Tuesday 4 Meme ~ First Things First

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.


First Things First...

Hello! It's a new week and another installment of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. I debated over the word episode and ended up with installment but I am still not satisfied. Oh well, here is is whatever it is and I do hope you enjoy joining in. Let's talk about firsts in your life.




1. Do you remember your first pair of grown up style shoes, maybe high heels? How did that go? oh boy, probably 6th grade for some school function, or for Easter, but I can't remember

2. When was your first date and do you recall their name and where you went and what you did? Todd, went to McD's for a quick pop in to see the gang, then off to see Crocodile Dundee

3. Do you have any memories of your first job? oh the memories I have from working at McDonald's.... the crew I worked with was the best, and the majority of them I am still friends with today.

4. What do you remember about your first home away from Mom and Dad? It was when I went to college and was in a dorm room with 3 other gals.

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Bug Out!

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

High winds, tree splitting winds and buckets of rain since yesterday and more on the way. The wind has been howling here for 2 days straight. Ian is on the coastline and not playing nice. We can play nicely though with Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 questions. Are you ready? Since the east coast is experiencing hurricanes and tropical storms let us explore the topic. Okay? Let's Go...

1. Expert survivalists and weather experts say it is wise to have a bug out bag handy in case of evacuation, hurricane, earthquake or any emergency. You can see online how to create one. Do you have an emergency kit or bug out bag? We do not, but its on our list of thing to get.

2. Do you have plans with your family on where to meet and what to do in case of emergency? No, but its something we should be thinking about.

3. Do you keep your phone well charged and your gas tank topped off ? Is your flashlight kept fresh with batteries? Do you have a list of what to go where to go? Phone is always charged, as is the portable charger. Cars are topped off. Need more batterires for the flashights/lanterns. List is in progress

4. How about a little stash of emergency goods and foods to last a week or two? They say it pays to do this.. do you? This is well stocked! I started my prepper pantry when all of the hulla bulloo of 2020 started.

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Autumn This & That

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

It's Autumn and temperatures in many places will be going down, days will be shorter and leaves will be tumbling down.

Let's discuss these things.

1. Do lower temperatures bother you or make you uncomfortable and are you more of a warm climate person? I love the cooler Fall temps... but the bitter cold winter temps, I do not like!

2. Do you like the colors associated with Autumn. Clothing wise do they look good on you? I love the fall colors outside.. now as for the yellow/browns/rust colors, they don't look good on me at all.

3. Would you rather:…
… get lost in a corn maze or go on a hayride? hayride
… visit an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch? both
… eat a caramel apple or a candy apple? caramel apple
…Cinnamon buns or Pumpkin muffins? pumpkin muffin

4. There are 7,500 varieties of apple. What is your favorite and do you like apple pie? red delicious is my fave, and I love apple pie!!

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Autumn Trip

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Let''s plan a lovely vacation through New England to see the Autumn leaves.. Money is no object and we have all the time we would like.

1. How many days and nights would you like to be away? a week to 10 days

2. What kind of car would you like to take on this trip? Maybe you would enjoy the train? Would you sail up the coast in a yacht? I would be happy in my little Rav4, but a scenic train ride might be fun as well!

3. Would side trips be on your agenda? Perhaps to Mystic, Connecticut, Salem, Massachusetts, Plimouth, (yes, they spelled it with an "i" ) Massachusetts, Walden Pond, Lizzie Borden's home or maybe the home of Emily Dickenson, etc. Many side trips will be included, as many as we could fit in

4. Lobster roll, chowders, boiled dinners, brown bread, baked beans, pancakes with real maple syrup, blueberry muffins, Parker House Rolls (well loved by Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the Kennedy clan.), Toll House Cookies, Red Flannel Hash, Tourtiere pork pie, (Recipe here)— what native foods catch your attention? Pancakes with real maple syrup sounds yummy, as do almost you have listed, seafood doesn't agree with me much.

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ We've Got Questions

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.


Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.


Here are questions to ponder for this week...


1. Are you happy with the way your life is going? I am. Things are going pretty darn good, even with all of the chaos in the world today.

2. Are you planning any trips in the future? A few are in the works. This Oct, I have a cross stitch retreat in Utah. In March a few of my stitchy friends and I are having our own little retreat in Wisconsin. In June, if I get in, there is another cross stitch retreat in Ohio. The hubs and I are trying to plan a trip to somewhere warm during our cold, wintery months, just haven't figure it out just yet

3. Are you reading anything at the moment or do you plan on reading something interesting? Nothing at the moment.

4. What's for supper tonight at your house? Kielbasa and mac-n-cheese - I think

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Summertime

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Well, we hope it's easy anyway. Welcome back to Toni's Tuesday 4! Always good to have you here.Let's concentrate on the little bit of summer that is left shall we? We need to enjoy every season to the fullest I believe.. what say you? Not much more of summer left so we better enjoy it while it lasts.

1. What do you like to do in the summer? go to the beach, kayak, fish with the hubs

2. What is your favorite summertime food and beverage? BLT's, potato salad, watermelon, lemonade

3. How do you beat the heat? sit in an air conditioned house

4. What do you really like about the summer season? I can get the kayak out, walks on the beach sunsets.

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ House and Home

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo! I hope you are enjoying the questions and the chance to blog about your likes, dislikes and opinions and find out about those of other people. Be sure to visit around. That is part of the fun.

Let's share our home secrets with one another. Maybe you have some ideas other ladies would love to hear about.

1. What household tool or appliance do you rely on a lot? my dishwasher

2. Which laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dish detergent work best for you? I use Tide Pods, Downy and Gain dish soap, and for the dishwasher Quantam tabs

3. What soap do you like to use? Where do you have soap in your home... bathroom, kitchen, shower? as in hand soap? I am all about the liquid soaps, we have a lemon scent in the kitchen, and in the bathroom, I just opened my last bottle of Jergens cherry almond scented soap, and after this some sort of fruity smelling will take its place. And in the shower, I have a Milk and honey scented body wash, and the hubs uses Irish Spring bar soap.

4. What is the secret to a clean home in your opinion? keeping the boys and grandpups out of the house.. lol Which is funny as we will be pup sitting this weekend, and I am not even going to bother to clean this week as it will be a disaster after they leave. But it will all be ok, as they are just the cutest lil guys!

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ A Repeat ~ Just Wondering

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo! I hope you are enjoying the questions and the chance to blog about your likes, dislikes and opinions and find out about those of other people. Be sure to visit around. That is part of the fun.

let's revisit it today..

A Repeat ~ Just Wondering

1. When was the last time you tried something new? 2 years ago I learned how to shoot a gun

2. Who in your family do you compare yourself to? No one

3. What lesson in life did you learn the hard way? Who my true friends are...so many things have changed/transpired over the last two years. Its sad, as I am still the same person they hung out with for the last 15 years, the only thing different my beliefs became more vocal, and they didn't like that... they would rather I remained the quiet submissive friend in the corner... well no more! I'm done being a doormat!

4. What can you do today that you weren't able to do before? see #1

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Light

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo! I hope you are enjoying the questions and the chance to blog about your likes, dislikes and opinions and find out about those of other people. Be sure to visit around. That is part of the fun.


Let's talk about light, okay? You light up my life.. shine a light in the darkness, Miller Light. All kinds of light but how about at home?

1. Are you afraid of the dark? Is night or day your favorite time? No, I like both night and day, the early morning when everything is still quiet before everyone(thing) is awake, and then the same for night when everyone(thing) is winding down for the night are just perfect for me!

2. Do you have night lights in your home? not anymore now that its just the hubs and I

3. How low do you set your air conditioning? Do you adjust it through the day? we have a window unit, and it is slowly dieing, I think right now its set to 66... does it cool the living room down, mostly. No adjusting, if we turn it up then it gets way too hot, so it stays at this temp, if I get cold, I will throw on a blanket lol.

4. Do you keep any outdoor or indoor lights on all night? yes, both front and back porch lights are on all day/night. The back one we got in the habit of it being left on when we still had Lici, so night time potty's were easy to see where she wandered off to. And now we leave both on, just to keep the area lit up for various reasons.

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Inquiring Minds Wanna Know...

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo! I hope you are enjoying the questions and the chance to blog about your likes, dislikes and opinions and find out about those of other people. Be sure to visit around. That is part of the fun.

Let's inquire about stuff....

1. What gets your blood to boiling? People who can't seem to mind their own business and like to cause problems just so they can get attention

2.What does a really good day look like for you? What makes you say, "That was a great day"? being with my guys and just enjoying our time together. I have been really trying to "be present" in the moment and not being preoccupied with other things when we are together.

3. Are you continuing to grow mentally, spiritually, talent wise or are you just marking time? For awhile there I was just marking time, but with things that have happened in the last month I am trying to be do better in all of these areas.

4. Have you changed your hair style since high school? Why or why not? I have, while I miss my "poof/big hair" of the 80's, I am liking the not having to use so much product on my hair with the simpiler hairstyle. I am not even sure if I could get my hair to do what it did way back then!

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ October Thoughts

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo!

This week, let' talk about October. Toni sure enjoyed facts about the months and questions on that topic too.

1. What are your feelings about the month of October? Does it bring anything special to mind for you? Do you have memories to share? I love the cooler temps, as it is ushering in all things Fall. It does have a little bit of sadness to the month, as the end of Oct we put our Lulu kitty down after she became very sick and now the beginning of the month we just put out Lici girl down.

2. Have you ever gone apple picking? Pumpkin picking? Any kind of picking including banjo picking at all? Do you bake pies with those fruits? apple/pumpkin picking - yes.. no the banjo. I usually make apple pies.

3. What is autumn like where you live? How about when you were a child? cooler temps, leaves changing colors.. same as a child

4. Autumn is not the same as Fall. Fall is the time when the leaves are actively falling. What activities of Autumn/Fall do you enjoy? Do you decorate your door or home for the season? I love everything fall... well other than raking leaves. I decor for fall!!

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Blogging

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo!

Blogging

1. How often do you blog? What helps you blog.. what hinders you? I try for 5 days. Helps me, the prompts for the days I blog.... hinders..Life gets in the way, or my mind over thinks things and I get stressed can back away for months at a time.

2. What benefits do you get from blogging? Are there any? Getting to know others, forming friendships, an outlet to vent if need be.

3. Have you ever changed your blog theme? as in the background, or pretense of the blog in general. I used to change my background out every few months or so in the early days... but now just stick with what I have. I have changed the title.... when I first started it was "My Life as Mama Jodi"... back when I started it was more about that kinda blogging, then I morphed in the the now title Jodi's Creative Corner.

4. Where do you get your ideas for blog posts? from the prompts I get for the days I post.

Tuesday 4 - Kitchen Dreams

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo!

Kitchen Dreams

This week's questions were provided by Pamela Steiner who has the Closed Doors Open Windows blog..

1. They say the kitchen is the heart of the home...tell us about YOUR kitchen. What is your favorite part of your kitchen? How big it is... I will be sad when/if we move

2. If money were no object, what would be your "dream kitchen"? Something similar to this photo... I so want a center island, and would love the to ceiling cabinets

3. Tell us about a favorite memory from your kitchen, or from a kitchen in your past, perhaps your mother's kitchen or your grandma's kitchen? see question 4 - I loved visiting my grandma, hanging out in her kitchen while she prepared food for us, was always a treat!

4. If you could invite anyone in the world (either past or present) to come visit with you in your kitchen, who would it be, and why? My "grandma" Ensiline. I loved going to her house when we were little, she had the best cinnamon toast, that would cure anything that ailed you! And she had the best date cookies. I would love to sit and talk with her and have her share how to make the date cookies, to this day I can not for the life of me get it down. I will never get the toast just right as her special ingredient was "love" that she put into it. I miss her!

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Weather or Not...

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4. I am sure Toni would be so pleased you are here.


Weather or Not...



Let's discuss the weather...


1. Spring is here. What do you like or dislike about it weather wise? The rain... while its needed to help boost along the new life of things... it just makes the days gloomy!

2. How do you fare in humidity? Do you fade or come alive? fade...most definitely fade

3. Do rainy days bother you or are you happy for an occasional break from the sunshine? they bother me... the gloominess of the day puts me in a mood... not the seasonal depression mood of winter.. just a mood...lol

4. In your opinion, what is the best thing about each season? winter.. the only thing good about it is, I get alot of craft projects started and or finished... Spring all of the new life/growth... Summer - sun, sand, flip flops! Fall.... the changing colors, the smells, warm cozy sweaters/sweathshirts.

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Books/TV

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4. I am sure Toni would be so pleased you are here.

This week let's talk about books and TV programs you enjoy....

1. Are you enjoying a book right now and would you tell us about it? Where The Crawdads Sing - haven't picked it up in while - I need to work in some time to read through out my days - so far I am liking it, but it took a bit for me to get into it. I need to start carving in more reading time.

2. Do you have a list of books you are looking forward to reading in the near future? not really

3. What's on television (or YouTube, etc.) at your house? Chicago Med, Fire, PD, The Resident, This is Us, New Amsterdam, The Rookie, Big Sky, Blue Bloods, 911, 911-Lone Star, Prodigal Son, Walking Dead, When Calls the Heart, American Housewife, Call Your Mother, American Idol....... I'm just a bit of a TV junkie

4.What series have you followed religiously and why? (can be TV or book series) see the above list of shows.... I have watched from the beginning of all... when some of these have their series finale I will be sad... you get so attached to some of the characters!

Tuesday 4 meme ~ Cooking

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4. I am sure Toni would be so pleased you are here.

Lets talk about Cooking...




1. What is the most valuable kitchen utensil you have or one you use often and could not live without? either my Pampered Chef food chopper or mix n chop

2. Do you have any fancy gadgets like air fryers, etc in your kitchen? How are they working out for you? I don't

3. Do you have any step or labor saving ideas that make cooking and meal preparation easier? not really.... I enjoy cooking, so it doesn't bother me if it takes a bit.

4. What is your favorite recipe of all time? Would you share it with us? stuffed shells - sometimes I will add beef or Italian sausage as well
INGREDIENTS
24 jumbo pasta shells cooked according to package directions
15 ounces ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided use
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cups marinara sauce divided
2 tablespoons parsley chopped
cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9"x13" baking pan with cooking spray.
Spread 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce in an even layer in the bottom of the pan.
Place the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, egg, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Stir to combine.
Fill each shell with the ricotta mixture and place in the baking dish.
Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then sprinkle the other 1 1/2 cups of cheese over the top.
Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover the pan, then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Tuesday 4 Meme ~ Traveling

I am happy to see that Annie from Cottage by the Sea is continuing on with the Tuesday 4 that Toni started.

Questions will be up for you here at 9PM on Sunday nights which will give enough time to answer and post on your own blog on Tuesdays.

Welcome to Tuesday 4. I am sure Toni would be so pleased you are here.

Lets talk about Travel...

1. How far have you gone from home and where did you go? California

2. Do you think the hassle of travel is worth the trouble? yes its always fun to get away!

3. Are there places you would like to visit or have plans for visiting? on my bucket list to travel to: Italy, Ireland, Hawaii

4. What trip was the best you've ever had? probably the road trip Trent and I took a few years ago to Florida to visit family and meet my great nephew for the first time. We had lots of fun, until the ride home.... driving in winter weather is no fun!