Hodgepodge at the start of spring

 

Here I am doing another hodgepodge which is brought to you by Joyce over at http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

Here are this week’s questions.

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

Nothing as it is spring here

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 you more country mouse or city mouse? 

Love country music but can’t think of a favourite artist

How about 'country cooking'? (loosely defined as rich flavours, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)? 

chicken and dumplings-fried chicken-shrimp and grits-biscuits and gravy-mac and cheese-fried green tomatoes-cornbread-collard or turnip greens-deviled eggs-'barbecue'-gumbo-banana pudding 

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you haven't tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered?

I don’t know anything about country cooking

What's something that always has a positive impact on your mood? 

Seeing my grandchildren and spending time with family

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

Fast, one moment it was starting the next it’s over

Insert your own random thought here. 

Remember life doesn't always go the way we plan, but that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities waiting for you. Sometimes, a detour is just a sign that something better is waiting for you in an unexpected place.

Unless that detour leads you straight down a dead end road into the ocean.

 

  

Tuesday's Four

 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, who can be found here: https://lemonscottage.blogspot.com/

This week we are thinking about the subject of Hollywood, it's 'stars', its products and it's effect on the world?

Which of the big movie stars of the past were your favourites? 

Jimmy Stewart, first name that popped into my head

What movie is the funniest you've seen?

Mr Hobbs takes a vacation

How about the most romantic?

Can’t think of one

Do you watch the Oscars or the Emmy Awards shows? 

No

Some movies, plays had a big impact on people.  Orson Welles radio performance of War of the Worlds was broadcast on Halloween 1938 and people, causing panic and widespread hysteria especially in the Grover's Mill area of New Jersey where the "invasion" took place.

Is there a movie that you were greatly influenced or affected by hopefully in a good way?

Not that I can think of

 

Stole on Sunday posted on Tuesday

 

Here are some questions I found over here.

https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com

Welcome to Sunday Stealing, 

Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. This is what I have for this week.

You can build a dream house anywhere in the world. Where would it be located?

On a small, isolated island, with only close family nearby

Have you ever taken a photo in a photo booth?

Nope can’t remember doing that.

What's your favorite kind of mustard (dijon, spicy brown, bright yellow)?

The only mustard I like is honey mustard

What did you do on New Year's Eve?

I stayed home and went to bed early

Did your parents ever share memories of their high school days?

I know nothing about dad’s days at high school, I know mum went to Belmont High and she hated it, she said there were too many students, and she felt out of place.

What's the most famous thing to happen in your home town?

In the town of Gateshead, nothing

Did you ever have a MySpace page?

Yes, I did

Will you eat a cookie today?

Nope, no cookies today.

Who is the last person you spoke to – not texted with – on the phone?

My middle daughter an hour ago

Do you play poker?

Nope

 

Tuesday's 4

 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, who can be found here: https://lemonscottage.blogspot.com/

Monday, 22 September is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season but not in Australia.

Autumn is the name of the season and fall is the term for the time of Autumn when leaves begin to fall from the trees. Not in Australia.

Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out? 

Nope 

Are stores around you showing Autumn clothing and decor now? 

Our stores have spring clothing out as our days are warming up

Do you have plans for Thanksgiving yet?   

Nope       

If we can arrange an autumn trip or get away for you, where will you choose to go and why?

I would enjoy and trip away that was arrang4d for me

 

Stealing on Sunday posting on Tueesday

 

Here are some questions I found over here.

https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com

Welcome to Sunday Stealing, 

Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere.

The phone rings. Who do you want it to be? 

I don’t like phone calls, so really no one

When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? 

Generally speaking yes, I do return the trolley to where it needs to go, but not always, if its raining I may not.

In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? 

I would have to say I am more a listener

Do you take compliments well? 

It has taken me a long time to learn how to accept a compliment.

Do you play Sudoku or Wordle? 

Nope

Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Girl Scout camp yes.

Not a thing here is Australia

Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? 

If they didn’t force their believe on my but I’m not sure

Would you rather pursue or be pursued? 

Neither would appeal to me

Have you ever fired a gun? 

Nope  

Would you rather dine at Olive Garden or Panera?  I don't eat at places like that, so neither.

Don’t have these places here

41 Years ago today

 

This photo was taken 41yrs ago, it doesn’t seem that long ago and can honestly say that I am still in love with Tim.

I found this poem online that explains my feels for Tim

I don't think you will
ever fully understand
how you've touched my life
and made me who I am.

I don't think you could ever know
just how truly special you are,
that even on the darkest nights
you are my brightest star.

I don't think you will ever fully comprehend
how you've made my dreams come true
or how you've opened my heart
to love and the wonders it can do.

You've allowed me to experience
something very hard to find:
unconditional love that exists
in my body, soul, and mind.

I don't think you could ever feel
all the love I have to give,
and I'm sure you'll never realize
you've been my will to live.

You are an amazing person,
and without you I don't know where I'd be.
Having you in my life
completes and fulfills every part of me.

I stole this but not on Sunday as today is Tuesday

 

Here are some questions I found over here.

https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com/2025/09/sunday-stealing-revisits-oldie-but.html

Welcome to Sunday Stealing, 

Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions.

Name five songs that you have completely memorized.

I can’t think of even one but there are many that as soon as the song starts the words come to me

What takes up too much of your time?

Blogging

What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?
I don’t like reality shows generally speaking, I do like Outback Truckers and Highway patrol.

What's worth spending more on to get the best?

Holiday accomadation

Share something you did last week.

Last week all I did was the run of the mill housework

This simple woman's daybook

 

Hear I am doing another Simple Woman’s Daybook post I found the questions here: https://lemonscottage.blogspot.com/2025/09/september-15-daybook.html

Outside my window... It is dark outside, so I see nothing

I am thankful... for the warmer days.

I am listening:  to the TV

I am wearing....a blue nightgown

I am creating... this post as well as a few other posts

I am going... to bed soon

I am wondering...why I am exhausted so often

I am reading...My Story, 1900 A Brand New Century by Carol Drinkwater

 
I am hoping...for more sunny and warm days

 I am learning...All sorts of things from visiting different blogs

Around the house...Is where you will find me

In the kitchen...  is a place I am often cleaning

One of my favorite things... opening the front and back sliding doors to let any breeze through the house

 

Tuesday 4 and blogging

 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, who can be found here: https://lemonscottage.blogspot.com/

Why did you begin blogging?  

Because my dad said it would be a good idea

What benefits does blogging offer you?

It helps me feel connected to the world

Have you made friends from blogging?

I feel that I have many blogfriends

Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you?

A lot of my inspiration comes from books I have around the house

A Hodgepodge Celebration or not

 

Here I am doing another hodgepodge which is brought to you by Joyce over at http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

Here are this week’s questions.  

Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle which side of the middle, do you lean towards more? 

Definitely more a party pooper, I am not a party type of person.

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what's your favorite kind of party? None

Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list?

Temperament, I use to be more short tempered  

How do you feel about your birthday? How do you want to be celebrated? Or don't you? 

I love my birthday; I would like it if all my daughters and grandchildren and Tim as well as my siblings arranged a birthday lunch either here or at Kathy’s place.

What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birthday and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month.

I had just turned 1yrs old when JFK was assassinated  

Share two good things about your life right now. 

Sue & Sam

Insert your own random thought here. 

Remember to be grateful as gratitude has the power to transform the mundane into the extraordinary. When you appreciate what you have, even the simplest moments become beautiful.

 

Sister....I admire you

 

To my sisters, I admire you so much a poem by Ashley Rice

You are powerful and brave

You are wise and energetic

You push the envelope as far as it can go and then take it even farther.

You always do your best and never make excuses

You are a great friend to those you meet along the way, an you serve as a great example for others to follow.

You care about your family, you are giving and understanding and empathetic

You always put your whole heart into whatever you are doing and never settle for second best.

You never give up even when the going is tough, and you are really there for people when they need you.

You brighten the lives of others more than you could ever know

I admire you so much

You are an amazing woman ever day in every single way

Ashley Rice

 

A bit of hodgepoge on this wet morning

 

Here I am doing another hodgepodge which is brought to you by Joyce over at http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

Here are this week’s questions.  

What gives you energy? What takes it away?

A good night’s sleep gives me energy, doing stuff takes it away 

How often do you shop for clothes? What accessory do you always wear?

I often shop for clothes but not always for me as gifts for family members. I always wear my train brooch in honour of my dad. I also like to wear earrings and a necklace. 

What's something free that you feel grateful for? 

Hugs from my family, mostly my sister Sandy and granddaughter Sam

Breakfast, lunch, dinner...which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What's your go-to comfort food? 

It would have to be breakfast, unless we go out for lunch. My go-to comfort food would have to be chocolate.

This week the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way? How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges? 

In the last few years, I have taken to saying a pray on the day for all those who were affected by the event.

Insert your own random thought here. 

Try not to forget that life should be celebrated, birthdays are special and should celebrated and not thought of as just another day, the same can be said for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day these are not just another day.

Some say that we don’t need a special day to let a parent know they are loved, but there are some who are not good at showing how they feel and for them having that special day is important it is the day they make an effort to show how they feel about their parent.

The day doesn’t have to include expensive gifts or any gift at all for many a phone call or a visit is enough.

Stealing on a Sunday posting on a Wednesday

 

Here are some questions I found over here.

https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com

Welcome to Sunday Stealing, 

Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers

I stole them from Ann who stole them from someone else.

Here is Australia we are three quarters away through the school year, and we're asking you to grade yourself. This was originally posted in 2017 by Kwizgiver, who stole it from Cat.

From A to F

Give yourself a letter grade (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, D-, F) on the following. Just the letter grade is requested, but you're free to elaborate.

• Happiness A

• Being a decent human being A   

• Being serene (calm, peaceful)A-

• Kindness A

• Anger management B 

• Creative thinking C-

• Modesty C    

• Being an original. A

• Knowing yourself  B

• Being true to yourself B 

• Getting along with others B

• Liking yourself C

• Admitting your flaws B 

• Self improvement  B

Now I ask you reading this am I thinking to highly of myself or do you agree with my rating, please be honest.

Tuesday's 4 on a wet Wednesday morning

 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, who can be found here: https://lemonscottage.blogspot.com/

1. If you could live in the world of any movie, which one would you choose and why?

I have sat and thought and thought some more about this and I can’t think of a single movie I would want to live in.

2. If you could have coffee or tea with a woman from history or from fiction, come to life, who would that be and why?

It would be my great grandmother, the woman who raised my mum, I would like to chat with her about what mum was like a child

3. If you could create an autumn-themed festival, what unique events or foods would it feature?

Events would include things like ranking up leaves, cleaning gutters and sorting through clothes, to see who could do such things fastest and efficiently.

4, If autumn had a personality, how would you describe it, and what kind of friend would it be?

Autumn would be a moody bitch, who can’t make up her mind

 

 

This weeks's hodgepodge

 

Here I am doing another hodgepodge which is brought to you by Joyce over at http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

Here are this week’s questions.  

1. Next Sunday is Grandparent's Day. Share a favorite memory, photo, recipe, or something you learned from a grandparent. 

My grandmother always said to take of my skin and to moisturise daily and stay out of the hot sun, if I wasn’t wearing a hat. She also told me to hand my daily troubles over to God before going to sleep.

2. What's a quote from a book \(besides The Bible) that has stayed with you? 

Can’t think of one

3. What's your number one food pet peeve?

People who tell me to just try it because they think I will like it, when I have clearly said no thank you, I’m not interested. 

4. What's one thing about you that is still the same as it was when you were young?

I couldn’t think of anything, so I asked my family and they all said my smile, so that’s what I’m going with.

5. September is National Preparedness Month...does your family have an emergency plan? Do you have some sort of preparedness kit you keep on hand? If so, tell us one thing that's kept there.

Emergency plan? Nope we don’t it isn’t something we have ever considered but where we live, we don’t get floods, bushfires, cyclones or anything else like that. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

So many of us live life in the fast lane rushing here and there and not taking the time to enjoy stuff, so it is important to at times to just slow down. To intentionality just stop for a bit and just sit and listen to the sound of a clock ticking, or the sound of birds outside your home.

 

Here is this weeks Tuesday 4 and guess what I am posting it on Tuesday, damn

 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, who can be found here: https://lemonscottage.blogspot.com/

The longest living cat on record, Creme puff, lived to be 38 years old and was given coffee at breakfast all his life.  Breakfast for him was bacon, eggs, broccoli and coffee.

The previous owner of the record was Grandpa Rex Allen who\ lived to be 34 years old on the same diet.

Coffee reduces chances of Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons.  

Tea without adding milk can "tan" your bladder making for many problems Milk binds the tunic acid making it safe to drink.

Homemade food increases an animal's life span too.  Let's talk about it, okay?

1. Coffee increases a bee's memory and does the same for you. Bees love caffeinated coffee flowers.  What do you love about coffee or tea?

Nothing at all, can’t stand the taste or smell of coffee, use to drink tea but don’t like that much either.

2. If you opened a tea or coffee shop in your neighbourhood, what would it be named?  How would you decorate it? Would pastry or cake be served?

Ok if I did open a beverage shop it would be a hot chocolate one and the pastries and cake would contain chocolate.

                           

3. Beethoven required 60 beans per cup of coffee.  How particular are you about your coffee or tea?

I am very particular; it would have to smell and taste like hot chocolate.

4.Italian clergy in1600s declared coffee the devil's brew and forbid it.

Pope Clement the VIII wanted to taste it, loved it and blessed it ... today, new research shows black coffee is drunk mainly by psychopaths... 

Sweden banned coffee in 1746 as dangerous, and Islam banned it for causing free thinking!

How do you take your coffee you free thinking, radical and what's your favorite brand of devil's brew?

First people had weird thoughts about coffee, I don’t like it but I don’t think it is the devil’s brew and since I don’t like it I have no favourite brand, although hubby likes Nescafe

I stole this on Sunday and post it now on Tuesday

 

Here are some questions I found over here.

https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com

Welcome to Sunday Stealing, 

Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers

I stole them from Ann who stole them from a blogger named Idzie, who called this the F.A.B. (film, audio, book) meme.

 

F.A.B.

F. Film: What movie or tv show are you watching? 

At the moment Tim and I are watching Outback Truckers an Aussie show about real life men and women who drive some pretty damn long trucks in the outback of Australia.

A. Audio: What are you listening to?

As I sit here and write this I can hear the ticking of the clocks and the sound of birds outside, with one tapping on the glass door to get my attention, they want me to feed them.

B. Book: What are you reading?

I am reading a My Story book called No Way Back by Valerie Wilding, I am really enjoying these books.

And there you have it ... another week has begun.   Japanese scientists have found that when people agree on something changes can happen. When people pray, changes occur and when they are thankful even water will purify.

Let's agree with one another that this will be a wonderful week for us all.

 

The last hodgepodge for the month of August

 

Here I am doing another hodgepodge which is brought to you by Joyce over at http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

Here are this week’s questions.  

When someone finds out what you do or where you're from, what's a question they always ask? 

Back when I was younger people would be shocked to hear I was a stay-at-home mother.

Did you participate in 'Greek Life' when you were in college, or have children who did? If so what was your experience like? Taking another tack...have you ever been to Greece? If not, is that a destination on your bucket list? 

I don’t even know what “Greek Life” is and I have never been to Greece and have never thought of going there.

Do you like Greek food? If so what's your favorite dish?  

I have never tried Greek food

What incredibly common thing have you never done? 

Played any form of sport

What is a telltale sign that you're upset? 

My face, I can’t hide being upset, also how much I am shaking as the tremor is worse when I’m upset.

Insert your own random thought here. 

Everyone needs to remember life if for living and not just for work to pay bills, we all should have some kind of hobby or outlet to help us have down time, or me time. Time to do something unrelated to one’s pay the bills job. This is something that helps us humans cope with the stress of work by stepping away from work physically and mentally.

 

Stealing Sunday nope today is Thursday sorry about that

 

Here are some questions I found over here.

https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com/ 

1) What do you typically have for breakfast?

Breakfast is either porridge or toast or sometimes a crumpet but I start each day with a chocolate egg flip (milkshake)

2) What was your favorite breakfast cereal when you were a kid?

Porridge or toast

3) Orange juice, tomato juice or cranberry juice?

I would have to say either orange juice or tropical juice

4) What time is your alarm clock set for?

5am, I like to get up early.

5) Do you have any tips for preventing stress and making the morning go more smoothly?

Simply give yourself time to do all you want to do, I don’t see the point in rushing around like a headless chook when if you allow yourself the time to do what you need to do it should be ok.

Hodgepodge on a cold, wet day

 

Here I am doing another hodgepodge which is brought to you by Joyce over at http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

Here are this week’s questions.

What's worth standing in line for? 

Food especially when you’re hungry

Tell us about a favorite food related memory. 

I remember when I was a child my mum was in hospital and dad made savory mince for tea, it was horrible and all of us except my sister Sue who liked it.

What are some things you find particularly peaceful or calming? 

Mediation and reading

Is there something you do now that gets you just as excited as it did when you were a child? 

Many things like getting ready for a road trip or holiday

To what degree are you in touch with friends from grade school? high school? college if you attended college? 

I am not I do have one friend on Facebook

Insert your own random thought here. 

Remember that we all need to nourish our soul, to feed it with mindfulness, positive thinking, and intentional self-care. By doing so means to know yourself deeply and to give ourselves unconditional love. This love and joy help us grow, maintain spiritual health, and give love more freely to others.”