Hello!
My life kind of feels like a bit of a ‘hodgepode’ lately, so this post is timely. I’m linking up with Joyce for her weekly link up with responses to her “hodgepodge” of topics.
Here are my answers to this week’s questions:
1. It’s National Cheese Day (June 4)…Does anyone not like cheese? What’s your favorite? Last thing you ate or made with cheese?
I always joke that I’ve never met a cheese I don’t like!
For lunch, I often pack Babybel cheese or put pepper jack, turkey, lettuce and mustard on a wrap.
Every time I go to Trader Joe’s, I buy the Havarti Cheese with Dill. It’s one of my favorite things to add to my summer lunch plate.
The last thing I made with cheese was quesadillas for lunch yesterday using rotisserie chicken, shredded mozzarella and “Carb Savvy” tortillas from TJ.
2. Last time you were instructed to ‘say cheese!’? How does you feel about having your picture taken?
Well, for having a blog, it’s pretty ironic that I don’t love having my picture taken. Hadley doesn’t think twice…she will just stop and smile. Not that Travis loves having his picture taken, but he’s more like Hadley. I like to know that my hair and outfit are ok! haha
Hayden despises getting his photo taken. This picture after their 8th grade promotion ceremony was a miracle to get taken:
That being said, I like whatever my phone camera does for a selfie…apparently, “flipping the camera around” for a selfie provides my better angle…in my opinion.
3. What’s your travel packing strategy? Are you typically a light packer or do you throw in everything but the kitchen sink? When flying, do you check a bag or aim for carry on only?
I am definitely not a light packer. I think I mostly just want to feel at home wherever I am which means I pack “all the options.” I’ve gotten better through the years. Instead of a large suitcase, I can get by with my medium sized one. That being said, the other three in my family can pretty easily pack in a carry-on suitcase, so I know they wish I’d do the same. haha
I do swear by packing cubes. I’ve used these (we have lots of different colors) for years.
Three piece set // Five piece set
Not once, but twice last summer, I packed in a carry-on sized suitcase for a few days in Florida with Hadley and then a few days in California with Travis.
This was such a shock that I packed in a small suitcase, that I documented it in blog post.
My mom let me borrow these “compression” packing cubes last summer.
They did “smoosh” everything down a bit more.
4. What is it about people’s cell phone habits that you find most annoying?
I think we’re all “guilty” of being on our phones a bit too much. Of course, it’s annoying when people talk so loud that we all have to hear their conversation.
One habit I noticed with students is that if there are even a few seconds of “downtime” between instruction or waiting their turn to talk to me, they think they have to be on their phone. I struggle with this with one of my own kids…who just can’t seem to realize I expect eye contact when talking to me…even briefly. I think kids are learning bad habits…and don’t even get me started with phones in school.
5. What will be your summer mantra/slogan?
Make the most of it? I want to find time to do a little bit of everything. I want to be productive, but relax. I want to read, go to the pool, travel, catch up on sleep, watch TV, eat ice cream, go to the movies, and more.
June is definitely our busier month, and I’m trying not to let it stress me out. Summer, for me, is eight weeks, which I know is a blessing, but it used to be 9-10 weeks of summer…I feel like summer is shrinking and I know with the kids being busy that makes summer fly by as well. While I have had a bit of downtime over the past few days, it still feels like every day has a “to do” list.
Hopefully, I will find my “summer groove” soon.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
The Kansas City Royals have been fun to watch. I grew up watching the Royals as a kid, and there were many bad years of baseball. The 2014 and 2015 teams were so fun to watch, and I’m glad my kids have memories of some good baseball.
Of course, living in Kentucky we don’t get their games very often. The past few years haven’t been great, but my brother and I have split the MLB app subscription, so we can stream on our TVs whenever we want. This year, thanks to my TMobile account, I get the MLB app for free for one year. Anyway, it’s been nice to turn on the games and see them winning.
(Unless you were watching last night…ugh!)
Well, this was a fun mid-week post that included a little bit of everything…cheese, selfies, packing cubes, baseball, and more!
showmeandsweettea.com 
I am not usually a light packer either; though I can get away with just a carryon for 4-5 days I still tend to overpack because if I have any room left I’m packing extra choices in there! I should look into those compression packing cubes or a second set of the other ones (I have 1 set of that same brand) because I do feel like some of the smaller sizes work better than the larger ones as far as packing things into them and having them take up less room.
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I wish I could be a light packer…& and if we are driving, I really just throw whatever in the car haha
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Fellow cheese addict and overpacker here too 😉
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Same, same haha
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You just reminded me of the dill havarti! Love that cheese! I can make a meal of cheese. Is there anything better than bread, cheese, and wine? Ha! Wraps are a great summer lunch!
That is a great pic of you! I rarely take selfies and have to scramble when I need a profile pic. Of course, I take my horrible outfit mirror pics, but I don’t take real photos that much.
I absolutely hate that kids go to is to check their phones. Sit in silence, talk to a neighbor, draw, anything! I will say that this is the first year since the pandemic that I had to correct classes for talking and it was really refreshing! Talk away!
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That havarti cheese is the best. I like to pick up different ones as well as sausage or prosciutto and have a summer snack.
Your mirror selfies are great + EO now too haha
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And yes- that is refreshing the kids preferred talking.
I tell my own kids in the car to look out the window 🤣
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Our summer has been busy so far with what feels like something on the calendar every day. Lots of those things are fun things with people we love, but I am always looking for that blank day with nowhere to go and nothing to do. We are also trying to do a few things to the house this summer which means quotes, and people coming and going, and shopping. I just want to float in the lake. I have not mastered the selfie : ) Have a great day!
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I’d love a blank calendar square but not sure when that’s happening. Yesterday started with 9am dental cleanings…my kids weren’t too happy with me. Haha
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I LOVE dill havarti! I will slice it and put it on wheat thins. Great snack! And yeah, I don’t like taking photos either and will force my kids to. So far, they have been gracious enough to let me but my boys, 14 and 16, are getting to a point where they are over it. MY 11 year old daughter? She’s all in for selfies!
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Daughters are easier than son for picture taking haha
Wheat thins- I love those but don’t buy them often. Maybe I can add them to my next grocery pickup
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I definitely want to check out the dill havarti. Sounds delicious! The struggle is real with my phone, and I can only imagine how teenagers today feel since they have never known life without it. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
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You are the second hodgepodger to mention cubes. Those compression bags look great. Now you have me putting havarti with dill on my Trader Joe’s list. Trader Joe’s is about 70 miles from our home. 🙂 I used to live in the vicinity where TJ’s originated and had them close and closer to me. It is fun to follow a team. For our family it’s Seattle Sounders Soccer. Happy June to you.
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I feel fortunate to be able to go to TJ once a week. I’m glad it’s not too far away. I agree – it’s fun to follow a team. We aren’t far from Cincinnati but I refuse to follow the Reds and Bengals 🤣
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Yes- it’s what they know. I do still place lots of boundaries on my own kids’ phone but I guess I might give them a bit more freedom in high school.
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I will have to try that Havarti dill you mentioned. I am trying to pack lighter. I do when I go with my friends. When It is hubby and I and we are going by car, we both take all the comforts. I need to look into packing cubes. Summer does seem to be rushed. We went back after Labor Day. Not they go back the 2nd week of August.
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Growing up, we basically had Memorial Day to Labor Day. We didn’t get a fall break like we do now, but I’d be willing to give that up or just go back to a couple days like we used to have. I force myself to pack lighter if we are traveling with others besides just my family. I don’t want to seem too high maintenance haha
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We use Havarti on sliders (with company only) but have never used the dill. I will have to look for that my next TJ run. Loved the selfie! You definitely have mastered that skill. I hate to put all the blame of phone overuse on the kids, because I am just as bad. Give me a slack moment and I’m playing a game or checking email, etc. Bad habit but I don’t wait well. Enjoyed meeting you on the Hodgepodge today.
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Thanks for reading 🙂
I know – I try to be really aware of when I’m on my phone around the kids as I know they can say I’m on my phone too…but I remind them I do lots of things on my phone for school, home, pay bills, schedule appt, etc
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I like to use Havarti cheese but have never tried the dill, but will look for that next time. You have definitely mastered the selfie skill. There is a phase that must be built in for teenage boys not wanting their picture taken or at least smiling for a picture they are forced to pose for. But your boy is still a cutie. It was so nice to meet you today on the Hodgepodge.
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Thank you for reading!
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That’s a great selfie! My daughter is not at all shy about having her photo taken but my boys avoid it. I agree about the bad habits being developed with cell phones, especially with kids and at school. Sadly, it’s becoming so common that few of us even realize we’re looking at our phone so often. Hope you’re having a great week!
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I can definitely relate in the difference between boys and girls 🙂
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Boy, I’m really late commenting on this one. I’m on vacation so didn’t post to this weeks, so I figured I’d go back and comment on this HP. 🙂 I love your quote about cheese and the one you shared. I too, love cheese. My aunt just served us some cheese with dill last night and it was really good. You are beautiful in pictures, but I understand about not always liking being photographed.
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Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
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