Wednesday, December 13, 2017

An Ultra Violet Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Christmas is right around the corner and I'm invoking the hurry less, worry less mantra in order to participate today. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then go say Happy Hodgepodge to the blogger linking before you. Here we go-


1. 'Hurry less, worry less'...what's your strategy for making that happen this holiday season? How's it going so far?

My strategy is one day at a time. I have a mental list of a few Christmas related tasks to tackle every day and I do my best to tackle them. That being said, there have been a lot of interruptions to my daily plans this month, and I probably haven't rolled with them as kindly as I could have. I'm a work in progress. I don't think I feel hurry and worry so much as I feel pressure to accomplish so many things. ALL THE THINGS. 

My survival tips are few and simple-start the day sitting quietly by the light of the Christmas tree. Watch the sun rise and remember the God who made it happen has the day in hand. Have a conversation with Him about my to-dos and my people, my hurries and worries. Have a cup of coffee and take time to ponder. This season is made for pondering. One day at a time. 

2. Do you have a list of to-dos that need accomplishing in order to prepare your home and/or property for the winter season? What are some of the jobs on your list? Are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone to accomplish these tasks?

Sort of. It's not written in stone, but certainly there are jobs that need doing this time of year and somebody needs to do them. Mostly that somebody is hubs. Hi hubs! We have loads of tall trees and hubs collected all the leaves into piles, but we did pay someone to come in and take care of mulching them. I think they mulched them? They may also have hauled some away. Whatever the job is done. 

The boat needs winterizing and we paid someone to do that job this year. Some thing-a-ma-jig was due for tweaking or replacing so we had the marina guy winterize at the same time. Hubs was on top of things and we managed to get that done right before the cold snap hit so yay hubs! 

It's clear why I'm not in charge of winter prep around here, isn't it? Ha!  

3. According to dietitians surveyed, the most popular health foods for 2018 will be -turmeric, sprouted foods (bean sprouts, breads with sprouted grains, etc), veggies in place of grains, dairy free milk, and pulses (lentils, chickpeas, etc).  What's the first thought that ran through your head when you read this list? Of the foods listed which one might you add to your regular diet? Also, can milk really be dairy free? Is it still milk?

My first thought was blech! That list sounds a little bit too healthy to taste good. I do like turmeric and I love veggies and lentils and chickpeas too so I guess pulses, but ewwww...in my opinion the healthy food industry needs some new terminology. Also, I like milk. I know there are people out there who cannot tolerate lactose, but I'm not one of them. And I read somewhere that non-dairy doesn't necessarily mean milk-free, so it's all pretty confusing. As far as what item from the list will be added to my diet, well I already eat quite a few. I love lentils so will maybe find some new ways to use them. 

4. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet. According to the Pantone site 'Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking pointing us to the future.' What say you? Do you like the color purple? Did you see the movie or read the book-ha!?  Is purple a color you wear often? Describe for us one purple item in your home without using the word purple.  If you were in charge of such things what color would you select for 2018?

I do like the color purple, and wear it on occasion. Something in my home that's this color? One of my most favorite pitchers, purchased in a tiny little town called Nove in the northern part of Italy. The trip there might be one of the reasons I love it so-


It's a fig, and the perfect shade of 'aubergine'. FYI-saw the movie, didn't read the book. If I were in charge of the world I think I'd choose a sunny yellow. Don't we all need a little more sunshine in our lives? 

5. Favorite book you read this year?

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I'm helping in my daughter's kindergarten classroom today. Her students are working on presents for their parents and she needed some extra hands. Kindergartners are my favorite. 


Kindergarten teachers too. 



16 comments:

  1. Jo,

    I like your daily start ritual of sitting by the tree to ponder or talk with God and catch the sunrise while sipping your morning coffee. This is something I need to do more of, especially talking with the Lord. I sort find myself chatting with Him periodically throughout the day. That's one of the benefits I discovered years ago of at home all day by myself is that I'm never alone that the Lord is always nearby. It's great, too. Thanks for sharing your answers and hosting the mid-week fun. I hope you and your family are enjoying this beautiful season of hope. Have a good day and I hope you survived the kindergartners. :)

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  2. Sounds like a peaceful way to begin your day by the Christmas tree, watching the sunrise, and in prayer. The pitcher is pretty with its vivid colors. Hope you have a great week!

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  3. Have fun in your daughter's class, today. There's nothing quite like a classroom full of excited kindergarteners, especially this time of year :)
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  4. Kindergarteners are great, aren't they? I do enjoy my TeacherDaughter's first graders, too. Shoot, I like all elementary aged students. Those middle schoolers, tho...LOL NashvilleDaughter would totally agree with you on the color yellow. That's been her favorite her whole life and I often wonder if it's because that's the color of 'Blankie' which is it's name and which she still does have though threadbare doesn't even begin to describe it. :) If we had to winterize, I wouldn't be in charge of it either. Nor would I want to be. Ha! I do jump in if we have to batten down for a hurricane. Enjoy your Wednesday!

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  5. Awe, what fun you will have today with the kiddos and your daughter. I so wish I lived near enough to do such for our daughter. Sounds like you have things under control and that's not surprising, you seem to be able to balance life quite well. And, I start my morning the same way as you and it makes such a difference. Happy day Joyce!

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  6. Your daughter looks too young to be a teacher already! But I bet you will have fun today!

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  7. I got my cards and packages in the mail yesterday so that was a big load off my mind. Now I can finish decorating the house and wrap the presents for here. I usually bake two days before Christmas. Enjoyed reading all of your answers. You are one busy person. Have a great time today, should be a lot of fun!!

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  8. Hope you had a good time with the kindergartners and with your daughter!

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  9. Your survival tips for beginning your days in this busy season were so good. I couldn't agree more. Our tree isn't up yet, but beginning my day with the Lord and coffee ... and, as you said, remembering that the One who made the sunrise is in control of all things ... well, there just isn't a better way to begin any day.

    Enjoyed your other answers too ... and why can't the dieticians just say "legumes" instead of "pulses"? I suppose because some "nuts" are actually legumes?

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  10. It was a good Hodgepodge, Joyce! Thanks so much!! I've still got a list and yet find myself sitting here with my laptop! LOL....no worries and no hurry!

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  11. Oh I bet you had fun in kindergarten today! :D

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  12. How nice that you could help your daughter out with her class. Kindergarten can be so exhausting. Hats off to your daughter. Nice tips for survival! The Happy Wonderer

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  13. I think that is a super way to start any day...not just around the holidays. That is something I always strive to do but fail way too often. I enjoyed all of your questions this week and as always, appreciate your hosting it!

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