Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Sleigh Bells Ring, Are Ya Hodgepodgin'

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge, Holiday Edition. Volume 106 for those of you keeping count. This will be the last Hodgepodge of 2012, but do come back in the New Year when the random fun continues (Wednesday, January 2nd).

Just a quick reminder if you've been playing along with my 12 Days of Christmas Kindness I'll have a link up on Friday.  You can link to a post on your own blog sharing what sorts of things you've done, or just your thoughts on kindness in general. The world could certainly use a heaping helping right about now.

Okay, the Hodgepodge...here are my answers~


1.  How will you spend 'the night before Christmas'?

It will be just the four of us at home on Christmas Eve this year. We plan to grill steaks and make a fancy salad and side followed by copious amounts of Christmas cookies for dessert. A little nontraditional for us, but there will be plenty of traditional eats at my brother's house on Christmas Day. 

We'll attend church and come home afterwards to open one gift which is always sleepwear. We'll snuggle up on the couch and hubs will read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas which is a tradition from his childhood. We'll turn off the lights and sit by the tree and feel grateful for family and a baby 'born this day'.  

2.  What is something you are not?

musically gifted, much to my dismay

3.  Fudge-are you a fan?  Your favorite flavor?

I like fudge, but only in teeny tiny bite sized pieces.  One small piece is enough and rocky road is my favorite. My daughter2 would probably rate fudge as one of her favorite foods.  

4. Did you attend any craft/vendor fairs in the month of December?  Do you prefer homemade goodies or the more professional stalls?  Are you giving any homemade gifts this year?

I don't think I've been to any craft fairs this month.  
Is anyone else still trying to figure out where November went?

Actually, we did go to the German Christmas Market our little town hosts every year and crafters and vendors were there. I didn't buy anything though, unless you count bratwurst and gluhwein.  

I always do a lot of baking and give most of that away to friends, hubs co-workers, and businesses we frequent in our community. 

5. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering?

I like big family dinners best, but I also really enjoy smallish dinner parties, say 3-5 couples, in my home or yours. I guess when you get down to it, I pretty much like parties in all shapes and sizes.  

6. We're approaching a new year...what's going to be different in 2013?

I haven't thought a lot about resolutions per se, because I'm still working through my 101 in 1001 list.   Many items on that list fall under the home-heart-life improvement category so if I can tick a few more off I'll be happy.

I also know I'm going to be more intentional about loving and  encouraging the people whose paths cross mine. If there's anything I've taken away from this past year, it's that.  

7. Share a favorite scripture, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to peace.

"Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  John 14:27

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

In the words of Tiny Tim...
God bless us everyone!

37 comments:

  1. I'm not musically inclined either! I should have thought of that as my entire family EXCEPT ME is!!!

    Merry Christmas and thanks for hosting Hodge Podge. Looking forward to 2013 with you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Merry Christmas, sweet Friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ANother very good set of questions. I really like your Christmas eve tradition, especially the reading part. Indeed you are very blessed ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm with ya on the tiny pieces of fudge. That's enough for me.
    I used to go to the coolest craft shows in Singapore. Such variety.
    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glad I am not alone in wondering where November went. Also trying to figure out where December has gone. Someone hit the turbo speed right after Halloween!

    Have a wonderful Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like your Christmas Eve will be lots of fun! :) Merry Christmas Joyce.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really liked reading your answers. All your ideals and ideas for the next year are so concise, you know what you want, and you, I'm sure, will strive and be successful.

    Also...LOVED your random thought.

    Since this is my last post [Wed. Hodgepodge] on my blog today until 2013 when I return from a holiday hiatus ---I wanted to send along my sincere thanks for all the hard, long hours, you do for us working on the questions each week. I'm very appreciative.

    Thanks Joyce, have a happy Christmas and a merry New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  8. #7 is one of my favorite verses. Merry Christmas, Joyce!

    ReplyDelete
  9. John 1427 was the same for me. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  10. oh your Christmas eve sounds perfect to me!!! enjoy having your girls home.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your family, and with friends. We'll see you in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the verse, love the line "also know I'm going to be more intentional about loving and encouraging the people whose paths cross mine.", love the Hodgepodge, love you! Merry Christmas Joyce and God bless you and your family in 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the verse you picked too. Your Christmas Eve plans sound really wonderful. Hope it turns out just as your want.

    ReplyDelete
  14. We picked the same scripture verse...

    I agree with your description of a small dinner party! A small gathering is always my pick for a great time!

    Blessings
    R

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have always wanted to go to the German Christmas market in Chicago but have never gotten there - maybe next year.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great verse choice. Merry Christmas, Joyce!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful new year. Many thanks for binding us together with this little party each week. It is great to make our big (sometimes bad) world a little smaller, a little kinder, by our dialog with one another. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Such a fun and festive Hodge Podge week. I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Looking forward to January 2nd.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds like yo and your family have some wonderful Christmas traditions. I enjoyed reading about them.
    I prefer the smaller gatherings, with everyone being a part of the conversation and event. Plus, you don't feel like a pinball bouncing around to greet and talk with everyone.
    Thank you, Joyce, for all you do to make this Meme a true joy to be a part of. May you and yours have a Blessed Christmas. See you in 2013!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for hosting Hodge Podge and for letting me join in. Have a very merry Christmas and see you next year.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your Christmas eve sounds perfect! And love your answers for 6-8! Have a wonderful rest of your week!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Have to say you got me with your first answer. Love that our husbands rides "Twas the Night Before Christmas", what a beautiful tradition. I make a great Rocky Road fudge that I got from my friend Kendra at bowling. I had the same verse. Merry Christmas Joyce and blessing to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I hope you have a great Christmas and a safe and happy new year. I am your newest follower and first time on this blog hop. I also am not very musically gifted

    ReplyDelete
  24. You've done a wonderful job of hosting The Hodgepodge this year! I've grown and learned about myself (and others) through your questions.

    I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! Looking forward to participating in The Hodgepodge again in the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I thought of the same verse as soon as I read #7 when you posted them.

    Merry Christmas!
    Bethany

    ReplyDelete
  26. Part of our family's Christmas Eve tradition is that my Aunt tells the story of the first Christmas with the illustrations she's done. She is a great artist!

    Thanks for hosting Hodge Podge, Joyce! I look forward to participating in 2013. Have a very merry Christmas and a positive and prosperous kick off to 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  27. You and I think alike on #6. I think the country as a whole needs this. Enjoy your Christmas. Here, we sing "Happy Birthday" before we open gifts.

    ReplyDelete
  28. When you figure out where November went, you let me know! Thank you for allowing me to tag along and hang out with you all this year. Can't wait for next year! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Julia @ Mom on the Run x2

    ReplyDelete
  29. Merry Christmas Joyce! Enjoy Hubs and the girls!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I started a 101 in 1001 days one time, but failed miserably. Actually the 1001 days are not up yet, but there is no way I can get everything done on the list by the time the days are up. Maybe I should just start a new list and start over! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for a happy distraction...I couldn't think of what to write on my own...and I've missed you. Albeit I'm the last person linking on and no one's likely to notice I'm here! HA!

    ReplyDelete
  32. We open one gift on Christmas Eve too- AND, it's our Christmas pjs! AND, we always read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas- both are traditions carried over from my childhood. I'm cracking up at your last quote--- I used it too! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  33. Your Christmas Eve tradition is the same as ours. We've been doing that for years. We go to Christmas Eve service at our church, come home to a steak dinner, then open one gift. Such a special time! Hope you and your family have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS, Joyce!

    ReplyDelete
  34. What fun to read everyone's answers to "what I am not." Fun question!

    Looks like we shared the same verse, love it!

    Cookies are something that I never make but am thinking maybe I need to make some between now and Christmas Eve.

    So enjoy being connected through our blogs. Perhaps our paths will cross in person one day - think we'd probably like each other. :o)

    Blessings abundant to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  35. The night before Christmas will be at church. Period. I work at a church, and we'll be doing services all evening. One of my favorite parts of working at a church, truth be told. I would love to have some family component, but they all live at least 1200 miles away. It's really not practical. I've lived far away from family for most of my life, so we have other traditions earlier in the month.

    Not so into fudge. It's a bit sweet for me. May I substitute brownies? ;)

    Have a wonderful holiday!

    Peace & Joy,
    Cherie

    ReplyDelete
  36. "Is anyone else still trying to figure out where November went?"
    That made me giggle, and laugh.
    :) Love your Hodgepodge answers.

    ReplyDelete