{Wednesday Hodgepodge // Aug 13}

I’m linking up with Joyce again for this fun weekly series. I always enjoy answering these random questions and reading how others respond. So, let’s jump in…

1. August is National Golf Month...do you play? Do you enjoy following golf? Have you ever been to a professional tournament?

I do not play… but my husband does. Last summer, I joined him for a day on the course and it was actually such a lovely experience. Golf has never been something I’ve had much interest in, but I’m so glad I tagged along. It was incredibly relaxing, and the course was absolutely beautiful… with tons of trees, shady spots, and even a little wildlife here and there. Before the day was over, we had seen over 100 deer. Not to mention the sunset over the course...GORGEOUS!  I I enjoyed driving the golf card throughout the course and taking pictures along the way!

As for watching a professional golf tournament… I have not. However, I did enjoy seeing little snippets on TikTok of this last big one. 

2. Astronaut Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 fame passed away this past Thursday. Are you interested in outer space and what's happening today in terms of space exploration? If space travel became common in your lifetime would you go? How do you personally relate to the idea of exploring something vast and mysterious...does the idea excite you, intimidate you, or something else?

When I was a child, I was obsessed with space. I wanted to be an astronaut (and a kindergarten teacher!) when I grew up. We visited the NASA Space Center once, and I could have stayed there for days. The planets, rockets, astronauts… it all fascinated me.

But now? Motherhood changes things. These days, I’m perfectly happy keeping both feet planted firmly on the ground! I still think space is fascinating and I follow an astronaut on Instagram...getting that behind-the-scenes peek into her life is so interesting...but I’m content to watch the adventures unfold from here on Earth.

3. Describe your communication style in three words.

Hmm...I've never really thought about this one. I guess I would say:

Friendly… warm… and wordy.

4. Do you have a favorite cookbook? A favorite celebrity chef? Do you watch any cooking shows on TV?

Sadly… none of the above. Cooking is fine, and I’m happy to make meals for my family, but we’re not adventurous eaters. We keep things pretty simple around here.

That being said, I do enjoy watching my cousin Selena’s cooking show. It’s extra fun because other family members have been on it, and it’s just the coolest thing to see people you know on TV.

5. As a child did you have any back-to-school traditions? If so, did you carry on those same traditions with your own children? Do you have any back-to-school traditions you've started on your own?

I honestly can’t remember any specific traditions from when I was little...both of my parents worked, so our school days were pretty routine. But when Mason started school, I knew I wanted to make it special… so we created our own traditions.

Every year, I would take a Friday off work (Nate already has Fridays off) and we’d make a whole day out of back-to-school shopping...clothes, shoes, supplies… the works. We always filled out one of those first-day signs with his favorite things and future career dreams. And then there’s the men’s XL white t-shirt with his graduation year written on it...we take a picture in it every year so we can watch him grow into it.

After the first day of school, we’d go grab a sweet treat...ice cream, snow cone, slurpee, whatever sounded good that day...and Mason would get to pick dinner for the night. One of my favorite traditions came from Nate’s mom… she’d leave donuts and strawberry milk on the front porch for Mason to enjoy before heading off to his first day. So sweet!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Has anyone else stumbled upon the Caffeination Station on TikTok? I found her recently, and I’m hooked. She’s just such a lovely human with the sweetest spirit. The way she treats her community...with love, kindness, and so much grace...honestly inspires me. It’s the kind of goodness the world needs more of. Speaking of goodness… it’s my sister Leslie’s birthday today! Happy Birthday, Leslie! 

Did you hodgepodge today?