A Holiday Hodgepodge

Welcome to December and to the weekly Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a merry comment for your neighbor there. Here we go...

1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'? On a scale of 1-10 how is yours this year? (10=off the charts, 1=still looking for it)

I think it's related to the sense of excitement and anticipation we feel this time of year. It's wanting to go the extra mile in terms of generosity and kindness. It's purposely slowing down to count my blessings in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. 

Some years that holiday spirit is hard to find, but this year I'm going to say mine is at a 7. There's so much to love and look forward to, but there's also a lot to do. 

2. What's your favorite character from a (December) holiday-themed movie, book, or TV special? Tell us why. 

Cindy Lou Who from The Grinch has always been a favorite. Hubs and I watched Home Alone the other night, and how can you not love Kevin McAllister? 

I love Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas, the friend who finds the good in the scrappy tree and who when Charlie asks 'Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?' replies by reciting Jesus birth as recounted in the book of Luke. 

Linus, who carries his security blanket everywhere, drops it when he gets to the part that reads 'Fear not; for behold I bring you tidings of great joy". This little cartoon that first aired sixty years ago is still so powerful, so sweet, so loved. 

3. Do you like gingerbread? Are gingerbread houses part of your holiday tradition? 

I do like gingerbread. I don't think it was a favorite growing up, but I love it now. 

We have done gingerbread houses from time to time. That activity isn't on the calendar this year. 

4. Much of our vocabulary is determined by where we live or where we grew up. What say you-

sprinkles or jimmies? lightning bugs or fireflies? soda or pop? sneakers, trainers, or tennis shoes? sub, hoagie, grinder, or hero? freeway, highway, or motorway? frosting or icing? sauce or gravy?

sprinkles-lightning bugs-soda-sneakers-subs unless what I'm eating is an actual hoagie (iykyk)-highway- icing-sauce if we're talking pasta, but gravy if we're talking meat and potatoes 

5. Share a favorite holiday memory from your childhood. 

The season didn't start until December and I think it was definitely simpler. Most people had just one tree, and we'd go to the local nursery to choose ours. It didn't go up until closer to Christmas and we all helped with the decorating. 

There was a lot of cookie baking done beside my mom in the month of December. 

The feeling of anticipation on Christmas morning. My sister and I (we shared a room) waking up super early and the excitement we felt as we lay in our beds talking while waiting for the street lights to go off so we could wake up my parents. That was the rule-no getting up while the street lights were still on. 

Then sitting on the steps with my brother and sisters as we waited some more for my dad to start the fire in the fireplace, make the coffee, and take our picture. Finally walking in to the living room and seeing all the beautifully wrapped gifts and my stocking in 'my chair'. So many surprises...I rarely knew what I'd be getting. 

I had a doll I loved and every year my mom would take her from my room after I'd gone to sleep on Christmas Eve, and dress her in a new outfit. She'd be sitting beside my stocking when I came down on Christmas morning.

My mama made Christmas morning so magical. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  

It wouldn't officially be the Christmas season without me posting this song on my blog. This carol wasn't a particular favorite of mine as a child, but it has become a favorite in my adult years. The lyrics are so meaningful, so very relevant to the world in which we live...

'and in despair I bowed my head, There is no peace on earth I said, For hate is strong and mocks the song, Of peace on earth, good will to men...'

The story behind this particular song is a good one (you can read it here), and this Casting Crowns version is absolutely beautiful-

'Then rang the bells, more loud and deep, God is not dead nor doth He sleep, The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men...'

Milk And Cookies With The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. So glad you're here! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Comments keep you on Santa's nice list. Here we go-

1. What's one task you'd like a little Christmas elf to sneak in and take care of tonite? 

Hmmm...there are many. I'm going with emptying my pantry, wiping down all the shelves, tossing what needs to be tossed, and then neatly and logically restocking. It's on my list to get done before Christmas, but if an elf wants to take it off my plate I'm happy to hand the job over. 

2. What's your biggest challenge during the holidays? 

Managing my expectations. 

3. Are you a cookie baker this time of year? If your year had to be summed up in the shape of a cookie cutter what shape would it be? 

I am most definitely a cookie baker. In fact, cookies are probably my favorite thing to bake, especially at Christmas time. Have I baked any yet this year? No. But I will. 

If my year had to be summed up in the shape of a cookie cutter I'm going with...

...a waterfall. The backyard project was a big part of our year, so that feels appropriate. Also you can barely see the waterfall in this photo, but I wanted the tree at the top all decked out in Christmas lights in my pictures. 

4. Santa likes milk with his cookies. Do you like milk? What kind of milk is on tap in your house? (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat, etc). What's the last thing you made that called for milk? 

I like milk but it's not something I drink by the glass except on a very rare occasion. I do put milk on my cereal, I like milk on my oatmeal, and I put a small splash of milk in my hot tea. I buy skim, but when it comes to my coffee half and half only please. 

The last thing I made that called for milk would be this Angel Pie, which is a meringue crust with a custard filling, topped with whipped cream and shaved German chocolate-

This pie is every bit as delicious as it looks and I generally make one around the holidays every year. We had company for dinner on Monday night and I served this for dessert. It's a favorite here for sure. 

5. Share one favorite line from a Christmas carol or holiday tune? 

From the carol O Holy Night...

"Til He appeared, and the soul felt it's worth..." 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A lot of life is lived in a decade and there's nothing like a Facebook memory to remind us that is so-

December 25, 2014

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." Dorothea Lange 

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