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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27 comments:

  1. The Hodgepodge got me back to posting regularly this year, I do enjoy it. Have a Merry Christmas.

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  2. Thank you Joyce, for sticking with the Hodgepodge. I look forward to each week, even though I haven't done it a lot this year, I have read a lot of the posts.

    Your tree is gorgeous!

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  3. I couldn't pull it together this week to participate in Hodgepodge and I missed it. Thanks, Joyce, for coming up with the thoughtful questions each week. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas in your beautiful new home.

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  4. I am going to have to dig out my Pioneer Woman cookbooks and make that recipe! Yum.

    Have a blessed and Merry Christmas, Joyce!

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  5. Hi Joyce, I found you while visiting Linda's blog and will join in on your Wednesday Hodgepodge starting January. Love your tree. Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

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  6. Joyce, you have done such an outstanding job of hosting Hodgepodge for as long as you have...THANK YOU! It is definitely a highlight for me. Have a BLESSED Christmas!

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  7. I can't even imagine my life without the Hodgepodge at this point! I've met so many wonderful people because of it! I've enjoyed being with you on the construction journey and can't wait to see what's next for you and your sweet family! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  8. What a beautiful Christmas tree and view. Thank you for sticking with the Hodgepodge, even through your move! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  9. Merry Hodgepodge and Christmas to you. Thanks for coming up with the prompts. I enjoyed reading your answers and am going to repost that quip on facebook. ~The Happy Wonderer

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  10. Giving thanks to YOU for sticking with the Hodgepodge! I look forward to it every Wednesday! That you were able to post it for us nearly every week, while making house decisions, traveling, packing again and moving again....Thank you!! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  11. I love your view!! Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

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  12. I like your answer for #4 on the seasons of waiting. I have to go back and check out that shrimp recipe. We do not have a TV in the bedroom. When Mark goes to bed he wants to sleep with no TV on! It has actually worked out quite well over the last 10 years. I love your Wednesday Hodgepodge. Most weeks it is the only post I have up. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  13. I also really enjoy your Hodge Podge page.... and your new home at Christmas is gorgeous.. Love your tree photo with the view out the window!! Marvelous!

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  14. I'm very grateful that you keep providing us with the Hodgepodge and a week missed here or there is perfectly understandable with the year you've had. I hope you have a wonderful first Christmas in your lovely house with many more to come.

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  15. Thanks for all that you do to make the Hodgepodge possible. I am enjoying it so much! Your Christmas tree is lovely.

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  16. I agree with others on thanking YOU for sticking with the Hodgepodge for all of us. I know it's not been easy in this year of construction, but your commitment to it has been amazing. Thanks Joyce. Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  17. Love your beautiful Christmas tree!

    We also really like lemon garlic shrimp, don't think I ever tried Pioneer Woman's recipe. So far though everything I ever tried from her turned out great. I think the best shrimp I ever had were some served at a local ski lodge. They of course aren't sharing the recipe, and I haven't been able to recreate them ... yet. I'll keep trying.

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  18. I've still got to watch A Christmas Story, too.
    Thank YOU for sticking with US through your trying year of construction!
    Have a Merry Christmas,
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  19. Thank you for hosting - it's a huge commitment and you've had so much going on this year! Merry Christmas - enjoy your first holiday in your beautiful new home!

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  20. Hey! You cheated on #2!!! You said more than 1 thing!!! :D

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  21. My! I really did get distracted. I remember reading about "A Christmas Story" and then something obviously happened...perhaps the ticking of the clock lulled me to sleep.

    Have a wonderful Christmas weekend and a lovely Christmas week following. It will be so nice to have your daughter home.

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  22. So hated to miss the HP this week but been preparing for baby girl and her family to arrive in just a few minutes. (it's 9:50PM on Wed.) The fun is about to begin.

    Loved your Cmas card! Hope y'alls first Cmas in your new house is "all that and a bag of chips." Hugs!

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  23. I am glad that you continue on through with the Hodgepodge, whether hit or miss. Like Katie said way up there, it helped me to get back on track with posting, too! I appreciate that very much.
    I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully happy 2017!
    Have a blessed week. :)

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  24. Thank you for hosting the Hodgepodge. Have a Merry Christmas.

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  25. The Wednesday Hodgepodge is a highlight of my week and you are so good at bringing people together over this blog page. Thank you!

    Have a wonderful Christmas!

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