Hello to another Hodge Podge…and a new season. Not a new season of Hodge Podge but, you know. I hope your “cozy season” has started off just as homey as you anticipated. With the change of season, the Hodge Podge is thinking fall. I was going to suggest you read all the other answers here and not let them fall on deaf ears. But that would be silly and I might fall flat on my face. Moving on.
1. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live? What’s something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall? Hello fall. Happy autumn. And welcome all the cozy feels and happy vibes that seem to come with this season. As I write this, it certainly feels much more like fall than it did 48 hours ago. The weather seems to be in sync with the calendar. The temperatures have dropped significantly. It is damp and drizzly. The perfect day for a snug afternoon on the couch. Under a comfy throw. With a warm fall drink and a cozy mystery, of course. (I mean, why not?) This time of year, I enjoy pulling all my fall decor out of the basement and then finding just the right spots to put the cute scarecrows and pretty pumpkins. As of this afternoon, everything is out of the basement. The rest is a work in progress.
2. What’s a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy? Mopping the floors. Ugh.
3. What’s something you’re falling for lately? Ever since our vacation, every YT suggestion and/or email pop-up on my computer has been cruise related. Normally, I can ignore (and delete) these things. However, I’ve been falling for all the cruise suggestions, videos, ship reviews and (yes) flash sales. I have come across, not one, but multiple YT channels of people who live full-time on cruise ships. I’ve watched a few and I still wonder…why? I do not see the appeal. At all. While on our cruise, we met a couple who had been on the ship for three months. They have also done an around the world cruise (which takes 111 days, we learned) six times. Yes, six. Two of them were back to back!?! Our cruise was nice, don’t get me wrong, but I cannot even imagine. If you enjoy cruising, how long would you want to stay on a ship??
4. Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year. Are you a fan? What’s your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage? I am definitely a fan. A big fan of pumpkin. The grocery stores are such a distraction (and temptation) for me this time of year. I could grab one of (almost) everything from a pumpkin spice display in my cart. I’m a sucker for pumpkin spice Cheerios. And pumpkin flavored Oreos?? Oh my. Such a simple, yet wonderful and decadent, little treat. I do not think there is a pumpkin cookie that I do not love. Well, that could be said for just about any pumpkin dessert. Think…Pumpkin Bread Pudding. Oh.my.goodness. And now I am drooling…….
5.What’s something you wish would never change? Explain. I’m not sure why I am struggling with this one. My mind is thinking of things that are a part of this season of life. I am so enjoying this season of our lives but there are have been other seasons that I loved as well. And time has to keep moving. It is odd to think of things, situations, circumstances never changing. I suppose when I consider change, I think/equate change with something negative (the loss of something or someone). But what if the future brought good change? Positive, even wonderful, change. Time keeps moving and that is not always bad. But, back to the question. My husband and I both enjoy good health – physically and mentally. And, for that, we are very grateful. I know aging is inevitable but, I suppose, I would “wish” that we would retain our mental well-being and state of mind.
6. Insert your own random thought here. Speaking of autumn and thinking of pumpkin spice season…we went to Starbucks yesterday. I had planned to get the pumpkin spice latte but talked myself out of it while standing at the register. No part of said latte can be made sugar-free. And it has 50 grams of sugar, I might add. But I was already there, and had ordered Hubby’s latte, so I ordered a sugar free latte. Not a drip of anything autumn-inspired and completely underwhelming. But, not the point. I’m wondering…have you noticed the cups (all the cups) now have positive affirmations on them? According to the internet, “…..Starbucks has implemented a policy requiring baristas to write personalized messages, affirmations, and doodles on every single-use cup…” I’m not sure mine was handwritten by my barista (she was grouchy). I’m pretty sure it was already there. Either way, doesn’t that seem a bit disingenious and, well, defeat the point?? There are so many local, yummy coffee shops and cafes in my area. I’m pretty sure my friendship with Starbucks is just about over. So random but, just sayin.
Ohh! I could really do with a wet, rainy day where I could snuggle on the sofa under a blanket.
I hate mopping the floors and it’s always the last thing on my list to do.
I love the idea of going on a cruise but not for more than a few weeks.
Eek! I never even thought about how much sugar is in a pumpkin spice latte. I will have to see if they write messages on the cups over here in England.
Can you believe I have never had a Starbucks? When I am out and buy a coffee I will sit down in store and it is always a freshly brewed flat white in a china mug. It wouldn’t taste right in a paper or plastic mug!
I’ve never been on a cruise either, but friends of mine love them and say once you’ve been you just keep wanting to go on another one.
My least favourite chore is ironing. I put it off for so long and then there’s a whole heap to do – I need to learn to do it as soon as it is dry!
Enjoyed reading your responses to the Hodge Podge! The only drink from Starbucks that I order is a Peppermint Mocha and I haven’t had one in probably 3 years. Just not a fan of Starbucks and prefer to spend my dollars at the non-big box coffee shops. I have never been on a cruise, so I can’t fathom living on a cruise ship. I guess I am curious about how they are charged/pay for living on one. I love pumpkin baked goods (cake, muffins, bread, cupcakes, donuts) and IHOP’s pumpkin pancakes which are back on the menu. Yay! Happy Fall, Jennifer!
Good health is a good one, Jennifer. If only…
Starbucks. I haven’t been to one in 20 years. We have some local ones in our area that are much better. I always felt a t was overrated!
We thought the same thing when we met a couple on our cruise who had just completed a 90 day cruise and then were doing our and another after that… I go stir-crazy after a day or two at sea and need those shore excursions to keep going. I can’t imagine living on a cruise ship or taking really long multi-month long cruises. I think I’d get sick of seeing the same menu items, the same decor, same people, etc. I honestly think 2 weeks would be the max I could handle.
I love bringing out the soft blankets when fall arrives!
I cannot imagine living on a cruise ship. I am team will NEVER go on cruise because I’m overwhelmed by the thought of being motion sick. I know- everyone says it’s not that bad, but what if it is? I’m just not going to risk it haha. Now, living in an RV and driving around sounds tempting to me, but not a cruise ship! When I was a teen, I got to tour a Mercy Ship, which is a retired cruise ship that is turned into a hospital. They travel to ports around the third world and bring lifesaving surgeries to so many who have no access to any medical care. It was so cool and I wanted to live on board and be a teacher at the school for the hospital staff kids!
Ha … my friendship with Starbucks ended LONG AGO. It had to do with treating the military in a certain way and since I am an Army mom, I can get grouchy if you mess with our military. So no more Starbucks for me. EVER!!
Okay, my rant is over. Ha!!
No I can not imagine living on a cruise ship!!! I am going to share the cruise ship info you shared with my husband tonight, I had no idea!!
Your grouchy barista and your prewritten on cup, lol! Yes, the purpose was defeated! I don’t drink Starbucks because I don’t drink coffee. Hard pass on living on a cruise ship. Goodness. Continued good health is a wonderful thing to want to change. All of your answers were so good! We’ve had that same weather- it is cool and I’m here for it!
We have friends who wanted to do an extended (year long) cruise but first did a three month cruise to see how that felt. They decided that was plenty long and nixed the idea of a year on the ship. It holds zero appeal for me. I do my best not to frequent a Starbucks. There’s one in my local grocery, right when you walk in, which is tempting, but I rarely get something from them. I love the colors and coziness of fall and am ready for this heat to calm down. It’s rare I’m ready for summer to end, but this past month it’s been too much.
Hello! I have missed visiting with you here. I am finally getting back into the blogging groove after being sick and trying to figure out all the Blogger messes! I love this post. I can feel the cozy right through your words. Happy fall, my friend! Oh! Have you tried Pumpkin Spice Special K??? I wait all year for it!!!!!!!