Hodgepodge ~ 9/20/17

  

 

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

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1. What's something you'd rate a 10/10? Tell us why.

My hubby.  He's the best :)

2. What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?

Working at an Animal Shelter.  I would want to bring them all home!


3. When did you last take a fall? What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?

A few weeks ago, I feel up the steps on my brother's back porch.  The toe of my flip flop caught and down (or up) I went.  These days I'm falling for Fall weather!

4. According to the Travel Channel here are some of America's best fall festivals-

National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM)

Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed? Which one appeals to you most? Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend?

I have not been to any of the festivals listed but the one near Gettysburg wouldn't be too terribly far for me to travel to.

My hometown's "fall celebration" would be our Homecoming and I go every year.  This year, Kaylee is running for Homecoming Queen.  I'll keep you posted :)


5. What is your goodbye message to summer?


It has been great!  See you next year!


6. Insert your own random thought here.

Come check out my Fall Goals HERE.

 

I'd love to return the visit!  Please leave a comment and a link!

Teaser Tuesday ~ The Outlaw Takes a Bride ~ 9/19/17

My teaser for this week is from:

 

Early May 1885, Colorado Plains

Johnny Paynter slung his saddle over his chestnut gelding's back.  He and Reckless would work alone today, repairing the ranch's roundup pen.  Johnny didn't mind being up here at the line shack all alone--it was better than fighting for elbow room in the bunkhouse.  Especially when he was on the foreman's bad side.  Still, he couldn't help remembering that today should have been his day off.

Frantic hoofbeats pounded in the distance.  Johnny dropped the girth ring and walked around his horse to stare down the trail.  His friend Cam Combes was riding hard.

 

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

Fall Goals ~ 2017

Whether we like it or not, Fall is upon us!

Personally, I love Fall!  I love each new season as it comes along.  I don't know if I could live where the seasons aren't remarkably different.

I feel like I get a new start with each new season, but especially Fall.  (Maybe because I'm a nerdy, school-girl at heart :)

I've seen a few people write a blog post regarding Fall Goals, so I thought "Why not?" 

So here's mine:

Spiritual:
~Start each day with prayer
~Strive to have an attitude of gratitude
~Finish "Prepared:  Discovering What God Has Prepared for You" Ladies Bible Study

Family:
~Take a Family Walk
~Have a Fall Family Movie Night complete with popcorn, Twizzlers and M&M's

Physical:
~Lose 1 lb per week for a total of 13 lbs
~Track my food daily:  the good, the bad and the ugly
~Walk 5-6 days a week to get my 35 FitPoints per week
~Continue my "Saturday Weigh-In"

Financial:
~Complete Financial Aid paperwork for Kaylee's College
~Finish expenditures for the Addition
~Create and stick to a Christmas Gift Budget

Reading:
~Complete 1.5 books per week
~Get caught up on Goodreads Challenge (7 behind)
~Only read Inspirational/Christian books

Misc.
~Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family
~Finish building and move into the Addition
~Finish Christmas Shopping by December 1st.

So there you have it.  My Fall Goals!

Did you complete a Fall Goals list?  If so, I'd love for you to leave me a link so I can come visit!

Linking up to :Merry Monday, Modest Mom Monday,  Art of Homemaking, Soul Survival,   Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday ,  Mommy Monday, Busy Monday, The Scoop,  Homemaking Linkup,

 

Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Booknificent. Party at My Place ,Book Nook, Hearts for Home,  Homemaking Party,  Favorite Things


Friendship Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , Fresh Friday Finds, , Sweet Inspirations, Funtastic Friday .

Dare to Share, Saturday Sparks, Bouquet of Talent, Saturday Shuffle, Saturday Sharefest

Sundays at Home, Sunday's Best, Dishing It and Digging It

Totally Terrific Tuesday,  Titus 2sdays, Unite, Share Your Stuff, Treasure Box, Do Tell Tuesday and Titus 2 Tuesday, Hearth and Soul, A Spirit of Simplicity,  Tuesdays with a Twist  , Inspire Me , Tuesday Talk , The Scoop.

WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and  Women with Intention, Peaches and Salt, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman, Classical Homemaking , Wow Us Wednesday.

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 9/18/17

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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The weather outside is::::

 Beautiful fall-like weather with cool, crisp temperatures.
 



On my breakfast plate:

Special K Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar

  

As I look around the house::::

 

There's a roof on the addition!  So exciting!  I can see progress being made.

On today's to do list::::

Work 8am-1pm
 Exercise
Pick up the girls from school and tennis practice.
Make Supper
Blog
WW tracking

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.... See above.
Tuesday...  Work 8am-1pm, exercise, laundry
Wednesday... Work 11am-4pm, exercise, schedule for next week, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday... Work8am-1pm, exercise, Menu and Grocery List, Tennis Match
Friday...  Off Work, Weigh-in, exercise, Groceries.
Saturday...  Laundry, exercise
Sunday...  Church, Exercise, Youth Group

Currently reading::::



I picked this book up to be my next read.  I hope it is good!
 

On the TV::::

STEELER football, baby!



Listening to:



 

On the menu this week::::

Monday -  Chicken Biscuit Bake, Peas, Peaches
Tuesday - Stroganoff, garlic bread, broccoli, pears
Wednesday - BBQ, fried potatoes, corn, fruit cocktail
Thursday - Beef Stew, Biscuits, German Apple Cake
Friday -  Pizza
Saturday - Breakfast for dinner
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

My cross-stitch WIP is still a WIP...

Bible Verse/Devotional

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Linking up to :What Are You Reading,  Merry Monday, Modest Mom Monday,  Art of Homemaking, Soul Survival,   Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday ,  Mommy Monday, Busy Monday, The Scoop,  Homemaking Linkup,

 

Sunday Post ~ 9/17/17

 

This is a post to recap the previous week here on the blog.

The Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

 

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Today is our 17th Anniversary!

 

We were married on a Sunday which people questioned but September 17th was my grandparent's anniversary and I wanted to pick a special day.

 

So, we snubbed tradition and attended Church services together at 10am and were married later that afternoon at 2pm at the very same Church.  It was the best day ever!

 

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Happy Homemaker Monday - 9/11/17

This is where I plan out the week ahead.

 

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This week's Teaser came from
Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter.

 

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This week's Hodgepodge was about Pictures or Words.

 

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This week's Book Review was:

One More Last Chance

by Cathleen Armstrong

 

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Some of this week's Tea Time smiles were about

Teacups and Decisions :)

 

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Come see how I did this week on my

Saturday Weigh-In Plus an Invitation!

 

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Have a great week!  Please leave a link so I can stop by your blog :)



Linking to:  Sundays at Home, Sunday's Best, Dishing It and Digging It

Saturday Weigh-In ~ 9/16/17 ~ PLUS AN INVITATION!

 

I only lost 0.2 pounds this week :(

No excuses.  Oh I have them, to be sure!  But it all comes down to discipline.  Which I had none of this week...

I was expecting a gain so I'm "kinda" happy with losing 0.2 lbs this week.  Not excited.  Just not super bummed.  Just so-so.

BUT.....

I have a new accountability partner!  Stacy at Intentional Mommyhood said she is going to start a Saturday Weigh-in also!  I'm super excited about this!  Super-dee-duper excited!

So, if you'd like to join in with a Saturday Weigh-in or Any-day-of-the-week Weigh-in or any kind of Health/Fitness post, I'd be over the moon! 

You can write a blog post and leave a link in the comments OR if you don't have a blog, just leave your results in the comments.

If there is enough interest, we could always turn it into a Par-tay!

So whether you've got 100 (or more) pounds to lose or just 5.  Whether you've been weighing in for years or just starting.  Whether you do Weight Watchers or some other diet or exercise program.  Whether you are 65 or 25.  I'd love, love, love to have your support and friendship in this constant struggle which is weight loss/healthy living.


My week's stats:

Weigh-in:  -0.2  Total:  -22.4 lbs.

Exercise:
                 Sat:  30 minutes
                 Sun:   minutes
                 Mon:    60 minutes
                 Tues:    minutes
                 Wed:     minutes
                 Thurs:   minutes
                  Fri:      minutes
              TOTAL:  90 minutes = 16/35 FitPoints

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Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!


Linking to:  Dare to Share, Saturday Sparks, Bouquet of Talent, Saturday Shuffle, Saturday Sharefest,  Sundays at Home, Sunday's Best, Dishing It and Digging It

Tea Time ~ Teacups and Decisions ~ 9/15/17

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~We're all healthy again!  After the sickness making the rounds through the family, everyone is feeling better and back at it :)

~Kaylee has made a few decisions about her future!  First, she has decided NOT to take a year off after graduating High School before going to College.  She wants to keep her momentum going.  Secondly, she has decided that she wants to go to the College I work at and take Multimedia Technologies.  (photography, audio/video, graphic design, etc)  She loves the creativity that it will allow her to use :)

~I signed up for The Enchanting Rose's Tea Cup & Mug Exchange!  I can't wait to see who I get to send a package to!  I also can't wait to see where my package comes from :)  Click the picture below to go sign-up !

 ~My hubby loves me!  I had such a bad headache on Tuesday evening/night that I pretty much just went to bed at 6:30pm.  My dearest hubby did his very best to take care of me by making me scrambled eggs and toast and also massaging my forehead.  I am blessed :)


~Kaylee is running for Homecoming Queen!  This is so out of her comfort zone and I'm so very proud of her for stretching herself to do something new :)

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!
 

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday , Tricky's Five , Friday's Fave Five. Fresh Friday Finds, , Sweet Inspirations, Funtastic Friday .

Book Review ~ One More Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong ~ 9/14/17

 

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Blurb:

 

Sarah Cooley has come home to Last Chance, New Mexico, for one reason–because it doesn’t change. After an engagement gone bad with a man who wanted to change everything about her, Sarah is more than ready for the town whose motto may as well be, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Chris Reed, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to spark some change in the little town. As the new owner of the Dip ‘n’ Dine, he’s shaking things up to draw folks from all over the Southwest into his restaurant.

As it turns out, the winds of change are blowing into Last Chance–just not in the ways that Sarah or Chris might expect.

With the same evocative writing and fascinating characters that won fans for her debut novel, Cathleen Armstrong invites readers back to Last Chance for a soul-searching, romantic story of two people navigating the twists and turns of small-town life.  

My Thoughts:

 

I read the first book in this series quite a while ago and really enjoyed it.  I was eager to dig into this, the second book of the A Place to Call Home series.

 

I found it very interesting that Sarah absolutely could NOT stand Chris in the beginning of the book.  I couldn't wait to see how the author was going to develop a love story when Sarah didn't even want to be civil to Chris.

 

Chris, however, was smitten as soon as he laid eyes on Sarah.  It made for interesting dynamics and storyline.  Add in a seven-year-old niece with abandonment issues and it made for a delightful read!

 

The third book in this series is about Kaitlyn, Chris's sister, who I really disliked in this book.  I'm excited to get my hands on the third book and read how the author brings about Kaitlyn's redemption. 

For the Biblical "Way of Salvation" please see my header or click HERE.

 

Linking up to:  Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Saturday Situation, Booknificent. Party at My Place , Saturday Review of Book , Book Nook, Hearts for Home, The Monday Review, Homemaking Party,  Favorite Things, Home and Garden, Make My Saturday Sweet.

The Enchanting Rose's 11th Annual Tea Cup & Mug Exchange

I'm so excited to be participating in The Enchanting Rose's 11th Annual Tea Cup & Mug Exchange!

Click on the picture below for more information and to sign-up!

Hodgepodge ~ 9/13/17

  

 

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

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1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.


Usually, I would say yes, but...  pictures can sometimes be misconstrued and taken the wrong way.  And, with photoshop these days, you never know what is true.  But that can be for words also.  I DON'T KNOW!  It will be interesting to see what everyone else has to say about this question.



2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?



Definitely on my bucket list but to this point the farthest west I've been is Ohio and I live in Pennsylvania!  I have been up and down the Atlantic Coast though.  At least from PA to FL anyway.  I'd also love to go up the coast to the New England states.


3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is?



I love the changing of the seasons.  Every. One. of. Them.  The changing of the seasons make me feel like New Beginnings are just around the corner.  I do get seasonal allergies though so there is THAT!


4. It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?



My birthday dinner is always Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes!  Yummy :)  I'm proud of my age.  Why lie?


5. What's a life lesson you've learned recently?



Wow!  This is a hard question.  I usually don't even realize I'm learning the lesson until it is over and I have time to look back.  I guess, I've been learning to take one day at a time.  Tomorrow will have enough worries of its own.


6.  Insert your own random thought here.


When I got to work this morning, a lovely co-worker had brought me in a delicious Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll from his son's bakery.  Exactly the pick-me-up I needed this morning!  What an angel :)


Also, I've signed up for The Enchanting Rose's 11th Annual Tea Cup & Mug Exchange.  Click below for more information and to sign-up!

I'd love to return the visit!  Please leave a comment and a link!

Teaser Tuesday ~ Dancing with Fireflies ~ 9/12/17

My teaser for this week is from:

 

Jade McKinley lowered the stove to medium and returned the chicken breasts to the pan.  What had she gotten herself into?  She should've agreed to meet him at a restaurant instead of in the tiny apartment she shared with her friend.  But it had seemed easier, meeting on her own turf with Izzy in the next room watching the Jane Austen marathon on PBS.
 

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 9/11/17

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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Update on Uncle Charlie:

He's home from the hospital and is on the mend.  He goes back for a follow-up appointment tomorrow and I'm sure he'll be looking at some physical therapy.

Many thanks to all of you who have said a prayer for him!


The weather outside is::::

 Cool and clear.

Just like that morning 16 years ago today.  It will be forever sketched in my mind.

Please be in prayer for those in the path of Hurricane Irma.  My Aunt Mary lives in Daytona Beach, FL and has evacuated.
 



On my breakfast plate:

Special K Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar

  

As I look around the house::::

 

More progress on the roof has taken place.  Doug had to work a lot of overtime this week, so we didn't get as much done as we'd have liked.  He's talking about taking another week's vacation to finish up the roof and the siding.

On today's to do list::::

Work 8am-1pm
 Exercise
Pick up the girls from school and tennis practice.
Make Supper
Blog
WW tracking

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.... See above.
Tuesday...  Work 8am-1pm, exercise, laundry, Ladies Meeting at Church
Wednesday... Work 11am-4pm, exercise, schedule for next week, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday... Work8am-1pm, exercise, Menu and Grocery List, Tennis Match
Friday...  Off Work, exercise, Groceries, Laundry.
Saturday...  Weigh-in, exercise,
Sunday...  Our 17th Anniversary!, Church, Exercise, Youth Group

Currently reading::::



Denise Hunter is one of my all-time favorite authors!  This is the second book in the "Chapel Springs" series and I loved the first.  I can't wait to dig into this one!
 

On the TV::::

STEELER football, baby!



Listening to:



 

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Ham, Fried Potatoes, Corn, Oranges
Tuesday - Leister's Special, Broccoli, Pears
Wednesday -  Pork Chops, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Strawberry Pie
Thursday - Chicken Biscuit Bake, Peas, Peaches
Friday -  Pizza
Saturday - Homemade Vegetable Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

My cross-stitch WIP is still a WIP...

Bible Verse/Devotional

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

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Linking up to :What Are You Reading,  Modest Mom Monday,  Art of Homemaking, Soul Survival,   Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday ,  Mommy Monday, Busy Monday, The Scoop,  Homemaking Linkup,

 

Sunday Post ~ 9/10/17

 

This is a post to recap the previous week here on the blog.

The Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

 

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Happy Homemaker Monday - 9/4/17

This is where I plan out the week ahead.

 

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This week's Teaser came from One More Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong.

 

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This week's Hodgepodge was about Hopes and Fears.

 

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This week's Book Review was:

From This Moment

by Elizabeth Camden

 

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Some of this week's Tea Time smiles were about

Spelling Tests and Newspaper Articles :)

 

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Come see how I did this week on my

Saturday Weigh-In!

 

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Have a great week!  Please leave a link so I can stop by your blog :)



Linking to:  Sundays at Home, Sunday's Best, Dishing It and Digging It