Hello Spring and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Spring in Wisconsin!

 

Hello Spring 

and

  it is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? 

 It is feeling like spring in Wisconsin. The snow is melting. The ground is thawing. The robins, red winged blackbird and sandhill cranes have arrived for the spring/summer season. Maple syrup is being made. Buds are popping on the trees.

I prefer spring. The warm sun on my face and new growth makes my heart sing. 
 

2. What's your favorite thing about spring?  

 Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.
— Doug Larson

I love getting back out into the garden.

  3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

Spring in my step ... I am starting seeds and planning our 2026 garden.

4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? 

asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions

 I love asparagus.

I am looking forward to making Asparagus Tart. 

 

  5. What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

Cleaning the yard and gardens. After all our winter storms we have tree branches, pine cones, twigs and more to clean up. I will start to clean my garden beds. We will clean the deck and set up the outdoor furniture. 

Yes, we have a checklist of the chores that need doing.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Some of our outdoor furniture is cleaned and set up. And I brought out a few of my potted plants I winter over in the garage. They are happy to feel the sun.

 

  

We Left Off at Seven

 

 

Hello Friends,

For those of you following along with me on our 52 day datn', I left you at  Episode #7.

Now to continue... 

Episode #8

 I had a time consuming recipe I wanted to try. I thought this would be a fun day date. My husband and I both enjoy cooking.

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

We worked together to make our dinner. We listened to a favorite podcast while we cooked and cleaned up the kitchen.

We have a small kitchen so there was a lot of us doing the kitchen dance as well. 

 

 

That brings us to Episode #9

One of our friends helped with this event last year. We wanted to give support and attend.  It was a cold and windy night. When we opened the church doors a few of the decorations blew right on over. 

 

 Our Lady of the Lourdes

Station of the Cross ~ led by children

The children did an amazing job.  

 

 

Episode #10

 We decided to cook a new recipe together.

Garlic and Ginger Shrimp 

 

 We enjoyed cooking and cleaning up the kitchen together, and did a lot more kitchen dancing.

 Episode #11

 We enjoyed an evening of Lenten word and song.

We have friends and family who have loved ones currently in active duty in the war zone. This evening of prayer gave a feeling of love and peace.

After the program we received the following Lenten treat.

 

 I will leave you at Episode #11 ... to be continued.

Top of the Morning to You and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Sweet Peas

Sweet pea seeds are soaking to be started early in the windowsill.  

We are still thinking spring here in Wisconsin. 

It is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions. 

Click here to join the fun! 

 

1. St. Patrick's Day lands on March 17th. Do you believe in luck? Are there things you do thinking they'll  bring good luck or  things you avoid because they're considered bad luck? 

 I will say "we were lucky" as I watch my husband maneuver our car before the car next to us just about side swipes us. 

I think it is fun to read about lore of luck and playing along.

Horseshoes, rabbits feet, finding a penny, knocking on wood ... I have played along with all of these.

 2. Forest-lime-sage-mint-olive-emerald...what's your favorite shade of green? 

 Spring Green 

I love when the trees start to leaf out, the spring wildflowers are popping up along with the fresh green in the woods. 

3. In Ireland the meal on this day is often a hearty beef or lamb stew served with colcannon (mashed potato mixed with cabbage and leeks). In the US corned beef and cabbage is the more typical St. Patty's Day meal. Will you/did you mark the day with one of these dishes? Baked-fried-roasted-mashed...what's your favorite way to eat a potato?

We made our St. Patrick's Day meal on Sunday. A blizzard was roaring outside. Inside we had our corned beef, cabbage, mashed potatoes and carrots. 

I am a big fan of potatoes.  If I could only take one way of having a potato with me I would pick mashed potatoes. 

 4. What color of the rainbow best represents your personality/mood today? Tell us why.

 Yellow: Happiness, sunlight, and positivity.

I continue to do my best to spread happiness. If that is with a smile, a card in the mail, or a fresh bouquet. 

I love sunshine! I am known to shout and dance when it comes out after many dark days.

I try to stay positive, even though so much is spinning around me.

 

5. Which 'lucky' quote resonates with you. Elaborate. 

 'Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.' E.B. White 

'Diligence is the mother of good luck." Benjamin Franklin 

'Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.' Seneca 

'Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.' 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 

I am going to pick the following.. 

 

 'Diligence is the mother of good luck' Benjamin Franklin

 

   When someone works with focus, care, and consistency, good results often follow. Diligent people prepare well, learn from mistakes, and do not give up easily. Because of this, they are ready when opportunities appear. What looks like 'luck' to others is often the reward of steady effort. This quote teaches an important life lesson: instead of waiting for luck, we should build it through dedication and discipline. By being diligent in our studies, work, or goals, we increase our chances of success and create our own good fortune.

I do not give up easily. I feel I have learned from my mistakes. As I continue to try, eventually a reward is there.

 

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am starting to think about our 2026 Easter Cake, I am sharing a few photos from past Easter cakes. 

 

Thank You

 

Hello Friends,

I am writing this on Friday, to post for Monday. We are bracing for a blizzard. 

snow + high winds = danger

During my morning walk with Ernie I was doing a mental checklist of what we need to do to get ready for the storm. 

jugs of water

batteries charged

phones charged

check with family

 Then I started to thank all of those men and women who are at the ready in this weather. 

Our linemen, who keep the power on. We already have some areas without power because of the high winds. 

Our snow plow drivers, keeping our roads clear.

Police who will come to your aid no matter the weather. 

Then I started to think about all the farmers as they prepare for the storm. Taking extra steps to be sure the animals they care for will have what they need to endure the storm.

Extra feed, shelter, water and more.

When I look at the big ugly world it can look really dark and ugly, all the fighting and hate.

When I start to come in closer to my community, my neighborhood, my friends and family, it all looks a lot more like love.

As I rounded the corner to head for home, I saw our neighbor finished cleaning the end of our driveway from the snow we received last night. It was too heavy for me to clear, I was waiting for my husband to clear it when he returned home from work.

Go. Be. Love.

 ♥

Carla

 

 

Think Spring and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Winter is back in Wisconsin, our temperatures at night will be in the single digits this week and into next week. 

Think Spring!

&

It is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

  

1. Are you a naturally trusting person? Is trust built on logic or 'gut instinct'? Does everyone deserve a second chance? Elaborate.  

I once was a naturally trusting person. I learned the painful way that some want to do you harm. 

For me trust is built.

No, not all deserve a second chance.  One example .. sexual assault from someone you thought you could trust.

 

2. 'Beware the Ides of March'...March 15th on the ancient Roman calendar, these words were made famous by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar.  Caesar was assassinated on March 15th 44 B.C. Have you read any Shakespeare? If so, do you have a favorite? Have you ever been to Rome?  

 

I have read Shakespeare.

The Tempest is a favorite.

No, I have not been to Rome.

 

 3. Do you like a Caesar salad? If given the choice between a garden/house salad or Caesar which do you order? Anchovies or no? What's your favorite salad dressing? 

 

I enjoy Caesar salad.

I will order the garden/house salad. 

Yes to anchovies.

I enjoy a raspberry vinegar dressing.

 

 4. Where do you typically work (or blog if that's easier) at home? Do you have a dedicated home office space? Are you happy with that space? 

We have a dedicated home office space. That is where I blog and do my other bookwork.

Yes, I do like my office area. 

Ernie has a dog bed right next to my desk, he thinks the office space is just right too.

 5. Snow drops, daffodils, lenten roses, crocus, hyacinth, or early tulips...what's your favorite early Spring flower? 

 I love daffodils.

Below is a spring bouquet to you from me. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 “Thought is free.” 

    William Shakespeare

Wobbly

 

Hi Friends,

Last week I was feeling wobbly, very wobbly.

The news of Operation Epic Fury made everyone feel wobbly. 

Our son is currently serving in the Wisconsin National Guard. He has several friends that he served with in Djibouti, currently  deployed in Kuwait.

We have an extended family member who is also stationed in Kuwait.

A friend has a son who is a pilot, is currently flying missions in the Middle East.

 

While feeling wobbly, I remind myself of the following...

 

When sadness visits your fortress and will not say when she is leaving, still hope.

When it doesn’t work out how you planned, still hope.

 When you are holding broken dreams in your hands, still hope.

When what you believed to be true and trustworthy—is not, still hope.

When fear is running amok through the halls of your soul, still hope. 

 When the culmination of losses have added up and it would be foolish to keep betting on life, still hope.

When betrayal has poisoned the well, still hope. 

When you can no longer make out the shape of goodness in the world, still hope.

 When you feel uneasy, even frightened, for tomorrow, still hope. 

 When you have lost your radiance and struggle for joy, still hope.

 When you cannot remember the last time God crossed your threshold, still hope.

Farrell Mason

Hello March and it is the Hodgepodge

 

I spy green.

 

Hello Friends,

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

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

 

 1.  As the saying goes, 'March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.' Did your March come in roaring or like some other animal? Every month carries with it certain feelings, which is why some people love and anticipate December and others dread it. How do you feel about the month of March? 

If you ask my husband he will say our March came in like a lamb. We woke to 6 degrees, no wind and sun. I on the other hand decided it came in like a lion, because it was 6 degrees. My hopes is for 55 and sunshine March 31st.  

March is the start of mud season here in Wisconsin. It is dirty. The dogs paws need cleaning and belly too. Our shoes get full of mud. We get full of mud. It is just a messy old time until the mud is gone.

It also can be winter and spring all in the same day, which can start to drive one a wee bit crazy when you have spring fever. 

 2. Where in your life are you a lion? Where are you a lamb? 

I will roar like a lion to protect my family.

I am a lamb to creatures that have been abandoned.

The below photo is of Ernie, our rescue dog. He was a mess when we adopted him.

Slowly, with patience and love he started to feel safe.  

 

Patience, love and daily training Ernie has become a gentleman. 

 

 

 3. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pound Cake day.

Do you like pound cake? Yes, I do like pound cake.  

 If so do you have a favorite flavor? I like vanilla and lemon pound cake. Let's play this or that-

• pound cake or layer cake? layer cake
• pound cake or cheesecake? pound cake
• pound cake or angel food cake? angle food cake
• pound cake or brownie? brownie
• pound cake or pie? pie 

  4. What makes you feel childlike wonder right now? 

 

Starting seeds.. the joy of watching a little seed sprout and as the season goes on it grows and grows and grows. 

 

 5. What's one thing you need to add to your wardrobe to get ready for spring? If you're in the southern hemisphere, then answer for fall? 

 

Some new sneakers, tennis shoes, trainers, walking shoes ... hee hee, not sure what you might call them, but you get the idea, new shoes. 

 

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I found some jelly beans made with natural juice. 

Me oh My... they are good!

I am happy I purchased two bags.  

 

Wisconsin Cotton

 

 

This growing adventure starts back in the winter of 2024, when my friend L gifted me a package of cotton with seeds for my December birthday. She and her husband had gone on a road trip to the South. On her way home to Wisconsin she picked me up my birthday gift. The challenge was, Carla can you grow cotton?

In early June of 2025 I placed the cotton seed ball in to a big pot in my greenhouse. My hope was the greenhouse would replicate enough southern heat to trick the cotton into thinking it was not in Wisconsin, but really in its home of Missouri. 

Look, we have growth. 

 

Cotton Flowers

The excitement of having cotton flowers, oh boy, one step closer to having Wisconsin cotton.

Late autumn was setting in and I needed to button up the greenhouse. I brought in all the plants I planned to try to save during the winter. The cotton was one of them. We still had to make it to harvest.

December 2025, it is looking good, two pods of cotton have formed and will soon be ready for harvest. One for my friend L and one for me.

 Wisconsin cotton boll sitting in my window sill. I started the cotton in early June and harvested two stems in mid December. 

It worked. 

 ♥

Carla 

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.