{Wednesday Hodgepodge //

It’s time for another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge...one of my favorite ways to share a little peek into what’s on my heart and what’s happening around here. Let’s jump right in!

Linking up with Joyce. 

1.) What’s a characteristic you admire in others? Elaborate.

Kindness and thoughtfulness...those are two qualities I truly admire in others.

There’s something so beautiful about someone who leads with a kind heart… someone who notices the people around them, considers their feelings, and chooses to show up with love, grace, and gentleness. It doesn’t take much to be kind, but it makes the biggest impact, whether it’s a warm smile, a kind word, or simply treating others with respect and care.

I especially love when people are thoughtful in the little things...remembering someone’s favorite drink, checking in just because, or offering help before being asked. Those small gestures speak volumes. It’s not about being perfect or polished… it’s about being genuine, and having a heart that reflects love for others.

That’s the kind of person I try to be, and the kind I’m always thankful to have in my circle.

2.) Do you have a favorite mug? Let’s see it. Why is this one your favorite?

Okay, I feel like all of my favorite mugs are Christmas mugs!! That’s just when I tend to drink the most warm and cozy things...hot coffee, cocoa, cider...you name it. The rest of the year? Well, Texas pretty much demands iced everything.  We’re iced coffee people for a solid 10 months out of the year!

But when the holidays roll around, I break out my favorite festive mugs and it just makes every sip feel a little more magical. There’s something about wrapping your hands around a Christmas mug that just brings instant joy. 

Merry Christmas in July, y’all! 

3.) July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day... will you (or did you) give something away?

Yes! I actually shared this in my weekend wrap-up post  ...Mason and I took a big ol' bag of clothes and shoes to donate to our favorite local thrift store. I had the 15th marked on my calendar, but since we’re in full-on beach trip prep mode, we dropped everything off a few days early.

We regularly donate to this thrift store...it’s one of my absolute favorites. Not only do they have the best prices and friendliest staff, but all of their proceeds go to a cause that’s close to our hearts. It’s a blessing to be able to pass things along that we no longer need and know that they’re going to help someone else.

I do love a good closet clean-out... but I also have a tiny tendency to accumulate things (especially thrifty finds... y’all know how I am!).  So it feels good to keep that cycle going by giving back often.

4.) You're planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities or smaller, more off-the-grid towns?

We usually lean toward the smaller, more off-the-grid towns! There’s just something about a small-town square, a charming mom-and-pop shop, and those hidden gems you stumble upon when you aren’t following a tourist map. I love finding those places that feel like a step back in time or discovering a cute diner that the locals rave about.

That said, we do visit big cities now and then...especially if there’s something specific we want to see or do. But more often than not, we find that big cities can be fast-paced, overwhelming, and honestly a bit stressful to navigate. Give me a quiet little town with friendly folks, pretty views, and some quirky roadside attractions any day!

Part Two: How many of these “off-the-grid” towns have you seen? Which would you most like to visit?

From this list, I’ve only been to Ouray, Colorado...and y’all, it was dreamy. We visited in 2020 during one of our Jeep off-roading adventures and it completely stole my heart. We tackled all the big off-road trails and mountain passes while we were there, and both Ouray and Telluride were the most adorable, quaint little towns. It felt like something out of a postcard!

As for towns I’d love to visit from this list? Well... Boothbay Harbor, Maine is calling my name. It looks like the kind of place I’d get lost photographing...full of charm, character, and that classic coastal New England vibe.

I’d also love to see Rehoboth Beach, Delaware...the boardwalk alone sounds like the perfect place to take a summer stroll with an ice cream cone in hand.

And don’t even get me started on Brevard, North Carolina... you had me at “land of waterfalls.” That sounds like a dream destination full of natural beauty.

But honestly? Sign me up for any of them. One of my favorite things is exploring a new place...specially the kind of towns you don’t always find on a travel guide. There’s something so magical about discovering somewhere new and just soaking it all in.

5.) Have you ever... ridden a motorcycle? Been to a Disney park? Met a celebrity? Won a contest? Tell us something about whatever you answered "yes" to!

✔️ Ridden a motorcycle?
Yes… but just for a very short ride. I’m a big ol’ chicken when it comes to stuff like that, so one quick loop was enough for me! I’ll stick to four wheels, thank you very much.

✔️ Been to a Disney park?
Yes! We’ve done both Disney World and a Disney Cruise, and both were so magical in their own unique ways. There’s just something so fun and nostalgic about anything Disney.

✔️ Met a celebrity?
Does being related to one count? If so...yes! My cousin is Selena Gomez. Her mom Mandy and my mom are first cousins, so yes, we’ve met her! I get asked that all the time. It’s been many years now, since she spends most of her time in California or New York, but it’s still pretty cool to be able to say we’re related. We’ve met a few other celebs over the years, but Selena will always be my favorite. 

✔️ Won a contest?
I have... and it was intense! I won a contest to get a free Jeep grille insert, and while the prize was super fun, the competition? Not so much.  It came down to me and my brother/sister-in-law, and I really hated competing against family. Definitely a “glad that’s behind me” kind of win!

6.) Insert your own random thought here.

Is anyone else wondering how in the world we’re already halfway through July?! I feel like we just flipped the calendar to summer break and now here we are making lists for back-to-school.  Trying to soak in all the slow moments, sunsets, and sweet family time while we still can. This season always goes too fast...but my heart is grateful for the memories we’ve made so far.

And that wraps up this week’s Hodgepodge! I always love taking a few moments to slow down and reflect, it’s such a sweet way to document life and connect with others in this little corner of the internet. Thanks for reading along and following our journey. I’d love to hear your answers to some of these questions too! Wishing you a week full of kindness, meaningful moments, and lots of iced coffee (because, Texas).