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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22 comments:

  1. Your tree up AND your cards done, I'm IMPRESSED!!!!!
    Loved your childhood memory, God bless your parents efforts.
    Also praying for Tennessee, we have vacationed there and friends have family there in harms way. Such a beautiful area.
    Happy December to you and Hubs in your new nest!

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  2. I enjoy sitting in the room with just the Christmas lights....just to sit in the quietness..Be still...
    The fires in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is so devastating.

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  3. My dad and step-mom live on Lake Norman. The front of their house faces the lake and the entire front, upstairs and down, is windows and a glass door. They put their Christmas tree in front of the windows downstairs every year and you can see the lake and the tree. It's so peaceful on the lake and the tree makes it even more that way. I love it there. Anyway--- I've been in my advent book that you recommended from She Reads Truth. I'm also reading Dr. Stanley's Life Principles (you read through the bible in one year) and today both readings shared some of the same scripture. I always take that to mean I need to pay close attention, which I did. And a life long question was answered for me. :) Thanks for telling us about She Reads Truth!

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  4. Joyce, I've been watching the devastation on the News all morning. So sad. Love you favorite chair. Have a great week.

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  5. What a beautiful childhood memory! I hope my husband and I are making similar ones for our children. Love your spot for morning devotionals :)

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  6. I can hear you kids singing Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego. :-))

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  7. Can't believe you already have your tree up. You are the energizer bunny for sure! We use to have those same kind of gatherings and Daddy called them, "come to Jesus meetings." What memories! Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week!!!!

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  8. Oh, I love tomatoes too (but the tomato is a fruit, even though most of us think of it as a vegetable)! I have just not acquired a taste for okra. Maybe I should give it another try. We are also "the more the merrier" kind of folks. Love your faith memories, and prayers continue for those affected by the horrid fires. Devastating.

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  9. Joyce...that song you mentioned brought back a lot of memories for me. We used to sing it in church all the time as a teen. What a great memory for you! We have good friends who just built a beautiful log home in Walland, TN, just outside of Gatlinburg. The fires have been scary for them, but they're safe right now. Worried about the story weather up there now. Praying for all!

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  10. Definitely praying for Gatlinburg area and people. We have spent many happy times there.

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  11. I'm a Hodgepodge slacker this week but enjoyed reading your answers! If I would have posted I would have talked about Sunday School and Bible Drills as one of my good memories. I still have John 14:2-3 as my favorite verse that I memorized in Sunday school. Have a good week!

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  12. Love your answer to #3, we are never too old!!! Yum on your veggies plate. Love the chair. A beautiful memory on Faith. Enjoy your day!

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  13. We are also "the more the merrier" kind of folks. Our party for the 18th is growing and growing. :-)I invited two more people last night.

    I like your faith memory.
    I will be praying for TN.
    Carla

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  14. Joyce, it sounds like your first Thanksgiving in the new home was a good one :) May you enjoy many more happy times there, with family and friends.

    I just heard a pastor speak about having family worship time in the home! I'm so thankful our oldest son does this with his family, and wish Ed and I had done it ourselves. Children need all the guidance they can get, especially these days.

    I'm so sorry to hear about those wild fires in Tennessee! Fire can be so devastating, so I'll definitely be praying for all concerned.

    Kathy (Reflections)

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  15. Joyce,
    I love your advice, it's right in line with what I posted. It is sad for me to think our home was spared from the wildfires, but others were not so lucky. I pray for comfort and healing for those still involved with this sad event. Rain is helping drown the fires but it came a little late. Hope you have a good week.
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

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  16. This was a fun hodgepodge, Joyce. I loved hearing about your sweet childhood memories around your Family alter...what a precious time and I can tell you cherish those memories. My heart has been so burdened for those in Gatlinburg...we spent Christmas there last year. This is such a terrible tragedy and I have been praying since I first learned of this devastation...only God know why. I know you ad a fantastic Thanksgiving in your new home!! Thank you for hosting the Hodgepodge and enjoy the rest of your week! ♥

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  17. Great answer to #3 and lovely childhood memory. How on earth did you find time to do your cards? I'm late to the party this week and I have no excuses like moving, hosting Thanksgiving etc. You're a great example Joyce.

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  18. Your sitting area with the chairs, view of the lake, and the tree, sounds divine!! What a wonderful spot to focus on the most important things in life and to reflect on God's blessings.

    Thanks for visiting my blog today. Your comments were so sweet. My son is getting married on December 18th. We will have he and his wife home from the 15th until the 26th, when they will go visit her parents for two days before returning home. I am eagerly counting down the days. :)

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  19. I am praying for everyone over there in the path of these horrible fires. :( It brings me to tears thinking our beautiful place back home is burning. I can't even talk about it without crying. Knowing that I may never see the Blue Ridge Parkway in its beautiful fall display again just rips my heart to shreds. Friends, family, family history, and honeymoon memories are all wrapped up in those mountains. For all that it grieves me, I can only imagine the pain of those that have watched their homes burn, and of the woman whose husband went out to check on a noise and hasn't seen him since (last I heard). It is horrible, the knowing and the not knowing. :(

    Regarding your answer to #7....I have memories attached to that song, too! We used to sing it in children's church, choosing names of people in the room. I remember one time I picked my mama's name and she got so mad at me. I didn't understand it then. I do have a better understanding of why she was upset now, but I was so confused back then. She was then like I am now in that she just wanted to be invisible and not have attention placed on her.

    Although all of the Hodgepodges are fun, Joyce, this was an especially fun one. Have a blessed week!

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  20. Your family's family alter sounds like a great idea.

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  21. I couldn'y answer most of the questions this month, but I might add to your 'advice to self': keep moving! Not only do you not bounce back as fast, you stiffen up a whole lot faster!

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  22. That pillow on your special chair is really cute!

    Kudos to your folks for the spiritual upbringing and memories. I enjoyed reading about that.

    Great advice to your self (and all of us, no matter what our age); and your rhyme about your Thanksgiving was so clever!

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