Wednesday Hodgepodge - 19/11/25

Joyce provides the questions.  We compile our answers and then we link up here .

1. Let's do our gratitude question first this week...what's the best thing about your home, and have you taken time to enjoy it lately? 

It's big enough for family to come and stay.  We had the whole crowd here in the summer and our eldest son and family more recently.

2. Do you like squash? Of the varieties listed, which one's your favourite and how do you like it prepared? Is squash of some sort on your Thanksgiving menu?? 

acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti, zucchini, crookneck (yellow squash), patty pan

Not a big fan of squash but we do have butternut occasionally and courgettes (zucchini) are ok when well mixed in with other ingredients.

As for the Thanksgiving menu that's not within my control but I will be having a Thanksgiving meal.

3. Last time you were 'squashed in' somewhere, or felt squashed? 

Coming home on the Tube (London Underground) recently after a get together with friends.

4. Have you ever played squash? What about other 'racquet sports' such as racquetball, tennis, pickleball, badminton, table tennis (ping pong)? Are these sports something you enjoy? 

I have played squash, tennis, badminton and table tennis over the years but not so much recently.

5. Something in today's society or culture that feels like a 'racket' to you? If you don't like that one, tell us about a place you've been recently where there was a lot of 'racket'. 

Shrinkflation, aka package downsizing aka price pack architecture. 

Since when did a 250g pack of butter only have 200g in it?!!!!!

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Supposed to be going to a Knit and Natter session tonight but it's turned really cold here and we've even had snow today although it's probably too wet from the rain for it to settle.  But I'm digging out all my warm clothes and cold weather gear because by the weekend we will be in Vermont where there is definitely snow!  (And grandchildren 😍)

Gratitude log - 18/11/25

Today I’m grateful for a haircut!

Gratitude Log - 17/11/25

Today I am grateful for our Granddaughter Ella, who today turned 5!

Determined not to smile!

Of course I'm grateful for all our grandchildren but Ella is the only one with a birthday during November.  She was the last to arrive after 5 grandsons so I'm very grateful to have a granddaughter and she takes no prisoners as the expression goes.  She may be the youngest and the only girl but she holds her own lol.

The photos aren't great but we did have a nice afternoon with her and Nathan after school.

Gratitude Log - 16/11/25

Anyone remember this?

Any youngsters thinking what on earth is that?

Years ago (I was about 3 I think) my Mother had to have a hysterectomy.  At that time she was still doing washing by hand but had a spin dryer.  To make her life easier my Dad bought her a Twin Tub washing machine.  

Now I get that it was probably easier than doing it by hand but easy? Definitely not.

First you had to fill the washing tub compartment and wait for the water to heat up.....

Then the washing went in.  Washing that had been sorted into various groups, whites, light colours, dark colours etc.

The washing got a swirl in the washing tub.

Then you had to lift out the washing into the spinnner part of the machine.  I can remember the long handled wooden tongs we had for doing that.  You couldn't put your hands in the water - it would be too hot.

Now you had to remember what to do with the drain hose.  While doing the initial spin it had to be connected back into the washing tub so you didn't lose the water from there.  Next it had to be put into the sink as the water was spun out having remembered to connect another hose from the tap to the spinner to rinse the washing before spinning all the water out.  

And repeat!  Oh and at the end you would have to drain out the water from the washing tub which involved a bowl on the floor at the end - gravity you know.  Lovely dirty water!

So today I am grateful for my automatic washing machine and to its inventor.  It makes multi-tasking a doddle!