WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

I'm writing the answers to this meme on Tuesday evening, waiting for hubby to get home from work so I can fire up the grill.  I enjoyed the questions, so thought I'd participate this week as it's been a couple since I've joined in.   Head over to this blog to learn more and link up your own hodgepodge. 

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? 

The mountains are glorious from the end of June all the way through to mid-November and it's truly the best time to hike. 

Biggest pet peeve? the idiotic tourists, especially the ones from out of state or the "downstaters" (think NYC/Westchester Co)  who think they're hikers, and think they know what they're doing in the ADK and end up needing to be rescued.  I literally had one woman ask me if the trail was paved.  She was dressed in a fancy pants suit and pumps.  Where was she from? NJ.  OR they don't know how to drive on the Northway.  OR they don't know how to park at a trailhead lot.  OR they block the access roads thinking they can just camp there. OR they allow their children to feed the wildlife. OR they throw litter on our beaches/in our mountain lakes. I've witnessed all of this. Thankfully, most hikers are polite. The ones that aren't? they almost always tell me what state they live in. The ones from the south are the absolute worse. 

 I also hate that Saratoga Springs charges for parking from Memorial Day-Labor Day and I get why they do it: to get money from the above tourists.  So I avoid the city in the summer and wait until September when it's all free again. 

2. What song always reminds you of summer? 

Surfin' USA (Beach Boys) and august that beautiful folklore ballad by Taylor Swift. 

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate. 

Something I remember: taking our dime (yup, 10 cents only) and crossing the street to the mini market to buy root beer popsicles;  riding bikes all over the village; the weeks up at my family camp in the southern ADK; church camp in Saratoga; swimming in the mountain lakes; catching fireflies in our backyard; hearing the whip poor will on the back porch at camp. 

I think today is a tad bit different depending on where you live. both of my daughters did things like Horse Camp, Ballet Camp, and we had a beach house on my husband's side of the family where we spent the bulk of August before I started teaching in my own classroom again. (for 7 summers I was a SAHM). I think parents need to be more aware nowadays of the dangers like pedophiles, etc  My mom just never worried about that. It was rare to see a "Stranger" in our little village growing up.  My daughters couldn't ride their bikes all over town because we live in a large suburb with no sidewalks and very busy interstates and highways. So they rode in the neighborhood or on the bike paths when we went as a family.  I am married to some one who makes far more money than my dad did, so we have also taken some pretty nice trips (Rome, Paris, Cape Cod, Maine, Vt, NH) with the girls. We don't own a camp though but we had a pop up camper so our  girls, when we weren't at the beach house on the Atlantic, would be camping with us every couple of weekends in the state parks. For the most part though, life is slower than during the  school year and they enjoyed many of the same things I did as a child. 

4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa. 

My sister Joy and I look most like our dad.  I have some of his temperament although I'm more extroverted than Dad was. 

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

• flip flops or sandals: flip flops for sandy beaches; Sandals for casual vacation wear or casual dresses at church
• beach or pool: beaches (mountain lakes...or the ocean....but I prefer the fresh water lakes in the mountains).  
• watermelon or peaches: both!
• shorts or sundress: I tend to wear shorts more often than sundresses but honestly sundresses on  women over 50 just look.....eh....I do have some nice casual tee shirt dresses, camp shirt style dresses, or classic linen. Actually now that I think about it, I have one dress that might qualify as a "sundress"....it's sleeveless. 

• iced coffee or ice cold lemonade: Iced cold lemonade. Coffee needs to be hit.  Although once in a while I do enjoy a cold brew with 1 pump of raspberry syrup compliments of *$. Especially when traveling or driving a long distance 
• amusement park or water park: we used to take the kids to StoryTown, aka Six Flags Great Escape in Lake George. It's an amusement and water park in one! Haven't been since about 2010! NO desire to go now. 

6. Insert your own random thought here:

I'm hiking this mountain tomorrow (Wednesday the 24th).  This is Haystack Mt in Wilmington, Vermont and if we make it to the summit, which stands at 3,445 ', I will feel great because I haven't hiked this high of a mountain in 2 years.  Hopefully the cervical spine pain and cervicogenic headaches stay away for this hike!  I've been in training all year for this mountain. Gonna be a long drive followed by a longer hike, but my friend Joan and I are pumped.  We leave at 7:15 AM and will hopefully be on the trail by 8:45 AM

To read a little bit about Haystack, head here. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

"Beef" Steak Tips and Veggies

 

I still don't have my new gas range and since it was a rainy, cool day, I decided to make something on the stove. I've had requests for this recipe so thought I'd share it here so it's easy to find. 

This is totally vegan but you swap out the vegan "beef" for cow meat. 

PLANT BASED BEEF STIR FRY

1/2 package of frozen Beyond Meat steak tips

1/2 small sweet onion, thinly sliced

1 zucchini, sliced and then halved or cut into thin strips

1 small red pepper, cut into strips or bite sized pieces

1 small green pepper, cut into strips or pieces

1 small yellow or orange pepper, cut into strips or pieces

1 carrot, peeled and then shredded 

1 tbl of avocado or olive oil

1-2 tbl of Asian Sesame Ginger dressing

(I like the Kens brand)

1-2 tsp. Minced Garlic or Garlic Salt

1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks

dash of sea salt

Pita bread or Naan

Prepare the sweet potato by peeling and then cutting into bite-sized chunks.  Place in a small pan and cover with water.  Add a  dash of sea salt and boil until potato pieces are just getting soft/tender. 

Meanwhile, put 1 tablespoon of avocado (or olive) oil into a large skillet. Heat on low. 

Place all of the veggies and the steak tips (half bag for 2 people) into the warmed skillet. 

Saute the veggies, "beef" on medium heat, stirring often.  Once the carrots and zucchini are just tender,  add in the minced garlic or garlic salt and turn the burner onto low or simmer. 

Add a drizzle (usually 2 tablespoons in my house) of the Asian Sesame Ginger dressing and stir to coat.

Add in the potato after draining out the water.

Stir gently and add cracked black pepper if desired. 

Serve with pita bread or Naan. 

TIPS:  Sometimes we have this dish over jasmine rice or garlic cous-cous.  

Other veggies I use:  chopped broccoli or peas in place of the zucchini. 

We like this for a quick, easy, healthful dinner and usually have cut up canteloupe with blackberries or blueberries on the side. 

ENJOY!

as with all of the recipes under the faithfixes label, this post may be copied or printed. 

Monday Musings

 

Some calendars say yesterday was the first day of Summer. 

Some say today.

Either way:  it's now officially SUMMER SEASON!  I love June-mid-November and I'm thrilled that June, here in eastern NYS, has been glorious.   This is the last week of school for our elementary students here in New York, and the week of the state exams for the high school kids.  Graduation is either Friday evening or Saturday depending on what district you live in.  Then the public schools will be on break until after Labor Day (unless the child needs special ed services).  I do not miss teaching summer school! 

How is your Monday so far? Here's my musings for the day.....I took many of these prompts from The Simple Woman Daybook. she no longer does this but I enjoy the writing meme. 

Monday 22 June 2026
8:45 AM

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:  it is partly sunny and is supposed to rain this afternoon. Lots of clover in our front and backyards now that it's the end of June. We don't treat with chemicals so we allow our yard to be more "meadow" like and a natural gathering for the family of bunnies that seem to live under our shed.  We have chipmunks, squirrels and so many birds. In fact, our suet feeder was emptied in just 2 days this weekend!  Our free standing birdfeeder, back by the shed is seeing a lot of action this morning to from bluejays, cardinals, nuthatches, a downy woodpecker and many red winged blackbirds and wrens. Robins are flitting to and fro and finding worms in the ground over by the kayaks. 

I am thankful for:  my two daughters Courtney and Claire for blessing Dave yesterday on father's day.  they wrote beautiful tributes to him in very nice cards. 

From the kitchen:  I think today will be vegan "steak" (plant based beef tips by Beyond Meat) with stir fry veggies and pita bread.  For lunch, Dave is having leftover Chicken Curry I made Friday evening and my lunch is usually just fruit and a protein bar. 

I am creating: the August hiking list for my group SoulSteps 

I am going: to the grocery store this morning and later to my youngest daughter's apartment (I think).  I might go on an outdoor walk if it doesn't rain.  

I am wearing:  Dark denim capri jeans; a floral bohemian style shirt with dark blue background, white edging on the bottom of the 3/4 sleeves and dark purple/ dark pinkish red/yellow flowers; my wedding rings; a dark blue gemstone ring, dark red drop earrings, and magenta toe nail polish. My foot wear for the grocery store will be my white leather Toms sneakers. 

I am hoping:  my daughter Claire will be home this afternoon so I can go have a cup of tea with her and see how she's newly arranged her apartment. 

I am hearing: the thwack of a ball against my neighbor's fence as he takes a break from work and plays with his dog; some cardinals and robins in the yard, the hum of the dryer through the vent (I'm on my deck). I can also hear traffic on the interstate this morning. 

Around the house: Dave works from home on Mon/Fri's so he's upstairs on a conference call; I have grocery shopping to do; I need to vaccum and mop the dining room; I have to collect all the trash from around the house and set out the garbage and recycling bins; and I have to start packing for our vacation trip! 

One of my favorite things: the smell of summer rain 

I am reading: The Lying Game by Ruth Ware; Beyond the High Peaks by Walt McLaughlin and Im still making my way through the Chronological Bible. I'm currently. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: a trip to the library to return a book; the post office to mail a bill and put a stop on the mail for the week we are gone; a hike in Vermont on Wed; a coffee date with my friends Maggie and Jill so we can choose an Air BnB for our Autumn Girls Retreat on Cape Cod! I also have to stick around the house all day Thursday as the gas range installer is coming sometime that day with our new stove and Friday will be a day to pick up last minute items needed for our ocean vacation. 

Here's a picture thought I'm sharing with you: 

HAPPY MONDAY!

Saturday Nine Meme: Father's Day!

I'm joining in with other bloggers to answer the random Nine questions found at this blog site. 

Join us!! I liked the questions this week.  Thanks Sam for another awesome meme! 

Saturday 9: The Men in My Little Girl's Life (1965)

 

 Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. Chosen for Father's Day.

1) In this song, a father shares the story of his daughter's life through first the boys, then the men, she brought home. The first is Rod, a little kid who wants to play in the backyard. Who were your playmates when you were young? Did you find it more fun to have them over to your home, or to go to theirs?

When I was in kindergarten and 1st grade I had 3 "best friends":  Bobby C, a little boy whose mom was friends with my mom and they lived on the hill behind the school which housed the kindergarten and 1st grade for my end of the village; Donna (we continue to be friends today) who lived behind the woods which was behind my childhood home; Jean (aka Leora Jean) who was the youngest of 5 girls and their dad was my childhood pastor. Bobby and Donna and I walked to school together often until he died suddenly from some kind of rare disease when we were in 7th grade. I was very sad. Jean moved away to another NYS town when I was in 4th grade but we got together every summer at church camp and often for sleepovers at each other's homes or when I was up to my family camp. We continue to be online friends as she now lives in NC. 

From 2nd grade-12th grade my best friends were Donna, Cheryl, Lori, Gail, David P( we are still in touch and he lives in VA) , David D (the first boy who kissed me and who now lives with his husband  in Florida,  Dan B (now passed), Frances (we've lost touch), Ann (we are still in touch and she now lives in Ohio), Eddie Jr ("bummy" who now lives in WA and we are no longer in touch), Jonathan (we were scripture memory rivals in SS and we are no longer in touch; he is a prof at Houghton College).  Those were my childhood pals. 

We were rarely home....we took turns playing in each others' backyards but usually you'd find us on our bikes up to Brookwood Park (about 2 miles from my house) or down at the West Canada Creek. We were always outdoors exploring. 

2) Then his daughter asked if Lee could carry her books on the walk to/from school. During your junior high years, how did you travel to school (bus, bicycle, car pool, shoe leather)?

From K-12th I had to walk to school unless the temps were below 15 degrees F and then sometimes Mom would give us rides to school. that was rare. We had to learn to suck it up and walk. My high school was 1 mile one way from my house. The Junior High was about half-way between my home and the high school.  I think it was about 6 blocks. 

 

3) Throughout this song, the father recalls that his daughter alternately called him "Daddy," "Dad," "Popsie," "Pop" and "Father." How did/do you address your father?

Daddy or Dad. He was also Grandpa M to my daughters. 

 

4) The song ends with the daughter asking her father to babysit. When did you last look after someone else's child?

Oh it's been awhile!  Probably the last time I babysat for someone's child (not  counting the numerous sleepovers my daughters had from ages 6-17) would be my friend Cheryl's son Michael when he and my oldest daughter were friends and were about 6 yrs old. The year would have been about 1999. She had some kind of appt and  dropped off Michael at my house. They are both 32 yrs old now and no longer in touch, although Cheryl and I still get together every couple of years. 

 

5) This record was a Top 10 hit in the US and it made the Top 20 in Canada. Much of its success was attributed to Mike Douglas' TV popularity. From 1965 to 1981, he hosted a daytime talk show. Do you watch much daytime TV?

No way. There are way too many other things to do that don't involve sitting mindlessly. I'm on the go alot during the day! 

 

6) Mike Douglas was a father himself. He had three daughters, including twins. Are there twins in your family? 

Not that I know of! but if I remember correctly, I think my brother in law is/was a twin.  (my youngest sister's husband). I think the twin died young or at birth. I honestly can't remember. 

 

Now about Father's Day ... 

 

7) Retail chains like O'Reilly Auto Parts, Auto Zone and Jiffy Lube are all promoting gift cards and car-related gifts for Father's Day. If you got a gift card from one of those stores, how would you upgrade your ride?

I wouldn't. I have a brand new 2025 Kia Soul so I'd give the gift card to Dave or one of my daughters. 

 

8) Dick's Sporting Goods also enjoys a spike in gift card sales around Father's Day. Have you more recently given or received a gift card?

I just bought a gift card for my oldest daughter's boyfriend for his birthday this past week and I received a gift card 2 weeks ago from my small group ladies as a thank you for hosting. 

9) In days gone by, ties were the #1 Father's Day gift. But as today's workplace has become more casual, fragrance has taken over the top spot. Dove Men+Care offers gift sets with shampoo/conditioner, body wash and antiperspirant. Think about your shower routine. Are your shampoo, body wash and antiperspirant all the same brand or the same scent?

Typically they are: I use purple shampoo by Kristen Ess which is a light barely there floral scent.  I use that twice a week for my silver. And once a week I use Coconut shampoo by Raw Sugar.  My body wash this spring and summer is Peach by Bath and Body Shop or Coconut Vanilla by Native which matches my deodorant by Native. After a hike, I shower with Dial antibacterial soap, regular  scent. In the winter months, I tend to use a body moisturizer shower gel like Skin So Soft regular scent or the aloe scent. I also like citrus scents.  Most floral scents I am allergic to. 

Thanks for visiting!  Have a wonderful weekend!  And Happy Father's Day to the dads in your life.