Hodgepodge ~ 5/31/17

  

 

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

 

1. What makes you feel accomplished? Explain.
Getting my girls through another school year!  Almost there!  Only 1 and 1/2 more days to go :)

 2. If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? Tell us why.
This is kind of like the "who would you have dinner with" question.  This is a hard one.  I might have to come back to this one....

 3. Do you have a great burger recipe? What's in it? What do you like on a hamburger and where is your favorite spot to order one out?
I tried the burger recipe where you put a packet of ranch in it.  DELICIOUS!  I'm just a cheese and ketchup kinda girl and my favorite burger would have to be from Five Guys.  Yummm.

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

Pay bills.  Hands down.

5. This is the last Hodgepodge of May. Tell us about your summer plans.
At the end of June, we are getting a hotel overnight in Pittsburgh and then going to a Pirates game the next day.  I can't wait.  We don't have a lot of trips planned because hopefully we'll be building the addition and that will be taking up a LOT of time.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

Flip Flop Swap

 

I'm hosting a Flip Flop Swap.

Sign-ups end June 2, 2017.

  Click HERE for more information.

 

 

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

Teaser Tuesday ~ Grace's Pictures ~ 5/30/17

My teaser for this week is from:

 

~"DECEMBER 1900

'May I take your photograph, miss?'

Grace McCaffery spun around.  She had passed through the inspections without a problem and was on her way downstairs, where she would meet the aid society worker.  What now?

'A photograph?'  A man stood smiling at her, next to a large camera.  She'd only seen one of these machines before, and that was on the ship."~

 

What do you think?

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

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Flip Flop Swap

 

I'm hosting a Flip Flop Swap.

Sign-ups end June 2, 2017.

  Click HERE for more information.

 

 

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Stardust Melodies CAL ~ Block #3 Don't Fence Me In ~ 5/29/17

 

 

Block 3

 "Don't Fence Me In"

The Stardust Melodies CAL is hosted by Polly Plum's Posse and can be found at www.everytrickonthehook.com  .  All the blocks (both free and paid) will be based around a classic song.  (I'll only be making the free patterns so that will be the odd numbered blocks.)

I'm really enjoying learning new blocks and stitch combinations in the CAL.  The pattern was very easy to read, which I'm thinking must be a Polly Plum attribute.

 

This is a very dense block that needed careful counting but once I was on the second or third block, I had it down pat.

 

I really like how adding the cream round and the mushroom round really set off the block.

 

I now have 8 block out of 48 complete for this CAL.

 

 For your listening pleasure here is Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters with "Don't Fence Me In".  I love me some Bing :)

 

The newest free block, Block #5, was released today:  "Where or When"

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

Linking up to Inspiration Monday, Cooking and Crafting with J&J,  Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Creative Mondays, What'd You Do this Weekend and Pieces by Polly Block Party,  Monday's Musing and Making Monday, Stitch It Up and Hooking on Humpday, Yarn Along , Yarn Fanatic , Keep Calm Craft On.

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 5/29/17

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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The weather outside is::::

Rain, rain, rain!
Go away!

 



On my breakfast plate:

Special K cereal and Diet Dr. Pepper:)

  

As I look around the house::::

 

I still see no digging being done for the footer for the addition.  Still waiting...  ARGH!

On today's to do list::::

Bible reading
Blog writing/visiting
Housework

Walk
CAL's
 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.... Housework, walk, CAL's.
Tuesday...  Clean, laundry.
Wednesday... Menu and Grocery List, Schedule for next week, Walk.
Thursday... Bills, Groceries.
Friday....Laundry, Walk.
Saturday....Weigh-In.

Currently reading::::



I started this book about an Irish immigrant a few days ago but haven't had a chance to get back to it.  So far, she has made it through Ellis Island and to a boardinghouse for immigrant women.  I'm really enjoying and can't wait to dive back in.
 

On the TV::::

The Voice
Pirates Baseball
Fixer Upper
Pirates of the Caribbean~Dead Men Tell No Tales

 

On the Radio:::

This week for Songs on Sunday I featured  "Clean" by Natalie Grant.
 

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Memorial Day Picnic
Tuesday - Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
Wednesday -  Chicken Biscuit Bake
Thursday - Hoagies, chips
Friday -  Pizza
Saturday - Breakfast
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

Part 1 of Atlanticus by Ness at Hooked on Sunshine.

Part 2 is already on the website!  I can't wait to carve out some time this evening to work on it.

I'm also still working on the Stardust Melodies CAL.  You can read more about "Don't Fence Me In" HERE.

 

From the Camera:::

 

 

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

 

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Flip Flop Swap

 

I'm hosting a Flip Flop Swap.

Sign-ups end June 2, 2017.

  Click HERE for more information.

 

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Linking up to :What Are You Reading,   Yarn Fanatic, Art of Homemaking, Make Your Home Sing,  Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday ,  The Creative Gallery, Tuesday Pin-spiration, Yarn Along, Keep Calm Craft On, Linky Ladies, Pieces by Polly , Homemaking Linkup, Homesteader Hop.

Songs on Sunday ~ Clean by Natalie Grant ~ 5/28/17

 

  

This is a beautiful new song by Natalie Grant

 

Enjoy :)

 

 

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

I'm also linking up to Spiritual Sunday and Counting My Blessings , Faith And Friendship , Grace And Truth , Dance with Jesus, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace .



Stacking the Shelves ~ 5/27/17

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

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This week I added the following to my shelf:
 

 Marie Carrington is running from a host of bad memories. Broke and desperate, she's hoping to find safety and sanctuary on Prince Edward Island, where she reluctantly agrees to help decorate a renovated bed-and-breakfast before it opens for prime tourist season.

Seth Sloane didn't move three thousand miles to work on his uncle's B&B so he could babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her. He came to help restore the old Victorian--and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart.

The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just three months will take everything they've got. Can these two wounded souls find hope, healing, and perhaps a bit of romance on this beautiful island?

Step into the Red Door Inn, a lovely home away from home tucked along the north shore of fabled Prince Edward Island. It's a place where the wounded come to heal, the broken find forgiveness, and the lonely find a family. Won't you stay for the season?
  

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Also linking up to: The Sunday Post, Mailbox Monday



 

Happy Reading!

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Flip Flop Swap

 

 

I'm hosting a Flip Flop Swap.

Sign-ups end June 2, 2017.

  Click HERE for more information.

 

 

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Tea Time ~ Cream Puff Cake and Atlanticus ~ 5/26/17

 

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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~The hubby and I had a fishing date!  It was so good to spend some quality time alone.  To see more pictures and read more about our "date" click HERE :)

 

~Laken and Andrew got their bikes out the other evening.  They had a blast riding up and down the street.  I'm so glad that they are becoming best buddies :)

~I spent Tuesday morning cooking and baking.  I made Stuffed Shells and Cream Puff Cake.  The Cream Puff Cake is a recipe I got off my mother-in-law before she passed away.  For the recipe, click HERE :)

 

 

~I didn't get a picture of my toes, but I got a pedicure yesterday!  I needed a fresh coat of paint badly.   I picked "HOT PINK" for my color :)

 

~I finished Part One of the Atlanticus CAL!  I'm using colors from my stash but am really liking how it looks so far.  What do you think?

 

 



What made you smile this week?

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

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday , Diary of a Real Housewife and Tricky's Five , Friday's Fave Five. Life in Leggings, Fresh Friday Finds, Weekend Wind Down.

Book Review ~ LFYI Daisy Oklahoma by Janice Hanna ~ 5/25/17

 

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Blurb:

 

  Love blooms in unlikely places. In 1912, two years after a tornado left many children homeless, the town of Daisy, Oklahoma, needs help with its orphanage. Enter Rena Jewel, 38 years old and still single, who longs to do something important with her life. A lover of flowers, Rena believes the letter from Daisy to be a sign from the Lord, and she promises to help.

 

Sheriff Gene Wyatt is a widowed father struggling to control 23 unruly orphans--and to keep his own two boys from burning down the town. So when he receives word that help is on the way, Gene rejoices. Until he meets Rena, that is--a genteel and far too pretty woman whom he assumes is not up to the challenge. And after meeting the children, Rena begins to agree with him! At her wits' end, she helps the children plant a garden and slowly earns their respect and obedience.

 

The new orphanage director arrives just as the garden begins to bloom, and Rena must decide whether she can leave the town, the children--and the man--she's come to love. 

My Thoughts:

 

 I've really enjoyed the "Love Finds You In" series.

 

I love the fact that the heroine isn't a typical romance heroine.  Rena (not sure if it is Ren-nay or Ree-na) is 38 years-old.  I love stories where the characters are a bit older especially as I've gotten "older".  ahem...

 

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and the town of Daisy, OK.  The children were precocious and precious at the same time.

 

I like how the author started each chapter with "Tips for Dealing with Unruly Young'uns" written by different residents of Daisy.  It really gave insight into that character and added a lot to the story.

 

The love story was sweet and really fun to read.  There were some unexpected twists that I really enjoyed also, but I don't want to give too much away!

 

You should definitely give this book and the other LFYI books a read.

 

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

 

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Flip Flop Swap

 

I'm hosting a Flip Flop Swap.

Sign-ups end June 2, 2017.

  Click HERE for more information.

 

 

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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

Hodgepodge ~ 5/24/17

  

 

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:
 

1. What color is prominent in your home? Are you glad about that or wishing you could cover it up or remove it?

The prominent colors through the main part of the house are white, blue and wood.  Our bedroom and the girls' room have other colors for accessorizing.  As the decorating was done by my Mom and I grew up here, I'm very comfortable with these colors.  Once we have our addition built on (the West Wing), I'm trying to decide what colors to paint.  Should I go neutral and just accessorize or go color on the walls?  I really need your opinion!


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

Snowtubing!  I about broke my neck!  At least it felt like it...

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

I'm a wife and mom who likes to bake, crochet and read a good romance novel.  I, however, am not overly concerned with dressing up.  I could take it or leave it.  I used to wear dresses or skirts to work everyday when I was just out of college and the business world was a bit more formal.  I didn't mind it then but don't think I would like it now.

4. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Have you ever owned a motorcycle? Ever ridden a motorcycle? If the opportunity presented itself would you hop on a motorcycle and go for a ride?

I tend to not like motorcycles as they seem so dangerous.  About 15 years ago, I came upon an accident that included a motorcyclist who was killed.  It turned out to be my cousin's husband.  It was a terrible tragedy.  I also don't like how wreckless SOME bikers are.  I don't know if I'd go for a ride or not.  I'd have to go VERY slow.

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

They should read Inspirational Fiction with a few Cozy Mysteries thrown in.  They should watch Pirates Baseball, the Voice and America's Got Talent.  And they should listen to KLOVE or Country music.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

Flip Flop Swap

 

I'm hosting a Flip Flop Swap.

Sign-ups end June 2, 2017.

  Click HERE for more information.

 

 

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

Family Time ~ Fishing Date ~ 5/23/17

 



The hubby loves to fish.

 

I enjoy fishing but get easily bored with it so for the past few years, I haven't even gotten my fishing license.  Instead, I've taken a book.  hehe

 

This year, though, I decided I wanted to spend some quality time with the hubby without my nose being stuck in a book so I got my license.  And some fake worms, because I am NOT touching a real one!

 

The other afternoon was the first opportunity that we had to go fishing together.  The hubby had found out that the DCNR had stocked the cricks (yes, cricks) in our area and was excited to go.  I couldn't resist him asking me if I wanted to go along.

 

I think he's just so cute with all his fishing gear on!

Between the two of us this was the only fish caught!  The hubby says that the water is too clear right now and the fish see us and are scared off.

Even though we didn't have much success in catching fish, I loved every minute spent with my love and look forward to many more fishing dates this season.

So, do you fish?  How do you spend quality time with your love?

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Flip Flop Swap

 

I'm hosting a Flip Flop Swap.

Sign-ups end June 2, 2017.

  Click HERE for more information.

 

 

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

Linking up 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.