Wednesday, March 8, 2017

The Practically Perfect Hodgepodge Day

I realize that this is a bit late, but along with an attempt to answer the Hodgepodge questions for today, I'm going to post the remaining photos that I took in Lake City, MN on February 20th at Lake City Marina. There was so much blue! And although a chilly day on the shores of Lake Pepin, it was also snowless and therefore wonderful. I believe they got a foot of snow in the next day or two. I am so glad to have missed it.


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1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?

I'm trying to think of something. Probably in making and packaging my soaps for sale and I guess maybe also in editing photos. But I think the real definition of a perfectionist is not someone who strives to make something as perfect as possible, but someone who's never quite satisfied with the projected outcome in their minds, so they give up trying altogether, or don't even start, for fear of failure. That's definitely not me. If I don't start or don't finish, it's because I'm lazy.

This is one of my smaller boats. LOL

2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous?

I think it's ridiculous that cable TV can have a zillion channels and nothing at all worth watching at any given moment.



3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?

I'd say (here's a broken record) that it's probably the quality and appearance of my handcrafted soaps. They are quite different from when I started making soap some years ago, but I've got it down to exactly what I want at this point, so I'm happy with it. I guess that's a skill. And baking homemade bread, scones, and cookies. Does that count?



4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?

My idea of a perfect breakfast would be to take my favorite protein bar, a thermos of coffee, and a camp chair to the top of our hill on a warm summer morning. After Wisconsin's always-too-long winter, I'm looking forward to that morning.



I hope to be back at Lake City Marina when the water's liquid again.

5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.

A favorite day trip would be either to Duluth, on Lake Superior, or traveling along the Mississippi River. Even though we stopped at Lake City for only a while, I would love to go back in the summertime and spend time there and at other little towns along the Mississippi.

Not surprisingly, a longer trip would be almost any trip I've taken whose first leg ended in London. If I could take only one trip over again, it would be the 2015 trip to England, meeting friends and visiting amazing, awesome cathedrals. Never too many cathedrals for me. If I could visit only one cathedral in England again, it would be Durham -  or York. Or maybe Canterbury. But then there's Salisbury and St. Paul's and... ... ... ...Did you ask that?

Icy cold Lake Pepin
a big bulge in the Mississippi River

6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close?

'Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better.' What are the Beatles doing in my blog post?

And there's this:

'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.' Romans 12:12

And in case anyone's wondering, spring really is coming to Wisconsin, we are gaining daylight by leaps and bounds, the robins will soon be back, singing their little hearts out at 4:30 AM, and life is good.



7. How would you spend $300 today?

I wonder how far $300 would go toward getting the downstairs re-painted. OR I might purchase closet organizers.

Lake Pepin and RR Tracks

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

As I was thinking about Joy, I was looking for a quote by C.S. Lewis or Chesterton, and came across this by Billy Sunday. I'm pretty sure I've never before quoted Billy Sunday. But I had to share this, because I think it is so true. Joy and happiness are two different things. Happiness is brought about by circumstances, as in winning airfare to London. Joy is deep down and abiding, regardless of circumstances, regardless that I didn't win airfare to London.



Leaving Lake City, MN



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Judy

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34 comments:

Arlene G said...

Totally agree with you about Cable TV!! I watch You Tube a lot, or dvds. I loved the pictures..the sky was so blue. You live in a beautiful area Judy.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

I'm with you on all the cable channels. A lot of mine have 2 channels for each station which makes me crazy. As always, your pics are perfection. Enjoy your week, dear Judy.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the photo of the big icy bulge in the Mighty Mississipp! And your soaps of course...they are always perfect! Enjoy your day sweet lady. Hugs, Diane

Paula said...

Such lovely photos, Judy! I especially like the verse you shared from Romans; it's always a comfort.

Theresa said...

Great quote choice, we picked the same one :) I often get songs in my head when I am answering the Hodgepodge questions too. I'd say baking scones and cookies count and they sound delicious. Good point you made about being a perfectionist. I don't want to be that way.

Mrs.T said...

Judy, I love your definition of a perfectionist! I would define it the exact same way. Your photos are amazing as always. The most I have seen of the Mississippi River is from a train window (the California Zephyr) heading west. It was awe-inspiring just from the train. I would love to visit some of those small towns in person.

Your random thought was wonderful also. I'd never read that quote before, but I've known lots of Christians who seemed to have "leaks in their Christianity". Thanks for sharing.

Cheryl said...

Your soaps are beautiful and smell wonderful, so I'd say your perfectionism in this art has paid off! :

Hey, I like the Billy Sunday quote, but I also like your definitions of happiness and joy!

A joyful Wednesday to you!

podso said...

Great answers and a good Billy Sunday quote, artistically displayed. This post should be required reading for anyone unhappy in life. True joy trumps it all. Great photos too, and yes, your soaps are wonderful.

April said...

Funny how we both included quotes about JOY...love yours! Lake Pepin sure looks like a beautiful place to sit and take in the scenery. I have a very close friend who lives in Kenosha...need to plan a visit there someday soon!

MadSnapper said...

Love all the BLUE photos and the one GREEN house in the collage. agree 100 percent on cable choices, my first ever view of a marina without boats in it... yes soap counts, my favorite breakfast is pancakes and bacon, alas it is now forbidden. I am a perfectionist on things hanging on wall, MUST be straight and in the RIGHT SPOT only. not to high not to low..

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Loved all the marvelous photos and the quote in your number 8. Great responses.

Empty Nester said...

Amen to your answer to #2! We've dropped to less than basic and I use Chrome Cast instead for Hulu and Netflix. Love the pictures, as usual! Hug those kitties and Tuppence for me. Hope your power is back on.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge answers! Love that Billy Sunday quote and I might just have to repeat it somewhere. Yes and amen to your random thought.

Stephanie said...

I absolutely love the quote from Billy Sunday! Oh how very true.

Delightful post, my friend. I would love to see your soap from years ago {{smiles}} I know what you mean abut improving since that's how a lot of my creations are. I look back and am slightly embarrassed by some of them - HA!

Have a great day. Hugs!

Stacy said...

Lovely random thought and spot on! Though, I am content...some happy circumstances are always welcome. :)

Debbie said...

I am ALWAYS soo impressed and in awe of your pictures. Soo beautiful. Enjoyed all of your hodgepodge today but REALLY loved your random answer. I think so many confuse joy and happiness. Happiness is not promised nor are we entitled to it. But true joy is a gift from Him, and one we can count on if we keep our eyes on Him.

Wendy said...

Really enjoyed reading your answers today and yes baking is definitely a skill. Not everyone can turn out perfect scones, cakes etc. Your pictures are lovely as usual and I'm so glad you like all our cathedrals! lol

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Spring is indeed coming! We spotted a Robin this week!! The daffodils have grown another 2 inches too. It is back to winter for a few days though.

Chatty Crone said...

You are never to late for a Hodgepodge. lol I am glad you are a little OCD on your photos because I really do enjoy them. I am sort of that way about my house - I do like a clean house - unfortunately I am the only one. I know what you mean about the cable - I do find something to watch most the time - but they might be pathetic - I watch Shark Tank a lot. Love, sandie

NanaDiana said...

I always love your hodgepodge answers, Judy. We are quite a bit alike on many levels. If I don't start something -it is because I am too lazy. lol
Love all your photos. I, too, love driving along the mighty Mississippi!
TV is horrible---not much on worth watching most of the time. I am one of those freaks that keeps the news turned on (to be repeated over and over and over)....wouldn't want to miss anything, you know!
Can't wait for SPRING. 50MPH winds today...ugh!
Have a great afternoon- xo Diana

Debby Ray said...

OH...that quote at the end...I really must "borrow" it from you...and well, Billy, of course. SO very true and the thing is, I know so many Christians that seem to need The Plumber! Gotta have my JOY!

Susie said...

Judy, I love seeing all your great photos. I like how you have your breakfast on the hill. :):) Blessings, hope you are getting a warm up. It's pretty here today but chilly with this wind . Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Michelle said...

I agree about cable tv. It is becoming such a waste! Why do we pay for all of these channels?

Joyce said...

We say that all the time about the television programming. And you have to scroll through all the junk to find what you want. I do hope it warms up your way soon. I was hoping for a warm day for the shower, but it looks like typical March with rain and the random cooler temps. Not as cool as yours though!! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Lynne said...

I wonder about #2 . . . again and again and again . . .
I am thrilled to know about your "large boat" . . .
Blue as Blue as BLUE . . . makes for a . . . nice . . .
I like thinking about happiness . . . and . . . joy . . .
Thank you for letting me reflect in your Hodgepodge . . .

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

I'm happy to meet you today! I enjoyed your hodgepodge with Joyce. Beautiful pictures of the boats and scenery! I think spring is just dilly-dallying this year,in no hurry at all! We got three inches of snow last night and more on the way tonight... but time is in our favor, indeed the days are getting longer! :)

Tanna said...

No, there can never be too many cathedrals to visit. ;) And, as for that perfect breakfast... I'd love to join you at the top of the hill. Has to be just about heavenly! blessings ~ tanna

Debby Ray said...

I know I already left you a comment but need to leave another. For some reason when I opened your post last night, your blog looked really weird...lots of white space and really small photos...probably on my end since it was doing other weird things last night...lol. Any, I just wanted to tell you that I have just seen those awesome photos...full size. WOW that frozen water is something else and made for beautiful pics! Also, I did share that JOY sign to my facebook page with the heading "I know a Great Plumber who is always on call." That was a great quote and a very powerful meme. Thank you and have a good day!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Judy, love your photos and hodgepodge answers, as always. We used to have an antenna (the only one in town!) and got several channels, then when the antenna deteriorated we didn't replace it and had no channels. Then we decided we'd like to get PBS, so we got a Roku box. And we signed up for Netflix. Have never had cable. Will never have cable.

Terri D said...

I sure agree with your #2!! Most of the time, all I need is Acorn TV, which is always worth watching! I love the way you give us gorgeous photos along with your Hodgepodge answers! Peace & hugs my friend!

Barbara said...

CUTE kitty photos (and caption!)!

So much ice on your lakes! Wow. That is amazing. We don't have enough water in Colorado to ice up like that (well, there are exceptions, but not in my area. That is a sight to see.

I agree with your comment about cable TV.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I cracked up at #2 :) It's why I finally cancelled cable TV a few years back.

Loved all of the photos and the entire post :)

Lady Fi said...

Those blue skies are just delightful!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Lovely photos. Your soaps are amazing! Your not to far off base on all those TV channels they have. I agree with you, I want to go back to England too. That is a great quote.

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