A Very Valentine Hodgepodge Wednesday & 10 on the 10

 I decided to combine 2 posts into 1 today. Joyce's Hodgepodge and Marsha's 10 on the 10th. Both had a Valentine theme this week/month.

 


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

 Alec stopped in for all of maybe an hour last Friday. He was actually in our area to pick up a mannequin head from one his friends for a play he's in at school but it was so nice to see him and hear all about how life has been going for him this semester. He is very excited about the Percy Jackson play and it was so neat to see as he's never shown any interest in theater (other than seeing shows!) before. 

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's 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?

When grocery shopping this weekend I picked up some flowers and actually did stop to smell the roses. 


3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

Oh so many things-- a hug, a simple thank you, when one of my guys pitches in to do some household chore without asking, watching TV snuggled up with my husband, an unexpected gift or card, a compliment given genuinely without prompting, etc. 

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

Either chocolates (preferably Lindt dark truffles and not a box) or flowers are fine for Valentine's day. We don't typically do anything special on the actual day but will celebrate with dinner out sometime soon.  

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


6. Insert your own random thought here. This is where I'm sneaking in the 10 on the 10th! 

For Marsha's 10 on the 10th this month we were asked to share 10 Things We Hate to Love. I really struggled with this one! My mind immediately went to various food that I really wished I didn't love so much; that way I wouldn't have to worry about overindulging in them.


1. Sugar in all its forms!-- Oh I really hate that I love so many sugary snacks as it makes it so hard to curb all those indulgences. I used to be able to say "no thanks" to birthday cake, getting dessert when eating out, and anything chocolate but now I often cave. 

 


2.  French Fries--What is it about these salty--fried sticks that make them so hard to resist?! 

3.  Bread-- not just any old bread but the good freshly baked bread.. once I make some I just can't seem to stop eating it. 


4. People- watching-- Oh I just love people watching but sometimes it makes me feel so nosy and I wish I didn't enjoy it so much. 

5. Fast fashion-- I tell myself I'm not going to buy anymore fast fashion pieces and then walk into target and see a cute sweater like this and I just can't resist! 


6. Online shopping-- I really want to support more brick and mortar stores but gosh online shopping is just so easy and this time of year I love that packages can just show up on my doorstep and I don't have to go anywhere in the snow and ice.

7. Trashy romance novels-- I grew up reading Harlequin romance novels and while my tastes have changed slightly I still can't seem to resist a good trashy romance novel (Tessa Bailey for one!).


8. Trying to be healthy-- Sometimes I wish I just didn't care that much about my health as I drive myself crazy reading heath book after health book and try to follow ALL the advice as often as I can. It's exhausting... and often the advice is conflicting which makes it even harder! 

9. Scalding hot showers-- I love super, super hot showers but I know it is just awful for my skin and I wish I didn't love them do much. 

10. Clothes/fashion--  Do you have any idea how much more money I'd have in my wallet if I didn't spend so much on clothes, shoes, jewelry, scarves, etc? Sometimes I really wish I didn't love fashion so much. 

 

Comments

  1. Maria RineerFebruary 11, 2026 at 5:16 AM

    I am with you on a lot of these. I love scalding hot showers and I know they are bad for me. But they feel SO GOOD!! Also agree with you on trying to be healthy. It hurts to know so much about nutrition and you´re right, advice is often conflicting. I, too, love sugar and make some bad choices with regard to consuming it all too often. Enjoyed reading your answers. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HollyFebruary 11, 2026 at 6:48 AM

    I am with you on the scalding hot showers- Amen but who cares- especially during an extra cold winter like this one right?! Love the way you described feeling loved and appreciated! So exciting for Alec and the play- we love theater here :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 1:08 PM

      I just use a lot of extra lotion this time of year to combat all those hot showers drying out and irritating my skin.

      Delete
  3. Amy ScottFebruary 11, 2026 at 6:53 AM

    Almost all are relatable! I think you have a good balance so it's not as bad! I don't "waste calories" on packaged baked good or subpar bread. But, if it's a good baked good or good bread - it's another story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 1:08 PM

      I try never to waste calories on food I don't think it worth it either. I have gotten very picky about my carbs and sugar; it has to be good to be worth it.

      Delete
  4. Kim CarberryFebruary 11, 2026 at 7:03 AM

    How lovely for Alec to stop by and it sounds like he is living his best life.
    Those flowers are so pretty and I agree with #3. It's all about the little things.
    Ahh! I have a sweet tooth too, sugary treats are so hard to resist and I am a sucker for bread, I know I eat too much of it but I can't help myself. Your heart sweater is so cute and I am just getting into those trashy romance novels, they are sometimes so predictable but I can't stop listening!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 1:09 PM

      Aw, thank you so much! Yes, so many of those romance novels are so predictable but they are also so comforting to me.

      Delete
  5. Dara @ Not In JerseyFebruary 11, 2026 at 8:32 AM

    I wish I didn't love unhealthy things too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 1:09 PM

      That would make life so much easier, wouldn't it?

      Delete
  6. JoyceFebruary 11, 2026 at 8:53 AM

    I have learned not to order french fries. I have zero willpower if they're in front of me. And a super hot shower is another thing I love. Glad you got a quick visit with your son. I bet 'picking up a mannequin head' is not something you ever thought you'd be saying : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 1:10 PM

      I don't ever order them either but I will sneak one or two off my husband's plate... unless we've just been hiking then I feel like I "earned" those fries! LOL I definitely never thought I'd be talking about a mannequin head but it makes a great Medusa prop.

      Delete
  7. Kim February 11, 2026 at 9:24 AM

    We are very similar! Haha! I'm right there with you with so many things on your list...right now I'm all about sugar, bread and really hot showers. I just can't get warm! I laughed at the mannequin head comment. My kids were in theater for years and I was actually the costume mistress for the company. That head is still funny, but I get it!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2026 at 11:46 AM

    Great list! Sugar, bread, French fries, love them all and wish I didn't.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jodie's Touch of StyleFebruary 11, 2026 at 1:15 PM

    I'm with you on the fast fashion, but I might disagree on people watching..it can be so entertaining as well as informative. It's like Pinterest but in real life.
    XOXO
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 1:24 PM

      True; but I tend to people watch rather closely and often overhear entire conversations I probably shouldn't!

      Delete
  10. CindyFebruary 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM

    Your Valentine sweater is cute! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Chrissy TFebruary 11, 2026 at 2:48 PM

    Fun! I do love some Lindt too!!!!!!!
    I also wish I didn't love sugar, fries, and shopping online.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Christie-So what? Now what?February 11, 2026 at 4:38 PM

    I saw this 10 on the 10th on Marsha's blog and thought it was such a great idea. Like you, my mind went straight to the foods I love to indulge in, but as I read your list, I thought of a few other things too. I wish I didn't love order so much...or that my husband didn't love piling things up so much. I wish I didn't love the convenience of my Kindle so much, because I do love a true printed book. And finally, I hate that I love the convenience of disposables, driving my car, and other things that aren't good for Mother Earth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 7:57 PM

      Yes! I didn't think of things like driving and all those things that are so bad for the Earth... like paper plates.

      Delete
  13. Tanya February 11, 2026 at 5:20 PM

    I loved reading your 10 things you hate loving list. We have lots in common, especially the hot showers!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Everyday MaddieFebruary 11, 2026 at 5:24 PM

    Love this!! Yes to all the things you hate to love!! Especially shopping haha.

    ReplyDelete
  15. obscureFebruary 11, 2026 at 6:55 PM

    I love people watching too - and if I'm honest, listening to their conversation (if they're loud, I'm not spying or anything ;) I also LOVE walking in nyc at night and looking into apartment windows - but not if there's people visible, I am just fascinated how people live! As for bread - I will never feel bad for eating good bread! Sometimes those small pleasures (fresh sourdough with butter, please) are necessary if you ask me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 11, 2026 at 7:58 PM

      Yes! I don't try to spy but often they are loud enough for me to hear their conversations!

      Delete

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