Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Wednesday Hodgepodge~ September 3, 2025

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Hello friends!  I'm joining Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday's Hodgepodge. Each week, she hosts a weekly link-up that is a collection of questions for bloggers to answer. It's to help bloggers get to know each other better and have a little bit of fun! It's a great way to hang out with friends. So grab a cup of coffee or tea if you prefer and join in on the fun. 




So, what is a hodgepodge? A hodgepodge is an unorganized mixture of various things, a jumble of items that don't belong together. 

Here are this week's questions and my answers for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge~ 



1. Next Sunday is Grandparents' Day. Share a favorite memory, photo, recipe, or something you learned from a grandparent. 

I have so many fond memories of my grandparents on my mother's side. When I was 3, my parents divorced, so my mom, sister, and I moved in with my grandparents. I lived with them for 3 years. My grandma was the best. She took care of me when I was sick, shared memories with me as we looked at the old photo albums. The memories I cherish the most are the times we played shoe store. I loved pretending to be a salesperson in a shoe store while she pretended she was the customer looking for that perfect pair of shoes for a certain event. She had a wonderful collection of shoes. I would bring out a few pairs and let her try them on to see which ones she liked the most. I'm thinking I got my love of shoes from her. She'd also play grocery store with me. She always made me feel loved, special, and that I was the most important person in the room. She loved her family. She passed away when I was 14. I miss her.

2. What's a quote from a book (besides The Bible) that has stayed with you? 

 “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExupĂ©ry


An interesting fact about The Little Prince. I read this book in French first in my Honors French class in high school. After reading it in French, I read it in English.


3. What's your number one food pet peeve? 

Being a person with Celiac Disease, it annoys me when people don't take it seriously. I can't tell you how many times I've heard....

It's not a real allergy.

A little bit won't hurt you.

Why do you have to be so picky?

The list is endless. It makes eating out difficult. It makes eating at other people's houses difficult. It's hard to trust people when so many people doubt the realness of this disease. 


4. What's one thing about you that is still the same as it was when you were young? 

Other than the physical features of brown hair with some new added highlights to cover the gray, brown eyes, and my short 5-foot height, I'd have to say I still keep to myself. I was never a big extrovert. When I was little, I'd often go off and play by myself. My grandma always said I was so quiet it was easy to forget about me. I had friends, went to parties, was a cheerleader, but at the end of the day, I liked my quiet time. My alone time. I hated drama and still do. I've never been one to want to be in the mix of it all. I have family members who love the soap opera drama that life and work bring. I honestly couldn't care less. It always made me wonder why people wanted to be in the mix of it and why they think it made them important. They would just have to tell you the newest, juicest details they heard. At the end of the day, no one really cares. I would much rather have my serenity.  


5. September is National Preparedness Month...does your family have an emergency plan? Do you have some sort of preparedness kit you keep on hand? If so, tell us one thing that's kept there. 

Nope, not really. We've talked about what would happen if the shit hits the fan, as they say, but I don't think we have any real plans. 



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Monique

Monday, September 1, 2025

Happy Homemaker Monday~ Septemeber 1, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.



Happy 1st Day Of September! Wow, it's hard to believe it's September already. Where did the summer go? It went by way too quickly, if you ask me. Therese started her RN classes last week. Michael has been in the fire academy for a month. They both still live at home, so I'm not quite an empty nester yet. It is different since they are no longer home most days. It's a little too quiet some days. 
We spent the weekend adding another flower bed to the back yard and working on the porch. We have been slowly redoing the covered section of the porch. It's looking so nice. Big Man (hubby) and I picked out two new doors. A side door and a storm door. I'm so excited. I can't wait until this project is completed. We also picked up some mums for the flower garden. 

Let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess, Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in, grab a cup of coffee, and say hi.


Happy Homemaker Monday




The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~

Oh my, the fall temps have arrived and seem to be staying. It got down to 46 degrees here the other night. The leaves are starting to change already, and the acorns are dropping like crazy, and there seems to be an abundance of acorns this year. I was working in the flower beds, and one of them hit me in the back. It hurt, and I ended up with a welt and a bruise. I've never had that happen before. I swear I need a hard hat. 

Monday~ Sunny, 76*
Tuesday~ Sunny, 73*
Wednesday ~ Sunny, 76*
Thursday~ Rain, 78*
Friday~ Sunny, 80*
Saturday~ Sunny, 79*
Sunday~ Sunny, 71*


As I Look Out My Window~

It's 6:30 at night. The sun is setting. The breeze has died down, so the acorns are no longer bouncing off the roof. It's quiet since the chickens have headed in for the night. I had to switch the time on the automatic door on their coop. I hate that the days are getting shorter. 




Thinking and Pondering~

Oh my goodness, how life changes. Therese is going to be a mom. She and her boyfriend are expecting a sweet little boy in February. It's not the plan I had for her, but like so often, our plans are changed. We can try to plan our children's lives, and God will always show us that we are not in charge, and that's okay. I'm proud that they both have stepped up to this challenge. So many people today would take the easy way out, but they are following God's plan for them. Every life is a gift. So I'm wrapping my head around the fact that I'm going to be a grandma. It still feels strange. How am I old enough to be a grandma? I know I am, but I swear it feels like I just brought home my own sweet babies. I am looking forward to this new little bundle. I can't wait to be a grandma! So if you're a grandma already, I'd love some advice.

Right Now I Am ~

I'm sitting in the living room typing up this post. Ruby is on the loveseat, asleep, while Maddie is by my feet, snoring away. Therese is doing homework for school. Big Man, Michael, and the boyfriend are sitting outside on the porch, enjoying the nighttime air. We already had dinner, so it's time to unwind and relax. 




How I'm  Feeling~

Overall, I'm feeling pretty good. Perimenopause is not fun. It's like puberty again in your 50s!


What's on My Nightstand~  

Morning and Evening Prayers by Charles Spurgeon.

What's for Breakfast~

I had a cup of coffee and a protein bar before we headed out to Lowe's to pick out new doors and a few new mums. 

Looking Around the House~

The floors need to be mopped. I plan on pulling out the fall decorations this week. The cooler temperatures have me wanting to change the house out. I love decorating the house to match the seasons. Pumpkins galore! I keep finding cute new ideas to create.

Source~Facebook




On My To-Do List This Week~

The normal homemaker stuff~ clean, laundry, meal plan, etc.


Happening This Week~

Tuesday~ Chiropractor Appointment
Wednesday~ Decorate for Fall
Thursday~ Set up my Sunday school classroom
Friday~ Walk at the Arboretum
Saturday~ Maddie's 12th Birthday

On My Reading Pile~

I haven't done much reading this past week. I didn't finish any books and didn't add any new ones!

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Christmas Wishes in Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington
Framed and Frosted by Kim Davis
One Kind Heart by Christine DePetriloo
What I'm Listening To~

Zach Bryan
90s Music




On TV this week~

Netflix
Sullivan's Crossing
Call the Midwives
Blindspot

Amazon Prime
Reacher Season 3

YouTube
Cooking Videos
Quilting Videos
Exercise videos

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Ribs, Blue Cheese Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, and Amish Macaroni Salad
Tuesday~ Leftovers
Wednesday~ Chicken Fried Rice
Thursday~ Shredded Chicken with Rice and Beans
Friday~ Pizza
Saturday~ Steak, Baked Potoes, and Salad





What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

I'm working on a new fall wreath.

My Simple Pleasures~

I love sitting outside with the gentle breeze, warm sunshine, and watching the birds fly around.



From the Camera~

This is Marigold. She is one of our oldest hens. She loves being a mama. Since weno longer have any roosters being a mama is a little hard to do without some help. We weren't planning on getting anymore babies this year, but porr Marigold would not leave the hen house. She's being trying to hacth eggs since May and nothing we've done has broken that. 


We finally gave in and she is now the proud mama of four sweet little girls. They are Midnight Majesty Marans. No names yet, but I'll keep y'all posted. 



Praying For~

My parents
My husband and children
Our country
Friends and family
The families at Annunciation Catholic Church



Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~


"A bend in the road is not the end of the road... 
Unless you fail to make the turn."
~ Helen Keller

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Sunday Inspiration~ August 31, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.


Immaculate Heart of Mary





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Monique

Monday, August 25, 2025

Happy Homemaker Monday~ August 25, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.



Happy Monday! It's crazy to think it's the last Monday in August. Summer flew by, but then again, it always seems to, doesn't it? The weather here has been beautiful. 
This past weekend was a busy one. On Saturday, we worked on the porch. We are finally finishing up the project we started a few years ago. On Sunday, I attended Mass and then headed to my classroom to start decorating it. We also had a meet-and-greet for our students. 


Let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess, Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in, grab a cup of coffee, and say hi.


Happy Homemaker Monday




The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~

Fall temps have arrived here. I've finally been able to open the windows and air out the house. It's so nice. The cats are loving the open windows. 

Monday~ Sunny, 78*
Tuesday~ Sunny, 74*
Wednesday ~ Sunny, 72*
Thursday~ Sunny, 74*
Friday~ Cloudy/Chance of Rain, 72*
Saturday~ Sunny, 71*
Sunday~ Sunny, 73*

Hibiscus


As I Look Out My Window~

It's actually dark out now, so I can't see a thing. With the windows open, I can hear the usual nighttime noise... crickets and tree frogs.


Thinking and Pondering~

I've been thinking about the seven little ones in my class this year. I'm praying for them. I want to have a great year with them and hopefully see their faith grow more. 

Right Now I Am ~

I'm typing up this post. It's 9:30 at night. I didn't have a chance to do it until now. Everyone is in bed, so it's quiet and peaceful right now. 




How I'm  Feeling~

I'm feeling better. Two weeks ago, I slipped on the porch stairs and completely wiped out. I twisted my ankle, bruised my back, and pulled muscles all along my right side.  It was not graceful at all. I was pretty sore the first few days. I still have some back pain, but the chiropractor is helping relieve that. 

What's on My Nightstand~  

After Sandra shared a picture of Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon, I ordered it from Amazon. 
My Bible and the Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections

What's for Breakfast~

I only had a cup of coffee for breakfast.  I had to get ready and leave the house to make my chiropractor appointment. 

Looking Around the House~

I need to pick up some. We got bins to box up some stuff for Therese's room and Michael's old room. We are making room for a few new additions. 





On My To-Do List This Week~ 

Change the Sheets
Clean the bathroom
Box up some books
Clean out the fridge
Organize my classroom supplies
Plant some new flowers we bought
Vacuum and mop
Laundry
Wash the dog beds


Happening This Week~

The only thing I have on my schedule is the chiro appointment this morning. Michael and I both had appointments, so we took trash, stopped by the dollar store, and then had our adjustments. 

On My Reading Pile~

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Framed and Frosted by Kim Davis
Christmas Wishes in Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington
One Kind Heart by Christine DePetrillo


What I'm Listening To~

I've been going back and forth between the 80s and the 90s playlists I have.  

On TV this week~

Netflix
Sullivan's Crossing
Call the Midwives
Blindspot


Amazon Prime
Reacher

YouTube
Cooking Videos
Quilting Videos
Exercise videos

On the Menu this Week~

No clue yet this week. I'm sitting down to plan the next two weeks, but I need to get everyone's schedule first. 

Monday~ 
Tuesday~ 
Wednesday~ 
Thursday~
Friday~
Saturday~




What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

I hemmed Michael's pants for the academy. I'm also working on sewing some decorative dish towels for fall. 

My Simple Pleasures~

I've been chatting with the girls when I go out to feed them in the morning. They have been quite rambunctious lately. Talking a lot and trying to get pets and cuddles. I still have one hen that is broody. She's been broody for a few months now and just won't give up.


Praying For~

My parents
My husband and children
Our country
Friends and family





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Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Sunday Inspiration~ August 24, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.



Immaculate Heart of Mary


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Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Sunday Inspiration~ August 17, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.



Immaculate Heart of Mary


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Till Next Time,

Monique

Friday, August 15, 2025

Happy Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother

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Assumption of the Blessed Mary




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Monique

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