Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Veteran's Day

I'm joining up this week with Joyce at This Side of the Pond for some fun, interesting questions-and-answers. Why not join in too?

1. We celebrate Veteran's Day in the US of A on November 11th. When did you last interact with a member of the armed forces (either currently serving or retired)? Have you ever written a letter to a soldier, bought a meal or coffee for a solider, said an unprompted thank you to a soldier you encountered out and about somewhere? If you're not in the US, comment on a similar holiday in your own country.

I'm sure this will sound a bit uncaring - I do respect and support all of our veterans and those currently serving in any military capacity - but I have only once written a letter to a soldier (back in high school) and never brought a meal or coffee for a soldier. I can't recall an opportunity to do so...I have thanked those serving though.

2. You can have fifty pounds of anything at all (except money)...what would you choose?

Chocolate? LOL Just kidding...sort of.

Photo Credit

3. When did you last receive an invitation in the 'real' mail? What was it for and did you attend? When it comes to RSVP-ing, are you an 'early responder' or a 'last minute, barely-under-the-wire' kind of guest?

It's been year and years since I've gotten a written invitation through postal mail. Most of my family and friends do e-vites now.  Do you suppose postal mail will be a thing of the past some day? something used only for packages? I respond when I'm relatively sure I can either attend or not. Sometimes that's right away, sometimes at the last minute.

4. What's something you really don't like to waste?

Food. It's so expensive without throwing any of it away uneaten. We often have Leftover Lunch here. And what isn't eaten for lunch is either frozen (if it does well reheated) or given to the chickens. We also "feed back" dried, crushed egg shells to the chickens for a calcium supplement (instead of purchasing commercial products). Peelings and other scraps are composted. We really have very little food waste.

5. Cheers, Friends, MASH, Seinfeld...of the ones listed, your favorite long-running sitcom?

Oh. Well, I haven't really watched a lot of episodes of these shows, but I'd have to say Friends. Joey was always good for a laugh. I do remember watching MASH growing up. Hawkeye was also good for some laughs. But Cheers and Seinfeld I know of, but never watched.

6. What decision are you glad you made?

Recently? I had about 10 pounds of strawberries frozen in the freezer. They've been there since last season when we picked them at a local farm. Definitely needing used! But how? I found a recipe for BREAD MACHINE freezer jam on Pinterest (here) and tried it. Super easy! And it worked! Not only great for those PB and J sandwiches, but warmed on vanilla ice cream too! Yummy!

Photo Credit and Website of Recipe

7. In this month of 'Thanksgiving' what is one thing that's different today than it was a year ago that you're grateful for?

So much has changed for me in just a year! Phew! Last November I was still dealing with the end of my marriage 9 months before, learning to balance single parenting, homeschooling and running a household all on my own. This November? I am so grateful and amazed to have a wonderful man in life. A hard-working Christian family man who loves, supports and cares for me and my kids. I am excited about our future together!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


16 comments:

  1. The bread machine jam sounds interesting. I'm going to check out how that's done. Love the family rules!

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    1. The bread machine jam was SUPER easy...and super good. Now, I didn't add quite the 2 cups of sugar it called for and used the lower sugar pectin from the store...

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  2. So happy to hear that you will have much for which to be thankful this Thanksgiving!

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  3. The strawberry jam sounds wonderful and I love the idea of heating it to pour over ice cream. I am also so happy that you have much for which to be grateful this Thanksgiving. My DIL has those rules hanging in their home. Now to just obey them.

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth! Thanksgiving this year is going to be wonderful! I can't wait! I love those rules!

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  4. We have a recipe for freezer jam and love it in sandwiches and ice cream too. We don't have leftovers either because they become our lunches. My husband even cooks extra sometimes just for leftovers.

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    1. Sometimes leftovers are better than the first night...like Thanksgiving dinner!

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  5. I agree and I do not like to waste food. I like idea of freezing leftovers. I also love Friends. I can always count on laughing if I turn it on.

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    1. Food is one of those expenses we can have some control over the costs of, including nothing going to waste.

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  6. Yup, same for me and food. Hate wasting it!

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  7. I am so happy to hear of your new relationship and the happiness it's bringing you and the children. That jam looks amazing. What a nice treat to pull out in the dead of winter!

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    1. Thanks so much! I am exciting about our future! He's wonderful!

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  8. Jessy, I'm glad this Thanksgiving season looks to be a lot happier than last year for you and your family. Composting -- I've always been fascinated by it but we are not gardeners. Interesting reply about what you feed your chickens (I don't know anything about that, either). Enjoyed your blog today. Blessings!

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    1. Oh, chickens will eat just about anything. Waxy or nightshade peelings aren't good or anything salty or sugary, but otherwise! And feeding back the dried, crushed egg shells from their own eggs (after we bake and have eggs) just helps with strong shells...and I know that there are no chemicals on the shells. Thanks! There is a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving for sure!

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