Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

A Lemon of a Hodge Podge

Posted on By jennifer

Happy Hodge Podge Day!  I hope your week has been going well.  Did you finally get some rain?  Were you dealing with the smoke?  I hope it has moved on or been cleared up by some rain.  We had a storm last night.  Finally.  The storms have popped up all around us lately but never actually giving us rain.  Until last night.  I love a nice thunderstorm!!  Enough about the weather.  Let’s Hodge Podge…….

1. Do your goals and dreams energize or exhaust you? Elaborate.  Goals and dreams can be discouraging.  Especially when progress seems to be slow-going.  However, my goals and dreams (and I have more than a few – short and long range ones) keep me focused.  They keep me motivated and, yes, I would even say energized.  On most days.  There are some days, I’m just tired of trying.

2. July 23rd is national lemon day. Are you a fan of this flavor? Oh yes.  I would say I am a huge fan!:)  What’s a favorite dish or beverage you enjoy that calls for lemons? Interestingly, I do care for lemonade.  I don’t mind lemon in my tea but I don’t typically ask for it or add it when I make tea at home.  I guess I am a huge fan of lemon in my food.  I just finished a bag of Tate’s Lemon Cookies.  They were amazing.  I mentioned last week (I think it was last week) that I love lemon and blueberry flavors together.  But I think my favorite dish (with lemon) would be Chicken Piccata.  Just in case you have missed this delicious dish, it is “a popular Italian-American dish consisting of thinly sliced chicken cutlets that are dredged in flour, pan-seared, and served with a bright, buttery sauce made from lemon juice, capers, and often white wine or chicken stock.”  Even the description sounds amazing!

3. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade“…is this something you’re pretty good at managing? Have you had to do this recently? To be honest, I don’t tend to be too flexible.  Or resilient.  I know this about myself and I do try to “make the best” of things, to go with “plan b” and/or, at least, to have a good attitude.  However, lemons (in life) really just sour me.  There have been quite a few lemons in life lately.  I keep trying to make lemonade but can’t say I am always successful.  Maybe the problem is I don’t even like lemonade!!  (That is not the problem but I’ll go with it.)

4. Something you love that is lemon yellow in color? Hmm, that I love?  That is tricky.  I really like bananas…but are they lemon yellow?  And I actually love squash but not sure that fits the answer.  Yellow tulips are very pretty.  But, I think I will choose Woodstock.  This is my current screensaver and is, just now, staring right at me.  How could I resist him as my answer??  Snoopy seems to be having a moment and I’m rather enjoying it:)

5. How would you describe your attention to detail? Without trying to boast, I have to say I have very good (dare I say, excellent attention to detail.  I am often stunned when I mention something to friends or family members (“do you notice xyz?”) and they have no clue.  I notice the silliest of details.  And the most random of details.  This “attention to detail” has served me well in many ways throughout the years…especially as a police dispatcher.  Which was a lifetime ago.  Truly.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  We had breakfast for dinner last night.  Something we do not often do, but it was delish.  I made a breakfast casserole.  I have a binder of recipes.  Some that are hand-written.  Some pulled from magazines.  And lots printed from the internet.  Many of them are incredibly old.  I have decided to work my way through said binder.  Make the recipes and decide what I want to keep.  And what can go?  The first category happened to be breakfast recipes:)  This recipe was a keeper and we are off to a good start.  In other random news, we are mice-free and a few small (very small) possible entry spots on the sides of the garage door were sealed.  I think it is safe to wander downstairs in my barefeet again!  I am always barefoot in the house.  Do you wear shoes in the house?  Go barefoot?  Or need socks on?  Inquiring minds (and random thoughts) made me ask!!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoy all the Hodge Podge answers today.  Find them here.

Hodge Podge

Comments (21)

  1. I enjoyed reading your answers and found myself nodding at many and of course giggling at your humor- you are such a good writer!! Thank goodness your critters have gone- wow- that must have been awful. I do like to be barefoot in my house in the summer. In the winter, when we don’t heat the house to 75 degrees (that would be my preference!) I have to wear socks or my feet will get cold. NO to shoes in the house!! Chicken piccata does sound good right about now! I don’t think I’ve ever made it. The description does sound enticing!

    1. I’ve never made the chicken picata myself either. But I am quick to look for it anytime we go out! A treat to myself:) And, yes, good-bye critters!

  2. What a fun hodge podge for this week. I love a good lemonade (like my gram used to make) along with lemon bars, lemon sherbet/sorbet. We love a good chicken piccata. I have tried making that a few times, but it just doesn’t turn out right. I am a detail gal, and people are amazed the things I remember from a brief mention. It is about a 50-50 split with goals/plans bringing energy or drain me. Happy Wednesday, Jennifer!

    1. Hi Robin. Yes, I thought today’s lemon-y Hodge Podge was fun as well!! Happy Wednesday to you too!

  3. I tend to notice random details too, as does my husband, but we see different things, so it’s always a little interesting!

    1. Always nice to see, and notice, things in different ways. I would say my husband does that as well!

  4. So nice to visit with you this morning. We were recently in your beautiful state, and enjoyed our passing through adventures so much. I have enjoyed reading the responses to this week’s questions and yours was no exception. I am definitely going to try the Chicken Plicata. Enjoy the rest of your week.

    1. Thank you, Elizabeth. I’m so glad you stopped by today and thanks for commenting! I hope you enjoy your Chicken Picata!:) YUM

  5. Girl, I am with you on the lemon thing. Toxic positivity is not for me, so instead of trying to “look on the bright side”, I go with what I have until things improve. Sometimes you just have to wait the day out.

    1. That’s true, Gina. Sometimes you just have to wait it out. I’m not always the best at waiting but I do try!

  7. I’m so glad the mice problem has been solved. I am usually barefoot or in socks/slippers. I love to be barefoot. I haven’t done a breakfast casserole for dinner but we often do an omelette or a fried egg sandwich and I love that. Plus hubs always makes the omelettes so bonus : ) So many have mentioned chicken piccata today that I know I’ll be making it one day next week. Have a great day!

    1. I love omelettes. I have eggs every morning for breakfast and like to do omelettes often. Now, if I could get my hubby to make said omelettes, that really would be a win!! Thanks for the Hodge Podge!!

  8. My goals keep me organised too, when I have something to focus on and work towards my life feels more purposeful.
    I was thinking I am not a big fan of lemon but I love all the things you mentioned, especially that Chicken Piccata.

  9. I love breakfast for dinner and haven’t had that in quite a while. I enjoyed your Hodgepodge answers!! Joyce is amazing each week, keeping us on our toes!! Happy day!

  10. Breakfast for dinner is something we enjoy at least once a month. We both don’t care for a big breakfast in the mornings.
    I used to go barefoot but have recently been having some knee discomfort and just by wearing a good shoe, it has eliminated that issue – that and a pillow between my legs when I sleep!
    Oh thrill – so fun getting older!

  11. My favourite lemony things are homemade lemonade and lemon drizzle cake. I have not tried the lemon and blueberry combination but it does sound good.
    I usually wear slippers in the house and keep other footwear for outdoors.

  12. I almost always have slippers or flip flops on when I’m inside, but ironically, this week we’ve been at my parents’ house and I’ve been going barefoot more… Which is very unusual for me.

  13. Slapping y forehead, BANANAS!! I forgot about they were yellow, LOL. I am happy to know the mice are gone and hope they stay gone. smiles. Wishing you a beautiful Saturday.

  14. Ooooh, now I want to make some chicken piccata!
    Please document your recipe journey- the good, bad and ugly! We want to know it all!
    I am almost always barefoot- in the house and elsewhere when it’s socially acceptable! I wear socks only when I have to- like with running shoes or in the winter when it’s too cold out!

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