Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Have Yourself A Merry Little Hodgepodge

Welcome to the weekly Wednesday Hodgepodge. Nobody has anything else they should be doing today, do they? So why not join the party here? As a reminder the Hodgepodge will be on Christmas vacation next week, so no questions/answers on Dec 23/24th. We'll be back to ring in the new year together the week after, December 30/31.  

Here we go-


1. Time magazine has selected The Ebola Fighters as their person of the year for 2014. Do you agree, and if so who do you think is a close second? If you disagree with their choice, who do you think should have been chosen?

I'm happy Time selected people who are positive role models, doing noble work, doctors and nurses engaged in helping others, as opposed to some of the more negative news makers on the finals list. Time's criteria is the person or people who most affected the news (for better or worse) in a given year, and heaven knows they had plenty of bad behavior to choose from in 2014. I'm glad they selected a group of people doing good in the world. 

2. This question comes to you courtesy of Susan who blogs over at Stew Mama Says. She knows we have a wedding happening any minute now and she asks, "What's your favorite something old? Something new? Something borrowed? Something blue in your home? Be sure you hop over and say hi to Susan today!

Something old? The leather couch in our family room. Hubs and I joke there's catnip inside the cushions because of the spectacular naps taken there. 

Something new? Well I have a pretty amazing dress hanging upstairs, hemmed, pressed, and ready for me to wear on my daughter's big day. 

Something borrowed? A library book? Other than that I don't know if we have anything borrowed in our home at the moment.  

Something blue? The first thing that came to mind was paint. I have navy blue walls in my living room, dining room, and powder room, and I'm not at all tired of the color. I still love it, and will probably use it again in my next house. 

3. Fudge-yay or nay? Your favorite flavor? Do you make it yourself? With nuts or without?

I like fudge, but don't love it. Too rich. I enjoy a teeny tiny piece and that's enough. My favorite flavor is Rocky Road, so definitely with nuts, otherwise it's not rocky.  I sometimes make fudge around the holidays, but haven't in recent years. Fudge is one of Daughter2's favorite sweet treats, so maybe she and I will make some when she's home in four days. FOUR DAYS!! Whoohoo! 

4. December 17th is Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the first successful flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. How old were you when you made your first flight? Do you like to fly? Have you ever been to Kitty Hawk or other parts of the North Carolina Outer Banks?

I'm not sure how old I was the first time I flew. My first clear memory of flying was when I was about eight years old, and my family flew from NJ to Colorado to visit my grandparents. I'm sure I've flown at least a million miles since then.  

Do I like to fly? Not particularly, but it does get you where you want or need to be faster than any other form of transportation, so I can't complain too much. 

I've been to Kitty Hawk, and lots of the little towns along the Outer Banks. I love it there. We've stayed in beach houses in Nags Head, Avon, and Corolla, and except for the traffic getting in and out (Ka-razy!) it's a wonderful spot to vacation. 

5. Do the people in your family tend to follow a particular career path, and if so what's the path?

Not really. My grandfathers were farmers and painters, and my dad was a Marine. My mom was an art major for a while, and she's always been creative. I do see that in my daughters and their chosen fields, one works in graphic design and event planning and the other in education. 

I was a teacher as is my youngest daughter, but that has always been her passion, so I imagine she'd be a teacher regardless of my career path. We're not one of those families with generation upon generation of firefighters, politicians, or Generals.  

6. What is one thing you absolutely, positively must accomplish today?

One? Oh dear. You know I have a wedding happening in less than three weeks, right? 

Post the final payment to our floral designer.  
Return the signed transportation contract. 
Place order for the last little special treat to be included in our welcome bags.

You get the idea. 

7. This Christmas I hope______________________________________.

All is calm. All is bright.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

How about a throwback? Taken more than ten years ago in the Outer Banks. FYI-the sand dunes there are worth the climb.  


Merry Christmas to all and to all a happy Hodgepodge! 





27 comments:

  1. Joyce, I cannot even begin to imagine the list(s) you have been checking off, but I can't wait to see pictures of you in that dress and the bride in hers.

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  2. I'm just glad Putin or one of the other crazies didn't make the cover of the magazine. I don't put a huge stock of hope in their opinions anyhow, but it's about time someone who did something for someone else gets a little recognition.
    Okay, I'm finished with my rant. I loved reading your hodgepodge today. and that flashback photo was great!!

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  3. Sand Dune-#2 daughter had to pull me up--Whew! what a climb. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

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  4. You make me a bit crazy just reading all you have going these days: Christmas + wedding = overload! Hang in there! Breathe. Unfortunately, everyone tells me the wedding goes by so quickly - after the months of prepping for it. Doesn't seem fair! Have a wonderful calm and bright Christmas!

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    1. It's all working out pretty smoothly. We do a little every day, and I've told my daughter we are not going to be lunatics in these weeks leading up to her day. I have to occasionally put the kibosh on more diy by her...she's ambitious in that department! We're making time for relaxing and I'm feeling pretty good about it all. Hope there's nothing big I've overlooked : ) I too know it will go by so fast. Going to try hard to be in the moment and soak it all in. And hubs and I might head to FL for a getaway a few weeks after so something to look forward to.

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    2. Joyce, I visited Shannon's blog the other day when she wrote about wanting to remember all the little things. I almost cried. I trust it will be a day full of treasureable moments for all of you.

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  5. Great photo, and I love your well thought out answer to #1. I agree!

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  6. You sound pretty calm to have a wedding looming in the not-so-distant future! Good for you :)
    Looking at your 'throwback' picture reminded me, as if I needed a reminder, a lot changes in 10 years, doesn't it?!
    Enjoy this special time,with your girls. Next year things will be different. Hope y'all have a Merry Christmas!
    (Kathy)

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  7. Loved your answer to #1 - thank you for your reply on my blog - I amended my answer. You are so right. I will be thinking of you and your family these next few weeks! Breathe - laugh - pray - make memories! Merry Christmas!

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  8. Wonderful photo and think, you will be gaining a son soon. Blessings

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  9. Such a sweet family photo! I sure hope you'll share pics of the wedding with us! I know it will be spectacular! So excited for all of you!

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  10. What a special Christmas you will have celebrating the birth of our Savior AND an upcoming wedding. I would imagine you all are VERY organized and that all will remain calm and bright. Can't wait to see pictures of the big day and all the little details. Merry Christmas, and God bless us, every one!

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  11. Those dunes ... whew! They're tough to climb, but worth it ... the view was fabulous.

    Praying that everything goes smoothly over the next few weeks. Can't wait to see pictures of the bride (and her mama, too).

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  12. Joyce, I am getting excited over your daughter's big day.
    Wow!! Only (3) weeks

    But first, Christmas :)

    Have a wonderful couple of weeks and Merry Christmas!!

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  13. You are on the right track with your wedding. Have a merry christmas and I look forward to more in 2015.

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  14. Love the picture, what a happy family! My Dad is a Marine too. Enjoy your time with your daughter home and Merry Christmas!

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  15. Merry Christmas Joyce!
    Praying you get all of the things crossed off your list!
    Love the family picture!

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  16. Something about the holidays that makes fudge taste even yummier!!

    I hope all is calm for you as you gear up for a busy few weeks ahead!!

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  17. I have a rocky road fudge I've been making for a few years now and I really like it! Can't wait to see the pictures from the wedding. Love the throwback photo too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year......

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  18. Love the throwback photo! I know fudge is very rich, i can have only one piece! I am not sure i'll be able to make any before Christmas. I just learned that you can't make fudge when it's very humid like it now.

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  19. Can't wait to see your fabulous bronze dress--and your daughter's fabulous white one!

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  20. Great throwback pic. You have a beautiful family and I am looking forward to seeing photos of the wedding. I'm sure it will be fantastic. I so admire your ability to keep up with all the lists attendant to a wedding and Christmas, too.

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  21. I wasn't sure I'd have the energy to get over here and add my link, but I did it. LOL I think I would appreciate the person of the year if they were less high profile. I absolutely cannot wait to see pictures of the wedding! Have a wonderful time with your girls and a very Merry Christmas!

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  22. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

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  23. Great answer to #1 and I think we are all so excited about Shannon's big day and I cannot even imagine the blog post you will do about it. I'll have a Kleenex near by for sure! Thinking of you during this very special time in your family's lives.

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  24. Merry Christmas and all the best the New Year has to offer. Enjoy your daughter's wedding and congratulations to the happy couple.

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  25. Sorry I was so late to join in. I did my first post on my new iPad. Had a few problems. Finally got it all but the link-up. Had to do that this morning instead. Guess I better keep the laptop! haha

    Merry Christmas!

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