Wednesday Hodgepodge...the spice of life

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. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Garlic powder, onion powder, paprikka are always used. Also italian seasoning from Salt Sisters, called the Mama Mia blend. So good. Also their butchers blend makes into our burgers all the time. They are a women owned company based out of Indiana. Is there a spice you truly dislike? Fennel seeds. I also don't like mint in savory dishes. What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  Pretty much everything I make. 

2.  It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? I do like variety. Elaborate. In food and in the things I do. I love trying new recipes. Sure some recipes are on repeat and I do love leftovers, but I enjoy cooking a variety of foods. If something catches my eye I'll try it. I enjoy learning new things and having a few hobbies. I do need to work on spending more time away from the computer (I can get so busy commenting and reading blogs, and reading/looking up things), so that I can learn new things, or brush up on things I want to get better at or try. I like to visit new places, try new foods that are regional to the areas we visit. 

3. What's something in your life that adds 'spice' (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? That I don't know. While I like variety, I'm not a risk taker, and I'm not super spontaneous. I need to think about this one. I suppose maybe my grandkids. My job also, in a good way. 

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? Oh man! I'd love to be able to effortlessly take photos with my big girl camera and know EXACTLY what settings to use all the time. Also baking, making Kombucha and cooking without a recipe. I can do all these things, but I'd love to master them! 

5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others? Oh man! I honestly don't know. I've read a lot and have watched a few movies. Are they recommendation worthy? I don't know. Sometimes I struggle with recommending things because what if they don't like it. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I'm getting my post done early since I'll be in Ohio this week and didn't know if I'd get around to it. With that said, I hope to carve out time in the early morning or evenings before bed to do some commenting. I'm looking forward to spending time reading and just being with my aunts. My husband said, "are you going to go do anything?" He's thinking, sight seeing, or just something. I said "probably not...I'll chill, read, play games, go on walks, drive around the island on the golf cart". No real agenda. I don't mind that whatsoever. Last year we drove around and saw where we all used to live, visited places that were familiar, and that was really fun. My aunts told stories along the way. 

I follow a few people on IG who also have a podcast I listen to These are Good Days and they live in Wooster, Ohio. I'd love to visit there one of these trips when they have an event. 

I've spent the last few days getting things ready to go. Getting things prepped for my hubby's lunches, instructions for everyone to keep my plants alive, etc. I feel like there's always so much for me to do to get ready to go. When my hubby goes, he just packs up and is ready. I'm sure he has some work things to tie up, but not so much around the house. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin