Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wednesday Hodgepodge



It’s Hump Day … and while Hump Day doesn’t mean as much as it did when I was working (when you’re retired, every day is the weekend), I still look forward to Wednesdays … because that means it’s time for Hopdgepodge! 

1. February 22nd is National Be Humble Day...what makes you proud? What keeps you humble?
My daughter makes me proud … I love, love, love the beautiful, compassionate, caring, nurturing woman she’s become.  My aging body keeps me humble … I’m learning that I cannot do everything like I used to. 
 
2. Where is the catch-all (aka dumping ground) in your house?
Our kitchen island.  We come in to the house through the garage, and the first flat surface we encounter is our island … so everything gets dumped there.  Just how long things stay there … well, let’s just say that can be the source of a bit of disagreement with DH.  Winking smile

3. Do you make it a point to visit State/National Parks when you travel or even in your own hometown? What's your favorite?
We don’t necessarily go out of our way to visit state or national parks, but if in the area, we'll definitely visit.  I would have to say that Johnson Beach, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore (part of the National Park Service) located at Perdido Key, FL, would be my favorite.  Beautiful, pristine beach … what’s not to love?  Winking smile   
Johnson Beach Jan 2010 (5)

4. How would you define honor?
I believe that to honor is to respect or hold in high esteem. 

5. Angel's food or Devil's food-which cake do you prefer?
Angel food … no icing … with fresh strawberries (and a little whipped cream, too, please?).


6. What's the most recent road trip you've taken? Where did you go and how many hours did you spend in the car? Do you like to zoom to your destination without stopping or leisurely wind your way there with stops along the way? What is your car snack of choice?
The last road trip we took was our trip to Hilton Head last fall.  It’s a 13+ hour drive (each way) … so we were in the car for 13 hours (not 13 solid hours … we stopped for lunch, for gas, and for a rest stops along the way).  Our preference is to get to our destination as quickly as possible … on the way there, we’re anxious to get to there, and by the time our stay is over, we’re anxious to get back to “home sweet home.”  Our car snack of choice is usually animal crackers … easy to eat, no mess. 
  

7. Recent headlines told how a preschool child in NC had their packed lunch from home taken away and a school lunch substituted by a school inspector who deemed the homemade lunch unhealthy. Reportedly the parent was then billed for the school lunch (chicken nugget meal) although an update to the story says the parent was not billed. The inspector was conducting a routine inspection of the classroom-he/she was not there solely to peek in the lunchboxes. The packed lunch contained a turkey and cheese sandwich, an apple juice box, a bag of chips, and a banana. You can read the story here. Your thoughts?
Another example of Big Government. <sigh>  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that if state and local governments stopped micromanaging our lives, they would be in much better fiscal condition.    

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Yesterday it was a reasonably warm day – for mid February … time to prune back my knockout roses.  It seemed that the thorns were especially sharp this spring … even with gloves on, I couldn’t seem to escape the nasty thorns.  And unfortunately, my jacket “took one for the team” … a small rip in the sleeve.  <sigh> 

I noticed, while outside, that many of our plants are starting to bud out … my hydrangea, cherry tree, etc.  This is just way too early.  Surprised smile

18 comments:

  1. Good morning...I am with you on the aging body thought, haha...just ain't what it used to be. For some reason I am feeling like cake now, lol. Have a good day! HUGS

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  2. I couldn't get over the daffodils blooming and the trees budded out in the mountains last weekend. We still have March to get thru!!

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  3. I have daffodils greening up already. I'm so looking forward to spring. Last year it was stormy and very wet so we really didn't have much of a spring last year.

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  4. it is WAY too early... I'm afraid of what Spring & summer is going to look like around here too.

    That angel food cake looks heavenly!!!

    mmm... I'm craving animal crackers now! :)

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  5. I've noticed things starting to bud out too - hope we don't get a killer frost.

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  6. My crocuses are starting to bud and my narcissus are sprouting already. I'm concerned because it's so early and my perennials are young. It's only their second spring! It's just crazy this year!

    I do agree that getting out of our private lives would help the deficit a ton! But, good as it looks, I can't wrap my taste buds around the angel food cake. Too springy for my taste.

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  7. Ah, those kitchen countertops! LOL

    I'll take the strawberries and the whipped cream; you can keep the angel food cake. (In fact, strawberries go great with chocolate cake!)

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  8. I love your answer to number 7! So true!!!

    May I ask a couple of questions, if you don't mind?

    Which of the Florida Keys did you enjoy the best? and What kind of flour did you use to make your bread? I'd really love to know.

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  9. Beautiful beach photo! We have a few thing popping out of the ground here and we are in NH! It's 47 degrees right now! SPRING has SPRUNG here.

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  10. That beach is pretty. I've been noticing some buds around here myself. Too early is right.

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  11. We've been to Hilton Head a few times and absolutely loved it! I'm a sucker for the beach!

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  12. I have daffodils and candytuft blooming, really unusual weather. Problem is we may still have a cold snap that will kill the blooms...oh well will enjoy while I can

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  13. Aging body also keeps me humble :) Many people told me their crocuses were blooming; I only hope the snow we had last weekend didn't kill any. This has been a mild winter for all.

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  14. I think your aging body comment caught a lot of our attentions. How funny! Great answer though. We've got all kinds of budding going on around here too but it makes me happy because I am ready for SPRING! :o)

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  15. That strawberry shortcake looks delicious. Animal crackers sound like a great choice. I can now see why Jamie Oliver was trying to change the way lunches were prepared!!! Spring is on its way.

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  16. I wrote about #7! That drives me nuts. sandie

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  17. After growing up in Colorado and living there for nearly 40 years, I know just what you mean about plants arriving from winterkill....way too early. When it begins to warm up and they show their 'faces', you just know that there will be a freeze coming soon before Spring actually arrives. Never fails. Around here, most all the flowers are in bloom, and I'm lovin' it.

    Yes, as you say, the government has their hands in just about anything these days. If you read my response, I added another ditty that shows just how sad a situation it's becoming.

    Great post today...loved your answers.

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  18. Angel food cake with strawberries & whipped cream: YUM!!!
    I'm reading this a day late, but it's 70 here today...feels like spring, but it's suppose to get cold again tonight/tomorrow. I'm really afraid we're going to have snow for spring break. :(

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I am SO glad you stopped by! No proving that you're a robot here ... I want to hear what you have to say! ;-)