Fall Hodgepodge: Come Join the Fun!

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Here are this week's questions...answer on your own blog, then hop back over to From This Side of the Pond tomorrow to share answers with the whole wide world. Thank you Joyce! This is a fun, introspective way to share and learn about some of our friends! I think (maybe) I'm actually getting the hang of it! Here we go-

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it's official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What's a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home?  We will head out to go apple picking this weekend. We've had a really dry spell this summer and I'm told it will affect our apple picking season. We want to head out while we can still get Macs, which are a favorite! The theme keeps going with the scents of the season for me, I love the smell of apple this time of year. 

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte? I'd say apple pie, pumpkin bread and a pumpkin spice latte. My kids love warm apple cider though! 

3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here? I love to walk my dog when the mid afternoon slump hits. I think a little burst of activity, and perhaps some caffeine keeps me going that time of day. 

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person? I think through my friendships, I've become a better listener. A true friendship involves give and take, it shouldn't be one sided. It's great to share but it's also important to listen and help your friends through good times and bad. "Good friends show their love in times of trouble, not just happiness." 

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser?  As the years have rolled on, I've become less of a people pleaser, more concerned with regards to what makes me the best person I can be. Sometimes it's okay to ruffle feathers or disappoint if it means you're doing what makes you (and your loved ones happiest). I was a "yes girl" for too many years and said yes when I wanted to say no. That never works, you simply end up feeling resentful and bitter. At the same time, I still people please when absolutely necessary and say yes at the appropriate times. 

6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind). ChChChChChanges David by Bowie

7. What do you wish would never change?  I wish that ALL children would feel the love that they all deserve and that none would ever be victimized, abused or suffer at the hands of hateful people. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. "Autumn paints in colors that Summer has never seen".