February 8 Wednesday Hodgepodge

Wednesday Hodgepodge for February 8, 2012

The following questions are from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Every Wednesday she posts random questions to answer. Anyone can take part. If you are interested in taking part, go check it out.   

1. What is something you are loving right now? 

Last week I was loving the lemon cake my 13-year old daughter made from scratch as a surprise for my birthday. I am normally not a big cake eater, but it was delicious. I ate way too much of it.

This week...I am loving the warmth of the fire by our woodstove. Without it, I would be miserable. It is -17 C here (1.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and I am not a cold-weather person. We don't even have any snow to play in or even to cover the ground and branches in beautiful, white shimmer. No. I am not loving this weather. But this morning, even my daughter noticed the wonderful full moon that the full moon which looks like a sepia-marbled ball in the sky. That I love...and the fact that right now little chickadees are outside my window, singing their hearts out...so nice. Love it! But mostly I am loving my peeps. I have a great husband, cool kid (when she's not being a typical teenager :-) and awesome friends. I love them all.  

2. Paris, Venice, New York, and Rome are considered four of the most romantic cities in the world. Which one would you most like to visit? 

Well, all of these places have something that draws people to them. New York is full of life. So much to do there. Paris has art and culinary delights and memories from my college days. I'm not sure Paris would be the same without the old clan. Sooo...and this will be no surprise to any of you who know me well...it would have to be Venice or Rome, because my family loves Italy. I am sure if I asked my husband this question, he wouldn't hesistate in giving Rome as an answer. My daughter might pick Rome, though she'd probably opt for Lido di Jesolo so she could swim in the ocean (which is fine with me if that hot waiter is still around) or more likely Milan so she can go shopping. I'd prefer the nice little town of Gargnano, a favorite summer retreat for us, or even Florence but those aren't listed above. So I guess I'll pick Rome. It is the only one of the four where I haven't been yet. (and yes, I realize that was a rambling answer)      

3. Are you a romantic?

Sometimes. 

4. What's your favorite love story made for the Big Screen?

I don't like "mushy" love stories. I prefer romantic comedies. I still love When Harry Met Sally. The Proposal was great. The combination of cutie Ryan Reynolds, girl-next-door Sandra Bullock, and the hilarious Betty White can only produce a winner. Two weeks ago I watched Definitely, Maybe for the first time. I enjoyed that one a lot because it was more than just the romance story. As far as classics go, An Affair to Remember is a great one and don't laugh but I still think Doris Day was brilliant--The Man Who Knew Too Much and Glass Bottom Boat are charms.   (yep...rambled on that one, too. It's a ramblin'-kinda freeze yo a$§ off-kinda winter day)

5. Everyone loves Pooh bear and friends...which character are you most like and why?  

I think I've got a little of all of them in me.


 

6. What's the best chocolate something you've ever eaten?

I don't eat much chocolate but here are the top choices. My mother's chocolate cake, Ritter Sport Trauben-Nuss (raisin and nuts) or Milka nougat, and, of course, Landliebe Schokopudding.

7. Share a favorite quote about love.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Vol 62

Here are my answers for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Everyone is welcome to play along. Just go to this site for the questions and to link your blog post to the list.

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

No. I didn't watch. I don't even think it is televised here. Even if it were, I probably wouldn't see it. I don't watch much television.

A talent? Well, let's see. I don't play an instrument and for lack of any other performance talent, I'd have to go with singing. However, I am not sure if that would increase or decrease my chance ;-)

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

Sure, I have houseplants. Real ones. I have a lot of cacti, bamboo, spider plant, a few I don't even know the name, and what I really love are the orchids by my window sill. I never bought them before because I heard they were tricky. Then I got one as a gift and realized they aren't so hard to care for after all.I love all the different varieties and colors available.

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?

I got lucky. School was relatively easy for me. In most subject, I only had to put in minimal effort to get optimum results. So most of the time I wasn't shy. My biggest downfall was math and math-related sciences like chemistry which had so many equations. In those classes, I had to work my butt off. And I was a bit more shy.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

We tend to go for Japanese instead of Chinese, and each time I order something different. Hmmm...chinese? I like duck. I like strong flavored sauces. Spicy. With veggies. 

5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?

A miracle would be my teenage daugher keeping her room clean for more than a week.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

I honestly have no idea. I'm not always good at picking favorites. 

7. I should have _____________ yesterday.

done the ironing

Didn't do it today either. (sigh) Maybe tomorrow? Eventually I'll run out of things to wear and will be forced to do it.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am wondering how Joyce decides which questions to post each Wednesday. How do you do that, Joyce? Huh? Huh?

Also, the other day the weather was unseasonably warm. Flowers started pushing their heads out of the soil. Insects were out. As I went outside to hang wash, there was a bee sitting on the wall outside the cellar door, sitting there were the sun shone on it. That night the temperature dropped. Frost covered the grass, brushes, tree bark. I am wondering what happened to that little honey bee. The poor thing!

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge - January 11, 2012

It's time again for another Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.

Well, you'll never believe this, but I hadn't even heard of a few of these words. I guess that is the problem (or perhaps advantage...whichever way you look at it) of living overseas. I only catch on to these phrases if I hear them from friends or see them written somewhere. One of the things I can't stand to hear is "My bad!" But that isn't on the list.

In any case, I would definitely vote to do without trickeration. I mean, really... trickeration? The proper word should be trickery. Trickery was fine for years and years and years. Why mess with it? 

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

Not really. Definitely not with friends. Perhaps in a business situation if I would do something very stupid, but then I'd try to get out of it with a bit of humor. Laughter makes everything better. (okay, perhaps not everything but most things)

3. What is your go-to snack?

Believe it or not, I don't really have one. Sometimes fruit or yogurt or paprika chips. Of course, Landliebe chocolate pudding is a tasty choice, but imagine if I ate pudding every day. On the other hand, don't. It wouldn't be pretty.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?

I've been there lots of times. I've been to the Smithsonian so many times and it is nice, but for an indoor activity I might decide to get lost in the art museum. I like the way it is set up and it houses many fine works. Yet, the outdoor sights are wonderful, not to mention all the great people watching one can do. I think one of the best times to go and browse the outdoor sights and fountains and such is when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. It adds a nice touch and gentleness to everything.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

At one time the answer would have been either sit-up or lunges. I always hated squats. Not big on planks either but they're not as bad as squats. But now, after having been sick a long time with a triple infection, one being invasive group A strep which hit my body hard, they are all a challenge. Some days I feel like an ancient lady. Old and decrepid. 

 

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

I try to be a kind and helpful person and believe that what you give returns to you. I am lucky to know some wonderful people who have done so. ALL those acts of kindness are  appreciated, and I'd hate to single one out over the others.  

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?

Certainly have. Except after living in England and returning to the states, they wouldn't let me be a donor anymore due to BSE. I lived there at the time of the outbreak. I think I could probably try again. I mean, if I haven't gone mad-cow yet, then I am probably safe, right?

(what do you mean by you think I might have it? Huh? Huh? Do you think that is a-moos-ing? Huh? Do you!!? That's udderly ridiculous!) 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Mooooo!
But seriously...this thought keeps coming into my head today.

Yesterday evening as I was driving home, the full moon looked liked a giant, marbled pearl in the sky and a hazy circle, like an embracing halo, surrounded it. What a beautiful sight. I keep kicking myself for not grabbing my camera and taking a picture as soon as I got home. Real big kick in the...

Have a wonderful day! Don't forget to check out Joyce's Blog for more Wednesday Hodgepodge ~ AND to join in the fun!