Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Schussing Through the Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Add the link to your answers at the end of my answers, then go see what everyone else had to say.


1. Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?

That phrase tends to strike me as a negative right off the bat. When I hear it used my mind goes immediately to Maleficent or Ursula or some real life figure who swoops in, takes over, and is overbearing or mean. The more I think about it though, there's also a positive side to the phrase, and I like to think I fall on that side of the reckoning fence.  

My temperament is pretty mild and it takes an awful lot to make me angry. I live life wearing rose colored glasses most of the time.  But...if someone is being treated unfairly, and I can help remedy the situation, in that instance I might be a force. 

2. What are two things you love about the wintertime. Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you like about winter?

Christmas, hot cocoa in a favorite mug, the first few flakes in a snowfall, the staggering beauty of an untouched snowy canvas, the moon, trees dressed like fairies, deer tracks across the front lawn, chili and cornbread, a fire in the fireplace, the guy who plows our driveway, an excuse to wear my furry boots, snowdrops peeking up out of the ground, my fur collar, the hushed silence of snow falling from a moonlit sky...wait, you said two? 

3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health benefits, particularly during the winter months.  Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried?

I've never met a fruit I didn't like. Some I do like more than others, but there's nothing on this list I haven't tried and enjoyed. Of the ones mentioned kiwi and pomegranate are my favorite, although I did have a most amazing dessert made with guava when we were in Florida last year.  I guess when they talk about fruit being healthy they don't mean this-



4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their sign, "When all else fails, do the right thing." Your thoughts?

I've passed this sign a few times now, and it always makes me scratch my head. Something about the wording feels off. I'm certain the intent was good, and I'm all about giving the benefit of the doubt, but in my head I keep thinking, 'when all else fails??' Maybe it's directed at people who are not inclined to do the right thing from the get-go, and they're advising them to now try doing the right thing? Let's go with that. 

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland. Of the five listed which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer.

I can ski, but honestly I am not a gifted skier. I've said it here before that I love ski towns, ski clothes, family winter holidays, but the skiing? Not so much. Remember last week when I asked if you were clumsy? Yeah.  

That being said, if you've never vacationed in a ski town you're missing out. Some of my favorite holidays have been spent in ski towns.  Of the ones listed above I'm going to surprise you and say Whistler. I know you were expecting Italy here, but Whistler is on my list of places to see, so Whistler it is.  Course I wouldn't say no to any of the top 5. 

6. What's the last thing you looked for online? (besides my blog!)

I looked at a website showing the Best and Worst Dressed from the Golden Globes. I didn't watch the whole show, and I like to get a closer look at the clothes. Naomi Watts was my favorite.  I'd love to have somewhere to go in that fabulous sparkly gown!

7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto, have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?

Slightly awkward transition from #6-#7 but....

'The sea was not meant to be controlled. The sea was meant to be sailed."  
Jon Acuff

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Who's getting excited for the Olympics?  I love this ad...



Moms rock! 




34 comments:

  1. Whistler was my choice, too! I've wanted to go there.The scenery looks breathtaking! You must love winter a lot...what a list! My problem is that I'm just so cold-natured, I can never seem to warm up. My hands and feet stay cold all day long in the winter. I do wish we'd get a little snow, but I don't think that's going to happen. So, I'm more of a spring and summer kind of girl.

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  2. I love your quote choice. And you and I like the same two fruits best.

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  3. The guy who plows your driveway, LOL!
    Love that clip of Thank You Mom, brings tears to the eyes!

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  4. I absolutely LOVE the Olympics...being a sports mom and all that. I can really appreciate what the athletes go through to get to that level, and I feel the anxiety and pride for the parents as they watch their children compete. I'm going to try to figure out a way to incorporate Olympics-themed lessons into my plans to help my students stay abreast of the events and to teach them about the world, at large. Should be fun!!

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  5. I love the way you answered #1- well said. That guava dessert looks out of this world; I bet it is a way better, homemade, fancy version of the boxed guava puffs I chose ;)

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  6. I'm looking forward to the ice skating in the Olympics. These were some interesting questions this week Joyce. Thank you.

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  7. You know, I didn't think about question #4 long enough - you are so right. It is implying that all the wrong things were tried first and failed.... hmmmm. I am very much looking forward to the Olympics. I enjoy the winter games much more than the summer games.

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  8. I am impressed with your list of winter loves! You do see life wearing rose-colored glasses! ha!!

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  9. I think you and I agree on #1 :) and wow, you found so many things to love about winter!
    You always find the best clips for your random thought. Love it! Yes, bring on the Olympics, I can use some 'distraction' right about now...

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  10. What is it about hearing what others thought about the same question that appeals to me so? haha Love it though. I am soo excited for the Olympics. LOVE them. Enjoy your day!

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  11. I totally can't wait for the Olympics!

    I tear up every time at that commercial... have to turn away some times

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  12. I've so enjoyed seeing the different answers to #4, all in how each one interpets.

    Great answer to #1 for you as well. But, I always enjoy all of your answers. :o)

    Happy Wednesday!

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  13. Can I borrow your glasses? I agree with you, the sign must be meant for people who don't do the right thing! I like your quote....I need to sail more. I am very excited for the Winter Olympics and that video brought tears to my eyes. I can't imagine being their parents.....I have a hard enough time watching!

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  14. You almost convinced me that winter wasn't so bad after all ... ;)

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  15. I had taped a lot of the Olympic trials so I could get myself ready for the Olympics. This is the first one to watch without my daughter around so it is going to seem strange.

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  16. I love the sea so your quote is wonderful.

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  17. That's the first time I've seen that commercial! Wow! I just sat there crying! Moms totally rock! Whew!

    Love your winter list...so many good things!

    I had banana pudding at a restaurant last night and teased that it was my fruit dessert.

    Ha, "when all else fails..." I guess that doesn't make any sense. I zoned in on the "do right" part.

    I'll have to think on Jon Acuff's quote. That's a good one. Have you seen his empty shelf challenge. I like the idea, but I don't know if I could find an empty shelf in my house to use. :)

    Thanks for hosting!

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  18. I, too, love that commercial. And yes, I should've said if anyone is being mistreated and I can do something to change that, I can become a force to be reckoned with. Olympics? Yes, please! But the political scene makes me nervous for our athletes. Thanks for coming up with another batch of questions again!

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  19. I'm totally laughing at how similar some of our answers are! And yes, what an awesome commercial - a good reminder of how our sacrifice as mommies is worth every single moment, no matter how exhausting.

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  20. I love all the things you mentioned about winter. So glad I can experience them now!

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  21. When I was a kid the Olympics were the greatest thing in the world. I really don't watch them anymore. Maybe an event here or there. I always have a hard time though remembering when certain sports compete. Some are obvious but some I just don't know. Like gymnastics? Is that winter or summer?

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  22. I am surprised Aspen isn't on the list. I've always wanted to go there, we missed it when we were in Colorado a few years ago. Anyway I hope you have a great week! I can't wait for the Olympics either, its going to be the first one on our new big screen tv! :)

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  23. Since I live in Colorado skiing is a pretty normal thing, but I have become sort of a fair weather skier.....don't like too much cold or too much wind. I would love to visit any of the places you mentioned and I agree that a vacation in a ski town, even if you don't ski, is a special experience.

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  24. See I took that quote as when you can't decide what to do your default should always just be the right thing. I am a little nervous about the Olympics so much conflict over there right now. But I do love the Winter Olympics!!

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  25. I felt the same about the sign at the church. I know what they're referring to, but the wording doesn't feel quite right. However, it did just what they hoped it would do.... it got attention and made people think.
    Hope you have a great day.

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  26. But the guava is pretty! :) Our answers for #4 are pretty much the same but worded differently.

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  27. The world needs those who see it through rose-colored glasses to balance or counter-act those of us who don't. I'm grateful for you and those like you because I need your inspiration. Interesting that we answered the "do right" question basically the same. And if I were to live where there is a winter, my answers would have exactly the same as yours. Did I write that I love winter?!!!!

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  28. The Olympics have never held much appeal for me. Let's face it, if it isn't football, I'm not interested. LOL I'd just like to fit into a fabulously sparkly gown. :) I'm like you with winter. I just love it. The only thing I miss is snow. We just don't get it very often.

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  29. Loved your answer to favorite things about wintertime. The warmth and coziness of winter is something I love.
    We have been to Austria and Zermatt in the summer, and skied at Lake Tahoe, which wasn't one of my favorites. I think Whistler looks gorgeous and it would be fun to ski there.
    My favorite way to eat fruit is just as your pic shows. ;-)

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  30. Did I miss the Golden Globes? I must've been under a rock. Have to agree with your quote about the seas :) Thanks for hosting.

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  31. The "right thing" is such an ambiguous term. That's what feel off to the statement to me. It implies that there is only one right thing for everyone, and we all agree on what it is. Sometimes unintentional experimentation needs to occur. There's the times when you know you're doing the wrong thing, but the rebellious nature wins out. Then there's the times when we were trying to do the right thing all along, but we didn't initially know what it was. It's like finding a lost item in the last place you'd look. It's only last because you stopped looking. Sure, when all else fails, I'll do the right thing ... as soon as I figure out what it is. ;)

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  32. Yes, I would be all about the ski lodge and not so much the skiing. :) Sorry I'm so late to the party today. Little granddaughter Wednesdays make it tricky to blog! :) Hope your day was great.

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  33. thanks for hosting, and everybody needs to see the world thru rose colored glasses sometimes.

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