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. This week's Hodgepodge lands on National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Is yours in need of a cleaning? Yes and no. It's not in dire need, though my daughter did send me a video while we were out of town showing me a container of whipping cream they almost used in their alfredo only to discover it had expired in October. She said "who needs to clean their fridge?" We have two kitchens now and she and her friend who lives with us use the other kitchen/fridge and I'm always on them about cleaning it. So yes, I suppose I do need to go through it. I definitely need to take things out and wipe down shelves etc. It's not bad by any means, but I try and stay on top of things. Will you get that done today? It did not get done today since I was driving home from our short getaway, though I did do a grocery pickup so I straightened it out a little bit. How often do you tackle this particular chore? I try to keep it clean always. A deep clean (shelves, drawers, etc.) once every few weeks or if the fridge is more empty than other times. Or, after I've done my bigger grocery trip. I'll clean it before I fill it up again. 

2. November 15th is also National Philanthropy Day...tell us about a charity (local or otherwise) you like to support when you're able.  We don't really give to charities. We moreso have money set aside and when we hear of someone who has a need, we sow into them and that need. 

3.What in nature inspires you and why? All of nature inspires me. I am always in awe of what surrounds us. Sunrises and sunsets, waterfalls, the ocean waves, or the rapids in a stream or river. The leaves changing colors, or new growth coming from the ground. The animals busy working. There is so much nature can teach us. Last year I read an Advent book called Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson that was really good. 

Sunset over lake Erie during my visit to Kelley's Island in October. 

The Wenatchee River flowing through Leavenworth. The sound of water over rocks is so soothing. 

4. What's something you own that makes you feel cozy? I'm going to go with warm loungers and our propane fireplace.

5. Who did you thank today? I thanked the baristas who served me coffee. Who thanked you? The grandkids after I gave them their ornaments. I buy them a new one every year. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. It's currently Wednesday night, 11:30 PST and I'm still awake. Which is not good since I need to wake up at 5:30, but I'm having some shoulder blade discomfort that is making lying down not fun. I'll probably try again soon, or sleep in the recliner, so I figured, since I can't sleep, I'll finish my post. 

We drove home today from our trip to Leavenworth, Wa (not sure if I mentioned that last week). It's a 4 hour drive. We stopped at a Costco on the way back to see if they had their organic turkeys...they did. We grabbed a few other things and then headed out. I put together a Safeway grocery pickup order on the way home so that we could get that too (I hadn't gone shopping before we left). We got home, hubby went to bank and to pick up groceries and I unpacked and organized. After I got groceries put away, I had a list of things to accomplish, and I'm so glad I stayed focused and got it all done. 

What did I accomplish?

*Put in a load of laundry (which are still in dryer, but hey)

*Flavored my Kombucha and started a new batch. Praying this turns out. 

*Made hummus, hard boiled eggs, and hamburger patties for hubby's lunches

*Made a loaf of banana bread with some bananas that were at their end. 

Phew. I took a nice epsom salt bath, and now I can't sleep even though I really want to be snuggled in my bed. 

The grandkids came over today and my youngest daughter took pics of them in front of her Christmas set. I gave them their ornaments and they headed back down the hill for Indy's Christmas program practice. 

We had a great time in Leavenworth. We did some exploring but no hiking as my hubby has been battling some Plantar Fasciitis and it's starting to feel better so he didn't want to push it. 

Me trying to do what I love....photography...I haven't gotten my camera out much and sometimes when I do I get discouraged and just pull out my phone instead. 

The town of Leavenworth was once a timber community but when the railroad pulled out, it floundered. In the early 1960's the community leaders decided to go a different route and created a "Bavarian Town" to draw tourists. It succeeded. It was also originally called Icicle Flats (which I think is a cool name). While we were there, workers were busy putting up lights and garlands all around for the Christmas season. 

This was the view off the deck of our airbnb loft. So pretty. 

I'm trying my hand at making Kombucha. Today I flavored it with some blueberry juice and now it will sit with lids on it for 3 days before it's ready to drink. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin