Hodgepodge ~ 5/22/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. Is your home air conditioned? If it's not air conditioned, is that by choice? Did you grow up with air conditioning? If not how did you cope with the heat? Share about a time or place you remember as being too hot-the temperature kind of hot, lest anyone be confused.

Yes, Thank the Good Lord!  I did not grow up with air-conditioning though.  We coped with the heat by complaining and sitting in front of the fan.  One too hot time not too long ago was when we went to Disney World in June a few summers ago.  Unbearable heat!

2. What's something in your life right now that falls under the heading 'up in the air'?

No longer my balloon from Valentine's Day.....It held on for all that was dear and lasted 6 months.

3. Your favorite light and airy dessert?

Cream Puff Cake

4. When did you last feel like you were 'floating on air'?

I get that feeling when I go to the theater.  Maybe it is the caffeine in our drink?

5. Airport, airmail, airtight, airhead...which have you most recently encountered? Explain.

Hmm....  I guess airtight when I opened the bag of chips the other day.  lol

6.  Have you ever been to the Alps? If so where did you go? If not, is this a destination on your must-see list? If you were headed that direction this summer, which of the following would be your preferred activity...a gentle walk, a serious walk, a bike ride, a boat ride around one of the lakes, or summer snow skiing?

Never been.  I think I would prefer a boat ride around one of the lakes.  I love lakes!

7. What is one saying or phrase that was considered 'cool' when you were growing up?

 "Rad!"

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Days this hot make me long for Fall!

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Family Time Tuesday ~ Max ~ 7/21/15

Laken was the first of our family to see the preview for "Max".  She kept saying that she wanted to go see it and I had no idea what she was talking about.  Finally, I saw the preview and agreed that , yes, we needed to go see this movie.

Take a few minutes to watch the trailer below:

               
            
We don't go to the theater very often.  It is just too expensive to take all of us.  And get popcorn.  And get a drink.  Man, does that popcorn make a person thirsty!

It was the Saturday after we got back from vacationing at the cabin, so technically we were still on vacation.  That how I justified spending the extra money to go see the movie.

Here's what everyone thought:

ME:

I cried.  Plain and simple.  I cried and cried and cried.  It was all I could do not to sob!  I love it when a movie or book gets to me like that.

                                            

The HUBBY:

It was a good family movie.  (That's all I could get out of him.  He was watching tv....)

KAYLEE (14):

It was a good movie.  I like how it was dedicated to the real War Dogs that had been killed in action. 

LAKEN (8):

I really, really wanted to see this movie.  It was the cutest movie ever!  I liked Max and wish I had a dog like him.

Needless to say, our hounds got extra lovin's when we got home from watching this movie!

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

Linking up Totally Terrific Tuesdauy,  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.

Make It Monday ~ Beaches ~ 7/20/15

 

This is the beginning of "Beaches". 

 

I love looking at a basket full of yarn and knowing that I is going to be created into something beautiful!

 

I'm using a Granny Stripe of alternating "beachy" colors.  Crocheting on the deck is one of my favorite things to do :)

Progress to this point.  It reminds me of the sun, sand, sky and water.

 

 

Next week I'll show you the completed project.  I love how it turned out :)

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

Linking up to Making Memories Monday, Much Ado About Monday,  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.

Songs on Sunday ~ Deliverer ~ 7/19/15

 

 I love when I hear a new song on the radio that I've never hear before!  "Deliverer" was a new one for me a few weeks ago and ever since, I've loved every time it comes on the radio.

 

My favorite lines are  "With a faith, just like a child; I’m not afraid, I’m running wild".

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the faith of a child.  They are so full of trust.   Then as we grow up we learn fear.  I love these lyrics because I want to run wild without fear!

Would you?

"Deliverer"

I was a drifter, I had nowhere to go
I was hanging by threads of dust and bone
Every angel I knew was singing son come home
But the melody was hard to sing along

Oh God, You’re my deliverer
The One, the One who carries us
Oh God, You’re my deliverer

I was on trial for everything I did
And there’s no way I could make a stand and win
When you realize the verdict is already in
You let go of the brokenness within
Well there’s only One who can ever stand and win

Oh God, You’re my deliverer
The One, the One who carries us
Oh God, You’re my deliverer
The One, the One who carries us

And now I’m like a child at night
Who never has to think of why
We’re free to love and live and die
And there’s no need to justify
The sinner that’s inside of me
Has lost all his control of me

My God, from the flood and from the fire
You brought me out, I am alive
With a faith, just like a child
I’m not afraid, I’m running wild
For everything that will be done
I am yours and you are my
Deliverer

The One, the One who carries us
God, You’re my deliverer
The One, the One who carries us
Oh God, You’re my deliverer
The One, the One who carries us
Oh God, You’re my deliverer
The One, the One who carries us
God, You’re my deliverer

I was hanging by threads of dust and bone

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 , Sundays Down Under and The Weekend Brew.

Saturday 9 ~ Bubbly ~ 7/18/15

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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Listen to the song HERE.

 

 1) Singer Colbie Caillat says this song was inspired by a trip to "the beach and having a wonderful day with a person you like." Have you been to the beach yet this summer?

Not the ocean but does a beach at the lake count?  I was just there last weekend,

2)  Are you careful about applying sunscreen?

I'm not out in the sun that much and I must admit that I don't remember the last time I put sunscreen on.  Yikes!

3) Colbie made her TV debut in a 2009 episode of Saturday Night Live. Are you a big SNL fan?

No.  Not a big fan...

 4) "Bubbly" is often a synonym for champagne. When's the last time you enjoyed a glass of bubbly?
I don't drink alcohol but I did take a sip of champagne at my best friend wedding about 8 years ago. I was in the wedding party and it was for the toast.

 5) Colbie sang the National Anthem at the third game of the Red Sox/Cardinals World Series in 2013. How is your favorite baseball team doing so far this season?
One of the favorite subjects right now!!!  My Pittsburg Pirates are just slight behind the #1 Cardinals in our division.  We need to win a few and them lost a few and we're in first place!!

 6) In 2005, Ms. Caillat tried out for Season 4 of American Idol but was eliminated very early in the process, before she could even audition for Simon, Paula and Randy. The winner that year was Carrie Underwood. Are you a Carrie Underwood fan?
I enjoy Carrie's music very much.

 7) In 2007, when "Bubbly" was popular, actress Yvonne deCarlo died. She was best known as Lily on The Munsters. If you had to choose (and yes, this Saturday you have to), would you rather hang out with Lily Munster or Morticia Addams?

Morticia.  She was classy!  lol

8) In 2007, MySpace was faced with a serious challenge from Facebook, and it's obvious which social network won. Did you have a MySpace account? If so, do you still post to it?

I had Myspace!  To be honest, I didn't think it could be accessed any longer...  hehe

 9) Random question: Which have you had longer, your ironing board or your plunger?

 Plunger.  How old IS that thing anyway?

 

 

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

Tea Time ~ 5/17/15

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 took some time this past weekend to make the short trip to Shawnee State Park!  It was so nice to sit beside the lake :)

~We cleaned our bedroom!  It is so nice to have a clean, organized space to relax :)

~I baked!  It had been a while :)

~Watching the Homerun Derby and the All-Star Baseball game!  The hubby and I are big fans :)

~Getting caught up on DVR'd shows!  No MLB on to distract us :)

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 and OhHeyFriday

In the Kitchen ~ Chewy Chocolate Macaroons ~ 7/16/15

This recipe came from a cookbook called "America's Favorites:  Bake Sale". 

Chewy Chocolate Macaroons

5 1/3 cups sweetened coconut flakes
1 1/2 cups cocoa
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
About 24 red candied cherries halved (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F.  Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Stir together the coconut and cocoa in a large bowl.  Stir in sweetened condensed milk ad vanilla until well blended.

Drop by rounded teaspoon onto prepared cookie sheet.  Press cherry half into center of each cookie, if desired.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost set.

Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely.

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I wasn't sure how well these macaroons would go over at evening Church because I know a lot of people don't like coconut.  I was pleasantly surprised that they were gone in a matter of minutes!

How about you?  Do you like coconut?

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

Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas.

Hodgepodge ~ 7/15/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1.July 15th is National Give Something Away Day.  What can you give away? Will you?

Hugs and Kisses to my family and you bet I will!

2. Do you have a mantra? Please share with the class if you feel comfortable doing so.

"I can do all things through Christ"

3. Who does the grocery shopping in your house? How many times a week do you shop? Do you make a list or pray for inspiration in the produce aisle?

I make a menu and grocery list once a week.  The idea is to only shop one time, but we  always end up having to make a quick trip to the Dollar General for something.

4. Is there a TV show you're embarrassed to say you watch? You're going to tell us what it is, right?

A few years ago I could have said "The Bachelor/Bachelorette" but I don't even watch it any more.  I couldn't stand seeing one person making out with multiple people!  Right now I don't think I watch anything that I would be embarrassed of.

5. A recent article listed fifteen words we should eliminate from our (written) vocabulary in order to sound smarter-

that, went, honestly, absolutely, very, really, amazing, always, never, literally, just, maybe, stuff, things, and irregardless

Of the fifteen, which word is your most overused?

I say "maybe" all the time!  But it is usually in response to my 8 year old's constant wishes.

6. So apparently dying your hair gray (in your youth!) is a thing right now. It's called 'The Granny Hair' trend. Your thoughts?

Personally, I think it is crazy but to each his/her own :)

7. A while back Buzz Feed asked members to share the most beautiful sentence they've read in a piece of literature. A hard thing to narrow down, at least for me, but let's try. What's one of the most beautiful sentences you've ever read in a piece of literature?

“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
― Jane Austen, Emma    

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I had to go with an Austen quote.  I just had to!

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Family Time ~ 1st Pitch! ~ 7/14/15

 

 

A few weeks ago it was Hope for Hyndman Charter School Night at the Altoona Curve baseball game.  Students were able to put their names in for a chance to throw the 1st pitch and guess whose name was pulled!!  Laken!!!

 

She was so nervous!  She was doing OK until we hit the field and then it was instant shyness. She was very brave and got in line with the other kids who were throwing pitches that night.

 

I didn't get a good picture of the actual throw but here she is coming off the field.

She even got a ball signed by one of the pitchers!

 

It was a great evening :)

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

Linking up Totally Terrific Tuesdauy,  Titus 2sdays, Unite, Share Your Stuff, Treasure Box, Do Tell Tuesday and Titus 2 Tuesday, Hearth and Soul, Tuesdays with a Twist.

Make it Monday ~ Sunny Blue Hawaii Completed! ~ 7/13/15

This was the beginning of my Sunny Blue Hawaii.  You can see more before pics HERE.

And here it is in all its completed glory!  I LOVE IT!

I connected the granny squares with a white single crochet.

Then I added a granny stripe border that seemed to take forever but really sets off the squares.  I ended with a scalloped edging.

I'm not sure who I'm going to give it to yet, so for now it will go in my "finished" cupboard with my Weekend in Stockholm and Stained Glass Granny.

 So, what do you think?  Do you like how it turned out?

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

Linking up to Making Memories Monday, Much Ado About Monday,  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.

Songs on Sunday ~ Brother ~ 7/12/15

 I have one sibling, an older brother.  Growing up I knew I was never alone because he was always by my side.  Now that we are adults, I feel that we are closer than ever.  I have his back and I know that he has mine.

Even though I'm now married with children of my own, there is still a special bond  between my brother and I that growing up together has forged.

I love the verse that says, "Everybody needs someone beside em shining like a lighthouse from the sea."  We need people in our lives that will shine like a lighthouse for us when we are struggling and maybe can't see things clearly.

Do you have a sibling that is that lighthouse for you?  Or maybe a friend that is closer than a brother?

Brother

By Needtobreathe

Ramblers in the wilderness we cant find what we need
Get a little restless from the searching
Get a little worn down in between
Like a bull chasing the matador is the man left to his own schemes
Everybody needs someone beside em shining like a lighthouse from the sea

Brother let me be your shelter
Ill never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When youre low
Brother let me be your fortressWhen the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

Face down in the desert now theres a cage locked around my heart
I found a way to drop the keys where my failures were
Now my hands cant reach that far
I aint made for a robbery I could never take the world alone
I know that in my weakness I am stronger
Its your love that brings me home

Brother let me be your shelter
Ill never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When youre low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

Brother let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When youre low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

Brother let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When youre feeling low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

Brother let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When youre low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

Brother let me be your shelter
Brother let me be your shelter
Brother let me be your shelter
Brother let me be your shelter
Brother let me be your shelter

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 , Sundays Down Under and The Weekend Brew.

Saturday 9 ~ Crazy Little Thing Called Love ~ 7/11/15

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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 (Sorry, I can't get the picture to center!)

 

Listen to the song HERE.

 

1) In this video, Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury is wearing a leather jacket. Do you have a leather jacket?

No, I do not own a leather jacket.

2) eThere's a statue of Freddie in Switzerland. There's another statue of him above the Dominion Theater in London. Tell us about a statue or memorial in your town.

The only statue/memorial we have in our little town is a Memorial to the Veterans.

3) Mercury said this song was inspired by Elvis Presley. What's your favorite Elvis song?

I'll have to go with "Love Me Tender" but his Christmas song are up there too.

 4) This song was covered by the animated Alvin and the Chipmunks. Do you still watch cartoons?

I have an 8 year old so I do whether I want to or not! lol

 5) The members of Queen met while attending Ealing Art College in London. Are you still in touch with the friends you had in your late teens and early 20s?

Not as much as I would like to be.  Life seems to get in the way.

 6) During Queen's hey day in the 1980s, Mercury stayed in shape with tennis and swimming. Are you more accomplished on the court or in the pool?

Neither, really.  I've been in the pool more recently than on a court though.

7) In 1980, when this song was popular, Brooke Shields made a jeans commercial where she said, "Nothing comes between me and Calvins." It actually only aired for a short time because so many viewers called and complained about it. Have you ever called or emailed to protest something you saw on TV?

No, but the Brooke Shields protest is hilarious considering some of the things on TV now!

 8) 1980 is also the year the Post-It note was introduced. What's the last Post-It you wrote?

I write on post-its daily at work.  I think I was making a to-do list.

9) Random question: Do you blush easily?

 

I might get embarrassed but I don't think I actually "blush" very easily.

 

 

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

Tea Time ~ 7/10/15

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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~Vacation was wonderful!  We had an amazing, relaxing time :)

~Fireworks!  Need I say more :)

~Max!  What a wonderful movie :)

~Swimming!  I got in the pool with the kids and it was freezing :)

~Ice cream!  We went to the local ice cream stand TWICE this week :)

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 and OhHeyFriday

In the Kitchen ~ Fruit Punch Cupcakes ~ 7/9/15

Here's one from the archives for today...

Fruit Punch Cupcakes

1Yellow or White Cake Mix

1 cup water

1/3 cup oil

3 eggs

1 tub Fruit Punch Drink Mix (1 tub makes 2 qts of drink)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Put cake mix and Fruit Punch powder in mixing bowl and mix.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well for 2 minutes.

Line muffin tins with papers and fill 2/3 full with cake mixture.

Bake for 18-22 minutes.

Cool completely.

Fruit Punch Icing

1/2 cup Crisco
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar
1/2 tub Fruit Punch Drink Mix (don't use whole tub unless you want some major PUNCH!)

Combine the first 4 ingredient in a mixing bowl and mix well. Add powdered sugar a bit at a time until you get a nice fluffy consistency. Add Fruit Punch Drink Mix and mix well.  Add more milk if needed. Beat on high until light and fluffy.

Put icing into a ziplock bag to pipe the icing on the cupcakes. Start with a dollop in the center and then start on the outside edge and work toward the middile and up over the center. This gives it some height.

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

Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas.

Hodgepodge ~ 7/8/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. When did you last 'swim against the tide'? Explain.
I swim against the tide every time I go to the gym.  At least it feels that way!

 2. What's the last self-help or self-improvement book you read?
Right now I'm reading the following:

 3. "Tolerance is a tremendous virtue, but the immediate neighbors of tolerance are apathy and weakness." (Sir James Goldsmith) 

Agree or disagree? Discuss. With civility please, because I think we have a good thing going in our very diverse (in geography, age, religion, political persuasion, ethnicity, marital status, upbringing, and cooking abilities) neighborhood here on This Side of the Pond.
Skip.


 4. What is one of your most vivid memories of the kitchen from your childhood?
Baking cookies with my Grandmother and washing dishes with my Mom.

 5. How did/do your own children's summers compare with your summers as a child? If you're not a parent, answer as it relates to what you've observed about the current generation of children vs. your own childhood.
I read and played outside.  My kids tend to spend their time in their bedroom unless "forced" outside.

 6. Tell us what body of water you would most like to be on or near today, and why?
Any water, anywhere!

 7.  Share a favorite song about water, or a favorite song with the word water in it's title, or a favorite song to listen to as you sit beside the water.



 8. Insert your own random thought here.

It has been hard getting back into my normal routine after being gone on vacation.  I'm hoping that getting back into my blogging groove will help with that :)

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