Hi Friends, it is a cinnamon and sugar homemade doughnut Hodgepodge.
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.
1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?
I love herbs and spices. During the summer months I head out to my herb garden and pick fresh herbs for my cooking. Fresh dill and chives for my scrambled eggs this morning. I cannot think of a spice I truly dislike, but one that I do not use a lot of is cardamom.
I made a pasta last week for dinner and I added lovage. I absolutely love lovage, it is easy to grow and adds that celery taste to dishes.
2. It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? Elaborate.
Oh yes, I am always learning something new. I am a very curious person, I rarely sit still.
3. What's something in your life that adds 'spice' (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability?
My kids add "spice to my life" ..
deployments
flipping cars
(our youngest buys cars and flips them with the help of his older brother)
letting me know of the next up coming adventure
"hey mom, we are heading to a car show in Tennessee."
♥
and the best adding of spice is our future daughter in law.
♥
4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why?
I would love to master another language. I have shared this with my husband many times. If I could just wake up one morning being able to speak French.
Ha Ha... I have tried to learn, but I struggle.
5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others?
The 2025 Old Farmer's Almanac
I listened to a podcast about the farmers almanac in 2024. I decided to pick one up and just see how well it predicts the weather. I have been following what the almanac says about the week and will record our weather. So far this year the almanac has been about 90% correct. There is tons of other information in the almanac. I have enjoyed following some of the garden tips and tricks it provides.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Halfway through the year... GULP!!
My dad loved to read the Farmers Almanac! We got him a new one each year. I said the same thing that you did for question four. I mentioned German (I do know a spattering of it but I'm not close to fluent) but I love the sound of French and would love to speak and understand that language fluently! Agree about spices- I use several for most dishes that I make. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteOoh learning another language would be very useful - we have french relatives and I always feel humbled by how well they all speak English (and Spanish and German for some of them) and I can't remember any of my school girl French. It does help to be immersed in the language though - you need to be using it to retain it.
ReplyDeleteI took French in middle school and high school, for a total of 6 years. We read novels and spoke to exchange students...and today, I can barely remember any of it!! I can understand bits, if I hear it in a movie, but can't speak it coherently! Oh, but I can read the back of a hairspray bottle! Important stuff! Haha!!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning my friend. Love to see the pics of the kiddos. I took Spanish for two years in Nursing school. I can understand it more than speak it. Have a great day today. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteAll of us farmers know all too well how great it is to have the Farmers Almanac. Congratulations on a future daughter-in-law. Those deployments can sure add a lot of spice to your life for sure. Carla...it is so nice to be able to go out and pick your own fresh herbs..they sure make for some delicious dishes. Each time I go get a pedicure, I always say how much I would love to be able to speak Cambodian to understand if they are talking about me or what in the world they are saying. lol. Have a good Wednesday...
ReplyDeleteI would love to speak French fluently. I understand a lot more than I can speak and wish I'd stuck with it in my younger years. These sorts of things are harder as you get older. I'm wondering if I've ever had lovage? I like celery and grow parsley and it seems like this is a combo of the two. I'm going to look for it now that I know about it. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful recipe for an olive oil cake that uses cardamom. It’s perfectly delicious. I use cardamom in my coffee as it drips. I have never heard of lovage.
ReplyDeleteNice photos of your sons!
My grandpa always had the Farmer's Almanac and I remember being fascinated by it even as a little kid! I took multiple Spanish classes when I was young, but that was long ago. I wish I had kept it up. It would be so amazing to be at least bilingual.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Farmer's Almanac. So much useful information!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever tasted lovage but I've seen a few recipes that call for it. It would probably be better than buying celery for a recipe only to have it go bad.
I love cardamom but it's so expensive. I don't currently have any on hand.
Yes, being instantly able to speak another language would be fun and useful, wouldn't it?
Fun thoughts, and congratulations on the marriage in the family's future. :) (I'm ready for lunch now, with a donut for dessert. 😉 )
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of lovage. That's a new one for me, but sounds interesting. I have a large pot outside my door where I grow basil, rosemary, parsley, and other spices. It is nice to have them so accessible. I grew up in South Louisiana, where Cajun French was the "second" language; however, unfortunately, I never learned to speak it. I never even picked up the Cajun accent, which surprised everyone.
ReplyDeleteLovage? I don't think I have ever even heard of lovage. I will have to look that one up. Congratulations on a new daughter in law!!
ReplyDeleteThe Almanac sounds so interesting! I have the Almanac as my little desk calendar. I may have to check it out on Amazon. But of course the year is almost half over. I would love to speak Spanish, but languages are so hard to learn, especially when we are so old.
ReplyDeleteIn teh fall I enjoy drinking cardamom white mochas. I have never used a farmers almanac
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to look forward to a daughter-in-love. Yes! It would be great to know another language. My brain is not wired for languages. You would think I'd be able to be fluent in my first language, Russian, but no, tis not the case. Your garden sounds well used in your culinary endeavors! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of lovage. Need to read up on it. My spice cabinet is full of variety. Bob showed me a picture of some flowering chives yesterday and asked me if I knew what they were because a friend sent it via Facebook wanting to know if I knew what it was. I love chives too. Congrats on adding a daughter in law to your family. Janice
ReplyDeleteAdam and Gabby like fresh spices too. They have a small garden growing that James is just loving watching everything grow. Especially the watermelon and Snap Peas. He love them. I have to clue what lovage is. I'm glad that you never sit still. I like that the boys flip cars and work together on them. I'm happy for you with your future daughter in law. I used to love looking at the Farmer's Almanac. That is pretty interesting that it is right about 90% of the time. Hope your week is going well.
ReplyDeleteYes, love herbs & spices. Homemade donuts! Yum. Adding spice, trying to say "yes" to things instead of the same old routine. I so wish I could remember my high school French, nope. It feels too difficult to pick up again.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun hodgepodge! I wish I could speak Italian and tried to learn for awhile. My hubby said I needed to learn to speak English first. My drawl is hard for a lot of people to understand! hahaha! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you meant flipping cars as in reselling them! LOL At first I thought flipping them over, which is not nearly as positive. I wonder if I'd like lovage - I don't think I've ever had it, but it might be worth it because I generally like celery flavor but hate the texture. Hope you're having a great week, with just the right amount of spice!
ReplyDeleteCarla, I've always wanted to learn French too. Isn't that a lovely language? My son actually has learned a few words, and he loves French food. Your cinnamon and sugar donuts look Yummy. I've never heard of Lovage before, thanks for sharing. I always appreciate your answers on the hodgepodge, Carla.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I've never heard of lovage but I think i'd love it! You have lots of good spice in your life! :)
ReplyDeleteI love lovage, too! I bought some seed when we moved into our new house back in 2020 (planting extra of course, in case they didn't take). Now I have lovage all over the place! Too much of a good thing - and it takes so little to flavor a dish. But I still can't bear to cut them down, so I have a lovely hedge of lovage outside the front door - and some on either side of the stoop at the back door - and some in the orchard - and some by the steps to the bunkhouse . . .
ReplyDeleteFarmer's Almanac...full of good information :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan