Hodgepodge Accomplishments!

1. What makes you feel accomplished? Explain.

Finishing whatever I started. No matter how big or how small the size of the job. Cooking, making bread, planting flowers, handling the finances these days, keeping up with maintenance of the house or our cars. Each day I feel accomplished if I have actually accomplished something. Now, as far as being accomplished at a particular thing, I can't play a musical instrument, nor do I sew, crochet, etc. I felt accomplished in my job when I worked full time.

2. If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? Tell us why.

My pastor's wife, Geni. Because of the size of our church and the demands on her both as pastor's wife and children's pastor, there isn't time to just sit down and visit and get to know her. Everything about her exudes such love, enthusiasm, encouragement, innocence and fun. She is almost too good to be true.
Corrie ten Boom - another of my heroes.
Our president's daughter, Ivanka. I would want to know how she maintains her calm composure in spite of all the ugliness and criticism of her and her family. It has to be extremely painful.

3. Do you have a great burger recipe? Not really.

What's in it? When I do make burgers, the seasoning is simple. A little salt, pepper, Montreal steak season, a little seasoned salt, garlic.
What do you like on a hamburger and where is your favorite spot to order one out?

Lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, mustard. JC Burgers a local burger chain which began as a hole in the wall burger place in Plano, Texas. The owner was a neighbor of ours for years!

Need I say more?

4. What's the biggest anxiety producing thing you do on a regular basis?

These days it might be leaving home for more than a weekend. Or handling the finances on my own, keeping up with maintenance of the house and our cars or whatever else pops up. Maybe trying to plan a family vacation produces a lot of anxiety. See random question.

5. This is the last Hodgepodge of May. Tell us about your summer plans.

Nothing planned so far except to go boating with our son's family, take the kids swimming, have company, hang out with friends, maybe take a weekend trip or two, work on a Bible study.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I really need to plan a family vacation, but every idea I can think of is either too far, too expensive, or has now been booked up. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Leftovers!

From this past week!

Isn't it always a happy day when you get to spend time with people you love? On our way up to Branson, we stopped in Tulsa to stay with my sister. She cooked a delicious meal for us and both my nieces were there, as well as my brother and his wife. Roberta took a couple of pics and since I neglected to take one of her, I am including here a pic of my sister with her husband, Don.

It was a nice visit around the table after dinner

with some good laughs.

Robyn and Jacque

(Jacque would not show her face that day.)

And therefore, I am including a family photo of them all together.

Phil and Susan

Outside the Osage Restaurant at Big Cedar Lodge

On the trail.

I love the way flowers can grow in the strangest locations - among weeds, out of rocks, through cracks in concrete. Thousands (millions?) of flowers grow in the most remote places all around the world. These delicate little flowers growing in the wild or hard places remind me of the untold number of people who go unnoticed every day as they humbly serve bringing pleasure to God as He takes notice of their beauty.

The Taneycomo River

This is a sinkhole! Is it not amazing?

You can read about it here.

I never imagined such things in a sinkhole.

Inside the museum.

You can see how he's rocking that raincoat of mine!

This is in front of the Sight and Sound Theater where we saw the

production of Moses! It was a very good production although they

did take some liberties with the story of Moses. I was relieved to see that

by the end of the performance, the truth of the message did come out.

If the right one don't get you,

Then the left one will.

You load 16 pounds

What do you get?

Another day older ...
And wider still yet!!!!

Breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

Coming back home, we stopped again in Tulsa to stay with my brother and Susan. Now she knows how to grow a flower or two.

Smoke gets in your eyes when my brother grills up a steak on a windy day!

They treated us to a delicious dinner, and one of the vegetables Susan served was sooooo yummy, I am sharing the recipe here. Roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon and sliced apples.

The morning we left Tulsa, Susan's little ensemble had a practice for their gig later in the day. It's fun to watch and listen to them prepare for their concerts for the elderly and infirm. I think they are such a blessing!

When we came home, I felt like a vegetable - a couch potato almost all afternoon. Some chores HAD to be done and the next morning to be ready for this little guy to come stay with us. We went to see the movie Boss Baby, played at the park, had watermelon, went shopping for new Legos, and watched TV. He's really good with the Legos and insisted he could put together the 7-14 set. By George, he did it, too. (I did help just a little by separating and finding pieces for him.

I had to run an errand that had been neglected while we were gone, but neither of these two wanted to leave the house. The two of them left home alone TOGETHER can sometimes be risky because they have a tendency to play too hard and almost always somebody gets their feelings hurt. So I made each one of them "pinkie promise" they would be very good while I was gone. This is the scene I found upon my arrival back home. They kept their promise.

In last week's Hodgepodge questions, Joyce informed us it was National Motorcycle Week. Most everyone in their answers were agreed on the dangers of motorcycles. Upon my return home last Friday I was shocked to learn that my cousin's son was killed instantly when his motorcycle left the curve on the road and ran under a tractor that was mowing alongside the roadway. He and his Dad were riding together when it happened. Northwest Arkansas highways are full of dangerous curves and hills and two other cousins of mine were killed in car accidents there in the past. I am so very sad for my cousin, Lonnie who said,

"I lost my only son Tuesday, May 16. I was with my son while he died in my arms. I loved him as the good son he was, enjoyed him being the close friend he was, and I miss my son like nothing I've ever experienced. ... I wasn't done with him yet. I do have peace in the fact that Shawn is with Jesus now. He beat me there."

Memorial Day 2017

My Dad served in WWII.

His brother-in-law didn't make it back from WWII.

I will never forget my Dad saying that he knew

when Henry left for overseas that he would not return.

Henry left behind a widow and two sons, my cousins.

How thankful I am my Dad made it home.

Most all of my uncles have served in the military and now two of my nephews.

I pray their service will not be in vain.

WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Korean Memorial

Replica of Viet Nam Wall

and tribute to our military who served in the Middle East

Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever

Joining up with Sam for Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever.

Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever by The Muppets
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. Though our song choice is humorous, we honor their sacrifice in our hearts.

1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. War memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood? No.

2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our 45 Presidents? 

No. Does it count that our son got to shake President George W. Bush's hand when he came to visit following 911?

Our son is the tall one!

3) According to the AAA, 36 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend? No.

4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

Fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans.

5) Have you packed away your winter clothes? Kind of.

Or is the weather still so changeable that you still may need something warm?

My closet is big and I just switch things around and cover the winter clothes with plastic. Right now, all that is needed for cool weather is a light jacket and, most likely, that won't be needed after this week. As I write this, it is 97 degrees! No jacket needed today!!

6) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? AC is on.

7) This week, we are featuring the Muppets. Jim Henson made the first Muppet out of an old coat, and he used ping pong balls for the eyes. Do you have a talent for do-it-yourself/arts and crafts projects? No.

8) Random question: Think of the last thing you bought. Did you get a good deal?

The last thing I purchased was a pair of shoes at DSW. As the cashier rang up the shoes, she said Happy Birthday! When she said that, I was reminded that a $5 coupon was on my kitchen counter at home. Oh no! She asked if I had an email from them on my phone and I did, so I think it was a fair deal.

9) Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer? You'll begin seeing your suggestions as Saturday 9 themes in mid-June. Thanks! Anything from the 50's or 60's. Most of the featured songs here I have never heard. Maybe some Motown singers, or the Beach Boys. 

Friday Foto Friends

Friday Foto Friends!

I am sharing a few pictures from our trip to Branson, Missouri this past few days. It was a nice trip, but we are both happy, happy to be back home again. Branson is a beautiful place, but I wish it were closer.

A nice gentleman took our pic.

Our first night there was Monday and we went to the Top of the Rock at the Big Cedar Lodge for dinner in the Osage Restaurant. Oh my goodness, the dinner was delicious, as was the view. It was very cool this week, so we did eat inside, but the host seated us at a table by the window.

This is an amazing resort and, if we ever go back to Branson, Big Cedar Lodge will be our destination for sure. When we booked this trip back in the fall last year, we were going to have to stay somewhere that would accommodate our Trudy. Over the past few months, it was necessary to postpone the trip several times due to DH's health and then when we were finally able to go, Trudy was no longer a consideration. Oh well, the place where we stayed was nice enough for two nights and so I am not complaining at all.

On the porch at the condo where we stayed.

And the sunrise next morning.

Early Tuesday morning, we returned to the Top of the Rock to take the golf cart tour through the nature trail. It was fun and so many beautiful things to see.

In the golf cart.

As I mentioned, it was very cool there. Since I'm the one who had the forethought to bring both a hoodie AND a raincoat, DH got to wear my raincoat for warmth! (He also forgot to take a belt so he constantly had to use both hands to keep his pants from falling down.)

Flowers along the way.

Not Born to be Wild Hodgepodge

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. 

1. What color is prominent in your home? Mostly earth tones, ecru, sage, light brown. 

Are you glad about that or wishing you could cover it up or remove it?

I would like to repaint and put down new carpet because it's time, but overall, I am comfortable with the colors. Our house is homey. 

2. What's something you'll NEVER do again? 

Travel outside North America. We've traveled to most every place I wanted to see except for Ireland and Scotland. I still would like to go there, however, because of my DH's health issues, I don't see long distance air travel in our future.

3. Tell us a couple of ways you fit the stereotypes associated with your gender, and a couple of ways you don't.

Hmmmm. I enjoy being a woman and have never wished I had been a guy. I always wanted to be married and have a family. I didn't plan on a career, but when children didn't happen, I ended up working out of necessity both for income and the need to be occupied for 45 years of my life. I am particular about my looks, but not overly concerned to the point of being obsessive. I like to be well groomed, but don't indulge in regular mani-pedis or days at the spa. I like to participate in sports, but am not a fan of spectator sports, such as football. I do like to watch a good baseball game. I like to cook and bake. I like new clothes, but I don't like to shop. I don't like silly romance books or movies, but I sure do love a great love story. 

4. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. 

Have you ever owned a motorcycle? Yes. Three. 

Ever ridden a motorcycle? Yes, many times. 

If the opportunity presented itself would you hop on a motorcycle and go for a ride? No. 

I have many stories about motorcycles, took the motorcycle course twice, passing both times. I went on a weekend charity ride with my DH from Dallas to Jefferson, Texas. We have had three different motorcycles, including a Harley with a side car, which my DH thought I would enjoy riding in. LOL! I'm glad our motorcycle riding days are over and wish I could convince him to sell the one we have.

5. If someone wanted to understand you, what should they read, watch, and listen to?

This is an interesting question and I will enjoy reading the answers of others. Not sure if I am to share the type books I read, what shows I watch or the music I listen to. I read good books, fiction and non, I like biographies, I like to watch good shows that have depth and are decent, and I love to listen to wise people who speak encouraging, uplifting and truthful words. I love books like the Mitford series and Francine Rivers Redeeming Love. Last year we watched a movie called Greater, the true and incredible story of a former Arkansas Razorback football player. Listening to praise and worship music, gospel, bluegrass, or 50's and 60's music lifts my spirits. 

I think I might have to say that since Jesus is the center of my life and most important to me, I would say read the Bible, beginning with the Gospel of John, watch The Case for Christ, and listen to someone like Billy Graham to hear the gospel so that Jesus can be center of your life, too.  You'll find the Bible is filled with stories of imperfect people of who failed many times, but were forgiven, find out how to be born again, and live your life in relationship with Him. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are in Branson, Missouri right now taking a very short little vacation. I am never able to post photos from my iPad. Wish I could because it sure is pretty here. We are going to go see the Sight and Sound production of Moses this afternoon. 

Friday Foto Friends

Linking up with Deb at Breathing in Grace for Friday Foto Friends. Here it is Friday and my photo offerings today are from the past and hopefully some will be in my future! Since we had to pull out by the roots our humongus rose bushes, I am now trying to figure out what to plant. It is a large space out in the full sun, so it's going to have to be something hardy ... Texas heat hardy.

Wishful thinking!

Above pics from a park we visited in Brooklyn, New York

Reality!

I will plant plenty of the grasses. They are mesmerizing to watch as the wind blows them so gracefully. The wind is ALWAYS blowing here and some days it's just crazy wind that wants to knock you over. When you're driving on the freeway, you have to have a good grip!

abelia

autumn sage

Obsession Nandina

Vitex

I think the above plants, pics of which I have taken from the Internet will provide nice color, good coverage, and less trouble than anything else. That is my hope anyway!

Another windy, humid day out today.