Wednesday Hodgepodge

Once again it is time for the Hodgepodge.  

1. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'? 

That out temperatures have finally gotten above freezing so some of he ice and snow mess has started to melt.

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

I would stay stop and smell the roses. I have a tendency to get wrapped up in the day to day business of life and I need to slow down and appreciate the small things more. 

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

When my guys see the things I do for them and say thank you. Of course Preston saying that I am the best mama helps too.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day? 

Chocolate please. We don't have any special plans. We may get some take out for dinner.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

To quote the end of Bad Bunny's halftime show - The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate Is Love

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am trying very hard to up my water intake. I used to drink 100 ounces of water a day but have not done that in a long time. I came close to this amount on Monday but I paid the price that night. I went to bed at 9:30 and woke up at 11:30, 1:30. 3 and 5. I was very tired yesterday.

Monday Musings

As another week starts these are the things that are currently on my mind.

1) The football season is now over and I am sad. Now begins the long stretch until things ramp up again in the summer.

2) For the first time yesterday Preston and I watched the Puppy Bowl. It was honestly one of the funniest and cutest things I have seen. Of course every time they would show the dogs that are up for adoption Preston asked if we could get it. 

3) According to the weather app starting Friday our temps will finally be above freezing. I am very happy since my face this morning was hurting when I walked Preston into school. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It is once again Hodgepodge time.

1. I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way? 

It is extremely cold and we have had at least a dusting of snow every day for the past 2 weeks. For example today the low was 1 and the high was 16. With the wind chill it felt like -6 when we left for school this morning. I am really not dealing well with the weather this year. Yesterday was the first day I left my house since last Thursday since school was cancelled on Friday and Monday. 

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  

I really only eat cabbage in egg rolls and cole slaw.

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own?

OMG I LOVED Cabbage Patch dolls! The first Christmas of the craze my mom couldn't find one so she had a friend of hers make me a fake one. I did end up getting 2 or 3. I remember one was the preemie doll and the other had hair you could style. I remember they had a line of international dolls and I really wanted a Russian one. He had one of those cool fur hats. Alas my mom never did find one of those for me. I remember that my cousins Neil and Steve tool my doll and shoved him in the heat register at our house and I cried.

4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? 

Trying to find a balance of running the heat so high my bill is going to be ridiculous and not freezing. 

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. 

1) I am tired of being cold. 2) I am looking forward to spring. 3) I have enjoyed being cozy in my house with my guys.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am so tired of waking up everyday afraid of what the news will bring. I am tired of reading about people being murdered in the streets by their government. I am sad of what the people in Iran are dealing with. I live in a constant battle of being informed and keeping my sanity.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It is tine again for the weekly Hodgepodge. 

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

I honestly do not choose any - I hate being outside in the cold. As a kid I would go out to play in in the snow and go sledding. I am very clumsy so skating and skiing are definitely out - I have no desire to break anything.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

2016 was an interesting year - I turned 40, Clark was 8 years old and we were 2 years away from Preston being born. Here is a picture of the 3 of us from when we went to Atlanta for our niece's wedding.

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year? 

The trend of people taking joy in the suffering of others. 

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I do like granola bars. The Quaker Oats Chewy Chocolate Chip are a favorite around here. I have not had granola much but have enjoyed it when I have had it. I do like all kinds of bars, especially dessert ones.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like.

I would say a trickling stream. There are a lot of things in the works for me this year but so far progress has been slow. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

In true Michigan fashion I am going to complain about the weather. It has been extremely cold, snowy and very windy the last few days. I am so over it already and we have at least 2 more months before we get a break. 

Monday Musings

As another week begins these are the things that are currently on my mind.

1) I am glad that today was a holiday. I really needed the extra day off. Although with the current crap going on in this country I think MLK is rolling over in his grave.

2) I am really over winter already. We are in a deep arctic freeze with major winds making it feel like it is below 0 with the wind chill. I am thinking the boys may have another day off tomorrow.

3) I am a bit sad that football season is almost over. Only 3 weeks until the big game and them the long months until training camp begins.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It is once again Hodgepodge time.

1. What kind of winter person are you-snow lover, fireplace snuggler, winter adventurer, or indoor hibernator? Elaborate. 

I am a winter hater. Since I work from home and have access to grocery and food delivery I would never leave the house. As it is I only really leave to take the boys to school and pick up Preston.

2. The Pantone color of the year is cloud dancer, described as a gentle, billowy off white shade. The color symbolizes 'peace, clarity, quiet reflection, renewal, and a soft reset'. Of the terms just listed which do you need most in your life this winter? 

I think I need peace the most. The state of the world has me severely on edge and I need to let it go and have some peace of mind. 

3. Every cloud has a silver lining, on cloud nine, head in the clouds, storm clouds gathering, or cloud of suspicion...which 'cloud' idiom do you most relate to currently? Explain. 

I would have to say head in the clouds. I am noticing that my concentration levels are lacking lately and I feel like I am not always as with it as I want to be.

4. coconut, cauliflower, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, onions, ranch dressing...of the white foods listed, which would be the hardest for you to give up? Do you like all or any of the foods on the list? 

Ranch dressing would probably be the hardest for me to give up. I like coconut, mayo and onion, I am ambivalent about cauliflower and cannot deal with the texture of cottage cheese.

5. Thomas Wentworth Higginson is credited with this quote-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 

Agree or disagree? Tell us why.  

I agree. Even though none of us want to deal with hard times they do make to good times even better.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am still in awe of the talent of our local bakers. Their ability to make these cakes is amazing.

                                                                                                                                                                  

Monday Musings

Another week is beginning and these are the things currently on my mind.

1) Mother Nature appears to be off her meds. Last week it was in the 50s, then it snowed, tomorrow will be in the 40s before going back into the 30s. It is crazy.

2) Last week was the week from hell at work. I am hoping that this week will be better. Today was not too bad so hopefully that's a good sign. 

3) I received a off-brand Crickut from my dad for Christmas. I wanted to try it out on a cheaper version just in case I do not like it. Preston is also excited to give it a try.

Here are the pictures for the week.

Our local bakery is at it again. They made another cake of a Detroit Lions touchdown celebration. The skill is amazing.