Friday Fotos 2026: #3

 

Friday Fotos is a post where I can dump some photos from the previous week. The goal is to make me more aware of the beauty and fun in my everyday life. I missed last week because I didn't take any pictures worth mentioning.

It's been warm so the flowers are waking up in the park. This was the first bloom I saw in the woods.

The Lenten Roses are blooming right on cue!

Girl Dog enjoyed the sunshine on the porch

The altar just before Ash Wednesday Mass

Thanks for taking the time to see what I saw beauty in this week!

Pancakes & Ashes Hodgepodge

 

Joyce asks the questions, and we provide the answers. See how others answered at From This Side of the Pond.

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

Of course I do! I'll be going to Mass to receive my ashes. I'm over the age that the Church requires for fasting, but we're to do something extra on that day as a replacement. Last year, I gave up Amazon (and saved a lot of money), so I'm planning on doing that as well plus social media. I have a couple of different things I'm doing this Lent: a book study through the Abiding Together Podcast, journaling daily with Crux, and doing the Stations of the Cross at the outside Stations at my church on Fridays at 3:00. The parish does Stations but I find that I get more out of it if I do it by myself at the outside Stations. 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

I love pancakes with syrup! I'm good with just plain, but I'll usually spread some peanut butter and maybe some Nutella. Fat Tuesday=pancakes. I'm planning on making "Danish pancakes", which are crepes with bananas, peanut butter, and Nutella in the middle.

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

Oh, gosh! I don't know that there's been a time recently. That's the nice thing about being retired...no pressure!

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

I'm not much into jewelry, so I don't have a favorite jewel or gemstone. I think more neutral colors are in my closet.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge?

In charge of what? Right now, I'm finding it stinks to be responsible for my house. I've handed over the responsibility of my boys to them since they're grown men.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I think I have a problem:

But, I guess there could be worse problems to have!

A Lovely Hodgepodge

 

Joyce asks the questions, and we provide the answers. See how others answered at From This Side of the Pond.

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

Realizing that I'll be able to attend a sporting event in another country...as long as I can get tickets for it.

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? 

Stop and smell the roses. I'm learning to slow down and not get stressed about the stuff I have no control over.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

Being spoken to with kindness and respect.

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

Give me a box of chocolates any day! Flowers just die but chocolates give me a lot more enjoyment. No plans for Valentine's Day except attending Mass for a special couple who will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on the 14th. 

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

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated,

it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

                                        ---1Corinthians 13:4-8

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Valentine's Day has never been a big deal to me. I don't know what the big hoopla is about it...You should show the people you love that you love them every day, not on a made-up holiday by the card industry.