A Noisy Hodgepodge

 Joining in with Joyce for her Wednesday Hodgepodge questions.  Let's go!

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? 

Never for the 4th of July but I have visited New York, DC, Philly, Virginia and South Carolina.  I used to live on Long Island, that counts as New York, right?  I'd pick DC as a place to see fireworks since that is our capital but that doesn't seem to be in our plans.  I have never been to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore but I do believe that would be an incredible site to see.  What would I recommend for anyone outside of the country?  New York, for sure, although that's a city that doesn't seem very safe anymore, sadly.

2. Three sounds you love to hear? 

Laughter from my children, birds chirping, worship music.  

3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

Screeching, nails on a chalkboard type stuff, negativity.

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? 

Yes I am a fan of tortilla chips and I prefer them with salsa and also my husband's buffalo chicken dip.  I do like nachos but I do no like the cheese that comes with it.  Sometimes I will add tortilla chips to my taco salad.  

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

Spring.  Yes, that's right.  March 20th!!!  Looking forward to turning the chapter to a new season.  March also means track season and I can't wait to watch my son in his last season with the high school and my daughter's first.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last night my son and I went to Hershey to see Elevation Worship and it was amazing.  If you like a modern style of worship music I recommend music by Elevation.  It was a great night but not getting home and to bed until midnight showed me that I am too old to be out that late.  I was grateful for this quality time with my boy.  

Having Another Snow Day

 

Rob took this picture on his way to work and sent it to me.  As soon as the snow from the last storm melted another one came and blanketed the ground.  The kids are in their room doing their school work virtually today and that means I don't have work.  

25 days until spring!

The snow is still lightly falling and the sun is shining.  My family who lives on Long Island got hit really hard, with about 12 inches and more expected.  Yikes!  

I made the family some bacon and pancakes for breakfast.  I enjoyed having the time to be able to do that.  The mornings usually feel rushed.  To be able to take the time and do something special for my family and then take some time with a cup of coffee and my devotions helped set the tone for my mood.  There's a lot of housework to be done and some shoveling to do outside but I'm handling it with patience and giving myself grace.  It will all get done.  

Indoor Herbs

 First, I wanted to thank you wonderful ladies who left comments in my last post.  When I found out someone was spreading some pretty awful lies about my son I had to make sure it stopped immediately, and it seemed to have.  All thanks to the district for stepping in quickly.  My son seems to be better now.  These high school years are such a challenge.  

In other news, I wanted to share one of my new projects.  I decided to start an indoor herb garden.  Right now I only have basil, oregano and mint and if I'm successful with this I may add some more.  

I decided to place these on a shelf we have in the corner of the dining room. Unfortunately the back door doesn't bring in too much sunlight so my awesome husband hung up one of those plant lights underneath a shelf where our beloved cockatiel's cage used to sit.  I'd like to add a plant or two there but for now I have kept a basket with some of our bird's belongings and artwork my daughter drew for him and also a painting she made of the sunset (or sunrise, I'm not sure).  

And I hung this diamond art picture I recently finished with a bunch of birds.  I love diamond art.  If you are a crafty kind of person who has a bit of patience I recommend trying diamond art.  It's fun and relaxing.

And here's her little painting on a canvas.  

I'll continue giving an update on the progress of the herbs.  I am not much of a green thumb like my father and grandfather were but I am trying.  Since it's not time to get that outdoor garden started this is going to keep me occupied.  If you have any advice I'd love to hear it.  

A Tuesday Update

 There was no update from me last week on the blog.  I was busy and I was also mentally exhausted.  It's been rough.  

It's been rough because there are certain things going on at school and my son has been personally affected by it and that is something we are in the midst of handling right now.  I won't go into specifics but this situation has left me feeling so hurt, fearful, and frustrated.  I told him that I believe the Lord is allowing him to go through this to prepare him for whatever is to come.  He's going to school for ministry and that is a position met with a lot of adversity.  Even though I often question if sending my kids to public school was the correct decision I can see how the things that have been happening to them, as rough as it can be, is definitely preparing them for life.  Even so, I'm still stuck with that regret.  I wish I would have chosen better for them but the one thing I am learning is the importance of not being focused on the could've/should've/would've.  This is God's plan, not mine.  

On a positive note, I can see how the buds of the trees are trying to make their appearance and that is a good sign that spring is on its way.  

How many of us could use some spring right now?

With the warmer temperatures and the rain we got this weekend the snow is FINALLY beginning to melt.  I can see grass!  I never thought I'd be excited over grass but here I am.  

The weekend was a nice break from the reality of what has been happening.  The kids had a 4 day weekend because of a teacher in-service on Friday and President's Day on Monday.  Friday night the church hosted a Valentines Day dinner for couples so we went.  I was reluctant to go but it was a nice evening, I'll admit.  Saturday was Valentine's Day but we went out of town for the day.  We visited my son's future college.  My husband and son had been there quite a few times but this was the first time his sister and I were able to take a tour.  It's a small private college and I could definitely feel the presence of the Lord there.  Everyone we met is super sweet and I know he's going to fit right in.  As much as I don't want to rush time, I cannot wait until he can be done with PUBLIC school and onto something that will be so much more fulfilling for him.  We also walked around the town.

When we made it home in the evening my husband ordered a pizza.  A simple, quick meal because none of us had the time or energy to cook.

And we exchanged gifts.  I didn't take pictures of the kids or husband with theirs but I did take a picture of all the things Rob bought me.  So cute!  Can you see a theme here?  

Since there was no time on Saturday I prepared a heart-shaped cake on Sunday.  Chocolate cake with strawberry icing.  I have yet to have a piece, trying to be healthy.  On Monday I made chocolate covered strawberries, requested by my daughter.  My apologies, I lack the ability to remember to take pictures of everything.  

On Monday, as much as I wanted to spend the day resting at home, I decided to take the kids to an old fashioned arcade.  The arcade fills with games from the past and I had my own fun with Space Invaders, Pacman and one wall that was filled with several different pinball machines.  We walked over to an old fashioned candy store, as well.  As tired as I was, it was needed.  

Now today is Tuesday, the first day back to school for the week and my first day back driving my van students to school.  The air was foggy and warm.  Today is also Fat Tuesday but here in this part of Pennsylvania it's known as Fastnacht Day.  

A Fastnacht is a donut-like cake that has been created in Germany and currently is celebrated among the Pennsylvania Dutch.  The intention was to get as much fat and certain other ingredients out of the house before Lent.  This may be the only PA Dutch thing I celebrate because, well, it's a donut.  Ha!  

I don't even celebrate Lent.  I'm not even sure anyone in my Catholic family has ever followed on that tradition.  But I'll most certainly take that donut!

Even though life can feel so frustrating and uncertain at the moment, I intend to focus on the little things that bring joy.