Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. Here we go-
2. November 15th is also National Philanthropy Day...tell us about a charity (local or otherwise) you like to support when you're able.
3.What in nature inspires you and why?
4. What's something you own that makes you feel cozy?
5. Who did you thank today? Who thanked you?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
What do I love about Thanksgiving?
1.Everything. I mean what's not to love, except maybe the slightly tighter waistband the day after?
2. I love that in a world where everything under the sun has turned into an Event (yes, with a capital E) with themes and decor and planning starting months in advance, Thanksgiving remains relatively simple.
3.You don't need to rack your brain trying to come up with an original menu, because what you're eating is (wonderfully!) pretty much the same year after year. I mean my family better not be messing with the sides too much because they're what I like best on the day.
4. Dressing. Stuffing. Whatever you want to call it, is the best part of the meal in my opinion. It's not something I make any other time of the year so feels like a treat on Thanksgiving. I make my mama's cornbread stuffing and my girls do the same. I'm not cooking this year, but there will be dressing.
5. Leftovers. I'm not a huge fan of leftovers normally, but somehow a turkey sandwich with dressing and cranberry sauce, eaten the day after, doesn't feel like leftovers.
6. Family. And if you can't be with your actual family you can have a wonderful meal with friends who feel like family. One of our favorite Thanksgivings was spent in England where it's not even celebrated. We shared a traditional meal with another American family, some Canadian friends, and our two Young Life leaders. I have such warm memories of that day. If you can't be with family, or friends who feel like family, there are lots of places to volunteer and serve a meal to folks who need one, which is also gratifying.
7. No gifts=no pressure.
8. Naps are for everyone.
9.Thanksgiving lands in the middle of my most favorite season of the year-autumn. Ours has been particularly lovely this year, and every afternoon for the past couple of weeks I've been taking my cup of tea and my laptop out on the back porch and enjoying the afternoon sky. The color, the temperature, and the light....it's pure gold.
10. Perhaps what I love best about this day is the way we pause for a minute before December comes barreling in. This holiday is a gentle reminder to count our blessings, and acknowledge there's an awful lot to be thankful for. In these troubled times it's comforting to stop and recognize God's goodness...to rest in the knowledge that He holds the future.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Welcome to this week’s 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. Here we go-
2. What's the role of gratitude in your life?
It's really important. I'm definitely a glass half full kind of thinker. If I'm around negative people/talk I'm the one pointing out the bright side. Sometimes we have to work to cultivate a feeling of gratitude, but it's a good habit to adopt. Gratitude is what keeps me optimistic in a world that feels anything but, and honestly there is always something to be grateful for.
3. Where do you get your news these days? How much attention are you giving it currently?
Ugh. Is it just me or does hearing the word 'news' make your stomach churn too? I want to know what's going on in the world, I just don't want everyone's opinion about it shouted from the rooftops lol. We rarely sit down and watch the news from start to finish (does it ever end in the era of 24/7 programming???), but we will watch in bits and pieces. If something big is happening in the world we watch a little more. I read news online too, but again in small doses. If we don't listen to any news how do we know what and how to pray?
Currently I'm paying attention to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, to the almost unbelievable anti-semitic rhetoric being spewed from college campuses around the country, to the unadulterated evil on display...it would be easy to look away and bury our heads in the sand, but I don't think we can or should look away.
I pray every day for the children and babies especially, ripped from their homes and their families. It's a very strange world we're living in where the calls for 'cease fire' are louder than those calling 'release the hostages'.
4. Do you like potatoes? Last time you prepared potatoes in some way? Which of the following is your favorite...baked potato, mashed potato, french fried potato, sweet potato, hash brown potatoes, roasted potatoes, or potato salad?
I like potatoes, all of the above really, but I try not to eat them often. My favorite is a baked potato with just butter and salt and we do have those when we grill steaks.
5. Are you a veteran? Are there any veterans in your family? Will you do anything special to honor them on Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day this year?
I'm not a veteran, but do have veterans in my family. My dad was a career Marine and my son-in-law just wrapped up his Army commitment in June. I have great affection and respect for our military service members, and also for their families who sacrifice much in their own way.
Our neighborhood is having a small Veteran's Day event this weekend, and we plan to attend. We went last year and it was really lovely. A bonus was discovering many of my neighbors have served their country.
I am praying for the safety of all our soldiers in harms way. We absolutely take their service for granted, and their families contributions too.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I wrote a post way back in 2012 about my dad, the Marine. I'm linking it again here if you're interested-
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Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to join the party. See you there!
2. What's the role of gratitude in your life?
3. Where do you get your news these days? How much attention are you giving it currently?
4. Do you like potatoes? Last time you prepared potatoes in some way? Which of the following is your favorite...baked potato, mashed potato, french fried potato, sweet potato, hash brown potatoes, roasted potatoes, or potato salad?
5. Are you a veteran? Are there any veterans in your family? Will you do anything special to honor them on Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day this year?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Welcome to November and this week's 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 your neighbor there. Here we go-
2. Do you like candles? Your favorite scent? How often do you burn a candle in your home?
I do like candles and we burn one most evenings. I'm very particular about the scent though. I don't like anything too floral or too sweet. My favorite scents are a citrus-sage and, this time of year, cinnamon/spice.
3. What gadgets did you use today?
My laptop, cell phone, potato masher (for deviled eggs), my washer and dryer (do they count as gadgets? I looked it up and the definition says 'small device' so probably not...)
4. This question is a repeat from one asked in November of 2014, but I liked it so it's coming round again. Many of you weren't here in 2014. Okay, you can have fifty pounds of something (anything but money)...what will you choose? Also, since I mentioned it...what were you up to in November of 2014?
I'll take fifty pounds of ham please. I volunteer in a soup kitchen and they're gathering foods for the holidays. Fifty pounds of ham would go a long way.
What was I up to in 2014? This-
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5. 'Tis the season...what's something you're feeling especially grateful for today?
Fall. The changing seasons really. I love the way the world turns and the ever changing landscape. Fall is my favorite season and I'm in love with the color and the light and the cooler weather. Hubs wants summer all year long, but I am all about fall.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I know there are mixed feelings about Halloween, and we don't go overboard here, but we did have a fun couple of days dressing up and seeing friends.
Now let's turn the page...
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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. Besides Thanksgiving (in the USA) what's one thing you're looking forward to in November?
2. Do you like candles? Your favorite scent? How often do you burn a candle in your home?
3. What gadgets did you use today?
4. This question is a repeat from one asked in November of 2014, but I liked it so it's coming round again. Many of you weren't here in 2014. Okay, you can have fifty pounds of something (anything but money)...what will you choose? Also, since I mentioned it...what were you up to in November of 2014?
5. 'Tis the season...what's something you're feeling especially grateful for today?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Today my second born grandson turns four years old, and this fabulous little boy needs a letter from his Nana.
Dear Max,
It's your birthday! Today you're four and I cannot wait for you to be celebrated big by your family and friends. Your birthday is number five in a family of five, and it's not easy to be the caboose on the family birthday train.
You were right there beside your big brother when he had his extended celebration(s) this summer. Then earlier this week your sweet little sis had her first birthday, and you were there cheering her on, still waiting your turn.
And now it's here.You honestly didn't seem to mind the wait and I think that's because there's something very special about you (many things actually), but one big thing is this-
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You my sweet boy are the one in the middle. The middle child. The younger brother and the older brother too. But not the oldest brother. And not the baby either.
A lot has been written about the middle child phenomenon, but Nana is going to tell you a few things she knows first hand, because guess what? Nana is also a middle child. If you were sitting beside me right now we could fist bump.
I'm a little sister and a big sister too. But not the biggest sister. And not the baby either.
I'm like you, only not quite as smart. You're so smart Max, and you have the vocabulary of someone much older. In fact sometimes we forget how old you are because you have so many words and you know how to use them.
You're always working things out, the hows and the whys, but also context, tone, and nuance. It's pretty remarkable. You wear your emotions right there on the surface too, and sometimes they spill out all over the place, occasionally in the form of mad tears, but more often in the form of the biggest best hug anyone could ever want or need.
You moved this year, your third house in four years. There are grown adults who've lived in fewer places, and you Max have settled in so well to this new home, new neighborhood, and your new place in the middle of your family.
Did you know middles are good at lots of things? Waiting for one. We come into this world never knowing what it's like not to have to share or wait a turn. We become good at negotiating and keeping the peace. We're often introspective. We form strong bonds and learn to go with the flow. We want fairness and we're trustworthy friends.
Who wouldn't want to be a middle child? You're surrounded by love on all sides, and that is a marvelous thing.
You played on a soccer team this fall and I think you liked it. You work your own Lego projects now, have become skilled at riding your bike, love trips to the zoo, bugs and lizards and playing outside, books books and more books, and most of all your big brother and your baby sister. You have opinions and big feelings and the absolute best smile in the whole wide world.
Happy birthday 'baby wheel'. You keep us laughing, on our toes, and feeling ever so grateful for the gift of you. Keep bringing the fun, keep learning more and more about this big beautiful world and the One who made it, and who made us too. Know always your Nana loves you deep and wide xoxo
