Wednesday, April 05, 2017

Early April Hodgepodge


Antique card from my personal collection
 It's Wednesday again, and that means it's time for the Hodgepodge with Joyce and friends at From This Side of the Pond.  There will be no Hodgepodge next week, April 12, so why not jump in and answer the questions this week?  I am so glad that I decided to try linking up with the Hodgepodge on a regular basis.  It's so much fun and is such a great way to get to know other bloggers.  Here we go with this week's questions:

1. April is Lawn and Garden Month. On a scale of 1-10 what's the current state of your lawn and/or garden. (10=a showpiece, 1=send in the professionals). Tell us about any lawn or garden plans you have for this month.
I will have to go with a 1.  My lawn and garden are buried beneath many inches of snow and even when it melts off, there will be no improvements anytime soon as it will take weeks to dry out.  So, no lawn or garden plans for this month, other than hoping to see them appear from under the snow.

2. "Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there." ~Thomas Fuller  What does this quote mean to you?

Hmmm ... this could have several meanings.  One thing, of course, -- maybe the first thing that comes to mind -- is weeds.  We don't intentionally plant them, but they sure do thrive in our gardens unless we take active measures to keep them out.  And then, some things grow in our gardens which we did not intentionally plant, but which we are happy to see there.  Sometimes volunteer tomato plants or squash plants will spring up.   Sometimes sunflower seeds dropped by the birds produce flowers, or the wind carries wildflower seeds or even some flower seeds from a neighbor's garden.

This could obviously have a deeper meaning as well ... we want to be very careful about the things we allow to take root in our lives.

[ETA: Be sure and see Joyce's take on this quote at From This Side of the Pond.   She looks at it from an entirely different angle, but a very good one!] 
🌻     🌻     🌻    🌻     🌻     🌻    🌻     🌻     🌻     🌻
3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about God?

 Psalm 90:2 -- "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God."
 And Isaiah 46:9-10 -- "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure."

 And then of course God's amazing love in sending His only Son to die for our sins, and His incredible power in Creation .... well, I could go on and on, but the verses I shared above were the first things that sprang to mind when I read the question.

4. If we were chatting in person, how would I know if you were nervous?

Hmmm .... this is a tough one.  I am really not sure.  Maybe I might be talking a little too loud or a little too fast.

5. Do you like the color yellow? Would I find any in your home or wardrobe? Daffodils, tulips, roses, sunflowers, day lily, black eyed susan...which yellow bloom on this list is your favorite?

I do like the color yellow and you would definitely find yellow in my kitchen, plus here and there in a bedroom or bathroom.  My favorite yellow bloom on the list: probably black-eyed susans.
Delightful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings
6. Flip flops or bare feet?
 Neither.  I detest flip flops.  They are fine for other people but I just don't like or wear them.  Although I went barefoot every summer of my life right through my teenage years, I seldom do so now except at the beach.

7. Tell us about any Easter plans, celebrations, or traditions you'll carry out this month.

We will have our annual sunrise service and breakfast on Easter morning.  It's always a precious time of remembering our Savior's victory over death and the grave, and all that His death and resurrection accomplished for us.  At the sunrise service, we traditionally sing the hymn below:

Another gorgeous graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings
The breakfast is always delicious, too, with egg casseroles, ham, pastries, fruit, juice, coffee and more.
Naturally colored eggs I dyed with my granddaughters some years ago.
8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Today is my wonderful daughter Carrie's birthday.   More than my daughter, she is a good and trusted friend and a blessing in my life.  I admire her care of her husband and family more than I can say.  And, though she looks like a teenager in this photo, let me assure you that she will not see 35 (or even 38) again.
And so ends another thought-provoking Hodgepodge.  Happy Wednesday, everyone!

22 comments:

  1. Oh my! You have a lot of snow there. I like what you wrote about your interpretation of the quote (to "be very careful about the things we allow to take root in our lives"). That's good advice to follow. Happy birthday to your daughter. She looks like she has a very happy and loving family!

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    1. Yes, we do have snow for sure. Rainy today and now the entire state is under a flood watch!

      That quote could have been taken so very many ways, I thought. All of the interpretations I've seen on various blogs have been interesting. It was very thought-provoking.

      I think Carrie did have a good day. We plan to celebrate with a special meal and gifts on Friday night. She does have a happy and loving family, as you observed.

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  2. Very much enjoyed your Hodgepodge!
    Your thoughts on the garden were spot on.
    Appreciated your thoughts about the Lord as well. Thou art God, beautiful!
    Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thank you, Capri! Glad you enjoyed the thoughts and Scriptures. There were so many ways to look at that garden quote. Very thought-provoking!

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  3. Your family is beautiful. What a wonderful way to celebrate Easter - a sunrise service. Enjoy your celebration.

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    1. Thanks, Katie. I must admit, though, that our sunrise service will not actually be at sunrise. It will be aty 8 a.m., probably an hour or so after sunrise. We used to have it much earlier but it is more practical to do it this way.

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  4. Moving slowly to avoid mistakes. The preview button did not allow me to edit so I had to back all the way out and close down the iPad. Hopefully, you won't see the mess I made.

    Your daughter has a beautiful family and the grandson in the middle has an infectious smile.

    You and I have gardens and yards in similar conditions. 😏

    I liked your thorough response to God is—

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    1. No, I did not see any mess at all, Vee! (Only outdoors, underfoot, rain, snow, and mud. Yuck. I really do not enjoy this time of year. My husband reminds me that I say that every year. Think he might be tired of hearing it?)

      Doesn't he have an infectious smile? That is Sam.

      I just used the verses that came to my mind first concerning God is ... I felt there was so much more that could have been said. And of course, there is. The subject is inexhaustible.

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  5. I am so sorry about your long winter and yard buried under the snow. Many years, that could be us. But this year we've been given a reprieve. No snow and this weekend temps in the low 60s! Amazing! Loved your answers. What a sweet family photo. Happy birthday to your daughter! Oh to be 38!

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    1. Your weather sounds so nice, Judy. And I know it can easily be snowy this time of year out there, so it is a nice reprieve for you. We are supposed to have temps in the 70s next week, but right now it is rainy.

      I think Carrie did have a good birthday. Actually, although I said she won't see 38 again -- it is true -- she actually won't see 39 again either. We had discussed that she might just stay 39, so that's why I used the smaller number.

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  6. I sometimes have such a hard time imagining a life with snow. I've lived in HOT So. California for pretty much my whole life. The snow sounds soo wonderful to me. I knew there were MANY ways to interpret that quote. but I didn't have the time when I was doing this to consider much. Your answer was great, and I loved Joyce's. Happy birthday to your daughter..her family is lovely. Wishing you all a blessed Easter!

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    1. I can't imagine life WITHOUT snow, Debbie. Some years we don't get much, but there is always some, and some years there is a lot. Like this year.

      So true on the quote -- I've seen a number of different interpretations and they are all good.

      Happy Easter to you and yours as well!

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  7. Our spring flowers have bloomed and are fading now. However the dogwoods are blooming and they are lovely. Your Easter Breakfast sounds so nice. Not many churches here do sunrise services any more and that makes me sad. Your daughter is beautiful, I bet she takes after her mama.

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    1. Thanks, Arlene, but she is much more beautiful than I. Sweet compliment, though, friend!

      Our sunrise service is an hour or so after sunrise, but it is still meaningful to have an early, outdoor service. We've done this ever since our church began over 30 years ago. Always a nice way to begin the day, and the breakfast is wonderful.

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  8. ACK! The snow! We had 80 degree temps yesterday, with low humidity so a lovely day. We actually took the boat out last night. Course we've got rain, thunderstorms, and tornadoes in the forecast for today so keeping an eye out for that. Happy birthday to your daughter! And enjoy your Easter morning service and celebration!

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    1. It's raining now, Joyce, so our entire state is under a flood watch until tomorrow evening. Heavy rain, combined with melting snow, could make quite a mess!

      80 degrees! Low humidity! Taking the BOAT out! Wow, what a day that must have been. Hope the tornadoes and all the bad weather passed you by.

      A blessed Easter to you and yours as well!

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  9. Love the antique card. I never thought of weeds, I love that answer. I love yellow too. Happy Birthday to Carrie.

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    1. Thanks, Debby. The card belonged to my Great-Aunt Sadie. Glad you enjoyed the answer concerning the garden quote. There are SO many possible answers, I think.

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  10. oh my hope spring reaches you soon. I love those flowers as well. Your bible verses are very powerful indeed.
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

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    1. I hope spring comes soon too, Angie. Thanks for your sweet comments and your visit. Come again anytime!

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  11. All your answers are interesting. I do hope you can see some ground soon. I am sure y'all are ready for a little green.
    I too hate flip flops and bare feet. Even though I live in the deep south, I was never one who like going barefoot. I really only wear flip flops to the beach. At my age, comfort and support are VERY important:)

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    1. Thanks, Sandy! Isn't it funny how we both feel the same about flip flops and bare feet?!

      Have a great weekend!

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