Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Have Yourself A Merry Little Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Just a reminder, we'll be on Christmas break here next week so no Hodgepodge on December 23/24th.  The Hodgepodge will return the following week (December 29/30th) and we'll all roll in to the new year together.  

We're here today though, so grab your cocoa and let's get started. Don't forget to add your link at the end of my post, but only if you've answered the questions please. Thanks! Here we go-


1. What's your biggest 'first world' problem?

At the moment, I'll say having everything we own in storage. I can't tell you how often I think I'll do something and then realize I don't have access to whatever tool or pieces I need to complete the task. First world problems are more frustrations than actual problems, right? 

2. Each year Time Magazine names a 'Person of the Year', someone who has 'for better or worse....done the most to influence the events of the year.' It was recently announced they've named Angela Merkel Person of the Year for 2015. You can read more about this year's selection here. Your thoughts? If you were in charge, who would you declare Person of the Year?

I'm okay with the choice. I thought they might select Donald Trump since he's certainly influenced the conversation this year. Personally I'm glad they went another direction. I read they also had an ISIS leader and Caitlyn Jenner on the short list, and I'm really happy neither of those names made the top spot. 

3. Do you have a nativity set in your home? If so share it's history and how you display the pieces.

I do have a nativity set, one I love that we purchased the very first year we were married. I think I got it at one of those home parties someone was hosting, but can't recall the company name now. It's always been in a prominent spot wherever we happen to be living, either on the mantle or on my coffee table. It's not on display this year because it's in storage. See #1. 

4. Do you make an extra effort to give back in some way during the holiday season? How do you encourage those who need encouragement this time of year?

Yes I think so. There are a number of things we do year round, but I look more closely for opportunities this time of year. I think the biggest way I can be an encourager during the holiday season is to not let my to-do list take priority over people. Set the list aside and have a phone chat with family or friends far away. Listen to that person in the long line beside you who just needs to tell someone why they can't sleep at night. 

This morning a gentleman let two people in an obvious impatient hurry get in front of him at the post office, even though we'd all been waiting a while and he had an armful of packages to mail. That sort of thing encourages me. The world is so harsh. I think any act of kindness this time of year is a blessing and encouragement, not just to the recipient but to anyone who gets to see it happen.  

5. Who is your favorite person to shop for? Why?

That's easy-my girls! Why? Because there are far too many adorable things out there that I know they'd love. 

6. What's the last delicious thing you ate?

My sister and brother-in-law came over for dinner Monday night and Daughter2 walked over too, so I made a pan of lemon bars for dessert. I get mixed results with lemon bars from year to year. If the filling isn't cooked just right they taste too eggy or the texture is too sloppy. These were perfect and definitely delicious. I used this recipe (found here) because my recipe is in a cookbook I sent to storage. See #1. 

7. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is__________________.

I actually think Buddy was onto something with his 'singing loud for all to hear'.  

I'm going to add be kind and patient with the people we encounter, whether it's on the road, in the long line at the post office, in the parking lot at the mall, in the too crowded lunch spot...wherever. Life is not an emergency. Not even in mid-December.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Our Internet and cable have been out all day, finally returning about 10 PM. Not sure it's going to last as it's been teasing us for hours, so I'll make this short and sweet, and hit post while I can. 

May your holidays be filled with much peace and joy my Hodgepodge friends. 

My Hodgepodge-reading friends too!  

Merry Christmas! 

25 comments:

  1. I'm sorry but I had to laugh at the number of times #1 got referred to in your post. I agree with you that it's the little kindnesses that go a long way. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas in your temporary situation and look forward to an exciting year of change. Thank you for all the Hodgepodge posts. I only joined during this year but it's always great taking part.

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  2. This time of year, so many of us are in a rush. Taking the time to show a little kindness goes a long way.
    Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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  3. Oh, lemon bars, my favorite! I make them so seldom and also don't like an eggy taste, so my solution is Sunkist.:-) Thanks for your dedication in bringing us the Hodgepodge each week, Joyce. I hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas. See you after the break. PS: I liked your line, 'Life is not an emergency.'

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  4. Merry Christmas, Joyce!! Thank you so much for coming up with great questions every week. Hope you enjoy your first holiday in your new home state.

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  5. PS I don't know how I missed the Nativity question. I guess I was in a rush to the mall yesterday.

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  6. Storage is my problem, but in a different way! Maybe I need to rent one for my holiday decor! Merry Christmas, Joyce. You've made 2015 a lot more fun for my blogging! I'm thankful for you.

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  7. Merry Christmas to you and your family...Blessings

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  8. Yes, aggravation is a good way to put it. Hoping you will moved into your beautiful new home this time next year. Wishing you and yours a most blessed Christmas!

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  9. Great questions and answers Joyce. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  10. I hope you have your internet this morning! But if not, go out and talk a walk! I think we have some chilly weather coming soon. Man, I was way off on what the "first world" problem was all about. Oh well. Have a wonderful Christmas in your small digs! Next year you will be opening up boxes and decorating a new place!! Cheers to that!

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  11. I'm certainly glad they didn't pick Caitlyn Jenner as person of the year OR the ISIS leader! I'd have had something to say about that, for sure.

    I hope your internet is okay today. Ours has been 'touch and go' lately, too.

    I know I tell you this each week, but "thank you" for all you do to keep the Hodgepodge up and running. I know it's a lot of work, and I truly appreciate you for doing it.
    I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas!

    Kathy (from Reflections by Kathy)

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  12. Enjoy this as I always do week after week! I do appreciate the work you put into this and read several of the entries every week. I am hoping to participate more in the future. Wishing you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!




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  13. Good questions today, Joyce. I've read some others who have commented on them, and they are giving interesting responses as well.

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  14. Hi,
    I am so glad they did not pick Caitlyn Jenner or the ISIS leader. I saw that on the short list. I did some more reading about Angela Merkel, I found it interesting she grew up in GDR.

    I love how you said " Life is not an emergency" I totally agree. I love when I see random acts of kindness like you shared at the Post Office. :-)

    Thank you for the fun Hodgepodge, I have enjoyed doing it this 2015 and plan to keep on!
    Merry Christmas,
    Carla

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  15. I am back because I forgot to say...I LOL because when I was writing up my answers last night I shared your questions with my husband. He answered Buddy from Elf for number 7 too. :-) We love that movie. Too funny!

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  16. Loved the questions....and loved your answers. Merry Christmas!

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  17. Oh, the post office. I wanted to go yesterday and thought of the lines and instead went to a local shipping store. It was quicker I'm sure but they couldn't do everything I needed so today I'm asking hubby to go for me ;) I agree though, little gestures of kindness encourage me too.
    Merry Christmas!

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  18. I remember that, wanting something that was in storage when we were between houses 9 years ago. I was thinking Donald Trump also. I would have been really made if those other two had been picked! I'm going to check out your link for lemon bars, I love them. Have a very Merry Christmas and blessing to you and your family. ((Hugs))

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  19. Well, my link added as just a 'y' instead of Your Friend From Florida....going too fast I guess. Thank you Joyce, for the Hodgepodges!! Always fun. Merry Christmas to you and yours! I'm so glad you will all be together this year, and look forward to photos and stories!

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  20. I can't think of anything more frustrating to deal with than internet issues. Hope it gets resolved soon! Yes, I love shopping for my girls and have to fight the urge to get "one more thing". Have a Very Merry Christmas, Joyce!

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  21. I agreed with most of your post. I love my 'home party' nativity set. Merry Christmas to you and maybe you will be in your new home next year with all of your things out of storage!!

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  22. Good questions and answers. How wonderful that you know your girls so well, you know what will delight them!

    I read over the list of people who were possibles for person of the year and was surprised and dismayed over so many of the nominees.

    Merry Christmas and hope to do more hodgepodging next year. Your questions are so good.

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  23. Oh my gosh, I love a good lemon bar! Can you sill believe you are close enough for D2 to walk over for dinner?! Since Miss K.A. has had a guy, her drop ins for dinner are far and few between. And I don't mind saying I don't like it one bit. Jury is still out on him mostly cuz we haven't had a real chance to get to know him or how he is to/with her. {sigh}
    Talk about first world problems - when the internet is having issues, I get sooo frustrated!

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  24. Having things in storage would be a total pain!
    Have a wonderful Christmas in your new town!

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  25. People's driving skills do seem to deteriorate at this time of year for some reason. I'm glad no one was hurt seriously. Thank you for you kind Christmas wishes. Merry Christmas to you and Hubs. May you get through the building process in the New Year without losing your collective minds.

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