Autumn HodgePodge

Weston, Vermont

It's Wednesday and  the hodgepodge blog had some questions that I liked so I'm playing along. 

1. 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made? 

Both girls have my body type and a lot of my traits like super organized, neat, musical, extroverted but needs alone time, avid readers and high functioning language and  verbal skills.  Both girls get their top grades in math and the sciences from Dave. One girl is more outdoorsy like me.  One girl loves science fiction like Dave. They have a good mix of both of us! We all love our coffee!!

Thanksgiving 2019 in MA
Courtney (age 25), me, Claire (20) 

2. Something you're nuts about these days? How about something that's driving you nuts? 

Something I'm nuts about:  I'm guessing this means something I'm kind of obsessed with?? The Hallmark series on Netflix titled The Way Home about time traveling.  SO good. 

Something that's driving me nuts:  the fact that it's embarrassing to be an American right now, especially with this ridiculous government shutdown and the fact that the politicians...no matter what side they are on....are like children. Little angry children that don't know anything about conflict  resolution. I'm staying away from the news due to our current "leadership". 

3. What does abundance mean to you? 

These qualities are the characteristics of someone living an abundant life in Jesus Christ. 

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiato...what's your caramel treat of choice? 

I don't eat caramel due to dental work but I do love an iced caramel macchiato in the summer months and a hot one in Sept-Nov.  I get the Starbucks one, grande, with almond milk but I don't get it as it comes.  I get the almond milk, light on the foam, only 1 pump of the vanilla syrup and only 1 shot of espresso.  I also ask for very light on the caramel drizzle. 

5. What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall? 

From my childhood it would be helping my daddy rake the leaves in the backyard and jumping in them. It also includes the Homecoming parade and bonfire that my childhood high school always did and the smell of woodsmoke from up at camp.  

From my children's childhood:  the memories include apple picking, and having bonfires in our firepit and gathering in Plymouth County for Thanksgiving week with my husband's side of the family as he's a direct descendant from the Mayflower. When most of the leaves are off the trees here in eastern NY, we are in MA celebrating their important holiday. Here's a photo of my youngest daughter in 2017 when she was a freshman at UNH and discovered she is now allergic to raw apples. she discovered this after apple picking with Alpha Phi Omega!

Claire, age 18 in NH 2017 

My husband's parents (Warren and Betty) and all of their grandchildren in 2021. 

Thanksgiving 2021
Warren and Betty in front, seated
l-r:  Claire (our youngest), Adam (oldest nephew), Hanna, (niece)
Courtney (our oldest), Beth (oldest niece and sister to Adam)
behind Beth is Ronnie (youngest nephew) and then Debi (Ronnie's lil sis)

6. Insert. your own random thought here. 

Yesterday was the perfect morning 
for hanging out on the beach for some alone time
I was the only person on the beach and 1 person was walking their dog
Moreau Lake State Park 
Foothills of the ADK

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, EVERYONE!