A simply beachy Hodgepodge

 

 Again this week, I'm once again writing a Hodgepodge post and linking up with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.   Recall, this is the linkup where Joyce asks the questions and bloggers provide the answers on their own blogs.  Here goes ...

1. Do you like the beach? How far do you have to drive to get to the nearest beach? Your least favorite thing about the beach? Last beach trip you took? 

First, a little clarification: In our circles, when we say "the beach" we are talking about a lake beach most usually.  To get to the nearest lake beach ( a wonderful state park) is about 20 minutes, and it's a place we love.  My least favorite thing about the beach in general is that it's often crowded, but this beach in particular has pine tree roots everywhere -- not on the lakeshore so much, but on the paths to rest rooms, picnic tables and parking lots, making it easy to get tripped up.  Last beach trip I took was about ten days ago with my daughter and several grands.

We do enjoy ocean beaches too, but mostly in the off-season when they are not crowded.  For that we need to drive more like an hour and a half to get to a good one.  Least favorite thing; crowds.  Last time we took a trip to an ocean beach was in March or April (I forget which) 2021.

2. Are you known for making waves or are you more of a 'go along to get along' kind of person? Explain.

I prefer not to make waves.  My philosophy is always "least said, soonest mended."  That said, there are times when one simply has to speak up.

3. A favorite song that in some way references the beach? A favorite book and/or movie with a beach-y setting? 

I considered several seashore-related songs, but I'm going with this one.  I've referenced it before:

It's the Gospel song "The Lighthouse" by Ronnie Hinson.  Here are the lyrics:

 There's a Lighthouse on the hillside
that overlooks life's sea.
When I'm tossed it sends out a light
that I might see.
And the light that shines in the darkness,
now will safely lead us o'er.
If it wasn't for the lighthouse
that ship would be no more.

Everybody that lives around me says,
tear that lighthouse down,
The big ships don't sail this way anymore,
there's no use of it standing 'round.
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night,
when just in time I saw the light,
Yes, the light from that old lighthouse,
that stands up there on the hill.

And I thank God for the Lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him,
For Jesus is the Lighthouse,
and from the rocks of sin
He has shone a light around me
that I can clearly see,
If it wasn't for the Lighthouse
where would this ship be?

I love this song and it reminds me of the decision I made to trust Jesus as my personal Savior at a very stormy, dark time in my life -- the most important decision I have ever made or ever will make.  

 As far as my favorite book/movie with a beachy setting -- I am going with the Anne of Green Gables series.  Being set on Prince Edward Island, the sea figures prominently all through the series.

4. Tuesday is National Simplicity Day...what's a simple pleasure you've enjoyed this week? What's something you could eliminate from your life to make things simpler? 

Last night, at our little camp, sleeping with the window above our bed wide open to catch the lovely breeze.   That's a simple pleasure we adore,  but the temperatures are seldom conducive to it.  The somewhat older photo below shows the sleeping nook, but the season is wrong.

Something I could eliminate from my life to make things simpler?  Let me see.  In the past few months I eliminated drying my hair and just let it dry naturally.  It's working out fine and does save considerable time.  Now I need to just figure out a few more things to eliminate.

5. What's something you love to do? Do you do it often? Why or why not? 

I love to do needlework, especially sewing, counted cross stitch and embroidery.   The projects below are all older.  I don't do needlework often because I don't have a lot of free time.   I am determined to somehow factor time for it back into my life.

Coasters I sewed.  Love this fabric combination.

Pillowcases.  I added the cross-stitched roses using waste canvas.

An embroidered dish towel with a scalloped fabric edge sewed on.

An apron I sewed from dish towels.

A cross-stitched tea time trivet.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If you haven't visited my Christmas blog, Mrs. T's Christmas Kitchen, do head on over for Christmas in July.   Check out my Etsy shop, too.  l'm currently running a 30% off sale on all listings from the Vintage Christmas category.

And that wraps up the Hodgepodge for this week!  Why not head on over to From This Side of the Pond and snag the questions to answer on your own blog?