Yankee Doodle Hodgepodge

 

Welcome back to the Hodgepodge!
There's been so little of note going on, I've begun to bore myself. Then just in time, here comes Joyce with a few suggestive kick-starts.   Thank you, Joyce!

🎇

It's a big week in the US of A as we celebrate Independence Day.  Do you have any special plans?  How will you mark the day?  BBQ?  Pool-lake-beach time?  Fireworks?  Homemade ice cream?  If you're not an American, you can tell us what's happening in your corner of the world tomorrow.   

We've no special plans for Independence Day, but Troy and Lois have invited us to come 'hang out' Saturday.  Weather permitting, I might even take a 'leap of faith' off their dock.

What's your favorite 'All-American' dessert?

Little can beat my DIL's banana pudding.

But, keeping the holiday in mind ...
I want to share something I brought to the 5th Sunday potluck at church.

My criteria was simple:  Nothing more difficult than Betty Crocker 101 .....nothing that required turning on the oven ..... and, nothing I'll be tempted to eat.*

Cherry Fluff for the win! --

8-oz. pkg. cream cheese (softened)
3-oz. box Cherry Jello
24-oz. can Cherry pie filling
8-oz. tub Cool Whip
1/2 c. walnut pieces
Tiny marshmallows (sprinkled on top)

PS -

*Since 7th grade when I became violently ill on cherries, that's something I'm not even ever tempted to consume.  (Right up there with raw oysters!)

One of the Bible study ladies brought everyone fresh blueberries she'd picked, so next time I'm thinking of using them v. the pie filling (above) to create a red, white and blue swirl.  (Or mess. Depending.) 

Does that patriotic feeling come easily to you -- or are you having to work for it more these days?  What's something that makes you proud to be a citizen of your country.

Whoa boy!
Honestly, I'm having to work for it lately.  Dig deep down and not let my gaze linger too long on those whose interests aren't in line with my own.  Pray!

Proud?  Just look at the faces of those uniformed young men and women, returning home from conditions we can't even imagine, heads held high.

Too ...

Years ago, while riding a donkey down a Haitian mountainside we (tourists) witnessed poverty that defies (my) description.  Someone commented, "Every American teenager should see this."   I've never forgotten his words.  

Your favorite 'patriotic' movie?  Favorite 'patriotic' song?

Saving Private Ryan
God bless the USA

One simple pleasure on your July 'bucket list'?

We're having a party!
Not that we're 'party people' mind you ... actually, the opposite.

It's been niggling at my brain a couple years now -- wanting to do something for a few friends who've extended us invitations and kindnesses.
So ...

There's going to be (smoked) turkey n' fixings.  Maybe a snowman cheese ball if I'm feeling creative.  I've ordered decorations and found Jimmy Buffet's Christmas CD.  No 'ugly Christmas sweaters' but I got these t-shirts for Tom and myself.

Insert your own random thought here.

Yes, siree.  Bottoms up!

Hugs, Myra