Spring Flowers and a New Garage Door.

 

At last, I’ve carved out a moment to check in this Saturday! It’s been an exhilarating whirlwind over the last couple of days —

This morning, I wandered out to the backyard to admire the vibrant blooms that are starting to emerge. The poppies are unfurling their delicate petals, showcasing brilliant hues of orange that dance in the gentle breeze. Soon, a charming array of smaller poppy plants will join the display, promising an explosion of color in just a month’s time. The anticipation of their arrival adds a sense of excitement to the already lively garden.

I am always amazed by how these little Johnny Jump-ups manage to withstand the winter. They are nestled together in a pot alongside one of our palms. 

Soon, the lavender will burst into a vibrant bloom, filling the air with its sweet, calming fragrance as it paints the hill with hues of soft purple and violet.

The Marguerite daisies bloom beautifully in the spring. Their cheerful yellow presence adds a splash of color to the hill that I can see out my windows - 

That robust rosemary bush nestled beneath it will soon burst into a vibrant display of delicate blue flowers. 

The Irises are a delightful sight, captivating anyone who gazes upon them. The white iris, adorned with vibrant yellow accents, stands out with its striking contrast, creating a stunning visual harmony that coordinates with the margarite daisies further up the hill. 

Although I appreciate the beauty of all colors, I find myself particularly drawn to vibrant oranges, sunny yellows, serene blues, and the enchanting spectrum of purples for my gardens. 

A delicate purple wildflower stands gracefully amidst the swaying grasses on the hill. Its petals catch the morning light, promising a burst of color soon to come as more of its kind will eventually bloom nearby. 

The sweet and delicate aroma of orange blossoms envelops the air like a gentle, intoxicating mist, filling the senses with the future promise of a sweet juicy orange. 

The African daisies are spreading gracefully from their pot, their vibrant blooms spilling over the edges like a colorful cascade. However, their luxurious growth has led to a rather leggy appearance, and I find myself in the difficult position of needing to thin them out. It's a task I often dread, as I have grown quite fond of their lively presence.

The vibrant red geranium, a cheerful staple in many California gardens, flourishes effortlessly in our sunny climate. Unlike in other regions where they might be sheltered indoors during colder months, here they thrive outdoors year-round, as long as there is sunlight.  I’m excited to take some cuttings soon, nurturing them into new little plants. 

Gerbera Daisy

My late sister's cherished flower serves as a beautiful reminder of her. 

Check out my Cistus salviifolius, or Sage Leaf Rock Rose. This evergreen shrub has green, wrinkled leaves and delicate white flowers with yellow centers. Each flower lasts just one day, but new blooms appear daily for weeks.

Cistus salviifolius is a drought-tolerant shrub native to the Western Mediterranean basin, specifically in southern Europe and North Africa.

I have two of these bushes on my hill, lovingly planted by my dad. Throughout most of the year, they quietly play a supporting role amidst the vibrant landscape, their rich green leaves providing a lush backdrop for other more flamboyant flora. However, it's in the spring that they truly step into the spotlight, bursting into a dazzling display of pretty white blossoms.  For the remainder of the year, they stand as steadfast green bushes. 

The leaves of the red seedless grape vines are flourishing. I hope that we won't face the pest invasions that plagued us during the past couple of years.

In the backyard, a delightful old rosebush thrives, adorned with a multitude of vibrant buds, each brimming with promise. I can't wait to share the sight of these roses in full bloom.

In Other News...

Yesterday morning, the contractor contacted us with a request to move our installation date up to yesterday instead of Monday. This unexpected change of scheduling worked out great for us. It not only allows us to complete the work ahead of schedule but also opens up our Monday for other important tasks.

I really like the new door; it feels incredibly solid and substantial, giving a strong sense of security. I'm glad we made the switch—the old door practically disintegrated as he was taking it apart, and it was definitely time for an upgrade. 

However, I've noticed something that I might delve into more later—the trim around the door seems to change in appearance based on the lighting. At times, it has a bluish hue that stands out, while in other lighting it looks perfectly identical to the door. It's one of those details that only seems to bother me. 

With this new addition, we now have quite a bit of trim painting ahead of us. We must also ensure the front door is the same color as the garage door. I'm a stickler on that. 

I've been here longer than anticipated, and time has slipped away. My guests will arrive shortly for dinner, and I still have a few things to prepare to ensure the Seder is perfect.

Have a great evening - 

Debby

“By faith, He kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” – Hebrews 11:28

 

April - What Happened to all my Blank spaces?

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27.9

I'm finally getting around to sharing my April Calendar from my handy dandy Dollar Tree Calendar! 

What do you have planned for April?

Wow, I’ve got a lot on my plate—maybe even more than I can handle! I’ll definitely be leaning on God for strength to tackle it all with grace and a positive attitude. 

NO GRUMBLING ALLOWED! 

Tomorrow is our last class fellowship of the year (not the study—we still have three weeks left). This is a time of fellowship and sharing. To make it special, my husband and I baked some apricot Hamantaschen. I felt bad for not bringing them last month for Purim. He took charge of making the dough while I whipped up the apricot filling from dried apricots. They’re all bagged up and ready to share with everyone! 

Friday Teen Challenge is coming by to help us out with some weed pulling, especially the pesky Vinca. I'll be busy grocery shopping in the morning, but later in the day, I'm taking a lunch break to walk with a friend of mine at Clover Creek. We'll find a bench to eat our bagged lunch. 

I'm so excited for Saturday (and a bit overwhelmed) because it's the first evening of Passover, and the whole family is coming together! 💗💕💘💓

Then, on Sunday, we have our church potluck, and the theme is family favorites. My husband is planning to bring his mom's delicious carrot pineapple side dish, which everyone loves! 

 

- On Monday, we’re excited to have our garage door installed!

- Then on Tuesday, we’ll be getting a free estimate for the leaf gutters—

- Can't forget about the Good Friday service coming up!

- And next Saturday is the Temple Passover Seder! I’ll give you more details on that later. 

I used to love having a packed calendar back in the day! I remember using different colored felt pens for each family member, creating a beautiful rainbow of events and activities. But these days, I find I prefer having more blank spaces on my calendar. Still, there are always a few things I really look forward to, and April just happened to be the month when all activities and events collide.

I've been reading some of you who are feeling troubled about world events and our economy. I empathize with your suffering, and the most meaningful gift I can offer is my heartfelt prayer.

Heavenly Father, 

You are sovereign over all nations, and nothing is beyond Your control. I ask for Your peace to calm the hearts of those worried about our country and world events. Remind them that You are our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).

Strengthen all of us to be beacons of hope and love in our communities, reflecting Your light in times of uncertainty. Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness and love. I trust in Your perfect plan and know You are always with us. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen

Keep your eyes on Jesus

Debby

Today and A Hamantaschen Recipe (repost)

This is a repost from my old blog from 2013. 

 A hamantaschen is an Ashkenazi Jewish triangular filled-pocket pastry cookie associated with the Jewish holiday of Purim. The name refers to Haman, the villain in the Purim story. 

 Buttery Hamantaschen

We make the dough the night before and stew the dried apricots.

We'll assemble it the next day...

 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 

*I used salted butter and omitted the 1/4 tsp of salt.

 2/3 cup sugar

 1 egg, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp grated orange zest

2 1/4 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1-5 tsp water (if needed) Servings: About 35 hamantaschen

Kosher Key: Dairy

 The dough can be challenging to work with initially; you really need to knead it thoroughly. However, it doesn't take long for it to become more manageable.

This buttery hamantaschen has a rich, buttery flavor with a subtle hint of orange zest.

I appreciated the texture of this recipe. It's a keeper!

My husband is much better than I am at rolling out the dough because I tend to be impatient. He also has a better technique for folding these little hats. (Haman hats) Therefore, I’ve decided to give him this task from now on since he enjoys it so much.

I use  Lekvar Apricot Butter Filling recipe.  You can find all the beautiful step-by-step pictures there, which show the process in detail. I believe in not reinventing the wheel, especially when the existing resources are already effective. Plus, let's be honest—I'd have to clean my kitchen to take my own pictures! 😊

Here's my picture of stewing the dried apricots

I made this last night, and we will soon assemble the "little hats" to bake. 

The Filling Recipe

Ingredients 

2 cups dried pitted apricots 

1 cup water 

1/4 cup orange juice 

1/2 cup sugar

 1 tbsp lemon juice

 Pinch of salt

 Total Time: 40 Minutes 

Servings: About 2 cups of filling Kosher Key: Pareve

Ready to fold, which is a technique in itself. 

The Lekvar Apricot Butter Filling is delicious. (The recipe is below.) The recipe yields enough for two batches of dough. I have quite a bit left over that I won’t throw away. It can be used as jam and is less sweet. 

 The yellow flecks you see are bits of orange zest mixed into the dough—delicious!

 The folding process looks easy until you do it. 

 The Husband does a good job!

  

A good-looking pre-cooked, perfectly folded hamantaschen.

350 degrees at around 20 minutes - 

Ta-da! 

 The finished product! 

These are incredibly delicious and perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

Purim Sameach    

פורים שמחים

 Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position

for such a time as this?"

Purim is at sundown tonight! 

That was a repost from 2013. 

Now today - 2025.

Just out of the oven...

My husband has been busy baking in the kitchen all afternoon. He even laid down a drop cloth on the floor to keep things tidy—what a thoughtful guy! 

He will bake the four-berry ones tomorrow- I will take a photo of them and post it tomorrow.

Today, he made delicious four-berry Hamantaschen and apricot ones as well. We plan to share a dozen of the four-berry ones with our neighbor across the street, who surprised us with beautiful Christmas cookies in December that we so appreciated. 

I’m so grateful he’s taken on this annual tradition. Plus, it’s clear he really enjoys making them!

The story of Esther exemplifies God's providence and protection. In the book of Esther, God orchestrates events to save the Jewish people from destruction through Esther's courage and the king's favor (Esther 4:14)

See you tomorrow

Debby

Observing March on the Hodgepodge

 1. What do you love most about March? 

There is so much to love about March 

* It’s a birthday month

* Daylight Savings 

* Strawberries are in season! March 21 is National California Strawberry Day, which marks the start of the strawberry season in California. 

* Purim - Read the book of Esther 

* St. Patrick’s Day 

* First Day of Spring

2. Hey! Did you know March is National Celery Month? Do you like celery? What's something you make (or like to order out) that calls for celery? 

I like celery in soups and stuffing—raw with peanut butter, cream cheese, ranch dressing, or dips. Top with raisins for Ants in a Log! 

3. _______________ is the soundtrack to my life right now. 

 I have no idea. 🤷‍♀️ 

4. Share a favorite motivational quote for overcoming challenges. 

Let go - Let God. 

The phrase "Let go and let God" emphasizes releasing control and trusting God with our lives. Although not directly from the Bible, it aligns with biblical principles like Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in God's wisdom, and 1 Peter 5:7, which tells us to cast our anxieties on Him. By surrendering our concerns, we acknowledge God's control and faithfulness, knowing He is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

5. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday this year. Do you participate in Lent in some way? If so tell us more. 

I have always attended a non-denominational church, so while I don't practice it personally, I respect that it enriches the faith of others. This expression can be a profoundly beautiful act of worship. When engaged with a sincere heart, it has the potential to deepen one's relationship with Jesus in meaningful ways. I truly believe that fostering a connection with Him is vital, and it’s hard to argue against something that brings people closer to that relationship. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Are those who sneeze a lot the most blessed?

Thanks for stopping by! 

Until Next Hodgepodge...

Debby

February 2025

The calendar I use is simple and cheap from the Dollar Tree. It gets the job done! My husband prefers a calendar he can look at - so it serves as a shared tool so we can coordinate our schedules effectively. 

While my husband prefers a physical calendar to avoid overbooking, I personally rely on my phone for scheduling, complete with reminders and timers, which helps me manage my time more efficiently.

This calendar is in our office - 

This month in the Jewish Calendar is called Shevat. 

Sundown on Feb. 13, 2025, marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees. This special day signifies the awakening of the earliest blooming trees in the Land of Israel, emerging from their winter slumber to embark on a new cycle of fruit-bearing—a New Year for the Trees! It is considered a minor Jewish holiday. 

Here's what's on my calendar for this month:

Wedding Anniversaries!

The highlight of the month is our wedding anniversary. My son, Navy and his wife will also celebrate their 5th anniversary on February 28 this year, having married on Leap Year Day, February 29, 2020.

Calendars often fill up quickly, serving as a constant reminder of our busy lives and commitments. Many people view a packed calendar as a positive sign, indicating that they are active and engaged. However, for myself, I like to prioritize downtime and the ability to simply "be." 

Striving for balance is important, especially when personal preferences differ within a household. For instance, while my husband enjoys a busy, hectic life, I prefer a quieter home environment. I'm an introvert! That's how I recharge! Understanding and respecting these differing needs helps maintain harmony while ensuring that both of us feel comfortable in our living space. We've managed well in our married life, and I appreciate how he understands my need for solitude. 

So, who knows what potential opportunities and experiences February may hold? 

Hearts and Hugs,

Debby

I'm not just February

by Annette Wynne

I'm not just February

With winds that blow

All day, and piled-up snow;

I'm Washington and Lincoln, too,

Who kept our country's flag for you!

 

I'm Valentine of airy grace—

With golden hearts and hearts of lace

And pretty cards that people send,

Quite as a secret, to a friend.

 

Though I am short of days and small,

I'm quite a big month, after all!

Let's Chill

That is the sentiment of today - 

Let's chill at 51 for a high and 42 as a low. 

This little pup has the right attitude for 2025 - 

I began packing up Christmas last week, but the pot holders and tablecloths must be washed before I pack them away - and then, of course, there are always a couple of overlooked items.

I think I have everything...

Susie has to inspect everything. 

This morning, it rained while I went grocery shopping. Since I'm focusing on using what I already have in the freezer and cupboards for meals, I only spent $43 at the store. My purchases mainly included laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, and bleach. I also bought milk, bread, cheese, olives, and orange juice.

The current cost of eggs in my area is close to $9 for a dozen. This seems consistent with last year, but I'd like to know if it is just seasonal or a result of the impact of avian influenza on chicken populations. 

What are you paying for eggs? 

The other day, I snagged my favorite jeans on a nail and tore them. Since the tear isn’t in a seam, I had to buy new ones. The current pair I wear is too big for me—I look like a waif! I went to Kohl's and got two new pairs, one black and one denim, along with some black ankle boots. Plus, I’m down another jeans size, which is a win!

I haven’t been dieting; I’m just eating less and moving more as I approach 71 in March. I’m not a big eater, and I don’t have a sweet tooth, but lately, my weakness has been warm crusty bread with butter and mint chocolate chip ice cream!

Oh my!

On New Year's Day evening, we lit the final candle. We invited some like-minded friends to join us, which was a lot of fun. I prepared some finger foods and finished off the evening with jelly donuts. I was too tired to make latkes since I had just cleaned my stove and didn't want to deal with the mess again. It can get quite oily on the stove and on the floor! 

We're having nachos for dinner with meat and refried pinto beans, which I have been cooking all day. Yum, it smells so good!

Enjoy your evening. 

Debby