July 12 Hodgepodge

 Another Wednesday!  I'm a bit late getting this posted, but want to get in on the Hodgepodge fun at From This Side of the Pond with Joyce and friends.  If you've never joined in on the Hodgepodge, head  on over and snag the questions Joyce posted yesterday, then answer them on your own blog (or here in the comments, if you don't have a blog).  It's lots of fun, I promise!

1. When was the last time you chatted with a neighbor? About what? (sharing that last bit is optional)

Hmmm ... it has been a long time since I chatted with a neighbor.  Could it have been Christmas time when our neighbor brought over a loaf of his fabulous sourdough rye bread?  Or maybe it was some time this spring when he happened to be outside and I went to the mailbox and we chatted about the weather.

2. River, lake, ocean, or waterfall...which one are you most like and why?

Which one am I most like?  Good question.  I love the ocean, but of all four I probably like lakes the best.  However, I realize that wasn't the question.  How about this?  A spring-fed lake, like some we have  here in New Hampshire.  Only this lake is fed by the springs of Living Water.

3. July 13 is National Delaware Day. Ever been to Delaware? Delaware is called 'the first state' because it was the first to declare independence from the British. 

I have been through Delaware but my only real time spent there was at a scenic overlook at the end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, where we got out to sight-see and inadvertently locked the keys -- both sets! -- in the car.  Should you be interested in reading "the rest of the story", you can find it in this post: Comfort and Joy, a rather lengthy Christmas devotional piece.

What's your state's nickname and does that moniker make sense to you? If you were in charge, what nickname would you give your home state?

Our state is nicknamed The Granite State and yes, that does make sense to me.  I wouldn't change it.  Lots of granite here and our folks have a reputation for being rock-ribbed.

4. What dish did you contribute to the last pot luck meal you attended? Do you have a go-to recipe for pot luck suppers?

I brought a Greek Pasta Salad (a main dish salad using chicken, although you can leave the chicken out and serve as a side salad) and a pan of Butterfinger Blonde Brownies, a recipe I thought I had blogged about but apparently haven't.

We have a potluck lunch at church every Sunday, so I have a stack of go-to recipes and enjoy trying new ones as well.

5. What is your number one tip for a brand new parent?

Get all the rest you can, however you can.  You need sleep more than anything else and you are going to be sleep-deprived for at least a year.   (Edited to add: don't neglect a quiet time with the Lord each day, even if it has to become much shorter or at a crazy time of day.  You need that to handle sleep deprivation and all of the rest with grace.)

6. Insert your own random thought here.

For those who may be interested, I'm featuring Christmas in July every day this month over at my Christmas blog,  Mrs. T's Christmas Kitchen.  I know, most people would rather not think about Christmas right now, but check it out if you are so inclined.  Lots of short, simple ideas and inspiration there!

And so ends another Hodgepodge!