A midsummer day's Hodgepodge

 

 July is half over!  How is that even possible?  But it's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond. Joyce writes the questions, bloggers provide the answers!  Here we go ...

1. What's a characteristic you admire in others? Elaborate. 

Self-confidence.  I know that God-confidence is better, of course, but still I wish I was more confident in certain areas of life.  Driving, for one.  However!  Many people are afraid of public speaking, and I'm not.  So there's that.

2. Do you have a favorite mug? Let's see it. Why is this one your favorite? 

I have several favorites.  But the one below is probably my very favorite.  I don't have a photo of it, but snagged a screenshot of one just like it that sold on Etsy for $24.    I bought mine years ago on clearance at Kohls.com for 1.99 -- in fact, bought two of them and wish I had bought ten.  They are so beautiful and have held up so well over the years despite lots of use.  Not even a chip on either one of them!

 And then I need to mention also this vintage Fire King Kimberly mug.  I found that in the cellar of my parents' house along with other dishes, but none like this.  It did come in other colors -- burnt orange and green, I know -- but this blue is my favorite.  This is a smaller mug.  Holds maybe half the coffee of the Snow Valley mug.  But some mornings it is just right!

3. July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day...will you (or did you, depending on what day you answer these questions) give something away? If so what? Do you regularly give away or do you tend to  'accumulate'? 

I've recently started filling another box to donate to our local thrift store.  We plan to take it in on the 17th after we fill it up.

4. You're planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities or smaller, more off the grid towns? World Atlas lists these 12 'off the grid' towns to see in 2025. How many on the list have you seen? Of those listed which one would you most like to visit? Tell us why? 

Boothbay Harbor Maine, Middlebury Vermont, New Hope Pennsylvania, Rehoboth Beach Delaware, Brevard North Carolina, Saugatuck Michigan, Medora North Dakota, Ouray Colorado, Lamoille Nevada, Neah Bay Washington, Hood River Oregon, or Cambria California

*You can read more about each destination by clicking the link above. 

I much prefer smaller, off the grid towns.  Not sure I would classify Boothbay Harbor as one of those (at least not in the height of tourist season) but I have been there several times and, in fact plan to be there again the end of July.  I've also been to Lamoille, Nevada, and Brevard, North Carolina.  Interestingly, my daughter and her husband are planning to spend time in Cambria, California this week. 

All photos below are from Boothbay Harbor and Cabbage Island.

5. Have you ever...ridden a motorcycle? been to a Disney park? met a celebrity? won a contest? Tell us something about whatever you answered yes to on this list. 

My only "yes" on this list would be winning a contest.  That would be for a crocheted sweater I entered in a needlework contest at the state fair, back when we had one in our town.  I've also won a number of giveaways and have had recipes published in books or magazines due to entering contests.  I  wasn't able to find a picture of the sweater or ribbon, but am showing this prize winner instead.

In the past, our grandkids in Nevada have been big on entering things in the county fair (photography and other artwork, flowers, vegetables and fruits, baked items, needlework, etc.)  At that fair, many of the awards are in cash. Above you see Emily a few years back with a fistful of prize money.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hmmm ... do I have any random thoughts today?  Well, this may not be exactly random, but I was thinking this morning how thankful I am that I picked up the Daily Grace Co. book Fix Your Focus.  I started it because a younger friend was interested in doing it together, and I am SO thankful that I did.  It has truly helped me use my time much more effectively and to bring God into all of my concerns.

Well, that's the Hodgepodge for this week!  Happy Wednesday!