Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Heating Up the Hodgepodge

It's bit hot in these parts. And by a bit, I mean hell has nothing on the low country of SC. I have no idea how we did anything outside on the 4th, but we did. Well, they did. I stayed inside with the dogs. And the red, white, and blue food I saw on Pinterest and prepared for the celebration. :)  

I'm glad participation in the Hodgepodge takes place INSIDE. Otherwise, y'all might not see me until November! 



1. How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today) I did not welcome the month of July. It just came and brought the usual oppressive heat with it. We did celebrate the 4th with loads of food and a few friends and family. 

I found so many red, white, and blue food ideas on Pinterest. So I made a few. 

I put a few of the kids to work on the shrimp and chicken skewers. When you act like a goober, your mom not only posts on Facebook, but she puts it on the blog as well. 
Just a couple more. The little bits had fun playing Monopoly though I've never associated the game, Monopoly with the word, fun. As y'all can see, Baby M chose not to make her appearance on the 4th. We continue to wait. And wait. And wait...

2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? Just about anything that is red. Red is my favorite color! white thing? Snow! Or that icing on the red velvet cupcakes we had Monday. blue thing? The Carolina blue sky, of course!  

3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Freak flag, baby. Explain. I fly that thing every day of my life. And I like it like that. :)

4. According to Cond Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-

a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria

If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? I'm not interested in a single one of those. Which would you most like to see and why? None. There are places I'd like to see, but none of these is on the list. However, if any of you are going to Nashville and need an extra person tagging along, I'm IN! 

5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed? Yes, please. It is impossible to pick one. Just put all three on my plate. Oh! Monday, one of our family-by-marriage members brought some pimento cheese that is absolutely without a doubt the BEST I've ever had! It's called Palmetto Cheese and I might never eat any other kind. 

6. What makes you sweat? July is making me sweat right now. Anytime the temps rise above the 60s, I'm going to sweat. I think I live in the wrong area of the country. LOL

7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort? I don't know if it's my favorite, but I do love Independence Day. I heard the new one isn't that great though.

8. Insert your own random thought here. We're still reeling from our trip to Nashville the weekend of June 25th. What a treat to watch the boys play at the Ryman and spend time with family! I've got a new post coming tomorrow about the food and family but the Ryman experience is HERE if you missed it!

Stay cool, y'all! 

21 comments:

  1. I mentioned Palmetto Cheese too. I could get it in NJ so it's everywhere and I'm a little bit addicted : ) My daughter saw Independence Day and said it was okay, but missing the Will Smith charm of the first one. Hoping Miss M makes her appearance safely and soon!

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    1. I just read that! It's even better than my dad's homemade. I'm a bit addicted myself. :) Yeah, that's what I heard so I'll just wait until it's on Netflix or something. What a disappointment. Thank you! We're on pins and needles down here.

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  2. Yes - I love the Carolina blue sky too! And NASHVILLE! Love, love, love! What 'boys' played the Ryman? I was in Music City earlier in June for the CMA Fest. I just love that city!

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    1. The 'boys' are The Wild Feathers. Daughter 2's boyfriend is the drummer. You can read about our visit and the performance here: http://www.emptynest1.net/2016/07/rockin-ryman.html
      I had such a great time! I'm already planning a trip back in November. I would love to try living there and being close to Daughter 2 but with my first grandchild coming, that's not going to happen. :)

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  3. I loved that forecast, it could be ours but yours is with humidity. Much worse. Its getting close isn't it? I am glad you had such a nice fourth of July.

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    1. Yes, it is much worse with this stupid humidity. I'm never going to adjust to it. And I've lived in the Carolinas my whole life. Ha!

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  4. I know that I live in the wrong area of the country! I'm sorry that you're melting, too. I guess we're out of luck hoping for a mild summer, eh?

    Is the Palmetto Cheese home made or is it something from the store? It sounds like it would be great. I was born in South Carolina, you know. :)

    I guess the baby didn't get the memo about when to be born. Hopefully, you'll be able to make that announcement soon!

    Have a blessed day.

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    1. Mild and summer do not go together here in the low country. I've live in this area for 30 years and just cannot seem to adjust. LOL The Palmetto cheese is store bought and it is DELICICOUS! It seems Baby M is going to be just like the rest of the women in our family and do things her way. Ha! Thanks!

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  5. You are the second person to mention Palmetto Pimento Cheese, I need to search for this; I love Pimento Cheese! I love your pinterest treats, I see so many yummy things, but I have yet to try making anything...you go girl! I enjoyed getting to know a little about you, thanks for sharing.
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

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    1. I don't see me eating any other kind ever again. It's that good! My treats didn't look as good as the ones on Pinterest but we ate them anyway. LOL Thanks!

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  6. I'll bet your daughter is more than ready for that baby to make an appearance! I was pregnant in July, it was miserable!
    I love your red,white, and blue foods. So creative!
    I'm not much of a traveler, but I'm like you, I'd go back to Nashville in a heartbeat!

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    1. She's getting to that point for sure. I was too, with daughter 4. Yes! Nashville was wonderful! We should have a blogger gathering up there. :)

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  7. I wasn't born in South Carolina, but I got there as quick as I could. Some of our family still lives there and are suffering in the heat. It is a very mild wind chill factor of only 100 here on the Gulf Coast. You can just about see the humidity. Have a great summer.

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    1. Absolutely right that you can almost see it. It's just awful, as it always is. LOL

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  8. I enjoy Monopoly played with a time limit. I played it drunk once long ago and almost swallowed a small hotel.

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    1. The parents of the kiddos said the kid version only last about 20 minutes. Wrong. LOL

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  9. I need to find a recipe for the Palmetto cheese. Sounds delicious! I agree with you. Monopoly is not necessarily a "fun" game, but good company can make it fun. Keep us posted on that baby girl!!

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    1. I'm going to go get some of that deliciousness tomorrow. Wanted to go today but the humidity made me chicken out and stay inside. Ha! The news as of this afternoon is if she hasn't arrived by her due date which is next Wednesday, they will induce on the next day which is the 14th. So---any day now or next Thursday for sure! WooHoo!

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  10. It looks like you had an awesome 4th! My brother and his girls live in Sumter, SC...is that anywhere close to you? And I think the temps here in NC may be a few degrees cooler, but not much. It seems you have family that sings in a group...that's awesome!. Our younger son and his family are about 30 minutes south of Nashville in Columbia. We'll be heading there in a few weeks! Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  11. Ok sorry to sound like a dill but what is "Palmetto Cheese" I have never heard of this, I do like grilled cheese sandwiches though.

    Here today it's cold and wet and I am glad I don't need to go out in this weather

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  12. Love how you celebrated with your Pinterest finds! Independence Day is a great movie choice. I heard that the new one is okay and worth seeing but surely not as good as the first one.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes me feel connected to everyone even though we may live far apart! Have a wonderful day!

 
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