Wednesday Hodge Podge

1.  Who taught you to cook? 

I would say that my parents, aunt, and grandmother taught me how to cook.   For years, my parents have run a small catering business out of their home.   I hated it when I was a kid, because we always had to help out.  But, I did learn some valuable skills and use them when I entertain.  Would I ever have my own catering business?  NO!!  I am not interested in feeding armies of people.   If it's more then 20-30 people I have to cook for, I am ordering pizza. 

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?
 My husband says I think too much and that if he had to spend a day in my mind, he would explode.  I don't really think I am a perfectionist.  I do try to put my best effort into anything I do.  Am I too sensitive, in some areas, I would say yes.  

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.
I don't really know that I had just one favorite toy.  I would kind of move from one thing to another.   I have a few standouts though.     The first would have to be my 12 inch Princess Leia doll.  I really loved her, but as a kid, liked to chew on things, so she doesn't have feet per say anymore.    I still have her.   

The other memorable doll that I had would be my Cabbage Patch Kid.     My CPK was not one of the ones made by Coleco. She was one of the cloth dolls and her name was Valerie.   I loved her and took her everywhere, until tragedy struck.    I was about 5 years old and my family had gone to Red Lobster to eat.   That is where I had my first and last taste of clam chowder.   The next morning, I proceeded to throw up clam chowder all over Valerie.  She was promptly washed in the washing machine, which did more damage then good.   When we got her out of the dryer, her yarn hair was ruined and she still didn't smell quite right.  So my aunt, trying to be helpful sprayed her with Oscar de la Renta perfume.   Let's just say that Oscar and Red Lobster clam chowder don't work well together.    It is my hope that one day, I can take her to Cleveland, GA to Baby Land General Hospital (home of the Cabbage Patch) and have her restored. 

What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?
 I would have to say that I have a lot of faith in the institution of marriage.   I know some people don't take it very seriously and see it as something temporary, but I take my marriage vows very seriously. 

 Chrysanthemums, pansies, burning bush, ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?
 I really love pansies and ornamental cabbages.  Pansies are just happy little flowers and I love the ruffly leaves of the cabbages. 

What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?
 I would say that the children in our neighborhood have the power of invisibility.   Our neighborhood is small and I know that children live here, but you hardly ever see any of them outside.  I guess they are inside playing video games or something.   I throw my children outdoors.  Kids need to play outside. 


Are you a fan of the cranberry?
 I love cranberry.   I think that it is a flavor we sometimes forget about until the fall.   My mom makes this yummy cranberry and apple crisp. 

Random Thought: 
Halloween was Monday and that same night, I saw 4 Christmas themed commercials and one channel was playing a Christmas movie!!!!   WTH????!!!!!    I am one of these people that gets really irritated by companies turning Thanksgiving into Christmas' speed bump.     I really wish that everyone would just slow their roll when it comes to Christmas.   It will get here, let's just take a moment to be Thankful!   I guess if we had to go out and become hunters and gatherers like the Pilgrims and Native Americans, we would be more thankful for a good harvest and food on the table, instead of just pulling up to the store and expecting anything and everything we want to eat to just be there.