Hodgepodge Wednesday
It's Wednesday and time for another Hodgepodge Wednesday with Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond.
1. What's a lesson you've learned from a mistake? Oh gosh I know there are so many of them and yet I'm drawing a blank... I think one of the biggest ones I learned back in high school is not to put water on a grease fire in the kitchen! I had the scar on my hand to remind me for years and years.
2. Do you salt food while you're cooking or let diners add their own? What's a food you think must be salted? Do you like pepper? I don't use salt while cooking because my husband automatically salts his food before even tasting it. I think french fries/potato chips must be salted. I like pepper but just a touch of it.
3. What was the last gathering you attended and what did you do there? The last gathering we attended that we didn't host was probably our sons' friend's birthday/graduation party last summer. We celebrated the birthday boy, ate yummy food, and the kids all went swimming... right up until the skies opened up and began down pouring!
4. Your favorite shade of purple? What's your favorite purple flower? Gosh I love most shades of purple but I tend to only wear the paler shades like lilac.
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| Iris photo from pixabay |
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| Hydrangea photo from pixabay |
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| lilac photo from pixabay |
5. Share a favorite spring travel memory-- Since my husband and I were married in spring we often take a trip in the spring just the two of us and we've had great fun through the years exploring Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont.
Vermont:
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| A very rainy weekend in Burlington Vermont in 2018 |
New Hampshire:
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| 2019; Riverwalk at Loon for a long weekend of hiking, mini golf, and good food |
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| We stayed at the Mountain View grand in 2021 and just had a great time hiking ALL over the region |
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| In 2022 we stayed at the Riverwalk at Loon and again enjoyed some lovely weather and hikes |
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| 2023 in Acadia National park (on Cadillac Mountain) |
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| 2024 also in Acadia national park (on Acadia Mountain) |
We're headed back to Acadia this spring but Alec plans to go with us this time so we'll have a trip just the two of us later in the year.
6. Insert your own random thought here. With my husband in the welding industry we have been well aware of helium shortages for years and I often think that with so many important uses that helium plays that it is odd that we still sell/use/supply helium for "frivolous" thing like blowing up balloons for parties.
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| (2015) From looking back at the blog this seems to be the last time we used helium in our balloons... I think.. |
Did you know that besides welding helium is also used to keep MRI machines cool and in breathing treatments with hospitals and medical care using nearly 1/3 of the helium supply? We also use helium in air bags, computers, mobile phones, microscopes, and the space exploration field. Is this something you have ever heard of or thought about?
Linking up with:
I did not know all of that about helium! Interesting. The students in 6th grade learn about the elements and every year do work sheets on some of the practical uses of various elements. I always seem to sub in one of the science classes when students are working on these sheets so I should have known that about helium :). Your area of the country is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have known about helium if my husband and his whole family didn't use it so much.
DeleteThank you for pointing that out about helium. I did not know that but it makes sense that it has more purposes than just balloons, which is the only one I knew about. And I did just about put in a picture of an orchid from our botanical garden visit in March!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI did not know that about helium. I have never been a balloon person because they fly away and kids cry and I worry about the birds. Why are people so into balloons. Now that I know there is a shortage and we need it for important things I am mad at these people! ha!
ReplyDeleteMost plastics are all around bad, especially for birds.
DeleteYep, they are definitely no friend to the environment. Though we still blow some up with air and tape or let them lay scattered around the house since the younger nieces and nephews seem to get a kick out of playing with them.
DeleteWow! I learn something new every day. The helium? Just wow- always love seeing your pics from your New England adventures-reminds me there is no place I rather be!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteWe might go to Acadia this summer!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you get there!
DeleteI didn't know there was a shortage of helium. I think I heard that last year, but had no clue what it was practically used for. Good to know. I like a little anniversary get away too. We went to Beaufort SC last year and had the best time. Our anniversary lands on my grandson's birthday so we now celebrate early or late. This year we're going to a wedding out of town that same weekend so that will probably be our celebration this year. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I find we definitely have to be flexible on when we celebrate (in fact we never celebrate on our actual anniversary weekend since it's memorial day weekend and so much more expensive and crowded!).
DeleteInteresting facts about helium, I had no idea about the other uses. hope that China isn't the only supplier...
ReplyDeleteThey aren't.
DeleteI didn't know any of that about helium! The purple flowers are so pretty! It's fun looking back on your trips!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteEek! That is a scary way to learn a lesson about putting a fire out.
ReplyDeleteMy fella salts his food without even tasting it too, it drives me insane!
Purple is my favourite colour, the flowers are so pretty!
I did not know about the helium shortage or the other uses, how interesting!
Yep, my parents has a scorch mark on their ceiling above the sink until they day they moved out! Now I always remember to grab the box of baking soda or the pot lid.
DeleteI LOVE purple, too. Especially purple flowers.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a spring trip. 💜
Thank you!
DeleteWell, I will consider myself educated about helium today! :)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteWonderful answerrs Joanne, and I enjoyed your photos. I always want to particiapte in the Hodgepodge but then life gets busy and I forget. I did nti know that fact about the helium shortage! Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteI had no idea about the helium shortage or all the things we use if for other than balloons. That's very interesting. Now I want to know more!!
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot through Google and reading up on the various uses. Weirdly it's claimed we don't have a shortage right now but they do anticipate our helium stores to run out...
DeleteI didn’t know all that about helium. I’m not into balloons anyway. It’s strange they’re still sold. Your spring getaways are so good! I love Burlington…one of my favorite places!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
We had to laugh; it POURED the entire weekend we were in Burlington. I'd love a do over with some nice weather as it looked like such a pretty area.
DeleteI was not aware of the shortage of helium and all the things that use helium, either. Thanks for the info. Your Spring trips look wonderful! Happy Hodgepodge.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI didn't know there was a helium shortage! Looks like you've been having a good time. I too don't salt food when cooking so people can salt it at the table....#WWWhimsy
ReplyDeleteWe have definitely been having a good time. I love to travel; even just small little weekend trips fill me with joy.
DeleteHi Joanne, I love the shade of lilac that you like too and all the same flowers but also Lavender! I had no idea of all the uses of helium besides for balloons. So interesting! Hope you have a fabulous week and thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy xo
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteNever knew that about helium. I learn so much from you!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Jodie
Aw, thank you! It must be the teacher in me.
DeleteI love all your spring travel photos, and now I want to visit all those places because they're so beautiful! I didn't know there was a helium shortage, and didn't realize in how many things it's needed. Interesting! Hope you're having a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI didn't realize there was a shortage either of helium. It sounds like we all need it for so many uses!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hadn't realized at first just how many things use helium either until I started investigating why a helium shortage was a big deal.
DeleteThat info on helium was new to me! Thanks for sharing all these things Joanne.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteA nice hodgepoge. I would love to visit Vermont.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a pretty state (though I don't love it in winter, but many skiers do!)
DeleteI am just like your husband when it comes to salt. I sit down at the table and the first thing I do is salt my food. I don't even taste it first. I just know that I'm going to want more! Haha. I love salt! I have super low blood pressure so I've been told that my body probably craves it because of that.
ReplyDeleteI have to at least taste my food first and I'm trying to consciously use less salt.
DeleteWhat a fun post! I'm like you -- a minimum salter in cooking. That's the the table grinder is for!
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Purple is a favorite color of mine too!! I do enjoy reading your seasonal Bucket Lists.. Have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you!
DeleteI have never been to Maine or New Hampshire - both look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey are really lovely. Maine is my favorite.
Delete