Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 624

 Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Here are this week's questions, which you should answer on your own blog and then pop over to Joyce's blog (click on the graphic for the link) Wednesday to add your link to the party.

 

1. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music?  Last time you went somewhere for the live music?

I really had to rack my brain on this one.  June 2018, a few months before we left Norfolk, we went to a house concert.  It's just as it sounds, a house where they book a performer, set up chairs, sound, and lights and put out a few snacks.  It was an intimate, smoke-free evening of music.  Country music singer-songwriter Kelly Willis was the performer.

I think we would make more of an effort if it wasn't so ridiculously expensive.  Between tickets and parking, it can really add up.  I need to look for more budget-friendly options.

2.According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here's what's on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)

• Sherwin Williams-universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)
• Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)
• Valspar-warm eucylyptus (a warm sliver tinted green)
• Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey tinted beige)
• Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)
• Krylon-matte coffee bean
• Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)
• Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)
• Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere) 

First question-did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers? Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style? Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list? 

Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most? 

I am familiar with Sherwin Williams, Behr, Valspar, and Glidden but I've never heard of the others.  My preference would be Dutch Boy's Melodious Ivory - Vic's not a fan of colors on the walls, most of our house is Silver Bullet or Double Click.  On our to-do list is the detexturing and painting of the living room.  It's a very warm beigey color and the texture is really heavy.  It's a huge job though so I'm not sure when we will get to it.  I'm sure it will be either Silver Bullet or Double Click.

Melodious Ivory by Dutch Boy

This looks darker here than it actually is

Hazelnut Crunch is the most appealing name.

3. What's something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'? 

I think that would be just about any DIY job that Vic works on.  He's such a perfectionist that it takes FOREVER for him to complete a job.  I'm not complaining, though, because his work is always top-notch.

4. Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert Day...did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What's your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!! 

I wasn't aware of National Dessert Day, but I have some Belgian chocolate mousse pots (from Costco) in the fridge, so we'll have one of those in celebration.  Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory is my absolute favorite dessert for an over the top, indulgent choice.  I have simpler dessert tastes as well, but you said just one!

5. Perhaps today is the day I will drink less coffee.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Do you take a lot of photos every day?  Do you post a lot of photos on your blog?  There are days that go by that I don't take a single photo.  I suppose as a memory keeper that's a bad thing as even the simplest moment is something to be remembered but I just feel that there are some blogs that are so full of photos, one would think the blogger's phone was permanently attached to their hand.  Thoughts?

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #194

   

I'm really enjoying Emily London's Christmas in London's department stores on You Tube.  The first one was John Lewis which I wanted to watch because I saw a particular ornament last year that couldn't be shipped so I was hoping that it will be in stock when we're there in December.  It looks like I'm in luck.  While I was watching, I added a few more things to my shopping list.

This is the one I really want, the UK bauble.  I'm wondering if I can get a dozen in a shopping bag as my carry-on item?

I couldn't resist this ornament.  It's a Bourbon biscuit which is two thin rectangular dark chocolate-flavored biscuits with a chocolate buttercream filling.

Quality Street chocolates in a tin were always in our house at Christmas.  You can buy them here in the US at World Market, but John Lewis has a Pick 'n Mix Quality Street section where you buy the tin and then fill it with your favorites.  I couldn't resist this ornament as well.

Sophia has a LEGO set on her Christmas list, so I thought this gift bag was perfect.  I didn't see any LEGO bags at Hallmark, but I'll check some other stores locally to see if I can get it here.  If not, John Lewis to the rescue.

And finally, this cushion!!  Oh my goodness, MUST.HAVE!  Not sure how I can get this and the UK baubles home but I'm sure going to try.

More shopping coming next week.

Life Last Week (6-12 October 2025)

  

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!

The weather for the week ahead:::

These are my kind of temperatures!

On my reading pile:::

 The Venetian Daughter by Ella Carey on my Kindle and I picked up The Last Light over Oslo by Alix Rickloff at the library.

On my TV:::

This week I continued watching The Hardacres on BritBox and the Great British Baking Show on Netflix.  I finished up the Hart of Dixie marathon and Vic and I watched The Gold which was excellent.

Blood of my Blood, the prequel to Outlander, Season 1 came to an end.  Can't wait for Season 2.

Checked off the list:::

• Amazon Prime Days - 7-8 October - resisted the temptation to shop.
• Vic arrived home on Thursday after his ten-day trip.  So glad to have him home, and Malone is too!

Crafts roundup:::

Keeping current on my memory planning.  Finished the American Girls Club album so now I've moved on to make some foundation pages for December Daily 2025.  A foundation page is usually a drawing of a page layout, along with any journal cards and embellishments I plan to use.  It may or may not become an actual page in the album.

 

And in other news:::

Week Seven focuses on the Guest Room.

This week, we deep clean and organize in preparation for holiday guests.

In holiday prep, we keep plugging away on gifts, whether to-make or to-buy. Decor alert: Halloween is coming!

I'll leave the links up here if you're interested.

Holiday Grand Planners - Get Organized Community | Facebook 

Organized Christmas? Try a Holiday Plan | Organized Home

It's been a very quiet week with Vic gone although activity picked up over the weekend.

We started off at Hallmark.  Saturday was the start of the Keepsake Ornament Debut and although I didn't have any ornaments coming out in October, it was fun to browse.

We stopped for lattes and crepes for lunch (that's my Creamy Chicken Crepe with chicken, spinach, bacon, and Gruyere - delicious!) and then headed over to the gourmet market.

Lots of fun pumpkins for sale.

And so many varieties of mushrooms.  The ones in the top left-hand corner look intriguing - they could be mistaken for heads of cauliflower.

And finally, a funny at Costco!  I think he was distracted by the price tag!

It's Day Thirteen of the government shutdown - tough times ahead for many if this is not resolved soon.

Around the 'Net

 

I love this!  

Few television shows carried the charm and consistency of Murder, She Wrote, and few animated films rivaled the magic of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Remarkably, the two worlds overlapped through three extraordinary talents Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, and David Ogden Stiers. While solving mysteries on television, they were also helping Disney craft one of the most beloved animated films of all time. Lansbury became the heartwarming Mrs. Potts, Orbach lit up the screen as the charismatic Lumière, and Stiers brought wit and class to Cogsworth.

Angela recorded “Beauty and the Beast” during her Murder, She Wrote years, famously nailing the song in a single take despite doubting her voice would suit it. Meanwhile, Orbach, already a familiar face on her show, added his Broadway flair to the enchanted candelabra, and Stiers’ comedic timing carried over seamlessly from Cabot Cove to the Beast’s castle. Together, they created a trio of performances that became instantly iconic.

What made it even more special was how naturally their talents intertwined across genres. The same warmth, intelligence, and chemistry that made Murder, She Wrote beloved were the very qualities that gave Beauty and the Beast its soul. It was as if Cabot Cove had cast a little magic of its own into Disney’s fairy tale proof that great storytelling, whether in mystery or in melody, always finds a way to endure. 

Source: Hollywood Flashback Club Facebook Page

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 623

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Here are this week's questions, which you should answer on your own blog and then pop over to Joyce's blog (click on the graphic for the link) Wednesday to add your link to the party.

 

1. 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made? 

I am SO like my mum when it comes to worrying about my family.  Worrying is just a natural trait for us.  I know I should carry Proverbs 3:5 with me all the time but I still add a BUT to the end.  I just can't help worrying about whether Vic and Sophia are happy and fulfilled and safe and a dozen other things.

2. Something you're nuts about these days? How about something that's driving you nuts? 

I'm nuts about autumn.  The changing colors of the trees, the pumpkins, the pumpkin spice taste of a latte, the scent of a pumpkin spice candle, all the things autumn.  It's driving me nuts that there are so many things taking time away from decorating the house with all things autumn!

3. What does abundance mean to you? 

Abundance means having more than enough.  I think abundance should go hand in hand with sharing with others.

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto...what's your caramel treat of choice? 

Caramel macchiatto, especially the iced variety when the weather is warm.

5. What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall?

This really made me think.  From the time I was eight until I was eighteen, we lived in Belgium and then in England.  I don't remember autumn being a big deal the way it is now in the US**.  I don't recall a pumpkin patch, apple orchard, or other memorable event in the autumn.  I'd have to fast forward to being the mom of a toddler and taking Sophia to all the autumn activities - field trips to the pumpkin patch or apple orchard, eating apple cinnamon donuts, and decorating the house for the season (harvest rather than Halloween so it wasn't scary).

** As I proofread this post before it's published, I watched a vlog this morning where the vlogger talked about how seasonal specialties (something as mundane as an air freshener) were just not a thing in the UK years ago.  When she made a trip to the US in the 1990s, she was amazed at all the seasonal items that were available.  What do you think, UK readers, do you/did you find this to be true?  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Hallmark Channel's Fall into Love movies have been a great way to immerse yourself in all things autumn.  I'll say it again; they make me want to move back to New England!  Click on the picture to download the movie guide.

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #193

  

Happy 90th Birthday coming up on October 9th to His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, the oldest surviving grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary and first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

His Royal Highness has been Duke of Kent since he was seven years old after the death of his father in a wartime flying accident.  A career Army officer, the Duke is now retired but still retains connections to his regiments.  The Duke was most recently seen at the funeral of his wife, Katharine, The Duchess of Kent.

The Duke of Kent with his son, the Earl of St. Andrews, and his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor

His Royal Highness is the oldest living member of the British Royal Family.  This photo below was posted in September, a month before his 90th birthday.

Life Last Week (29 September-5 October 2025)

 

Getting this post up a little late, it's been a week!

The weather for the week ahead:::

Woo Hoo, four days this week when the temperature doesn't move out of the 50s!

On my reading pile:::

 The Venetian Daughter by Ella Carey on my Kindle and I'm heading to the library today, so I'll pick up something new.

On my TV:::

The Great Canadian Baking show episodes on Roku came to an end.  I need to find out if the show is still running and where I can watch it.  This week it was The Hardacres on BritBox and the Great British Baking Show on Netflix.  Vic was on a business trip so no Hallmark; it was an Indian Summers and then a Hart of Dixie marathon.

Blood of my Blood, the prequel to Outlander took a break last week to keep us in suspense for the finale this Friday.

Checked off the list:::

• Mammogram with all clear results
• More London booking going on:
•  British Museum tickets and afternoon tea at the Great Court Restaurant ✓
• Windsor Castle and rail tickets ✓
• #donebydecember - December Daily 2021 album is complete!

Crafts roundup:::

Keeping current on my memory planning.  Still working on the American Girls Club album I started during the virtual crop.

 

And in other news:::

Week Six focuses on kids' rooms for deep-cleaning, decluttering, and organizing so that there's room to spare for holiday gifts. We'll assess each child's possessions, record clothing sizes, and prepare a Gift Ideas Planner for Santa ... or Grandma.

Our holiday prep assignments include assembling freezer meals, working on hand-crafted gifts, and continuing to buy gifts and holiday supplies.

I'll leave the links up here if you're interested.

Holiday Grand Planners - Get Organized Community | Facebook 

Organized Christmas? Try a Holiday Plan | Organized Home

This last week has been all about Malone.  He's had some sort of stomach upset and wants to go out at 4:00am or 5:00am to eat grass.  It's not so bad because between the light at the backdoor and the lights on the deck, I can see him but when he starts to howl, it's all I can do to get him back in the house and quiet!  Rascal!

I took this when it was still light out but you can see the lights on the posts.

There was a pumpkin event at a local nursery this weekend - the pumpkins are made by a glassblowing studio in the area and were just gorgeous.  I didn't realize that this was an annual event - they produce an annual pumpkin which is a great collector's item.  I resisted the urge to buy anything; I'm using the government shutdown as my avenue to have a no-spend.

I loved this little one - I suppose $70 was a fair price for the artistry that went into it, but I resisted.

2024 and 2025's collector's pumpkins

I stopped by the gourmet market to pick up some crumpets.  They have a large bulk section and how did I miss that there is an olive oil and balsamic vinegar fill your own bottle section?

Lots of interesting events at the gourmet kitchen

Next stop, World Market to check out how the holiday displays are coming along.  The British chocolate and shortbread section is filling out nicely.  I love these movie night cups.  I bought the popcorn containers at the dollar store one year and filled them with a Coke, popcorn, movie candy, and a certificate for a movie from Amazon.com.

They also had an endcap full of a variety of Dubai chocolate.  Ok, maybe a small bar made its way into my cart!

And if you've been watching House of Guinness on Netflix, here's your movie snack.

It's Day Six of the government shutdown - tough times ahead for many if this is not resolved soon.