It’s that time of the week when I share some answers to the questions set by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Many of our earliest presidents created words or expressions widely used today. Teddy Roosevelt is credited with mollycoddle, pack rat, frazzle, and loose cannon…which of those words/phrases currently relates to your life in some way? 

What an interesting fact I didn’t know that. I would say Frazzle would relate to my life at the moment. Life is busy and it seems non-stop, there is always something that needs doing and I’m exhausted. Every day I’m worn to a frazzle.

2. Have you visited many (or any) of the US Presidents homes, monuments, libraries or related sites? If so what’s been your favorite? Are there any you particularly want to see? Here’s a link to presidential sites listed by state which is kind of fun to read-Presidential Places by State. And since several bloggers who participate in the HP each week live outside the US, here’s a link to Presidential Places Outside the US. Have you seen any of those? 

I’m in the UK but have seen the George Washington statue at Trafalgar Square in London. I didn’t realize that there were so many around London.

3. February 20th is National Cherry Pie Day…will you celebrate? Given your choice of cherry pie, cherry cobbler, cheesecake with a cherry topping, or black forest cake which would you choose? 

I didn’t know about it but now that I do I will definitely celebrate! I love anything cherry-flavoured. Each year on my birthday I have a Black Forest Gateau instead of a birthday cake. It’s my absolute favourite.

4. Last time you worked a puzzle of some kind? Something that had you puzzled recently? 

I love jigsaw puzzles but I go through fazes doing them, the last time I completed one was in June last year. Funnily enough, it features a cherry pie so that relates to the question above.

5. Of the early blooming flowers (January-early March depending on your zone) which one’s your favorite? 

snowdrops, lenten roses, pansies, violets, snapdragons, reticulated iris, crocus, winter jasmine

Do you have any of these in your own yard/garden?

It has to be snowdrops for me, seeing them in bloom reminds me that spring and brighter days are on their way. I did spot some beautiful deep pink Camelia recently that I hadn’t realized bloom this time of year.

Sadly I don’t have any flowers in my garden, I don’t have a green thumb. Over the years everything I’ve planted hasn’t survived. Well apart from one pansy that comes back each spring. I would love a garden full of flowers and shrubbery.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

On Saturday we visited a museum where Mars by Luke Jerram was on display. Luckily the day we chose to visit there were different astronomy clubs there with telescopes and interesting things for the kids to do.

The museum features the remains of a medieval church from the 12th century and has lots of interesting artefacts to see. I spotted this plaque by the herb garden which really resonated with me. It says, A quiet life has many rewards it was written by theological writer and monk Walafrid Strabo who lived between 809 AD to 849AD. What a wise fellow.