Category: This and That

Hello and happy Wednesday!

It’s been a while since I’ve done so, but today I’m linking up with Joyce for this week’s edition of Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” Sam Keen. Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate.

To be honest, I don’t feel guilty relaxing in January or July! haha

That being said, I guess I’d answer that I feel less guilty in July. I have the downtime in the summer, and this has been the first summer I’ve truly had slower mornings not having to drive kids anywhere. I do try and break up my morning by having breakfast and coffee and reading blogs for a bit, and then I do some things around the house or workout.

I tend to watch Jenna and Sheinelle and then carry on with my day.

That being said, I love a snowy day in January, and as I’ve mentioned January is one of my favorite months. It just feels like a deep breath after the hustle and bustle of December.

2. What’s a telltale sign you’re upset?

I usually get quiet if I’m upset. That probably hasn’t always been the case, but more so as I’ve gotten older. Then, I tend to make my feelings known.

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposefully used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative?

Oh, AI ….as a teacher, it’s been a very tricky thing to navigate. To be honest, I’m not super “tech savvy,” so I’m still figuring it out. In the Google waffle, students have access to Gemini. To me, if we’re putting Gemini in the Google waffle, that means students are going to use it. That being said, it’s still a gray area in some regards. Obviously, I have conversations with students about doing their own work, and there are some AI checkers/trackers that I’ve used when I’ve suspected students have used AI. I don’t love that it’s another thing that teachers have become responsible for…teaching students how to use it responsibly when I really wish they wouldn’t use it at all. To be clear, I don’t ever tell my students to use it, but I know it has a time and place these days.

I really haven’t used it much, and I’m probably missing out. I know AI can help create lesson plans, and I’ve done a bit of that, but not too much.

One benefit is when Trav used it to get ideas for the landscaping…that sure was handy!

Again, I guess it’s the time we’re living in, but I do worry that kids aren’t going to grow up using their own creativity and thinking skills.

4. You’re invited to a summer pot luck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing?

Oh, I’d probably bring my favorite pasta salad.

If I was bringing a dessert, I’d bring this graham cracker pudding dessert. I got the recipe from Trav’s mom years ago, and it’s a fave!

5. It wouldn’t be summer without_______________.

Well, the list could go on and on with this prompt! My first thought was “watermelon.” It’s just nice to have fresh watermelon for a few months a year, and it’s an easy side dish. That being said, my answer also could have been “It wouldn’t be summer without …” sleeping in or pool time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I like watching sports, and I actually caught quite a few of the Wimbledon tennis matches, and Hayden and I watched the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game the past couple of nights.

I can’t believe the World Cup is almost over. I’m not a huge soccer fan, but will watch the World Cup games. It’s been fun to see the various locations in the US (including KC), Canada and Mexico being highlighted. It seems that it’s been a success. I’ve caught most games, and I’m sure I’ll tune in to the England vs. Argentina game today…and then the final on Sunday.

For not being very athletic, I’ve always enjoyed watching sports!

I hope you have a great day.

Hello and happy Wednesday!

I’m linking up with Joyce for this week’s edition of Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. Egg on your face, putting all your eggs in one basket, a good egg, walk on eggshells, nest egg, or a tough egg to crack…which eggy idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.

Well, I try and tell my own kids not to “put all their eggs in one basket”…but parenting teens means sometimes I’m “walking on egg shells!” haha

2. April 7th is National Beer Day…are you a beer drinker? If so, do you have a favorite? Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats…which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these?

I’m not really a beer drinker. Occasionally, I will have one on a hot day, at the beach, or at a Mexican restaurant. I only like light beer, and Blue Moon with a slice of orange is probably my typical order if on the menu. I like beer battered fish, but I don’t have it very often. I’ve heard of beer can chicken, but I’ve never made it or the other items either.

Trav enjoys a cold beer, so maybe I should have told him to celebrate yesterday!

3. Do you have siblings? What’s the best thing about being your sibling? If you don’t have siblings, what would you say are the pros and cons of being an only child?

I do have a sibling…one brother who is three and a half years younger than me. Growing up, I always picked on him, and my mom would tell me he’d be bigger than me one day…

…that happened in high school, and thankfully we started to get along around that time.

My brother is a great guy…he’s funny, smart, knowledgeable, patient, and understanding. He remembers the most random things or knows the most random facts that just keep me rolling my eyes or laughing.

I don’t take for granted having a brother, and it’s nice that he lives so close to me. We see him and his family pretty often, and I’m glad my kids can grow up with their cousins.

He’s so randomly funny, that he’ll send me random memes, reels, and even pics like this when visiting friends in California (this was quite a few years ago)

4. How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favorite?

I don’t think I have much of an opinion on floral scents in products. You know I love a candle! I like lavender or mix like this garden party one from Trader Joe’s.

5. What’s one thing in your home that begins with the letter G that you would saw is a keeper, something you’ll hold on to? Tell us why.

The first thing that came to mind was “garden flag.” I love changing out my flags for seasons and holidays. I’ve had this same flag holder for twenty years; I probably need a new one. When we first moved into this house, the garden flag and front door wreath were the first things I put out. The inside of the house might be a mess, but at least the outside looks nice. haha

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Talk about random, but here are a couple of photos I meant to include in my Easter recap.

Easter related with a nod to Diet Coke!

I love following the Seaside/30a accounts. It’s always fun to see the post office decorated through the different seasons.

How cute, right?!

I hope you’re having a great week!

Hello!

Well, I made it through the first day back at school in over two weeks. I will say that it was a bit easier since we had a two hour delay. My students were chatty…but in the best way! It was nice to see them after some time off.

Our weather continues to be wild. Our temps were in the 60’s, and there were people outside shoveling in shorts and t-shirts!

I’m linking up with Joyce today for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. What’s something recent that had you ‘tickled pink’?

Well, I know what that saying means, but I’m talking about pink…literally. I don’t own a lot of pink clothing, but I do have this Lilly sweatshirt in navy. So, when I saw it in the pink version, I thought it would be perfect for spring. I can wear it with leggings but I can also wear it to school.

Yesterday, one of my teacher friends delivered the Girl Scout cookies I’d ordered a few weeks ago, and my family was “tickled pink” with that delivery.

2. A bed of roses, everything’s coming up roses, every rose has it’s thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns…which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way?

Hmm…this is a tough one. Maybe “stop and smell the roses” as the many snow days at home were starting to get to me a bit, but I did recognize that I can’t control Mother Nature or school decisions, so I made the best of the time off.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated?

“Acts of service” is definitely my love language, so I feel appreciated when Trav or the kids help me out in some way. I also feel love and appreciated when I receive a note or a card.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers – what’s your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine’s Day?

I love flowers, and I often buy them at Trader Joe’s to freshen up the house. Even better is when someone is thoughtful enough to send flowers. A few months ago, some of my friends sent me a pretty plant, and that brightened my day.

Trav and I usually don’t do anything to extravagant for Valentine’s Day. We always exchange cards and go out to dinner at some point. I’ve enjoyed making a special dinner at home with the kids when they were younger….but I still try to find the time to do the same now too. Tonight, we’re having heart shaped chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and fruit for dinner as a family. We’re celebrating a bit early since you never know what plans the kids have on the weekend.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Quote: “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m loving the Olympics! I was “spoiled” over the weekend and Monday being able to watch the events live during the day. Now that I’m back to school, I’m catching the Prime Time coverage (and also trying not to see results before I get to watch!) I watched Glitter and Gold last week, so I’m all about the ice dancing!

I hope you have a great day!

Hello and happy Wednesday! I’m linking up with Joyce for the first time in 2026 for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk…which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter?

I haven’t done any of these activities so far this winter. We had a bit of snow in December, but I wasn’t really out and about in it. It looks like we have some snow headed our way this weekend?!

Ice skating is fun, but not something we do often. I remember ice skating as a kid at Crown Center in KC. Almost ten years ago, we took the kids to that same rink which was their first time skating.

Hadley has ice skated a few more times through the years as Lexington has a little outdoor rink downtown during the holiday season.

One activity that isn’t listed, but that I always think is fun is snow tubing. We used to go every year with a group of friends, and the kids and the adults enjoyed it.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites, so let’s jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with the photo from the year 2016.

We got quite a bit of snow in January 2016. I loved the frog hats that the kids wore for quite a few years.

I know the prompt calls for one pic, but here’s a family photo from our Siesta Key, Florida vacation in the summer of 2016. I actually remember that we were walking on the beach after dinner, and someone offered to take our photo after I took theirs.

3. What’s a trend you hope disappears in the new year.

Kids and teens saying “6-7.” Ugh.

4. They say there’s a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about regular granola? do you like bars of other kinds?

I do like granola bars, but overall, the only ones I eat are the Quaker Oats chocolate chips ones. They are just the ones I tend to buy as the kids like them, and I will eat them too if I need a snack.

I like granola, but it’s not something I eat regularly. We always have some on hand as Trav and the kids sometimes add some to yogurt. Occasionally, I will put peanut butter, sliced banana, honey and granola on a low carb tortilla for a snack.

The only other bars I eat are the Barebells ones that I get at Trader Joe’s.

They seem to be harder to find now, but I do love the Grab the Gold bars that I can sometimes find at Kroger.

5. A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well….which one describes something about your life right now?

I’m not sure. I’m definitely not a raging river, so that’s good. haha

I guess I could be a frozen lake since it’s so cold outside right now…but I guess I’m also a trickling stream just carrying on with the school year and the start of a new semester.

6. Insert your random thought here.

I usually don’t decorate for Valentine’s Day until February 1st, but I feel like putting out some decor sooner. Maybe I can do that one evening this week? I don’t do much, but I do have a few items…and I picked up a couple more while at Target recently including two of these little plates and this two pack of tea towels.

I hope you are staying warm and having a great week!

Hello and happy Wednesday! Happy October 1st!

Why do the weeks off from school go by so quickly?! We’ve been having a great week so far; I will tell you more about that later.

I’m linking up with Joyce for her Wednesday Hodgepodge post.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. What’s your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now?

I love apple/pumpkin/vanilla in the fall. You can find those combinations around my house thanks to my assortment of candles.

2. October is Country Music Month…are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are your more of a country mouse or city mouse?

I am a country music fan, and I have been for a quite a few years. I typically have channel 57, The Highway, on my radio most of the time. Some of my favorite country music artists are Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Tyler Childers, and Zach Bryan.

Most of the concerts I’ve been to in my life have been country music artists. Chris Stapleton is from Kentucky, and he put on an awesome show at Kroger Field a few years ago.

We saw Bailey Zimmerman a couple of years ago, and two artists that opened for him, Josh Ross and Brandon Wisham, have been on the radio more and more. It’s been fun to watch them become more popular and have hits on the radio after seeing them in person.

Kind of random but I really enjoyed Carrie Underwood as a judge on American Idol this past season. She just brings a great perspective considering how much winning Idol changed her life. She seems a bit reserved/guarded, but you can tell that she has genuine gratitude for her success thanks to American Idol.

Also, I heard an old Faith Hill song on the radio recently, and it took me back! I’ve always loved Faith Hill.

We’ve been to Nashville quite a few times…for fun, for music, for sports, to see friends and more. It’s only about a three hour drive from Lexington.

City mouse or country mouse? I’d say that I’m technically somewhere in between. I like quiet, but I like the convenience of being near things. The thought of having to drive far just to go to the grocery store isn’t something I can wrap my brain around. I also don’t necessarily love driving back country roads. I guess I am more of a “city mouse.”

3. How about ‘country cooking’? chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, mach and cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, collard or turnip greens, deviled eggs, BBQ, gumbo, banana pudding. Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you’ve tried or would say a firm “no thank you” to if offered.

I am not a country cook. Poor Trav married me… who has never fried anything and hates mayo! haha

His mom and aunts are great country cooks. I cook a lot, but I’m definitely not a country cook.

My fave from this list would definitely be mac and cheese. “Hard no’s” for me would be deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes.

One food that’s not on the list is green bean casserole, but it’s one of my favorite “southern” foods. I always look forward to it at Trav’s family functions.

Fun fact: Hadley loves biscuits and gravy…but really loves the gravy most of all…she’ll just eat it with a spoon! Hayden really isn’t a picky eater, but the one thing he doesn’t like is corn…and he refuses to eat cornbread. I love cornbread.

4. What is something that has a positive impact on your mood?

How I start my day…I can’t be rushed. As I’ve shared time and time again, I like a slow start to my morning with some quiet time. Even if we have to go somewhere early on the weekend, I factor in getting up with enough time for even twenty minutes to sip my coffee and start my day slowly.

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells how that month looked for you.

You know the English teacher in me loves this prompt.

Noun – school – We got the hang of our school routine this month.

Verb – maximize (my time) I truly felt like September was such a busy month that I had to use my time wisely. I made lists, I went to my room to work for a few minutes before Hadley’s home volleyball games, I graded a bit on the weekend (which I really don’t want to do, but it did help start my week of right feeling caught up), had groceries delivered, and just did whatever it took to keep my head above water.

Adjective – busy -Just the season of life we’re in, but life is busy. The kids’ activities and school were in full swing…even the weekends were pretty full.

6. Insert your random thought here.

October truly is my favorite month of the year.

The temps finally start to dip, football is in full swing, soups and chili are for dinner, and pumpkins are on my front porch!

Tomorrow, I’ll recap September!

Hello! I’m late hitting “publish” on this post, but…

How is your week going? So far, so good for us. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve joined Joyce for her Wednesday Hodgepodge, so I’m doing that today!

Here are my answers for her prompts for the week:

1. What’s a characteristic you admire in others? Elaborate.

Loyalty and humility. I am a very loyal person, and I look for that in friendships. People who are boastful or just want to hear themselves talk…ugh.

2. Do you have a favorite mug? Let’s see it. Why is this one your favorite?

I have lots of mugs I love, but this is my new fave. I’ve shared it on here previously…I went into a store looking for a dress and walked out with this cute hydrangea mug.

You know I love hydrangeas.

This mug is also a fave during the holidays…although it could be used every day. haha

3. July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day…will you (or did you) give something away? If so, what? Do you regularly give away or do you tend to ‘accumulate?’

Good timing because yesterday, I donated three bags of clothes to Goodwill…and Hadley drove me there!

I guess my clothes can accumulate, so I tend to do a closet purge in January and July.

Sometimes, things accumulate on our kitchen counter like books, bills, school work, etc…and that kind of drives me crazy. At least I keep it on one part of the counter, but I can only stand clutter for so long.

4. You’re planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities or smaller, more off the grid towns? World Atlas lists these 12 ‘off the grid’ towns to see in 2025. How many on the list have you seen? Of those listed, which one would you like to visit? Tell us why.

I think I enjoy exploring both big cities and smaller towns because both have unique things to offer.

The World Atlas list:

Boothbay, Harbor Maine; Middlebury, Vermont; New Hope, Pennsylvania; Rehoboth Beath Delaware; Brevard, North Carolina; Saugatuck, Michigan; Medora, North Dakota; Ouray, Colorado; Lamoille, Nevada; Neah Bay, Washington; Hood River, Oregon; or Cabmbria, California.

I’ve been to Maine, North Carolina, Colorado, California, Washington and Oregon, and while I haven’t been to those specific towns, I know what charming towns are in those states.

Last summer, when we were in Oregon, I believe we did go through the Hood River area.

Also, this post is timely because we just got back from Saugatuck! It’s such a cute town. I shared part one of our trip yesterday, and will share part two when we were in Saugatuck soon.

5. Have you ever…ridden a motorcycle? been to a Disney park? met a celebrity? won a contest? Tell us something about what you answered yes to on the list.

I’m not a risk taker, so I’ve never been on a motorcycle. haha

When I was 12, we visited family in California, and we went to Disneyland. We’ve taken our kids to Disney World twice. Once when they were five and the other time they were nine. I don’t fully get the Disney hype, so both times, we just went for one day. I joke that my kids don’t know you can go to Disney for more than one day. haha

I know I’ve met a few “famous” people through the years, but nobody major is jumping to mind.

I don’t think I’ve won a contest…maybe a small raffle at school! This prompt made me think about when I was a kid, and we were at TCBY yogurt, and there was a contest to be prince/princess for the day at KC’s Renaissance Festival. Being the nice sister that I am, I also entered my brother’s name…and guess who won?! He did! So there he was walking around in a parade, wearing a crown, and eating a turkey leg…all thanks to me!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The coffee mug question prompted me to think of this, but I’m on week two of drinking decaf coffee. I’m just giving it a try after considering caffeine intake. I really don’t think I drink too much coffee…typically two cups, and then water the rest of the day, but this is a bit of a test for me.

Trav did find me some K-cups that are “half caff,” and those might be a good compromise?!

One thing I’ve been doing for a few months is drinking water before my coffee in the morning, and I like that new habit.

I’ve thought about drinking some kind of “greens” — you know, the packets that you mix with water —I’d love some recommendations if you have any!

Have a great Wednesday.