Wednesday, July 11, 2018

A Nostalgic Hodgepodge

 Hello Hodgepodgers!

I certainly hope that you all had a fabulous Fourth of July weekend!
Our trip to Tennessee was great and by traveling at night, we had no traffic to speak of.
The weather was sweltering, as it was here, but on Saturday it cooled down and was just perfect...
...perfect for baking Adam's birthday pie (black raspberry, of course) and sitting on the back porch.
And just for fun, we thought we'd try out our future temporary home.

 
Adam had cranked up the A/C the day before we arrived and got it all cooled down for us.
 Parker slept in the bunkhouse room but Olivia chickened out at the last minute,
 being the creature of habit that she is...nothing like her own bed!
It was a little claustrophobic and the mattress needs a good topper which we will remedy later.
I imagine we'll get used to it when the time comes.😏



Something is always blooming in the meadow where we'll be building the house.



My favorites are the passion flowers...what a stunning and unique bloom.


They actually grow an edible fruit on their vine and you can bet I'll be doing more research on them.
I hope to be able to transplant some up close to the house one day.


And here are Ruby Slipper Hydrangeas that Adam planted a couple of years ago.
Aren't they gorgeous?

I think I need to get him to plant me some when we get settled. 😉
~
So who's ready for some Hodgepodge?



Joyce asks us the questions on her blog and we link up and answer them on ours.
Won't you join in the fun?
~
1. What's something in your house you'd like to get rid of but can't?

This one's easy...but it's not because I can't get rid of it...it's because I refuse to go to the bother, the mess and the expense.  After 26+ years, there are many fond remembrances about many things and people relating to our home here in NC... but those hideous popcorn ceilings that we have throughout our 80s-built home will definitely not be one of them! Never again!

2. When is the last time you experienced a sense of nostalgia? Elaborate.

It seems the older I get, the more I experience a sense of nostalgia...like almost every day. You all probably know me well enough to know that already. It doesn't take much to send my mind trailing back to years gone by...just a random word or object might do it at any given moment. Currently though, I am in the midst of trying to come up with something to say about my brother, Jerry for his retirement party in a couple of weeks as he prepares for his last Sunday of leading worship at the church where he has been on staff for 40 years. Although I have been away from Ohio for nearly that long, it has been a blessing to have been a part of quite a few of those services over the years and singing together as a family. It gives me great pleasure to hang on to those memories. And speaking of looking back...

I took this photo on the road to Tennessee last week. The morning sunrise in the mountains was just glorious as it reflected in my rear-view mirror and I had to capture the moment. Looking back can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. I like to think that just like this image, what's behind you, when applied correctly, can be what makes you who you are today. Hmmm...that reminds me of this post that I wrote a few years back...I wondered why it sounded strangely familiar.

3. You're only allowed three apps on your smart phone or tablet...which three do you keep?

As one who has only had her smart phone for a little over two years, let me just say how quickly one learns to get used to having all of this info at your fingertips. I probably don't have as many apps on my phone as many of you hardened smart phone users do but if I had to narrow it down to three, I would most likely keep Google (because if you keep it, the whole world is at your beck and call and also because Siri is sometimes...well...an idiot), Facebook so I could stay in touch with my peeps and Wellsmith, which is the app for my healthcare maintenance through my employer.... BUT...if I could just pretty please keep one more app, I really don't want to part with my Waterlogue app....please...can I keep it??

4. July 11th is National Blueberry Muffin Day. Who knew? Do you like blueberry muffins? If you were going to have a muffin would blueberry be your choice? What's the last thing you baked?

I did not know this but it doesn't surprise me...simply because every day is something day, right? And if I were to have my choice of muffin, blueberry might just be my top pick. The last thing I baked was over the weekend when we were in Tennessee celebrating Adam's birthday and it was a black raspberry pie. Ironically, the week before, I had baked some blueberry-cornbread muffins. Have you ever added blueberries to your cornbread/muffins? Oh my, they sure were tasty!

5. What's the biggest way you've changed since you were a child? In what way are you still the same?

It would probably have to be the way that I see and understand who God is. As a girl growing up, I saw God as a stern authoritarian, shaking His finger at me when I had done something wrong. I didn't picture him smiling or showing love and mercy. It wasn't until much later in life when I realized that a relationship was needed to be able to understand who He truly is. I thank Him for His patience with me! Being the youngest out of eight children, it hasn't been easy to shake that "baby of the family" role...and it still continues to a point today. There is a part of me that will never grow up, I'm pretty sure and I'm okay with that. I can only do so much to keep my body from aging but I hope to allow that little girl living inside me to keep on playing Hopscotch and Red Rover as long as she can, even if it is only in my mind.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

And since we're talking about time...


Have a great week, what's left of it!

25 comments:

  1. What a thoughtful answer to #5. I really enjoyed your thoughts. Thank you for sharing the photos of your 4th of July trip. Just beautiful! For that scenery I think I could adjust to any sleeping conditions!
    Have a blessed day!

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  2. The photos are amazing as usual! Just a gorgeous shot reflected in that mirror, Debby. What glorious skies! And I'm thinking a black raspberry pie sounds wonderful. We have blackcaps that should be getting ripe pretty soon. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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  3. The morning sunrise pic is beautiful. Having a grandchildren keeps me being a little child.
    Love your answer to #5.

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  4. Oh, my, my, my! That clock, though clever, gives me the shivers!

    Love the answer you gave about the way you have changed/stayed the same.

    Blessings~

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  5. Your photos as always are beautiful. Love the flowers and the sunset and what a cool bunkhouse! You are very blessed to be building a new home in such a lovely location. I don't want to go to all that trouble either with the ceilings. I am like you in the answers about nostalgia - I love visiting the past. And also the way we look at God has changed. I remember as a very small girl trying to keep track of my sins as I knew God was keeping track. Sad, huh?

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  6. I'm going to have to go check out waterlogue. I'm not familiar with that one. I love catching a beautiful sunrise! Enjoy your day!

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  7. I may have to check out Waterlogue too ... I have seen its effects on Instagram and blogs and I do like what it can do. Loved all your photos (especially the passion flower and the rearview mirror one) and your answers today. My "how I've changed" is a bit like yours, and I'm definitely with you on the nostalgia question. It's an everyday occurrence, in part because of my current task of clearing out my childhood home.

    And yes, time does fly ... but that clock is just weird. At first I thought the flies might be ticks ... ugh!

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  8. I enjoyed reading --- and it's fun to watch you follow your dream little by little. So what did you use for your header photo? Beautiful!

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  9. Great answers!!! Those passion flowers are so astounding!!! God does such beautiful work, does he not? LOVE time flies - and it truly does!!! Annster's Domain

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  10. Enjoyed your post today, Debby, especially the nostalgic musings.

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  11. Awe, loved looking at all the beautiful pictures. I am sure your youngin loved his pie too. I know that you enjoyed your family time too. Nothing like spending time with those we love the most. Enjoyed your answers. I will see what I might can answer today.
    What's something in your house you'd like to get rid of but can't?
    Well I must say that I laughed at your answer. I too still have the popcorn ceilings. GIRL! However, for me...it has not been my priority to re-do my ceilings and it is what it is. BUT, If I had to pick one thing it would be my back door. Reason: I have always wanted french doors there and when we built many moons ago we done what we could afford in hopes to one day do away with door and replace with french doors that led out onto a patio or something. It has never happened. One day...one day...one day....

    2. When is the last time you experienced a sense of nostalgia? Elaborate.
    I wish I could hear you speak at your brothers retirement party! For me, things hit me all of a sudden. Like one day out of the clear blue Marty and I are sitting there drinking coffee and he leans over me to pick up something and I got a whiff of coffee on his breath. It instantly reminded me of my papa. Each morning he would shave and then come sit down for breakfast and drink his coffee with me in his lap and he smelled so good but I can remember to this day that coffee smell that I loved so. CRAZY I know...And like you the older I get the more this happens.

    3. You're only allowed three apps on your smart phone or tablet...which three do you keep?
    Well I don't have a bunch of fancy apps by any means. Dang, I am still learning how to do things on my phone and I am quite sure I need to update. But google would stay for sure. My grandbabies tell me all the time, "Nana, you can google anything!. Facebook...I gotta keep up with friends, family, and even church related things as our church has a FB page with updates and happenings. I would keep the camera app for sure so I can snap a picture. Is that an app or did it come with phone? LOL! SEE WHAT I MEAN? Long as I can text with my girls...I am good to go!

    4. July 11th is National Blueberry Muffin Day. Who knew? Do you like blueberry muffins? If you were going to have a muffin would blueberry be your choice? What's the last thing you baked?
    Well no I did not know it was blueberry day! LOL! My bunch loves for me to make blueberry cobbler and muffins. In all honesty...I am not much for cooked fruit. Never have been but I sure will make it for my family. Yesterday me and the 7 year old grandgirl made Cookie Dough Brownie Cupcakes with chocolate chips and yes, I had one of those with a glass of milk. LOL!

    5. What's the biggest way you've changed since you were a child? In what way are you still the same?
    OOH...this one could be complicated a tad so I will try to shorten this without spilling my life. The biggest way I have changed as a child was truly realizing my self worth comes from no one but Christ. Plain and simple. One of the ways I am the same is my "I am a dreamer with an imagination". And I think it goes back to other things from child hood. Dreaming and imagination helped to deal with fear at times. But, as an adult it has served me well. We should always dream. And imagination is good for the soul. Like right now....I am imagining that one day you and I will meet my friend face to face.
    6. Insert your own random thought here.
    I am dreaming of a day at the beach with book in hand and my imagination is telling me I am going to pretend like I am in Hawaii. LOL!
    Love you my friend.
    Hugs and blessings, Cindy


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  12. Your pictures at the top of this post - they are stunning! What kind of camera and what setting did you use for them? I seriously had to pick my jaw up from my computer. <3

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  13. The passion flower is pretty and unusual. It looks like it is some kind of underwater animal.

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  14. I always love to look at your photos, and that one of the sunrise in your side mirror is a stunner! I'm happy for you guys and your plans for your move and building your home.

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  15. Always enjoy your HP answers and especially #5. I can't imagine blueberry cornbread muffins but I do love regular blueberry muffins for sure. Happy rest of the week Debby!

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  16. I seriously always sigh when you mention black raspberry pie, Debby!!! How I would love a slice...oh my. Blackberries are good, but just not the same as black raspberries, which I haven't had in years. The flowers are gorgeous and I'm sure you're imagining all the beauty that you will have before too long. I'm glad you could try out your new soon-to-be home.

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  17. Oh, those beautiful flowers! And the setting where you will live is just breathtaking! I loved seeing the picture from your rearview mirror and the thoughts you shared about looking back. I can so relate to how you viewed God as a child and how your views have changed. Mine are still changing, too...if we only knew how He really is, we could relieve ourselves from so much worry and anxiety. I am so thankful for His patience, too. I so enjoyed visiting with you today, sweet friend. So thankful all is well in your world.

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  18. It was fun to see your future (hopefully brief) home. Pretty country there! You will come up with a wonderful way to honor your brother’s service and retirement.

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  19. I love your clock! It made me laugh! Living here in New Hampshire, where the flies and mosquitoes rule, I can appreciate it. In the summer my Perfume is "Au De La OFF"! LOL

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  20. Yes you must add some Hydrangeas to your meadow. Isn't it wonderful we can always be young in our minds, even if our bodies defy our efforts. The photo you captured in your rear view mirror is amazing!

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  21. Oh, Debby, your new home will be a photographer's dream! Looking forward to you continuing to share your beautiful pictures with us. That sunrise is beautiful! And black raspberry pie sounds delicious. I totally get your answer to #5. It has taken me a long time to stop seeing God as disappointed and angry with me. I'm thankful that has changed for both of us. xo Deborah

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  22. Gosh I can't imagine building a new home, sounds like a dream come true. I love my old house built in 1964
    What could I get rid of if I moved? this got me to thinking LOL I have declutterd a lot

    Love those pictures of the flowers and I'm sure you will have lots more to show us.
    pie !!! OH MY How I would love a piece or two

    it's been in triple digits in Missouri also, we are living in a heat wave for sure

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  23. I'm able to comment today, yaaaay, but don't know how long it will last, so I will take advantage of it today haha. This passion flower is extraordinary, and I've never seen it around here. I noticed that you were the youngest of eight. I am the youngest of five, so I can relate to that. It was interesting to see the traits of the youngest child when reading about it recently. We stand up for people who are being mistreated, we defend, and Yes, we are the "baby" of the family, but in many ways not, am I right?

    I hope you are staying cool in these hot Summer days, Debby.

    ~Sheri

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  24. All those flowers are exquisite in detail.God goes to such great lengths to create beauty for us to enjoy.

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  25. So glad you had such a nice visit with your son and grands! It's messy, but you can remove those popcorn ceilings. We did that in all the rooms of our last home...previous owner had been a very heavy smoker and that was just sucked in to those popcorn ceilings. Like I said, messy....think lots of plastic sheeting, a garden hose with sprayer, and wide flat scrapers!

    Hugs,
    Carol

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.

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