Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce, who blogs at From This Side of The Pond.  Each week she'll pose some questions for us to answer. What a great way to journal life.

1. Hello March! Is it coming in like a lion where you live? It is definitely cold and we've had snow at varying elevations for the last week. Thursday we had snow here and just a dusting on Sunday morning. I do love it, but it's not very convenient. How do you feel when it rains? I live in the SW region of Washington state and we see A LOT of rain! Especially this time of year. I'm not a fan of it but I deal with it because I know it is what makes our state beautiful and we need it to help when fire season comes. 

2. What's something you'd like to do differently this week than the last? Sleep and excercise! Explain. You might think that's funny but I had my grandchildren last week and our 2 year old granddaughter is not a great night sleeper. I am lacking in the sleep area and while I managed to get my 10,000 steps in a day, some days over 11,000, I didn't do any other form of exercise like I normally do. 

3. March 1st is National Sunkist Citrus Day...do you drink orange juice? I love orange juice, but only have it in the house once in awhile. Floridas Own is one of my favorite brands, but I also like using our juicer to juice them. Orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, grapefruit...what's your favorite citrus fruit? I'd say orange! I do like lemon too. I wish I liked grapefruit, but I'd probably only like it loaded with sugar. A dish you love with a citrus fruit as one of it's key ingredients? I love good old fashioned lemon bars. I also love these strawberry/lemon cookie bars. When my girls were younger, we'd make this orange julius drink and it was a hit. I think I need to make it again and add some photos. 

Orange Julius Breakfast Drink

1 6oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 c. milk

1 c. water

¼ c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

10-12 ice cubes

In a blender combine all ingredients and blend till smooth. Serve immediately!!

4. What do you consider to be your culture. Elaborate. Well, if we're speaking literally, my nationalities are Italian and Slavik. My moms side being Italian, my dads side being Slavik. In the last few years, I've really been doin more learning on the lifestyles, foods, etc of those nationalities. 

Now, I also think that culture can be defined as how we choose to live our lives based on our beliefs, core values, who we surround ourselves with, etc. When I was a part of our church years ago, we used phrases like "family culture", "culture of honor". 

My culture, aside from nationality, is one centered on family, a love for people, a love for the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). I value always growing, learning, willing to change the way I think. I value listening to other peoples perspective and seeing each individual as valuable and having the potential to teach me something.  

5. Sum up your February in fifteen words or less. Cold and wet, busy and exhausting, but good. Only finished 2 books.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I'm not babysitting today, but I am driving up to hang with my granddaughter while my daughter has a meeting and then we're going to go look at phones. She's getting a new one and I may get a new one, or just ask questions. 

Next week starts my new work schedule with. having Tuesdays off. I'm excited, but part of me is a bit nervous because it is a cut financially but we should be fine. 

We survived the week with grandkids. I'm sure tired and have a bit of a cold but we had a fun week. We did crafts, danced a lot, played a lot of games. Our grandson loves to play games, ate ice cream (dairy free) on waffles and had hot cocoa with whipped cream and sprinkles. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin