Archives for October 2020

Food Photo Challenge (October 2020): Candy

October 30, 2020

Candy.

Goodness is that something that really takes us all by storm? Doesn’t matter what kind … odds are you like some sort of candy.

It’s not good for me — diabetes and all. BUT.. I can have some if I am smart about. Sometimes I am. Other times… not so much. This pandemic hasn’t been the best for it, either.

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!

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!

Theme: Candy

It’s October. And that means Halloween. And that also means candy.

Lots of it.

I go in stages with candy. I like certain ones more than others, as I am sure most of us are. Straight chocolate — not so much. But add to it? Ot some othr sugar-loaded treat?

Yeah.

The key, I think for everybody, is portions. Sitting down and eating five candy bars is not smart!

My favorite is something with peanut butter in it. Or white chocolate. I do love that. How about you? Favorite? What do you avoid?

Here’s my submission for the month! Yum!

That’s my submission for the month and I am looking forward to seeing who else is taking part in this challenge and what they have to offer!

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 November?

The theme for November is: Plate it. Come back on October 28 to link up!

Food Photo Challenge: October 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!

Can of Corn 9: Fall Classic

October 23, 2020

It seems fitting to end the Can of Corn with this theme.

The Fall Classic, of course, is a name that is used with the World Series. It’s the end of a long baseball season. It’s when one team and its fans can celebrate with a championship.

But, as is true with the ever-famous Casey at the Bat, Mighty Casey has struck out.

Years ago, I had searched for a baseball writing challenge. I wanted to blog a bit more about baseball, and read as well. I found a blogging challenge that a few were doing and jumped in for a couple. But it never started back up, so I tried myself. And try as I might, it never caught on.

It gets to this point in the challenge where I, too, start to lose interest. I’m taking the themes and writing solo. One thing I do know … there are so many challenges out there. I’ve noticed it with my own blog – many things I am writing about are parts of challenges. And I still need to break that cycle. I’m trying … and I’m slowly, at times, getting there.

Blogging has changed over the years. At times, I have a ton of interest. Other times, not so much,

It’s kind of like baseball.

I love baseball. But I tend to like minor leagues a bit more. There’s a bit of purity about it. For now. There’s going to be some sweeping changes coming and I don’t think they are all good. It’s the same with MLB. So many changes over the past few years. And most of them, in my eyes, are not good. I get needing to tweak and such to make the game a little more enjoyable for casual fans.

But at what cost?

Those of us who love the game as it is have a hard time adjusting to some of these new rules. Not all of them are good for the game.

This year was an exception. There were rule changes and a 60-game season. And now, we’re into the actual Fall Classic. I have to admit, I haven’t watched a lot of the postseason. I’m quite peeved with how my favorite team played this year, the lack of doing much to fix things, and then basically being willing to allow the best catcher in the game to walk… after getting “two” years out of him when you traded away a possible future top-line pitcher.

So, low interest in watching other teams.

But the Fall Classic is here. Limited fans are being allowed in as it’s all being played in Texas. Soon enough, a World Series champion will be crowned. Some will say it comes with an asterisk. Others won’t.

And so will be the final Fall Classic of the Can of Corn Challenge. Though I have loved some of the themes and topics; and reading others when there were some, this challenge has reached its limit. And I don’t see me bringing it back … I can just write about baseball when I feel like it.

Here’s hoping baseball – and life – is back to somewhat normal next spring.

If you happened to take part in this challenge this month, link up below!

Can of Corn Challenge 9: Fall Classic

The Can of Corn Challenge is a monthly blogging challenge that runs from February-October. You can see all information, as well as themes for 2020 by visiting this blog post. Feel free to join us for any and all themes! The linkup will remain live each month for about seven days.

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: Apples, apples, everywhere!

October 12, 2020

It’s a rough world right now.

Between elections and pandemics and hate, it’s probably a bit more than many of us can handle. Stress levels are high, mental health issues are in the forefront, and it seems many people can’t get along.

The one thing, however, we can usually *attempt* to control is ourselves.

We can’t shield ourselves from everything, outside of going into the mountains and living off the land in a shack. That actually kind of sounds divine, doesn’t it? The news cycle is 24/7, so if you are around anything where news can be found, you’ll hear something.

So what can you do to relax? To calm down? To find the inner zen?

Get outside, of course.

This is something I haven’t done in a couple of years. And, to be honest, it’s probably silly that I haven’t. But if you want to escape from reality, find an apple orchard.

Go pick apples.

Take photos.

Take some videos.

When you go to apple orchards, you can really have a good time. Apples on the trees, on the ground, and all over. What’s nice is the color and the smells.

And you are outside.

It’s not just about picking some apples. Though, let’s be honest here, it’s a good part. All these varieties of apples gives you the chance to test so many different types.

Rows and rows of apples.

*Proof that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!*

This isn’t a perfect fix, of course. But it’s little things like this that can really make you take a step back in life a little and breathe. When you are out doing things like this, you have the ability to ignore things like social media, and your phone, and things like that.

Maybe it’s only for an hour, but it’s not a bad thing, is it?

The one thing I’ve learned during this pandemic – especially over the past month or two – is there are a lot of things out there you can do to try and clear your head, all while staying safe. You just have to look.

Depending where you are, apple season is still likely going on. Go find an orchard. Pick some apples. And clear your mind!

And always remember, an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! You’ll see that!

Blog With Friends: October 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!

Check out what the others did with carrots!

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! Starting up is the Food Photo Challenge and the Can of Corn 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: Wild stories

October 9, 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 “Who is an entertainer of any type that you know a wild story about? What are the details?” and it was submitted by Climaxed.

My theme is “Who is an entertainer of any type that you know a wild story about? What are the details?

This is an interesting question and, honestly, one I can’t really answer. Though I know a few entertainers in real life, talking details about any wild stories we have isn’t my style.

But, that brings us to a bigger thing — the obsession society has with items like this.

Let’s take a quick example. Say I know Entertainer A. I go out and have a crazy night with Entertainer A. Nobody knows them where we are and maybe it’s before they make it big. I post about it and maybe … somebody sees it and shares and so forth.

All of a sudden, a story that was secret is out there. People eat it up and on it goes. Maybe you all of a sudden, too, lose a friend.

This is something that, no doubt, has happened countless times.

Again, though, this got me thinking. With all happening in the world these days, it really shows the power of the internet, which obviously includes social media, blogs, and the such. If you whisper it, it can be heard by many people.

We live in a day filled with reality television. “News” sites like TMZ cover an entertainers every move. Paparazzi can’t let celebrities eat in peace, let alone walk around and try and blend in. We’re an obsessed society with celebs. And it’s not just the United States — it’s everywhere. Look at the UK’s viewing of the Royal family. I’d wager many have opinions on Harry.

So where did this come from? Is it from shows like The Real World or even when Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie had their deal? Is it the Kardashians? How about shows like Big Brother or Survivor?

Somewhere along the line, the obsession went from flipping through a newspaper aisle junk rag to full-blown obsession.

I remember, as a kid, my grandmother used to get things like The National Enquirer. Though there were celeb things, there were so many other items such as aliens and the such. I used to love reading them because it was so out there.

But now, things have changed.

From reality TV to many different internet sites that cover celebrity sightings and things they do, we — as a society — can’t seem to get enough of it. Add to it so many reality TV shows and people become celebrities just because they live in a house together for three months with cameras all over the place.

Crazy, right?

When I was younger, life didn’t have all of this. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy shows like Big Brother and the Amazing Race. Or the reality food shows etc.

So while I think deep, I have a story or two with a borderline celebrity or two. None of them are earth-shattering and likely wouldn’t even gt a sniff outside of this blog post. But sometimes, things are just left as they are!

What are your thoughts on celebs/entertainers and stories about them?

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) and the Can of Corn 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!

Photo Blogging Challenge: October 2020’s theme is …

October 4, 2020

And we continue on! Not sure how the weather is been by you, but it feels like fall!

I’ve been trying to make sure I get outside a little bit more as well, trying to enjoy the

As bad as 2020 has been, I’m going to say that one thing that has been great is the colors so far this fall. The past few years, we’ve had some crappy color years. But this one … some great colors. It seems the oranges and reds are really popping, The yellows have life. I’m enjoying the drives. I need to get out and do some photos of it, and other great things in the fall. That will lead to our theme for this month.

So keep staying safe Try to smile. Enjoy life to the best of your ability!

The new theme is below!

So with that in mind, let’s look at the monthly “group” challenges:

Challenge 1: Tell others about this photo blogging challenge and get some friends to come join us. Let’s see if we can get people interested in the challenge again.

Challenge 2: Make friends with your camera and see what you can come up with. Have fun!

Challenge 3 is at the end of this post (the theme!).

Before this, here’s some housekeeping items. For those who might be new to the challenge, here’s how it works.

See the theme (first day of the month);
Take photos throughout the month (don’t use old ones!);
Select five photos and create a blog post;
Come back here and link up on the final day of the month;
Use the official hashtag — #Photoblogchal — on social media posts;
Hopefully go visit and comment on other blogs.

That’s it. There’s no rules on equipment or anything else. Blog posts can be short and to the point, or in-depth. Interpret the themes as you see fit.

The one big rule?

Have fun!

This month’s theme? The great outdoors! Pretty open ended. So show us what you have! Please make sure your blog post publishes Saturday, October 31. Then come back here and link up.

If you think you are going to take part in this, drop a comment below so we can see who all might be trying to tackle this challenge!

There is also a Facebook group for those who are interested.

If you would like to visit the history of the challenge, which started in 2013, please go to the Photo Blogging Challenge page for more!

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!