Thanks for the fun today, Joyce! Y'all can be a Hodgepodger by clicking HERE!
Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 638
2. Avocados, kale, cauliflower, and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage? I LOVE cabbage in a sweet coleslaw, or cooked. My mom always put cabbage in her vegetable soup, and I use it that way too. My favorite way to cook it is to chop the head of cabbage, chop some sweet peppers, and a large onion. Cook that all down in a big skillet with a half-stick of butter. As it cooks down, slice some smoked sausage into quarter-inch slices and put that on top of the veggies. Cover it and let it all start to reduce. Season with salt and pepper. I sometimes put in some cayenne pepper and/or some red pepper flakes for a little heat. You can eat it as is, or spoon it over some rice or noodles. There isn't a recipe, and I just call it sausage and cabbage. I have put cubed potatoes in it too. Make it your own!
3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? Even my little sisters are too old for Cabbage Patch Dolls, so no, I did not have one. My children are boys and came into my life when they were 16 and 20. A toy trend from my childhood that I remember having was a Tiny Tears doll. You could feed her a bottle of water, and she would wet her diaper. She had wiry red hair. My toys all got handed down, if they made it long enough to be handed down!
4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? Watching TV and taking cold meds. Blecht. (On the upswing, though!)
5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. The month began with memories of my granddaughter's wedding and a wonderful Christmas. Mid-month, I saw my sister, my son, my daughter-in-law, and dear friends up in Interlachen, FL. Then, I caught a nasty cold to end the month.
6. Insert your own random thought here. It felt SO GOOD to get out yesterday, for lunch with my friends, Wendy, and Suzette. Our friendships are still a bit new.
I met Wendy when I worked at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Tenoroc PUA. For newer readers, I had to get a part-time job after my Joe died of COVID in 2021. I was there for three years. Wendy retired from FWC and was friends with my boss, Danon. She popped in one day to see him. He introduced us, and we ended up talking for over an hour! I've met her hubby, and we've socialized a few times over the last few years, with lunches out and dinner at my place.
She invited me to a picnic with her church, which was held at one of the Tenoroc Pavilions. Suzette is a winter member of Wendy's church (a snowbird). She attended the picnic, and Wendy introduced us. Suzette had just lost her husband, so we bonded immediately in our widowhood. That's how the friendship was born.
Wendy and I have lunch now and then, and sometimes include Danon! When Suzette is here, we try to have lunch at least a couple of times. We have already scheduled another in March before she heads north. We always talk a lot, and we laugh even more!
(Shhh... Suzette is 82!! And she is a retired nurse. She walks 6 miles a day, most days!)
I enjoyed reading about your friendships. It's amazing the way God connects us to people in different stages of our lives. I'm glad you're on the mend and you were able to get out of the house. The cabbage dish sounds good. I make something similar but we haven't had it in a while and this post reminded me of that. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteOH, your "new" friends both look like such happy and friendly ladies! I can well imagine that you enjoy their friendship and fellowship!! Re: Cabbage...I cook my cabbage with smoked sausage or kielbasa, and then we usually eat it over mashed potatoes. But I often cook cabbage with potatoes and carrots and canned tomatoes and ground beef and onions to make my famous "Hobo Stew". Great with cornbread. And I do love good coleslaw too. I rarely make it, but I get it when we go out to eat for seafood. Maybe I should do this Wednesday Hodgepodge. I've never joined in before, but I'm answering all the questions on your page. LOL. I'm so glad you feel better, and I'm so glad you came here to visit before you got sick, but I'm so sorry you got sick. Oh, I do have a Cabbage Patch doll, but I got her as an adult. I also have a Tiny Tears doll, but mine didn't have the rooted hair. Her hair is painted on. (It still have both dolls, of course!) And it's 31 here at the moment. This weekend is going to be really cold. Blackie is enjoying coming inside to sleep and to spend some time wandering around in the house in the morning until the sun comes up and it warms up enough to go back out. He's a sweetie, as you well know. I hope you have a good rest of your week. Just don't overdo it. Blackie sends his love. He's in here while I'm trying to write. Bye for now.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were well enough to enjoy lunch out with friends. I love how God brings us to others and how good it is for us both!
ReplyDeleteMy girls had Cabbage Patch Dolls. Like you, my dolls were passed down so they're no longer around.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun with your friends!
Glad to hear that you're feeling well enough to have lunch out with your friends, Terri. I enjoyed "meeting" Suzette and Wendy. Enjoy your week and stay warm!
ReplyDeleteSorry you're having such a cold spell. And that you've not been feeling great. Hope you get rid of that cold soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's cold here too. It's suppose to freeze with possible ice(!!) on the roads. Goodness it's gotten cold suddenly. I'm so ready for Spring. 🥶
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of dolls. Never did play with them. 💞
I am glad you are feeling better, but I want you all well. My kids had Cabbage Patch - Andy was in to Ben Ten.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great picture of you and your 'new' friends! I enjoyed reading how you all met and became friends. We're back in the 20's this weekend :(( I'm ready for some porch sitting weather. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteI love your friendships' back-story, Terri! No way would I guess Suzette is 82!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember having eaten cabbage since 1980-something, but your 'recipe' sounds so good. In fact, I'm putting a head of cabbage on my shopping list for tomorrow!
It's funny how as kids it was intriguing to have a doll that needed to have her diaper changed. Then when it became real with our own kids (at least in my case), my opinion of all that changed!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same when it's cold out, I just want to hibernate.
ReplyDeleteWhat you make with cabbage sounds so good!
I always wanted a Tiny Tears Doll but never got one.
I am glad you are feeling better now and managed lunch out!
She walks six miles a day at age 82!! Now that's a goal!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE making beef cabbage soup. It's my favorite.
Dear Terri, your photo is lovely. You all look amazing.
ReplyDelete