A Fresh Cup of Coffee

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

The Ash Wednesday 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. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season?

We spend time in reflection, reading and meditating on Scripture, preparing for Passover/Resurrection Day, but don't formally participate in additional Lenten season services. I am giving up some foods, but not because of Lent. The timing just happened to be coincidental.

2. Pancakes . . . are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week?

I do like pancakes, but hardly ever make them! I occasionally have pancakes if we go out for breakfast, but I'm more likely to choose French toast or waffles. Syrup, always! Real maple syrup or a fruit syrup are my favorites. Generally I choose pancakes plain though I'm certainly not opposed to chocolate chips or fruit added! No pancakes on our menu this week, unless we go out for breakfast on Saturday and I go for pancakes. And I kind of doubt that will happen.

I didn't even got paczki this year. 😞 I should have added paczki as an alias for donuts in the Fasnacht Day article at my homeschool blog

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin.'

The time that comes to mind goes back quite a few months, during the lead-up to the SVC show in the fall. Towards the end of summer I was feeling the deadline for all those tasks looming, and I wound up taking responsibility for several tasks I hadn't planned on and wasn't confident in, and was fitting all of that in around work and vacation and family plans. I'm sure I've been 'spread thin' since then, but that stands out.

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors?

I don't own any, but I'd say sapphires are my favorite. My wardrobe . . . definitely NOT pastels. I have hardly any of those! I do have a lot of black and white, and blues.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge?

The most uncomfortable part of being in charge, for me, is having to get after other people to complete their tasks. So if I'm chairing a committee or in charge of some kind of work group, I can figure out delegating tasks, but I find it very hard to bug the people under me if they don't follow through or if they don't do their jobs properly. I just hope that everyone does what they signed up for!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We started planning our family get-together vacation during the really cold snap recently. Perfect time to think about summer vacation destinations! Thought we finally had everyone on board with some ideas, but I just had a couple of other things occur to me as possibilities. And a possible monkey-wrench or two as well. So that's still in the drawing board stage.

I suspect I might wind up feeling 'spread thin' over the next couple weeks. I got summoned for jury duty the first week of March so that could be interesting. That might wind up being a really crazy week, or it might be a bit of a break depending on whether I'm put on a case or not.

Tell me about your pancake preferences or how you'd answer any of these questions! 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 - Living Responsibly. I host the Everyday Images photo link-up every other Thursday. And find the Scripture and a Snapshot link-up here every Sunday.

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WQ - Living Responsibly

The choices we make are ultimately our responsibility. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Sometimes as I see the news of the day, or hear the stories of what goes on in schools and workplaces, I wonder how many people take responsibility for themselves and their actions, or even just their attitudes! Or are the entitled people becoming the majority? Those who think the world owes them something, and that none of the negative things are the result of their own choices and behaviors. I do think most people do understand that we are each responsible for our own actions and reactions, and therefore we're each responsible for how our lives turn out.

I can't control very many circumstances or what happens around me, but I can control how I respond to circumstances, and what my attitude and outlook will be. I have limited choices in where and when I live, but every day I choose HOW I live. I can't control what others do and say, but I control my own actions and reactions.

The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up. ~John C. Maxwell

You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. ~Jim Rohn

You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say. ~Martin Luther

Being responsible usually begins small. As our little kids learn to handle small chores, they can move up to larger ones. And eventually they're mature enough to be entrusted with learning to drive, getting a part-time job, and that leads to becoming a responsible adult and a household of their own. And that same progression is played out over and over again in our lives, I think. We practice being trustworthy and capable with seemingly small things that can add up to big things or lead to bigger things.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

~Luke 16:10-12~

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

~I Peter 4:10~

Being responsible for another human life terrifies me, because I kill plants. ~Lauren Conrad

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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 - Perserverance

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

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Sunday, February 15, 2026

Scripture and a Snapshot - Encourage One Another

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

~Hebrews 3:12-14~

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.

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

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Friday, February 13, 2026

Five Minute Friday - Benediction

One word. Five minutes** to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.

receive the benediction

Kind words are benedictions. They are not only instruments of power, but of benevolence and courtesy; blessings both to the speaker and hearer of them. ~Arthur Frederick Saunders

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When I was a kid, and was fidgety and bored in church, there were times when we reached that final hymn and closing words and I was just anxious for it to be done so we could go get lunch or get on with the day. I don't remember whether our pastors typically spoke a specific benediction over the congregation, or made that announcement to "receive the benediction". I just knew the service was over.

I also don't remember at what point in my adult life the blessing or benediction became something I wanted to hear and truly felt like a blessing. I greatly appreciate a prayer of blessing on the congregation as we take to heart the things God has spoken to us about during a service and let the Holy Spirit change us and how we live in some way. The benediction is a prayer that we would receive what God has for us, and an encouragement to see God's blessing and stay in relationship with him. My very favorite benediction is the one known as the Aaronic blessing:

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

~Numbers 6:24-26~

The word 'goodbye' comes from the phrase "God be with you" so in a way, whether we know it or not, we're offering a blessing to folks whenever we say it. I also like the rather archaic expression "Godspeed" although I rarely use it. I do remember folks saying "Go with God" too. I have a dear friend who typically blessed her family members with this phrase or something very like it when they left the house. My family has gotten in the habit of simply saying "Love you!" as part of our goodbyes, whether leaving the house or ending a phone call, and I guess that declaration of love and affection is a sort of benediction to our loved ones. That's how I mean it, and that's how I hope each family member receives that as a benediction each time I say it, a blessing reminder that they are prayed for and loved.

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Y'varekh'kha ADONAI v'yishmerekha

Ya'er ADONAI panav eleikha vichunekka.

Yissa ADONAI panav eleikha v'yasem l'kha shalom.

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This post is linked at Five Minute Friday for the word prompt "Benediction"

**written in approximately five minutes, though I don't set a timer - extra time is taken to add graphics and quotes**

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Thursday, February 12, 2026

Everyday Images #81

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.

January/February Prompts - Everyday Images #81

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middle

at work

shadow

weathered

pink

current project (quarterly)

sweet

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middle - I had trouble with this prompt! This is a run-off pond in the "middle" between the two driveways and parking lots at work. There are usually quite a few birds around, including Canada geese and green herons.

at work - this little cartoon on my bulletin board to make me smile

shadow - not taken on Groundhog Day, but close. Six weeks more winter it is.

weathered - spotted at Old 42 Antiques - wouldn't this be pretty on a little patio?

pink - I have so few pink things in my house that I just settled for a photo of a highlighter! LOL

current project (quarterly) - I have been working on purging a lot of files and reorganizing stuff. This is the staging area while I was sorting. The box under the envelopes is the extra hanging file folders so now I can finish this project!

sweet - popcorn! I guess more specifically, the popcorn we bought to try, which is in the next photo . . . the blue corn is supposed to be sweet. I'll let you know when we try it!

And a few bonus photos:

Not many photos during the past couple weeks, mostly because we so seldom ventured outside and sure didn't spend time outdoors! It was brutally cold during most of this time, and certainly not suitable for outside adventures or walks. Plus the pathways cleared around our apartment didn't always follow the actual sidewalk, so when we got a couple of warmer days and things started thawing, it was just muddy. Yuck. I prefer the snow!

Anyway, we did go out to Plain City a couple weekends ago at the request of our daughter-in-law to celebrate her birthday with a fun shopping trip and buffet dinner. We explored a couple of shops, including the Amish market with the popcorn, and an antique store with some interesting curiosities.

Yeah, I don't know about that one. It's so weird.

We've got giant icicles, and unfortunately as the snow and ice on the rooftops melts, there's the occasional water seepage inside so that's fun. Last weekend we had water coming into our apartment from the unit next door and had to have a carpet blower brought in to dry the corner of our place.

But on the plus side, we've spotted robins!

We had the kids over to watch the SuperBowl. Not that super, to be honest, but our food was good!

Guess it's about time to say good-bye to my poinsettia.

Any ideas what I should make for dinner tonight?

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.

February Prompts - Everyday Images #82

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pages

numbers

at home (monthly)

red

window view

selfie (quarterly)

architecture

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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Show Some Love for the Wednesday Hodgepodge

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

1. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'?

I can't think of anything in particular. Or at least not the way I picture being 'tickled pink'.

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has its thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns . . . which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way?

Maybe "every rose has its thorn". Even though I'm generally optimistic and see the bright side of things, I'm also realistic. Lately I've had good days and bad days, and have recognized that there are no perfect solutions or outcomes. We make the best of the situations we're given, make the best decisions we can, but there's always something pokey or uncomfortable that we have to navigate around. Like those thorns. You have to pay attention to where they are and work around them.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated?

A "thank you" or compliment, some help or a break from household chores, or a small but thoughtful gift. From my husband or my family, a hug or just spending some time doing something together.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers - what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day?

I'd rather have fresh flowers. I love chocolates too, but I don't need the calories. We haven't got the details worked out, but our Valentine's Day date is going to be going to the home show with friends from church. He works for one of the vendors so they are sharing their passes with us.Works out pretty good because we'd like to see the show, but aren't homeowners here, and it gives us a fun day out without having to compete for tables at a romantic restaurant!

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

~I Corinthians 13:4-7~

Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly.

~I Peter 1:22~

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

~I Peter 4:8~

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. ~Charles M. Schulz

This is one of the earlier songs my daughter wrote.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm pretty late getting my Hodgepodge posted again this week, so I'll limit my random thought to sharing this Strange Planet drawing that I love. I'll try not to be so late in coming round to visit my fellow Hodgepodgers this time!

Have you got fun Valentine's Day plans, or is it just another day? 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 - Let's Eat Out! I host the Everyday Images photo link-up every other Thursday. And find the Scripture and a Snapshot link-up here every Sunday.

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