A Haven for Vee

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Hodge Podge

Desperate for a thought, I visted Debbie to get a spark of inspiration. Ahhh...it's Wednesday, after all, and this week is a "Mother May I?" of sorts.

1. Share something you appreciate (or something you appreciated as you were growing up) about your mother.

After living on this planet for the past three years without my mother, I have learned one thing: I did NOT appreciate her enough while I was growing up and I did NOT appreciate her enough as an adult. That said, she kept her family together through some very rough waters. And, from the time that she became a Christian when I was ten, she always pointed to Jesus as the answer.


2. A quote most commonly ascribed to Plato reads-"Necessity is the mother of invention." When did this last play out in your own experience?

Probably using the stash that I already have for some sewing projects. I'm no McGyver. 

 
3. Share one of the earliest memories you have from childhood.

The earliest memory (I was told it was when I was two) is of traveling across a large bridge while sipping chocolate milk. (Figures it would have food in it.) My earliest memory of my mother is of her kneeling and looking into my eyes and explaining most earnestly that a birthday gift I had been waiting for would certainly arrive soon. It was a set of dishes. Hmmm...I'm sensing a theme here.

4. When did you last 'hit the mother lode'? What was it?


Guess it was when I opened a box over the weekend and so many old photos, some I do not remember seeing before, were in there, including the ones I'm sharing today.

~my mother age 6~

~my parents, baby sister, and I~

5. What is/was your favorite dish mom made? Do you make that dish for your family/friends now that you're all grown up?


 She made so many wonderful meals and was known from here to there as an amazing cook. I especially loved her meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, bbq ribs, lasagna... Yes, I do try to re-create her meals, but so far have learned that she, and she alone, had the secret ingredient.
 

6. Mother May I? was at one time a popular children's game. It required no equipment or parts to play. What was your favorite childhood game to play where you could just turn up and play-no gear needed?


 I have been waiting for this question because I just taught this game to my grandsons last week. I didn't think that they would enjoy it at all since they balked with the "Mother" from the very start, but now they request a game nearly every day and have become quite creative with their requests and love to play the part of "Mother."

OOps! Overlooked answering the question. Focus, Vee! My favorite show up and play game was "Red Light." I think I'll teach them that one today.

7. Which TV mom (past or present) is your favorite, and why?

Gosh, this does date a gal. Well, I loved Father Knows Best best because of the kindly father that Robert Young played and Jane Wyatt was awfully nice, too. What's not to love? Gentle, kind, firm all rolled into one.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The forsythia are blooming, at least, on the lowest branches.

***

Providing the link without participating. How rotten is that? 


HodgePodge Wednesday

44 comments:

  1. Ohhh Vee! I loved reading all the hodge podge of little thing about your childhood and memories of your mother. So sweet! Have a lovely day!

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  2. Morning

    These kind of posts are so fun. Love the family photos. I was just thinking how lucky I am to have both my Mum and MIL living so close-by (on the same street as us). The question about cooking and favorite foods made me laugh both Mr OP and I thought that our Mums were good cooks growing up. We realize now that it was the love in those meals that made them wonderful.

    Have a great week!
    Leann

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  3. Sweet Hodge Podge! Love your picture, so adorable!!!
    Have a wonderful and happy day, Vee~
    Nancy

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  4. How wonderful to get to sit down with a bunch of old family photos! This was fun! I need to get busy around here and do some housework....Mother May I? haha! Please say, I can just go outside and play instead! Hugs, Diane

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  5. Loved, loved your answers & your photos. I have to say, I have been reading other hodgepodgers, and I am jealous on how most have had wonderful mothers. My mother is just not that warm and fuzzy kind of person. ANYWAYS..thanks for sharing and the smiles. Blessings

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  6. Vee, I love your post today! It has been years since I've thought of "Mother May I." By the way, I love your new border, my friend, and your background of roses is LOVELY -- one of the prettiest I've seen. :)

    This post is a good and thoughtful idea for the week of Mother's Day. My mom is pretty amazing, and I'm sure when she is gone I'll find that I didn't appreciate her nearly enough. Thank you for sharing this hodge podge with us; the picture of your mom is priceless. It looks like something out of an old-fashioned book with her curls, hair ribbon, and beautiful dress. You have made me smile this morning. :)

    Warm hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  7. Awe Vee, I loved reading your lovely hodge podge post and enjoyed looking at the photos. Have a wonderful day today.

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  8. What a great tribute to your mother! I may have to visit Debbie, too, for some inspiration. I've been reading more than blogging.

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  9. Such a great, fun, honest post Vee, I loved it!
    The photos of your family are beautiful.
    Sounds like your mom was special in so many ways - like you, I miss mine still so much,
    she's been gone 12 years.

    Hugs - Mary

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  10. You look like your mother! Love that photo of her as a young girl! Beautiful!

    Deanna

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  11. Good morning! I was downright excited when I glanced at my blog roll and saw...Vee ~ Hodgepodge. lol I knew yours would be good and it was. I couldn't agree more about realizing how much MORE I should have appreciated her when she was alive. I do regret that...and complaining too. But knowing my mom should would say, "Don't be ridiculous...I KNOW you love me!" Forgot all about red light green light...loved that too. That picture of your mom as a little girl was just adorable. Don't you love to find old pictures. We uncovered a plethora of pics going through her things. Enjoy your day!

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  12. The Hodgepodge posts are always fun...I haven't yet jumped on that bandwagon but it's probably just a matter of time. I do remember all of those games too...Mother May I, Red Rover, Red light, Green light,...all of those fun games. It is so great that you are sharing them with your grandsons! Kids today have no idea how much fun those old games are. I'd given just about anything to see my mom again...but I know I will someday :)

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  13. Oh this is so delightful!! Love those vintage photos. Missing my mom who's been gone almost 12 years!

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  14. I love your old photos Vee. What wonderful memories they have for you! There is not one among us who has lost their mother that doesn't feel the same way you do; wishing we had appreciated her more while we were still lucky enough to have her! HUGS!!

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  15. I loved this post Vee. I know exactly what you mean about not appreciating you Mom enough. I feel the exact same way, though I think my mom would not agree with me.

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  16. I love seeing old photos. Your mother was a pretty girl! I didn't appreciate my mother nearly enough, either. Do any of us? It's not until we have been mothers ourselves quite a number of years, or perhaps not until our mothers are gone, that we fully appreciate them. And, one more thought. You know what I think was the secret ingredient in your mother's recipes? Love. Only her special love that was blended in with the other ingredients could make the food taste so wonderful.

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    1. Ahhh, yes, love. Love and extra sugar and butter. =D

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  17. I understand my mother more each year that goes by! She was in her 40s when I was born so I actually had her longer than anticipated, she lived to be 85. I think often how she saw so many changes in her life, growing up in the horse and buggy era and seeing a man walk on the moon was a huge jump in technology.

    Really enjoyed reading your answers. :)

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  18. I love the photos and the one of your mom when she was young is so adorable!

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  19. Thanks for visiting dear sista. I was unable to link up on the WOW link and so appreciate your stopping by. A wonderful post today. I remember your blogs when you mom and grandmom were still living. My favorite thing my mom made was her chocolate and brown sugar pies. I have her cookbook and those pages are covered with spots of chocolate and such. Loved the photos.

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  20. Wonderful thoughts today, Vee! I'll share a few thoughts of my own. My mother was a hard worker, she sewed draperies to make money for our piano lessons. She sewed all our dresses, even made a beautiful corduroy coat for me when I was in 7th grade. I remember when I was in high school we went dress shopping at Montgomery Ward because I needed a dress for a special event. While looking through all the racks she said she could make a better dress for a lot less, and she did!

    My mother had a beautiful singing voice. I loved hearing her sing at home & in church. When she sang solos I was beaming with pride.

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  21. So interesting! What an adorable photo of your mother!

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  22. Nice thoughts and memories here. : )

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  23. I loved reading your answers, my friend! Another friend and I were just discussing what great family shows we had while growing up and Father Knows Best was one of them. I loved the Donna Reed Show, too. Ahh, such memories and much better shows than are on TV today that are supposedly for families. xo

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  24. Dear Vee, I so enjoyed your answers! Your Mother was a good mother as all mothers try or hope to be, And I can say the same I miss my Mother and I know I did not appreciate her as much as I should have...
    Did you get my card? Happy Mothers Day to you!
    Mother may I.... Hop Scotch! What fun!

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  25. Quite the hodge podge, but interesting reading for sure. Makes one stop and think with questions like these, doesn't it? I don't recall watching much television growing up but I could read 3 books at once! :-)

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  26. Such a sweet post. I always feel very nostalgic this time of year. My favorite tv mom? Would saying Roseanne be wrong?

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  27. Thank you Vee...I am tearing up thinking of my own mother. When you said you did not appreciate her as much as you should have...that goes for all of us. I still miss my mom and she has been gone almost 8 years. I don't think we ever stop longing for our moms. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  28. A very sweet post, Vee, i find it so amazing at how through blogging I have not only gotten to know the blogger but their family as well, over the past years you have shared some wonderful memories with your Mother, and your Nan, I was so blessed then and and even more today with this shared information! Your photos are so lovely. I enjoyed playing red light, and mother may I as a child, and find it so pleasantly refreshing that your grandsons enjoy mother may I too! Just keep making those memories, and sharing.
    Thanks for sharing your Hodgepodge Wednesday!
    Hugs,Sue

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  29. I think it's pretty common that we feel we didn't appreciate our Mother's as much as we should have, I know I feel the same way...
    Yes, I think you must have gotten hooked on dishes at a young age:>)
    I enjoyed all of your Hodge Podge, Vee.

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  30. A fun Hodge Podge to read. I'm so blessed to still have my mother and father active and healthy. I want to appreciate them as much as I can. They have formed me, encouraged me, blessed me and above all, loved me to Jesus.
    Love the glimpses of the past here.

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  31. Loved reading your answers. Missing my mom, and she been a resident of heaven since 1991. She was my role model, my friend. She taught me to be a loving and caring wife and mother...just watching her was my manual. Thanks for the memories. Love the old pictures. Precious.

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  32. My mum died before my daughter was born, it was a long time ago but I still miss her.
    Merle...........

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  33. It was fun to read through your hodge podge. You made my brain bring up a few other games. Red Rover, Hide and Seek, Hop Scotch. I really enjoyed tetherball and red light green light, too.

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  34. The games...I must make a note of those games and stick it in with our board games for future reference! I love your mom's rag curls. My mom made those kind of curls on me once. Do you suppose anyone out there makes rag curls on kids any more?

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  35. I enjoyed your answers. Sounds like you where blessed with a wonderful childhood. My mother died when I was 10, so, don't remember her very well. Just bits and pieces of fragmented memories. After that it was a painful existence. I left home at 18 and never looked back. I'm thankful those days are over. ~:)

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  36. I suspect that many of us didn't appreciate our moms until much later. And actually, my appreciation of my mom came about mostly as a result of her being a great (as in wonderful) grandma to our kids! Who would be old enough to remember Father Knows Best??? ;-)

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  37. Fun reading your answers. Loved those games, too, and reruns of the shows, we weren't allowed to watch much TV, everybody played outside in those days. Your mom was a cute little girl!

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  38. What a nice post, Vee! Your Mother was a pretty child, and I can see the resemblance in you to her!
    I also miss my Mother dearly and wish I could go back in time and spend one more day with her. I am very grateful, though, that I lived down the block from her almost my entire life so that we did do much together and that we were able to assist her in her senior years. I was also with her when she passed away --it was very unexpected and sudden, but I was able to pray for her as her spirit passed.

    I have been a little AWOl because of some computer connectivity problems--had to send out my new lap top for repair under the warranty.I'm using my old lap top but it runs so hot that I can't stand being on it long. Hope to get to normal soon!

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  39. A lovely post and that is such a darling photo of your mom when she was little!

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  40. A lovely post and that is such a darling photo of your mom when she was little!

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  41. LOVE those old pic's! What a beautiful photo of your mom. And yes, I can see the resemblance.

    How well I remember playing 'Mother May I' back in the day...and Red Rover, Red Rover...and Eevy Ivy Over...and Prisoner's Base. Hmmmm. I'll have to see if I can find any grands who want to have some fun from yesteryear!

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  42. Your answer to number one was beautiful! Made me cry. I know what you are saying. Hugs.

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