Wednesday, October 8, 2025
It’s Wednesday and that means it’s Hodgepodge day with Joyce. If you have a blog, you should join in and if you don’t, it would be fun to answer these in your head or leave me an answer in the comments. She comes up with the best questions!
1. ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made?
First of all, I love sayings! I had my Spanish students translate and talk about sayings in Spanish – do they have equivalent ones to us and do they agree with those sayings? We had some good discussions. I do miss that part of teaching so much! One favorite of mine is “No todo lo que brilla es oro” which means “not everything that shines is gold”. I like this one because I think it appeals to the teen mindset about appearances and things they see online looking perfect or shiny.
As a teacher, meeting a kid’s parent really enlightened me most of the time. Oh, that’s why they are the way they are! It all makes so much sense now. Lol.
I am noticing more and more things about myself that come from my parents. My sisters and I talk about this often – how one of us said or did something just like one of our parents. They live on through us. It’s sometimes hard to acknowledge this if it is seen as a negative behavior. I am also noticing so much about Tom that is like my Dad as he ages. Is that weird? My Dad went to bed at 8:30, too, and prioritized exercise first thing in the morning. Also, Tom has been using his middle finger to tap the car control panel and I have been noticing how that was how my Dad did it, too.
2. Something you’re nuts about these days? How about something that’s driving you nuts?
I am nuts about my little pumpkin tee and I am going to start wearing the witches one now, too. I love a graphic tee and cardigan combo. I don’t want to look like an elementary teacher (no offense) but I think this is just an ok amount of holiday spirit?
I am tired of the mosquitoes and yard work noise! That is how I know I am ready for the changing of the season!
3. What does abundance mean to you?
Hmmm…I guess I am in a place of privilege because I don’t think of this much. It is also not lost on me that I am “grocery store rich” meaning I can pretty much buy what I want at the grocery. Have you heard that term? I worry about people affording food and affording all the stuff that comes with having kids in today’s world.
Abundance means to me that I have everything I need and just enough to be comfortable. I am not a hoarder. I don’t want to have stacks on stacks of canned goods or laundry detergent. I do want to have a nice stash of toilet paper, paper towels, and Kleenex, though.
Abundance in life means that I have purpose and people to care about and that care about me.
I think I need to think on that word some more!
4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto…what’s your caramel treat of choice?
I love caramel. I think I would say caramel popcorn.
I make a homemade caramel icing for a yellow cake. I use a box mix for the cake and then make homemade icing. It is so delicious!
Here is the recipe:
5. What’s a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall?
For some reason, I picture myself with shorts and long sleeves on riding my bike in my neighborhood. The neighborhood had lots of trees. I lived in a great neighborhood around a small lake and had lots of kids to play with. We played Dukes of Hazard on bikes. I’m still in touch with many of them! One of them has opened a bourbon distillery about an hour away.
I picture trick or treating in my neighborhood and a really cool haunted house we got to make in my church basement.
6. Insert. your own random thought here.
My mom’s hobby was miniatures. She had them all my life, really. After retiring, she really got into making shadow boxes of miniature scenes. Every October there was a miniature show here in Louisville (the closest big city to my hometown) and Molly would bring my mom here and we would have a day of it.
One year I made this miniature charcuterie box for each of us – bahahahaha. That is a tiny fork. Look at my hand for reference.
Lena was probably 10 when I made this and she laughed and laughed. I love making Lena laugh!
Lena and I a couple of summers ago:
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Great picture of you and your niece! I think it´s so interesting to think about what we´ve picked up from our parents- the good and the bad and which is hereditary and which is learned behavior. I wonder if your husband noticed that your dad did the same thing when he drove? Or is it coincidental? My husband loves caramel icing. I´ve never made it- his mom used to. It is pretty good but man is it ever sweet!
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Oh yes those meet the parent nights often put so much into perspective… I had a hard time at a few though. When teaching preschool & kindergarten you just never know what the kids will tell you. I had one boy color his father from head to toe in black crayon and tell me “my dad has hair EVERYWHERE”… that was all I could think when the man walked in the room! Or the little girl telling me her dad wore lacy underwear just like her mom… yep, it was really hard to keep a straight face sometimes!
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Those leaves!!! I wish I had a view like that.
I have such fond memories of growing up and riding bikes and hanging out in the neighborhood. I loved trick or treating so much! Fall brings back so many fun memories!
xo,
Kellyann
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Those are great memories…the miniatures story…so funny.
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I also think that as I age, I am more and more like my parents in ways that I never imagined. I have my dad’s temperament. I have his level head and logical thinking. I have his sense of humor, and his tendency of being reserved in front of people. I pray like him and am often called on for that, just like he was. I love all this! I should have said this on my own blog.
Lena is beautiful! That mini charcuterie is hilarious. I remember your mom being fascinated with miniatures. I don’t think that looking like an elementary teacher is a bad thing…especially if it’s the ones from my school. They all dress so cute! Happy Wednesday, my friend!
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The miniatures cracked me up! So fun when you realize the things you took from your parents- always makes me smile 🙂
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My husband is becoming more like my dad too!! I’ve noticed this over the years. It is very weird! He loves to chat like my dad and he takes twice as long as me to get ready to go somewhere. Those are just a few similarities. I would love to see some of your mom’s miniature scenes. My mom has built 2 beautiful doll houses for me when I was young and her grandkids.
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That miniature charcuterie made me smile : ) I love the pumpkin tee! I bought a pumpkin t-shirt (one pumpkin but it’s blingy) someone was selling to support the families who lost children at the flooded camp. Hope you have a great day!
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That must have been so interesting meeting the kids parents and seeing why they are the way they are.
That t-shirt is so cute!
Yes, I have heard of being grocery store rich. It is a worry with the prices of everything going up and up. I do wonder how some people are going to manage.
Dukes of Hazard on bikes! What fun and a great memory!
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Oh Yes, meeting the parents shine a whole new life on things!! My school district is having parent/teacher conference night October 16th. So maybe the parents I haven’t had a chance to meet, I can meet then.
Cute T-shirt.
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Ha! So true! Or maybe you don’t want anyone to come! Thank you!
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Your miniatures story reminded me of an evening several years ago. I asked my husband to make me a gin and tonic, not a big one, just a tiny one. A few minutes later, he brought me a shot glass with gin and tonic and a teeny tiny sliver of lime. It still brings a smile to my face!
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That’s so cute! He sounds like a keeper!
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I think it’s so interesting how we become more like our parents as we age. I have noticed it recently. I loved your thoughts on abundance. Everytime I go to the store and see the prices, I think about all the families that are struggling and making tough decisions on what to buy. The Dukes of Hazard…yes! I remember playing that too.
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Yes! I hope I get all their best qualities. I know – and the prices seem so arbitrary. Like some things are sky high and some things are reasonable.
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I enjoyed reading your post today. The trees are so pretty! I enjoyed your family picture from the past. Makes me think of one I have if from the early 70’s. I need to find it. I am off to look at your recipe. Have a nice week!
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Thank you! Love looking at old family pics!
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THANK YOU for that caramel icing recipe! My stepmom used to make a delicious one and I’ve never been able to replicate it, although my daughter asks me to try every year. She used to put it on her banana cake. LOVED your definition of abundance. I have never heard the term “grocery store rich” but I did not grow up “grocery store rich” – my kids did. I hope they always appreciate having food to eat. what a cute little miniature 🙂
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Let me know if it turns out for you! I love it! So true about our kids.
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