April Showers Bring May Flowers and it is the Hodgepodge

 

 

It won't be long now, spring is here.

 

It is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? 

We take our taxes in to be done.

Having patience with our USPS, we are not receiving our mail daily. I think our post office might be short staffed.  I have chatted with neighbors who are experiencing the same difficulty. 

Rumor has it that stamps are going up to $1.00 at a post office near you, very soon! 

 2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

I am a little of both. I will set aside some clothing items I know I will want to wear on the trip early. It is our Wisconsin weather that keeps me from packing light. We can have all four seasons in a day. I need to pack it all, especially if we are going to be doing a lot of outdoor activities. 

I purchased a fantastic bag for all our toiletries. Everything has a home, just as long as we put it back in that same spot. Ha Ha.

 3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level? 

Oh yes, I love grilled cheese. One of my favorite ways to make a grilled cheese the next level is using sourdough bread and a fresh slice of tomato.

 

4. There's a well known quote that says-

'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

  Long time readers here at The River will remember my garden mentor and dear friend Marv. Marv was a Korean War Veteran, lost two wives to cancer and dealt with many memories from the war. 

He was still driving to Texas each winter up to the young age of 90.

His advice to me during our long visits was... "always be learning Carla. Never stop learning, exploring new places and trying new things." 

He begged me to promise I would travel to Newfoundland and Labrador someday, it was his favorite. 

The below photo is from 2019, when our military son was home after training. 

 

 

5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips  ...  daffodils
• lemonade or iced tea ... ice tea
• gardening or hiking ... gardening 
• ladybugs or butterflies ... butterflies
• umbrella or raincoat ... raincoat
• floral patterns or polka dots ... polka dots 
•  
•  6. Insert your own random thought here. 
• I have no idea why my #5 is showing up like it is today on the blog. I best say good bye before this entire post vanishes, yes that has happened to me.  Ha!  

Joy List Monday

 

 

Joy List Monday

 ♥ a weekly ritual ♥

a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day

 

♥ buds on the trees

 ♥ morning bird song

 ♥ early spring flowers

  ♥ chocolate ice cream

♥ cozy socks

Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile.

  ♥

Carla 

 

Roll out the Barrel and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends,

It is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Hodgepodge! 

  April 7th is National Beer Day

We have a question about beer in the Hodgepodge today. I am sharing photos above of a past Mother's Day with our boys at Leinenkugel's.

Alright, roll on with the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. Egg on your face, putting all your eggs in one basket, a good egg, walk on eggshells, nest egg, or a tough egg to crack...which eggy idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain

I am going to go with "a good egg" ... my PT guy encouraged me to try an eight week exercise program to help me gain some strength that I have lost. It is called Slow Burn. I was a good egg and signed up for the class. 

2. April 7th is National Beer Day...are you a beer drinker? If so do you have a favorite? Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats...which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these?  

I do enjoy a beer every once in awhile. My husband enjoys Leinenkugel's.  I will say the Leinenkugel's Juicy Peach is very refreshing on a hot summer's day.

I like beer battered fish, beer can chicken and beer brats. 

My husband will grill me a beer can chicken every year. 

Grill season will start this week in our neck of the woods, I cannot wait.

 

 3. Do you have siblings? What's the best thing about being your sibling? If you don't have siblings, what would you say are the pros and cons of being an only child? 

 

 I have a younger sister. It is great to have family you can count on when in time of need.

 

 4. How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favorite?

I like lavender. I have a lavender lotion that I love to use in the evening when getting ready for bed.

  5. What's one thing in your home that begins with the letter G that you would say is a keeper, something you'll hold on to? Tell us why. 

Our grill ... can you tell I am getting excited for grilling season. We do not grill year around. When the grill comes back out on the deck, it is like opening day of baseball around here. 

My husband does all the grilling. He uses a charcoal grill. He is a master with charcoal. It has been fun to watch how he has taught our son's to use a charcoal grill.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

2026 Easter Cake

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

A little bird nest in the middle with robin eggs.  

Happy Easter!