Hodgepodge for the Birds

 

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

1. At the end of every year (or at least since the mid-1970's) Lake Superior State University posts a list of words they think should be banished from the Queen's English for misuse, overuse, and/or general uselessness. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's list includes-
Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly or even just every now and then? How many did you have to look up? Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word/phrase not on the list you'd like to add? If so do share, then tell us why. 

cringe, game changer, era, dropped, IFKYK (If you know you know), 

sorry not sorry, skibidi, 100%, utilize, and period. 

I use 'cringe' and 'game changer' often, but not on a daily basis. I had to look up skibidi. Is that really what it is??? I must be getting old because I had no idea! People use that every day? It needs to leave the planet!

2. Your favorite soup? Do you make this one yourself or is it from a can? 

I have a potato soup that I make in the slow cooker that is absolutely wonderful. And, it's gluten-free (for those who need that option) and can be vegetarian with some changes. The first time I made it I wasn't sure about it. I like my potato soup creamy and I wasn't disappointed at all. The creaminess happens just before serving.

3. How do you feel about winter? What's one winter activity you look forward to? 

I can take it or leave it. Before I retired I loved winter...for snow days! I'm a Southern girl and can't take a lot of cold weather. I stay inside and read or watch movies.

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2025 is mocha mousse (sample pictured here). What say you? The website describes it as 'a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nourishes us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort'. Is this a color I might find in your home or wardrobe? Is it one you might add in some big or small way in the year ahead? 
In a similar, but not really vein...if I were to offer you a choice right now of either a cup of mocha or a cup of mousse which would you say yes to? 

It is a pretty color, but it's kind of dark. I could see that color in a wardrobe but I'm not sure about a wall. Maybe an accent wall?

I'll take the mousse, please!

5. Which of the following winter related idioms can best be applied to your life in some way right now? Choose one, then tell us why you chose it.

snowed under, on thin ice, tip of the iceberg, chill out, break the ice, snowball effect, not a snowball's chance in hell, get cold feet, the cold shoulder 

Chill out. I worked 2 interims last semester and decided I'm forever done. There are too many other things I want to be doing and I don't want to schedule activities around work. So, I'm chilling out this winter!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Recently, I found a perfect birdfeeder. And it truly is squirrel-proof! When I first put it out I watched at the window and a squirrel was quickly deterred. I haven't seen them try again. They'll sit under the feeder & root around on the ground but have made no attempt to get into the feed. I now have 3 of them, with a smaller one (but same concept) as well. The perches will hold the birds' weight but will collapse if something too heavy tries to put weight on it. I saw a squirrel attempt to go from the top of the feeder down to the opening, but it was too slick and he fell off.  If you're looking for a birdfeeder that will feed the birds and not the squirrels, I would highly recommend one of these. 

Friday Fotos 2024 #2

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. 

There's nothing like running into your sister when you go out to eat lunch! It was completely unplanned, but so nice!

I captured this rainbow one evening. It was just stunning!

The Lenten Roses are blooming in the park.

Gurl Dogg enjoys her daily walks, even when it's windy.

My lone daffodil in my yard. Every year I look at it and think I need to plant more. 

We had a couple of very windy days. This tree (and the bridge) in the park were casualties.

Look what I heard in the park one evening! I heard a couple of owls that evening and a few days before I heard one that sounded like he was very close to the house. Owls & Hawks are just the coolest birds! I think this was the first time I heard a Kinglet around my house. The Merlin app is so interesting!

Until next time! 

Bringing Back Friday Fotos

Photo by Designecologist: https://www.pexels.com/photo/image-of-river-on-smartphone-1398339/

I decided it's time for me to revive my "Friday Fotos". It's a way for me to find the beauty in my everyday life and share it on Fridays. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep this up, at least for a while. This post is a short one!

Gurl Dogg rarely gives me cuddles. The other day she crawled onto my lap and laid her head on my shoulder. 

I popped into the church and noticed the light produced a shadow of the cross behind the crucifix. 

During a walk, I noticed a branch fell and landed sideways with other branches holding it in place. Interesting.

If you read "An Opinionated Hodgepodge", you've already seen this picture. YS put some bird seed on the window ledge in my office so I could enjoy the birds up close & personal. This titmouse seemed interested in what I was doing before he grabbed a snack.

I took this as a sign of how safe the Small Town is. I noticed this child's bike the day before I snapped this photo. It was in the same place the next day. Gurl Dogg is checking it out.

What interesting and/or beautiful things did you see in your world this week? Notice the world around you and take a photo each day of something beautiful. 

An Opinionated Hodgepodge

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

1. What kind of thinker are you-doer concrete thinking) analyst (analytical and abstract thinking), orator (logical thinking) inventor (imaginative thinking) or original thinker (creative)? What makes you say so? You can try this little quiz (link here) to help with your answer. 

The test result was "Inventor" but I disagree with that. I think "Orator" fits me better after reading the descriptions. One of the reasons I disagreed with Inventor is because I have an extremely difficult time imagining what something is supposed to look like. I have to have it right in front of me or see a visual representation of it.

2. Do you own a crock pot, air fryer, and/or instapot? Do you leave said small appliance sitting out? How often do you use it/them? Favorite thing to make in one of these? 

I have all 3 and they don't sit on my counter. I try to limit how much is on my counter; I don't like it to be cluttered. That being said, MS has a Ninja Foodie that has options to air fry/air roast/air broil/bake/toast/bagel that is too big to fit into my appliance cabinet. And it drives me crazy that it has to go on the counter and can't be put up. It's a very handy appliance, though, and is so versatile! Maybe a cover would make me feel better about it living there; maybe not. It gets used a lot; if not every day then every other day. It's great for popping a pizza in or single servings. 

I have a separate air fryer but it will be going in with items to sell in a yard sale, when we get our act together! I had to buy a new oven last October; the new one has an air fryer built in. I haven't used that feature yet; I don't need it since a Foodie is sitting on my counter.

I love to make soup in my crock pot. It gets used more in the hot summer months when I don't want to turn on the oven. I also like how my roast turns out when I use it.

I haven't used my Instant Pot a whole lot. I bought a 3-quart IP to make it easier to cook while camping. We made pasta in it a couple of times and I've discovered how great it is at making a baked potato. It cuts the time in half! 

3. What's something you hold a strong opinion on that matters not at all in the grand scheme of things? 

Oh, gosh! So many things. I'm a pretty opinionated person and won't hold back if you ask me. I don't think I can narrow it down to 1 thing. Maybe the opinion of having things sitting on the kitchen counter. (See #2)

4. Describe the view from your window. 

YS filled up the bird feeders on Monday and I have a couple outside of my office window. I'm currently watching some purple finches (which are actually red in color) enjoying their snacks. YS put a little bit of seed on my windowsill. I had a brave little titmouse come a few times and snatch some after looking into the window at me for a few seconds.

5. Do you have a favorite brand? Explain.

Of what? Once I find something I like, I tend to stick with it and not deviate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

My travel calendar is filling up! I have something every month from April to October. Some activities are with family, some with friends, and one that begins by myself but will end with family. I'm on a waitlist for a trip at the end of October; we'll see if I get in. If I don't, I'll find things close to home to do. There is one trip I'm gathering information for, but I think that will have to wait until Spring. It's going to be a longer one, time-wise. Hopefully, it will pan out because it's to some places I've seen on TV that are just gorgeous. And, I have friends in that area of the world who have offered their assistance. It just doesn't get any better than this!

An Enchanting Hodgepodge

 

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

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Elaborate.  

Not only do I wear my heart, but also my thoughts. It gets me in trouble from time to time...I'm definitely the person to play poker against if you want to win!

2. A favorite love song? 

Old-Fashioned Love Song immediately came to mind.

But if I had to pick just one, it would be If by Bread. (My freshman year in high school the marching band played this on the field.)

3. Do you consider yourself a trusting person? Explain. 

Absolutely. I'm too trusting, in fact. I could tell you stories that would make you shake your head and wonder how I'm still here without any scars! 

I've been burned so many times by people I thought were friends or at the very least had my back. After I'm burned I usually put up a wall and don't let that person back in. I may get to a place of being cordial, but that's it; my guard is up after that.

4. June 14th is National New Mexico Day...have you ever been to New Mexico (aka The Land of Enchantment)? Any desire to visit the state? Some of the top-rated tourist attractions there are- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, Bandelier National Monument, The Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Santa Fe Plaza, and the Petroglyph National Monument. Of the attractions listed which would be tops on your list? 

I've never been but it's on my list. I definitely want to go to Carlsbad and White Sands, but the place on the top of my list is Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe. More specifically, the staircase. The chapel was built without access to the choir loft. The nuns weren't able to find a suitable builder who could come up with a way to access the loft. They said a novena (prayers said 9 days straight) to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the last day of the novena, a man came and built the staircase. He only had simple tools and left without payment or without saying his goodbyes. The stairs spiral 20 feet to the choir loft and appear to not have any support. No nails were used in the construction, only wooden pegs, and glue. The wood is some kind of spruce but is not indigenous to New Mexico. 

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

5. What's something you've found enchanting recently? 

The woodpeckers and hummingbirds. I guess that's a sure sign I'm getting old! There's a red-bellied woodpecker that visits the suet several times each day. 

The hawks in the park also get my ear when I'm walking; especially in the evening. The other day I saw 1 being chased by 2 blue jays. The hawk had something in its claws (I couldn't tell what it was) and the blue jays weren't happy about it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have 1 more Ireland post and that series will be complete. I'm glad that I have this blog to keep my memories of amazing trips. Even though I don't "rough it" ( and will never!), I do like camping in different places. I think it gives a different perspective on the places we travel to. Instead of spending the night in a hotel and turning on the tv, I like listening to the sounds of where we're camping. Like I said, it gives you a different perspective.

Foto Fridays in the Mountains

 

I did a little better with taking pictures this week:

During one of my early morning walks, I came upon the duck couple resting right next to the sidewalk. Gurl Dogg wasn't with me so they allowed me to get this close to them:

I tried not to linger because I didn't want to disturb the female's beauty sleep!

Using shovels as flag poles, Old Glory was being shown at the pavilion in the park where I walk. There are some men who work out a little later than when I walk. I'm not sure if this was placed by them or if it was other guys.

This isn't the clearest picture since there is a screen on my window. I switched to suet feeders hoping it would deter the squirrels. It does to some extent, but they have figured out how to get a little snack between bars. The red-bellied woodpecker is just beautiful. The head is so vibrant, it really gets your attention!

CH wanted to go for a ride in the mountains on Sunday but I was able to hold him off until Monday by telling him it would be less crowded on Monday. We went to my happy place: Cades Cove.

As for it being less crowded, I think it was although we ran into a "bear jam" on Loop Road. Someone saw a bear so of course, people had to stop (and probably get out of their car to get close which is the most stupid thing you can do). We sat for about an hour, which is the longest I think I've ever sat in a bear jam. As we entered Loop Road we saw this guy struttin' his stuff for the ladies:

Because of the bear jam, we ditched the original plan of taking a road that is halfway through Loop Road and took a road that cuts through to the other side. Then we took another cut-through to go to CH's favorite lunch spot. There's a stream so I took advantage of it and did something I haven't done in a long time:

We saw a lot of these little frogs hopping around the stream:

As we were leaving Loop Road we saw people stopped on the side of the road (and out of their car) to get a better look at this:

CH spoke with someone who said that there was a mama bear with her 2 babies in the field. She shooed the babies into the tree and then went after some kids who got too close. The stupidity of some people just makes me shake my head. There are reminders on the road to help them out:

The sad thing is that because of the stupidity of some people when a bear attacks that bear is caught & put down. So, thanks, stupid people. 

Another picture from an early morning walk:

The morning before I saw 5 bunnies in a different part of the park. Two of them were playing around, chasing each other & I got to see one of them actually jump over the other one, then hop over to their mama who was munching on clover nearby. 

That's my week in a nutshell. Morning walks, a drive in the mountains, and watching the birds. Sure signs that I'm getting old!

A Birdie Said It's Time for the Hodgepodge

 

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

1. What do you never get tired of? 

Watching the birds in the background. Yep, I'm officially old.

2. My mother made the best ________________________________. 

Homemade candy. 

3. What machine or appliance in your home aggravates you the most? Why? 

This one is easy: the washing machine. If you don't have the clothes in the drum just right, they'll be soaked at the end of the cycle and I have to reload them and run the drain/spin cycle.

4. What are three things that brighten up your day when they happen? 

1. Seeing a cardinal

2. Visits from hummingbirds

3. Texts/calls from my boys "just because"

5. Thursday (May 12) is National Limerick Day...write a limerick about relating to spring weather, spring blooms, or a spring event (five lines, the first two lines rhyme with the fifth line, the third and fourth lines rhyme together)

Spring weather doesn't last around here

It turns hot too fast, I fear

The cold temps are gone

The air has to come on

But school's almost out so cheer!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I saw my first hummingbird about a week ago. It flew right up to my office window like it was announcing itself. I put up a couple of birdfeeders but I broke one (operator error) and the nectar ran out. Last night I saw one fly to it, then to the kitchen window to let me know she's hungry.

For the Birds Hodgepodge

 

Time for a post-holiday Hodgepodge! Joyce asks the questions; we provide the answers. Check out what others said at From This Side of the Pond.

1. Share one happy moment/memory from the holiday season. 

I really had to think about this one. As with most all of the Christmases since my mom passed, I just couldn't get into the holiday cheer. It was just a very different holiday. I did enjoy waking up without the aid of an alarm clock and doing a lot of cleaning in the house. Plus, the warm weather made it feel more like spring break than Christmas Break.

2. Let's be reasonable with our expectations going into this new year, k? What is one thing you'd like to accomplish/improve/complete/do in 2022? 

I really want to get back to my blog(s). 

3. Every January 1st (since 1976) Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words are chosen). Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2022-
wait, what?-no worries-at the end of the day-that being said-asking for a friend-circle back-deep dive-a new normal-you're on mute-supply chain

• Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly? I don't say any of these regularly, but when I write I notice that I say "that being said" sometimes.
•  Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? None of them bother me. Maybe "asking for a friend". Put your big girl panties on and own up to it! 
•  Is there a word/phrase not on the list you'd like to add? Nope.

4. Best thing you ate in the month of December? 

I don't recall eating anything that was just over the top spectacular. I did have an exceptional drink: Frangelico and Five Farms Irish Cream (I'll never buy any other kind of Irish Cream again!), also called a "Nutty Irishman". 

5. January 5th is National Bird Day. Are you a bird lover? What's your favorite bird to see in the wild? Choose a phrase from the list that follows and tell us how it relates to your life currently...eat like a bird, bird's eye view, early bird, bird-brained, free as a bird, a little bird told me, or kill two birds with one stone.

I love to sit and watch the birds! We have several bird feeders in the backyard and the side yard. My favorite is a toss-up between a cardinal and a woodpecker. I've seen 2 different kinds of woodpeckers around here: a downy woodpecker and a red-bellied woodpecker (whose belly isn't red). They're just fascinating to watch! Hawks are pretty awesome, too. A couple of days ago a huge hawk flew out of a tree that I was fairly close to. They are amazing.

"Early bird": I'm definitely a morning person. I like to get up early and get the day going. The downside is that I'm usually ready for bed by around 8:30!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Did you catch my post from earlier this week where I talked about a cookie recipe? I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it was the best thing I ate in December, but it did rank up there!

Also, catch my holiday post on Friday. 

Scenes from the Backyard: Dusting off my Camera

Picture courtesy of Pexels

It's been ages since I've done a post on scenes from the backyard. I decided to dust off my camera last Saturday, sit on my back porch, and enjoy. What a difference this summer is from last! I'm not a prisoner in my own living room this summer (see: State of the Kitchen a.k.a. The Kitchen Remodel from Hell). I'm free to sit on the back porch in my pjs until 10:00...and snap away!

These blooms belong to the butterfly bush below.

 I kind of forgot to cut the butterfly bush back at the end of last summer. Oops!

Get ready for some bird pictures! 

Ahhhh, success!!!

Of course, there's a Cardinal picture!

You may remember my acrobatic squirrel from this post.

This bunny is safe...as long as he stays on the other side of the fence!

These flowers are right on the fence. I don't know what they are (I'm sure they're just weeds) but they're really pretty.

Gurl Dogg let me take quite a few pictures of her.

Laika

I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get a picture of a hummingbird. One came to the feeder but as soon as I moved to put the camera to my eye she flew off. It's amazing to me what I see as I'm sitting on the back porch, especially since we're in town. It was nice to dust off my camera and see the scenes from the backyard!

{Friday Foto Friends} Graduation, Animals, and Flowers!

I'm linking up with Deb at Breathing in Grace for Friday Foto Friends to recap my week. 
Saturday, we drove a couple of hours for CH's cousin's daughter's graduation. CH & MS drove up early for the actual graduation; YS & I went up a few hours later for the party. 

CH & I with the sweet graduate!

She'll only be 15 minutes away from us when she starts college in the fall, so hopefully we'll get to spend more time with her.

When she was little, she called the boys "my boys". We hated that OS wasn't able to be there.

When I went to grab a soda out of the cooler at the grocery store, this was right in front:

I've never seen this before!

Now that summer break is here, I dusted off my big-girl camera and stepped outside.

This little one was near our wooded area, keeping a close eye out for Laika & Pepper.

My favorite summer subject for photos! 

This little guy was right next to the front steps. He didn't look to me like he was real young, but he did kind of fly away after a little bit.

I don't think he looks young enough to have fallen out of a nest.

Look what is not only still alive after a couple of weeks, but looks like it's actually thriving!

I just might be onto something with the calla lilies in the front planter!

I thought I killed these amaryllis a couple of years ago when I put weed killer in this area, so I was really happy to see this:

My daddy gave these to us several years ago.

The weather is fantastic right now: the windows are open and the house is actually quite cool.  GREAT sleeping weather! We're enjoying it while we can...it will be hot and muggy all too soon.

How was your week?