High Water and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends,

Wisconsin has received rain and lots of it in some areas making our rivers swell.  

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions

 1. Are you feeling more reset, restart, or full speed ahead as we move into May? Tell us why. 

 It is full speed ahead as we move into the month of May. May is always a busy month here with garden planting, spring projects, birthdays, our wedding anniversary and Mother's Day too.

  2. Painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, cinema, theatre, music...what's your favorite form of art? Elaborate.  

Oh this is a hard question for me to answer, I love, love so many forms of art.

If I have to pick just one to take with me to an island, I can only pick one. I will pick literature. I enjoy reading. I will bring a big chest of books with me to the island. 

  3. What time is dinner at your house? How do you feel about leftovers? 

We try to eat before 7 pm.

High Fives in this house for leftovers!! 

 4.What's the last thing you fell down a rabbit hole investigating? 

I have not watched it yet, but I read a few thoughts from those who did.

 Love Story ~ John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette

 Did you watch it?

I fell down a rabbit hole of looking at the fashion of the Kennedy's.   

 

5. And now for a question from the book Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me...

At what are you 'self-taught?' 

I am 'self -taught' at cutting hair. After we got married my husband asked me to start cutting his hair. I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it. I continue to cut his hair today. I also cut our kiddos hair when they were growing up.

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.

Laura Ingalls Wilder 

It is a Badlands Hodgepodge

 

Badlands, South Dakota

 

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. April 22nd is Earth Day...what's the most 'out of this world' place on earth you've ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

 We visited the Badlands in South Dakota. In my opinion it is 'out of this world' with unique beauty. 

 

 

I found a flower growing.  

 

 

The colors are always changing in the landscape. 

They call it the land of stone and light.

 

 

2. A favorite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

 

"The earth laughs in flowers." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 

 3. What's the most trivial thing about which you have a strong opinion? 

 

I do not like when one mixes our coffee roasts. Ha! 

We purchase different roasts of coffee. I like to just have the french roast be the french roast. There is someone else in this house that will mix the french roast with the dark roast and other roasts. He makes up his own roast I guess. 

Ha!

 4. What's your most commonly used kitchen utensil or tool? What's the last thing you made using that tool? 

The strainer. I use a strainer just about everyday.

I strained tuna to make a tuna sandwich for lunch.

 

5. Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me a great book of 3000 questions, and I'm going to try to use one in our Hodgepodge every week. Here is today's - 

What is your greatest extravagance? 

 

Plants!! 

Seeds!!

Gardening gear!!

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks GO!

Christopher Morley

 

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!  

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! 

 

 

  

Happy Easter Week and it is the Hodgepodge

 

A little craft project. Using Mod Podge creating fun Easter eggs out of old sheet music. Using the old sheet music, colored paper and silk flowers to create butterflies to add to a spring basket.

 

Happy Easter Week my friends and it is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. March is rolling on out of here. Sum up your March in ten words or less. 

March weather added excitement to an already full calendar.  

 2. Are you afraid of heights? When was the last time you found yourself dealing with a height, and did it make you nervous?

I am not.

Below is a photo of Sears Tower ~ Chicago, Illinois ~ my sister and I had a fun adventure in the city and we had great fun exploring Sears Tower.  

  3. What's a word you struggle to spell on a regular basis, and sometimes need to double check before writing it down? Use the word in a sentence that tells us something about your April calendar.

Miracle  

Oh this word gives me trouble. 

We will be celebrating our first son's birthday in April. It was a true miracle and blessing when he arrived in this big world. It was a difficult time getting him to come on out into the world, a difficult labor indeed. Ha!

Fast forward today, he is a leader to several other young men and women. 

He sends me photos of his deployments and trainings. 

In this one he simply said, "Hi Mom"

 

 Happy April Birthday Sam!

 

 4. Love 'em or hate 'em, with Easter comes the sweet treat known as Peeps. So... do you love 'em or hate 'em? Speaking of peeps, what's your favorite way to have chicken? 

No, I am not a  fan. 

I have used them for decorating my Easter cakes.

I love grilled chicken breasts. My husband makes up his secret sauce, he soaks the breasts in the sauce overnight before grilling. 

 

5. This week's Hodgepodge lands on the first day of April, which happens to be National Poetry Month. Do you like poetry?  Share a favorite line or two from one of your favorite poems. What makes this one a favorite?  

  I do like poetry.

In Flanders Fields ~ John McCrae

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

        In Flanders fields.

 

It is a powerful poem. 

It is a favorite because my dad memorized this poem in grade school. My dad did not like school and I have many stories about his shenanigans as a school boy.  He did work hard to memorize In Flanders Fields as a young boy, even though he did not like school, that makes it even more special to me.

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here.  

 

Please join me in praying for our troops.

 ♥

 

 

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.

 

  

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. 

 

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

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.  

 

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!