Spooky Season Hodgepodge

A hodgepodge is a jumble or assortment of things that might not appear to belong together. Joyce at From This Side of the Pond hosts a weekly link-up called Wednesday Hodgepodge that is a little collection of questions for bloggers to answer just for fun and to get to know each other. I always look forward to chatting with friends over coffee, so pour a cup of your favorite and let's visit for a few minutes!

Here are this week's questions - and my answers - for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1.  What most recently gave you goose bumps?

 

Goosebumps in a bad way - my husband had a show on a couple days ago and I was kind of watching. It was about a "lucky to be alive" story where this young lady slipped and fell about three stories off the top of a waterfall and somehow survived. She had a go-pro camera on so you can see her perspective looking down at her feet, and the fall and everything. It was horrifying.

But goosebumps in a good way . . . I'm really excited about our chorus competition this week and how we sound at rehearsals and everything. And sometimes the chords really do give me goosebumps! Also last night, some of us had dinner at the rooftop bar in our hotel and the view kind of gave me goosebumps!

 

2. What does Halloween look like in your home and/or neighborhood these days? Do you participate?

I really don't know! We moved into the neighborhood in the summer and have only briefly met a couple of neighbors. Plus I won't be home this week for Halloween or for Trick or Treat night. If I was home, we would have treats ready to hand out to trick or treaters, and it's possible our granddaughter would come trick or treat our neighborhood. Most years I don't really decorate for Halloween other than a few cute ghost or bat themed things or maybe a planter, and even those I tend to go for things that are more generally fall-theme with a nod to Halloween rather than being specifically Halloween.

I could go for a jack-o-lantern like
this one spotted at Franklin Park - the bottom
cut out and hung on a shepherds hook

 

3.  Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy, chia . . . your favorite seed on the list? What's something you like to make/eat that calls for one of these seeds in the recipe?

 Sesame seeds. My favorite bread to bake is challah, and I put sesame seeds on it. I don't bake it as often but I absolutely love Za'atar bread, and that za'atar spice mix on top contains sesame seeds. And my favorite Asian dish is crispy sesame beef. I like the other seeds on the list too, but sesame seeds are a staple in my pantry and what I eat most often.

challah

za'atar bread

4.  What's the most (or one of the most) 'fall photos' you've ever taken? Share it here. Just one.

 UGH, how do I choose just one?! I'm sure everyone else is saying the same. I think this one that I took at Rocky Fork Metro Park a couple years ago. I LOVE the way the path is completely covered with leaves, but there are still some on the trees so it's not bare and wintery looking yet. 

5.  Somehow we're rolling in to November next week. If your October were a chapter in a book, what would the title of this chapter be?

 I wish I'd time to look at actual chapter titles in classic books and choose one, but I didn't. So I'm keeping with that idea, I think I'll title my chapter "Not Enough Time".

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm at the Sing United International Convention and Competition this week (formerly Sweet Adelines - new name, same women's barbershop music!) so I'll pop in from time to time to see what's happening in blogworld and check in with you all. 

See anyone familiar in our rehearsal room
banner? At least I'm not dead center in the photo!

 

On Thursday evening we went to Franklin Park Conservatory with my sister to see the Pumpkins Aglow exhibit so my random thought will include a couple of random photos from that.

What fun things are happening in your world this week? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm sharing in this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond.

I host the Wednesday Quotes link-up every other Wednesday. Stop by and share a few thoughts and quotes on the current topic here: WQ - Sweet Dreams. I host the Everyday Images photo link-up every other Thursday. And find the Scripture and a Snapshot link-up here every Sunday.

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2026 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

 This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

WQ - Sweet Dreams

A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep. ~Walt Disney

We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep. ~William Shakespeare

Gaze up at the stars knowing that I see the same sky and wish the same sweet dreams. ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

What I want to do is travel deep and deeper into the Dreamlands, to find that place that I know is waiting for me here. My home. ~Charles de Lint

Sleep, baby, sleep. Thy father's watching the sheep. Thy mother's shaking the Dreamland tree, and down drops a little dream for thee. ~Elizabeth Prentiss

🌛🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌜

They've promised that dreams can come true - but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams, too. ~Oscar Wilde

I had had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams. ~Jonas Salk

Life hands us opportunities at every turn to get over ourselves, to get outside ourselves, to wake up from our own bad dreams and realize that really lovely things are happening all the time. ~Shauna Niequist

And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your old men will dream dreams,

your young men will see visions.

Even on My menservants and maidservants,

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

~Joel 2:28-29~

🌛🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌜

Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives. ~William C. Dement

Goodnight, moon. Sweet dreams. Smile kindly upon this little blue gum ball of us while we sleep. ~Dave Matthews

*********************

Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.

Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive. 

Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me. 

And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking. 

~Gregory Maguire~

Wednesday Quotes 2026 Themes

January 7 - Resolutions

January 21 - Motivation

February 4 - Eating Out/Restaurants

February 18 - Being Responsible

March 4 - Libraries

March 18 - Perseverance

April 1 - Simplicity

April 15 - Conquering Fear

April 29 - Making a Difference

May 13 - Family Ties

May 27 - Courage

June 10 - Teachers/Mentors

June 24 - Connecting with Nature

July 8 - Milestones

July 22 - Sunrise

August 5 - Patience

August 19 - Taking a Break/Rest

September 2 - Learning from Mistakes

September 16 - Best Friends

September 30 - Elegance

October 14 - Reaching Goals

October 28 - Dreams/Nightmares

November 11 - Integrity

November 25 - Generosity

December 9 - Beauty in Nature

December 23 - True Love

*********************

This post may also be shared at the current link party at Life Captured and at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Grace-Filled Moments

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2026 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. 

Scripture and a Snapshot - The LORD Grants Wisdom

Tune your ears to wisdom,

and concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight,

and ask for understanding.

Search for them as you would for silver;

seek them like hidden treasures.

Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,

and you will gain knowledge of God.

For the LORD grants wisdom!

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guards the paths of the just

and protects those who are faithful to him.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will fill you with joy.

Wise choices will watch over you.

Understanding will keep you safe.

~Proverbs 2:2-11~

<div style='width:100%;text-align:center;'> <span style='margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;'><a rel=_nofollow href='https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/search/label/Scripture%20and%20a%20Snapshot'> <img style='border: 1px solid gray;width:330px;height:330px;' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMYBH-E-prT2YPcylM317xxDLmZ5VY3s1GIZzeJiejCkPrqH9glQEKdMuIJGd9hJ1v9vBjdo5hNfP6NpTCGipGSyUjOe4GAVTnum0HCprjwTGZjrIepEuJarDDdpwjJz30eTMklMe1ho/s320/scripture+snapshot.jpg'><p style='align: center;'> </p> </a></span>

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

I also link up at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Grace-Filled Moments

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email 

©2006-2026 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Everyday Images #99

Welcome to my ongoing challenge and reminder to myself to take photos somewhat regularly. I'm not a photographer, but I enjoy taking everyday photos of things I find interesting or want to remember later, and I'm more likely to notice interesting things when I'm intentionally watching for them. Having some prompts that are open to interpretation has helped me pay a little more attention to what's around me. Here's how it works: Every two weeks I have a few words and phrases to focus on, and I try to find opportunities to take pictures of these things each week. The link-up post will be here every other Thursday, sharing my photos and offering a link-up for participants to share theirs. Right below the link-up is where you'll find the next set of prompts. 

October Prompts - Everyday Images #99

~~~~~

current season (quarterly)

crunchy

leaf

at home (monthly)

mailbox

wild

black & white

~~~~~

current season (quarterly)

crunchy

leaf

at home (monthly)

 

mailbox

wild - the crowd was going wild throughout the whole concert, but especially during the drumline feature, the drone show, and the fireworks.

black & white - speaking of the drone show . . .

And a few bonus photos:

Will we ever be finished setting everything up in this house? Well, we have the guest bed now, and the new sofa and chair in the living room. I do have art to hang up as well, but no photos of it at this point.

The chair did not stay right in front of
the door like this. haha

Family testing out the recliner

We celebrated Thanksgiving  - Canadian Edition

Ready to head out to the Twenty One Pilots show:

The cousins enjoyed playing together on Sunday afternoon.

And someone was not ready to be awake and head home on Monday morning.

My sister and I wanted to walk the Canopy Trail at Blacklick ytesterday but it now closes at FIVE so I missed it again! We walked through the woods at ground level instead.

I am sharing my photos every other Thursday, along with my prompts for the next two weeks. You can use all or some of the prompts for your own photo posts, or none of the prompts and just link up a post featuring your photos. Simple rules: Your posts must be family-friendly; the photos must be your own; and the post must be mostly photos. If you do share I'd appreciate a mention and link to A Fresh Cup of Coffee on your post.

The Everyday Images link-up is posted every other Thursday, and is open for two weeks. 

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

October/November Prompts - Everyday Images #100

~~~~~

perspective

workspace

hygge

thankful Thursday

in my hand

out for a walk (quarterly)

watch

***************

This post may be shared at the You Name It! link party hosted by Life Captured

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2026 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.