Fall HodgePodge #46

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America but if you do, what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world? My annual motorcycle trip with my pal, Jessica. Here we are on the Natchez Trace.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right? I love nuts. Cashews. Roasted Soy Lightly Salted. But my all time favorite, since I was a child is: Almonds. Around Christmas time, our family always had a nut bowl. You know. The kind you had to crack open. I always picked out the almonds and ate them first. I still love them today. I buy them buy the bag @ Sam's.

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test? Walking on a fallen log across moving water. Doesn't it make you dizzy?

4. How would you describe your sense of humor? Blonde. I don't really know how to answer this question. I have a good sense of humor. I enjoy hearing people laugh. It's good for the heart and soul.

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question? If Wile E Coyote had all that $$$$ to buy inventions from Acme, why didn't he just buy himself dinner?

6. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose. Definitely roller skates. I just can't get that hula hoop to loop like I could when I was a child. I've tried. Ugh. It's annoying. Jumping rope? Naw.

7. What's your most sentimental possession? A plant stand that my grandfather made for my grandmother when they were first married. It is one possession she carted with her every time she moved. It must have meant a lot to her. Cards from my hubby. Treasures my daughter made when she was in grade school.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Being on vacation is definitely a two-edged sword. I love to spend the time relaxing with my hubby. I love traveling. I love new experiences. We spend too much $$$. It takes days, even weeks to recover at work from being absent. Ugh....the mounds of paperwork.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

I Heart Faces: People's Choice

This week's I Heart Faces' theme is "Best Face Photo from Summer 2011." I have a couple of favorites, but kept going back to this particular shot of the grand-boy.

As you can tell, he is full of personality and character. I'm not sure what I love most about this shot...the memories, the lighting, his expression or those adorable freckles. Not that he will like me calling his freckles "adorable." ahaha. Whatever the case, I love it! For more "Best Face Photos from Summer 2011," go to: 

This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com
Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Monday Musings - Six Days in Jail

An 80 year old woman was arrested for shoplifting.

When she went before the judge he asked her, "What did you steal?" she replied, "A can of peaches."

The judge asked her why she had stolen them and she replied that she was hungry.

The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied, "Six."

The judge then said, "I will give you 6 days in jail."

Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something.

He said, "What is it?"

The husband said "She also stole a can of peas."

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 15:7 (NIV)  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Happy Fall Y'all

Today, according to the calendar, is the first day of autumn. The autumnal equinox. Equal day and night.

What fall means to me:

falling leaves

Hay rides

Pumpkin pie

harvest

Scarecrow

FAMILY

apple cider

Blessings

autumn

Give Thanks

Sadly, it also means that winter, cold, snow, and ice are just around the corned. Ugh! Not a fan. So I'll just enjoy the milder temps, family gatherings, and the daily blessings of today...This Day! What does fall mean to you? Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Never Judge a Book....

Never judge a book by it's cover because the story inside could be the one that changes your life. You need to take time to look inside and give it a chance.

Hmmm, first I need a book to study

All the books I want seem to be checked out already lol

...mine too

...we need to move to a city that has a BIGGER library!!! with better quality and more interesting "books".....

For sure....always end up with paper cuts too...they hurt the worse

yes they do~!!!or some of the pages are missin!!! that happens frequently to me!!!

don't u love it when u get the books and find out the pages are also torn and wore out and just can't read them anymore...let's build a new inventory for the library lol

Or you find out you're sharing that "book" with someone else...

ya that's happened too...the COMMUNITY book...lol

I have found some good "books" with good storyline, then there comes a twist and ruins the ending...or has a series...to be continued

Gotta love them " sequels " ...not!!! 

This exchange was on a friend's FB wall. I love the parallel. Thought it was funny. Had to share.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Fall Head Over Heals HodgePodge

1. Do you like chili? Red or white? Beans or no beans? Spice or no spice? Toppings? Why, yes. Yes, I do like chili. Red chili. With some beans (I like more beef than beans, thank you). Not too spicy. I want to taste the goodness.

2. Red~Orange~Gold...your favorite fall color? I'm a Red kinda girl.You're surprised, yes?

3. Who did you idolize when you were growing up? Cowboys. There are a few different versions of "The Cowboy Code" but here are the main points:

1. I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
2. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
3. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.
4. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
5. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.
6. That "this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall live always.
7. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.
8. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
9. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever.
10. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

4. When was the last time you did something 'arts and craftsy'? Share please. I'm finishing up my latest 'artsy craftsy project. You'll have to wait tho. It's for a gift. She reads here sometimes. I don't want to spoil it.

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous? The dentist office.

6. Horse back riding...yay or nay (neigh?) Oh yes. I've owned horses. Sometimes, I miss it. Most days, I don't. They are a lot of work.

7. What is your favorite cliche? If you're not gonna use your head, you might as well be feet on both ends.

8. Insert your own random thought here. To go along with the "cowboy" theme.....head 'em up, and move 'em out. This is too funny

Do you have your fall gotta do list yet? For some ideas, be sure to check out my new fall gottado list here!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Joel 2:23 (NIV) ²³ Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

I'm Falling for HodgePodge Week 44

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year? At the first sign of a cold, I take Zicam. It definitely helps. I will get a flu shot too.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear? Face it. Head on. ".....all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23

3. Share two good things about your life right now. I'm breathing. lol. Yes, really. And, I am loved.

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style? I like to wear what works for me. If there is something trendy that fits into my current wardrobe, I might add it.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult? I was a Campfire Girl. Does anyone know about this group?

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor? Apple!

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher? Honest, modest, compassionate, creative, committed, prepared, caring, respectful, fair, conscientious, interested, dedicated, patriotic, and godly.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm headed to a photog workshop today that I'm super excited about attending. The instructor is Brett Jarnagin of Flashfire. His work is amazing. Check it out! The best part? I won the seat at this workshop. This is going to set my photog style apart. Well, at least that is my hope. We'll see how my fall sessions look. :)

What do you have planned for fall? Be sure to check out my new fall gottado list here!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

 

Peace and Joy,

Susan

1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV) Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

Fall Gottado

Can you believe it???? Summer is almost over. Technically. According to the calendar. Next Friday, the 23rd is the first day of Autumn. Are you ready for it? Am I ready for it? Not really. I love summer. Love, Love, LOVE summer.

To help me transition to cooler temperatures, I'm starting something new. A fall gottado list. My summer gottado list really helps me. I list food I want to can and freeze. Places I want to see. Events I want to attend. How'd I do on it? I'll save that for another post.


Here's my first ever fall gotta do list:

Apple picking

Make leaf art

Go on a hay-ride

Have a photoshoot in a leaf pile

Enjoy a bonfire with s'mores

Make caramel apples

CORN MAZE!!!

Go to a pumpkin patch

Go on 2 dates

Make fall cookies (I already have two new recipes to try)

Take a nature walk (bring the camera!!!)

Trick-or-treat (help at the church event)

Bake pies (what are your favorites? maybe I'll try something new)

Decorate (carve/paint) a pumpkin

Drink Fancy Coffee Drinks (Yep, Capitolized)

Picnic

I've never been big on decorating my house for fall or Halloween. I'm more the jump-right-into-Christmas kinda gal. But decorating a pumpkin sounds rather appealing to me for some reason.


Do you have a favorite fall tradition? Perhaps you make an outstanding pie or cookie and would share your recipe or technique. Do you have a corn maze in your neck of the woods?


Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a wonder day.


Peace and Joy,
Susan

Genesis 1:14 (NKJV) Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;

Days I'll Always Remember

There have been several historical days throughout my life that I will always remember.

November 22, 1963. It was a Friday. I was eight years old and in third grade. I remember the look on my teacher's face as she entered the class room to tell us that President Kennedy had been shot. I was crushed. My little heart broke. I sobbed. I still remember it.....like it was yesterday. My teacher picking me up to quiet and comfort me. I also remember watching the funeral on TV.

I rejoiced and beamed with pride the day we landed on the moon. It was not just a few men who went into space. It was an entire nation who joined Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as they stepped off Apollo 11 after the eagle had landed. Neil Armstrong spoke these famous words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

The 1972 summer Olympic games was my first encounter with terrorism. You can read about what became known as the Munich Massacre here.

23 October 83....I'll remember them all. Terrorists struck the marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon with two truck bombs. There were 241 marines, sailors, and soldiers killed. Please read this article which ran in the New York Times.

But to me, the biggest tragedy of all was the day America was attacked by al-Qaeda. Hijackers intentionally crashed these two airplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Within two hours, both towers collapsed. Hijackers crashed a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. A fourth jet, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania before it could reach its intended target in Washington, D.C. after the passengers attempted to take control. Nearly 3,000 died in the attacks.

The day was Tuesday. I was already at work. My phone rang. A friend called to ask if I'd heard that a plane had flown into the WTC. I thought he was joking. Making up a story. So, while he was on the phone, I looked up news on the internet. It was real. I watched the footage. I couldn't believe it. It was horrific. Indescribable. I sobbed. 

It is ten years later. I still cannot watch footage of that day without crying, For the heroes who died trying to save others. For the people who went to work on an ordinary day never to return home. For the families left behind. 

If you ask someone where they were on that day, their response would not be "I don't really know" or "I'm not sure." People know exactly where they were and what they were doing. What about you? Where were you? What were you doing? How did you and your family handle this tragedy?

This song by Alan Jackson put to a photo essay says it all:


God bless America.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 46:4 (NKJV) ⁴ Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

The Sweet Spot

There are two "sweet" spots in my house. These are places where the natural lighting is consistently good. Here are a couple examples of that sweet spot showcasing a couple of sweeties!


This fella just cracks me up. He usually does not like to sit in front of the camera, but this day he really hammed it up for me. He is so animated.

This guy is just a little too serious....don't you think?

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 14:23 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.