{Friday Foto Friends} It's a Challenge

I'm doing a little better about taking pictures through the week!
I'm joining Deb at breathing in grace for the link-up. Some of these ladies have incredible pictures, so go check it out!

 Last Friday after work, I went by the church and walked through the Outdoor Stations of the Cross. A parishioner built them for his Eagle Scout Project. 

I got a surprise in the mail last Saturday. 1 of my aunts visited this Texan-Danish town, and she sent me this recipe book. CH & I are putting this on our list to visit. I was thrilled to see Frikadella! 

I had to stop at the middle school on my way to school Tuesday to take a picture of the sun rising over the mountains. I wish I had my big-girl camera, but it looks like my phone did a decent job!

This is a picture of a cardinal I saw Saturday morning. They've been very vocal lately, and they're hard to see. This one was way up in a tree!

I'm participating in a Lenten Instagram Challenge. Catholic Sistas gives us a word each day, and we post a picture using that word. I cheated with "Grace"; I found a quote on Brainyquote to use. The picture for "trial" is mine, though. Oh, and for "Eucharist", I used someone's picture (with his permission).
Have a great weekend!

The Perfect Wednesday Hodgepodge

Who else is loving Joyce's new look?  Mah-velous! Just mah-velous! And, she's decided to take next week off for the hodgepodge. It's almost as though she did it just for me, since I'll be on break!

1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?
My job. I think it's a good thing. It's horrible to go into a school behind someone who isn't!

2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous?
Where do I even start on this one?  I honestly think social media is getting pretty ridiculous. I've really toned down just how much time I spend on it. I mostly get on Facebook to check my notifications; Twitter to post my blog posts. I'm very, very rarely on Snapchat (only when MS sends something). I spend most of my time with Instagram, but the new stories feature? That's ridiculous!

3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?
Playing the flute. I used to play for hours to perfect that skill. Now, I'm down to just playing for Mass, but I still practice; just not as much.

4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?
One that someone else makes & serves!  😲

5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.
Last summer's trip to South Dakota and Colorado was pretty darned close to a 10. Camping, National Parks, the Rockies, my sister...what else can I say?

6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close?

7. How would you spend $300 today?
When you think about it, $300 really isn't that much! I'd probably put it toward my credit card bill.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Ah, Spring Break is next week! I've got a busy week planned with appointments. I think I'm going to need a Spring Break to get over my Spring Break!

{Weekend Wrap-up} Underground, HEMA, Relaxation

I kicked off my weekend by going by the church and going through the outdoor Stations of the Cross. It was a little chilly; I was glad I had my jacket with me. One of our parishioners completed this as his Eagle Scout project. He did an excellent job with it. The pictures he used for each Station are very nice.

CH & I had a quiet Friday night. We went to our "new and improved" Captain D's for supper (it was a Friday during Lent!). They've remodeled it so it's now bright and cheerful. I did have a quick thought that I need to tell Daddy about it. 😔

Saturday, we were up early to drive a couple of hours to the town where we met. (Which had nothing to do with why we were there!) YS has been taking HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) Fencing Lessons for the past 6 months. There were the "Highland Games" that were held. This was a very small event; we have a private college in town that puts on a good-sized game in the Spring. For YS' first outing, he did pretty well!

He's waiting for his gear to come in, so his shoulder has a pretty good bruise on it from getting hit. I thought we were going to be in a nice warm gym, but we were outside. And, it was cold! (Again, I was glad I had my jacket!)

There were women's events:

Non-fighting events:

Even the kids got in on some events:

This guy was my favorite (we dubbed him: Viking guy!):

It seemed like a very friendly competition; after the fighting, everyone talked, gave each other tips, and just socialized. I think YS had a good time.

CH & I couldn't be where we met without visiting some old haunts. The place where it all started:

The building in back of us used to be the fraternity house were I was a little sister for 3 years; CH was a brother during fall semester of my senior year. It's a family home, now. I was so very tempted to go up and stand on the porch! I spent many hours on that porch!

We went by Pals, grabbed some burgers, and sat at the amphitheater on campus while we ate. This is a popular place for students to picnic and/or study when the weather is warm. (I don't remember ever doing that, though; too many distractions for me!) The students are on Spring Break, so it was quiet. 

Saturday night, we started watching the series Underground. The show is about the Underground Railroad. Very good, and heartbreaking.

Sunday was the grocery store, a quick trip to our favorite watering hole, The Casual Pint, then just piddling around the house.

Nice end to the weekend!  Have a great week!!!