This week I'm double dipping since I just got back into town from the beach and playing a little catch up on link parties. I'm linking up with #TuesdayFour and #WednesdayHodgepodge. I almost skipped them but I really liked the questions.

This week I'm double dipping since I just got back into town from the beach and playing a little catch up on link parties. I'm linking up with #TuesdayFour and #WednesdayHodgepodge. I almost skipped them but I really liked the questions.

The "Ber" Months

It's time again for Tuesday 4 hosted by Anne from Cottage by the sea.

 Published each week in memory of Toni Taddeo, it's original author. We keep Toni Taddeo's original idea alive here with 4 questions each week to get you blogging, visiting and  learning about yourself and other bloggers. The more people join in, the merrier and the better it gets. We are always looking for topics, subjects and ideas so feel free to chime in if you have idea.

    There are just 3 weeks left until the "ber" months begin.  September, October, November and 

December.  Fall/Autumn begins in September and ends in December.

Autumn begins in September and it is called that until leaves begin to fall and then it's called "fall". 

Sept means 7, Octo means 8, Novo is 9 and Deca is 10 but the numbers are off since the calendar was changed long ago from 10 months to 12.

Ber is an adjectival suffix from latin meaning month.

Let's discuss it.

1.   What foods make you think of the autumn months ahead? All the soups...I don't really make them in the summer months, but come fall I'll have a few in the crockpot during the week. I also switch my coffee flavor to cardamom and yes, I do like pumpkin spice. I feel like baking more things like scones, quick breads during fall. 

2.   Are there any songs you associate with the fall month?  I always liked Boys of Fall by Kenny Chesney. I'm drawing a blank on any others. I'm sure there are more, but they are not coming to me at the moment. 

3.   Are you looking forward to the ber months at all? Yes. Why? I love the changing colors of the leaves and the slightly cooler weather, but I don't look forward to rain, and sometimes we can get a lot of it in the Ber months here in the PNW. I love decorating for fall and Christmas. I love the coziness of it all, turning on the gas fireplace, maybe lighting some candles. I don't look forward to more darkness. 

4.   School in New Jersey always begins after Labor Day and before that I would have dreams of going to school in my pajamas!    

Did anything similar happen to you?  I think I did have a dream about going to school in my P.J.'s. I know I had one of me going to school in my slippers. 

Did you dread going back to school or were you happy and excited? I don't remember. I think I liked school so probably didn't mind too much.  

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. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-'The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while." 

Time is crazy isn't it? So...what were you up to in the year 2002? Wow. I have no idea what I was doing in 2002..my girls were 3 and 6..we were youth pastors and so I'm pretty sure life revolved around church stuff. Our oldest played soccer and my hubby coached.  I'm sure I have photos somewhere but I don't know that I organized them, maybe I have some on one of our hard drives. Well, I had every intention of coming home from work and looking through my hard drives, but forgot and now I'm just too tired, and ready for a bath and bed!!

2. "Me? I'm scared of everything..." What's something that scares you that you'd like to try anyway? Hmmm this could be answered many ways. I'm afraid of heights and I don't care for deep water (I'm not a strong swimmer and I don't float)...but there's nothing related to either of those fears that I want to try. Now, things that "scare" me in the sense of taking a risk or something that takes me out of my comfort zone? There are probably way more things associated with that. Joining a club or group where I don't know anyone, with the hopes of making some new friends. Letting down walls that have been built up over years. I've thought it would be fun to do some videos of making recipes from cozy mysteries and talking about the books and the recipes but I'm my own worst critic. 

3. Watermelon-yay or nay? Yes, but it has to be nice a sweet. Which melon is your favorite-watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew. I love canatloupe and watermelon. I do like honeydew, but that one is tough to get one that has good flavor.Of the watermelon food/beverages listed which would you say yes to...

watermelon salsa~watermelon feta salad~watermelon sorbet~

a watermelon Jolly Rancher~a watermelon margarita 

Hmmmm....I've never had watermelon salsa. I have had feta on watermelon and that was good. I used to make a yummy watermelon frozen treat for my girls. 

1/2 c. sugar 

1/4 c. fruit jello...watermelon, strawberry, raspberry, etc.

3/4 c. boiling water

5 c. seeded, cubed watermelon

In a bowl, dissolve sugar and gelatin in boiling water; set aside. Place watermelon in a blender. Cover and puree. Stir into gelatin mixture. Pour into an ungreased pan. Cover and freeze overnight. Remove from the freezer 1 hour before serving. Spoon into paper cones or serving dishes.

4. August 12th is National Middle Child Day. Are you a middle child? nope. If not, where do you fall in the birth order in your family of origin? I am the oldest. Do you think this has influenced your personality? Elaborate. I think it may have. I was not a very confident child or even teen and our home life was a bit tumultuous at times. However, I do feel like I am responsible, I was a helper, a peace keeper/maker, but I'm not a perfectionist and while I can be a natural caretaker, I don't know that I was/am the touchy/feely nurturer. Even though I certainly care. I'm the one who is going to be practical and try and get things taken care of. I don't know how great of an older sibling I was. I was 5 years older than my sister and we have never been very close.  

5. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time, or have a significant conversation with two people? I would be sure to say hi to several I would want to say hi to and maybe touch base, but then I'm content to sit with a few and have some good conversations. Explain. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I spent 3 1/2 days at the beach last weekend helping with my grandkids while their mom and dad led a youth camp. It took place at the Dunes Bible Camp in Ocean Park, Washington where we held youth camps from 1996-2009. Talk about reminiscing. It was a special time with the grandkids and then also two other family's kids during meeting times. It was always so helpful when our girls were little, to have help so that I could be a part of meeting times so when the opportunity opened up for me to go and help, I took it. I'm tired but it was worth it. 

We also played games inside and the boys loved hanging out with all of the kids. I had my two grandkids, 3 kiddos from one of the pastors families and 3 kiddos from the speakers family. The other two family's have 4 kids but 1 was a part of camp and the other was little. 

Now I'm home, working the next 3 days, then off until next Thursday. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin