Wednesday Hodgepodge - 22/4/26

Joyce provides the questions, we provide the answers and the link up is here.

1. April 22nd is Earth Day...what's the most 'out of this world' place on earth you've ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

I'm not sure I've been anywhere that I would list as out of this world.  I've been up mountains skiing and the Norwegian Fjords were pretty spectacular but that's about it.

2. A favourite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

Well I had to do some googling for this but I quite like Michael Jackson's Earth song as appropriate for Earth Day.  But for something more cheerful I'd go for Heaven is a place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle.

3. What's the most trivial thing about which you have a strong opinion? 

Putting things back where they belong.  I hate things being out of place so that I can't find them.  I commented on Monday about my dustpan and brush being missing.  It's usually in the cupboard under the kitchen sink but it is missing.  It has to be somewhere but it's proving elusive.

4. What's your most commonly used kitchen utensil or tool? What's the last thing you made using that tool? 

Our air fryer gets used most days.  It was used for bacon this morning.

5. Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me a great book of 3000 questions, and I'm going to try to use one in our Hodgepodge every week. Here is today's - 

What is your greatest extravagance? 

Not sure it was my greatest extravagance but I can remember the first time I bought a brand new car that it was probably not the best move given how much a car goes down in value as soon as you drive it away from the dealer.

I also spent more to get my engagement ring repaired recently than the ring cost when new but I'd managed to lose a diamond from it and the setting needed repairing too.  That was worth every penny though.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our flights are booked.  We're heading to Vermont in June!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 15/4/26

Joyce provides the questions each week, we prepare our answers and then we link up here.

1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately?

Thankfully we don't have tax returns to do - our life isn't that complicated.  Although we do have to keep an eye on the codes issued by the Tax Office as they're not always correct.

Keeping up with normal blogging while doing the A-Z challenge is taxing.  I've let a few of my regular things go during this month but if Joyce can still find time to prepare the Hodgepodge then I can make time to post my answers.

2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you.

I'm in between.   I don't pack too far in advance but I do lay it all out before it goes in the suitcase.  My tip - make a list of EVERYTHING you need to take with you.  I can pack light if I have to.

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level?

I don't tend to grill a sandwich - I'll pop it in a toastie bag and into the toaster.  I often use something like these but the cheese has to be matured cheddar.

4. There's a well known quote that says-

'A ship in the harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life?

I don't think growth has to be constant and yes stability and peace are good things to have but sometimes we do need to step outside our comfort zones or we'd never experience anything new or test our capabilities.

5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

daffodils or tulips  Both
lemonade or iced tea  Builder's tea please (English Breakfast)
gardening or hiking  Hiking
ladybugs or butterflies  Butterflies
umbrella or raincoat  Raincoat
floral patterns or polka dots  Either but I tend to wear more stripes than patterns.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today it's letter M on the A-Z challenge.  Yay, half-way there! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 8/4/26

Joyce asks the questions and we provide the answers and then we link up here.  Come 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 like to think I'm a good egg - I do a lot of volunteering at the local Food bank as well as being the main organiser of 2 book clubs and I like to help people when I can.  I can be a tough egg to crack sometimes - I don't find it easy in new situations.  I also sometimes feel I'm walking on eggshells.

2. April 7th is National Beer Day...are you a beer drinker? If so do you have a favourite? Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats...which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these? 

Definitely NOT a beer drinker but I do like beer battered fish.  I've not made any of those things listed.

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? 

Well I think I have the worst of both worlds.  I have siblings (2 brothers) but there are big age gaps between us so we're not that close and I often feel bad about that and growing up I often felt like an only child.  I'd definitely rather have siblings than not though.

4. How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favourite?

I don't have a favourite and I'm not bothered one way or another although I do wish they wouldn't keep inventing products that are so unnecessary like fabric conditioner "scent boosters" !

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. 

Well that would have to be guitars.  We have at least 4 in the house, all belonging to Hubby and if I tried to get rid of any of them I think he'd be filing for divorce.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We also have grandchildren in the house this week - they're definitely keepers!

They were pleading for something at the time but I can't remember what!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 1/4/26

Joyce provides the questions, we compile our answers and we link up here.  Come join the fun.

1. March is rolling on out of here. Sum up your March in ten words or less. 

Windy, wet, cold, sunny, warm, sometimes all the same day!

2. Are you afraid of heights? When was the last time you found yourself dealing with a height, and did it make you nervous?

I don't think so.  I've never really tested the theory to any extreme although I did have to lean out of a second storey window once when there wasn't actually a window in place.  I was being shown why the telephone lines weren't working properly - the roof on a school extension building had been put on the telephone line.  I did think I should have been wearing a hard hat but the height didn't bother me.

3. What's a word you struggle to spell on a regular basis, and sometimes need to double check before writing it down? Use the word in a sentence that tells us something about your April calendar. 

Well not wanting to brag here but I don't usually struggle with spelling (although typing is another thing altogether lol)  We're actually taking part in a quiz in April organised by the local wine bar so I might struggle with the names of wines!

4. Love 'em or hate 'em, with Easter comes the sweet treat known as Peeps. So... do you love 'em or hate 'em? Speaking of peeps, what's your favourite way to have chicken? 

I don't hate marshmallow but it's not a treat I would automatically choose - not so common here in the UK either.  When I think of PEEPS I think of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans - I might be retired but Health & Safety is hard to forget when you've been responsible for it at work.

I pretty much enjoy chicken however it's cooked - especially if I haven't done the cooking.

5. This week's Hodgepodge lands on the first day of April, which happens to be National Poetry Month. Do you like poetry?  Share a favourite line or two from one of your favourite poems. What makes this one a favourite? 

I don't dislike poetry but it's not something I usually read so I don't have a favourite to share.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

There were some good April Fool jokes floating around this morning but April signifies the A-Z challenge for me.  I'm hoping to keep up with my regular posts too such as the Hodgepodge but as usual I'm not as prepared as I wanted to be.  I always used to work well under pressure though.  Trouble is when you're retired there is usually very little pressure! But I do love a challenge.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 25/3/26

Joyce provides the questions, we prepare our answers then we link up here. Thanks Joyce.

1. It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why?

Well as I'm typing this looking out into my garden the sun is shining so yes it looks springlike but.....earlier there was a big downpour and the temperatures are lower than they were last week. I'm not sure the weather got the spring memo just yet.

I prefer spring to autumn - I don't like losing an hour of sleep when the clocks change but the lighter longer evenings are worth it and watching things coming into bloom is lovely.

Autumn signals the shorter darker days of winter when you feel like you just want to hibernate, although the changing colours of autumn are lovely to see.

2. What's your favourite thing about spring? 

Longer days.

3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.

I think spring into action probably - my to do list is growing!

4. Which spring food from this list is your favourite? What's a dish you like that includes your favourite spring ingredient?

asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions

Eggs would be my favourite on that list - so versatile. We usually have eggs in our breakfast, and my favourite would be a toss up between scrambled or, as we had today, poached with smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce. Yummy.

5. What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list?

Well I should have started a list because yesterday I emptied out and tidied our garden shed. That would definitely have been on there. Maybe I'll start the list with that because then I can cross it off and feel smug lol.

I also managed to string some outdoor lights up along the fence.  Not sure how squirrel proof they will be but they looked pretty last night.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Added to that (hypothetical) list would be disposing of all the old half-used etc containers of plant food, pesticides, weed killers etc. The ones that have been sitting there forever and are probably not effective any more. Today I have boxed them all up and applied for a hazardous waste collection. Thankfully we live in an area where you can get that done for free!

I might be on a roll here.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 18/3/26

Joyce gives us the questions, we provide our answers and we link up here.

1. St. Patrick's Day lands on March 17th. Do you believe in luck? Are there things you do thinking they'll  bring good luck or  things you avoid because they're considered bad luck? 

I think sometimes things feel like they're luck like winning a raffle, and sometimes the odds seem to fall in your favour but generally no I'm not a great believer in luck and I don't usually do things to avoid bad luck.

2. Forest-lime-sage-mint-olive-emerald...what's your favourite shade of green? Emerald.

3. In Ireland the meal on this day is often a hearty beef or lamb stew served with colcannon (mashed potato mixed with cabbage and leeks). In the US corned beef and cabbage is the more typical St. Patty's Day meal. Will you/did you mark the day with one of these dishes? Baked-fried-roasted-mashed...what's your favourite way to eat a potato?

No traditional St Patrick's meal for us but we did have roast potatoes with our chicken dinner.  I like potatoes however they are cooked but my favourite would be mashed.

4. What colour of the rainbow best represents your personality/mood today? Tell us why. 

I think yellow - it's warm and sunny here today so I'm happy.

5. Which 'lucky' quote resonates with you. Elaborate. 

 'Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.' E.B. White 

'Diligence is the mother of good luck." Benjamin Franklin 

'Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.' Seneca 

'Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.' Ralph Waldo Emerson 

I think they're all good quotes.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My husband has Irish roots on his Mother's side but none for me so St. Patrick's Day is not a big thing for us.  However at my keep fit class there are a few Irish women so yesterday we were doing some movements to Irish music.  It was a bit bizarre to be honest.  We had a good time though.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 11/3/26

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is brought to us each week by Joyce. We join up here to share our answers. Thanks Joyce.


1. Are you a naturally trusting person? Is trust built on logic or 'gut instinct'? Does everyone deserve a second chance? Elaborate.

I'm not a naturally trusting person, once bitten twice shy and all that. I think it's a bit of both when it comes to logic and instinct. Whether someone deserves a second chance depends on what they did and whether they are remorseful.

2. 'Beware the Ides of March'...March 15th on the ancient Roman calendar, these words were made famous by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar. Caesar was assassinated on March 15th 44 B.C. Have you read any Shakespeare? If so, do you have a favourite? Have you ever been to Rome?

We read a couple of Shakespeare's works at school, Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. I'm familiar with a couple more especially A Midsummer Night's Dream. I keep meaning to look out for a book that just gives the outlines of each play and characters etc. I do have a copy of his complete works but that's not an easy read. Useful for reference sometimes.

I've been to Italy but not to Rome. (We went skiing there many years ago!)

3. Do you like a Caesar salad? If given the choice between a garden/house salad or Caesar which do you order? Anchovies or no? What's your favourite salad dressing?

I do eat Caesar salad but not with anchovies thank you. I prefer a French dressing if given a choice.

4. Where do you typically work (or blog if that's easier) at home? Do you have a dedicated home office space? Are you happy with that space?

At my dining room table or on the sofa! (That's the advantage of using a laptop or iPad rather than a PC.) We do have a bedroom that's more of an office but it also doubles up as Hubby's music room so I rarely use it.

5. Snow drops, daffodils, lenten roses, crocus, hyacinth, or early tulips...what's your favourite early Spring flower?

Well I had to look up lenten roses and see that I know them as Hellebores. I love all the spring flowers but I love the colours of tulips. We had a lot of different varieties of Hellebores in our garden in our former house.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

It's nice to lose myself in a bit of blogging and avoid the news for a bit.

Wednesday Hodgepodge 4/3/26

Joyce provides the questions, we provide our answers and the link up is here.

1. As the saying goes, 'March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.' Did your March come in roaring or like some other animal? Every month carries with it certain feelings, which is why some people love and anticipate December and others dread it. How do you feel about the month of March?

Well it didn't come in like a lion it actually brought some sunshine. I like March - we have a couple of birthdays to look forward to and the clocks going forward plus spring flowers.

2. Where in your life are you a lion? Where are you a lamb?

I'm probably more a lamb than a lion. I hate confrontation. But I would be a lion for my kids.

3. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pound Cake day. Do you like pound cake? If so do you have a favourite flavour? Let's play this or that-
pound cake or layer cake?            layer
pound cake or cheesecake?          cheesecake
pound cake or angel food cake?    angel food cake
pound cake or brownie?               brownie
pound cake or pie?                      I'm assuming fruit pie so pie

As you can see I'm not a big fan of pound cake but if that was the only alternative I would eat it.

4. What makes you feel childlike wonder right now?

With all that's going on in the world I'm wishing I was a child and therefore probably ignorant of all the turmoil etc but of course I'm not so I'm not feeling any wonder right now.

5. What's one thing you need to add to your wardrobe to get ready for spring? If you're in the southern hemisphere, then answer for fall?

I think I need to do a good clear out of my wardrobe first then I could make a list of things - I don't think just one item would work lol.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I really should add the answer to #5 to my "to do" list!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 25/2/26

Joyce provides the questions, we provide the answers and we link up here to share.

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia.

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see?

We've been to Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. over the years but our travels to the US these days focus on Vermont where our son and his family are currently living.  We're very familiar with Boston airport!

2. Three sounds you love to hear?

Children laughing.

Bird song

Choral singing

3. Three sounds you hate to hear?

Children crying - when they're upset and need comforting

Children screaming when they're in the middle of a tantrum

Sirens - emergency services rushing somewhere is never usually good

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips?

I'm not a big fan of tortilla chips but I don't mind them with cheese melted on top (nothing else) or with an onion and garlic dip.

5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile?

Our eldest Grandson will turn 9 at the end of March. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Two more things to look forward to in March - our eldest son has a birthday and the clocks go forward!  Can't wait for lighter evenings.

Have a good day all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 18/2/26

Joyce asks the questions, we provide the answers and the link up is here.

Thanks Joyce.

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season?

I'd like to say I was giving something up but I'm not very good at sticking to the plan.  I am aiming to try and get to bed earlier and do a bit more reading and less doom scrolling on my phone.

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week?

I do like pancakes preferably with chocolate spread or syrup.  I don't usually make them but our grandson was here yesterday so I did make a few.  

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'.

Sometimes it feels like that at the Foodbank where I volunteer.  We need quite a few people to run the session and sometimes we're a bit low in numbers on a Thursday which makes it hard work.  People are great though - we do often get Tuesday people step in when they can.

4. What's your favourite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colours? 

I don't really have a favourite gemstone.  I have a nice opal and sapphire ring that I used to wear a lot but the opal got chipped so I don't wear it now.  I'm more interested in the design of a piece than particular stones.

I have lots of colours in my wardrobe but blue is probably the dominant colour.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge?

I think it's keeping the balance between having a good relationship with those you're in charge of but being able to maintain authority when needed.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

How annoying is this?

Admittedly the puzzle came from a charity shop but it was new - still wrapped in cellophane. Plus I thought there was no picture of the puzzle, I only discovered that there was one on the bottom of the box after I'd finished it lol.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 11/2/26

Joyce provides the questions, we provide our answers and link up here.

1. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'? 

I actually can't think of anything.

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

Well I'm retired so I definitely have time to stop and smell the roses.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

Little gestures.  A thank you, an acknowledgement.  An offer of help.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day? 

Could I have both please?  Oh, only one then it would be the flowers - they'd last longer lol. No plans for Valentine's Day.

5. Share a favourite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I managed a trip to the library today and a walk back through the park without getting wet!  The threat of rain is always there though as you can see in the pictures I took.  It's fun to photograph the trees without their leaves so you can the structure of the tree.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 4/2/26

It's Wednesday so that means it's time for the Hodgepodge which is hosted by From this Side of the Pond.  Thanks Joyce.

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th...on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What's your favourite Winter Olympic sporting event?

I'm probably a 5.  I know it's happening - BBC keep running ads for it - but I just had to google where it's happening lol.  (Milano Cortina) Thankfully there isn't a massive time difference (+ 1 hour) between here and where the games are being held which makes viewing easier, although with today's technology that isn't as much of a problem as it used to be.

I like watching the Ice Skating and we've often done well at Curling so that's one I might check out.  Ice Hockey isn't really my thing but I was just reading an article which suggests one of the rinks may not be completed by the start of the event plus:

"The rink in Milan, approved by the International Ice Hockey Federation, is shorter than the minimum requirement in the NHL, leading to suggestions there could be an increase in high-speed collisions. The quality of the ice has also been questioned.

The NHL said it was "pleased" with the test event at the arena in January, although that did not pass without incident. During the event there was a short delay while a small hole in the ice had to be repaired." (Taken from the BBC website.)

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football's championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us...what's your superpower?

Oh gosh I wish I had one.  I guess I'm quite organised and logical and usually calm in a crisis but I really wish I could teleport.

3. Are you a romantic?

Not really (see above) but I do like to be surprised with flowers and reading romance books.  (In between the crime thrillers that are my favourite genre lol.)

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what's a dish you like that calls for one of these?

NO AND NO! I do like plain cheese though - especially a really mature cheddar.

5. What's more important-doing what you love or loving what you do?

Ummm is this a trick question?  It seems not. (Thank you AI.)  In an ideal world we'd be doing what we love and following our passions.  Unfortunately we don't live in an ideal world so I think it's more important to love what you do and find ways of getting the most out of what we're doing.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

One of the things I do is to keep our bird feeders topped up and today I'm loving watching the antics of the birds as they come and feed.  The parakeets are usually the first followed by the smaller birds but the pigeons hover on the ground waiting for anything that drops.  Until the squirrel appears.

Have a good day all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 28/1/26

Wednesday means Hodgepodge time - thanks as always to Joyce for providing the questions.  We join in HERE.

1. I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way?

Rain, rain and lots of mud where I walk so yes it does affect my mood if I can't get out as much.

2. Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favourite dishes that call for cabbage?

I do like cabbage.  I wouldn't say I love it though.  We don't have a specific regular dish that calls for cabbage but we will have it as a side vegetable with lots of things.

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own?

Well I had to check out the dates for this and they came out several years before our daughter was born so they sort of passed us by a bit.

Toys from my childhood?  That's stretching the memory lol. Barbie and Sindy dolls.

4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately?

Blogging!  I've almost completed the Just Jot it January challenge so I've managed to blog every day so far this month.

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences.

Rain, more rain.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Of course there was more than rain happening but the month does seem to have flown by.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 21/1/26

Joyce provides the questions, we provide the answers and the link up is here. Thanks Joyce.

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter?  

Well my knees wouldn't cope with skating or skiing, I'm not a fan of sledding and I don't possess snow shoes so that really only leaves a snowy walk which I have done recently when we had a dusting of snow.  Thankfully it didn't last as the UK tends to grind to a halt when it snows.  Although the cold spell has contributed to a lot of burst water pipes locally and the repair works for those has caused total chaos and lots of bus diversions.

Of course my grandsons are loving the snow which is a good thing as they have snow for a long time up in Vermont.  My son's not loving it as much lol.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

Celebrating our eldest son's wedding.  

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year?

I'm drawing a blank on this one.  Maybe the trend that to be successful you have to be an influencer?

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I'm not a lover of granola bars but I will eat them, but not regular granola thank you.  Chocolate bars.  Any kind of chocolate bars but no nuts thank you.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I think I'm a trickling stream at the moment.  I'm getting on with things, slowly.  I could do with the power of a raging river from time to time lol.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our knitting group did a yarn sale last weekend and I couldn't resist picking this up:

It's a kit to make a crochet bag depicting a cow.  It will be a challenge as I've never done tapestry crochet before but I'm sure granddaughter Ella will love it.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 14/1/26

Joyce provides the questions, we provide the answers and then we link up here to share.  Thanks Joyce.

1. What kind of winter person are you-snow lover, fireplace snuggler, winter adventurer, or indoor hibernator? Elaborate. 

Well I'm more of an indoor hibernator than anything else.  We don't have an open fireplace so no snuggling there for me.  I'll be snuggling under a blanket if it's really cold.  Which it has been.  I do like to get out for a walk when I can though but I'm not that adventurous and I do not love snow!  It's ok walking around the lake if there's been snow but in the UK just an inch or two of snow and everything grinds to a halt.

2. The Pantone color of the year is cloud dancer, described as a gentle, billowy off white shade. The color symbolizes 'peace, clarity, quiet reflection, renewal, and a soft reset'. Of the terms just listed which do you need most in your life this winter? 

Probably a soft reset.  The Christmas period was busy and routines went out of the window and I'm struggling a bit to get back into my normal routines.  And I'm also struggling to understand why we need so many shades of white lol.

3. Every cloud has a silver lining, on cloud nine, head in the clouds, storm clouds gathering, or cloud of suspicion...which 'cloud' idiom do you most relate to currently? Explain. 

Probably head in the clouds.  I do tend to hibernate a little bit in the winter.

4. coconut, cauliflower, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, onions, ranch dressing...of the white foods listed, which would be the hardest for you to give up? Do you like all or any of the foods on the list? 

onions - we put them in so many things but mayonnaise would be hard too.  Coconut and cottage cheese would be the easiest to give up as I don't eat them to start with.

5. Thomas Wentworth Higginson is credited with this quote-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 

Agree or disagree? Tell us why. 

I agree.  There are definitely some beautiful things to be seen in winter but sometimes when a winter is really hard you need the faith that spring will come.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Note to self - check the decking outside the back door isn't icy before stepping out on it when it's frosty!  

Yep I nearly fell over this morning.  Fortunately no harm done.  It was wet yesterday but overnight the temperature really dropped so the water on the decking had turned to a sheet of ice which I wasn't prepared for.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 7/1/26

Joyce provides the questions, we provide the answers and then we join up here.  Join the party.

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2025? 

Joyful

Satisfying

Peaceful

2. I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how we shouldn't be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along : ) 

Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness (go here to read about how the words are chosen). Here's the list for 2026- 

67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted  • my bad • reach out 

Which one (if any) do you use most often? Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word you think should have made the list? 

Well obviously I would use cooked and I do sometimes find full stop creeping in and I use things like perfect, massive and gift/gifted in the appropriate context.

I'd definitely like to see 67, incentivize and my bad banished.  Can't think of any words I would add to the list right now but I'm sure there are some.

3. What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your 'ideal' nightly ritual? If so what's your ideal? 

So my ideal nightly ritual would involve a skincare routine that looked after my aging skin. Doesn't often happen.

4. January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favourite? Last thing you ate made with beans? 

I'm not mad about beans.  The ones I eat most often are baked beans in tomato sauce.  Which I probably had with breakfast at the weekend.

5. Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate. 

I am soooo easy to embarrass and I hate it.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had lots of good intentions of doing a lot of chores this week as in back to normality after the Christmas break.  I'm not doing well on that front but I have been blogging every day and today I finished this:

Jigsaw of a Fantasy Bookshop - 1000 pieces.

I started it way before Christmas so I was determined to get it finished.  Now I just have to stop myself from starting another one just yet.  But I have taken all the Christmas stuff down and it's away in the loft until next year!

And this definitely counts as a huge jot for the Just Jot it January challenge.

Wednesday Hodgepodge 31/12/25

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is hosted by Joyce here.  Pop over to see who else is joining in.

1. Did you make resolutions or set goals for the year we're waving goodbye? How did that work out for you? Will you set any goals for this new year, new season, or new month? Share one or two if you'd like to share. 

I used to make resolutions but very seldom kept them so now I don't bother.  I do set myself a reading goal and although I didn't quite read the number of books I set myself (62 out of 64) I did complete the 52book club challenge which involves reading 52 books that meet 52 different prompts.

2. When did you have the most fun this year? 

During our son and his family's visit to us in the summer which included a trip to France for a family party.

3. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2025? Tell us why. 

I am rubbish with songs.  The only two songs that come to mind are "Ordinary" by Alex Warren and "Survive" by Lewis Capaldi which I've heard a lot when driving.

4. Best (or a favourite) bite of something delicious you tasted this year? 

Another tricky one.  I've had a lot of delicious desserts over the year so hard to pinpoint just one. but it would definitely have had chocolate in the ingredients.

5. What do you want to do more of in the new year? Less of? 

More being active, less sitting around.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'd just like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful 2026!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 17/12/25

Time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge which is hosted here by Joyce.

1. What's one thing on your to-do list that you want to get done, need to get done, or that must get done before the year ends? 

I have 2 books to read to complete a reading challenge for the year.  Hopefully there's still time!

2.  December 17th is National Maple Syrup Day...are you a fan? Do you like maple flavour in other food items such as candy, cookies, donuts, oatmeal, hot toddies, coffee? 

I don't dislike Maple syrup but it's not my favourite thing.  I'll use it on pancakes or in porridge.

3. Time magazine names a person of the year every year.  The tradition started back in 1927 with a 'man of the year' but has since changed to recognize not only an individual, but also to consider the impact of a group, movement, or idea that most influenced the year. The selection is not always someone or something good (think Hitler in 1938 and Stalin twice). 

This year they've named The AI Architects as their 'person of the year'. What say you? Is this a good choice, an obvious choice, a logical choice? Who do you think should have been named person of the year? le

I think it's a logical choice given how the use of AI has increased this year but I'm sure there were more worthy people.  I think  AI is a double edged sword.  Yes it can be useful for making some tasks easier but it's a dangerous tool in the wrong hands.

4. What's a city, state, or country you've visited that you never care to visit again? Tell us why. 

I'm not sure there's anywhere I wouldn't go again but given there are so many places we haven't visited we're unlikely to revisit any place.  Apart from Vermont of course!  That's definitely on the repeat list.

5. Next Sunday (December 21st) marks the first day of winter (or the opposite if you're living down under). What's one thing you love about this new season? 

The cold weather is a good excuse for snuggling up indoors and not doing very much lol.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm waiting for one item to be delivered and then I think I'm done with sorting out presents.  Now I just have to find make time to wrap them. 

Hope everyone's having a good week.  And if not hopefully this will make you smile:

Grandson Miles loved his Christmas Cracker clip on moustache so much he wore it for 36 hours (apart from when asleep) including a day at school.

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 😍)