An August Kind of Hodgepodge

Wednesday Hodgepodge: 

An August kind of Hodgepodge

Joining ...."From this side of the Pond".

Joyce Asks the Questions:

We Answer the Questions:

 1. What's something on your August calendar you're looking forward to? Or dreading if that's easier to answer. 

This is my Birthday month...I will be happy to be celebrated with a birthday dinner, but...at this point I'm thinking I might start going backwards on the years!! 😂 🤣

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day...do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? 

I don't do oysters.  I have tried one that was baked with parmesan cheese and it was okay...not anything that I can get excited about. 

Pearls:  I love them... Sam gave me a double stringed pearl necklace for our 30th anniversary. I honestly wouldn't mind wearing a string of pearls everyday!!  Just call me June Cleaver!!!! 

3. Tell us about a time when you felt like 'the world was your oyster'. 

People often say, “The world is your oyster,” as if every road is open and every dream is just waiting to be claimed. I’ve heard that saying my whole life, but if I’m being truthful, I’m not sure I’ve ever really felt that way. Maybe it’s because life has always come with responsibilities, doubts, or the feeling that I needed to be practical instead of fearless. I don’t remember ever standing at the edge of possibility believing I could simply choose any path I wanted. But perhaps the beauty isn’t in believing the whole world belongs to us. Maybe it’s in realizing that no matter our age or where we’ve been, there are still unopened doors, unexpected adventures, and little pieces of life waiting to surprise us.

4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). If you're answering today from outside the US you'll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let's pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month...which one do you choose and why? 

Catalina Island California~Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii

From the ones listed above, I would choose Mackinac Island Michigan!!  A place that is on my bucket list...

I have been to South Padre Island Texas and I have been to Kauai Hawaii

5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following- 

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time."

Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? 

Hmmm...  right now I would have to disagree..  

a. No rain in sight around here...

b. Summer is still in full force here and most likely will be until the end of September.

c.  Only Fall that could possibly be seen in August is the dead leaves because it is so hot and dry..

d. unsettled? Yes!!  

August is not my favorite month... It's way too hot!  My kiddos are all going back to teaching or college, and the utilities are a lot more expensive!! 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Somewhere, pumpkins are showing up in stores  while I'm still trying to survive triple -digit temperatures....  Hey August...I'm still buying watermelons!!! 

Shug....🍉

Butterfly Reflections

 I looked out and spotted this beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail enjoying one of my flowers. It stayed just long enough for me to grab a picture before fluttering off to its next stop.

Isn’t it amazing how something so small can make you stop what you’re doing and just smile?

I love that these little visitors never send a text to say they’re coming. lol... 😂 They just show up, brighten my day for a few minutes, and leave me hoping they’ll stop by again tomorrow.

_______

A few photos from the backporch.....

We have a cooler morning happening right here in East Texas..  But...the sun popped up and in just a few hours the thermometer will read in the upper 90's or the low 100's.  😬🌞🕶️.

Turk's Caps blooming....

I've already seen several hummingbirds this morning and a red bird.  Guess I need to mention some crows as well.  

My Banana trees are doing great this year...

How sweet it is to be able to sit on the porch and enjoy the beauty.

Now....if only the butterfly could teach the squirrels and hummingbirds to pose for

 pictures....this would make for a fun day...

Y'all have a great day!!

Shug......🦋

A Whistledown Story

 Lady Whistledowns Society Paper....

This weekend, we stepped into the pages of Bridgerton to celebrate our sweet bride-to-be, Tori, with the most enchanting tea party bridal shower.

Daughter Shanda painted the mirror..she did a fabulous job!

The Beautiful Bride to be "Tori" and her mom "Trista"

From the moment we walked in, it felt as though Lady Whistledown herself had planned the afternoon. Delicate pearls were a gift for each attendee along with elegant hats and lovely gloves that all added the perfect touch of sophistication, vintage teacups were filled with steaming hot tea, and every detail whispered timeless charm.

The tables were absolutely breathtaking. Soft pink florals, sparkling glassware, golden accents, and beautiful place setting created a setting fit for royalty. Every tea cup and saucer looked like a work of art, making it almost too pretty to disturb… almost! 

And then there was the food! An entire table overflowed with the most delicious assortment of miniature finger sandwiches, savory bites, sweet treats, and delightful little desserts that disappeared almost as quickly as they were admired.  I was so thankful for my very dear friend "Stacie" who prepared all of the food.  

Each guest was surprised to be given their vintage tea cup and saucer as a gift to take home.  

But as beautiful as the decorations were, the greatest beauty of the day was the love that filled the room. Friends and family gathered to laugh, share stories, celebrate Tori, and shower her with blessings as she prepares for one of life’s greatest adventures.

Some days become memories the moment they happen. This was one of those days—filled with elegance, laughter, friendship, and love… with just a little Bridgerton magic sprinkled in.

Congratulations, Tori! May your happily ever after be every bit as beautiful as the day we celebrated you. 💕☕👒🌸💍

Shug....

Lettter of Life

Good Sunday morning!!

 I’m so thankful to finally be feeling a little better. I’m still dealing with some dizziness, so I’m taking things slow and giving my body the time it needs to heal. It hasn’t been easy for someone who always likes to stay busy, but I’m learning that sometimes resting is part of God’s plan too. My Sam has been so sweet, and my daughters have been wonderful, making sure I’m taking care of myself and not overdoing it. I am incredibly blessed by their love and care.

This morning I heard something that has filled my thoughts..

“What if your life is a letter from God to the world?”

That thought really made me stop and reflect. Every day we are writing something with the way we live. Our words become sentences. Our actions become paragraphs. Our kindness, patience, forgiveness, and faith tell a story that someone else may desperately need to read.

None of us writes a perfect letter. There are crossed-out words, smudged pages, and chapters we’d rather rewrite. But God doesn’t ask us to be perfect—He asks us to let Him continue writing our story. His grace fills in what we lack, and His love shines through even our imperfections.

So today I’m asking myself, If someone “read” my life, what would they discover about God? Would they see hope in difficult seasons? Peace in the middle of uncertainty? Compassion when it’s least expected? A heart that trusts Him, even when life doesn’t make sense?

It’s a beautiful reminder that every conversation, every act of kindness, every prayer, and every moment of faith becomes part of the message we’re sending to the world.

May my life point others to Him—not because I have it all together, but because I know the One who does. And may the letter I’m writing each day tell the story of His goodness, His mercy, and His unfailing love. ❤️

Shug....