Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 581

Here are the questions for 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. What's one task you'd like a little Christmas elf to sneak in and take care of tonite? 

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

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? 

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? 

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

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Weekend Holiday-ing

Good Monday morning to all and to all a deep breath. Christmas will be here in 16 days. Are you ready? Santa's asking. 

Linking today's recap with Holly and Sarah as per usual here on a Monday. We had a very merry weekend with lot of decorating and holiday fiesta-ing, beginning Thursday night with our holiday wine club event. 

The dinner featured a Spanish style menu and excellent Spanish wines. This was dessert and it was muy deliciosa! Olive oil tres leche pancakes with fresh berries and shaved chocolate. Yum! 

I am all about dessert. I'm the person who always looks at the dessert portion of a menu first. 

Friday morning dawned with several bins holding various bits of decor still waiting to be unloaded sitting in the middle of the hall, the dining room table under wraps, literally as that's where we wrap, and my Christmas dishes still in the cupboard where I store them as I haven't had time to make the switch yet. I had plans to get to all of that Friday but we had some errands to run in the morning and the day just flew right on by.  

We had tickets to a holiday show in the nearby city Friday night with dinner reservations beforehand. I also wanted to see the gingerbread houses on display in a downtown hotel lobby so we needed to leave the house by 4. 

It was frigid (for South Carolina) so we dressed for the weather. Hubs bought me this coat in Canada while chaperoning a show choir trip for daughter1. She was in the 9th grade. 

Quebec, 2003

In case you're new here she's now been married almost ten years and has three children of her own, so the coat's not new. Still a favorite though!  

England, 2024

Also time is a mystery too big to comprehend. 

There were almost 40 entries in the gingerbread contest and it was fun to see all the many bakers handiwork. Pecan halves for the rooftop...so clever! 

There was a category for professional bakers and another for home bakers, and some really cute designs. 

After voting we made the short walk to a fabulous dinner (Bricktops for locals reading here)...

In one of those small world happenings Daughter1's mother-in-law and sister-in-law came in to the restaurant with a group of friends right as we were finishing up, and were seated just a couple of tables away from us. So fun to run into them. 

The show was terrific. This is our third year attending and we look forward to it every December (Holiday at Peace, again for the locals reading here) 

It's put on by the symphony, but there's always a ballet number, a little humor, and someone reading The Night Before Christmas. There's a guest soloist each year too and this year it was Siri Howard. She happens to be a local resident and also a Broadway actress with a most angelic voice. She's beautiful to watch and her wardrobe was fabulous.  

After the show we walked across the street to see the lights in front of the AC Hotel. So many people were out and about, the city was aglow with holiday sparkle, and everyone seemed in a festive mood. 

Saturday we had yet another non-holiday errand to run before we hit the grocery store. Hubs doesn't usually accompany me, but since we were already in town he tagged along. He paid while I reorganized the bags (it's what I do) and I think was a bit shocked at what groceries cost. Aren't we all???

I'm trying to finish up my cards, so I put a movie on Saturday afternoon while I stamped and addressed. Have you seen One Little Secret (Netflix) with Lindsay Lohan? It's super hokey but I liked it. Kristin Chenowith is in it too, and she's always adorable. 

Saturday night was our neighborhood holiday party, a lovely dinner at a nearby club. There was a photo op, a jazz trio, and lots of laughs with friends who just happen to be neighbors. 

We have some non-neighborhood friends coming for dinner tonite so I buckled down Sunday and knocked out more decorating, all the laundry, made a meatloaf for our Sunday dinner, baked a dessert for tonite's dinner, addressed a few more cards, and prepped the cranberry jalapeno dip to serve as an appetizer tonite. 

While I did all that hubs wrapped. He was super Grinch-y about it, but he got it done and I'm glad. I need to get a couple of boxes mailed pronto, and these unwrapped presents have been piled in my bedroom closet mocking me every time I pass them by. 

In other happy news, our two favorite teams made the college football playoffs this weekend, which you might say was the proverbial icing on the cake. Star on the tree? 

So what kind of fun did you get into this weekend? 

Relaxing With The Hodgepodge

Hello December and hello Hodgepodgers. I'm glad you're here. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post then leave a merry comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's the best $5 gift to give someone? 

A fun mug, a book, a coffee gift card, fuzzy holiday socks

2. What's your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season? 

I like to sit beside the lit Christmas tree with the rest of the house lights off. Early morning with my coffee or at dusk with a cup of tea or glass of wine. Sit-marvel-pray-wonder. 

3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes?

I like gingerbread, especially with a cup of hot tea. I also like to use ginger when cooking, particularly in Asian dishes. And I always ask for extra pickled ginger with my sushi. 

Gingerbread houses weren't really a part of our regular holiday tradition, but there were some years we made them happen. Do graham crackers count because we mostly made ours using graham crackers. They're easier to keep together.   

No matter their ages my girls took the construction very very seriously. 

4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day...will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants...which one do you wear most often? 

Blue jeans are one of my favorite items of clothing and I definitely have a favorite pair. Yes it's always a little sad to see them go (first world problem I know). I like a few different brands but currently have a pair of Liverpool that I love. Of the 'legware' listed jeans are my most worn. 

5. As we head into this holiday season what's your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

Be present. Keep Jesus front and center. Find a little bit of joy in each new day. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

When you decorate the tree do you do it yourself, have a little bit of help, or maybe a lot of help? If you have help do you move your helper's handiwork around to different branches on the tree when they leave the room? Asking for a friend.  

It wouldn't be December without my annual posting of this carol, my favorite version, with lyrics that are timeless...

 

Wishing you peace in your heart and home this Advent season.

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Monthly Musings-November

I'm participating today in the Monthly Musings link up, hosted by Holly (Pink Lady Blog) and Patty (Good, Better, Best) on the last Thursday of every month. We're sharing our musings one week earlier this time around because next week is THANKSGIVING. 

Does anyone else feel as though we're roaring like a freight train towards 2025? Thanksgiving is my favorite and I look forward to savoring Autumn's last hurrah. 

Any holiday parties on tap? 

Always. We do love a party, and although we're not hosting any in December we will be attending several.  I look forward to sparkly clothes, bubbly drinks, and twinkling lights. 

We have both a wine dinner and our neighborhood party the first week of December. We have a Santa Pub Crawl set up with a big group of friends the second week in December (always a blast!), and we have friends hosting a party in their home the third week in December. Par-tay! 

This was the pub crawl group photo from two years ago. We missed last year as hubs was under the weather, but we're looking forward to this year's fun. 

Best holiday prep advice? 

In the age of internet everything it's easy to get caught up thinking we have to do x or y when really there are no rules. We can also feel pressure (from others, but oftentimes from our very own selves) to keep things the same year after year, but if you find a tradition no longer brings you (or your family) joy it's okay to let it go.  Enjoy the people in your very own house. Leave space in your day, in your calendar for a cup of tea beside the tree. Don't let the reason for the season get lost in the busy-ness of making your home/tree/table look or feel perfect (psst-there's no such thing as perfect).  

Here's what I like to remember when December rolls around: 

The first Christmas was simple and mine can be too. 

3. Share a holiday recipe that's a crowd pleaser. 

This jalapeno cranberry dip is scrumptious, always a hit, and easy to put together. I thought I had a picture but have spent a ridiculous amount of time scrolling through old blog posts tagged Christmas with no luck. There is a photo in the recipe link. 

4. What holidays do you celebrate in November and December? 

Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course bidding adieu at the stroke of midnight to the year that was. 

5. Favorite beverage? Alcohol or alcohol free. 

Champagne of course. 

6. What part of holiday prep is a total struggle for you? 

I wouldn't call it a struggle necessarily, but wrapping is probably my least favorite holiday task. I do love to buy all the pretty paper, ribbons, tags, and embellishments, but actually doing the cut and tape part is just eh. 

7. Go-to holiday party outfit?

Well I mentioned in a recent Wednesday Hodgepodge that I love my sparkly pants. I'll post it again in case you're like me and too lazy busy to click over lol. 

I have a black velvet dress I might wear if there's a call for fancy-ish, the sleeves are sheer. This was taken at a holiday party last year-

I also have a black velvet top with a big black satin bow at the bottom where it sits on the hip that I really love. And a black velvet jumpsuit. Hmmm. I guess I like black velvet for holiday happenings.  

8. Do you send out holiday cards? 

Yes. Sending and receiving Christmas cards (or new year's or whenever people want to send them) is one of my favorite things. We've moved a lot and have friends scattered far and wide so I really enjoy touching base at the holidays. If there's a photo, even better. 

This was last year's card. Some years feature the grands, some years it's just me and the hubs. It depends mostly on what logistics are like in any given year, and I think you know this year they've been a little challenging. I'm already planning on a big family photo next year, once my oldest daughter and her family are living back stateside. 

9. Black Friday shopper? Yes or heck no? 

Heck no. I mean I'm not opposed to popping inside a shop or two if we're out and about, but I don't get up early or make a special effort and I never have. I'm more of a Cyber Monday shopper these days. 

10. Do you listen to holiday music before or after Thanksgiving? 

Typically after, but I'm not opposed to people who want to get a jump start on their Christmas spirit. We haven't played Christmas music in our house yet and won't until we get past turkey day. 

Well this was fun. Feel free to play along. Merry Thanksgiving everyone! 

Tea And Hodgepodge

Welcome to the final Wednesday Hodgepodge in 2023. There won't be a Hodgepodge next Wednesday (December 27), but we'll be back with brand new questions in a brand new year on January 3rd. Thanks for playing along today and every Wednesday. Here we go-

1. Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was it by choice or by necessity? 

Probably talking because I talk a lot. I was at home all day Tuesday, finishing up the last bits of Christmas preparation. We had people working in our yard and hubs was in and out, so maybe not as much talking as I might normally do lol. 

2. Are you a tea drinker? Hot, cold, or both? Flavored? What do you like in your tea? Do you make Christmas tea this time of year? What time of day do you like to sip your tea? 

I love tea, hot and cold both, but hot is my favorite this time of year. I have a cup most afternoons around 3 PM. I like just a splash of milk in mine, but if I'm not feeling well will drink it with honey and lemon instead. Not a big fan of flavored tea. I used to make Christmas tea (the recipe that calls for Tang), but haven't made that in years. I remember liking it a lot, but can you even find Tang in the stores anymore? 

3. What's an activity you won't try, an event you won't attend, or an athletic challenge you won't take part in not even for 'all the tea in China'? 

bungee jumping 

4. What's something most people seem to love but is not 'your cup of tea'? 

Starbucks drinks and movies based on the Marvel comics 

5. How does your family celebrate New Year's Eve?  

We're normally at home on New Year's Eve. Too many crazies on the road and I think it's been established here on the blog that I am not a night owl. We love to have friends over and this year a group of our college besties will be here to spend the weekend. We will have some nice meals, play games, lounge in our pjs and laugh til our sides hurt. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It wouldn't be Christmas here without me sharing my favorite carol. It never gets old and the lyrics seem to pack a bigger punch with every passing year.  May the peace of Christ fill your heart and your home this holiday season. 

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A Bright and Merry Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Comments make the blog world merry and bright and the blog world needs more merry and bright. Here we go-

1. 'Tis the season to be jolly....so are you? 

In a word, not really. I know that's two words but eh. 

I have a pretty little carved nativity set I bought once upon a time on a trip I took with friends to the Christmas Market in Cologne. 

Remember travel? sigh. Anyway, this year I set it in my kitchen window, a reminder to keep my focus on the main thing. 

This is the main thing. 

2. Do you trim a tree this time of year, and if so is yours all done? What's something in your home-closet-life that needs to be trimmed in the new year? 

We do, normally more than one, but we're having a very low key holiday so just putting up one tree this year, and it's done. 

Something that needs trimming? My closet always, our file cabinet at the start of a brand new year, and my waistline but let's not think about that today. 

3. Are you 'dreaming of a white Christmas'? Is that a possibility where you'll be celebrating? According to this site the top ten places in the US you can count on for a white Christmas are- North Pole Alaska, Crater Lake Oregon, Yellowstone National Park, Winthrop Washington, Aspen Colorado, Ketchum Idaho, Mt. Washington New Hampshire, Whitefish Montana, Duluth Minnesota, and the Lake Tahoe town of Truckee California

Of the snowy spots listed which would you most like to visit? 

I do love a white Christmas, but in sunshiny South Carolina that isn't likely. For the record, a sunshiny Christmas is a-okay too. Honestly I wouldn't mind a trip to any of those spots but since it's Christmas I'm going to say Aspen. I'm sure it's especially beautiful this time of year. 

4. December 8th is National Brownie Day...will you be celebrating? How do you like your brownies-chewy or cake-like, frosted or plain, nuts or no nuts, a piece from the middle or give me the corner? As a child were you a member of a brownie troop? 

Brownies are one of my favorite desserts...chewy-no nuts-no frosting-and gimme a corner please (p.s.-I won't turn down the middle either) I don't think I'll be celebrating because we've had an abundance of treats lately and brownies in the middle of the week feels like something I should miss. See question #2. 

Yes, I was a member of a brownie troop, and at least one year my mom was the leader. 

That's me on the left and my baby sister keeping the tooth fairy in business on the right. I just noticed we're holding hands and is there anything more precious than sisters? 

 My girls were both brownies too, and I was a leader for Daughter2's troop. 

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

Every year on my blog I post the Casting Crowns version of I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. I normally like hymns as they were written (this one is based on the Longfellow poem entitled Christmas Bells), but this particular song has been made better for the tweaking. I love the lyrics so much, this line especially-

'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.'

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If I  listen to this song a couple of times I might have to change my answer to #1....

'Do you hear the bells, they're ringing? (Peace on Earth)
The light, the angels singing (Peace on Earth)

Open up your heart and hear them (peace on Earth)

Peace on Earth, good will to men'

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 444

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 whole wide world. See you there!

1. 'Tis the season to be jolly....so are you? 

2. Do you trim a tree this time of year, and if so is yours all done? What's something in your home-closet-life that needs to be trimmed in the new year? 

3. Are you 'dreaming of a white Christmas'? Is that a possibility where you'll be celebrating? According to this site the top ten places in the US you can count on for a white Christmas are- North Pole Alaska, Crater Lake Oregon, Yellowstone National Park, Winthrop Washington, Aspen Colorado, Ketchum Idaho, Mt. Washington New Hampshire, Whitefish Montana, Duluth Minnesota, and the Lake Tahoe town of Truckee California

Of the snowy spots listed which would you most like to visit? 

4. December 8th is National Brownie Day...will you be celebrating? How do you like your brownies-chewy or cake-like, frosted or plain, nuts or no nuts, a piece from the middle or give me the corner? As a child were you a member of a brownie troop? 

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

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Homemade Hodgepodge

Welcome to December and that most wonderful time of the year. Grab your cocoa and take some time to read what other Hodgepodgers had to say today by clicking the link at the end of my post. And don't forget to add your own link to the list and leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-  

1. When it comes to gift giving are you more of a 'create something from scratch' or a 'buy something in a shop' kind of giver? Tell about a favorite homemade gift you've given or one you've received. 

I'm mostly a 'buy something in a shop' kind of giver, but I have done some homemade gifting through the years too. I definitely try to buy things that feel personal to the recipient. 

As far as favorites go, in 2013 our girls surprised us with a painting of our sweet pup Dixie. They had the artist copy a photo and we love it still. 

In completely unrelated news, look at me with my short hair. 

In terms of giving something homemade, one year I made both girls holiday 'notebooks'. They were filled with all of our favorite holiday recipes written on cute cards, all of our family Christmas cards/letters, and lots of Christmas pictures taken as they were growing up. 

I might not be crafty but I can tug at the heartstrings in my own way. These books are keepsakes and I enjoyed putting them together. 

2. Do you have the 'gift of gab'? Is that a blessing or a curse? 

An easy question-yes. I Gab. With a capital G. We all gab here which is mostly a blessing. We think so anyway-ha! Our listeners may disagree. 

3. What's something you have going on that you need/want to 'wrap up' this month? 

For the love, is this office redo ever going to be redone??? Also, hubs added a new piece to the project which is basically bigger and more involved than my original project but whatever, none of it has been completed.

On the bright side, the wood was delivered and is in the garage. The carpenter will be here Monday to do some measuring that needs doing before the electrician can come which needs to happen before the carpenters actually come back to do the work. I'm kind of like it'll be done when it's done, but hubs is not wired that way and wanted it done yesterday. 

4. A food you love that is 'wrapped' in some way?

Lots of things, but Beef Wellington, sushi, a spring roll, and a soft taco would be near the top of the list.  

5. December is upon us...share something here (quote, verse, poem, song lyric, your own thoughts) related to the word hope. 

One of my favorite Christmas songs...

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I recapped our Thanksgiving travels in Monday's post, but hubs reminded me I left out one teensy tiny happening. A drunk driver hit our (parked) car Thanksgiving evening while we were all getting ready for bed. Ugh. 

Our car was parked in front of my daughter's house and the road is wide. About 9:30 (yes, when there are toddlers in the house you go to bed early) the across the street neighbor knocked on the door to tell us she thought someone had hit our car, and then had continued driving on up the road. Her husband had gone to see if he could spot the vehicle, and fortunately for us (and probably the drunk driver too) he was stopped just up the street. 

He had somehow managed to completely demolish another neighbors enormous brick mailbox stand. The airbags deployed and the car was a mess, but the driver was uninjured although struggling to stay vertical. The police were called and we did not get to bed anywhere close to 9:30. 

We are so thankful the damage to our car, while aggravating, was relatively minor.

So thankful the driver hit that brick wall and did not end up getting on the highway and perhaps causing grave harm to an innocent person. 

Thankful it was night not day, and no children were on the sidewalk playing. 

Don't drink and drive. I guess we still need to say it. 

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