A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

blogging

20 Days of Chill 2022: Did somebody say cheese? (Day 1)

Cheese is a must. 

Each year this challenge runs, some sort of a theme needs to be about cheese. And why, you may ask? Longer members of this challenge may recall one before this run by “We Work for Cheese,” a tremendous little blog from several years ago. 

One of the faces of that blog – Nicky – lost a battle with cancer a few years ago after running a similar challenge for a few years. The challenge was one I stumbled upon years ago when I was looking for different challenges to use for my blog. 

A year or so after that challenge ended, I started this one, though doing it a little differently and trying to shape it in my own way. Still, that challenge was one I truly enjoyed and the people who participated were fantastic. 

Therefore, in memory of Nicky, I always try to have a theme based on cheese. 

***

I do love me some cheese. 

Actually, there aren’t many types of cheeses I don’t like. And for those I might not enjoy, I’ve at least tried them. 

I mean, cheddar is always a favorite. But there are so many great cheeses. 

It’s why I love going to bigger grocery stores. It always amazes me to find those center sections filled with different cheeses. Though it’s about an hour away, the nearest Wegman’s to me has an incredible selection of cheeses. Whenever I go to this place, I always try and find a thing or two to take and try. It’s rare that I’m disappointed. 

I’ve often said if I could live on fruit and cheese, I’d likely be willing to give up meat. Alas, that wouldn’t do well for my health, so I’ll just do what I currently do with cheese – have it in moderation and enjoy each piece. 

But what to have cheese with? 

By itself? 

Pepperoni?

Summer sausage? 

Crackers?

Pretzels? 

How about all of the above?

The beauty of cheese is how versatile it can be. You can have it as a snack or as part of a main meal. It goes good with beer and wine, or even soda and flavored water. 

You can see where this goes. 

Basically, cheese is one of the most amazing foods out there. I mean, there aren’t many things better than a fresh pizza with that beautiful gooey cheese! 

So how about you?

What’s your favorite cheese? And what do you prefer it with or on?

This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and  themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Link up: 

20 Days of Chill: The themes

Let’s get right to the point!

Below are the themes and dates for the 20 Days of Chill Challenge, which returns in January after a one-year hiatus. We’ll see how it goes. 

Remember, it’s a simple challenge … take the theme, write a blog post, schedule on said date, and then come back here to link up. My posts, which will include the linkup, will be scheduled to post sometime between 8-9 am EST. 

Also remember, you don’t have to do every one. So if there are just some you want, feel free to join us! Obviously we hope you’ll do the whole challenge with us, but it can be tough as well. 

Here are the themes… and I hope to see you join up!

  • Monday, January 3: Did somebody say cheese?
  • Tuesday, January 4: Movie time
  • Wednesday, January 5: Who am I?
  • Thursday, January 6: Once upon a time…
  • Friday, January 7: What can I cook for you?
  • Monday, January 10: Show me da money
  • Tuesday, January 11: My first job
  • Wednesday, January 12: At the top of the bucket …
  • Thursday, January 13: Four paws
  • Friday, January 14: Thank you
  • Monday, January 17: So I walked into a bookstore …
  • Tuesday, January 18: DIY
  • Wednesday, January 19: When I was a kid …
  • Thursday, January 20: <sigh> Covid.
  • Friday, January 21: Giving back
  • Monday, January 24: Spring?
  • Tuesday, January 25: Let’s get social
  • Wednesday, January 26: Where will you go?
  • Thursday, January 27: Woof
  • Friday, January 28: Plan it!

There you go! Now plan accordingly and I hope you’ll consider joining us! Tell any other bloggers, too, as the more the merrier!

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!

20 Days of Chill returns!

I’m not sure how well this will go over, but we’ll give it a try. 

The 20 Days of Chill was a writing challenge I ran for a few years. It ran each January and it was always fun. Alas, with Covid and other things, it kind of faded to the back. 

The last time we had the challenge was January 2020. Of course that was right before Covid. But, that didn’t seem to matter anyway as we only had a few participants. 

Last January, I just didn’t feel like it was worth it. 

And hell, let’s be honest, this year might not be worth it, either. But I’m going to try. 

I’m also going to do things a bit differently. On this day, I’m announcing the challenge is back. In a couple of weeks, I will have a post that will outline the whole challenge and all themes. That will give anybody interested time to write, schedule and whatever else they might want to do with it. 

***

Here’s how it runs. 

For 20 days in January (M-F), there will be a theme. You take said theme and come up with your post. Use your creativity and imagination, It could be true or fiction, or something else entirely. But the post should somehow, even loosely, connect to the theme. 

Post said piece on the day of the challenge and then come back here to link up. 

Then rinse and repeat for the other days. 

My goal is to have the post scheduled for sometime between 8-9 a.m. EST each day. If all goes well, I’ll hopefully have things written up way ahead of time. That’s my hope, anyway. It’s also my hope that by releasing the themes well ahead of time, maybe those interested in taking part will have the opportunity to plan as well. 

This always used to be a fun challenge, so I’m hoping it can be that way again. 

***

Choose the ones you want to take part in. 

Nobody says you have to do them all. While I kind of have to because of the linkups, you don’t have to do the same. Now, I’d love to see several people do the whole thing, but I realize maybe you won’t want to. The themes I came up with for this year are rather broad, so it should make it easier for people to find a way to utilize said theme. 

If you are going to take part in this, remember to have fun. 

***

Look for the themes to be posted soon. I have them all set, but I’m waffling on a few. I’ll have a post written and posted within the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye out for it!

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!