Wednesday Hodgepodge

 Wednesday Hodgepodge - The Year of The Cabbage 

Me with Fred and Alberta, my two favorite Cabbage Patch dolls

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? 

I live above the Mason-Dixon line in south-central Pennsylvania and it's been bitterly cold and snowy.  We had about 10 inches of snow on Sunday and school went virtual on Monday and Tuesday and then a two-hour delay this morning.  I try to keep a positive attitude about it and I love that extra time at home but I also enjoy routine and warmth.  I'm a summer girl, always have been, so it's difficult ... but ... I ... am ... trying to find the good in this season.  

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 favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  

My mother always made corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day and there were times when she would make cabbage with other meals.  I also remember eating red cabbage.  I don't mind it at all.  My husband can't eat it but he doesn't like it, anyway.  I'm not sure my kids would like it.  Hence, why I do not cook cabbage.  

Oh, I do love coleslaw!

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? 

Oh, yes!  In fact, I think my dad was more obsessed with Cabbage Patch dolls than I was.  Every year for my birthday and Christmas he would buy me one or two.  During the year of the Cabbage Patch obsession when stores were sold out my dad took a ride to upstate New York at the factory, only to find out they did not sell directly there.  I loved my dolls.  I only have one now, and this one was my grandmother's.  Yes, my dad bought dolls for everyone including my grandma, although I can't remember what his name is.  I guess, before my grandmother passed away she gave it to my parents to hold for me.  During my pregnancy with my daughter, my mom handed it to me and I cried my eyes out.  My favorite was Fred (in my hand) and Alberta (the blonde haired one on the left) but my dad got rid of them all when we moved.  I would have loved to have kept them all for my own daughter.  

And here she is with five of her own (the one on the back right was my grandma's).  The one in the left and the one of the right in the yellow dress were given to her by my dad, of course.  

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

In the month of January when the weather is cold outside I spend most of my time inside.  I finished this awesome diamond art canvas my husband bought me, read a total of 4 books and working on the 5th, which kicks off my goal of 50 books for the year, walking/running at least 1 mile on the treadmill (though I've missed a day or two) and impatiently waiting for warm weather and bright sunshine.  

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

Surprisingly, January has moved very quickly and because of that I have not suffered through seasonal depression as in past years.  I have felt rested and determined to continuously find peace in my current season of life.  Finding enjoyment in the down time.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It's no secret that when we watch the news or jump on social media there's a lot being said about the things going on in Minnesota right now.  There's a lot of other issues that just seem to be too much for my brain to handle or want to involve myself in.  I've found that an occasional fast from Facebook is the best way for my mental health and I'm starting that today.  My husband would rather me get off Facebook completely.  I joined as a way of easily keeping in touch with family and friends.  Most of my family lives in New York and it's the easiest way to keep in touch.  I also got connected with friends from high school and it's awesome to see how much their lives have grown and changed since then.  I love when someone posts a Biblical quote or an inspirational message.  I love seeing pictures my nieces post of their children.  So much good can come out of it.  But lately, there haven't been many updates.  There haven't been pictures of cute little smiling faces.  It's been mostly posts from sites I don't even follow, AI generated images, propaganda, news stories and, if it is coming from an actual friend or family member, it's usually political.  I have very strong views, yes, but I would much rather log onto Facebook to see something good.  A little break from the chaotic normalcy in our world.  It's just too much.  Too much hate!  I inspire to make my blog centered around good things, though I've occasionally given my opinion a time or two, I just want this to be a place where people can escape the real life drama.  

Thank you for setting this one up, Joyce.  I enjoyed walking down memory lane with my dolls.  

Winter Storm Fern

 The winter storm we anticipated had arrived.  I'm hearing this storm's name is Fern.  Well Fern did do what they said she would do.  I believe we totaled about 10" where I live.  

I shared a picture of our backyard from the other day and this was what it looked like Sunday morning.

The snow fell for most of the day and then turning to sleet and then back to snow at night.  I shoveled while Rob used the snowblower but we'll have to go back out today since more snow has fallen since.  My least favorite part of snow is having to shovel it away.  

And the Siberian Husky has been spending time outside, then back inside for a nap, then outside again, and back and forth.  

We watched church online.  At first they couldn't get the sound to work and I could see how the enemy was trying to keep us from having church at all, but thankfully God is bigger, and the sound began and we were able to enjoy the service from the comfort of our couch.  The pastor shared a story of a girl from Nicaragua, who he had met during a recent missions trip.  This girl was being abused by her father.  After listening, I began thinking of some of my own issues I've been having.  It's been years of prayers and asking for direction but I believe my question of what I should do was answered by that sermon.  I love when that happens.  We watched the Sunday night service online, this time the pastor had closed church and recorded from his own house.  It was, again, a great message and had another one of my questions answered.  

My husband, who makes a great homemade pizza, prepared us each our own personal pizza.  He took a picture and texted it to me and I think was hinting that I should post it on my blog.  As my Italian ancestors would say, "Deliciouso!"    

Today, school is being done virtually and Rob is tucked away in our bedroom doing work from home.  I'm trying to keep the house quiet for them as I type this up and sip the last of my coffee.  But soon, I will work towards house cleaning and finishing up the shoveling outside.  I also have a dessert to make for everyone later.  A day off means a day I'm not getting paid but I do enjoy another day of being home.  

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire; it is the time for home." -- Edith Sitwell  

The Calm Before The Storm

 Right now my backyard looks like this.

But by Monday morning that ground will be around 8 - 14 inches deep in snow.  Well, that's what they are calling for.  Who knows what will really happen.  Starting on Saturday night and all day Sunday the snow is supposed to fall and there may be some sleet too.  Schools are preparing for a virtual day on Monday and I'm guessing it may be so for Tuesday too.  

Everyone keeps asking if I'm ready for the snow and my answer to that question has been - I'm ready for summer.  

Yesterday I did some much needed grocery shopping.  I would have gone regardless of the weather but it's crazy to see how many people are rushing to the store and emptying the shelves.  If we get the amounts they are calling for we'll be stuck for a few days but once the snow stops the plows will come through and do their jobs.  There's no need for the panic and commotion.  My only concern is the possibility of losing power.  That would not be good at all.  

This morning I went for my six month check up at the dermatologist.  It seems every visit I have a few more basal cell spots.  That's what Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome is all about.  He's concerned with some spots around the eye but will have me continue to monitor it until the next appointment in the summer and will remove them then.  I try to keep a positive attitude while going through this rare genetic disorder but deep down inside it's tough.  I try not to admit my true feelings.  Looking in the mirror and seeing more and more skin cancer spots and several scars from previous surgeries is enough to bring anyone down but I remain thankful that it is not terminal.  Just ugly.  

Anyway, after the appointment I went across the street to Maple Donuts.  A local family favorite.  I purchased six donuts to get us through the storm.  Not the healthiest choice but a good treat every once in awhile ain't so bad.  I'll only have one and will save it for Sunday morning when I'm more than sure we'll be watching church online.  

It looks like a big chunk of the country will be experiencing this upcoming storm with either heavy wind, snow or ice.  If that's you I pray that you remain safe and warm.  Don't travel unless absolutely necessary.  

I'll be out there shoveling often but also plan on enjoying as much time as I can inside a warm house and pray that the power does not go out.  If that's the case, we have plenty of blankets and flashlights.  

Stay safe!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Greetings everyone!  I'm on a roll with keeping up with these Wednesday Hodgepodge questions brought to us by Joyce.  Here's another round of wintry questions for mid January.  Can you believe we are almost through January already?  The month is speeding by quickly and I'm okay with that.  Okay, here we go.  Thankfully she adds these questions in the beginning of the week so I have some time to think.  

SKIING INTO THE HODGEPODGE - mid January edition

 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? 

I've tried ice skating a few times and was on my butt more than my feet.  I don't know why I just couldn't get the hang of it.  I used to enjoy sledding as a kid but haven't done so in many years.  Playing in the snow most certainly is a favorite past time, as a child myself and also when my kids were little.  So far this year I've done nothing aside from a little driveway shoveling and scraping ice off of the car whenever we have snow.  I'm sure my kids would enjoy doing something but I am just not a be outside in the winter type of person.  Snuggling up on the couch under a blanket reading a book while the fireplace is on is my type of winter activity.  

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. 

Summertime 2016 when we visited a zoo in Maryland.  This bird looks just like a parakeet we used to have named Sprite. 

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

The current way of life where people will hear something said on mainstream media or read something on social media and take it as facts instead of doing their own research and thinking, which ends up causing a lot of unnecessary chaos in the country right now.  

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 do like granola bars.  Peanut butter or chocolate chip are my top two choices.  I've never made homemade granola bars but it's on my list of things to try.   I've also enjoyed putting granola in yogurt or granola cereal.  

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. 

This is a great question.  To say it literally, life right now feels like a frozen lake because of how cold it's been and there's a blizzard in the forecast for my area this weekend.  Although, if we're speaking hypothetically I'd say my life can sometimes feel like a raging river but I try very hard to focus on the trickling stream.  For example, there's so much going on around me that has me instantly feeling the need to be angry but then I take a deep breath, pray to the Lord for guidance and then become someone who can slowly control the flow of my emotions.  I'm trying, at least.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here in south-central Pennsylvania and other parts of the country are forecasted to recieve a large amount of snowfall this weekend.  I'm getting a mix of information in regarding how much.  I've heard anywhere from a few inches to 2-feet.  Time will tell.  Tomorrow is pay day for both my husband and I so a trip to the grocery store is needed.  No, I'm not one of those that has to rush to buy bread, milk and eggs whenever a snow storm is upon us, but we are really in desperate need of food no matter the weather.  I'm going to keep a positive attitude through the storm but will certainly be dreaming about the warmer seasons to come.