Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Hodgepodge of Thanksgiving-Vol 102

Should I be online when I have a to do list that needs ticking?  Probably not, but here I am anyway.  Actually I put the Hodgepodge on my Thanksgiving to do list because a) I know that way it will get done and b) I like to cross stuff off a list.

Wishing all Hodgepodgers around the world the gift of a thankful heart today and everyday!


1. Turkey-love it or leave it? White meat or dark?  What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?

I love turkey and prefer the white meat, although I can eat the dark too. When I was a kid I did not like the taste of the dark meat at all, but as I've gotten older I find it's usually moister than the white and I like that. I love a homemade turkey noodle soup made with the leftovers, but you need a carcass for that. We're small and cozy this year with just the four of us having dinner together, so I'm roasting a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey.  There will be enough for a turkey sandwich topped with leftover stuffing and cranberry though, and that's my other favorite way to use the leftovers.  Yum!

2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do-run a 10K or climb a mountain?

I don't run. Oh I run a little on the treadmill, but I'm not hard core-ha! I do love to hike though, and would choose to climb ten mountains over a run any day. If the weather cooperates this weekend we'll  bundle up and do just that.

3. Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse?  Explain.

Speaking as someone who has moved a lot I think social networking has been a wonderful thing.  

For the most part. 

I enjoy sharing and seeing family photos, getting travel, dining, and shopping tips, hearing about the everyday goings on in my friend's lives.  Are there negatives? Yeah. I think we all know what they are so I'm not going to spell them out here.  

4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life?

Something I have pondered quite a lot in the year 2012.  

There are things in this world I will never understand, but I remind myself of this...

'Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely...' 1 Cor. 13:12

I have to believe that while I don't always understand the 'whys' of a particular circumstance God does.  His Word tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, that He is working all things together for our good.  He alone knows the end from the very beginning and for that I'm grateful.  

5. In the US the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'.  Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person or is done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight on Thanksgiving?  Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday?

I seem to pick up the smaller stocking stuffer type goodies in person, but I order most of the larger items online.  I dislike the crowds and I especially dislike the desperate attitude that seems to have taken over the American shopper. Seriously, people are camping out in front of Best Buy four days before Thanksgiving? Pitching tents there? Get a grip America!!

I hate that stores are open on Thanksgiving. I realize the economy is in the toilet and no one should complain about working when so many are not, but can't we as a nation agree to set just one or two days aside where everyone is free to count their blessings and relax with their families?  If you're a brain surgeon or a policeman or fireman that's different, but in my book mall/shop employees fall under non-essential personnel on Thanksgiving. 

6. Speaking of the color black-which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?

My little black dress of course.

7. What do you appreciate about your life today?

The smart, funny, compassionate little girls I've had the privilege to raise.  The lovely young women they are today makes my heart overflow.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


Daughters are in the house!  Yay!  





38 comments:

  1. You have such beautiful daughters! :) Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy thanksgiving! and your daughters are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a white meat kind of girl as well so enjoy your day and enjoy the girls.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Joyce. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Once again we have some similiar answers! Have a nice Thanksgiving with your girls. hubby and I are off to Ohio for Thanksgiving at my sister's, with my brother & wife, my Dad, my niece AND my daughters. MY oldest is bringing her boyfriend. His 3rd Thanksgiving with us in Ohio. We haven't scared him off yet!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yay your beautiful girls are home......I couldn't stop hugging mine yesterday!
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Make sure you read my answer to #6! :D
    Yay for all the chickies in the nest! Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy Thanksgiving, glad your girls can be with you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family. We have some similar answers this time around.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Our answers line up a lot, except for the mountain climbing thing....

    Beautiful girls!

    Blessings
    R

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so glad your girls are with you ... sounds like you're going to have a nice, quiet Thanksgiving.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy Thanksgiving, Joyce! Hurray for family. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amen on #4. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your hubby and girls.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, I can only imagine you are "in the moment" with those girlies at home. What fun! Great questions today and wishing you and yours a wonderful time together!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy your family time! Hopefully that after Thanksgiving hike will work out for you too :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. So glad your girls are home safe and sound! Two of mine are here, one more will be here tomorrow. Poor Deanie is having such a hard time not being able to come home. But all 4 will be here for Christmas! I shared that verse with DoodleBug in regards to her friend's death. With some things, we just have to wait for the answer. Have the most wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your answer for #4 :) And hooray for your daughters being home...my mom will be able to say that about me tomorrow - we are going to my parent's house for thanksgiving this year! Happy Thanksgiving :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Joyce! Enjoy every minute with your girls!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I thought about doing a turkey breast but my husband really likes the dressing from inside the bird. Our carcass always gets tossed! Many of our thoughts here today are the same. Just look at those two gorgeous faces....enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great post! And I totally agree with your answer for #4. Cute daughters!!!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.♥

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful daughters! I hope you all have a really Happy Thanksgiving, Joyce!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I so agree with your answer for #4. Isn't it such a comfort knowing He is in control of all things?!
    Enjoy the time with your beautiful daughters home :)
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Happy Thanksgiving, Joyce! I'm so glad you get to spend it with your girls/husband. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hehehe.... I always add " Make a To-do List" to my to do list just so I can cross it off.

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yay for daughters in the house!!

    Dark meat is nasty wrong.

    I am started to do a bit more online shopping, but I would say it is 50/50

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great pic of the daughters. My whole family is here this year! Yay! Happy Thanksgiving, Joyce. You're one of the great things about social networking and being online. I'm glad I've "met" you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I wonder in the future you can do a question about Hostess and twinkies? A lot of people have gone nuts over it ;o though when i was young i loved the ding dongs, when i learned to read the ingredients i stopped eating them!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Joyce, your answers are always so thoughtful and well-written! I smile every week as I read them! Beautiful picture of your girls. They are blessed to call you "Mom." Happy Thanksgiving, my Friend.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lovely post! And Happy Thanksgiving - as a young adult daughter, coming home is ALWAYS a great time of year. I'm sure your daughters feel the same!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy Thanksgiving, Joyce!

    We're doing as small a turkey as we can find, but the whole turkey because I have to have the carcass for soup! We're celebrating next Wednesday because along with the hospital people and at least a few restaurants and gas stations for travelers, the news has to have at least a skeleton crew, so Hubby will be home for a late dinner!

    He's still picking up my once-a-year tomato basil bread from Panera for Thanksgiving tonight. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I agree with you totally. No store should be open on a Holiday. Their employees like to be with their families on holidays, too. We have lost the meaning of Holidays and Family. There is no way, I would do Black Friday, yet alone camp out 4 days early. I love internet shopping all year round.
    Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your daughters.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Interesting questions....I agree about opening stores on Thursday. I actually agreed with you on several things. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I agree, the stores should be closed. It keeps getting earlier every year.
    Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh my goodness - I think I love the turkey/stuffing/cranberry sandwich the day after even more than the meal itself!

    ReplyDelete
  35. A lovely post Joyce, your two beautiful daughters must be a supreme blessing. I'm visiting my daughter here in Florida. Have a great day, all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  36. hope you had a great thanksgiving... and hope you're enjoying a leftover turkey sandwich today!! ;)

    ReplyDelete