A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

blog challenge

Food Photo Challenge (July 2020): Summer drink

When I was younger, my summer drink of choice was always beer.

Now, let’s remember our younger days. The beer was often cheap, and something light as you could get through more.

Things change, as you will see below.

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. 

Theme: Summer drink

There are so many items you can choose from. It could be a cool, refreshing iced tea. It could be flavored (or regular water). It could be a lot of things.

I love water and drink a lot of it.

But when things call for a true summer drink, I don’t mind something with a bit extra in it.

As I noted earlier a cold, light beer used to be my choice, especially after a softball game. As I aged, though, I tend to enjoy better beer — and a lot of them don’t really work as a “refreshing” summer drink. For example, I love Guinness. And though I can drink it quicker if “needed,” it’s really a waste. So beers like that just don’t count here.

When it comes to liquor, my tastes are a bit more tight in that I don’t like a lot of things. I like rum. I like vodka. And I like fruity drinks as they are refreshing and smooth.

Enter the Blue Hawaii.

This is a drink I had for the first time a bit more than a year ago on a trip to Canada. Earlier this year I got everything I needed to make them and I’ve enjoyed the process. Every once in a while, I need a refreshing drink.

This one does it.

There’s rum, vodka, and blue curacao in it. The fruity aspect is pineapple juice and some sour mix. Shake it up, put over crushed ice and away you go.

I tried to add a bit more to this photo and drink with the fruit. When I got done with my photos, the drink was definitely refreshing!

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 August?

The theme for August is: Dessert. Come back on August 28 to link up!

Food Photo Challenge: July 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!

Secret Subject Swap: Believing

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 “Tell us about a time when you believed in something strongly but when confronted with new information that contradicted that belief, you changed your mind.” and it was submitted by Climaxed.

I’m going to take this in a bit of a different direction.

Let me explain why, though.

I’m a believer that beliefs are just that — something you believe in. That could be something religious, or a thought process about other things. But to me — and again, this is just me — beliefs are more of things that go beyond our world.

With that in mind, a belief can of course, be built on facts, or those that might not be facts at all. You might believe in a cause or a person and find out things you believed were fully wrong. Or maybe something you believed that others bashed turned out to be true.

There’s a lot of ways to look at this.

But when I look at the initial question, I don’t really have an answer. Though I might have beliefs one way or another, I don’t tend to sway. If it’s something on a larger scale, I tend to try and base it on some sort of fact (unless, of course, it’s something on more of a spiritual level).

This is also why, for the most part, I don’t discuss things like politics on a public forum, be it here or social media. Things like that can become so emotional and heated, that one’s beliefs can go on many different paths and facts become quite skewed.

There are, however, a few beliefs I have that I will not back down from and I challenge anybody to try and sway me from them. My guess is you won’t be able to. Those beliefs are as follows:

  • Smile more. If you smile and people see it, it becomes contagious.
  • Treat people better. If you treat those around you better, it makes the world a better place.
  • Appreciate what you have and realize things can always be worse. Even in the worst of times, something could always be even worse. If you are reading this post, my guess is life can be appreciated in some way, shape or form.
  • Respect others. Others will have different beliefs in many things. Respect their thoughts and opinions. If they have beliefs based on non-factual things and you can show facts … feel free. But don’t let it anger either of you or hurt a friendship.
  • Think before you type — in other words, remember everything on social media is seen. Protect yourself.
  • Be happy. This world is tough, rough, and cruel. But there is a lot of beauty in it. Find a way to be happy. It might not be 24/7, but make sure each day you find a way to find happiness.

I’m sure somewhere in life I changed a belief based on facts being thrown at me. I’m in my mid-40s and I can’t believe anybody can go through life without ever changing a belief. But I don’t remember one that sticks out on a large level.

I hope everybody stays healthy and happy — that’s a belief in which I will not waver!

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!

Food Photo Challenge (June 2020): Veggies

I am not a fan of veggies.

Well, for the most part. I like a salad here and there. And as I’ve gotten older, there’s a few veggies I’ll eat now that I never would have (such as tomatoes).

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. 

Theme: Veggies

See, I know I should eat more veggies. Being diabetic, there are some veggies that are could be highly beneficial for me. Still, I can’t stomach most. I don’t know if it’s the texture, or just the taste, but it doesn’t do a whole lot for me.

I do like some, though. I’ll have salads (though I haven’t lately and really need to start eating them more often again), and there’s a few veggies that I will eat, but for the most part … I just don’t like them.

I’ve tried, too. Nothing really works for me.

So, it’s usually pretty simple when it comes to me and veggies. And there are times at night when I really like to crunh down on some raw veggies. Throw in some ranch dressing, and it’s a perfect match.

Carrots and celery go a long way for me. Sometimes some cucumbers, too.

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 July?

The theme for Julu is: Summer Drink. Come back on July 28 to link up!

Food Photo Challenge: June 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!

Secret Subject Swap: It’s just the way the story goes…

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 “It’s just the way the story goes” and it was submitted by Part-time Working Hockey Mom.

I’m tired.

That can be normal for me at times, but especially now. The whole COVID-19 situation has really taken a toll on me.

For those who don’t know, I work in public relations. And for it, I work in two school districts.

Yeah. Two.

So that means doubling up a lot of things I do. Though it always seems I am behind, the things I am doing now because of the pandemic has amplified it. And I’m beat.

Schools are doing all they can to honor students and the Class of 2020. Graduations are going virtual to a point, and the way the two schools I work at are doing it… it puts me deep into video and video editing. It’s tiring and long.

I don’t know anything about this “work from home,” that’s for sure. I’ve done a few of those days, but after the first several weeks, I was basically always in the office.

I’m sure when things are done, I’ll look back and be really proud of all that was accomplished. That doesn’t take away with how stressed and tired I am!

I need a vacation. The problem is… if I went on one, where would I go?

Maybe just to bed. I can say once July is here, I will definitely be looking to take a week or two off, if even just to let my body rest a little.

Now, allow me to say this. I’m happy to have a good job with good benefits. Being salary, at a time like this, isn’t the most fun, but I’m always trying to look at the bright side of things.

As things are now, well, it’s just the way the story goes.

Be good to one another. Try and smile. Listen. Talk. Understand. One day, we will be out of the situations we’re in. Hopefully, for the better. Stay safe and stay healthy.

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!

Food Photo Challenge (May 2020): Snacks

It seems each month, I go into something about our current situation and how it relates to this challenge.

We may as well continue a little with that.

First, though, we finish this month with snacks. 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. 

Theme: Snacks

Here’s the thing. Whether it’s working remote at home, or just even after work … my snacking has gone up a little. I walk a lot more and pile up miles, but the eating has been a roller coaster, especially with snacks.

And the snacks haven’t been the best. Though I’m trying to make sure I don’t binge on the bad things it’s just too easy. So I’m trying to fix that and make myself find something better for me and stay away from the candy.

My blood glucose hasn’t been too bad, though I’ve flirted with some higher numbers. I go back to the doctor (as long as I can) at the end of June, so we’ll see what the A1c is at.

I’m bringing myself back, though. And that includes finding something that isn’t as bad for me as well as give me the sweets component. I just have to make sure I keep moving and walking as much as I have been to try and keep things balanced.

What I have had a few times are these mini animal crackers. I don’t need a ton to feel fulfilled, and they are sweet enough to make you feel like you got that aspect. They are a good snack!

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 June?

The theme for May is: Veggies. Come back on May 28 to link up!

Food Photo Challenge: May 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!