Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happily Settling for the Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge! I'm thankful for all the wonderful bloggers I've 'met' through this fun little mid-week hop, and I appreciate the chance to think, laugh, and share with you all as we Hodgepodge on. 


1. Are you settling for something?

I looked up the meaning of the word settle, and found phrases such as make-do, and put up with, so yes I suppose I am settling for a certain amount in my life.  I imagine most of us settle in one way or another. Sometimes settling is the best you can do, and in the end its not always a bad thing. Less than the best maybe, but not necessarily undeserving of our gratitude.  

For instance I don't get to live in the same city as my girls, which is something I would absolutely love, but I'll settle for, and make the best of, whatever time we do get to spend together. Hubs and I would love to be living on a lake down south, but for now we'll settle for the New Jersey countryside, grateful for a job and a home we love. My house could use a deep clean, but girls are home for just a few days, so I'll settle for something less than a deep clean in order to enjoy my family.  

Life isn't always perfect, but less than perfect can be pretty okay too. 

2.  It wasn't that long ago almost every store in the US locked doors and turned out lights on Thanksgiving Day. This year many will be open all day Thursday, giving shoppers a jump start on 'Black Friday'. In your opinion is this a good thing or a not so good thing? Will you be shopping on Thanksgiving Day?

I am not a fan. At all. Is there anything wrong with our country taking a collective breath once or twice a year? Stepping back from the frenzy, and the pace, and the crazy? I thought this blogger said it so well...worth a read if you haven't read it before.

http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/11/17/if-you-shop-on-thanksgiving-you-are-part-of-the-problem/

3. Speaking of shopping...I saw a recent article on the twelve best shopping cities in the world. In order they are-New York, Tokyo, London, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, and Seoul.

Ever shopped in any of the cities listed? In which city would you most like to pull out the plastic or cold hard cash?

I've shopped in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Dubai. I suppose if I can only choose one I'm going with Kuala Lumpur, because I like saying Kuala Lumpur. Plus I've always wanted to see those crazy buildings connected by a skywalk high above the earth. They're called The Petronas Towers...if you ever saw the film Entrapment with Sean Connery they were featured there.  

For the record,  I'd never turn down a trip to London, Paris, or Milan-shopping or otherwise. Just sayin'. 

4. When did you last dine by candlelight?

Last Friday night actually. Right here at home in my very own kitchen.  I broke my rule of no-cooking on a Friday because hubs had been home exactly one day in a two week time span, and it felt like a home cooked meal was in order.  I put a table cloth on the table, lit candles, and made a nice meal.  It was a lovely way to spend a Friday night, and I think it needs to happen more often.

5. What do you have too much of?

Hmmm....dust? Always just a little too much of that around here.  

6. The Hunger Games...are you a fan? Did you read the book(s)? Will you/have you see the movie? Will you/have you seen Catching Fire?

Definitely a fan! I loved the books, and enjoyed the first movie. The second book was my favorite of the three, so I'm looking forward to seeing Catching Fire with my family on Friday or Saturday. Daughter2 saw it last weekend with her cousin, but she is happy to see it again. 

7. Share your plans for Thanksgiving Day. The who, the where, the what..especially the what! As in what's for dinner? If you're one of my International visitors, whose homeland doesn't celebrate American Thanksgiving (the whole world doesn't ya know!) then still tell us your plans for Thursday.

Just the four of us here this year, and we're all looking forward to lots of wonderful food, naps on the couch, and just hanging out in the same space and time. It doesn't happen often enough these days. We're still fixing turkey (breast) with all the trimmings-cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, brussel sprouts with pancetta, cranberry sauce, squash casserole, corn pudding, and creamed onions. This year we're trying Pioneer Woman's Pumpkin Cream Pie for dessert.  

Right now all four of us are signed up for a local 5K Turkey Trot, but I'm guessing the weather will be a factor in who actually decides to join the 'fun'. We'll watch the Macy's Parade on TV, and then lots of football throughout the day. We'll probably eat around 4 so there is still time for a late night turkey sandwich. It's not Thanksgiving without a late night turkey sandwich.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I posted this on my Facebook page earlier this week. It's not a new story, but it was new to me, and is a wonderful reminder that one person doing good, doing the right thing in the midst of unspeakable awfulness, can truly make the world a better place.  



To read more of his amazing story click here





21 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see Catching Fire. My daughter said it was really good and stayed pretty true to the book.

    What an amazing story and touching video in your random. Thank you for sharing it.

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  2. I'm totally with you on #2 - can't we just take one day off?? Hope you have a great time together on Thanksgiving! I've made that pie before and my advice would be just go ahead and make 2 - it's so yummy you are going to want to make another as soon as you finish one pie :) Her stuffing recipe is really yummy too!

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  3. Oh my, how I enjoyed the video and reading about Sir Nicholas Winton! God bless him! Thank you!! I also thoroughly enjoyed and endorse Matt Walsh's thoughts on shopping on holidays and Black Friday. I 'liked' him on Facebook, actually. Thank you for that link, too! And thank you for another great Hodgepodge!! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  4. Have fun on your Turkey Trot! I always love those! Buff before you stuff! My Thanksgiving motto! :)

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  5. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a must. It doesn't feel like Thanksgiving morning without the parade on the TV in the background. I hope the wind doesn't stop the floats from actually floating high in the air. Your menu sounds delish, including the late night turkey sandwich. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  6. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful to you for hosting the HP, and giving us the opportunity to 'meet' here every week. When you decide to lead a shopping trip to London, I'm in. :)
    May God bless your family.

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  7. I had never heard about Sir Nicholas George Winton. I am intrigued with the history of Europe circa 1934 thru 1947. Thank you for sharing his story. Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday with Hubs and your girls. Also, thanks for your prayers on SWMBO's behalf. God has graciously answered them.

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  8. They're all good, but I especially enjoyed this particular Hodgepodge! Thank you again, for taking the time to host this meme :)

    I hope your girls all arrive safely, and that your Thanksgiving is everything you desire, and more!

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  9. One of the things I am thankful for is this Hodgepodge! Thank you for hosting it every single week! And oh, I'm a blubbery mess after watching that video - what an incredible story! Thank you for sharing - have a blessed week!

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  10. I have never heard of Sir Nicholas George Winton, and that surprises me because this is exactly the kind of story I love reading about. I will see if I can find at least one of the films about him or a book.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours - sounds very cozy to me and the menu reminded me that we won't be having sweet potatoes or corn pudding. :-(

    Your home is beautiful and in a great setting. I think I would be happy to settle in a place like that! ;-)

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  11. Happy Thanksgiving Joyce, I am thankful for your blog and the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Enjoy your girls being home!

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  12. I love that you had a nice candlelight dinner with your husband, so sweet. Like your daughter I would be happy to see Catching Fire Again. I hope you love it as much as I did. That is so awesome that you signed up for the Turkey Run, hope that all works out. I usually watch the Macy's Parade. Okay now I am sitting here in tears, the video is so sweet and I went to read about him. When people ask me about my nationality I always say I am 100% Bohemian from Czechoslovakia which is the truth. My great-grandparents came here like many others many years ago and settled in the Chicago area. I don't really know the story so I need to ask my father. My mother's side too was from Czechoslovakia. Enjoy your time with your girls and Happy Thanksgiving.

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  13. Joyce, Thank you for giving us an opportunity to speak up about shopping on Thanksgiving. Thank you for the link to Matt Walsh's blog. He phrased it so well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy your Brussel Sprouts for me. Nobody here likes them except me so I'm not fixing them this year. (ha-ha! I'm "settling" for dinner without the sprouts!)

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  14. I love that you plan the meal around the leftovers. I do the same thing. I think I might like them better than the actual event.

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  15. Hey! Have a great Thanksgiving! I agree i don't think anything should be open on Thanksgiving day, its a time to be with family not have to suffer through work. I think the Toys-R-Us opening at 5 PM is a bit insane! Thats when we all sit down and have our feast. sheesh..

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  16. Seeing Catching Fire on Friday and can't wait. Both my girls saw it at midnight, but want to see it again :-)

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  17. We had our Thanksgiving on Monday and I'll be home and STILL I won't be at any sales!

    Have a great Thanksgiving with your family, Joyce!

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  18. Happy Thanksgiving Joyce!! thank you for another Hodgepodge.
    I am looking at the local library right now to see if I can find a book on Nicholas Winton thanks for sharing

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  19. Dust is not a good thing to have a lot of. Hopefully it will go away soon.
    Happy Thanksgiving Joyce.

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  20. Loved your answer to #1! I so missed the HP this week but I was busy making memories with my family. I know you are thoroughly enjoying your time with your girls.

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  21. I saw your #8 on Facebook and really appreciated you sharing it. I pinned it so I could remember to show my kids sometime. I loved reading the Hunger Games. It is a bit controversial with some peeps I know, though. I try to explain that I am not in favor of children killing children, but the peeps don't seem to believe me. :)

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