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Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.


1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having?

No, but I am cooking Christmas Eve dinner. My mother-in-law will be coming over since my father-in-law is in rehab at the nursing home. We are having Prime Rib, Whipped Potatoes, Mashed Carrots and Green Beans.


2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house?

Wedding Cakes. I have heard them also called Swedish Dreams and Russian Tea Cakes. Basically it is confectioner's sugar, butter, flour and vanilla dough rolled into one inch strips, baked and then rolled in confectioner's sugar.


3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!)

Oh yes! Low fat, organic milk is my choice.


4. Time magazine recently named their 'Person of the Year' for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose 'The Protester'. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011?

Ugh, not my favorite topic. I would have to say Ron Paul is my person of the year.


5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day... when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one?

This past summer we lost power and I needed a flashlight. My son always has one so I usually ask him ;)

6. candy canes...yum or yuck?

Yum and yuck. Yum because they taste yummy, yuck because all the ones I have found are made in Mexico.


7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you?

Really there are so many. I am thinking of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"- "Glory to the newborn King; Peace on Earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled".


8. Insert your own random thought here.

Merry Christmas!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the sun is going down. It finally feels like winter here. Well at least it did yesterday when we left for church. It was around 27. Last night I decided it was time to start wearing a coat instead of just a down vest.

I am thinking... I really should bake another double batch of chocolate chip cookies and be done with my baking.

I am thankful for... the Christmas season.

From the learning rooms... baking and wrapping gifts today :)

From the kitchen... cookies, cookies and more cookies. I have no idea what's for dinner yet.

I am wearing... gray yoga pants and a red t-shirt.

I am going... to rest for a few minutes. I have been baking and doing laundry all day and just need to sit.

I am reading... the Bible, "Womanly Dominion", "Instruments in The Redeemer's Hands"

I am hearing... the fridge humming, the ceiling fan going, and The Flinstones.

One of my favorite things... driving around the neighborhood to see all the Christmas lights.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.


1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate?

No. I decorate the kitchen, living room and bathroom.


2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why?

Sweden...to see if I could get a good deal on a Volvo :)


3. What does the word faith mean to you?

Knowing that I will one day be face to face with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and live forever worshipping Him.


4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose?

I can't pick one. I guess it would be a holiday with family when everyone was happy.

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe.

I don't remember the last time I had punch although I am sure it was at a shower. I like the recipe that is made with sherbert and ginger ale although I don't have a recipe.

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts?

Yes. After the gifts. And sometimes we forget until way later.


7. What takes your breath away?

I think my breath was really taken away when my husband proposed to me.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

I don't think I had any real exciting answers this week ;) Can't wait to read some of the other hodgepodges.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark. The weather was sunny and crisp today- a beautiful winter day.

I am thinking... these Russell Stover chocolates I am eating are delicious! It was my grab bag gift at the Christmas party. I am glad they are almost gone. And yes I did share :)

I am thankful for... my father-in-law getting transferred from the hospital to the rehab unit at a nursing home today. He is in the place that was our first choice and was able to get a private room :)

From the learning rooms... handwriting, spelling, math and reading.

From the kitchen... leftovers- breaded chicken legs, acorn squash and homemade whole wheat rolls.

I am wearing... gray pants and a navy top.

I am going... to my mom's to help her decorate for Christmas and hopefully to get our tree this week.

I am reading... the Bible, "Womanly Dominion", "Instruments in The Redeemer's Hands"

I am hearing... the weather channel.

One of my favorite things... Dunkin Donuts coffee. My husband made me a pot last night and he can't stand the smell of coffee. Isn't that sweet? I had some left and put it in a thermos in the fridge. Now I can have iced coffee tonight :)

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. Will you be hosting any house guests between now and the end of December? Does that thought make you happy or crazy? Do you do anything special for your guests to make them feel at home? How long should a house guest stay?

No, but I hope one day I will have a house where I can be a host. I have lots of ideas of what I would do to make them feel at home. I don't think there is a set time as to how long a guest should stay.


2. Walter Elias Disney was born this week (December 5) back in 1905 ...what's your all time favorite Disney movie? Here's a list in case you're struggling...and yes, you have to pick one.

A Bug's Life. That is such a great movie. I love watching it with my kids.


3. What was the last thing you purchased that you realized was a mistake after the fact?

A Big Mac at McDonald's. I thought about how many calories it was and it wasn't worth it. They are so much smaller than I remember too!


4. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?

80%. I love online shopping. There are some things that we usually take one day to go out and actually get in the store. My husband loves Christmas shopping in the crowded stores, but not me.


5. Amaryllis-snowdrop-poinsettia...your favorite winter blossom?

Poinsettia. Honestly it is the only one that I know what it looks like.


6. What is one thing on your personal Christmas wish list? I think we all want peace on earth so let's make this answer an actual item.

I haven't made my wish list yet, but a few new nail polishes are always a treat. I try to pick small gifts since the kids like to see me with a lot of presents ;)


7. If you could only use one word today what would it be?

Marathon. It feels like such a long day.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

Tonight I watched Home Alone 2: Lost in NY. It just reminds me of how beatiful NYC is at Christmastime. Really is there anywhere more beautiful?!

Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Slow cooker Surprise: Pumpkin Spice Latte from Good Morning America Food and Recipes

Servings: 2
Ingredients
1/2 cup brewed espresso or 3/4 cup strong coffee
2 cups milk (preferably 1 percent)
2 tablespoons canned pureed pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
tiny pinch of ground ginger
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
whipped cream (optional)

Directions
Use a 2-quart slow cooker.
Add coffee/espresso and milk to the stoneware.
Whisk in pumpkin, spices, sugar, and vanilla.
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
Whisk again. Ladle into mugs, and garnish with whipped cream and additional cinnamon. Add a cinnamon stick for a fanciful effect.

I usually quadruple the recipe and use the remaining pumpkin from the can I opened to make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Enjoy :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is gray and damp. It rained a bit earlier this morning.

I am thinking... I do not want to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season.

I am thankful for... the true meaning of Christmas.

From the learning rooms... lots of science and history today along with the basics.

From the kitchen... roast chicken, bread stuffing and veggies for dinner.

I am wearing... blue lounge pants with white stars and a blue top. I am going to be changing to my workout clothes shortly.

I am going... to the dentist tomorrow, a Christmas party on Saturday.

I am reading... the Bible, "Womanly Dominion", "Instruments in The Redeemer's Hands"

I am hearing... my computer humming.

One of my favorite things... pumpkin lattes. I am going to dig out my recipe to make them in the crockpot.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook