Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Auld Lang Hodgepodge ala 2020

When I dusted off the Hodgepodge and brought back this little Wednesday link up back in March, I thought it might last six or eight weeks at best. Yet here we are, nine months later and still at home, still masked up, sanitized, and missing a lot of things we didn't think we'd still be missing. I'm so glad you've joined (or rejoined!) the Wednesday Hodgepodge this year, and am truly grateful for the connections made here. 

If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. And before you say Cheers! to the new year, drop by the blogger linking before you and leave a comment to help usher out the old on a high note. Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond
1. Tell us about your favorite moment or share one of the bright spots from the year we're leaving behind. 

That's easy...this one-


2. What do you wish you'd known at the start of 2020? Elaborate. 

This is a hard question. I'm someone who is glad we don't know what's coming down the pike. I think it would have just added anxiety to what is already an unhappy situation, and I'm so glad God gives us grace for the day, one day at a time. Exactly what we need. 

If I have to answer I guess I might have gone up to New Jersey and collected my momma early on. Brought her here so we wouldn't have spent all these months apart. She's in good hands, staying with my sister so not alone, and my brother is nearby too, but we surely do miss her. I will make a trip north once the wedding is behind us. 

3. Best book you read this year? If you did not read any books this year, what's the best thing you ate all year? We've all eaten, right? 

Always hard for me to pick a favorite book, but two I especially loved were American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins and The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. 

4. The Pantone Colors of the year for 2021 are ultimate gray and illuminating yellow (a bright shade)...are you a fan? Would we find either of these colors in your home or wardrobe? 

I like gray in small doses and more as a backdrop to color so that wouldn't be my favorite. But I do love a sunny shade of yellow and yes I have some in my wardrobe. 

5. If you were/are making a list of 21 things to do/accomplish in 2021 what is one thing that would be on it? 

I think I'm going to make a list, but haven't thought through the content just yet. One glance at the desk I'm currently using inspires me to say organize the office. Between Christmas and a wedding and a late fall house re-fi this desk and the room in general need a lift. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Wishing each one of you reading here love, joy, peace and good health in this new year...


"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 


Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 401

Well, here we are. The last Hodgepodge in the year that has been 2020. Answer the questions on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there- 


1. Tell us about your favorite moment or share one of the bright spots from the year we're leaving behind. 

2. What do you wish you'd known at the start of 2020? Elaborate. 

3. Best book you read this year? If you did not read any books this year, what's the best thing you ate all year? We've all eaten, right? 

4. The Pantone Colors of the year for 2021 are ultimate gray and illuminating yellow (a bright shade)...are you a fan? Would we find either of these colors in your home or wardrobe? 

5. If you were/are making a list of 21 things to do/accomplish in 2021 what is one thing that would be on it? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, December 28, 2020

Let's Review

Not the whole year, just Christmas. 

Because Christmas memories need to be recorded somewhere and a blog about the everyday ordinary is a good place to do just that. 

Also, there's nothing ordinary about Christmas. 

So how was your holiday in this strange year that feels like it might never end? Ours was smaller than originally planned, quieter than originally planned, and almost as sweet as originally planned. 

Holding plans loosely is the key to success in the year that was. 

Daughter2 and her groom arrived late afternoon on Christmas Eve Eve. We snacked on a delicious cheese ball my neighbor had dropped off earlier and hubs grilled salmon for dinner. We played a little pool too, before calling it a night. 

She takes her game playing seriously, but what can I say... she's got my DNA. 


It rained hard all day long on Christmas Eve and I have to say it felt quite cozy. We bundled up for a walk after breakfast, then spent the rest of the day in front of the fire, chatting, playing games, and prepping our dinner. I'd ordered a Prime Rib from Kansas City Steaks and it was perfect. They offer an assortment but this one was seasoned and tied so all we had to do was cook. 

And trust the probe we have in our oven when it says it's done approximately 42 minutes before we thought it should be. But it was and I would order again from them. 

Of course there were pjs to open. Not sure how my sons-in-law feel about matching pjs, but I buy them anyway and they humor me by wearing them on Christmas Eve. fyi-the pjs are still wrapped in this picture. Not sure how he feels about a photo in his pjs on my blog. teehee. 

Does he read here? 

I didn't take a lot of pictures this year. There were just the four of us so most of my photos are of the soon-to-be marrieds. We kind of just soaked up the moments and the company. 

Speaking of...my favorite moment of all the moments was this one-

I had my wedding dress made into a robe for my daughter2 and surprised her with it on Christmas morning. To be honest, this was one of those gifts I'd built up in my head and I worried a little bit that her reaction might disappoint me. 

It did not. Oh my word. Best thing ever. 

I'd written her a note to go with the robe and also had a picture of me in the actual dress and her in the actual dress (she tried it on once a long time ago) in the envelope in case she didn't recognize it, but it only took a few seconds before she said, "Wait...is this your wedding dress?"  

Cue the water works. It was so precious and so special and I'm not sure I'll ever give another gift that felt as personal and as perfect and as joyous as this one. 

I used a company called Unbox the Dress and they were so nice to work with. I had some pieces left over after they made the robe so the seamstress also made a pocket square for hubs to wear at the wedding and two angel Christmas tree ornaments, one for each of my girls. 

In other gift giving news, hubs asked for a few suggestions of things to buy for me and I jotted down some of the usual... makeup, socks, etc...but also said I wanted something not on the list-surprise me. 

And he absolutely did. We had fun guessing what was in this package. It looked a lot like the armoire in Beauty and the Beast, but I was fairly certain that wasn't it-

Even better! A popcorn machine! The super deluxe kind. The kind I cannot wait to show my grandsons. Popcorn is my snack of choice so this will be fun. 

The day passed at a leisurely pace. We had our go-to Christmas dinner of ham with a side of pineapple stuffing followed by too many Christmas cookies (again!) and more game playing and really just a very relaxing holiday. 

Of course we were missing family, nobody more so than the South Korean contingent, but we Facetimed with our grandsons, and saw all their new goodies and felt all the excitement and joy little boys bring to this very special holiday. 

We ended our day the way every Christmas Day is meant to end... 

...grateful for family near and far, for all the love between us, and for a Savior born this day. 

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Merry Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge, Volume 400. 400!! How many of you have been here since the beginning? I think there's a few. 

And since we've all got lists we need to be checkin' let's roll right on in to episode 400. If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post. Then go say hi to your neighbor and have yourself a merry little Christmas Day. 

From this Side of the Pond

1. I feel like episode 400 cannot go without comment. That is a lot of Hodgepodging folks. 2000 questions if my math is right. So, what's something you feel like you do 400 times a week? 

Rearrange my refrigerator and freezer? They both get a workout this time of year and I feel like I'm constantly moving things around to make room for more things. 

2. Tell us where you were and something about what your life looked like in the year 2000

Twenty years sure goes fast, doesn't it? I feel like maybe this question needs to be it's own blog post. Let's see if that can happen before the calendar page turns.  

In the year 2000 we were living by the Bay (the Chesapeake of course), I was working as the Director of a church preschool (a job I loved), hubs was working and traveling quite a bit for work too, and together we were parenting girls in grades 5 and 7. 

I think I've made my feelings about 7th grade pretty clear on the blog, but in case you don't know-NOT my favorite. My girls know-ha!  

It looks like we spent Christmas in the Smokies that year. It used to be an every other year tradition, one year with hubs family in the Smokies and the next year with mine in New Jersey, but then in the blink of an eye your children grow up and get married and you realize you need to start some new traditions. See question #4. 

3. Do you like cinnamon? What's something you make and enjoy that calls for cinnamon? Of the cinnamon 'foods' listed which is your favorite-red hot cinnamon candies, cinnamon toast, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast crunch cereal, apple cinnamon oatmeal, churros, an Indian curry?

I love cinnamon, and I especially love the scent of cinnamon. I love the Yankee Candle Christmas scent called sparkling cinnamon. I use cinnamon a lot in cooking, but one dish I make that everyone in my household loves is my overnight French Toast. I like all the foods listed but will confess I probably love red hot cinnamon candies the most, particularly hot tamales. 

4. Does Christmas 2020 (or Hanukkah) look much like it has in years past, or is this year vastly different for you and your family? How so? How are you feeling about it all? 

It's going to look a little different than most years in that it's a smaller group, but then our last few Christmases have been smaller so maybe that's our new normal? I'll have the soon-to-be marrieds here and that makes me happy. Daughter2 spent last Christmas in South Korea with her sister and I can't tell you how often we all say we're so glad she went when she did. She had considered waiting to go until her school spring break (she's a teacher), but opted for Christmas because it gave her more time. And of course we all know what happened in the spring. 

How do I feel about what this year's Christmas looks like?  I'm learning (and it's a process) that when traditions change, when I have to let go of some of what I love most about the holidays, that it helps to turn my eyes on the real meaning of the day, the birth of Jesus.  To do what I can to amp up the Christmas spirit in my own home and heart. 

5. What's one thing you need or want to do before this year ends? 

Write that blog post I mentioned above? 

We have a wedding coming up in the new year so there's a fairly long list of things to do before the new year rolls in. Fun stuff though so not complaining. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Merry Christmas Hodgepodgers! May the love born this day find room in your heart this holiday season.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 400

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge, Volume 400. 400!! Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all of Santa's elves. See you there-

1. I feel like episode 400 cannot go without comment. That's a whole lot of Hodgepodging folks. 2000 questions if my math is right. So, what's something you feel like you do 400 times a week? 

2. Tell us where you were and something about what your life looked like in the year 2000

3. Do you like cinnamon? What's something you make and enjoy that calls for cinnamon? Of the cinnamon 'foods' listed which is your favorite-red hot cinnamon candies, cinnamon toast, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast crunch cereal, apple cinnamon oatmeal, churros, an Indian curry?

4. Does Christmas 2020 (or Hanukkah) look much like it has in years past, or is this year vastly different for you and your family? How so? How are you feeling about it all? 

5. What's one thing you need or want to do before this year ends? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday, December 21, 2020

Wedding Planning In The Time Of Corona

We have a wedding coming up in the not too distant future, and I'm not saying a whole lot about it beforehand because everyone has opinions and I don't want to hear yours concerning this-ha. Kidding. Only not really. It just seems like everyone is in each other's business these days, making judgements without all the facts, and it's exhausting. We're making the best decisions we can for our family and those decisions may be something different than what your family would opt for in similar circumstances, and that's okay. God bless America. 

I don't know of any brides who picture hand sanitizer and face masks as important details to their day, but here we are and might as well embrace it. We know someone who was married last weekend, an event that looked a lot different than the way the couple imagined it would look when pre-Corona planning first began, yet still beautiful and so very meaningful. Maybe even more meaningful because of all it took to get there. 

This is true of so many engaged couples in 2020. While re-imagining your wedding day is not the end of the world it is a disappointment that needs to be felt and processed. And then I think it needs to be tucked away in your heart and mind for some future date when God will remind you of the lessons learned in this strange season that need calling up in whatever new and challenging season you find yourself in.

That's how life seems to work, or how I think God works anyway. We can't always see the why of a hard thing when we're in the middle of it, but somewhere down life's road when we're faced with disappointment, we're struck by the memory of how we coped and even thrived 'back in the day'.  

It's not easy organizing a wedding in the middle of all the crazy, but one of the good things that's come out of it I think is there are far fewer couples getting married right now 'on the fly'. Brides and grooms have to be all in to get married during a pandemic. There are umpteen hoops to jump through and you don't just decide one day to get married because you want a big bash with 200 of your closest friends. Not gonna happen in the age of Corona. There are restrictions and limits and you cannot have everything you dream of having on your special day because you need to consider numbers and spacing and the actual health and safety of your guests. 

Weddings for the most part these days, are smaller more intimate affairs, and above all they seem more focused on the significance of what you're signing on for. In the year of Corona couples must ask themselves do we want to get married or do we want to have a wedding? 

So you plan. You adjust your expectations and you look for all the bits of joy to be found along the way. This is perhaps one of the more challenging aspects of planning a wedding right now, people are not feeling particularly celebratory. We're cranky and depressed and tired. Some are sick and fearful. We're missing people we can't get near, and we're anxious about so very many things, the virus of course but also the general state of our nation. 

Cue the joy.


It's what we need. 

We need smiles that make your cheeks hurt, all the heart eye emojis, and wedding bells chiming because time doesn't stop. It marches on and we need to march with it. I was thinking about how pretty much all the large milestones in my life have been met...education, marriage, a career I enjoyed, birthing and raising children. In most ways this pandemic has not changed any of my long term plans. No we're not traveling like we might, nor are we seeing friends like we might, but there's nothing on the timetable of my life right now that needs to happen before I'm x years old. 

The same can't be said for my daughter's generation, or those coming behind her or the ones just a little bit ahead. The under 55's want college degrees or to get a business off the ground, to marry, travel, have children, take that new job, earn that promotion, and time is very much a factor. 

So you get married during a pandemic. A pandemic that might end in a year or be with us in one way or another for always. You look at the boy you love and want to spend the rest of your life with and you say I DO. While the day might not look exactly the way you imagined, I believe it's possible for it to look even better. To feel more magical. A precious memory made and cherished because in the middle of chaos you found joy. 

And it's contagious. 

You already know life will not always go according to plan, and still you take each other by the hand. You say come what may we're in this together and you mean it. 

Forever and ever. Amen. 

Friday, December 18, 2020

'Twas the week before Christmas...

...and all through the house, not a creature was stirring...


Because it's 2020 and we're all home by our lonesomes spending too much time on the couch. 

That's okay though. To quote another favorite Christmas rhyme, '....it comes without ribbons, it comes without tags, it comes without packages, boxes, or your whole entire extended family in the house...'  

Something like that anyway. 

Time is so strange this year. What isn't I guess, but I can't believe we celebrate Christmas just one week from today. The month of May felt like it lasted 347 days but wasn't it just September yesterday? 

So are you ready? I'm mostly ready. Tracking package deliveries online like a mad woman, but kudos to the US mail, UPS, Fed Ex, Amazon, and anyone else managing the overload of boxes, bags, and envelopes happening currently. We're getting deliveries at six in the morning and nine o'clock at night too. 

My house is decorated, but my dining room table isn't quite set and I'm hoping to get to that this weekend. I've been wrapping presents in there, but whoohoo! I think all my gifts are finally wrapped with the exception of one or two still set to arrive. 

Do you still send Christmas cards? I love them, both the giving and receiving, and checking the mailbox every day in December makes me happy. I told hubs I know we're getting older because we've received a lot more traditional cards this year as opposed to photo cards. 

Maybe the stupid you know what has something to do with that. Travel, family vacations, and gatherings of any sort were at a minimum, hence not as many photo ops. I really hope people don't stop sending cards altogether. Yes they're pricey and a bit of work to put together, but they are such a day brightener for the receiver. 

In other Christmas-y news, I might need one of those 'workplace incident' signs for my kitchen...'it's been 12 hours since a Christmas cookie was eaten ...'  I'm not the only one am I? 

Hubs and I have watched most of our favorite Christmas movies and did you know Home Alone is 30 years old? 30! I think it holds up remarkably well in terms of humor and the sweetness of that last little scene with the neighbor still tugs at my heart.  

Speaking of neighbors, we have brand new neighbors next door who we've bonded with over the fallen tree. They spend a lot of time in Florida and somehow in the course of conversation hubs mentioned how much we love stone crabs. 

Fast forward to yesterday when we opened our front door to this-

An enormous box of fresh stone crab packed on ice straight from Joe's Stone Crab in Miami. Merry Christmas from the new neighbors...

Shouldn't we be the ones sending them something? Rest assured we picked every last one of these crab claws clean and they were delicious. 

Unexpected thoughtfulness is such an absolute treat and the world needs more of it. 


Christmas is coming and that's good news. The very best news in fact. It may be minus a few of the usual bells and whistles we all look forward to, but the baby in the manger never needed that anyway. 

Wishing you all a holly jolly hope-filled weekend! 

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Right As Rain In The Hodgepodge



Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. And be sure to spread some holiday cheer by leaving a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-


1. What's something about Christmas that most people like, but you don't? Elaborate. 

The super early decorating. I don’t know that most people like this, but if the internet is to be believed (and it is, right?) then it certainly feels like we’re headed in that direction. Why the rush? 

2. Tell us about one cherished tradition from your childhood and if you'll make it happen this year? 

One of our most cherished traditions is the Christmas morning picture on the stairs. My parents tortured my siblings and I with this one and hubs and I kept it going with our own girls. So eager to see what Santa brought but first! a picture in your jammies on the stairs. Wonder how my future son-in- law feels about this? We’re gonna find out in another ten days. 

3. In 1941 FDR declared December 15th Bill of Rights Day. Citizens were encouraged to fly the flag and gather for prayers and other ceremonies as appropriate. Did you know this? Will you fly a flag? Can you name all the rights and protections guaranteed in the first ten amendments of the US Constitution? Of the ten, which two do you value most? If you need a list you'll find one here. 

We’re a long way from this sort of encouragement from our government, aren’t we? I didn’t know there was a day in honor of the Bill of Rights, but I do know all ten. We always fly a flag here, but we’ve taken it down while the roofing repairs are underway. 

My top two would be freedom of speech and freedom of religion, with freedom of the press not far behind. I think we’re seeing these being chipped away and it’s concerning. 

4. Do you know someone named Bill? Tell us something about him? Is there a famous 'Bill' you'd like to meet? 

I feel like everyone knows a Bill or two. We have a college friend named Bill, hubs worked for someone named Bill, and my brother’s best friend growing up is also a Bill. Still in touch with all these Bills. 

Famous Bill I’d like to meet? Tops on my list would be Bill Bryson. 

5. A step in the right direction, on the right track, bragging rights, be in the right place at the right time, get off on the right foot, right as rain, right side up, give your right arm for, have one's heart in the right place...choose a 'right' that applies to your life in some way in recent days and tell us how it's so.

I’d give my right arm to have working internet right now. We’re having four ginormous trees taken down and in the process they nicked the internet line. Bother. 

Also maybe not my right arm, but no internet is such an aggravation. A first world aggravation, but annoying nonetheless. Trying to Hodgepodge from my phone so please excuse any typos or wonky formatting here today. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 


Tree removal. Not for the faint of heart. 





Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 399

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share some Christmas cheer, aka link up to the party. See you there! 

1. What's something about Christmas that most people like, but you don't? Elaborate. 

2. Tell us about one cherished tradition from your childhood and if you'll make it happen this year? 

3. In 1941 FDR declared December 15th Bill of Rights Day. Citizens were encouraged to fly the flag and gather for prayers and other ceremonies as appropriate. Did you know this? Will you fly a flag? Can you name all the rights and protections guaranteed in the first ten amendments of the US Constitution? Of the ten, which two do you value most? If you need a list you'll find one here. 

4. Do you know someone named Bill? Tell us something about him? Is there a famous 'Bill' you'd like to meet? 

5. A step in the right direction, on the right track, bragging rights, be in the right place at the right time, get off on the right foot, right as rain, right side up, give your right arm for, have one's heart in the right place...choose a 'right' that applies to your life in some way in recent days and tell us how it's so.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 


Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Hodgepodge Holiday Spirit

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks for making time in this busy season to play along here. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. Then leave some holiday cheer in the form of a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond  

1. What do you think it means to have the holiday spirit? 

If you've been reading here a while you might remember answering this question in a long-ago edition of the Hodgepodge. December 15, 2010 to be exact. Ten years ago. What??? 

Let's not get sidetracked by time travel. Here's what I wrote back then-

"I think holiday spirit is that little kernel of excitement on top of that little kernel of anticipation all mixed together with a sense of contentment deep in your heart. I have to say I haven't quite captured it yet this year and I think that's due to a number of things including, but not limited to,

a. I am not hosting Christmas in my own house this year
b.my oldest is working now so naturally there are complicated logistics to be sorted and accepted
c. because we're spread out we haven't done any fun holiday things all together as a family yet and I'm not sure if/when we will because see #b.

Figuring it all out is just another step towards the new normal known as the empty nest. And here is what I do know... I do know that the real spirit of Christmas doesn't ebb and flow with our circumstances, our schedules, our pocketbooks, the weather, or any of life's big and little disappointments. The real spirit of Christmas is eternal."

One thing I love about blogging is looking back and seeing how events and feelings have held up or changed over time. The first paragraph of my original answer still holds true, as does the last. 

We may have to work harder this year to find our holiday spirit, but I have managed to drill my focus down to the baby in the manger. Everything else is tinsel on the tree. Which is nice, but not essential.

2. What's one thing you've baked this month? Have you eaten the finished product? How much baking do you do around the holidays? What baked sweet something does your family insist is on the menu during this season of the year?  

I do quite a bit of baking this time of year, although I'm trying to rein it in a little in 2020. Hypothetically speaking I don't need to eat two or three Christmas cookies every day between now and Jan 1. I most recently baked a non-Christmas treat, chocolate chip banana bread, because I had overly ripe bananas and didn't want to waste them. I put that loaf in the freezer to have when my grandsons are here since this is a treat both they and their momma love. 

My family expects cookies on the menu, and lots of them. I try to oblige. 

3. Your most recent 'half-baked' idea?

I'm trying to remember something I've done recently that didn't go the way I'd planned and the only thing that springs to mind is a dinner I cooked recently that was delicious. Also super messy (most of my cooking is) and labor intensive and I forgot about the labor intensive part until I started prepping things at the rather late hour of 6:30 PM.  

4. Where were you the last time you 'baked' in the sun? The top ten sunniest destinations in the world (most sun from January-December according to this site) are Dubai, Bali Indonesia, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, Barbados, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Mauritius, Antiqua, and the Canary Islands Spain. Have you been to any of the cities listed? Which one on the list appeals to you the most? If the world were not upside down crazy and you could lie on a beach anywhere right now where would you go? 

We spent a long weekend visiting friends in Florida waaaaay back in March. We drove home just as lockdowns were beginning. 

I've been to several sunny spots listed including Dubai, Miami, St Lucia, and Antiqua. I would not say no to a trip to Bali but if I could lie on a beach anywhere right now I'd probably pick something closer to home. Maybe the Keys. 

5. Today I wish I had more _____________________.

Blank space in my to-do list? Hours in the day? Is that cliche? Maybe so, but also true for me today. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

When peace on earth is hard to find...

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 398

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then skate back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there-

1. What do you think it means to have the holiday spirit? 

2. What's one thing you've baked this month? Have you eaten the finished product? How much baking do you do around the holidays? What baked sweet something does your family insist is on the menu during this season of the year?  

3. Your most recent 'half-baked' idea?

4. Where were you the last time you 'baked' in the sun? The top ten sunniest destinations in the world (most sun from January-December according to this site) are Dubai, Bali Indonesia, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, Barbados, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Mauritius, Antiqua, and the Canary Islands Spain. Have you been to any of the cities listed? Which one on the list appeals to you the most? If the world were not upside down crazy and you could lie on a beach anywhere right now where would you go? 

5. Today I wish I had more _____________________.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Musings Of The Random Sort

Or you can call it a phone dump if you want. 

Periodically I jot notes to myself in the note section of my phone, things I might want to mention on my blog. And sometimes I read the notes back and think hmmm??? What in the world is this shorthand code for and why did I put it here? 

Remember Thanksgiving? I never mentioned ours here and this blog is a journal of sorts so I'm going to mention it now. 

After the fact, but that's okay because it's 2020 and time is blurry. 

My mother-in-law spent the week with us, has been back home for one solid week, and I still haven't finished the puzzle we started while she was here. This is one of those puzzles where every piece fits in forty different places, or at least seems to. 

We discovered about halfway through that each piece was lettered on the back so all the A's go in the A section, all the B's in the B section etc., and you can tell by looking at the back if you have them put together correctly.  My m-i-l tried working some of it from the backside and I told her she was cheating but y'all, since she left I've discovered we have about half of the pieces in the wrong spot (including some of the outline!) so now I'm cheating a little too. 

In other Thanksgiving week news, there was a boat ride on a blue sky sunshiny day.  

And thoughtful neighbors who give you sourdough starter and their go-to recipe. It was delicious even though I forgot to set the timer and had to make my best guess as to it's doneness. 

Honestly it needed another five minutes, but that didn't stop us from slathering the warm loaf with butter and later enjoying a sandwich. 

For the record, I did not murder the starter but have decided not to keep mine going right now. I don't have the time or the pre-wedding waistline for it and my neighbor says she'll happily share more later. I can try again in 2021.  

2021. We have heaped a whole lot of expectation on to the coming year, haven't we? I feel like everyone is hanging on by their fingernails with their eyes on a new year that will be filled once more with beloved old routines. I hate to say it, but that might be overly optimistic. The calendar page will turn to 2021, but it looks like we're going to be stuck in 2020 a while longer. 

Which is one reason I'm thankful the gift of Christmas lands where it does. 
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep....

Have you heard about the Christmas star set to appear on Dec 21st just as Saturn and Jupiter align? It's been almost 800 yeas since they appeared visibly this close to one another, a phenomenon known as conjunction (two objects in space appearing to be close to one another as seen from Earth). 

Look at me sounding all Bill Nye the science guy here-ha! 

But seriously, is this 'star' what the wisemen saw? Some people think what they saw was a triple conjunction-Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus but no matter, the heavens some 2000 years later are still a beautiful reminder of our great God, Master Designer of the Universe. The One who holds it all in His hands. 

2020 could use a little reminding. 

I feel like 2021 might need some too.

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Tidings Of Hodgepodge Joy

Yep. Still here. Still hodgepodging while we wait for the world to regain some sense of normalcy. It's been fun to reconnect with so many of you who I knew only through this weekly link up. Thank you for making Wednesdays in 2020 merry and bright. 

If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. It's nice to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you too... 'tis the season...

Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond

1. Here we are entering the last month of the year 2020. 2020!! Every year The Oxford English Dictionary publishing team chooses a word that captures the general mood of the year we're leaving behind, or the one word that will leave a lasting impact on the world at large. This year they needed sixteen words in order to cover the whole enchilada. 

While two of the other major dictionaries selected pandemic as their word of the year, Oxford came up with a long list including-bushfire, impeachment, acquittal, coronavirus, COVID-19, lockdown, social distancing, reopening, Black Lives Matter, Cancel Culture, BIPOC, mail-in, belarusian, moonshot, net zero (read more about each word here)

Of the words listed which ONE would you say should be in the number 1 spot? Which word/phrase on this list would you be happy to never hear again? 

If I have to pick one for the top of the list I'm going with coronavirus. I know we tend to call it COVID these days, but corona was how the virus was first known, and how I think of it still. 

The second part of this question is easier than the first. Which word would I be happy to never hear again? I choose D) all of the above.  If pressed I'm going to say the phrase 'social distancing' grates, but the actual concept of 'cancel culture' really grates. 

2. What one word from your own list of words describing this year sums up/best reflects your 2020? Tell us why. 

Trust. 

Wait I need two words. 

Trust and control. 

If this year has taught us anything it's how little we control. We know this, but we live our lives as if we're running the show until BAM! some crazy virus turns the universe on it's ear. So very many unknowns all these months later, and we struggle with the not knowing maybe most of all. 

When I look back over my life I can see it has always been during times of great stress, change, and disappointment that God reminds me He is faithful. I can trust that what surprises me does not surprise Him.  While it sometimes feels the world is spinning like a top He's got this. 

The pause this strange year has ushered into our normal routines and busy-ness was a fresh reminder He's the One in control. The One who changes seasons, tells the ocean where to stop, and commands the morning to appear knows all about what's been and what's to come. And He is trustworthy. 

3. Do you like peppermint? Peppermint mocha, a candy cane, peppermint bark, peppermint tea, York Peppermint Pattie, peppermint ice cream...of the peppermint treats listed, which one is your favorite? Will you bake anything featuring peppermint this holiday season? 

I do like peppermint, in moderation of course. I never cared for the flavor as a child, but in recent years it has become one of my holiday favorites. Of the peppermint treats listed I'm going to choose the ice cream, especially if it's homemade. I bake a peppermint snowball that is made with crushed candy canes and they're one of my must-haves as far as Christmas cookies go. 

4. Besides Christmas, what do you associate the color red with? How about the color green?

I associate red with danger, a warning of sorts. The word STOP came instantly to mind. 

Green for me shouts the great outdoors and it's one of my favorite colors. 

5. Is your tree up? Real or artificial? Is your house decorated? Is your shopping done? Started? Wrapped? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Scrooge-like and 10 being Buddy the Elf, how's your Christmas spirit? 

Our trees are partially up. The ornaments are in place but the trees still need a few bells and whistles. My house is the same, but it's getting there. It normally takes me about a week to get things the way I want them in terms of decorating. Our trees are artificial this year, but we love a real one too. 

My shopping is not done but I'd say it's more than 50% complete which is typical for how I do Christmas. I've wrapped one present, something I sent home with my mother-in-law, so there is also a  lot of wrapping to be completed. 

How's my Christmas spirit? I'm at about a 5 right now, but once the boxes are put away it will be a notch or two higher. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs says I post this song every year and he's right. The carol was never my favorite as a child, but this particular version is haunting and beautiful and has become one of my favorites. The lyrics are so timely, and could have been written in 2020 instead of 1863. 

May your hearts be full of peace and hope this Advent season-


Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 397

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Here we are entering the last month of the year 2020. 2020!! Every year The Oxford English Dictionary publishing team chooses a word that captures the general mood of the year we're leaving behind, or the one word that will leave a lasting impact on the world at large. This year they needed sixteen words in order to cover the whole enchilada. 

While two of the other major dictionaries selected pandemic as their word of the year, Oxford came up with a long list including-bushfire, impeachment, acquittal, coronavirus, COVID-19, lockdown, social distancing, reopening, Black Lives Matter, Cancel Culture, BIPOC, mail-in, belarusian, moonshot, net zero (read more about each word here)

Of the words listed which ONE would you say should be in the number 1 spot? Which word/phrase on this list would you be happy to never hear again? 

2. What one word from your own list of words describing this year sums up/best reflects your 2020? Tell us why. 

3. Do you like peppermint? Peppermint mocha, a candy cane, peppermint bark, peppermint tea, York Peppermint Pattie, peppermint ice cream...of the peppermint treats listed, which one is your favorite? Will you bake anything featuring peppermint this holiday season? 

4. Besides Christmas, what do you associate the color red with? How about the color green? 

5. Is your tree up? Real or artificial? Is your house decorated? Is your shopping done? Started? Wrapped? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Scrooge-like and 10 being Buddy the Elf, how's your Christmas spirit? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

A Hodgepodge Of Thanksgiving

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because everyone is grateful for comments. Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond
1. It's Thanksgiving week in the US of A so let's talk turkey. And by turkey I mean the elephant in the room because it's still 2020 and our blogs are a record of sorts of the times in which we live. 

Do you live in a state (or if you're outside the US, a country) that's instituted restrictions on the size of gatherings in your own home? What do we think about this? 

No I don't live in one of those states. I think its fine for health officials to offer recommendations about gatherings, but states saying fines will be issued and police will come knocking are in my opinion, overreaching. A lot. 

I'm not someone who thinks the virus is a hoax and hubs and I have made the decision to limit travel and group activity. We wear masks without complaining for shopping, hair cuts, and appointments. That being said cities are literally burning to the ground and we're going to send the police after families having Thanksgiving dinner together?

I find the current level of hypocrisy in our country to be mind-blowing. People can protest in the literal thousands, but businesses with social distancing measures in place can't open? Large scale funerals for the more well-known are celebrated but you can't sit beside a dying parent? Police cannot intervene in the rioting but can knock on your door if you have eleven people around your dining room table? 

This explains why at least one half of  the people in our country are so angry. Add to that all the social media scolding and shaming and it's no wonder the pot is boiling over. 

Personally I'm not in favor of shutting down the economy, and I think everyone needs to make the best decisions they can given their own particular circumstances. There are many factors that go into these decisions, a family members isolation and mental health being just one. Oftentimes these factors cannot be known or assessed from an online photograph or Facebook post so maybe less judgement of that would be a good place to start. 

Will some people make unwise decisions? Absolutely. I think we've learned after 200+ years as a nation, some things cannot be legislated. Most people I know are considerate of others and are trying their best to do the right thing for their circle of connection. God bless America, land of the free...

2. Let's move in a cheerier direction. Will there be corn on your holiday dinner menu? How so? Cornbread-corn pudding-corn chips and dip-cornbread dressing/stuffing-corn chowder-or regular canned, frozen or fresh corn in a bowl...which of the 'corns’ listed is your favorite? 

There will be corn pudding on our Thanksgiving table. Since my plan was to simplify the menu a bit I asked hubs and my mother-in-law what would be the one side dish they'd most like to have and my mother-in-law chose corn pudding. I normally make corn pudding for holiday meals only so I'm glad it's on the menu.  

Of the corns mentioned cornbread dressing would be tops on my list. It's another dish I only make at Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas. 

3. What is there a cornucopia of in your home, job, or life currently? 

Cookie dough? I have buttercreams waiting to be dipped, chocolate crinkles waiting to be baked, and shortbread ingredients waiting to be mixed, rolled and decorated. 

4. Have you ever quit something (such as a habit, a food, a time-sucker, a relationship) cold turkey? Is there something you need to quit cold turkey? 

A while back I quit french fries cold turkey. I just decided they were something I did not need to eat and I quit eating them. I have fallen off the wagon a teensy bit, but am back at it.  I'm sure this is a ridiculous answer but it's the one that popped into my brain first so I'm going with it. 

5. Share a favorite verse, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to gratitude. 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."  Philippians 4:8

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

HappyThanksgiving Hodgepodgers! I'm grateful for our every Wednesday meet up...

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 396

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all the turkeys playing along. See you there!

1. It's Thanksgiving week in the US of A so let's talk turkey. And by turkey I mean the elephant in the room because it's still 2020 and our blogs are a record of sorts of the times in which we live. 

Do you live in a state (or if you're outside the US, a country) that's instituted restrictions on the size of gatherings in your own home? What do we think about this? (keep it classy folks)

2. Let's move in a cheerier direction. Will there be corn on your holiday dinner menu? How so? Cornbread-corn pudding-corn chips and dip-cornbread dressing/stuffing-corn chowder-or regular canned, frozen or fresh corn in a bowl...which of the 'corns’ listed is your favorite? 

3. What is there a cornucopia of in your home, job, or life currently? 

U4. Have you ever quit something (such as a habit, a food, a time-sucker, a relationship) cold turkey? Is there something you need to quit cold turkey? 

5. Share a favorite verse, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to gratitude. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday, November 23, 2020

Monday Morning Pre-Game Roundup

Good Monday morning! It's going to be a beautiful day here, the roofers are coming to start the re-shingling, my house is one part Thanksgiving, two parts Christmas, and there is so much to be grateful for as we head into this holiday season. 

Some of you are already there. Smack dab in the middle of full blown Christmas. I was watching an instagram story this morning and a young wife was stressing about 'only having her tree done' and nothing else and how she was feeling so behind. Dear mamas everywhere... it's November 23rd. If your house isn't picture perfect ready for Christmas right now you are NOT behind. 

The internet can make you feel all sorts of things that aren't true, right? 

Anyway, it's 2020 and I say if you're sipping eggnog round your fully decked out tree before Thanksgiving arrives, or if you opt to forgo any decorating at all this year, that is A-OK. If there's anything 2020 has taught me it's to focus on the heart of a thing and not the bells and whistles. 

A Saviour is born is the heart of the thing. 

Hubs picked up his mama yesterday and she's here spending Thanksgiving week with us. I'm not going to bother inserting the 2020 caveat that she's been home and we've been home and it's fine for us to be together. Except I guess I will mention it because someone will likely feel the need to comment on it if I don't. People have lost their minds over this virus and pretty much everything lately. 

I always really enjoy this week of Thanksgiving. There's a sense of anticipation drawing us into Advent, and family, no matter how large or how small, gathered round my dining room table is pretty much my favorite thing in the world. 

This week we'll work a holiday jigsaw puzzle, begin the Christmas baking, and decorate our tree. We'll set the table with the fancy china and feast on turkey with all the trimmings because that's what we enjoy. 

Also, maybe not all the trimmings. I'm trying to keep it a bit simpler since there's just the three of us here this year. And I'm also thinking I don't need to indulge in a carbpalooza with a wedding right around the corner. Just sayin'. 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and while it's sometimes overlooked in the ever increasing chaotic frenzy of all things Christmas, I love this late November pause. I love this day that turns our hearts toward all we have, not what we don't. Toward home and food and family and finding much to be thankful for.

Yes even in 2020. 

Maybe especially in 2020.  

"For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies, Lord of all to thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise."

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

The Happiest Hodgepodge On Earth

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then go say howdy to your neighbor. Here we go-

1. It's Mickey Mouse's birthday (November 18)...happy birthday Mickey! He reads here, right? Have you ever been to Disney, any of the parks at all? Are you a Disney superfan or something less than that? They're open right now so tell us, would you go if you had the time/money/a free trip?

I've been to Disney World and Disneyland Paris, but never Disneyland California. It's been a number of years since I've been to any of the parks, but hopefully when my grandsons are a bit older I'll have a chance to see the magic again through their eyes. I shared some of our Disney memories in a post linked here, and reading it back just now made me wish the world was normal, my grandkids weren't an ocean away, and a trip to Disney World was on the calendar. 

I enjoy the parks, but am not a superfan. I'm not someone who wants to go every year, but for sure wouldn't turn down a free trip either. And I soak it all up when I'm there. 

2. Your favorite place to go when you want to be quiet as a church mouse? Would those who know you well describe you as more churchmouse or perhaps more like mighty mouse? 

When I'm looking for quiet I head to one of our porches. This time of year especially the lake is quiet and I love the view, a fire in the fireplace or in the fire table, a blanket on my lap, and a good book. Or a good nap. Or both. 

As far as which mouse? I think I'm a bit of both. 

3. The day before Mickey's birthday happens to be National Homemade Bread Day. Did/will you celebrate? Do you bake your own bread? Last time you had hot out-of-the-oven homemade bread? What's your favorite kind of bread? 

I used to bake bread on a pretty regular basis, but not so much these days. I try not to eat a lot of bread. I had homemade hot-out-of-the-oven bread a little over a week ago. My neighbor brought me a loaf of her sourdough and it was scrumptious. I took half the loaf to my sister and brother-in-law because momma of the bride does not need to eat an entire loaf of homemade bread. ahem. 

My neighbor is going to bring me some starter and I'm excited to make my own sourdough loaves. I plan to wrap them up and share with friends and neighbors though because see paragraph above.  

It's hard to choose a favorite bread, but I do love a sandwich on rye. I might say my absolute favorite bread is homemade cinnamon, lightly toasted please.   

4. What's something you might say is 'the greatest thing since sliced bread'? 

Not to be a broken record here, but Facetime is pretty much the greatest thing since sliced bread. Maybe even better than sliced bread. 

5. Let's keep the gratitude theme we started last week rolling on through November. Share with us five little things you're grateful for today. Small blessings. One catch-they all must start with the letter T. Gotta keep us thinking, right? 

turning leaves
Thanksgiving memories
tiny handprints
afternoon tea 
a warning instead of a ticket

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Who's watching the newest season of The Crown? Your thoughts so far? I think the program is so well done, but I do wonder if the royals watch? And I wonder how accurate some of the Diana storyline is? If it's even close to accurate it's awfully sad. 

Also I miss England. 
Carry on.