Wednesday Hodgepodge - 17/2/21

I'm taking part in the Wednesday Hodgepodge, kindly hosted by Joyce at From this side of the Pond

Joyce provides the questions each week and we share our answers.  Pop over to her site to see who else is joining in the fun. 

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more. Did you grow up 'celebrating' Lent? Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? 

I didn't grow up "celebrating" Lent but over the years I have observed it quite a lot.  We don't always make a thing of pancake day, but we did have pancakes at my daughter's house on Tuesday.  I usually try to be good and give something up during Lent but I'm not that great at sticking to it.  I used to attend church regularly but not so much the last few years and at the moment churches can open for communal worship but there are strict guidelines to be followed about social distancing/Covid safety and many are still streaming their services.

2. When is the last time you sat beside a 'real' fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire? 

 

I can't remember when I last sat by a real fire.  Probably when we spent Christmas in France - my SIL has an open fireplace but that was quite a few years ago now.  We used to have a camp fire when we went on our family camp but it's been about 6 years since we did that.  We do have a fireplace in our house but it has an artificial fire in it.  

 

Marshmallows over the camp fire were a favourite.

3. Something that's currently got you fired up? 

 

The continuation of our national lockdown and the way our Government has handled certain aspects of this pandemic but the lockdown has also got me damped down.  It truly feels like groundhog day here.

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage? Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday? Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski? 

 

I don't love cabbage but I don't hate it.  I wouldn't generally choose it as part of a meal but if it's on my plate I will eat it.  Coleslaw is the best use for cabbage in my book.

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00? 

 

I do hang on to pennies and then eventually I get them changed up - usually at a supermarket and then I use them towards the shopping.  Of course I haven't done that for at least a year now as virtually all our shopping has been done online since this pandemic began.  The last thing I purchased for a small amount (£3.00) was the newspaper last Saturday.  Reading all of it takes a couple of days, it provides a TV guide for the week and it has a good Pub Quiz that we've been doing with the family via a Zoom call.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Despite the lockdown I'm trying to keep myself busy or at least occupied and remind myself that I'm actually very fortunate in lots of ways.  This time will pass.