Wednesday Hodgepodge #135...

Hodgepodge time, where has this week, no year gone?  I feel like I have missed half of it.  Join us in the fun, you know what to do...

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?
There is so much more available, with the internet, the sky is the limit.  Talk about resources.

2. How 'bout one way it's changed for the worse?
However, along with the internet are things are kids do not need to be exposed to or see.  I think we as parents have to have our eyes open all the time, there are so many crazy people in the world.  And maybe there was back in the day, but we hear about it more now.  I don't know, but you sure can't let your kids run the neighborhood like we used too.

3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks...your favorite 'star'?
I would have to say starlight.  I love looking at the stars at night, especially at my kids farm - Circle L in Hector AR.  You can see thousands of them on a clear night.

4. Name a song that's overplayed, but you love it anyway.
My mind is blank.  I have not listened to the radio in forever.

5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?
I made home made ice cream in Arkansas on the 13th of this month for a Birthday Fish Fry.  I made Vanilla...and I have to say it was just pretty good!  
If I am purchasing ice cream, either Butter Pecan, Black Walnut or Rocky Road. mmmm good!

6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?
Listen to them, then encourage them.  Let them know you are on their side.

7. When was the last time you were without power?
Gosh I really can't remember. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
This last week we attended a funeral for a fallen firefighter.  We knew him and his dad is our preacher.  Wow!  I have never seen that many people.  It was held in the gymnasium and there were probably close to 1,000 people there.  Firefighters, policemen, EMT's etc., filled one side of the bleachers.  There were very few empty seats anywhere.  The funeral procession took about 45 minutes to get through town, wall to wall cars and trucks.  And people lined the streets with flags and posters showing their respect for Matt Blankenship.  His casket rode on his truck one more time with about 6 of fellow firefighters in dress uniform standing beside him.  It was amazing...nothing like small towns!
R.I.P. Matt Blankenship  5-5-1975 - 7-20-2013  Gone but not forgotten!

until next time...nel

Nothing like a front porch...

Thought I would join in on the chat today.  I love porches, I will have a large porch one of these years!  Here are the questions for this week and my answers.  Feel free to join in and don't forget to link up over by Wendall and Patrice here.
QUESTIONS

1. Are you looking forward to fall?I love the temperatures in the fall!  And love to take pictures of the trees so yes I am looking forward to fall.
2. What are the three best colors for you to wear, and the three worst?
   I think blue, purple and yellow so my hubs says.  I try not to wear white, tan and lavender.
3. What is your favorite kind of juice? If you are not into juice, you can tell us your favorite flavor of soda, tea, coffee, Tang, mud, etc.
   I love apple juice, cranberry juice and white grape.  Muscadine  juice made in Altus, AR  is pretty good to if you can find it.
4. Have you ever been in the hospital (at least an overnight)? You don't need to share the ailment, but tell us what the longest time is.
   There has been 5 different times that I remember where I have had to spend the night.  6 days was the longest when I fell off a horse and was unconscious for 3 days of those days.   
5. Do jingles, songs from ads, and TV or movie themes stick in your head? Do you find yourself singing them? (This question means that I'm trying to find out if I'm the only crazy person who sings quirky stuff!)
   Yes, they do so you are not the only crazy.  I usually remember the old ones though... You know ... Plop, plop fizz fizz.... I can't believe I ate the whole thing... The Good and Plenty song... and 
   
   OR
   
   
   Sorry, I get carried away sometimes...lol.  Too bad they do not have commercials like we used to have.  See you next week...
   
   until next time...nel

Wednesday Hodgepodge # 134...

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day.  Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  What's something you've recently accomplished solo? 
I made 13 1/2 pints of Salsa while in Arkansas.  I have made it before but have usually had help cutting things up, but I did it all by my lonesome this time.   Good stuff too!

2.  What's one product you use that never ever fails?
Wow, not sure.  I don't know if you would consider perfume a product, not sure what you were aiming for.  But I use Vanilla Musk by Coty, and I always get compliments on it.  If we are going out there is always someone that asks me what I am wearing cause they love it.   So yeppers that is what I would have to say.

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?
Yes, I think so.  A best friend to my hubby and a good momma but an awesome granny.  But the most important is a Child of the King!

4.  Worst movie you ever saw?
I am not sure, usually if I don't like it, I quit watching it.

5. What's the last fun thing you did?
Last night we went for a ride and watched the sunset, then to Sonic for a Sundae.  Any time with my hubby is fun!

6. The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar...ever been to Rome? What's your favorite Italian dish?
Can't say that I have been there.  Been to Paris, Arkansas that is.  :)
I would have to say Chicken Parmesan... mmmm good!

7. What is one piece of advice you'd offer new mom Kate Middleton?
Don't sweat the small stuff.  Go with your heart and just be real.  Love every minute with your new little man, they grow up to fast!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
We had a wonderful time in Arkansas celebrating birthdays.  Next few days are going to be kinda rough.  Our preacher's son, Matthew Blankenship, lost his life from injuries due to a fire.  He was a volunteer fireman.  38 years old left a wife and 3 kids.  Sad...   Viewing at the funeral home is Wednesday night then the funeral is Thursday at the Marshfield High School Gymnasium.  They know there is going to be a crowd!  So sad...  He was burned 73% of his body, at least he is no longer hurting.  Please remember his family in your prayers.

until next time...nel

Hodgpodging 132...

It's Hodgepodge Time, grab the questions and join in the fun, you know the drill!
1. What's something people might ask you for help with? Figuring something out on the computer, or organizing something.  I am a great organizer.  

2. What's something you might ask someone else for help with?
I have some old pictures of my mom's that I need to find out who they are.  I need to ask one of my older cousin's if they have any ideas.
3.  Did your family take summer vacations when you were a child? If so, where did you go? If you're a parent, did/do you plan summer vacations with your own family? Did/do they resemble those you took as a child?
Yes, usually it was to Arkansas to visit family but I have a lot of good memories.  We did go camping on weekends also with my mom's sisters and their families. We took a few vacations, usually to relatives.  We could not afford much more.
4.   Pool-lake-ocean...which one is most appealing to you on a hot summer day?
I am not sure, they are all so crowded on a hot summer day. 
5.  Have you ever justified using the expression, 'you gotta be cruel to be kind'?  Was it really necessary or were you rationalizing?
No, can't say that I have.
6.  The Journal of Psychology recently mentioned the results of a survey identifying the ten most hated foods as-liver, lima beans, mayonnaise, mushrooms, eggs, okra, beets, brussel sprouts, tuna, and gelatin.  Of those foods, how many do you actually hate? Anything you'd add to the list? 
I agree with liver if it is beef liver, yuck!  Not big on lima beans or beets.  Okra has to be fried good not slimy.  Otherwise the rest would be okay.  I am not fond of green peas (martian turds), I can eat them in something but not by themselves.  Ewww!
7. What's your favorite book or movie set in a beach or lake town?
I really enjoyed Safehouse.
8. Insert your own random thought here. Arkansas bound on Thursday.  Clint's birthday is today, Jan's is tomorrow and Eden's in Sunday.  Fun times!
until next time...nel

Chatting On The Front Porch...

I happened to run across this meme while I was visiting Cathy's blog, Tales of the TCKK Family.  Something about a porch always catches my interest, so I decided to join in.  It works a lot like Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Questions are posted and answered on Tuesdays and there is a Linky tool to join in.  These memes are a great way to meet new friends.  So here is mine for this week.  Join in you know you want too!
1.  Bacon or sausage? If vegetarian, what do you have for breakfast? I am kind of picky about both.  My bacon has to be crisp as in dead!  I can eat Jimmy Dean sausage with no problem, but others do not get along with my tummy.
2.  Do you take time to "smell the roses"? I think I do.  For the last 6 1/2 years I definitely have.  Since I have remarried I no longer have to work.  I love to take pictures and capture what the Lord has given us to enjoy!  We are so blessed!
3.  What's your favorite stone fruit? (Peaches,nectarines,plums, apricots, and cherries are in the stone fruit family.) I would have to say peaches but plums are right behind!
4.  What is the thing people notice most about your personality? ( quiet- outgoing- polite-funny-etc.) I enjoy life!  I love to talk and never meet a stranger.  I love the Lord and my family with all my heart and soul.
5.  Is there a hobby that you have wanted to do, but haven't started yet? I was just discussing this with my hubby a couple of days ago.  I want to give my hand to oil painting.  Definitely on my bucket list!
That was enjoyable!
until next time...nel

Happy 4th Of July!

Hope everyone has an amazing day!

Hodgepodging 4th of July Style...

Do you ever feel like you just have to shut down sometimes and catch up.  Eden Jade spent almost 2 weeks with us and of course this Granny was on the go all the time.  We had such a good time but it did wear me out.  I thought to myself how did I ever do that when Janice was little.  Then the light bulb went on and I remembered - that was 31 years ago!  My baby is going to be 31 in a couple weeks and yes this Granny is feeling old.  lolol.  But I love making memories with my grandkids, just like I did with my kid!

Okay it has been so long since I joined in - I hope I remember how to do this!

1. What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list? 
I would love to do some fishing.  I love to fish even if I am not catching anything. Just being there trying is so relaxing to me.

2. Do you have strong feelings or opinions regarding the immigration debate in your home country? Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.
I have no problem with people coming to America if they are here legally.  And if they work, and learn English and do not act like we owe them.

3.  What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?
My wardrobe is pretty plain.  I do have a t-shirt that has red, white and blue on it with stars.

4.  Is your house set up for a party?
Not really and that is one thing I hate, because I love to entertain.  If it was just Stan and I it would be different.  And unfortunately our house in Arkansas is too small.  But who am I kidding when I am in Arkansas it is all about the grandkids!

5. What one never-before-visited city in America, would you most like to see?
I would love to see New York City.  I want to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  I have read a lot about Ellis Island working with genealogy.

6. Your favorite red food? White food? Blue food?
I would have to say red-watermelon, white-bread, blue-blueberries.

7. What freedom do you value the most, and why?
I would have to say the freedom of religion.  I cannot imagine not being able to read my Bible, attend church or worship our Lord.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I need to get with it and write a post about some of the things we did while Eden was here.  We really had a wonderful time.  Nothing like making memories.  I have to say though I realize I am not as young as I used to be.  She went home last Wednesday and I have just been relaxing since then. We have not done a lot of  anything except Church.  Today we did our monthly grocery shopping then I spent the evening in my craft room.  I did a little painting, now that is relaxing!

until next time...nel