Wednesday, September 16, 2026

It’s Hodgepodge with Joyce day!

1. How do you define beauty? 

There’s beauty all around us. I love color and color combinations that are pleasing to the eye. I feel like I’m less hurried now and can stop and notice that beauty more now. I love when a store takes the time to make a display look nice. You don’t get that shopping online, do you? In people, beauty can be embracing who you are and what your natural looks are. I really don’t think most people who have had “work done” look very good. I also think personality makes people beautiful.

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World)

I love a train! My mom was from Chicago and one of the highlights of visiting her side of the family at least once a year was taking the “EL” train. My mom also planned a big Amtrak adventure for us from Chicago to Seattle when I was 12. I have taken trains in Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, England, and Scotland. I may have missed a country. I think trains are amazing and wish we still had that option more in the US.

Train Charcuterie in England:

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells…choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.

Honestly, I had to look some of these terms up! I would say “in a nutshell” since I have simplified so many things in my life. Right now, in a nutshell, I am a stay-at-home wife and dog mom.

4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs…your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell? 

Eggs! I love eggs and like to start my day with an egg in some way. I grew up eating cereal with milk. My mom made egg casserole on holidays, though. Egg casserole continues to be a hoiday tradition.

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

I love birthdays and celebrating the people in my life. I love my own birthday, too. I have learned to ask for what I want in terms of that day. I am not above ordering my own cake. I think birthday traditions in different countries are interesting.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Next month, the Global Writing Challenge theme is birthday so I would love to hear your traditions for yourself or for the people in your life.

Amy