3 R's and ZZ's Big Z in the Hodgepodge

1. Way back when (the Hodgepodge bicentennial to be precise) several of you submitted questions as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I went back to that list for inspiration today and found a question  submitted by Marla, who blogs over at Marla's Musings. Thanks Marla! 

She asks-At what age did you feel like a 'grown-up'? What keeps you young now?   

I first felt like a grown-up when my first baby was about three weeks old. I distinctly remember packing everything up to take him somewhere all by myself.   Diapers, wipes, toys, extra clothes, pacifier, wallet, keys. All check.

But as I begun to shut the front door behind me, I realized he was still in his baby seat on the couch! I gasped! It really hit me that he is totally dependent on me--another human being needs me in every little way of his life. 

What keeps me young now is having a teenager who keeps me current on the lingo and music of "kids." 

2. When did you last buy a vehicle? Was this by design or because you had no other option? Was the car/truck purchased for your own personal use or was it bought for someone else to drive? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being delightful and 1 being 'pass the Excedrin') how would you rate the experience?

January of 2013. We had tried to get 200K miles out of my minivan, but it was starting to have one major problem after another--not the least of which was the driver's window that wouldn't roll down. (Think opening your door at every drive-thru. Ugh!) 

Research had already begun, so we knew what we wanted when the time came. Found one for a good price online, but it was hubby who went to the dealership after work to test drive the thing. The experience was not pleasant --it was about a 2--as the finance guy left early, and the salesman clearly didn't want to be there, and falling snow prevented a long test drive. They also tried to push the package (for an extra $2,000) where they offer free oil changes for life and manicures and yada yada. You can't sell us anything extra and you WILL NOT tell us the computer puts it on there automatically and you need a manager to take it off! 

But the vehicle (Hyundai Santa Fe) is paid for now and I've loved it since Day 1.  We'd buy another one, but never again from that dealer!


3. Corn bread, corn chips, corn pudding, corn on the cob, cornflakes, corn chowder-your favorite of the corn-y foods listed? What needs to be served alongside your selection?

Corn on the cob--and it goes GREAT with Maryland steamed crabs . That's what we're having at my son's new house this Sunday to  celebrate my upcoming 50th birthday.  (Which is next Wednesday!)


4. What's something in your life that regularly requires you to 'put your thinking cap on'?

Quilting. It requires math, people.  However, the little doll quilt above is one I'm working on
that is about as close to math-less as you can get. This one's a birthday gift for my now 2-year-old niece. 


5. Share a favorite movie set in a school or classroom, or whose theme relates to school days in some way.

Stand and Deliver.

6. Reading, writing, and 'rithmatic' are commonly referred to as the three R's. What are the three R's in your life right now?

Receive God's love.
Resist the devil (and he will flee from you).  James 4:7
Report to the doctors who are working together to diagnose my main problem.


7. What's something you've learned or tried recently you can say was as 'easy as ABC'?

I made two pound cakes the other night for feeding the homeless. It was much easier than I thought it'd be (except when I was halfway through and didn't have baking powder. I ran to my friend Bonnie's). But don't ask me why one cake turned out better than the other.  Same batter, same size loaf pan, same oven, same time. I also made blueberry topping and served it all with whipped cream. It was big hit.

I also made my own balsamic vinaigrette, then marinated  and grilled about 40 slices from this monstrous zucchini given me by Bonnie, along with the baking powder.  (Hi, Bonnie!) It fed 23 at the homeless meal! And they loved it. That's always music to my ears to hear "Can I get seconds?"

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My birthday celebration has begun with total strangers (well, not total, but people I've never met in real life).  
First i got a wonderful selection of fat quarters (fabric pieces that measure 18x22) from my online quilting group that does a birthday swap and some sweet cards along with them .

Then, to my great surprise, a birthday card and a gift card from one of my fellow Hodgepodgers who has become a friend. Hi, Sally from Cali!  You made my day, my week, my month and my year. (Sounds like the Friends theme song!) I was dancing a happy dance when I saw pulled her envelope out of my mailbox. Such thoughtfulness and love, I just had to share it with you!