Pockets of Delight: The Weekly Hodgepodge.



Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

What do/did you call your grandparents? If it's something unusual tell us the story behind the name. If you're a grandparent what do your grands call you? Who chose your moniker?

The only grandparent I ever knew was my maternal grandfather, David Brewster.  He died when I was eleven.  I simply called him granddaddy. 

Ever taken a road trip along the California Coast? If so what was the highlight of your trek? If not, any desire to do so? If you were to take a trip along the California Coast what's one attraction you'd have on your must-see list?

Nope, not yet.  If you've read my blog for any significant length of time, you know my fondness for California.  I would thoroughly enjoy a road trip along the coast.  I don't really have any must-see list; any of the costal beauty would thrill me.

What are three things you don't know how to do?

• Cook a decent steak.  I don't have much experience with steak; cooking it or eating it.  Every attempt I've made has turned out a piece of meat the consistency of shoe leather.  I think part of it is that my budget only allows for less expensive cuts of beef, plus I cook it too long because I don't want it mooing at me.  I guess I'll stick with cooking chicken--although that didn't go too well this week.
• Speak any foreign languages fluently.  Sure, I took Spanish in high school and college, but since I don't have anyone with whom to frequently practice, I've forgotten most of it.  Es muy triste.
• Drive on the interstate.  I've talked about my insane fear of the interstate (freeway, motorway) before.  Now the fear is pretty much gone, but I don't think my vehicle is up to the task, and I'm not willing to take that risk right now.

Tom Peters is quoted as saying, 'Celebrate what you want to see more of.' If that's true what will you celebrate and more importantly, how will you celebrate?

I was going to say being alive, but that's a cliché and a half.  I think I need to celebrate the joy of imperfection; the daily pockets of delight in an otherwise messed up world.  For example, I had a hard day at work today (Tuesday), tried to go home and take a nap, but extraneous noise from both inside and outside the house made it impossible.  Not the makings for a very good day.  However, I headed out to the Ladiga trail for a short walk and ended up walking and running (so far) the best 4.25 miles of the year.   Gave me something to be thankful for and celebrate at the end of the day.

Thursday (February 16) is National Almond Day. Do you like almonds? Which would you prefer-an Almond Joy or a macaron? What's something you make that calls for almonds?

Oh yes, I eat almonds all the time.  I like Almond Joys, but would prefer a macaroon over a macaron.  I like to substitute slivered almonds for the sunflower kernels in my broccoli cranberry salad.

What does Saturday morning look like at your house?

Since I'm off on most Saturdays, the morning doesn't start until around 6:00.  Yeah I know that sounds early, but it's luxury when you get up for work every weekday at 4:00 a.m. (or as I call it: "yesterday").  I turn on the coffee pot and do my early morning necessaries, except getting dressed.  I hang out all morning in my robe.  When the coffee's ready, I take it to my room, sit in my reading chair, and do my devotionals as I sip my morning elixir.  When those are done, I'll grab a healthy snack and/or some water and get back in my reading chair and read, blog, or journal (or all three).  After that, I'll have breakfast (or brunch by now), then hit any chores I need to do, then get into whatever mischief I've planned.  This Saturday, I'm working, so I'll have to get in my reading chair in the afternoon.  Either way, I really relish Saturdays.

Share with us a favorite book you've read this winter.

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.  If you'd like, see my review here.

Insert your own random thought here.

One of my sweet customers gave me a Valentine's Day gift.
Something else to celebrate--kindness has its rewards.