Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Stories From The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! So glad you took a break from the wrapping and the shopping and the decorating to join us here today. If you've answered the questions, add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to spread some holiday cheer by leaving a comment for the blogger who linked before you. Here we go-



1. Many families have a story they love to tell every year around a holiday. Does your family have one? Are you the star of that story, or does another family member take center stage. Share your story if you want.

Well it wouldn't be Christmas without someone mentioning how my mom used to shop early, hide the gift (in case someone broke in), then not be able to remember where she stashed it when it came time for wrapping.  We also love to remember my Dad on Christmas and the way he used a letter opener to unwrap his gifts so he could re-roll the wrapping paper to use again later. Or the year my little sister got a 'Larry the Lion' stuffed animal, the kind where you pulled a string and it talked, and when she saw it exclaimed, 'That's it! That's just what I wanted!' 

Not big stories, but little slices of family life and growing up that make us all smile. 

When it comes to my own girls, we pretty much tell the story every year of when Daughter2 was a tiny tot and convinced my sister to let her have THREE of my mom's homemade chocolate dipped buttercreams in a span of about five minutes (after bedtime, mind you!). In case you can't picture it imagine a two year old chugging fourteen energy drinks in thirty seconds. Yeah. It was kind of like that. Daughter2 spent the night jumping on the bed (literally) between hubs and I while we tried to sleep. When I asked my sister why in the world she let her have three she said, 'Because she asked.' Aunts. Bless 'em.


In my sister's defense, this one was awfully hard to resist.   

2. Are you afraid to speak your own opinion?

Well, yes and no. A lot depends on the audience and the setting. And I guess I'm not so much afraid as I am hesitant. 

3. Pantone has announced the color of the year for 2016, and for the first time have chosen two shades-rose quartz and serenity. Hmmm...did you know serenity was a color? You can read the thought behind their selection here, but essentially it's blending the warmth of rose quartz with the tranquility of a very soft shade of blue. So what do you think? Are these colors I'd find in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in these shades to either place in the new year?

I don't think I'd add those colors to my wardrobe, unless it was maybe in the form of a scarf or accessory. I tend to prefer deeper tones with my complexion. I use richer tones in my home too, but do like the soft blue in a master bedroom or bath. 

And I like serenity. I'm a fan of serenity. 

4. If you could be in a Christmas carol, which one would you choose? Why?

A tough question, but I'm going with one of my favorites, O Come All Ye Faithful because this-

'Sing choir of angels, sing in exultation, oh sing all ye citizens of heaven above...' 

I'd surely love to hear that choir. 

5. December 9th is National Pastry Day. Will you celebrate? When did you last purchase something from a bakery? What's your favorite treat that falls under the heading of pastry? Do you make it yourself or buy from the professionals?

I don't think I'll be celebrating. I try to stay out of bakeries. The last treat I had from a bakery was a slice of my delicious birthday cake. Hubs always gets me a chocolate cake with raspberry filling, topped with a chocolate ganache. This year he ordered from the baker who made Daughter1's wedding cake and it was heavenly. 

My favorite pastry is apple strudel, preferably baked by the professionals and eaten in Germany or Austria, with snow capped mountains for a backdrop. 

6. When it comes to holiday decorating_____________________________.

I love to see the magazine worthy trees in photographs, but in my home I like to keep it simple and homemade. I prefer ornaments that have history and meaning, decorations that tell a story or remind me of a place I've lived or traveled. 

7. When did you last laugh so much it hurt? Explain.

That's an easy one....it was November 14th. How's that for specific? 


I know the date because hubs and I spent that weekend with three couples we know from college, and sitting around the dinner table Saturday evening we laughed until our sides hurt. One member of this crew is particularly quick witted and he had us all in stitches. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Anybody else busy today? Wow, December kind of snuck up on me this year. Last year too come to think of it. I guess that's how December rolls in the 21st century. 

I'm sharing this beautiful Christmas song in the random today, one I have on repeat this time of year. Happy Wednesday everyone!




26 comments:

  1. Love your anecdote about your daughter and the chocolate :)I was like you on #2 and yes I like serenity too but not as a colour ;) Thanks for sharing the lovely music and providing such good questions as always.

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  2. I love those stories that become part of your family history, they are the best!
    I agree with your tree philosophy and your baby girl was precious!
    Sorry to miss the Hodgepodge, things should be better next week, sheesh!
    Have a good week, thanks for all of your efforts here!

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  3. Enjoyed your Christmas stories---I can remember my grandmother saving every bow! Great song!

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  4. We answered with the same song on #4. Loved reading your Christmas tales. I didn't have anything, but there really are lots of funny and/or sweet tiny tales I could have listed but not one big thing that gets re-told every year. Another great Hodgepodge, and thank you!

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  5. Cute story on daughter 2. She is a cutie and I'm sure she would have been hard to resist.

    Thanks for this weeks questions. They were fun.

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  6. Love the photo of you two and friends. Must have been a great weekend. I love laughing like that. Clears out the cobwebs.

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  7. I am a huge fan of Kari Jobe and I didn't know she had a Christmas album. Yay!
    I would answer the same thing about voicing my opinion. Sometimes I get too bold and end up with my foot in my mouth. Sigh.
    I never knew there was a color of the year until I started reading here!

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  8. I loved your Christmas memories. Ed's dad carefully saved the wrapping paper, too. Maybe because they grew up in hard times? I can just imagine your little one after eating three pieces of buttercreams after bedtime! Ha! That would definitely be a night to remember :)
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  9. Your #2 story sounds like something my #2 would have done. Lovely song at the end. Have a great weekend!

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  10. 'That's it! That's just what I wanted!' Love that! Oh that everybody responded that way to the gifts they receive!

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  11. What a great story you shared about your daughter...nothing like an overabundance of sugar in the system, right? Such a sweet photo. I'm with you...love homemade ornaments my girls made when they were little and ones we picked up on our trips.

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  12. So glad you asked about the colors of the year -- I'm always fascinated by them. Seems like this is the first time in awhile that the colors are light.

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  13. Was Larry a hand puppet? I think I got one of those..."I'm a friendly lion?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKMsRd50nmo

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    1. That's him! But he's not a puppet, just a stuffed animal.

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    2. Mine was later and more like a puppet, but they used the same voice track (I read in the comments it was Mel Blanc).

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  14. Hi Joyce,
    Sweet memories. Buttercreams,yummy, they sound good, I am not sure I have had one. I might have three as well. :-))
    And I love to laugh like that too. My sister's husband is quick witted too. I always look forward to our get together with him, because I know I am going to be laughing.

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  15. Apple Strudel is amazing! My mother-in-law makes her Austrian mother's recipe. She rolls out the dough paper thin as big as the dining room table. There is nothing like those flaky layers of deliciousness. We went out to a German restaurant for our anniversary a few weeks ago and their apple strudel came close. I keep thinking we have to go back, just for dessert :)

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  16. I baked my grandmother's recipe for cinnamon rolls on Monday and they all turned out perfect! I only do this maybe once or twice a year, as it's so much time and effort.

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  17. Those are great stories you shared about your mom, dad and daughter #2. It does feel like December snuck up on us. I will be out getting gift cards for the 25 out of town people today, besides dropping Skye off for grooming. I'm not even sure I'll get cards out this year. I should be like my sister and do cards in November. She also bakes and freezes her cookies!

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  18. Love me some Kari Jobe

    I love you know the exact date you laughed so hard - that had to be a good night :)

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  19. Guess I understood the question wrong on #3...my reds and blues tend to be rich and royal.
    Also, I might have linked twice, I hate how my cursor jumps around and often does things on its on.
    Loved reading your answers and now I must get busy.
    Mama Bear

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  20. I loved your family stories! It is the small things that seem to stick with us and provide the sweetest memories. Although, the daughter hyped up on sugar is not such a small thing...hahaha The Kari Jobe song is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it!

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  21. Loved your Christmas stories. Thank you for hosting this great blog hop!

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  22. If I had started on my Christmas stories, I would still be writing. LOL Christmas is my time of year. I love everything about it, even the 'stress' because it's a good stress. The First Noel came on the radio on my way home from school today and I thought I might not mind being in that carol. A cold winter's night, fields, sheep...I like that. :)

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  23. Cute stories! And, guess we were both on the same page with the scarf. How funny! Another good HP, thanks to you and your great questions. Happy rest of the week!

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  24. I love the story about your daughter and the buttercreams. It reminded us of a story of one of my little cousins. If sugar got anywhere near her, she was a revved up little rocket! Even Diet Coke, no sugar, wired her up good. :)

    Merry Christmas!

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