Wednesday Hodgepodge: Mountaintops, Cherrys & Tapas Cuisine

It is so good to rejoin Joyce for Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'?  You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.
I think the literal mountaintop must have been while traveling from Branson toward Springfield, MI.  There is a beautiful stretch of mountainous highway that has special meaning for us.  A few years ago, the husband of some of our dearest friends who live in Branson, fell hitting his head on a frozen concrete slab.  Because of the severity of his injury, it was necessary to transport him to the trauma center in Springfield.  Since they were in the midst of a terrible ice storm, they couldn't fly and had to take the treacherous mountain passage by ambulance.  What should have been a 45 minute trip, took them 3 long hours.  They made it and Jim survived for which we are more than grateful.  But, we never drive this stretch without thinking about them and praising God for His mercy and protection, and for our beautiful friendship of 47 years.

2.  Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?  What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?
No, we do not have a strict budget and really never have.  Both Hubby and I are very conscious of what we spend and don't make major purchases without consulting/discussing with each other.  Although, we have always maintained separate bank accounts, we have not ever had an issue with this as we share household expenses, etc.

My advice for someone starting out would be to not go into more debt than can be paid for.  Also, save, save, save, and invest for the future.  This being said, I believe the best advice would be to give back at least a 10th of what the Lord has blessed you with.  We have personally seen how He multiplies and blesses as He promised.

3.  Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one.
Can't say that cherry anything is my favorite, although I do well remember my first cherry coke.  I was sitting in a window seat of Walgreen's in 1959 thinking that I was really somebody.  And I was!

4.  Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?
That might be the safest time to discuss politics.  LOL  There are times and opportunities that the Lord provides when it is right to discuss "religion" under His leadership; otherwise, it might be best to leave it alone.

5.  When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger?  Where were you headed on your last road trip?
Oh yes, I prefer to drive.  I told Hubby that if I drive, only one of us has to drive at a time.
The last road trip was returning home from a 3-week visit with son and family in Indiana, near South Bend.  We make that 15 hour trip in one day, which does mean we share the driving some.

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?
Probably black.  But, there is a large variety of browns and reds as well.  You will also find it grouped by color, by the way.

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?
Since I am a senior citizen, that means all my friends are too.  How do you select just one?

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week while we were with our son and his family, he made reservations for us to have a double date for Valentine's evening.  They treated us to their favorite restaurant, The Temper Grill.

 Sean, the owner/chef has become a good friend of Son's because Son frequents the place quite often for business dinners.  So, we had the royal treatment!

Their Mission Statement is:  Temper Grille is where fine tapas-style cuisine and attitude unite creating an ultimate and unforgettable dining experience, in which the highest standards of hospitality are fulfilled and exceeded to the “WOW” factor.

We were not familiar with the tapas-style of eating, but quickly decided that this is the way to eat.  Son ordered his favorite dishes which were absolutely delicious.  The only dish I did not sample was the Escargot, but I must admit it looked delectable.  Below are some of the dishes we had.

 Garlic Butter Baked Escargot Topped with Puffed Pastry and served with Toast Points

 Grilled Louisiana Shrimp with a Mango Dressing

 Lobster Mac n' Cheese

 Truffles for Dessert

 Son and DIL

Hubby and I

Thanks Son for a great evening!