A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

Photo Blogging Challenge (December 2020): The Magic of the Season

Note: Please make sure you see the end of this post for the new way of doing things. It’s only one small change we made in November, but a change nonetheless. Thanks!

The magic of the season.

It seems like this year needed a little bit of the magic and I hope each of you experienced it this season and that you were all safe and healthy; and also that you got to spend time with friends and family — again, being safe!

Now, we turn the page to 2021, and I’m filled with hope.

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Still, the month of December was interesting. We got walloped by a snow storm on the 18th, and I thought that meant we’d have a white Christmas. Nope. On the 24th, we got ton of rain and warm weather. Some areas flooded near us (though I didn’t see anything that was devastating; though I also admit I didn’t see all reports) and we had some snow, but mostly green on Christmas.

Again, I hope you all had a wonderful month. Keep staying safe and healthy and let us look ahead to a hopeful better year. My five for the month are below.

1. Winter wonderland

Snow during the season is magical to me. Especially out for a night walk.

2. Excitement

This is the magic of the season to me … watching Cameron open his gifts.

3. Chasing Christmas lights

Each year, usually on Christmas Eve, I take my mother around to see some of the area’s best Christmas displays. This year, with Covid, the regular gathering on Christmas Eve didn’t happen. So we went out on Dec. 23 and it turned out to be the best night to do so. One place has a crazy cool set up and I got my mother with the giant teddy bear.

4. Lights

I still think Christmas lights are magical.

5. Caramels

The caramels are a yearly tradition and done within our family. So good! People wait for these wonderful treats and they are magic!

BONUS PHOTO

OK, I didn’t take this one obviously. My niece did — with my phone! Anyway, in the past, when we were all younger, we used to get gag gifts (me and my brothers). This year, I saw this on Amazon and couldn’t resist. If you know the movie Slapshot, you know these jerseys. The magic? Christmas was magical this year because it was relaxed and calm. No bickering or anything!

And there are my five for the month!

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for December. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for January is Change and hope. Remember to come back on February 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: December 2020 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

BWF: Party season

Party season

Let’s get those calendars ready.

Soon, we’ll be flipping the calendars to 2021. And it will be a hard one, ya know? I mean, who doesn’t want to hang on to 2020, what with the shortages of toilet paper, being shut down or held back, not being able to travel fully, and, oh yeah, a deadly virus. 

Add to that one of the most nasty and contentious presidential campaigns (as well as other offices) in my lifetime and who wouldn’t want it to end. 

Alas, we need to end it with a bang, don’t we? 

It’s December. The holiday season! Parties galore! Maybe it’s for the office. Or something among friends! Booze will be flowing freely, I am sure. Some great food with everybody dipping their hands into the servings. 

Mmmm mmmm good!

Imagine all those hugs. Maybe a few smooches. And depending on the party and people, who knows what else. 

Goodness, the holidays are upon us and the people are ready. 

But wait, 2020. You’ve really messed up our year, haven’t you? 

People are anxious. Tired. Nervous. Well, probably half. The other half seem to think they are bionic and can just waddle through everything. 

So party season? 

It won’t be like it usually is. The holidays – for many – will be smaller. The office parties and huge gatherings? I’d think most will be skipped this year. 

This virus is real and maybe with vaccines and such coming, we’ll start seeing something change. 

But the party season? 

I’m honestly going to be happy if my family stays healthy and we can have a small gathering for Christmas (it’s usually only seven or eight of us). 

I’m not much of a party goer. I used to love our softball team parties for the holidays back when I still played. But outside of that, I was never much for going to them. When I was younger, I loved the holidays with bars. However, I honestly haven’t been in a true bar for a beer since I stopped playing softball a few years ago. 

For those who live in areas where the “restrictions” may not be as strong, I hope you will all consider being smart this holiday season. Follow public health protocols. What we don’t need this party season is a massive breakout.

Stay smart. Stay healthy. Wear a mask.

Blog With Friends: December 2020
Blog with Friends is a themed collaboration challenge where a group of bloggers get together and publish a project based on a theme. Please see the others who have taken part for this month’s theme carrots. Links to their posts can be found below the image!

This is the final Blog with Friends. It’s been a fun little run and glad I was able to be part of it at the end!

Check out what the others did with home!

Enjoy blogging challenges? We have several that happen here, and we’d love to have you join us! The Photo Blogging Challenge is one of our main ones and it runs monthly! Join us as well for the Food Photo Challenge!. We’d love to see you!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Secret Subject Swap: What was the best thing that happened to you (2020)?

This post is for the Secret Subject Swap, a monthly blog challenge. Information about the swap can be viewed at the end of this post, as well as links to all others taking part. Have a peek at some of the other bloggers and see what they had to come up with. If you are a blogger, consider joining up for future months!

My theme is “2020 has been challenging. What was the best thing that happened to you??” and it was submitted by Part-time Hockey Mom.

2020. 

It’s like we barely knew ya. Or, in most cases, we wish we didn’t know ya. 

During a normal year, this type of theme could be pretty interesting. My guess is I would have to really go through things and really think hard on different things. 

This year, a theme like this is a struggle. 

As a whole, I think society took a step backward. In the United States, the political spectrum has created a pretty strong line. Add in social injustices and it divides more, which is truly unfortunate. 

When it comes to Covid, I can’t say how it is in other countries (outside of what I see on social media), but it seems as a whole, once again, we’re pretty divided. Mental health issues are without on the rise, and every other issue that is combined with Covid has really strained society around the globe. 

And that, folks, is life in 2020. 

However, there has to be good, right?

Even in the worst of times, there are bright spots. But to get to the personal bright spots, you need to look at the low spots and realize where you’ve been. Remember, too, low spots to some might be nothing to others. In times like this, we have to look at each person. 

For example, my summers are usually full of baseball games. I didn’t get to go to one this year and it was an extreme downer, especially because it’s a big stress reliever for me. Going to a game is a way for me to kind of relax and spend some time in a happy place. 

Since March, too, it’s been high stress with work. I’ve been on the go for most of it and the projects that I had to undertake to help in a lot of spots have taken a toll on me. The only true “vacation” I had was in the first two weeks in July, and that was much needed. But overall, it’s been constant. 

But as much of a downer as life can be right now – and it still is at times – life hasn’t been a total strikeout. The one thing about situations that back humans into a corner .. there’s a lot of good that comes out of it. 

I’ve been able to be outside. I’ve been able to talk with friends. I’ve been able to breathe fresh air and take photos. My job has (hopefully will continue) been safe and there’s no shortage of projects and things to work on, especially in the world of communications. 

But I can’t point out one definitive thing that is the best. 

I know 2020 has whipped me, but at the same time, it’s shown me how to have resolve, and how to try and remain upbeat and positive. 

I can’t say it always works, but at times it does. 

The year has allowed me to learn to journal more; to try and be better organized (at least professionally) and to rely not just on modern technology, but old-school pen to paper. 

It’s made me look for the better parts of life, too. Look, we all know life can be a bull at times. But it’s little things. Maybe it’s sneaking a piece of chocolate. Waking up and going for a walk on a crisp morning. Seeing the leaves change brilliant colors in the fall. 

It’s not easy, no, but there’s good out there. 

This year hasn’t produced that “wow” moment for me. But it’s allowed me to dial things back slightly. I mean, one thing I guess is my savings went up. Several planned trips were canceled, so the money has been in my account. That’s not a bad thing. 

It’s all about just trying to stay ahead and find the good things. There’s a lot of positive things that have happened, even with all the crap going on in the world. 

How about all of you? What was the best thing that happened?

Five others have taken part in this challenge, so go check out the other posts and have some fun reading their secret subjects!

Enjoy blogging challenges? We have several that happen at A ‘lil HooHaa, and we’d love to have you join us! The Photo Blogging Challenge is one of our main ones and it runs monthly! We also have the Food Photo Challenge (current theme listed at end of post). We’d love to see you!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Photo Blogging Challenge (November 2020): Thankful

Note: Please make sure you see the end of this post for the new way of doing things. It’s only one small change we made in November, but a change nonetheless. Thanks!

Thanksgiving took on a new meaning this year, that’s for sure.

Still, as crazy as this world is right now, there are a lot of things to be thankful for.

And it’s something we need to do.

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The reality of everything going on is that it can force you to look at the good in your life. The world is tough right now. It’s incredibly hard to see how people have acted and are acting. I know we are all in different walks of life, but it’s really tough to see people not being able to peacefully disagree about things; and for people to not act how they should with their fellow humans.

I hope you all had a good month and stayed safe and healthy. Try and enjoy the upcoming holiday season and do everything you can to be good to one another. My five for the month are below.

1. Thankful for silly finds

I’m thankful for finding silly things while I am out walking. Kind of like this. It’s hard not to smile when you find items like this. Watching your surroundings while you are out and about might give you unexpected joy.

2. Thankful for small-town living

This gazebo in the middle of my town is a bit of an historical spot. But every time I walk by it, I think about small-town living. While things like Covid and such have been in my area, it’s also a place where you can avoid a lot of people when you need. For the most part, people seem respectful — at least in regard to this virus. I can’t say all, but most.

3. Thankful for good stationary

Part of getting my mind and body back in tune has been trying to figure a good way to journal and plan a bit better. Digital planning is OK for reminders and such, but it’s still nice to have it pen to paper. It’s also nice to sit back and reflect about things. I won’t lie that my mental — and physical — health have not been the best over the last seven months or so. This is a way for me to try and worth through it.

4. Thankful for clear days

No matter if it’s the middle of the summer or the brisk cold of the winter, seeing blue skies can energize you. Even on crsip nights when the air is clear and you can see stars for miles and miles. Walking for me, at least usually, is something for me to be able to clear my head. But I’m always looking around. Left and right. Up and down. It really gives you a view of your world.

5. Thankful for healthier snacks

Popcorn may not be the healthiest snack in the world, but it’s not bad. And compare it to something like candy, and it’s not even close. Ever since I received my A1C, I know I have to really change things up again. And I will. I’m thankful to have a supporting physician who works with me.

And there are my five for the month!

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for November. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for December is The Magic of the Season. Remember to come back on January 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: November 2020 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Food Photo Challenge (November 2020): Plate it

Part of food photography is plating.

It’s not something I can say I am good at doing. I do try, though.

First, let’s get the normal stuff out of the way.

Before we go on, though, if you are new to the Food Photo Challenge, check out this post, which explains everything. Also, the linkup for this month’s theme will stay live for about a week, so join in even if it’s later!

Food Photo Challenge logo

Simply put, though, each month there will be a theme (announced at the end of this post) and on the 28th of each month, come back and link up.

So we keep moving forward with these food photos and it will be fun to see what kind of things happen with this theme.

Let’s check out this month. And yes I know I’m late (again)!

Theme: Plate it!

I figured Thanksgiving would give a perfect chance at pulling this off. 

But, as many of us know, Thanksgiving was not the same as normal. Though a lot of people traveled, not all did. In fact, some did extremely small things. 

So, that means “the good china” doesn’t come out and things are dialed back a little. Alas, this was probably my best of the plating photos for this month. For those in the states, I hope you found a way to have a decent Thanksgiving, or at least found time to relax with all going on. 

If you took part in the challenge, please make sure to link up below. Also, make sure you visit everybody else’s posts (and do come back to see who may have linked up after you!)! 

Let’s, too, try and grow this challenge. Tell others and invite them. And, as always, one can check out the Facebook group for this challenge and others as well. You can access the group here. 

The linkup is below, but how about December?

The theme for December is: Festive. Come back on December 28 to link up!

Food Photo Challenge: November 2020

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!