Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

I was in high school in 1994 and 15 years old.  

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?

I like cucumber tomato salad with fresh produce from the garden.  

I had a salad last week at my conference that had strawberries and watermelon pieces in it and that was good.  

3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? 

I don't think chivalry is dead completely.  When I think of the word chivalry I think of manners and showing politeness to others.  I think it's nice and refreshing to see these things in a day when we see so much meanness and selfishness.  

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? 

I'll pick Alaska because I've been there and want to go back!  We went to Alaska for Caleb's senior trip in 2022.  The pictures I've seen of Hawaii are pretty, but I've never thought it was a bucket list item for me (probably partly because I've always heard how expensive it is there).

I do like Hawaiian pizza!  I've not eaten Baked Alaska and had to look up what it is. Looking at pictures I think I'd like it though

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why. 

I have no interest in the World Cup and haven't watched any matches.  None of us play soccer.  
To go to any of those cities I'd pick one of the Canada cities because I've never been there.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We are home after traveling...we had time in Oklahoma with family to celebrate my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary. From there we went on a family vacation to Tennessee.  We got home on 6th and left on the 10th for San Antonio for school board training.  We had a nice time away.  It's good to be home.  

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for....

~ my husband's driving us around on vacation through all the mountainous roads and beautiful scenery.

~ our oldest checking the mail and doing things at home for us. 

~ the internship of our DIL going well for her.  

~ getting to see TN with our youngest last week!  Sweet memories! 

~ rainbows in the sky on our way home… a reminder of God’s promise. 

~ when I have time to color and read. 

~ sleeping in our own beds and having my bathtub after being gone! 

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Happy June! 

Today I’m thankful for…..

~ celebrating 25 years with my husband this week. Happy anniversary to us!! 

~ hugs in the mornings from our big boy on our trip. 

~ that our DIL could come to the family trip for the weekend. 

~ celebrating my in laws’ 50th anniversary with a weekend trip with family last weekend. We were in Broken Bow. It was nice to be together. And I’m thankful for them on their anniversary. 

~ safe travels on our trip and being in a new place. The house we stayed in was nice. 

~  summer days and a new month! 

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

It's almost time to say goodbye to May! 

Today I am thankful for...

~ my husband being off on Monday and all he got done! 

~ our oldest sharing meal ideas. He’s learned a lot at the fire station! 

~ our DIL having a place to stay during her internship. 

~ fun beginning of summer with our youngest. I liked having him on errands with me this week. 

~ the new library! It’s so nice. 

~ getting a quilt put  together. I still have more to add. I loved the pattern and wanted to make it. I like how it turned out. 

~ when Sirius XM is free in the car for a few days! 

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names? 

Yes, I like my name.  I rarely heard anyone named Bethany when I was a child.  And it wasn't a name you could find on souvenir key chains!  Now I know several people with the name Bethany.  I have the same middle name as my Mom and her Mom (my Meemaw).  

Our boys both go by their middle names.  Their first names are both part of their Dad's name.  

2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

Vanilla ice cream!  Yummy!

I'd pick something with strawberries for a red dessert!

3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day? 

librarian

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer? 

I will have a patriotic tiered tray on our entry way table.  I haven't put it out yet.  I'm doing lemons first.  I was going to do watermelons, but I don't have much watermelon decor yet!

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  

Memories of the school year
Awards assemblies
Yellow flowers filling fields

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We finished the school year last week and all the end of school activities that go with that.  Titus is done with 5th grade!  We had our "last day" traditions of cupcakes and ice cream for breakfast, and I had a "welcome to summer" poster done for him.  It was raining actually so I laid it in the garage and hung it when we got home for a picture instead of leaving it out and it getting wet.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

~ that my husband got a bonus at work.

~ when our oldest played a trick on his brother.  He's always been a good big brother. 

~ when I can talk to our DIL when she's on the porch with the dogs.

~ last day of 5th grade for our boy! He's had such a wonderful year.  He's loved his teachers and pretty much everything about this year. School's out for the summer! And I'm thankful for our "last day" traditions.  

~ receiving much needed rain here this week.  

~ getting to go to the HS awards banquet and assembly.  It's always fun to see their smiling faces as they are anticipating graduation this week!

~ being surprised with flowers, card, and gift card at the awards ceremony as a thank you for my work for PTO during the past three years.  It was unexpected and very thoughtful.  

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Children's book: We Are Home When We're Together

About the book:

We Are Home When We're Together is a warm invitation to cherish memories, embrace change, and remember that whenever you're with family—you're home.

Acclaimed designers and mother-daughter team Jean Stoffer and Grace Start of The Established Home from the Magnolia Network show that the location of a family's most sacred space may change, but the foundation—love for one another—remains. This meaningful picture book helps children savor good memories and reassures them that new spaces can lead to beautiful new experiences as they trust God to help them navigate and settle into a new house with their family.

Moving to new houses, new schools, new neighborhoods, and other life changes can be unsettling, and We Are Home When We're Together is a reminder to look to God as your family adjusts together. This beautiful book

• is for ages 4 to 8,
• includes stunning illustrations that feature interesting and diverse homes,
• helps parents and caretakers who are navigating moves or other life changes with their children,
• features ways to involve children in setting up home together,
• provides intentional ideas to savor memories and create wonderful new ones, and
• reminds families to rely on God, who is preparing our forever home, and rest in Him as they navigate change.

This celebration of home and family is a lovely addition to your bookshelf, a wonderful story to cozy up to with your children, and a meaningful gift for children and families who are navigating new seasons of life.

My thoughts:

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

Don't you just love this sweet cover!  In life we all face changes and transitions.  This is a sweet book with a lesson that even though change can be difficult, it doesn't matter where we live when we are together.  Changes are part of life.  This book can help families have conversations and share concerns about upcoming moves or changes they are facing.  God will help us as we faces these challenges and new things.

The illustrations really add to the beauty of this book.

I received a copy of this from Tommy Nelson Book Worms and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings! Bethany