Waving Goodbye to February and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Madison, Wisconsin twinkling at night.

 

Hello Friends,

It is Wednesday!

That means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Click here to join the fun! 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see? 

 

 I have visited Boston, Philadelphia and New York.

I would like to visit Washington D.C., nope it is not on the 2026 itinerary.

If you have not visited Wisconsin yet, I would highly recommend it.  Wisconsin is home sweet home for me and most of our family. You can experience all four seasons in one day if you hit your visit just right. Ha ha!

I am sharing photos of our state capitol, Madison. 

 

2. Three sounds you love to hear?  

♥ bird song

 ♥ water in nature

 ♥ the cry of a loon on the lake during a summer evening

 

 3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

▼ loud vehicles 

▼   fighting

 ▼ hail

 

 4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

 I am a superfan!

I love tortilla chips with salsa, guacomole, queso and plain. 

I love nachos. 

We like everything on top.  

 

 Another thing we make that we like to eat tortilla chips with is taco soup.

 

 

5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

We have two music events we are going to attend in the month of March.  

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 The promise of spring! 

 

We Made it to Seven

 

 

Valentine's Day 2026 was Episode 7 of 52ish Day Datn'. 

We headed to our favorite beach, Wisconsin Point along the shores of Lake Superior. Wisconsin's winter has been cold, cold, cold, I know I have mentioned that a few too many times here, but I have to share it again as you look out at Lake Superior you see a frozen shore, you get the idea of what the days and days of negative temperatures can do. This was the first time that we have visited and the water way out on the lake was frozen.

 

 

 If you look close you will see a man walking out on the ice of Lake Superior to go fishing. It was very foggy on our Valentine day visit to Lake Superior, making for some unique photos.

 

 

 

The storms on Lake Superior can become very strong, making for high waves. You can see in this photo how the power of the water pushed this beach sand up on the boardwalk.

 

 

Our pal Ernie came along with us too. He loves visiting the beach.

 

 

After our hike on the beach, we visited Anchor Bar, Superior, Wisconsin.

My husband had wanted to visit for awhile, but it is a busy place. The other times we planned to stop in there was a line outside. This time we were able to get two seats at the bar. They have a simple menu, burgers, all kinds of toppings for your burger and fresh cut fries.

Lake Superior memorabilia to look at throughout the bar.  

Work Like A Captain

Play Like A Pirate

 

 

Our next stop was to find a ski resort for our son's.

The ski resort  is located in Wisconsin, but you have to drive into Minnesota to get on the road that leads you back into Wisconsin to get to the ski resort.  

 

 

 

I wanted to take a peek at the St. Louis River, the river that gives Wisconsin and Minnesota the up north border.

 Time to head back to home sweet home.

It was a fun adventure. 

 

Emeralds, Ruby, Sapphire and it is The Hodgepodge

 

 

My husband and I enjoy visiting historic church buildings. Some are no longer churches but the beauty of all the workmanship in the building is still visible.

 

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions. 

We answer the questions.

 

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season?  

 

Yes, we do mark this season, we will be starting a study .. Pray 40:The Return.

We add something to our life during the Lenten season. 

"Empty me, fill me, use me." 

 

 

 

 2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

 I am a fan of pancakes.

 Oh yes to real Wisconsin maple syrup, that we make from our two maple trees.

 

Maple Syrup days are just in a few weeks. It will be time to tap the trees and get ready for Wisconsin's first crop.

 

I love blueberry pancakes.

No, pancakes are not on the menu for this week.

 

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'.  

It usually happens when the calendar starts to get too full. I have tried to be more disciplined about not allowing this to happen, because it never turns out well for anyone.

 

 4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

Emeralds are my favorite, my wedding ring is an emerald with two diamonds.

My wardrobe is a lot of blue, blue and more blue. I love the color blue.

 

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge?  

 

I am going to go with financial. I am going to use my husband as the example here. He is the treasurer for our local sportsman's club. There is a lot to it. Taxes, gaming license (they have raffles) liquor license, insurance, bills and more bills. 

When the club has its pancake breakfast in the summer, more responsibility for the treasure with all the raffle ticket money, prizes and more.

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 The Lent challenge our family is taking is going through the novel The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. 

I am looking forward to this Lenten season.