Wednesday's Hodgepodge

 

Visit Joyce and join the fun!

1. Time magazine has selected The Ebola Fighters as their person of the year for 2014. Do you agree, and if so who would you say is a close second? If you disagree with their choice, who do you think should have been chosen?

Well, certainly The Ebola Fighters deserve recognition, but I don't know if I'd say person of the year.  I don't have a particular person in mind, but there are heroes everyday that go unnoticed.  I'm sure after I read some other answers from the hodgepodgers I'll be agreeing with them ;) 

2. This question comes to you courtesy of Susan who blogs over at Stew Mama Says. She knows we have a wedding happening any minute now, and she asks, 'What's your favorite-something old? something new? something borrowed? something blue in your home?  Be sure you hop over and say hi to Susan today!

Something old would be my Grandmother's Christmas ornaments.  My aunt gave them to me after my Grandma passed and I put them near the top of our Christmas tree every year.  
Something new would be a sweater I ordered myself for Christmas.  It is black with 3/4 sleeves and soft and comfy.  I gave it to my husband to wrap up.  I  picked up a few things for him and the kids to give me :)
Something borrowed....can't think of anything.  If I borrow something I like to give it back as soon as possible.  It bugs me when people borrow things and don't return them.  Hopefully I don't have anything that hasn't been returned ;)
I don't have any rooms that are decorated with blue in my home.  When we were first married I picked out a beautiful blue and white floral Laura Ashley bedroom set.  I had the comforter set and matching curtains but I've since changed it.  
 

3. Fudge-yay or nay? Your favorite flavor? Do you make it yourself? With nuts or without?

Yay for fudge.  My favorite is maple walnut although I haven't had it in years.  I've made chocolate fudge a few times but it isn't something I make regularly.   I prefer it with nuts. 
 

4. December 17th is Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the first successful flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  How old were you when you made your first flight? Do you like to fly? Have you ever been to Kitty Hawk or other parts of the North Carolina Outer Banks?

 I was 12 when I took my first flight.  It was to Florida to see my aunt and grandparents and I was alone.  The flight didn't bother me so much then, but I do not like to fly.  I have flown several times since then, but I prefer driving.  Actually the thought of flying makes me sick to my stomach.  I've been to North Carolina but never to Kitty Hawk or the Outer Banks.  I would love to go there and rent a house on the beach someday.  Since we are only minutes from the beach here, my husband doesn't think it makes much sense. 

5. Do the people in your family tend to follow a particular career path, and if so what's the path?

No, everyone seems to do something different.  There are many who are good with business type jobs though although I don't understand exactly what they all do.  As far as I know I am the first teacher in the family.  If I didn't do that, I may have gone to college for accounting.  I think that is an important skill to have and I did work part-time in an accounting department when I was in high school and enjoyed it.  
 
6. What is one thing you absolutely, positively must accomplish today?

I must bake Christmas cookies today.  On the list are thumb prints, wedding cakes, M&Ms, chocolate chips, maple walnut balls and Linzer Torte bars.  I'm not sure if I'll make sour cream cookies this year, although one recipe makes a lot so those are good to have on hand.  I don't know how much I will get done but need to start.  
 
7. This Christmas I hope___________________________________.

To stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  
 
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Has anyone else noticed the sales seem to be getting better the closer it gets to Christmas?  I'm glad since I still have a few things to pick up.  Since there won't be a Hodgepodge next week, Merry Christmas! 
~Theresa 

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

 Visit Joyce and join the fun!

1. What is one new holiday tradition you'd like to establish, or one you've established recently, say in the last year or two?

I've seen lots of Advent activities online and while we do Advent calendars with the kids, I'd like to incorporate more.  I like the idea of writing down all the things you'd like to do in December and then choosing one a day.  I haven't been able to figure out how to do it in a way that works well for me yet. 

2. It's the second week of December. Have you sipped a cup of eggnog yet this month? Wrapped a gift? Opened a gift? Kissed someone under the mistletoe? Lit a candle? Eaten a Christmas cookie? Seen Santa in person? Watched a Christmas movie or special? Read scripture relating to the birth of Jesus?

No eggnog for me.  I like it but have an intolerance to eggs.  I haven't wrapped any gifts yet, although I'm working on organizing them as they come in the mail.  I haven't opened any gifts yet either.  I haven't even seen mistletoe this season, but I have lit a candle.  I took out my Yankee Candle Red Apple Wreath candle and love the smell.  I haven't started baking Christmas cookies yet or seen Santa.  We've watched lots of Christmas movies and read scriptures relating to the birth of Jesus. 

3. Do you think it's better to be an adult or a child at Christmastime? Explain.

Tough question.  I think children get more excited about Christmas but to see their excitement as an adult is precious. 

4. It's often said, 'Good things come to those who wait'...agree or disagree? Why?

Well, I agree in the sense that some things are worth the wait.  We shouldn't always jump on the first opportunity that comes our way.  Does that make sense? 

5. What's the last sweet thing you baked? Did you keep it, take it to a party/event, or give it away?

I baked a chocolate chip cookie cake on Sunday to take to church for dessert.  It was good but I think I could have cut back on the sugar and it would still taste delicious. 

6.  This question comes to us courtesy of Jhona who blogs over at The Red House at the End of the Lane. Everyone hop over and say hi to Jhona this week!  Here is her question... "I heard an actor talk about how he makes a conscious choice to talk to people in elevators.  He chooses to connect, make eye contact, and converse. Do you talk to people/strangers when you're in an elevator or any other place where you might have to wait together? Why or why not?"

I don't usually talk to strangers in elevators.  I stare at the door waiting for it to open.  I don't like elevators.  In other places I will sometimes talk to strangers, like on line in a store.  Many times it isn't that easy since it seems everyone is always on their phone.

7. Are you on the naughty or nice list this year? What put you there?

I'd say nice although maybe not everyone would agree.  Who wants to think of themselves as being on the naughty list?  Not me.  I try to be kind and follow The Golden Rule. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 Did anyone watch The Voice this week?   Craig Wayne Boyd sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and it was AMAZING!  Then Pharall's comments were incredible.  God was praised right there on NBC.

Have a great week :)
~Theresa

Back to Wednesday's Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!  

It's been a long while since I participated in the Hodgepodge, so I thought... the holidays are a great time to jump right back in.  Plus I've heard that Joyce is having a great giveaway ;)  Thanks Joyce!

1. What is something in your life right now that feels a little 'hodgepodge'?

My house.  We are in the process of decorating for Christmas.  Yesterday I took down my Thanksgiving and Fall decorations, even though it felt too soon.  We bought our tree from Costco and put it up but it isn't decorated yet.  We give it a couple of days for the branches to settle.  I put away some things to make room for our Christmas decorations but haven't brought up all the boxes from the basement yet.  I usually say we'll do a little at a time, but once those boxes come up, I can't stand the mess and get them back downstairs as quickly as possible. 


2. What does 'peace on earth, goodwill to men' mean to you?

It means the birth of Jesus, our Savior.  Peace between God and man through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Goodwill to men because it is the greatest gift ever. 


3. Which edible treat you are most looking forward to sampling this December?

Christmas cookies, of course!  I love to bake many different types of cookies for Christmas.  I will probably try a few new grain free recipes this year.  


4. It's that most wonderful time of the year...do you agree, and if so why is it so wonderful?  If not, what would you say is the most wonderful time of the year?

Yes, I agree.  It is the most wonderful time of the year because of the answer to #2.  Also, there is something special about all of the decorating, activity, and getting together with friends and family this time of the year.  


5. What was the last word you looked up in a dictionary (actual or online) and why?

I can't remember but I often have to look up the words in my daughter's Classical Vocabulary book.  Good thing they give the definitions in the beginning of each lesson ;)  


6. Besides a Christmas tree, what is your favorite thing to decorate this time of year?

I would say the outside of our house, but to be honest I love the way it looks when it is done but don't really enjoy doing it so leave that to my husband.  I like to decorate the bay window in my kitchen with crocheted snowflakes and then Christmas decorations on the shelf below it.  


7. Share one thing you've learned (about yourself, people, or anything at all) in the Wednesday Hodgepodge, or through blogging in general.

I've learned that there are people who you have never met in real life, yet you still consider them friends;  that there are many differences among us and at the same time many similarities. 


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It's nice to be back at the Hodgepodge.  Thanks again, Joyce.
~Theresa