Wednesday's Hodgepodge

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1. It's  been said that one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. Do you think that's true? Do you find that an easy exercise most mornings? What's something positive you told yourself today? If you missed that boat, what's something positive you could tell yourself tomorrow?

Yes, I think it is true and an easy exercise most mornings.
"Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."  Lamentations3:22-23

2. There will be karaoke at the next party you attend...are you in? Or will you be faking a sore throat?

Yes, I'm in!  I'll try to drag someone into singing with me though.  That way my voice won't be the only one heard.  Karaoke is a lot of fun.

3. January 29th is National Puzzle Day...what's something you've found puzzling recently?

Our healthcare system.  Need I say more?

4.  Jigsaw, crossword, acrostic, logic, sudoku, word search...what's your favorite kind of puzzle, and when did you last work one?

My favorite is crossword puzzles.  I was working on some Sunday night while I sipped tea under my warm covers.

5. Recently a writer by the name of Amy Glass ruffled feathers with a post she wrote saying she looks down on young women with husbands and kids and she's not sorry. Among other things, she says women will be equal with men when we stop saying house work and real work are equally important. You can read the whole piece by clicking here.

What say you? Do you think men and women are equal in the 21st century? Why or why not?

I say she is deceived.  I'd like to share with her the poem by William Ross Wallace, "The hand that rocks the cradle shall rule the world.".  If you haven't read it you can find it here.  Yes, I think men and women are equal in the 21st century.  Equal but different :)

6. What's a product you've noticed in the grocery store that you'd like to try, but haven't yet?

I actually saw it online, but that counts, right?  Colored carrots look interesting but I am a bit hesitant to try them.  If Trader Joe's still has them I think I'll give them a try.  They sound good roasted with a bit of olive oil and some salt and pepper. 

7. The author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) was born this week in 1832 (January 27th).  Which character from his celebrated novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, would you most like to meet, and why? Here's a linkto a character list if you need help on this one. 

 I guess I'd have to say Alice since she is a little girl and who doesn't love little girls?  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Is anyone else looking forward to the Superbowl for the food?  I make a few things but my favorite is Buffalo Wings.  I follow this recipe and use Frank's Hot Sauce.  The only changes I make is to leave out the butter or coconut oil and toss the wings with hot sauce before doing the final bake.  If you are looking for an alternative to traditionally fried wings these are delicious.  
~Theresa

Wednesday's Snowy, Artic Hodgepodge

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1. It was decided on Sunday the Denver Broncos will meet the Seattle Seahawks in this year's  Superbowl. So when was the last time you bowled? Not where you thought this question was going is it?  Do you like to bowl? Are you any good? 

The last time I bowled was in March.  I do like to bowl but have to be careful with my back.  I'm not good but once in a while I do manage to get a strike or spare ;)

2.   Should sports stars be role models? 

It depends on which sports star it is.  If they are honest and hard working then why not?  If they are stuck up, full of themself and willing to do anything to further their career then no.

3. January is National Oatmeal month...are you a fan? How do you like your oats?

I do like oatmeal.  I like mine made with vanilla almond milk and sprinkled with cinnamon, chopped walnuts and fruit (blueberries, apples or pears).

4. What is one book on your reading list for 2014?

Sadly, I don't have a reading list.  I am reading my bible and working on finishing "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  Some of the women at church are planning on reading "Trusting God Even When Life Hurts" by Jerry Bridges.  I have read it before and my copy is falling apart but I may look into getting the study guide and digging deeeper.  Maybe I should start a reading list ;)

5. What would you like your future self to say to your present self?

You are doing a good job.  Keep being faithful.

6. When scrolling through the TV guide, what is one movie title that makes you want to stop, grab the popcorn, and watch for a while?

"The Wedding Planner" with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey.  It is a romantic comedy and I love the character Jennifer Lopez plays.

7. What are two style trends you hope never come back into fashion?

1.  High waisted jeans, especially when they are tucked in or with a belt.  Check out Brenda and Kelly from Beverly Hills 90210.  That is what I'm talking about!

2. Shoulder pads.  What a pain they were to keep straight and why we thought it would look good to make our shoulders look bigger is beyond me.  Unless maybe it was to make our waists look smaller ;)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Today is a Snow Day :)  Looks like we have at least a foot of snow this morning.  The temperature is 7 degrees so I haven't ventured out yet.  I wanted to share a photo of how beautiful it looks but it's too cold to snap a photo from my door in my jammies.  Hopefully the sun will warm it up a few degrees before we dig out and have some fun :)

~Theresa

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

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1.  Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?

Yes, I guess I am.  I am a very loyal person and protective of those I love.

2. What are two things you love about the wintertime? Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you 'like' about winter? 

Just two?  Okay, snow falling and sledding.  I love to watch the snow fall and how beautiful everything looks with snow all around.  There is nothing like a day of sledding- bundling up and trudging through the snow to find the perfect spot.  Then having hot cocoa, coffee or tea waiting to warm us up.

3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health benefits, particularly during the winter months. Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried? 

I love pomegranate as a flavoring, like in seltzer water.  I can't help but think of my favorite sweets made with guava although I haven't had one in years.  Entenmann's makes Guava Cheese Puffs and they are delicious!  One of my teaching assistants used to bring them in for us to have with coffee for a snack.  They are difficult to find and it seems like only stores in certain neighborhoods carry them.  Good thing because I am sure they are not good for you ;)

4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their outdoor sign- 'When all else fails, do the right thing.' Your thoughts?

Hmmm....is that really true?  Shouldn't we do the right thing before all else fails?  Sounds like the right thing is an afterthought there.

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are-St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland.  Of the five listed, which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer. 

I do not ski.  I'd choose Austria since it looks so beautiful and is close to where many of my relatives are from.  I'd go sledding, tubing or snowmobiling  instead.  I haven't gone snowmobiling yet but would love to.  I'll take this one, thank you :)

http://www.srviper.com/

6.  What's the last thing you looked for online? (Besides my blog!)

A car.  I keep searching to see what types of cars are available and how much they cost.  Hoping to get a second car for us soon.  I have something in mind just not sure if my husband will agree with me ;)

7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?

I'm drawing a blank on this one.  I'm sure after I visit some hodgepodges today I'll come up with one though.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Yesterday was in the 50s and this morning we were scraping ice off our windshields.  If it is going to be cold I prefer the snow :)  Is anyone else excited to see Harry Connick Jr. on American Idol tonight?
I think along with Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez the show may be on its way back up.
~Theresa

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

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1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English.  Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen).  Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2014-

selfie, twerk/twerking, hashtag, Twittersphere, Mr. Mom, T-bone, ____on steroids, the suffixes-ageddon, and -pocalypse added to anything and everything, from the world of politics the words-intellectually/morally bankrupt and Obamacare, and from the world of sports the words-adversity and fan base

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I'd like to see the phrase Mr. Mom banished from everyday speech.  It contradicts itself.  If a man is home caring for his children it doesn't make him a Mom.  He is still a Dad.  While there are many men who do a wonderful job raising their children it is not the same thing as a mother, even if you add a Mr. to it.  I think it is another attempt to take away from the high and noble calling of being a mother.

2. What one unfinished project nags at you begging to be completed in this new year?

The unfinished project that comes to mind is the quilt that is hidden somewhere at the bottom of my linen closet.  I started it before I was married (over 12 years ago) and never finished it.  The layers are all pinned together and the quilting just needs to be finished.  I have thought of paying someone to finish it but I think I would rather wait and be able to say I did it all by myself!

3. When did you last have a bowl of soup? What kind? Homemade or from a can? What's your favorite soup?

It's been a while, actually I can't remember exactly when.  I'm sure it was homemade chicken soup which was made because someone wasn't feeling well.  My favorite is chicken noodle soup but now I just have it without the noodles since I am avoiding gluten.

4. Snowed in, snowed under, snow job...which one most applies to your life in recent days, figuratively speaking.

I'd say snowed in.  We did have nine inches of snow last week but that wasn't enough to snow us in.  The temperature the past couple of days has been in the single digits and that makes me want to stay in.  I am feeling snowed in since my husband started a new job today and I am home without a car.  I'm praying for the Lord's provision of another car soon.

5. What's the funniest movie you've ever seen, or at least one of the funniest?

One of the funniest movies I can think of is Buddy the Elf.  I'm not much of a movie watcher but that one cracks me up!

6.  In general, would you say you're clumsy?

I don't think I am but once in a while I do something like walk into a piece of furniture when I come around a corner.

7. Elvis Presley was born on Hodgepodge Day (January 8th) back in 1935.  Are you an Elvis fan?  What's your favorite Elvis tune? If that's too hard, which Elvis tune do you dislike the least?  Click here for a list of his songs.

I can't say there is an Elvis song that I don't like, but Suspicious Minds is my favorite.  My niece received a Karaoke machine for Christmas and I had a blast singing that one!  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I know it is January 8th but I am still enjoying my Christmas decorations.  I finally took down my kitchen decorations yesterday but my living room is still decorated.  Our tree is in such good shape still I think I'll leave it up a while longer.  We bought it at Costco this year and the needles are not falling off yet.  I love sitting by the light of the Christmas tree :)  I'm not ready to change my blog background yet either ;)
Happy New Year!
~Theresa