Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Did you set any goals for the new year this time last year? Did you meet them or miss the mark? Tell us more if you're comfortable sharing. 

Yes, I did and I was able to accomplish most of them.  I set a goal to put out a garden and get in touch more with mother nature and met this goal.  I loved working in the garden; a big stress reliever for me.  Another goal I set ,was to learn to really bite my tongue.  There were times when I messed up, but in the  full picture, I came a long way!!

2. What are three words that might describe the kind of person you were this past year or describe in some way how your life looked? 

My life looked: Fulfilling - I love spending time with grandsons and making precious memories,  Growth-I have learned this past year, I can experience joy and pain at the same time,  and Simple.

3. What's something new you ate, saw, heard, or experienced in 2022? What did you think? 

Something I experienced in 2022 and never want to experience it again is being in a tornado.  I was getting ready to return to school for an after school dance to celebrate the ending of the school year.  I was getting ready and my cousin (who also teaches at the school) called and told me a tornado was heading my way.  I quickly went and got my mother and we headed toward the basement.  I tried to call daughter, but no answer.  The wind was horrible and the sound of the wind was like a train upstairs. When it was over, which seemed like hours, but wasn't, I went upstairs and couldn't get my doors open.  It was awful!!  I finally was able  to talk to daughter and they had all went to the bathroom with pillows.  Never want to experience this again!

4.  Oxford Dictionary has announced it's word of the year for 2022, and it's this-goblin mode. Huh? Have you ever heard this phrase? Used this phrase? It's defined as "a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations." 

This year they allowed the public to choose amongst three finalists. You can read more about that here. 

If you were in charge, what word would you declare word of the year for 2022? 

I have never heard this phrase.  But I can see how this phrase did apply to many things that happened in 2022. 

The first words that came to my mind for 2022 was Baby Steps

5. Any special plans for an end of year celebration in your house or town? The travel channel says the world's best New Year's Eve celebrations will happen in Copacabana Beach-Rio de Janerio, the Orlando theme parks in Florida,  London, Sydney, New York's Time Square, Edinburgh Scotland, and Paris. If you could attend any one of these which would you choose? Tell us why? 

I am going out of town for New Year's Eve.                                                                                                                                                I would love to go to London for New Year's Eve. Hearing the chimes of Big Ben and seeing the fireworks welcoming in the new year would be marvelous!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

So glad the temps are getting above freezing!  Shew having temps of 0 or 1 degrees and wind chill factors as low as -20 is not for me.  

Happy New Year to all!!

A Hodgepodge Christmas

 

1. What does Christmas mean to you? 

A time to thank God for showing his great love for us. A celebration of God's ultimate gift.  Christmas is also spending time with family and showing gratitude to all.  

2. What's your favorite cozy holiday activity? 

A favorite cozy holiday activity I use to have was on Christmas Eve.  When the girls were younger, we traveled many places :church for Christmas Eve Communion,  great-grandparents' houses, grandparents' houses, aunts and uncles homes, and finally home.  After we had gotten the girls to bed and played Santa (which was in the wee hours of the morning), hub and I would just relax on the sofa as we reminisce about the evening and we both stared at the Christmas tree.  Hub and I would joke that we should probably go to bed since we knew in a few hours the girls would be coming downstairs! But we didn't!!  

3. Is all your shopping-wrapping-baking done? Tell us about your holiday plans. 

My shopping is complete, still have a few more gifts to wrap, and I usually don't do much baking.  My holiday plans are very simple, now.  I will attend Christmas Eve Communion Service and go to my aunt's house and then return home.  Christmas Day I will just go to daughter's house and see all the stuff Santa has brought the grandkids.

4. If you were Santa what treat would you like to have left for you (it doesn't have to be milk and cookies!) What sweet or savory treat do you most look forward to indulging in around the holidays? 

Christmas snack mix with vanilla almond bark, pretzels, and Chex rice cereal,  and M & M candy.

5. Next Wednesday is the first official day of winter (in the northern hemisphere). How does that make you feel? Tell us what you love most about winter? 

I am kinda ready for some winter---not the drastic temperature nor snow, but a little winter chill in the air.  What I love most about winter (besides when it is over  haha)  is watching it snow.  I do like watching it snow as I am cuddled up on the sofa reading a book. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Have you visited the memorial? Any desire to do so? Have you visited other WW2 sites and memorials? Do you think we do a good job of teaching current and younger generations about the events of WW2? Do you think it matters? 

I have never been to the memorial, and yes I would love to.  I have visited other WW II memorials.

With all the curriculum changes and the banning of books, we do not do a very good job of teaching about the events of WW II and it definitely matters.  History does repeat itself.

2. Many books, both fiction and non-fiction have been written with WW2 as the setting. Is this a 'genre' you gravitate towards? Share with u10 s a book (or two) you've enjoyed that is set in some way around WW2. If you're not a reader, how about a movie? 

I gravitate toward this genre.  I am teaching the Diary of Anne Frank to my 8th grade students...the play form.  And this generation thinks they could overtake the Nazis and not let this happen to them.  For a project, I gave them a plastic bag and they were to pick  10 items that would fit into the bag and why if this was all they could bring with them they explain why they chose the 10 items. Tomorrow the students will present this project.

My favorite books for this genre that I have read are:  Night, All the Light We Cannot See, Unbroken, The Book Thief,  Then There was One, The Hiding Place.  

3. According to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine there are seven popular color trends for the holidays this year. They are- red and white, Victorian blue, pops of pink, rich shades of green, rainbow hues, black and white, and nostalgic retro colors. Are you 'trendy' when it comes to holiday decorating in 2022? How so? Does your tree have a 'theme'? 

Definitely not trendy in decorating in 2022.  I think I will call my tree  My Grandsons' Tree because they have decorated the tree and made home made ornaments to hang on the tree.

4. What's a current trend you buck? 

When someone says, "Happy Holidays," I respond "Merry Christmas."  I will not say Happy Holidays.

5. What's your favorite chocolate something? 

Weird ,but I prefer some type of chocolate candy bar mixed with nuts or coconut.  I am not a fan of chocolate cake (too chocolate) or brownies.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

After today there is 7 days left before our Christmas break and I am ready.

It seems like the Christmas Season is full of busyness and sometimes I know I get agitated with all the things that there is to do...but this isn't how it should be.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Sum up your November in ten words or less. 

November's weather was one for the books! 70s /radiant sunshine.

2. Are you hosting any holiday parties this year? Attending any? Party pooper, party animal, or life of the party...where do you land when it comes to parties? 

I am not hosting a holiday party this year, don't know if I will be attending any. When it comes to parties, I am not a party pooper, but I wouldn't consider myself a party animal and I certainly am not  the life of a party.  Maybe somewhere in between cause I do enjoy going to a good party.

3. Do you purchase holiday clothing of any sort (sparkly tops, Christmas jammies, Santa suit, etc). 

Yes , just last week I bought a cute Santa Baby shirt that is gold sparkly.

4. What's your go-to recipe when you're asked to bring an hors d'oeuvre to a party? 

Fruit tray or vegetable tray...does this count as an hors d'oeuvre?

5. December 3rd is National Play Outside Day...what might you do to celebrate? 

I will have the twins and Blake this day.  If the weather is nice, I know we will be outside playing. The boys usually ride their truck/ El Toro, play hide-an-seek, or we have races.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I had a great Thanksgiving.  I was at the church by 8am delivering my 5lbs of coleslaw then my sons-in-law came and we began delivering food. Our church delivered over 400 meals that day. 

My daughter and her family came around 4 that evening and we all ate around 6.  I forgot to take a single picture!!  and I am mad at myself for that!! AND I definitely overate; that is what my jeans are saying to me!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy the festivities of the Christmas Season!

Thankful for the Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Have you ever been on a cruise? If so where did you go and how did you like it? If not, do you have any desire to take a cruise someday? 

I have never been on a cruise.  This summer on my girls' trip, we all talked about going on a cruise for our next adventure.  I can't remember the destinations we all discussed.  So yes, I have a desire to go on a cruise. 

2. Tell us about your Thanksgiving plans...are you hosting? cooking? eating out? turkey or some other main? is it stuffing or dressing in your house? homemade cranberries or cranberries in a can? are pies on the dessert menu? what kind? what are your 'must have' sides? Tell us one thing you're especially grateful for this year.

My Thanksgiving plans are:  I will be preparing food to take to the church by 8am that morning 5lbs of coleslaw.  Around 10am I will meet back at the church, and my son-in-law and I will deliver food to needy families. This is something my family and I have been doing for at least 18 years.  

Then I will prepare dinner for my daughter and her family and my mom.  Daughter is bringing the turkey or ham and dressing, and I will be preparing the other items.  Most definitely a dessert but it will not be pumpkin pie!

I am so grateful for my little family and MY Friends.  My friends have been through hell with me!

3. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

I usually give people money after being approached (I think it is because I am too scared not to especially when they bang on my car window.)  Where I live I haven't seen anyone with a tip cup on the street.  There are a few charities I donate to every year...St. Jude and Relay for Life.  This year I also sponsored a student who belongs to the Navagiators at her college.

4. Have you started decorating for Christmas? Is your tree up? Shopping done? Wrapped? 

No, I have not started decorating or buying gift for Christmas.  I like to take one holiday at a time.  The day after Thanksgiving I begin.

5. Create your own acrostic using the word THANKS. 

Thankful

Health

Adventure

Kids

Sunshine

 6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I pray all stays healthy through the holiday season.  The tridamic has hit our little area and school system (over 200 students out daily with 20 teachers absence.)  The flu, strep-throat, and stomach viurs!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Last time you were 'dressed to the nines'? 

Probably 4 years ago at oldest daughter's wedding. 

2. Something recently that had you on 'cloud nine'? 

Getting hugs, kisses, and sayings "I love you" from these three boys!

3. Tell us about a time, circumstance, experience, or decision you made where the saying 'a stitch in time saves nine' proved true. 

I can't think of anything right now, but I am sure I have solved a problem before it became a bigger problem. (Surely I have in my 63 years!!) haha

4. A recipe you make that calls for exactly nine ingredients? 

As you all know, I planted a garden this year all by myself.  I truly enjoyed this!!  I made squash casserole from my squash!!  It calls for a little more than nine ingredients, but I don't count salt/pepper as an ingredient!!

5. This coming Friday is Veterans Day in the US of A. Will you mark the day in some way? Are you a veteran? If you live outside the US does your country have a day dedicated to celebrating veterans? 

I am not a Veteran.  Our school honors veterans with a special lunch, and my town honors veterans with a Veteran's Day celebration. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This weather ya'll is AMAZING and I am lovin it!!  Temps in the middle 70s and the bright sunshine is fabulous!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. In two or three sentences describe yourself to someone who has never met you. 

You can hear Tammy coming because she walks or shall I say stomps; she is a loud walker and also a loud talker (but we won't mention that).  Tammy is also a person of very few words; she is blunt and to the point.  She enjoys having fun and hanging out with friends.

2. Will you celebrate Halloween this year, and if so tell us how? Let's play this or that-chocolate candy or fruity candy? pumpkin seeds or pumpkin pie? Halloween party or scary movie? hay ride or corn maze? carve a pumpkin or paint a pumpkin?

Yes, I will go to my son-in-law's house and help hand out candy.  There is usually a big crowd of children who come by.

Chocolate candy, pumpkin seeds, Halloween party, hay ride, and carve a pumpkin.

3. What's something that scared you when you were young? Are you still afraid? 

We lived very close to my father's parents.  I remember walking to their house after dark and screaming the ENTIRE way.  I think I was afraid of someone coming out of the bushes or just the dark; like I said we lived very close to each other. There might had been one house between us.

4. Your favorite soothing drink? 

A small glass of wine and then a glass of lemon water.

5. Are you thinking about Christmas yet? Does this make you feel happy or stressed? 

No!!  Christmas is such a sad time for me after losing my precious daughter.  Not only, is Christmas approaching but her birthday is right after Christmas and then she passed away in the early wee mornings January 1str. I am dreading the holidays, but I know I need to be there for other daughter and my precious grandsons.  I have found out that I can be happy and sad at the same time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

October is such a pretty month.  Our trees in my little neck of the woods have really been beautiful.  But raking all the leaves is still a chore!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!  Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Not my picture...but this is how beautiful my scenery is.