I am the only Tigger and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends,

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

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

1. What was the last thing you celebrated?  

 

 Our wedding anniversary and your youngest son's birthday.

 

 

  

 2 July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what's the first  person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind?

 "The wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tiggers are wonderful things! Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs!"

  Tigger of Winnie the Pooh, he is a favorite of mine. 

  3. The expression 'eye of the tiger' describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to?  

I am focusing on the garden harvest right now. We process most of our garden goodness for winter eating and I will soon be in the thick of it.

  4. What was the last meal you cooked? 

I made a salmon dish last Friday.  

5. Describe your July using exactly five words.  

 America ~ celebrating the 250!!

Hot ~ Wisconsin has been in a heat wave for most of the month.

Smoke ~ wildfire smoke made things interesting.

 Garden ~ keeping the garden watered and tended. 

Praying ~  our military son was away for training.

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We do not receive many messages  from our military son often during training. We did receive a message after a nasty storm rolled through, with a photo and the following ...

"Hanging in there."   

 

 

The Weather and Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends,

No snow alert today. How about a humidity alert. Wisconsin is hot and humid. We have nasty storms in the forecast for the next few day.

Enough about the weather, it is time for the hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1.  How would you define 'the good life'? 

I am living the good life. I have a beautiful home, garden, family, and friends.

I have my health.  

I have the freedoms that many do not have in our world.

I am thankful.

  2.  What's the most used app on your phone (and are you proud of that)? 

Weather App

I can look at the weather App, not believe what I just read. Open the App again in hopes it changed. I do this often during the winter when the temperature is -25 and the wind chill is -50!! I am in hopes the forecast will change in the matter of seconds I close and open the App.  The next few days we are going to have stormy weather, once again I will be checking often. 

3. 'Every rose has it's thorn', 'everything's coming up roses', 'looking through rose-colored glasses', 'it's no bed of roses' or 'stop and smell the roses'...which rose idiom best relates to something in your life currently. Explain.  

 

 I am going to say 'stop and smell the roses'. My husband and I are taking time each week to do something a bit different as a day date. We are going for one a week. So far we have done well, we have been creative. Some weeks the day date is very simple, with making dinner together. I will post soon on our progress. 

 4. How do you feel about floral flavorings in food or drink (rose, hibiscus, elderflower, lavender)? 

If we are talking tea, I love herbal teas and many have rose, hibiscus, elderflower and lavender in them. 

I have enjoyed different main course meals and desserts with lavender.  

5. Over the course of your life what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else?  

 Pondering about my boys. Thinking about how they are doing in life now as grown men. And back when they were little, pondering on how well I was parenting them.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

 Carl Buechner

Here is to the Red, White and Blue and the Hodgepodge

 

A red, white and blue pot along our daily walk. I snapped this photo last year. We are just starting to plant out our flowers. Last week we dipped down to 35 degrees, but I think we are finally going to be frost free... fingers and toes crossed, this is Wisconsin.

 I too have gotten in the red, white and blue spirit for America's big birthday.  My planters are just getting started, I will share them with you soon.

On to the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names? 

 Yes, I like my name. My middle name is Jane, that is the same as my grandma Vida. She was Vida Jane and I am Carla Jane.

We are blessed to have two boys.

Our first son, Samuel Charles. Samuel is named after my grandpa Samuel. And his middle name is after my father.

Atticus Roy is our second son. I will let you guess where the name Atticus came from and Roy was my grandpa Lepke's first name.

 2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

I will have a slice of blueberry pie please.

I would pick strawberry shortcake as my second red, white or blue dessert.

  3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day? 

I would like to be a Lineman for a day. I think it is fascinating how it all works, not that I really understand it all, keeping our power grid going in all weather. 

I am sure there is a rush of energy that comes when they are called out after a storm to get that grid back up and running. 

 4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer? 

Yes, I have our front deck all decked out in red, white and blue. I am just waiting for the flowers to bloom a bit for photos. 

Our American flag is flying proudly and I have some small flags in my pots. 

It is a big birthday for America!!

We are ready to celebrate!!

 5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  

Mother's day fun,

Amongst the busy of spring,

Yes, said years ago, brings a little boys birthday cheer too. 

 I am not good at this.. Hee Hee...

We started our May with  Mother's Day. We are full of spring garden clean up and planting.  We celebrate our youngest son's birthday and on May 31st is our wedding anniversary. 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

From Columnist Harvey Mackay

Time is free, but it is priceless.

You can't own it, but you can use it.

You can't keep it, but you can spend it.

Once you have lost it, you can never get it back.

 

 

 

Over the Rainbow and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Happy Wednesday my friends, planting the garden is on the agenda for the next few weeks. We will work on planting the plants that are cold hardy first. As the days and nights continue to warm we will start to plant out our peppers, tomatoes and tropical flowers.

On to the Hodgepodge..

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

Hold tight to the dreams you have today and walk with God in their direction. 

 

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

Brains.. I am taking on a painting project. I will be using paint I have not worked with before. I need to study up on the best way to tackle this project. 

 3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

We live about two hours from my hometown and our family farm. It is always good to take a trip back home. It is usually at Thanksgiving and Christmas when we all get together. For the past three years, I only see my sister during Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Our family will travel back "home" a few times during the year. Our next big family time on the farm will be our summer weekend of fishing, kayaking, fireworks and more.

  

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

 

We do own a Weber grill. My husband does all the grilling at our house. I love how my husband grills fish, especially trout. YUM!

My husband grilled a turkey on Sunday for our annual Mother's Day dinner. We have been doing this for my mom for many years. It is something she looks forward to each Mother's Day. We host a fun dinner, and grilled turkey is the showstopper on the menu. 

And dessert too. 

 

 5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

 

Oh, it would be a memory with our boys. We have enjoyed so many good times. We still do. They know how to make their mom laugh. 

  

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

If you need me, I will be out in the garden.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

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! 

 

 

  

Hello Summer and It is the Hodgepodge

 

 

Hello Summer and it is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)...what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now? 

Family would come to visit from Southern Wisconsin. I enjoyed playing and visiting with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

And what do I like most about summer now? The same thing, we get together as a family one weekend every summer. We laugh, get out on the water kayaking, fishing, campfires, enjoy delicious food and we have s'mores.  

 2.  Something you'll celebrate this summer? 

I guess I answered this above. We will celebrate family. 

  3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like? 

Summer tastes like?

Watermelon!!

Summer smells like?

The beach!!

Summer sounds like?

Road construction .. the below photo was taken from our bedroom window.

 

 4. June 18th is National Splurge Day...what's the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on today? 

What is the last thing we splurged on? Cheese! We love Gouda cheese. Marieke Gouda in Thorp, Wisconsin makes the best Gouda. We don't live close by, so when we had a recent road trip that way, we stopped and splurged to fill the cheese drawer in the refrigerator.

Click here if you want to learn more about Marieke Gouda 

 

I will not be doing any splurging today.

 

 5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme. 

 

"And you know it's not so much the heat as it is the gosh darn humidity"

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We enjoyed a special Father's Day with our boys. 

We went to a local baseball game, it was a fun game, lots of action and of course spending the day with family, that is what it is all about.

  ♥

 

Cinnamon and Sugar and Everything Nice Hodgepodge

 

Hi Friends, it is a cinnamon and sugar homemade doughnut Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 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!!

 

 

 

She Said Yes

 

Hello Friends,

Thank you for playing along with my question on Friday.

With that I am happy to announce she said, yes.

Sam and Cate are engaged. 

We are in the process of wedding planning. I will keep you updated.

And with that here is our next question to spark conversation...

 

What are you looking forward to most in your life right now?

I am looking forward to watching my boys continue to grow into adult men. We are blessed they only live an hour away. We are able to talk daily and can visit regularly. Both are working on goals they have set. It can be hard for me to watch when things do not go as they plan or they land in a hard spot. I want to jump in and FIX it. 

I also am looking forward to the goals my husband and I have as a couple as we continue to take this journey together.

 ♥

Carla

 

Goodbye February and it is the Hodgepodge

 

 

Hello Friends, we are coming out of the deep freeze. Last week Wednesday our temperatures were in the single digits and below. Oh how good it feels to be in the high 30's and 40's. And now on to the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions. 

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. February 26th is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day...have you read a fairy tale lately? What's your favorite fairy tale? Do you believe in 'happily ever after'?

My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast.

Yes, I do believe in 'happily ever after' ... my parents have been married 50 YEARS + ... it can happen, I know other couples that are married 50 years plus. It takes WORK, but yes, I do believe in happily ever after.

 

2. Complete one of the following sentences with a thought relating to your life currently-

• Once upon a time___________
• A long time ago________________
• In a place far far away__________

Once a upon a time two little boys lived in this house.

 

3. Which of the following 'fairy tale foods' is your favorite? Which have you made/eaten most recently? 

porridge/oatmeal (Goldilocks and The Three Bears), an apple (Snow White), a gingerbread cookie (The Gingerbread Man), pumpkin soup/pie/bread (Cinderella), peas (The Princess and the Pea), beans (Jack and The Beanstalk) or a cup of tea (Alice in Wonderland) 

 

I love a good gingerbread cookie with a cup of black tea.

 

 4. What's your idea of fun? 

 

Hanging out with family and friends.

Anytime I get to spend time with my boys.  

 

5. Next week's Hodgepodge lands in March. Is that right? I guess so.  Give us one noun, one verb, and one adjective that tell us something about your February. To make you think a little harder, you cannot use the words cold or snowy.

 

 Noun ... Family 

We traveled to visit my parents a few times in the month of February.  

Verb ... Drive

We went for a two hour drive to visit my parents.

Adjective ... Bumpy

It was a bumpy ride to my parents, pothole season has arrived in Wisconsin.

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

God make my life a little light

within the world to glow

a little flame that burneth bright

wherever I may go

God make my life a little hymn

of tenderness and praise

of faith that never waxeth dim

in all His wondrous ways. 

 

Matilda Edwards

 

It is Wisconsin's Showtime!! And it is the Hodgepodge!

 

Hello Friends, it is Wednesday, that means it is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Yep, it is officially that time of year, when Wisconsin knows how to show off,  full in autumn color.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. It's officially fall y'all...in the northern hemisphere anyway. What are three of your favorite things about this particular season of the year? 

 

Pumpkins!!

Gourds!!

 

After the summer months ... heading back into the kitchen to bake and cook up our favorite comfort foods.

Carving pumpkins... our annual Pumpkin Carving Party... that also means family time!!

 

 

 

 2. Your favorite fall fabric-denim, flannel, tweed, corduroy, tartan, polar fleece, leather? Do you own something made with your favorite fall fabric? 

It would be flannel. Oh yes, my favorite flannel shirts. And of course my flannel pj's. And I cannot forget to mention our cozy flannel sheets.

 3. According to Everyday Health here are ten healthy fall foods- apples (flavonoids may improve brain health), pears (for heart friendly fiber), cranberries (helps your body fight oxidative stress) winter squash (for eye health), pumpkin (another great source of Vitamin A), leeks (an anti-inflammatory food), brussel sprouts (full of fiber and anti-oxidants), sweet potatoes (loaded with Vit A and C), parsnips (keep your bones healthy with Vit K), and broccoli (may help prevent cancer).

How many on the list do you eat on a regular basis? Which one is your favorite? Which one gets a big no thanks from you?  

Often during the autumn and winter months I will eat... apples, pears, cranberries, winter squash, pumpkin, leeks, brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes.  

My favorite would be.. pears!!

No thank you... parsnips and broccoli.

4. Tell us about the last time (or a recent time) you experienced a wave of nostalgia?

 

Looking back at photos... always gives me a wave of nostalgia. 

5. Sept. 22nd was National Daughter's Day. Like mother, like daughter...does this idiom ring true for you? You may answer in terms of your own role as a daughter or, if you have daughters, then your role as a mother of daughters. 

I will be answering in terms of my role as a daughter. My mom has a true gift of hospitality and she passed it on to me. 

Thank you, Mom!

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Autumn fishing in Wisconsin is another true treat. The autumn colors, no bugs biting, but oh yes the fish will be biting. 

 

September Birthday ... No, December Birthday and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Northern Lights the night of September 16th 2024.

Hello Friends, it is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Something that's had you 'chuffed to bits' recently? 

 

 

 Our garden harvest, flowers and fresh veggies. And the Northern Lights.

 

 2. Tell us about an instance recently where you were tempted to 'throw a wobbly' (expression used to describe tantrums thrown, usually by adults or people who should know better) 

 

Well... some current events have made me 'throw a wobbly'.

 

3. Something everyone seems to love but is not your 'cuppa tea'? 

 

Flavored coffee... just give me a good dark coffee with a little cream.

 

4. Fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding...which entree would you choose? Yes, you have to choose.

 

Fish and Chips

5. Something you want for your birthday this year? 

 

At a recent wedding for a friend.. our boys.

 What I want for my birthday this year, is to spend  time with those two in the above photo. 

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 

 My husband installed some new lighting in our greenhouse. I love it. With the nights creeping in earlier and earlier, the extra light helps me finish my garden chores. It is getting dark here at 7:30 pm already.. oh that is the hardest part for me.. saying goodby to all our spring/summer light.