Which one on the list would you most like to see?
Queens NY, Western South Dakota, New Orleans, Colorado River Region, North Conway NH, Indianapolis IN, Greenville SC, Oakland CA, Duluth MN, and the Mount Shasta Region CA.
I have been to New Orleans (love it! Who Dat!), Indianapolis (know it well, since it's just an hour north of my home), and North Conway, NH.
There is a story about my visit to North Conway (isn't there always a story?). It was mid 80s, and Jim and I, along with my brother and his wife, and my parents, took a trip to Vermont. We stayed in lovely bed and breakfast inns along the way, and ended up at the lake cottage my grandparents had owned, which we remembered from our childhood. Well, we actually ended up at the nice new inn just up the road, which included comfortable beds and room service, but that's another story. :) In the course of our visit to Lake Willoughby, while the guys played golf one day, I decided we should drive over to North Conway. There was 'outlet shopping' there (a new thing) and one of the stores was a favorite children's catalog of mine, The Wooden Soldier, based in North Conway. (I was surprised to learn that it is still in existence. A good thing for this Granny to know!) With no iPhones and no internet, I looked at my paper map and decided it was 'about an hour' away. Trouble was that the route crossed the White Mountain National Forest which included, well, mountains. Beautiful, but slow going. Google maps says 101 miles. Now you tell me. By the time we arrived in North Conway, it was almost time to turn around a go back. (No cell phones to advise the guys that we would be late for dinner.) My mom was not a happy camper. At all. It is a lovely little town, though, and I wish we had had time to stay (and shop) longer.
Here is a photo of my brother, Ted, from that trip, looking down at Lake Willoughby from our hike up Mount Pisgah. Are we having fun yet?
I almost forgot this part: I would most like to see Greenville, South Carolina, a southern town in the mountains, because, well, it's a southern town in the mountains. :) 4. A song that describes your mood right now? It's a quiet morning here, and I'm praying for a couple of family members. His Eye is on the Sparrow reminds us that we are children of the living Lord. Loved. Important. Valued. Every last hair on our heads. I like the Selah version. Enjoy.
5. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry short cake, strawberry pie, or strawberries right off the vine...your favorite?
My dad grew strawberries after we moved to the 'country' when I was in high school, so my favorite is definitely right off the vine. I remember taking a flash light to the patch after dark to pick enough berries to put on my ice cream for a late night snack. I can still smell them. Mmmmm...
6. Aesop's birthday is celebrated on June 4th, although there is some disagreement as to whether or not that's accurate, or if he was even a real person. Regardless, the name Aesop is associated to this day with many well known fables. Which of the following best applies to something in your life right now? The Tortoise and the Hare (Slow and Steady wins the race), The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared), The Fox and the Goat (Look before you leap) or The Crow and the Pitcher (Necessity is the mother of invention)?
The Ant and the Grasshopper, since I've been doing some preparing for weekends at the lake. Can't run out of toilet paper with a houseful of family and friends!
7. The answer is yes...what's the question? Will the sun come up tomorrow? 8. Insert your own random thought here. We had a busy weekend at the lake with our third (I think?) annual Miller-Stewart Weekend. Tyler and David became friends and fraternity brothers their freshman year at Purdue. Andrew joined the friendship when he got to Purdue, and Tyler was a true friend to both David and Andrew through thick and thin during college. We met Tyler's parents at 'parent events' during the college years and connected through our boys. Tyler was in both David's and Andrew's wedding, and they were both in his. Meanwhile, Shylah worked at Outback with Amy, who dated (and married!) Tyler's brother Bret. A little bit full circle. We have spent time together celebrating weddings, graduations, and tailgates, and a few years ago decided we needed to schedule a lake weekend. It's crazy crowded and lots of fun, and, as is true many weekends, the arrival/meal time chaos is a bit like the opening scene from Home Alone. I learned a few months ago, that Tyler's mom, Kelli, had never tasted sugar cream pie. I decided we needed to remedy that situation!
I took very few photos, but I did 'borrow' a few. :) Darci took this one from the upstairs window, of Kelli and me with Haleigh and Ella enjoying morning on the deck.
The weather forecast for the weekend wasn't too good, but Saturday turned out to be just about perfect. Kelli posted these photos, saying she liked how Sweetwater does 'thunderstorms.' :)
The younger set enjoyed our neighbors' new 'beach', and we (almost) all got in the water on Saturday afternoon for floating, fun, and refreshment. Baby Piper was too little for the beach, and by next summer, there will be three more little ones added to the group. We're gonna need a bigger house!!
Ella found a new best friend, Tyler's youngest brother, Kyle.
We played Linkee, Heads Up, and Bananagrams, and the boys managed to fit in a round of golf on Saturday morning. It was great to catch up, relax together, and spend the weekend with special friends.
In other news, happy birthday today to son-in-law, Bryan, who took the day off to celebrate. He sent me this photo this morning, saying it was "way better than being at work." Way better indeed.
It's Wednesday again, so it's time for the Hodgepodge. It has been a busy week and weekend, and it's nice to take time to look back on the fun, and answer the questions brought to us each week by Joyce, our Hodgepodge Hostess. Be sure to click on the button and pay her a visit. After you've enjoyed my answers, of course.
Here are her questions and my answers:
1. Did you do anything 'memorable' this past weekend? If 'memorable' means 'making memories', we did that. :) We kicked off the #sweetwater15 lake season with family and friends for the Memorial Day weekend. Noah helped by sweeping the deck. #nevertooyoung
We had a deer who wandered down to the dock. I think she was lost.
Granny and Grandpa love taking the littles on a boat ride.
Noah loved the boat.
Piper Jayne's first ride.
Shylah and David making the buffalo chicken dip. Yum!
Sunday was a beautiful day, and we spent some time near the water. It was still pretty chilly IN the water.
Bryan and Noah did get on the water mat.
Shylah and David, who will welcome their little boy in early September.
Nana and Piper.
Another boat ride. Mackey giving Shylah a kiss. :)
Shylah and David.
Kyle and Kristin, who will welcome their little girl in mid-June. Coco and Moda will have a little adjusting to do, I think. Lol.
Jay and Kylie came to hang out with Courtney and Adam (and us), and Jay even drove the boat for us. Jay knows boats. :)
MackApp loves the sofas at the lake. He was a tired puppy.
Bryan, Jennifer, Noah, Piper, and Bentley.
Noah and Gumbo. Everybody loves Gumbo.
It was a fun weekend, and we look forward to a great summer at the lake.
2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."
Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you're a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy? When I read this quote and the question, I immediately remembered the chorus of a song I learned in elementary school,
Freedom isn't free. Freedom isn't free.
You've got to pay a price,
You've got to sacrifice,
For your liberty.
I looked it up to see if I could find the rest of the lyrics, and the first verse is a simple reminder that freedom is not free, and must be appreciated, defended, and never taken for granted.
Freedom is a word often heard today,
But if you want to keep it there's a price to pay.
Each generation's got to win it anew,
'Cause it's not something handed down to you.
-Words and music by Paul and Ralph Colwell
3. Loudest noise you've ever heard? Well, I'm sure it's not technically the loudest noise I've ever heard, but the first thing that came to mind was the gun signifying the lead swimmer on the last lap of the 500 free at a high school swim meet. From my spot in the timer's chair in lane six, that shot was right in my ear. Of course, veteran timers learned to cover our ears prior to the gun. :) 4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered 'junk food'? Did you enjoy it? Hmmmm….. Oreos? Twizzlers? Chips? I enjoyed all of them last weekend. 5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt 'packed in like sardines'? After Adam and Courtney's wedding and reception, we headed over to a famous campus establishment for some fun and fellowship. We made our way upstairs at The Chocolate Shop, where it was standing room only. I think the young folks are used to that. :)
These photos were taken before the reception, when it wasn't crowded yet.
6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes? For as unorganized as I am at home sometimes, I am actually pretty organized when packing for a trip. We have been vacationing on Grand Cayman since our children were little, and I could pack all 7 of us for a week in 2 suitcases. As the children grew, brought friends, married, and added grandchildren to the group, I put together a master packing list, mostly for the food that we take to feed the group for a week. While I'm good at getting it all in, I do have trouble keeping the bags under the 50 pound limit. I remember one year when a bag was 2 pounds over at check-in, so I grabbed a box of spaghetti out of the suitcase and stuffed it into one of the kids' backpacks. I can pack for myself in a carry-on, but I prefer to check bags if possible to avoid the hoisting into the overhead bins. 7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care? The last sporting event I attended in person was last football season. These pictures are from the game I attended in New Orleans to watch my team play.
They did win.
And of course I cared. Who Dat!! Is it football season yet??
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I spent yesterday with these two cuties, as Jennifer went back to work for her first day since Piper was born. We got along just fine. I'm sure it was a change for their mama though!
Noah ate THREE hot dogs for lunch (all beef, of course) and enjoyed watching some of Uncle Andrew's cow videos on my phone. What he doesn't enjoy is when the video is all done. Heart. Broken.
Hello Wednesday. Here we are again, gathering at the Hodgepodge, thanks to our friend Joyce. Be sure to click on the button to pay her a visit and join in the fun!
Before we get the the Hodgepodge, I want to wish you all a time to relax, reflect, and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. We will be kicking off lake season, so there will be a bit of prep work to do before the relaxing begins. :) Thankfully, there are many hands, and there is nothing better than having family and friends gathered at the lake.
Now, to the Hodgepodge!
Here are Joyce's questions and my answers:
1. Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional? I visited Ruthann, who is home from the hospital following her surgery, and we laughed together about her texts and Instagram posts while under the influence of painkillers. And laughter is good medicine. 2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer? For me? Anything math related. 3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are either currently blooming in your yard? Azaleas. They are not blooming in my yard. They were blooming in April, and every April, at Augusta National during The Masters. "A Tradition Unlike Any Other." Wish I had been there to see them in person. Someday...
Rory McIlroy hitting out of the azaleas at Augusta National.
(Photo credit Mike Blake/Reuters)
4. May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job? I have not ever worked as a waitress. I don't think I would have been very good at it. Our daughter-in-law, Shylah was a waitress, and a good one. 5. What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men? I'm so old and out of it that I had to look up fashion trends so I could decide which one(s) should be outlawed. Ha! I'm not a fan of ripped jeans on women or men, and find it hard to understand why someone would pay good money for pants with holes in them. Our son, Andrew, wears ripped jeans sometimes, because he has worn or torn a hole in them. He wears them to work on the farm. Not for a night on the town.
6. Name a writer who inspires you....now tell us why. A group of us attended Women of Joy in Louisville last weekend. The trip was all arranged by Ruthann, and she was planning to attend, until her surgery was moved up to sooner rather than later. A good thing, since she will have more time to recover before her son's wedding, but a disappointment that she couldn't join us for Women of Joy. She was with us in spirit, and we thought (too late) that we should have ordered one of those Spirit Head Ruthanns to take along with us. And yes, I'm getting to the part about a writer who inspires me. :) Angie Smith.
Angie (or as we call her, 'our friend Angie') was on the Sandi Patty cruise with us in 2014. She is an author, mother of four beautiful girls here on earth, and wife of Todd Smith, who sings with the group Selah (love them!). I started reading her blog seven years ago when she wrote about saying goodbye to their precious daughter, Audrey. They had learned, early in the pregnancy, that the baby would live only a few minutes. They were blessed by the two hours they spent with her, and they continue to bless others by sharing their faith and her story. The blog led to the writing of her book, I Will Carry You. She has written several other books, including Audrey Bunny, for children, and her most recent, a Bible study called Seamless. She is adorable, and she inspires me. 7. What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?
8. Insert your own random thought here. As mentioned in #6, a group of us attended Women of Joy in Louisville last weekend. We missed Ruthann, and wished she could have been with us for the fun and fellowship. (And to see our friend Angie and the other speakers.) Just a few photos to share from our weekend… Barb, her daughter Katie (Ruthann's future daughter-in-law), and Emily (Ruthann's niece.)
Jennifer, Courtney, Darci, and I, ready for the show. And baby Piper, our littlest Woman of Joy.
Our little group with Angie Smith.
Baby Piper, snug as a bug back at the hotel.
We left the Saturday morning session in the rain…
as Courtney said, "Soaking wet and full of joy!"
We finished our afternoon with lunch, shopping, pedicures, and a trip to our favorite, The Comfy Cow. There's always joy in ice cream!
It was fun to have a weekend with special women, for a time of worship, teaching, and fellowship. We missed Ruthann, and wish Shylah could have also joined us! We will remember our time together, and try to focus on the theme of STRONGER Philippians 4:13 to guide us each day. Amen!
