Hazelnut Coffee and the Hodgepodge

Tuesday afternoon: a hot mug of Hazelnut coffee on the back porch

Mid-week ushers in Hodgepodge Wednesday. Here are the questions provided by Joyce on her blog,  From This Side of the Pond. 

1. What keeps you blogging?

That's a really good question. I wonder this myself much of the time. I enjoy writing, playing with words, being creative, interacting with other bloggers, and getting the feeling that sometimes my words have been helpful to readers who are struggling, as we all do.

2. Some people like to travel in the winter months. Do you enjoy the beach in winter?  

I enjoy the beach in winter for watching the waves roll in, taking note of any boats in the distance, walking on the sand, collecting sea shells, and watching the birds. And the sea food. Gotta love that. But sunbathing and playing in the water in winter? No. I need summer for that.

According to Southern Living the best U.S. beach towns to visit this winter are --

St. Simons Island (Georgia)
Hilton Head (South Carolina)
Bald Head Island (North Carolina)
Seaside (Florida)
Bay St. Louis (Mississippi)
Cape San Blas (Florida)
South Padre Island (Texas)
Folly Beach (South Carolina)
Chincoteague (Virginia)
Duck Key (Florida)
Nags Head (North  Carolina)
Fairhope (Alabama)

Have you been to any of the towns listed (in any season)? 

I have not been to any of the towns listed, but one time did stay at a wonderful resort on Mustang Island, Texas, which eventually turns into South Padre Island (sort of, doesn't it?).

Which one on the list appeals to you most this winter? 

With the unusual cold that's gripped so much of the south this winter, many of these locations are probably colder than we would like. However, of the places listed here, I am the most interested in Fairhope, Alabama. Here is the picture and description provided by Southern Living:

Fairhope, Alabama

Visit Fairhope, Alabama, in the off-season when there are even fewer people in the laidback town. If you love the Gulf Coast, you won’t find a more charming place, with antebellum homes, streets lined with live oaks, and a quaint, walkable downtown. Head to Panini Pete’s for melt-in-your-mouth beignets and a charming courtyard table, located right in downtown Fairhope. For the book-lovers, take a visit to Page & Palette. Here you'll find signed copies of books by local authors like Rick Bragg, Winston Groom, Howell Raines, and Fannie Flagg; and a knowledgeable staff that loves to make recommendations. We recommend staying in nearby Point Clear at the Grand Hotel Marriot Resort, a pre-Civil War resort that's dripping with Southern charm. It gets extra festive around Christmas time.

3. What's a song you're embarrassed to know all the lyrics to? Are you really embarrassed or do you just think you should be? 

I can't think of a response to this question.

4. When you were a kid what's something you thought would be fantastic as an adult, but now that you're an adult you realize it's not all that fantastic? 

Sister and I spent a couple of years in upstate New York when we were very young and then our family moved to Southern California. For the rest of our growing up years, we both yearned to live in a place that had snow. Our dreams were realized as adults and although snow can be a bother at times, I think Sister still enjoys living in it. Six months ago Beloved and I moved out of snow country to the deep South where snow is a rarity. I like snow, but am glad we don't have to shovel or drive in it any more.

5. Share a quote you hope will inspire you in 2018.

"It is awesome what happens when you are aware of God's presence in your life. There is no limitation to what you can do as long as it is within His will." (Dr. Charles F. Stanley)

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I snapped this picture last weekend. Note how the sparkles on the water look like star dust, or diamonds!

Julington Creek meets up with the St. Johns River

🛥  🛥  🛥  🛥  🛥  🛥  🛥  🛥  🛥  🛥

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