Thursday, December 29, 2016

Festive Family Fun

Let's talk Christmas. I hope yours was merry and bright. We're still enjoying morning coffee by the light of the tree. It will come down this weekend or whenever those little fairies show up to make it happen. Whenever they come is fine...I'm not in a hurry.

Except I kind of am because January looms and we have a lot of travel on the calendar. Fun stuff, which right now feels a little overwhelming, but then I sit by the Christmas tree and remember all is calm and all is bright.

How 'bout we back up a little, because we always start out in reverse on This Side of the Pond. When last we spoke the painters were on their way and they've come and gone so no more blue tape. Whoohoo! The ice man came and jiggled something in the ice maker which necessitated a part order which means he's coming back tomorrow to complete the job. My laundry room countertop was replaced so that's done. Oh and hubs hung a few more pictures. Just ask Daughter2...he was hammering outside her bedroom door at 9:45 a.m. on Christmas Eve Eve.

Or as she would say 'the crack of dawn'!


Speaking of daughter2, she finally got here on Wednesday morning because we had a little drama with her sweet pup that required a trip to the specialty vet the week before Christmas. Meanwhile hubs and I both had our cars in for service and it all felt a little bit crazy and in fact was a little bit crazy. Merry Christmas to us-ha!


Daughter2 was her usual cookie baking rock star self and we sipped tea on the porch and went for side by side manicures and talked recipes, kindergarten, and the meaning of
life. The three of us enjoyed a lovely dinner out with Daughter1's in-laws and close friends before heading to the mountains for a Tennessee Christmas with hubs side of the family.


Christmas with hubs side of the family means Angel Pie and she deserves her own mention here. Carry on. 

We were all so missing Daughter1 and the Dr. Captain this year, so it was extra nice to have a whole houseful of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents to fill the mountain cabin with love, laughter and chatter. Especially chatter. We are world champion chatterers.


Hubs brother and sister both own cabins in the Smokies, as close to one another as the crow flies. Does that expression mean what I think it means? Anyway, they're close in proximity to one another so we bop between the two when we visit.


Everyone trekked down the mountain on Christmas Eve for a big family dinner out before church, and then sat side by each in two pews singing Silent Night to the glow of a dripping candle.


Christmas Day was filled with the usual gift giving and receiving, game playing, and a celebratory toast to my in-law's 60th wedding anniversary which had taken place earlier in the month.


The nephews helped my mother in law experience a little virtual reality...


And I think she liked it.


These glasses are freaky y'all. I felt like I was in some other dimension of time and space, which I think is the point of virtual reality, but still...super freaky and very cool.


We had rain all day on Christmas Eve, but Christmas and the day after were both ridiculously warm. 70 degrees up on top of the mountain, and nobody complained.

photo credit: my sis-in-law

Monday we trekked back down the mountain to see my sister and brother-in-law's new home which is almost complete. We've been sharing the angst of building a home from the ground up for more than a year, and we're excited for theirs to be finished now too. Also, aunts are special people and my girls have a whole squad they dearly love.


Because it's against the laws of family togetherness to skip a meal we stopped in town for a pizza lunch with the grandparents, selfie style-

photo credit: my sis-in-law

We headed home on Tuesday morning because we had visitors coming by around lunchtime on Wednesday and there were gifts to put away, groceries to be purchased, and floors to be vacuumed. We enjoyed our company and then hubs, Daughter2 and I finally watched Home Alone last night which is a holiday tradition we hadn't managed to squeeze in before Christmas.


We went to bed knowing there was absolutely nothing on the must-do list for today and in my mind that's as good as sugarplums any old day.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Merry Hodgepodge!

Welcome to the Hodgepodge, our final edition before the calendar rolls into the new year. I've declared next week Christmas break here, so look for another installment on January 4th. If you've answered the questions today add your link at the end of my post and be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you. Grab your cocoa and let's go-


1. What's left to be done on your Christmas to-do list?

Watch A Christmas Story. My daughter and I will do a teensy bit more baking and there's one or two gifts to be wrapped, but other than that I think my Christmas to-dos are mostly done. 

2. The Hodgepodge lands on the first day of winter this year. What's your favorite thing about winter?

The first snowfall, boots, Christmas, a starry night sky, warm soup on a cold day, and the slower pace. Autumn is still my favorite, but there's something to love in every season. 

3. In what area of your life are you immature? Feel free to elaborate or not.

I'm just going to go ahead and say it-Christmas. I am kind of a baby about the holiday and cling tightly to all my long held traditions. I read something on the incourage Facebook page recently that said, 'Nix the expected and embrace the meaningful.' Trying to really take that to heart this Christmas.

4. What was the most (or one of the most) important lessons you learned in 2016?

That seasons of 'waiting' show us things about ourselves we might not see-know-learn without the wait. 

5. It's Fried Shrimp Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite way to eat shrimp? Will there be shrimp somewhere in your holiday feastings?

I love shrimp, fried included. My  favorite is peel and eat boiled shrimp with a squeeze of lemon and a spicy cocktail sauce for dipping. I don't think shrimp is on our holiday menu, but I might get my daughter2 to make a recipe of the Pioneer Woman's Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp the week after Christmas. It's easy and delicious!

6. What sound lulls you to sleep?

Hubs would say any sound-ha! I can fall asleep in complete silence or while a ten piece band plays three feet from my head, makes no difference. I love the sound of water lapping the sides of a boat or shoreline, but most often it's the TV playing softly in the background. 

7. What one word best describes your 2016?

Construction!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I want to thank you for sticking with the Hodgepodge this year. I know it's been a little hit or miss, but I still very much enjoy this little mid-week happy and the people who visit here. Merry Christmas!


"For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11




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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 291

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.
Because nobody has anything else to do four days before Christmas, right?

Of course not. Let's declare next week (Dec. 28) Christmas vacation in the Hodgepodge and come back with a fresh edition in the brand new year (Jan 4). In the meantime, answer today's questions on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!


1. What's left to be done on your Christmas to-do list? 

2. The Hodgepodge lands on the first day of winter this year. What's your favorite thing about winter? 

3. In what area of your life are you immature? Feel free to elaborate or not. 

4. What was the most (or one of the most) important lessons you learned in 2016? 

5. It's Fried Shrimp Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite way to eat shrimp? Will there be shrimp somewhere in your holiday feastings? 

6. What sound lulls you to sleep? 

7. What one word best describes your 2016? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Hey 19

So how are your to-do's looking on this 19th day of December? Mine are mostly done, or at least I think they're done, Christmas wise anyway. House wise is a whole 'nother story.

Who moves in the middle of November? Ka-razy!

Every day I do a little wrapping, a little baking, and a little rearranging of our household goods. Still trying to decide on where to place a few miscellaneous tables, lamps, and assorted keepsakes. Still need to buy a few things and still need to hang more pictures, but Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was this house. I figure if it took fourteen months to get here I can give myself two or three to organize.

Painters come tomorrow and I will be so happy to say goodbye to all the blue tape. For those not in the know, when you move into a brand new house you slap a piece of blue tape everywhere there's a ding-scuff-oops-mark of any kind and then the painter knows right where to go with his brush. Let's just say hubs has a super keen eye and there is mucho blue tape round here.

Somebody will also be here tomorrow to replace my laundry room counter top because they originally cut the counter out of the material meant for my garage counter and put my laundry room material in the garage. Bother.

Note to self-clear off laundry counter. Also-do laundry.

Somebody is also supposed to come jiggle something or other in the icemaker downstairs so it doesn't sound like a jackhammer running. We've never had a stand alone ice maker before, but I'm pretty sure that's not how they're supposed to sound.

And somebody is supposed to come replace a thing-y in our indoor fireplace and that's all I know about that. Except not to turn it on until they've been here. That's important.

While all the nonsense is happening on the home front I'll be getting a hair cut. I could not have timed the appointment any better if I'd tried. Hubs will be here managing things and I will be catching up with my stylist while she works her magic on my hair.

This girl gets here tomorrow too-


Okay so she's really more this girl now-


But in my mind she's always that girl.

Last night hubs and I watched The Sound of Music. It was playing on TV and kind of made my heart ache for little girls in the house.


Little girls who grab clothes from the dress up box and act out the 'So-long, farewell' routine with their parents as audience.


Little girls who giggle and snuggle and burrow their way into one another's hearts as only sisters can.


Little girls who haven't spent a Christmas apart in twenty six years, but who will adult like the bosses they are from either side of the country come December 25th.


Miles apart, but close in heart we'll ponder that long ago silent night. We'll welcome the day that love came down...


...and give thanks for the ties that bind.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Have a Holly Jolly Hodgepodge

Welcome to the holly jolly Hodgepodge! If you've answered the questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. We're all about spreading Christmas cheer here on Wednesdays.


1. Are you more task oriented or people oriented? Elaborate. 

Hmmm...that depends on the task and the people. Sometimes a task just needs to be done, and sometimes people need people. I do love a good list and am something of a take charge personality, but I also care more about people than my to-dos so will always opt to put off a task if a deadline isn't involved. When you're 'retired', there's rarely a deadline involved. 

2. December 15 is National Wear Your Pearls Day...do you own/wear pearls? If you're a man answering the question, does your sweetheart own or wear pearls? Everyone share a 'pearl of wisdom' with us here today.

I love pearls and own a couple of strands. When your thoughtful hubs regularly travels to Asia you happily own pearls. 

Shanghai, 2012

A pearl of wisdom for today? How about this-

"Ground yourself in the real meaning of the season and let this focus bring calm and purpose to all the Christmas preparations surrounding you." Kathryn Shirey, Pray Deep for Advent

3. Speaking of pearls...oysters? Are you a fan or not a fan? If you answered yes, tell us your favorite way to eat oysters? If you said no, be honest-have you ever tried one or does just the idea of eating an oyster make you gag a little? 

I like oysters. They're not my favorite seafood, but I like them. Best way? 

tonging for oysters, Prince Edward Island
Right out of the water. 

4. Time Magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump Person of the Year. Let's take presidents and presidential candidates out of the mix for a minute. If a political figure had not been chosen who would you name Man or Woman of the Year for 2016?

How about the men and women in blue? Or our nation's firefighters? Both have physically demanding, emotionally draining, incredibly important jobs to do and both have had an especially hard year protecting and serving this land we love, the people and the landscape.  

5. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2017 has been announced and it's a vibrant green, aptly named-greenery. Your thoughts? Is this a color currently in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade for the new year? Click here to see the color. 

I love it! I don't have the color in my home, but see it all around just outside my windows. I would definitely wear this color, and have a top that's close to it. I might look for something in this particular shade because I like to wear green. 

6. Today I've had too much__________________.

Coffee? I don't normally drink more than a cup or two, but I was on the phone a good bit of the morning and got a little carried away with the coffee.

7. Share a favorite lyric from a favorite Christmas carol.

'...Then rang the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead nor doth He sleep...'

...A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...'

8. Insert your own random thought here. 


We don't have a lot of decorations outside this year, but I did put a tree on the screened porch, and I love it. I want to make it more woodland themed going forward, but this year I put anything that felt like it belonged out of doors on its branches. Right now a cardinal hangs beside skiing Santa, and that works for me! 




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Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Enjoying Home And The Holly Days

If you're looking for this week's Hodgepodge questions, you'll find them here

I spent Monday at the mall.

I think I deserve a medal.

I'm not a mall shopper, but we do what we must for the people we love, especially at Christmas. I do most of my shopping in boutiques away from the mall, on ETSY, and in various other online retailers because dealing with the mall puts a chink in my Christmas spirit. It's actually not the mall so much as the mall parking lot. As my grandma used to say, 'Land sakes alive!' 

By the way, I'm just going to go ahead and add some Christmassy house pics to this post because if not now, when?

view into the great room from entry hall

I'm hoping I won't have to make another trip to the mall between now and the 25th, but never say never. I'm trying to get it together here, but we're still hanging pictures, moving furniture, and soiree-ing with friends so it's possible I've dropped a ball or two along the way.


Friday night our builder and his wife came over for dinner which apparently is something of a construction miracle. Several people I've mentioned this too told me they weren't on speaking terms with their builder by the time their home was completed, or possibly even a few months prior to completion. We still love ours, and had a really nice evening.

great room fireplace

They helped us hang pictures and will bring the last of our window treatments out sometime after Christmas. Mrs. Bob the Builder is having a chair recovered for me and we look forward to more dinners, and boat rides too once boating weather returns.

barn doors with the telly hidden behind 

On Saturday hubs and I dashed down to Atlanta to celebrate the university graduation of a friend's daughter. It was a lot of fun and I'm determined to make time for people and not just my to-dos in this season especially.


fireplace in the keeping room


The house isn't dark, although most of these were taken at night, but it's tricky getting a good photo in here. When I turn on more lighting there's too much reflection, so dark pics it is. I really need to get my good camera repaired...I suspect that would help.

a peek into the kitchen 

In other news, I have not wrapped a thing. True story. Wrapping is on the agenda for Tuesday, then getting the long distance gifts boxed up and posted can happen Wednesday.

Or Thursday.
Depends how I feel about facing the post office. 

                                                                  range hood all decked out for Christmas

Daughter1 and her hubs will be celebrating Christmas on the west coast this year which means mailing packages. I will resist inserting a boo hoo here because I need to set a good example, but boo hoo. On the bright side, we have a west coast trip planned for early in the new year and that helps a lot. 

I will have my Daughter2 here to spoil over the holidays and she's always a comfort. Plus she bakes like a rock star so bonus points. I'm loving my new range so much, but still haven't mastered all the bells and whistles. Daughter2 and I are going to figure it out together, because according to the owner's manual I can bake five trays of cookies at the same time without shuffling a single tray or rack. We shall see. 

 the dock

In the meantime...stay holly and jolly friends! 
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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 290

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then ski back here tomorrow to share answers and some Christmas cheer. See you there!


1. Are you more task oriented or people oriented? Elaborate.

2. December 15 is National Wear Your Pearls Day...do you own/wear pearls? If you're a man answering the question, does your sweetheart own or wear pearls? Everyone share a 'pearl of wisdom' with us here today.

3. Speaking of pearls...oysters? Are you a fan or not a fan? If you answered yes, tell us your favorite way to eat oysters? If you said no, be honest-have you ever tried one or does just the idea of eating an oyster make you gag a little?

4. Time Magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump Person of the Year. Let's take presidents and presidential candidates out of the mix for a minute. If a political figure had not been chosen who would you name Man or Woman of the Year for 2016?

5. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2017 has been announced, and it's a vibrant green aptly named-greenery. Your thoughts? Is this a color currently in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade for the new year? Click here to see the color.

6. Today I've had too much________________________.

7. Share a favorite lyric from a favorite Christmas carol.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Your Friendly Neighborhood Hodgepodge

Welcome to December and this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge! So glad you've stopped by to read, write, or comment here today. Newcomers are always welcome, simply answer the questions on your own blog, then hop back here to add your link to the party.

Here we go-


1. Let's talk holiday decorating. On a scale of 1-10, where do you fall? (1=Scrooge and 10= Clark Griswold). What's your favorite corner-room-table-space to decorate? Is it done? 

While I enjoy seeing all the elaborately decorated trees on Instagragm, in magazines, and show places, I prefer something simpler in my own home. I'm kind of old fashioned when it comes to Christmas and love the warm fuzzy way I feel sitting beside our tree. There's no theme, no real color scheme, no elaborate bows tucked between the branches. 


Just lots and lots of home made ornaments and special fragile keepsakes collected through the years. Every ornament tells a story and stirs up a memory of a person or place we've known and loved. I still have the same delicate Angel topper we bought our very first married Christmas. I remember the nursery where we purchased her and the tree she topped (light on ornaments, big on love).  

Our tree is up and most of the other decorating is done. I guess I like the tree best because it's part decorating, part stroll down memory lane. On a scale of 1-10 I'll rate us a 6. We don't go overboard in any room of the house, but we do decorate, and this year we also put a tree on the screened in porch and lights on the dock bridge, so definitely not Scrooge. 

2. Is there a nativity scene in your decorating somewhere? Post a picture or, if it's special to you in some way, tell us why. Or go both-it's Christmas! 

I have a table top nativity and a couple of smaller sets too that I put out at Christmas. Like our angel tree topper, the table top nativity has been with us since year 2 of married life. I bought it at one of those home parties people used to have back in the 80's, and it has traveled some miles since then. 


Joseph broke in our move from NJ to Maryland back in 1994 and I bought a substitute from a local shop. Hubs likes to say replacement Joseph has a pituitary problem because he's taller in proportion to the set, but he works. The angel standing watch over the manger lost a wing in our most recent move, and hubs didn't think he could fix her, but glued her anyway because he sensed I was on the verge of tears. She's back in the barn where she belongs, and you'd have to look closely to see the crack. 

I bought a small hand carved nativity at the German Christmas Market in Nuremberg one year and have that sitting in my kitchen window. 


My neighbor in Maryland gave me a really sweet version of the nativity and I love it still. It's the word JOY with Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus on the letters.  It's on the fireplace mantle in my keeping room in this new house.  


3. Do you live in a social neighborhood? Is so are you glad? If not do you wish you did? 

Well we're new to the neighborhood, but we hear it's social. We're going to a neighborhood Christmas party this week, and throughout the year there are monthly happy hour gatherings, a craft group, a wine club, a chili cook off, ladies spring luncheon, and more. I'll need to investigate what all is here, but the neighbors are friendly and people are out walking, so yes it's social, and yes we're glad. We're social too. 

4. As the saying goes, 'there's no time like the present'. How does that ring true in your life right now? 

Organizing this office/library space. I want to put it off til forever after the holidays, but it needs doing and there's no time like the present. The task feels a little overwhelming, but hubs helped me dig in over the weekend, so we're on our way.  

5.  Do you dread Mondays? Why or why not? 

Definitely not. I love Mondays...fresh start, new beginnings...what's to dread? 

6. Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, Amaryllis-which on the list is your favorite holiday plant? Are any of these on display in your home right now? 

The Christmas Cactus is my favorite, but I don't have one in this house. YET! I do have a poinsettia I'm trying to keep alive. Such is life when you're a plant and I'm your caretaker. I've had it about two weeks, and so far so good. 

7.  Share a favorite quote from a Christmas movie.

Linus Van Pelt quoting the second chapter of Luke in A Charlie Brown Christmas. The only time Linus ever put his blanket down was when he read the words, 'And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not:'

''For behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2: 10-14)

'That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.' 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I posted this on my Facebook page, so some of you may have seen it there, but if you missed it watch it now. These third graders are so stinkin' cute-

Watch here. 



Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 289

Welcome to another week of Hodgepodging. Why not take a break from the shopping and the decorating and the crazy parking lots and play along here? Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. Here we go-


1. Let's talk holiday decorating. On a scale of 1-10 where do you fall? (1=Scrooge and 10= Clark Griswold). What's your favorite corner-room-table-space to decorate? Is it done?

2. Is there a nativity scene in your decorating somewhere? Post a picture or, if it's special to you in some way, tell us why. Or do both-it's Christmas!

3.  Do you live in a social neighborhood? If so are you glad? If not do you wish you did?

4.  As the saying goes, 'there's no time like the present'. How does that ring true in your life right now?

5. Do you dread Mondays? Why or why not?

6.  Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, Amaryllis-which on the list is your favorite holiday plant? Are any of these on display in your home right now?

7. Share a favorite quote from a Christmas movie.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Friday, December 2, 2016

You're Never Too Old For A Time-Out

So hubs decided he needed to organize and clean out the upstairs garage.

At 6 PM.

On a Tuesday night.

For some reason this really irritated me, and it's okay for me to say it because he knows. Let's just say when I'm overly tired and overly 'whelmed' I don't hide it very well. Our furniture and belongings were delivered just over three weeks ago and in that time we've also had overnight house guests, hosted Thanksgiving dinner, and put up two Christmas trees. Still, everything is not yet in it's rightful place and that makes him twitch a little. Prior to moving in he knew unpacking and figuring it all out would be a process, and he said sure, fine, he's okay with it, but...

We've been married for 32 years, 5 months, and sixteen days so I knew he would not really be okay with it. Hubs subscribes to the philosophy of a place for everything and everything in it's place, and if that means tackling a garage at 6 PM on a Tuesday night so be it.

I on the other hand, am more Scarlett O'Hara and will think about that tomorrow.

Thirty two years people. It works.

I wish I were more like him in this respect, but since I'm not I went ahead and gave myself a time out.

When my girls were young I didn't really use the phrase time out, but I did employ the concept. One daughter may have spent a large chunk of the third year of her life 'sittin' on the step' because my heavens she had a will of iron and needed the last word.

Her mother's daughter in every sense of the word.

It's why I know there are times I need to send myself to the proverbial step, and in this house I've decided that 'step' will be here-


My master bathroom.

Specifically my time outs involve filling that tub all the way up with steaming hot water, turning down the lights, and letting Calgon take me away.


Well not Calgon because do they even make that anymore? Truly I could sleep in this tub it is that comfortable.

Hubs doesn't quite get the concept of time out and interrupted me twice, but he needed that garage organized. Here's how it went... I'm soaking, regaining my equilibrium, and he comes in to the bathroom carrying an enormous bin of miscellaneous linens that I've purposely left in the garage because that's where we're leaving things we're not sure what to do with. I need to go through this bin and see what fits on the current bed situation, and decide what to keep and what to give away. Hubs says that sounds like it should take two seconds, which I suppose in theory it should, but I just could.not.deal with one more thing on Tuesday night.

So I asked him to put it back in the garage and he did, because 32 years, 5 months, and 16 days doesn't happen without both of you knowing when you gotta go left or turn right.


And because that's true, when my 'time out' ended I looked through the bin and made the call about what to keep and what to give away in about two seconds, and everyone was happy.

I'm telling you a hot bath is good for whatever ails you.
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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The More The Merrier In The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the end of November and the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Raise your hand if your autumn flew by in the blink of an eye. Raise your hand if you've been moving house and haven't begun to think about Christmas. Except cards! My cards are done, but only because we have a new address and I wanted to get it out there. 

If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post. And be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because the best way to spread Christmas cheer is commenting loud for all to hear...something like that. Okay here we go-


1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving).

Okay, that made me sweat. Way harder than I thought it would be when I wrote the question, but I think I promised we'd burn calories today so there you go. How about-

Blest fest in our new nest. 

2. When did you last say, 'the more the merrier'? Did you mean it?

We say that a lot around here. We're more the merrier kind of people, well hubs is anyway. Kind of his life mantra. Mine too, except when it's not-ha! Sometimes I just want solitude. But mostly we live with a 'more the merrier' kind of philosophy in our home. 

Probably the last time was Thanksgiving. We'd only been in the house a couple of weeks, I had family coming to stay, and we decided to invite some friends who live on the lake and were away from their own extended family to join us on the holiday. We meant it. If we say it we mean it. 

3. What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who is your same age?

Embrace it, take care of yourself physically, don't let little health issues slide because you don't bounce back like you did a decade ago. Do your best to keep up with new technology and current events.  You're never too old to change course, set a new goal, dream a new dream, embark on an adventure.

Dear Self-
See above.

4. You're ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?

Green beans, roasted okra, corn on the cob, and red ripe summer tomatoes-yum! 

5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?

I've shopped til I drop on occasion, but that's never my aim. I don't enjoy that sort of shopping. I prefer a couple of hours followed by a nice leisurely lunch out. We did not shop on Black Friday (never have). I'm usually tired on Black Friday and enjoy a low key relaxed day with leftovers for dinner. 

6. What's your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?

I have a couple, but currently it's this one-



Forgive the lighting, it was raining. Also I'm a terrible photographer when it comes to my phone. Anyway, this chair...we have another one just like it, and they sit on either side of the sliders in our great room. Hubs and I enjoy our morning coffee there while we watch the sunrise over the lake. I normally read my morning devotions in this chair too, and it's the perfect place to start my day. 

We've put our Christmas tree in front of the sliders for now, so the chairs are pushed a little bit further back than normal. I can see the tree and the lake so no complaints. Is there anything more relaxing than sitting in a room lit by Christmas light?

7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.

I grew up in church and was not the child that needed prodding to attend. I loved it, and still do. I could write a whole post filled with memories, but will share just one here today. And this one took place not in church, but in our living room. My parents called it Family Altar and they'd periodically gather us up into the living room after dinner to participate. Also participation was not optional-ha!  We only sat in the living room on holidays, for company, and for Family Altar so it felt special. My brother and oldest sister probably weren't too excited about the whole thing, but they were teetering into teenagedom and my younger sister and I were still fairly young. I'm sure the intention was to do this once a week, but I don't remember it happening quite that often.  

Anyway we'd start off with singing. Now you need to know that we are not a family of singers. We sing anyway, and what better place than in the privacy of your own living room? Our favorite was a song called Give Me That Old Time Religion and my dad would let us call out names to insert into the verses. It went something like, 'If it was good enough for (insert Biblical name here) it's good enough for me...' It's a lively song and we sang it with enthusiasm.  We always included Daniel, David, etc, but our favorite was to shout out Shadrach, Meshach and Abednedgo because we thought we were hilarious. 

After we settled down my dad would read a Bible story or passage, and then we talked about it and we'd finish up with prayer. It made an impression on me that's for certain. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

If you're a person who prays please remember the firefighters, emergency personnel, and residents of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding Smoky Mountain area of East Tennessee where fires have devastated the beautiful landscape and many homes, buildings, and schools. The high winds yesterday contributed to the rapid spread and the photographs are devastating. It's a part of the country so near and dear to our hearts, and we have family not far from there. 




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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 288

Let's burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories with the Hodgepodge, shall we? Blogging definitely burns calories. I know I sweat when I write the questions-ha! Here's the drill for anyone new here today...answer on your own blog, then waddle over here tomorrow (Wednesday) to share answers with the whole wide world. Our little corner of it anyway! Here we go-


1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving).

2. When did you last say, 'the more the merrier'? Did you mean it?

3. What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who is your same age?

4. You're ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?

5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?

6. What's your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?

7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.

8. Insert your own random thought here.