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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

A Hodgepodge Home Run

Hello, dear friends.  Is anyone as excited as I am that the election will be over in less than two weeks?  It can't come soon enough as far as I'm concerned.  If you read my last whining tirade, you know that my area is subjected to political ads of New Hampshire as well as Massachusetts.  I never thought it would be possible, but I actually miss the Viagra, Cialis, and Exlax commercials. 

I love this early voting thing, though.  Yesterday, I stopped by city hall, did my civic duty, and was in my car on my way to home for a nap in less than 15 minutes.  That's what I call democracy in the best sense of the word.



Here I am leaving the polls.


If it's Wednesday, it's time to answer Joyce's questions over at The Other Side of the Pond. 




1.  Besides your very own house, describe a place where you feel most 'at home'?




I'm in Dorothy's camp.  
There is no place like home for me.



2.  When did you last 'hit a home run' with something?  Explain.




Last week, I snatched a gorgeous cashmere sweater for under 80 buckaroos at my favorite hang out.





I then did my customary victory lap so fellow shoppers could slap-me-five on my way out the door.



3.  Tell us about something you love in your house or kitchen that is 'homemade.'




Every morning, I drink my coffee out of one of these mugs.  My #2 and I paint coffee mugs for each other to celebrate some of her milestones in her life. 


4. 'A man's home is his castle'... which of the world's ten most captivating castles (according to The Travel Channel) would you most like to visit and why -



Mont Saint-Michel (France), Edinburgh Castle (Scotland), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Glamis Castle (Scotland), Windsor Castle (England), Chateau de Chambord (France), Hampton Court Palace (England), Prague Castle (Prague), St. Michael's Mount, (England), Leeds Castle (England) and Swallow's Nest (Ukraine).






The only castle that I am interested in visiting is Highclere Castle.



So that I can talk these folks into doing another season.



5.  What's a recent of upcoming plan or project that's required you do a little homework before getting started?  Did the homework cause you to abandon your plan or adjust it in some way?





Usually, I do homework during  the week to find something for the Mister and me to do on the weekend that is "blogworthy" as the Mister calls it.  A couple of weeks ago I did my due diligence by researching what restaurants were open in Nantucket off-season.



6.  In your opinion, is homework an unnecessary evil or valuable practice?  Why or why not?



In my humble opinion, I don't care.  
I am so darn happy to be done with those days.
At last, I can watch Ellen in peace. 





7.  Share a favorite memory of your childhood hometown.






The first thing that comes to mind is that every 4th of July the parade would pass by our house.  For the first 12 years of my life, I thought they did it just for me.

Can you spell narcissist?





8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday, as I was stalking Facebook, I read some good news.  








According to Town & Country, The Plaza Hotel is launching a series of Modern Etiquette classes.  If there is one thing our world needs right now is a class to remind us of ways to rediscover a sense of decorum.


Additional Random Thought



Yesterday, I popped out of bed and headed to my favorite neighborhood bookstore, Buttonwood Books and Toys and bought one of the first copies of Ina Garten's books, Cooking For Jeffrey.
Take my word for it, it is one beautiful cookbook.

Until next time...







Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

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32 comments:

  1. I agree Katie...I am sick and tired of the ads!! Fortunately I am having some minor surgery on Election Day so I voted early as well. At least I will have drugs to cope with the results.lol

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  2. That sounds like the way to vote. I don't think we have early voting and the lines are going to be long this year, I'm sure. I like watching Ina Garten cook on TV, she is so calm and makes everything look so easy!

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  3. So right about the need for decorum. Now if only we could get the people who NEED the class to actually TAKE the class. Love Ina's new cookbook! Have you seen the show on Food Network?

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  4. I totally need to make time to early vote. I work right near the courthouse so there's no reason not to!

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  5. Always a fun post!! I agree with you about Highclere Castle. How could the Crawleys be so selfish to leave us hanging throughout a long winter without another season?

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  6. Also so sick and tired of the election - counting down until it is over!

    Oh dear -- homework is still a BIG part of life in Nebraska and I think most of it is not necessary and just stresses out my high schooler and me too! :)

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  7. Have you seen previews for 'Mary's new show-Good Behavior? It starts mid-November. I like her, but the show is no Downton Abbey! Amen to the election ending. I think we need to set 'term limits' on campaigning. Why does it have to start two years before the actual election? And now the media is practically declaring a winner when most people haven't even voted yet. The whole system is crazy. I love Ina's cookbooks and look forward to this new one too. Have a great day!

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    1. Speaking of Downton Abbey, we just watched a wonderful series that is an adaptation of a novel by Anthony Trollope. It's presented by Julian Fellows of DA, called Doctor Thorne. It was wonderful!!! You'll find it on Amazon and its free with Prime membership.

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  8. Ina Garten - what a Lady and cook. She is so serene and takes the most complicated recipes and makes them appear so simple. A true sign of a true artist! I will be purchasing this gorgeous cookbook too.
    Happy week!
    Jemma

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  9. rolling...laughing.....My copy of Cooking for Jeffrey just came....pouring over the yumminess! Aren't they just a darling couple! Have a good one Katie!

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  10. What a fun Hodgepodge! I'm with you on the etiquette classes!















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  11. I'd join the rally for another season of Downton Abbey! I'm with you about the need for decorum. I'm afraid that the people who are lacking in it would not be the people actually taking the class. Maybe we need to make decorum the homework in our schools! Thanks for the tip on Ina's new cookbook, I'm a big fan of her show.
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

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  12. We get political ads for Kansas and Missouri, and I am so waiting for this to be all over with.

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    1. Same, Katie. One of the worst parts about living in the KC area.

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  13. I adore Ina and her cookbooks. I don't cook from them so much as just drool over them. And her show calms me.

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  14. Oh My!! that lil bookstore?? how perfect and SOOOOOOOO cape cod-ish!! My dream has always been to have a lil brownstone (getaway home, of course) and own a bookstore to play in with glorious people and children!!! sigh.....and it would look just like that one!!

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  15. I love your hodge podge posts -- they always make me think. And yes, Highclere Castle would be at the top of my life (though I'd be content with any!).

    I was just thinking about the place most like home before I read your post -- it's the spot I posted about today! I said to my friend Jan as we sat down to our dinner there, "We are home." And she agreed.

    I just have to ferret out the school board candidates and my ballot goes in the mail. I might leave them blank. I really don't care. It's sort of like the homework thing. I will be SO glad when this election is over. I hope.

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  16. I always love these posts!! I'm sure that 4th of July parade totally planned their route because your house was on that road!! They probably also did fireworks that night in your honor!! :)
    Hope you have a great rest of the week and do something blog worthy this weekend!

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  17. I keep saying that I will vote early this year, but I haven't done it yet.
    I've met Ina twice; she is as sweet in person as she appears on TV. Crack open her new cookbook, try a few recipes and report back to us (with photos).

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  18. I love that you drink out of the cups you and #2 made everyday.

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  19. I always enjoy your hodgepodge posts. How lovely to have a parade every year for you ;) I imagine you will all be happy to get that election over and done with. -Jenn

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  20. So with you on the fact that homework days are done. Memories of attempting to learn the metric system alongside my exhausted daughter still haunt me. Naturally the only metric measuring tape I could unearth at midnight was the metal construction one. Delightful memories of trying to wrap it around round bottles and having it snap out of my hand and whiz shut, haunt me still. Horrid. And don't even get me started on the French verbs that I had to relearn at 11:00 PM once my darlings entered French Immersion. Mon dieu!

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  21. Well, with that first closeup of you exiting the polls I can certainly see why your husband considers you a trophy wife! I am headed out Friday to vote early, too. I can't wait until this election is behind us and we can find some kind of new 'normal' whatever THAT will be...lol

    Love all your answers. I have a feeling that you and I would wet our pants laughing if we got together...or at least shed a few tears-running-down-the-face moments. You have the same wicked sense of humor that I do (which is not always a good thing as you probably know). lol xo Diana

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  22. I'm heading out to vote tomorrow and hoping the lines aren't too bad. It seems like everyone is anxious to vote here in Texas. Can't wait to get that cookbook! And yes, Highclere Castle is so wonderful to visit! Have a great week!

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  23. Read every weds Katie! You make me crack up!!! How about a castle in Ireland!!??? I am a bit biased! Love your Blog! Best! Kathryn K PS. I love Nantucket!!! :)

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    1. Hi Kathryn! I should have mentioned a castle in Ireland since I'm Irish! I am working on a post about Nantucket this morning to post tomorrow. Have a great weekend and thanks for reading.

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  24. Yes, I loved every word of your answers as well and laughed out loud at your opening and had to share with Hubby what I was laughing at. Indeed, it's time for the political season to be OVER!!!!

    And, I'm with you on another season of Downton Abbey.

    Always, always fun to stop by!!

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  25. Katie, I just came home from a relaxing break at the Wequassett so thank you again for the idea! I would vote early but I'm afraid I'll change my mind before Election Day and with the way things go from day to day who knows what will come out next?? I'm so totally over the homework thing and think it should be changed to etiquette lessons, given by me of course! My Ina book arrives tomorrow and I can't wait. Wouldn't a blogger trip to Highclere be fun? Linda

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  26. I love Ina. No more homework! Castles...not sure which one. The old family castle in Scotland is rubble, so definately not there. Ha ha. So ready for election season to be over. I went through it a couple of times with hubby over his 27 year legal career. Nasty business for a family. People make up stuff. Ugg.

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  27. I love early voting but I wish there was a way to say no thank you to all the political ads. We get Indiana and Wisconsin. I'm excited about Ina's new cookbook! What's on tap for this weekend? Whatever it is, have fun!

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  28. Just read Linda's comment, and I am totally in for a blogger trip to Highclere. As a teacher of young children, I was never in favor of homework other than having the children read with their parents every night. Didn't matter who did the reading. '-) That said, I like to give you a homework assignment to plan a trip for all of us to Highclere. Early voting here is crazy. All the lines are out the door and down the street. Someone said they waited an hour and a half. Just ready for this election to be history. I'm eagerly awaiting tomorrow's post on Nantucket, my favorite island.

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  29. LOVE those mugs and yes, I'm ready for this election to be DONE! Enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge today - better late than never! Have a great weekend! - Jessica

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