Apples & Nuts on the Hodgepodge

It appears that we will not experience Fall in North Central Texas any time soon.  It will remain in the upper 80s and 90s until late October at the earliest.  By then we will be more than ready for the slightest drop in temperature.  In the meantime, I will stay inside as much as possible and hope for a road trip out of town to see some sign of Fall somewhere.

Thank you, Joyce for this week's questions and Hodgepodge connections.

1. 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made?

I inherited my mother's brown eyes and passed them on to my son.

My personality is similar to my dad's, and I have also passed those same traits on to my son and a bit to my daughter.

My dad's eyes were a beautiful blue, and my daughter inherited those.

I inherited my parents' love of reading and Bible study, as well as my dad's love of history.

My parents passed on their legacy of faith, and thankfully, we have passed that on to our children.  In this respect, we are so grateful the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

2. Something you're nuts about these days? How about something that's driving you nuts?

I really can't think of anything that I am nuts about other than nuts themselves.  I read that if you have thyroid issues, you should have nuts at every meal.  I have no idea if that is true, but it sure sounds reasonable to me and something I can do happily.

Something that drives me nuts!  I know this sounds very persnickety, but I can't stand for my dining room chairs to be out of place.  And by that, the legs must be perfectly placed against the table legs.  I have a round table with four chairs, if that helps you envision my issue.  There are other OCD concerns, but let's leave it here with the chairs.

3. What does abundance mean to you?

Over and above what is necessary or common, a rich supply.

 Jesus said that He came that we might live life abundantly.  The Old Testament gave this example of abundance:

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast   anointed my head with oil;
My cup runneth over
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (Psalms 23:5-6)

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto...what's your caramel treat of choice? 

Caramel Cake

5. What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall?

I remember vividly playing in the woods with my younger sister.  We loved making "houses" by doing the outline of the house and rooms out of pine straw.  We loved being outside all year long, and could do that in the south, but the fall was a particularly fun time of the year.  We also enjoyed squirrel hunting with our dad.

 

6. Insert. your own random thought here.

I have learned how to keep avocados!  Once they have reached the desired stage of ripeness, put them in a large container, covered with water, and put them into the frig.  I keep mine whole.  They will last about two weeks like this and peel quite easily.  Make sure they are ripe, because the ripening process is stopped once you put them in the frig.  You can thank me later.