Wednesday Medley Gone to the Dogs

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

1.  Have you ever had a special pet in your life?  Will you tell us about it?

I've had several dogs...all of them have been absolutely wonderful. Ally (a Schnauzer) lived the longest: 15 years. Pepper (who passed away about 2 years ago) lived almost as long. If I had to pick just 1, I would have to say Pepper. She was meant to be CH's dog, but she clung onto me and was my shadow. She was one of a kind and I still miss her terribly.

2.  Did you grow up with pets in your home?  What did it teach you?

We had a couple of dogs and a cat at one time. I learned that my dad really was a big ol' softy when it came to the cat. Somewhere there is a picture with the cat on the couch with him and he is scratching behind his ears. My dad was a farmboy...when he decided the cat needed to be neutered, he did it himself. We never saw that cat again! 

3.  Do you ever wonder what animals are thinking?

Oh, all the time! Gurl Dogg is the most vocal dog we've ever had.

4.  Sometimes a pet gets out and doesn't return for a few days. What do you think happens to them when they go on a walkabout?

When we lived in SC, Ally used to wander to a farm the next neighborhood over. She never left for very long. I think the longest she was gone was just overnight. She liked to go over and visit their barn. 

5.  With cats and dogs being the most popular pets, what is the most exotic pet you have personal experience with (didn't have to be yours)?

An iguana. It wasn't mine and wasn't in my house (thank goodness!).

6.  Please tell us something random about your week so far...

Nothing much going on around here, just a lot of rain. The 1 day the sun came out, I had 2 students say, "The sun!" That ought to tell you something!

If you want to answer the questions on your blog, please visit Terri's Blog and link up with everyone else so we can visit each other!!

A "Bah, Humbug!" Kind of Wednesday Medley

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

1.  I think St. Valentine's Day is for everyone, whether you have a romantic love interest or not.  I received a Valentine card from my sister (thank you Patti!) - case in point.  It is all about LOVE, not just romantic love.  What are your traditions for celebrating Valentine's Day?

Absolutely none. I honestly think it's a waste of a good day.

2.  When you were in elementary school, did you decorate a shoe box and deliver those little valentines to all your classmates?   Perhaps in Sunday School?

Oh, yeah! 

3.  Do you enjoy playing Cupid?  Have you ever introduced a couple who really clicked?

CH & I introduced a couple when we lived in SC. She lived down the street from us & he worked with CH in Ga. We introduced them when he was transferred to SC. I'd say they've been together for about 20 years, give or take a few.

4.  Which traditional Valentine's Day gift would you rather receive:  Chocolate, flowers, or a card with a personal message?

Flowers die, so I'm not much of a flowers person. I really shouldn't be eating chocolate (not that that's keeping me from it!). Cards are kind of a waste, too. So...I'll go with chocolate! 

5.  What is the best movie to watch on Valentine's Day?

The movie "Valentine's Day" is pretty good...kind of along the lines of "Love Actually"...lives that are intertwined. 

6.  Tell us something random about your week!

Is it just around here, or are there dead skunks all over the country? CH & I were talking about it the other day, & I mentioned to him a song. He said he had never heard it. Have you?

Thanks again, Terri, for hosting! Want to get in on the Wednesday Medley? Check her blog Your Friend from Florida on Tuesdays to get the questions, then don't forget to link up on Wednesdays!

A Foodie, Wintry Wednesday Medley

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY – January 30

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY

In the United States, National Croissant Day is observed each year on January 30th. Croissants are a buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  

The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. Laminating the dough is a process by which butter is folded into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body.

Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the Kipferl which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This nonlaminated bread is more like a roll.

Credit for the croissant we know today is given to an Austrian military officer, August Zang. In 1939 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant or try making your own using this recipe: Croissants recipe.

1.  Well, I do love croissants when they are fresh, but day-old croissants need to be turned into a donut.  I happen to really like the croissants that have a donut-like glaze on them!  Sugar overload but so good.  So... do you like croissants?  What is your favorite way to eat them?

WHAAAT? Croissants made into donuts??? Seriously??? I've obviously never had them that way, but I do like to eat one as a chicken salad sandwich.

2.  Speaking of food... How do you handle stress?

Yep, you guessed it: by eating. As I've gotten older I've learned to hand a lot of it over to God...and to be more organized. A lot of my stress comes from not being organized during different times of the year.

3.  Out of the negative emotions of greed, anger, jealousy, and hate, which one would you say affects you the most?

It's a toss-up between anger and jealousy. Jealousy has decreased a lot over the past year, but I definitely need to work on the anger flare-ups!

4.  Out of the positive emotions of compassion, positivity, enthusiasm, and initiative, which one is your biggest strength?

Compassion. Hands down. I don't even have to think about that one!

5.  What do you get every time you go grocery shopping, other than the staples such as bread, milk, butter, flour, sugar...

I'm becoming a coffee hoarder. I almost always go by the coffee when I'm at the grocery store or Target or WalMart...even though I have plenty in the cupboard.

6.  Please tell us something random about your week so far.

This happened Tuesday morning:

The dogs loved it...at first:

School was called off Monday night for Tuesday, and then Tuesday night for today. Looking at the temperatures, I'm guessing tomorrow will be at least a 2 hour delay (if not another day off depending how the roads are in the mountains) and there's a wintry mix forecasted for Friday morning so there's a chance this week will just need to be crossed off!

Thanks again, Terri, for hosting! Want to get in on the Wednesday Medley? Check her blog Your Friend from Florida on Tuesdays to get the questions, then don't forget to link up on Wednesdays!

Cooking Up the Wednesday Medley

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

National Pie Day is celebrated annually on January 23rd. (Not to be confused with March 14 which is PI π Day.) 

National Pie Day was created simply to celebrate the pie.  It is a day for all to bake or cook their favorite pies.  Even more importantly, it is a day set aside for all to enjoy eating pies!

The first pies appeared around 9500 BC in the Egyptian Neolithic period or New Stone Age.

1.  Okay, fess up.  Tell us your top three favorite pies, please.  Will you have some pie today?

Pecan, Coconut, and Key Lime. We're having Chicken Pot Pie for dinner, so...

2.  While we are talking about food... are you a picky eater or are you ready to try almost any new food?  What is the worst thing you have ever eaten?

I'm not too picky of an eater, as long as it's not cooked veggies. Especially if I'm traveling, I'll try it. I'm drawing a blank as to the worst thing I've ever eaten. CH says the worst thing he's ever eaten is King's Pie at the Tower of London. 

3.  Baking could be considered an art as could cooking.  How do you define art?

Something that is beautiful. It's definitely in the eyes of the beholder!

4.  Tell us a really stupid joke that made you laugh, please.

Wanna go to Booger King? (push tip of nose up while saying the next part) Hop right in! :) 

5.  January 23rd is also National Handwriting Day. Do you have nice handwriting? Did cursive writing come naturally or did you practice in those double-lined practice books until your fingers hurt?

If I take my time, I think I have decent handwriting. I must have practiced, but I don't remember how much. 

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

A podcast that someone recommended to me is doing a book study on The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The first episode was Monday, and it was excellent. The hosts are 3 women that includes 1 nun who are friends. I love their comradery and their insight. Just look up Abiding Together on Google Play, iTunes, or your favorite pod player. You won't be disappointed!

A Shocking Wednesday Medley

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

1.  It may be a little shocking, but National Static Electricity Day is January 9!!  Do you often get shocked often when you touch metal?  Here are some things to avoid!

How to Avoid the Shock of Static Electricity

• The drier air of winter months is a better insulator than the more humid air of summer.  To help prevent static electricity, use a humidifier to put moister back into the air in your home during the winter months.
• Our skin is drier in the winter months, too.  Putting on moisturizer before getting dressed is recommended.
• Synthetic fabrics are better insulators than natural fibers. Wearing materials made from natural fibers such as cotton will help reduce the amount of static electricity that’s stirred up.
• While walking around the house, at work or shopping, holding a key or a metal pen in your hand will help discharge the build-up of static electricity painlessly.
• Switching to leather soled shoes versus rubber-soled shoes will help reduce the amount of static that is built up.

I don't get shocked very often. Another tip is to touch wood before touching metal.

2.  There are actually two "National" days worthy of mention! It is also National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.  Our men and women working in many areas of law enforcement put their lives on the line for us daily.  Do you know someone working in law enforcement who you can thank today?

I work in the schools, so we have SROs (School Resource Officers). I also have a friend whose husband is a police officer, and a friend who is one for the small town.

3.  At our house right now it is all about football.  Joe's Philadelphia Eagles barely won their game on Sunday to move forward in the playoffs and another chance to play in the Super Bowl this year.  Do you have a favorite team in the playoffs or does football make you yawn?  Is there a Super Bowl party in your future, no matter the teams playing?

I used to really like football but that's tapered off in past years. I went to bed at the beginning of the 2nd quarter of the College National Championship Game on Monday night; I felt I needed the rest more than watching the game.

I am not a big pro football fan at all. I'll watch the beginning of the Super Bowl and maybe half-time; otherwise, I'm just not interested.

4.  Speaking of parties, there is always lots of food at parties I attend.  Tell us a weird food combination that you really enjoy (or have enjoyed).  It doesn't have to be party food.

I can't think of any at all. I'm just party pooper.

5.  Since we are on games and parties, what game have you spent the most hours playing?

Candy crush...maybe. I've spent a lot of hours playing tennis throughout my life although those days are long gone!

6.  Tell us something random about your week so far.

CH & I went to the movies on Sunday. I can't tell you the last time we actually went to the movies! Instant Family is a must-see, but take your tissues. It is a definite tear-jerker!

Thanks again, Terri, for hosting! Want to get in on the Wednesday Medley? Check her blog Your Friend from Florida on Tuesdays to get the questions, then don't forget to link up on Wednesdays!

Ding-a-Ling-a-Ling Medley

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

1.  National Ding-a-Ling Day is observed across the United States each year on December 12.  Ding-a-Lings on this day call the people they haven’t heard from in a while.  It may be an old classmate, co-worker or neighbor from years ago.  Or perhaps a call will go out to the child who used to mow the grass during the summer.  How about that couple who carpooled for soccer. There are all sorts of people in our lives who manage to slip out of our lives who would love to hear the ding-a-ling of a call from you or me.  So tell us who you want to call today!

This is going to sound awful, but absolutely no one. I recently got back in touch with a couple of friends from my college days through FB (we were in the band together), but I can't think of anyone I'd want to pick up the phone and call.

2.  Each year on the 12th day of December, people across the United States recognize National Poinsettia Day.  I am including this "National Day" too because my neighbor's poinsettia from last year is blooming beside their house!!  Have you ever tried to plant a poinsettia outside?

First off: That poinsettia is beautiful! I've never tried to plant one, but early in our marriage, we rented a house out in the country that had a pond beside it. We could sit on the deck and fish (if we wanted to...we never did). Christmas was over & the poinsettia looked dead, so I tossed it into the pond. About a week later we had a beautiful red flower in the middle of the pond!

3.  Do you believe in Bigfoot?  What size shoe do you wear and do you have trouble shoe shopping?

I don't believe in Bigfoot but I definitely have one! I wear a 10 or 11 but my perfect size is a 10 1/2. Do you know how hard it is to find shoes that size?

4.  What is one thing you refuse to share?

Dessert.

5.  Are you finding that this Christmas is stressful? More or less than last year?  

Nope. Not at all. I'm not baking or making candy this year. I'm just relaxing and taking it 

as it comes. My last blog post was on how I'm getting over my Grinch-Styled Pity Party. I refuse to be stressed by Christmas any more!

6.  Tell us something random about your week so far!

We had our kitchen painted last weekend...finally! NOW I feel like I have a new kitchen! When we bought the house 14 years ago, the kitchen was incredibly dark. To counteract the darkness, we painted it yellow. Then I painted it again a more vibrant yellow. On  a couple of sisters' suggestion (they had the same one without knowing it!), here it is before & after:

BEFORE

 AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

When the sage started going on the wall I freaked just a bit because it looked so dark, but she assured me it would look fine after she covered up the yellow and after it dried. We are really pleased with the result!

Thanks again, Terri, for hosting! Want to get in on the Wednesday Medley? Check her blog Your Friend from Florida on Tuesdays to get the questions, then don't forget to link up on Wednesdays!