Wednesday's Christmas Hodgepodge

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 1. I feel like episode 400 cannot go without comment. That's a whole lot of Hodgepodging folks. 2000 questions if my math is right. So, what's something you feel like you do 400 times a week? 

This question made me curious to find out how many Hodgepodges I have participated in.  This is #221 to the best of my calculations.  Thank you Joyce for all you do to keep the Hodgepodge going.  I don't know how you come up with all these questions! 

I feel like I do laundry and wash dishes 400 times a week.  I have a dishwasher but there are still many things I wash by hand, like pots and pans, certain glasses and plastic containers.  

2. Tell us where you were and something about what your life looked like in the year 2000? 

In the year 2000 I was engaged and planning my wedding.  I was also teaching second grade in a quaint village by the water and it was my dream job.  It was an exciting time and I sure had a lot of energy.  

3. Do you like cinnamon? What's something you make and enjoy that calls for cinnamon? Of the cinnamon 'foods' listed which is your favorite-red hot cinnamon candies, cinnamon toast, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast crunch cereal, apple cinnamon oatmeal, churros, an Indian curry?

Yes, I like cinnamon.  I sometimes put cinnamon in my oatmeal (lately it has been pumpkin spice instead) and I make apple pie that calls for it.  Cinnamon toast is my favorite, followed by cinnamon rolls which I rarely have. I usually have cinnamon toast with tea when my stomach is upset and I need to eat something.  We may have cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast.  

4. Does Christmas 2020 (or Hanukkah) look much like it has in years past, or is this year vastly different for you and your family? How so? How are you feeling about it all? 

This year is vastly different for us.  It is the first year we will be staying home and not getting together with extended family.  It was a hard decision but the fact that I may have been exposed to COVID made it easier.  Not everyone agrees with me but I feel better erring on the side of caution.  I feel sad but at the same time relieved to not have to worry as much.  

5. What's one thing you need or want to do before this year ends? 

Organize some closets.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

December's Bill Hodgepodge

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1. What's something about Christmas that most people like, but you don't? Elaborate. 

I do not like shopping malls at Christmastime.  I used to love strolling through and looking at the decorations and seeing the crowds but not anymore, even before Covid.  I much prefer to shop online.  I do like to walk through quaint villages and window shop but don't do that often.  I like to see those villages in Hallmark movies now ;)  

2. Tell us about one cherished tradition from your childhood and if you'll make it happen this year? 

Making Christmas cookies and yes I will make it happen this year.  I started but have a lot more to bake.  

3. In 1941 FDR declared December 15th Bill of Rights Day. Citizens were encouraged to fly the flag and gather for prayers and other ceremonies as appropriate. Did you know this? Will you fly a flag? Can you name all the rights and protections guaranteed in the first ten amendments of the US Constitution? Of the ten, which two do you value most? If you need a list you'll find one here. 

I am ashamed to say I did not know this or at least I don't remember knowing this.  Yes, our flag is flying and it has been.  Again, I am ashamed to say I cannot name all the rights as easily as I should.  I may be able to come up with them if I really tried.  I value #1 and #2 most.  

4. Do you know someone named Bill? Tell us something about him? Is there a famous 'Bill' you'd like to meet? 

Yes, I do.  He is my dad.  He is loved very much.  No I can't think of a famous Bill I'd like to meet.  

5. A step in the right direction, on the right track, bragging rights, be in the right place at the right time, get off on the right foot, right as rain, right side up, give your right arm for, have one's heart in the right place...choose a 'right' that applies to your life in some way in recent days and tell us how it's so.

I think I am on the right track as far as losing weight and getting healthier.  I pretrack all of my food to make sure it fits into my plan and have started doing some exercise.  I have lost 33 lbs. since the end of August so I just need to keep going.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday's December Baking Hodgepodge

 

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1. What do you think it means to have the holiday spirit? 

Remembering the true reason we celebrate Christmas and rejoicing in that truth.  

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

1 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 

Luke 2:11-14

2. What's one thing you've baked this month? Have you eaten the finished product? How much baking do you do around the holidays? What baked sweet something does your family insist is on the menu during this season of the year?  

I haven't started my Christmas baking but I have baked 2 ingredient bagels.  I have some in the freezer and I ate one this morning.  I do lots of baking around the holidays.  My family requests cream puffs and lots of Christmas cookies.  

3. Your most recent 'half-baked' idea?

I thought of leaving the closet doors off of the office closet, thinking it could be part of the room.  My husband just painted it so it was empty.  As soon as I started putting everything back I realized I would like the doors ;)

4. Where were you the last time you 'baked' in the sun? The top ten sunniest destinations in the world (most sun from January-December according to this site) are Dubai, Bali Indonesia, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, Barbados, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Mauritius, Antiqua, and the Canary Islands Spain. Have you been to any of the cities listed? Which one on the list appeals to you the most? If the world were not upside down crazy and you could lie on a beach anywhere right now where would you go? 

This past summer as I was floating in my pool.  These days I wear sunscreen but I remember the days well when I used suntan oil and didn't have a care about my skin.  I flew into Miami once many years ago but then drove North to West Palm Beach.  Barbados and Antiqua appeal to me the most because of the gorgeous beaches.  If I didn't have to fly I'd go there.  Otherwise I would pick an East Coast beach that I could drive to.  

5. Today I wish I had more _____________________.

Energy.  I was able to do a lot this morning but now am in an afternoon slump.  I have so many things I'd like to do but just want to drink tea and watch Hallmark Christmas movies.  I won't though. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If anyone is curious about the 2 ingredient dough I used to make "bagels" it is a WW recipe and uses nonfat Greek yogurt and self-rising flour.  The dough can be used to make breadsticks, pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, apple turnovers, etc.  Whoever came up with it is genius! It is not the same as a NY bagel but I use Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel Seasoning and they are pretty good. 

December's First Hodgepodge

 

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1. Here we are entering the last month of the year 2020. 2020!! Every year The Oxford English Dictionary publishing team chooses a word that captures the general mood of the year we're leaving behind, or the one word that will leave a lasting impact on the world at large. This year they needed sixteen words in order to cover the whole enchilada. 

While two of the other major dictionaries selected pandemic as their word of the year, Oxford came up with a long list including-bushfire, impeachment, acquittal, coronavirus, COVID-19, lockdown, social distancing, reopening, Black Lives Matter, Cancel Culture, BIPOC, mail-in, belarusian, moonshot, net zero (read more about each word here)

Of the words listed which ONE would you say should be in the number 1 spot? Which word/phrase on this list would you be happy to never hear again? 

COVID-19 should be in the number 1 spot because it seems like for most of the year there hasn't been a day that has passed where we didn't hear something about it.  I would be happy to never hear social distancing every again.  I am not debating the effectiveness of it but I do know that people are not made to live alone away from others.  

2. What one word from your own list of words describing this year sums up/best reflects your 2020? Tell us why. 

Change.  There have been many changes this year.  Some good like my daughter graduating and starting college, and my son building his own comicbook series.  Some not so good like not being able to attend church in person for months, not spending holidays with extended family, not being able to walk into a store without wearing a mask, etc.  

3. Do you like peppermint? Peppermint mocha, a candy cane, peppermint bark, peppermint tea, York Peppermint Pattie, peppermint ice cream...of the peppermint treats listed, which one is your favorite? Will you bake anything featuring peppermint this holiday season? 

Yes, I like peppermint.  Yes to candy canes (if I can find any made in the USA), peppermint bark and peppermint ice cream.  I usually only have peppermint tea if I am not feeling well as it is supposed to be good for stomach ailments and headaches.  Mint chocolate chip ice cream is my favorite although I don't know if that is technically peppermint.  My other favorite is peppermint bark and yes I will be making that this holiday season even though it doesn't require baking.  

4. Besides Christmas, what do you associate the color red with? How about the color green? 

I associate red with hearts and Valentine's Day and green with St. Patrick's Day.  

Also this Scripture verse:

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool."

Isaiah 1:18

5. Is your tree up? Real or artificial? Is your house decorated? Is your shopping done? Started? Wrapped? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Scrooge-like and 10 being Buddy the Elf, how's your Christmas spirit? 

My tree isn't up yet but hope to get to that this week.  It is artificial.  Yes, my house is decorated.  My shopping is not done as I am still waiting for Christmas lists.  I did purchase a few things online and am waiting for those to arrive.  My Christmas spirit is an 8, maybe it will go higher this year.  We all can use some extra cheer!  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week we celebrated 19 years of marriage.  We didn't go out to celebrate but hopefully we can make up for it next year.

Have a great week :)