Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! So glad you joined the fun here today. If you've answered the questions, add your link at the end of my post, then go say hi to the neighbors.
1. What's something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for?
My health. I think when everything is rolling along with no real issues, I tend to forget (or at least not think about) what a gift my good health is.
2. The color brown-love it or no? What's your favorite shade of brown? Most loved something in your home or closet in a shade of brown?
I favor warm woods like mahogany and cherry and have a lot of those in my home so yes, I like the color brown. In my closet I love the deep rich chocolate tones the best. My most loved something in a shade of brown would be my furry snow boots, which I will no doubt be wearing here pretty soon.
3. What's something you're looking forward to today?
I'm going for a dress fitting today for my mother of the bride dress. It would be way more exciting if the bride were here to go with me, but it's still pretty exciting.
4. The word 'feminism' is not new, but it has been generating all kinds of headlines in recent days and months. What do you think/feel when you hear the word? If you're a woman, do you want to be described as a feminist? Why or why not?
What do I think when I hear the word?
Pass the Tylenol.
Not that I'm against strong women because I happen to think I am one. Nor am I opposed to opportunity for women, BUT...like so.many.words. in our culture today, this one has taken on a life of it's own. It's become more than a word. Whenever an issue deteriorates into name calling I want to plug my ears and sing lalala.
I hate the way our social and political vocabulary labels people. The way it sticks you in one camp or another based on your feelings about one small piece of very large and complex issues. That if you don't subscribe to all points under a particular argument you're out. It all feels so unreasonable to me.
I'm complicated. And strong. And not big on labels, feminist or otherwise.
5. What's something you personally can't eat without making a mess?
My family would say many things. I've got my mama's genes. I will say I've learned not to make or eat bolognese while wearing a white top. Or a light colored top. Or really any colored top that isn't protected by an apron. Even when I don't think I've splattered, I've usually somehow splattered.
6. When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift? What was it?
I bought four copies last week of Ann Voskamp's book The Greatest Gift, and sent them to some of my peeps. The Greatest Gift is a beautifully written devotional for the season of advent. If you're looking for something to add quiet and meaning to your December I highly recommend.
7. Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric or scripture relating to gratitude.
'For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.'
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
8. Insert your own random question here.
So whenever I peel potatoes (and sometimes onions) I have a problem with my hands getting red and itchy. My family used to think I made that up to avoid peeling potatoes, but honestly I did not make that up. Anyway, I probably haven't peeled a potato since last Christmas, because mashed potatoes have sadly been relegated to the rare treat column in my diet, but I do make an exception on Thanksgiving.
Last week when Daughter1 and I were preparing our mini feast I whipped out my handy dandy official potato gloves. Yes they are so a real thing-
My girls put these in my Christmas stocking last year, and last week was the first time I had the opportunity to use them. I wasn't kidding when I said mashed potatoes are like gold around here in 2014. Anyway, the gloves worked. They're a kind of thick meshy material and I think they bought them at Bed Bath and Beyond.
As an added random, that black taxi apron I'm wearing makes me ridiculously happy. Hi Louise! I don't know if she's reading this today, but we bought our aprons together at Harrods once upon a time, and whenver I wear it I think of her.
