Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Share a favorite song, book, or movie title containing the word green?

 Considering my love for classical music my favorite piece is Greensleeves.

2. Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, 'Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.' Would you agree? Are you a believer in luck?

 I believe that with God you have " blessings " some might call that luck, I prefer blessings.

3. Spring water, Hot Springs, handspring, spring fling, spring break, spring fever, offspring...which 'spring' word best applies to something in your day, week, or life right now?

 Spring break is definitely something I love, but spring in general is finally here and my heart can't help but sing along with all the birds, for with Spring comes the promise of Summer.

4. What's something you do to make yourself look or feel more confident?

 I pray a lot because I know God put me on earth for a reason.  Knowing that helps me feel confident.

5.  It's National Celery Month...are you a fan? If so, what's a snack or dish you enjoy that calls for celery?

 Hmm I love all vegetables except for celery I don't mind celery if it is in soups or snuggled into a chicken salad sandwich but other than that I'd prefer corn, green beans cucumbers, tomatoes ........

6. What's one thing you wish you'd learned sooner?

 I wish that I would have actually tried to understand my Grandmother when she was trying to teach me to crochet because then I would have two more years worth of crocheted things scattered around the house :)

7. Would you like to own a second home? If so where would you want that home to be?

 To be one hundred percent honest I think a second home is not for me, the reason ........ ( who wants to clean up another house? )

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 My heart is singing happy songs for the beauty of spring has unveiled itself upon my neighborhood and every year ( mid spring ) all around our woods bountiful supplies of wild flowers awaken and open their sleepy petals, and start busily dancing little jigs in the wind, and with those flowers come long and beautiful walks through the woods in the early morning when the dew still lies on the grass, what more could I ask for? 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word 'spring'? Which phrase best describes the season of spring where you live right now (today)-sprung! almost there, or still waiting?

 What a lovely the sound of spring has to my ears the simple word takes me for a stroll through greening meadows, blooming flowers beside a gurgling brook, and singing birds. Unfortunately for me spring is farther away then I'd please.

2. Bed, couch, stapler, garage door, computer mouse, recliner, flashlight, door knob...which household item containing springs most needs replacing in your home? Speaking of springs...did you ever own a Slinky?

 One of the doorknobs in our hall definitely needs replacing, especially considering that it refuses to let you lock the door, and speaking of a slinky, we happen to own one that brought me a lot of fun when I was younger.

3. March is Women's History Month. Share a favorite quote by a woman.

 "Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm." by Audrey Hepburn.

4. What's a question that looms large in your mind right now?

How long can winter drag on? I'm so ready for flip-flop weather.

5. Are you a sugar freak? By that I mean how much do you love sugar? With all the bad press sugar gets these days, have you made any efforts to reduce the amount of sugar you consume?

 Hmm let me see here, I most definitely don't have anything against sugar though I don't find it necessary to be frequently eating candy, cake, and drinking soda.

6. Would you rather have less work to do or more work you enjoy doing?

 I would like more work that I enjoy doing because if nothing else will keep me busy, working on my favorite chore will.

7. Ever been to Texas? Of the top ten Texas tourist attractions which would you most like to see-The Alamo, The San Antonio River Walk, The State Capital, Dallas World Aquarium, Padre Island National Seashore, Houston Space Center, Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas,  Moody Gardens, or Galveston Island?

 I was four years old when I visited Texas so I really don't remember anything about it, but someday I want to go visit the major water parks and of course visit the Padre Island National Seashore for I am a lover of water and anything Aquatic  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 This morning I woke up to a thick veil of fog, I remember when I was younger I used to think that fog and Angels used to be connected to each other, kind of sad now that I am older and I know that fog is just clouds, but their misty beauty will always bring back those memories for me
.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. 'In like a lion, out like a lamb'...does the first part of this saying describing March weather ring true  where you live? 

  Oh yes, across the road from where I live we have a waterfall that is solidly frozen, and now I can hear the musical drip drip of the rain splashing onto the bush out by the porch.

2. March 4th is National Grammar Day. What common grammatical error bothers you the most? 

 Oh my, there is definitely nothing worse than people mixing up too, to, and two.
 

3. William Arthur Ward says- 'The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.' Which one are you?
  
 I would have to say I'm more of a realist with an optimistic twist, or in other words I do what needs to be done but keep my spirits high.
 

4. What's something you need to 'march forth and conquer' this month?

 Definitely finishing crocheting my afghan, the poor thing has been laying limply on the craft table for a while now.

5. An ongoing debate around here...do you dust first, then vacuum or vacuum first, then dust? Of the two routine household chores, which do you dislike the least? How's that for wording?

 I like to dust first because naturally dusting sends tons of dust to settle onto the floor, then I vacuum to suck up all of the dust resulting in a clean (mostly dust free) room, but hands down vacuuming is the worst.

6. According to thrilllist.com, the ten most photographed sites in the U.S.A. are- Cinderella's Castle in Orlando, Southernmost House in Key West Florida, The Space Needle in Seattle, The Site of the Boston Massacre in Boston, The Bellagio Lake/fountains in Las Vegas, The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Coit Tower in San Fransisco, The Art Institute of Chicago, Niagara Falls, and snagging the number one spot-The Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

How many on this list have you photographed? Which on the list would you most like to visit and photograph?

 Well considering that I'm more of a home body, I have actually never visited or photographed for the matter any of those places, though I have full confidence that someday I will visit Niagara Falls, and the Art Institute of Chicago, but until then I can be found photographing flowers, dewy spider webs, our waterfall, and at least one of our four pets. 

7. Fifty years ago Monday (March 2, 1965) The Sound of Music premiered at the Rivoli Theatre in NYC. Have you seen the film? Do you own a copy? On a scale of 1-10 how much do you love it (or not)? Ten=best movie ever. If you're a fan, what's your favorite scene or song from the movie?

 Unfortunately I have never even heard of that film so I can't rate it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am getting very exited because spring is coming and my Dad will get to set up our trampoline which has been sitting in the garage since Christmas.

A Girl of the Limberlost ~ Review

  I recently read the book " A Girl of the Limberlost " You know you have found a good book when you can crawl into the book and become the main character. That's what happened to me with this book. I became Elnora, a poor girl that has a Mother that seems to care about money more than her only child and doesn't realize how cruel she is by refusing to pay her own daughter's expenses even things like school fees. With her Uncle's support Elnora sets out to make money by gathering moths from the depths of the Limberlost swamp so she can pay her school tuition and her personal expenses.

  Elnora's High school is bit more challenging than she thought it would be, she simply doesn't fit in and one of her teachers even misspelled her last name Comstock for Cornstock, though she soon wins over the girls hearts at her school with acts of generosity and thoughtfulness, though her life might be hard at times it is soon filled with plenty of surprises as an orphan named Billy visits Elnora, whether he is found jumping on dogs or yanking out a turkey's tail Elnora is busy with Billie's tendency to be bad without knowing it and his love for cookies.

  Life in the Limberlost changes for Elnora as her new found love for playing the violin takes place, including a dramatic change in her Mother, Elnora learns to forgive as her Mother finally realizes what she is doing to her daughter.

  Soon Elnora meets a young man that because of his illness has taken to the country side, because of his love for collecting moths he spends numerous afternoons helping Elnora, but as the year ends some unexpected circumstances arise. Everything eventually works out, and the book ends in a very satisfying way.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Have you ever written a love letter? Have you written one recently? Had one written to you? Did you keep it?

I never written a love letter or received one, I am yet far to young as both my parents would agree :) 


2. What's a movie that ends in a way you especially love?

 Every time Christmas comes around the first movie we watch is " Eloise at Christmas " she is an adorable character full of spunk, and to top it off the movie couldn't have a better ending!

3. Something that makes your heart sing? And for those of you who are parents, I mean something besides your children that makes your heart sing?

 Nothing beats taking a walk in our woods and listening to the birds

4. What's the last event you had to attend, phone call you had to make, routine task you needed to complete, or meal you had to prepare, that you did do, but only half-heartedly?

Doing the dishes never really did " float my boat " I believe them to be a bit unpleasant, so they get washed a little less than half- heartedly..

5. Tuna fish salad-yay or blech? If you said yay, how do you like your tuna salad prepared? Hey, this is the Hodgepodge, right?

I have nothing against tuna, or salads for the matter, but I much prefer them separately  eaten instead of combined to make a " fishy salad ".

6. What's something you 'know by heart'?

 I have loved baking ever since first grade and in the years that have passed since then chocolate chip cookies have been made numerous times, needless to say I know the recipe by heart.

7. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, what two or three word phrase would you write on a conversation heart for someone you love? That someone could be a spouse, child, parent, cousin, bestie...anyone at all whom you love.

Love you.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 I have always excelled at being a bit absent minded after reading a very good book, then having to do a chore or something, so at lunch time today after being "thrown back into reality", I went to drain my pasta that had been cooking then add the pot of bubbling cheese sauce, instead I grabbed the pot of cheese sauce and almost sent it oozing out of the colander's many little holes, thankfully I realized what I was doing just in time and am quite happy to say that I enjoyed a delicious ( cheese included ) lunch.

Popcorn Balls

 This delicious snack has always held a special place in my heart, whether they are blue, pink, orange, or green, they are one of my all time favorite treats, and since my mother has just recently made a batch of the delightfully sticky and orange ( which happens to be my favorite flavor ) popcorn corn balls, I have decided to share the recipe with you.

Popcorn Balls

½ cup butter
80 marshmallows
½ cup of your favorite flavor jello
1 cup popcorn kernels


 Pop all your popcorn kernels and pour into a large, liberally greased bowl. 
In a big pot completely melt your butter, once your butter has melted add your marshmallows, stir until the marshmallows are almost all melted then add your jello and stir until well combined, pour your marshmallow mixture over your popcorn and stir until popcorn is coated.

 We like to have a bowl of cold water beside the gooey mixture to dip our hands in, and then form balls with our popcorn ( the cold water keeps the mixture from sticking to our hands ) after each popcorn ball is formed dip your hands into the water again, then place your popcorn balls onto sheets of wax or parchment paper.

Enjoy! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your emotions tucked in tight?

I am a happy balance of both, though I have nothing against a good cry once in a while.

2. How did you meet your closest friend?

Whether we're laughing or crying, my closest friend is my sister Diane.

3.  Pink lemonade, grilled salmon, cotton candy, pink grapefruit, a strawberry milkshake, or raspberry sorbet...of the pink foods listed, which one is your favorite? Least favorite? Which one have you most recently consumed?

Pink lemonade is most definitely my favorite, and lucky me, it was what I most recently consumed, and my least favorite food is the awfully tangy grapefruit. 

4. When were you last 'tickled pink' over something? Explain.

 I was last tickled pink when I received a Voyager tablet for my birthday.

5. Are you a fan of television talk shows? Daytime, nighttime, or both? What's your favorite?

I'm not really fond of talk shows so I don't have a favorite.

6. When was the last time you wanted to ask a question, but felt too foolish to do so?

Since I don't know much about football, I had no idea what was going on in the Super Bowl, but asking like a hundred questions is not my priority.

7. My favorite _________ right now is __________.

My favorite hobby right now is crocheting.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

It is beautiful outside, the birds are singing, and it feels like spring.