Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Snowy Hodgepodge


From 2007
 Here it is Wednesday again!  Time to check in with Joyce and the gang at From This Side of the Pond for the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Joyce asks the questions and bloggers provide the answers on their own blogs.  It's great fun, so if you've never participated, click the link above and copy the questions.  Then get back to your own blog and get busy answering them so you can link up.

1. What do/did you call your grandparents? If it's something unusual tell us the story behind the name. 

 All of my grandparents have passed on.  My paternal grandfather died when my dad was a child.  I called my paternal grandmother "Grammie _______.   I called my maternal grandparents, who lived nearby, simply Grammie and Grandpa.  He died when I was four, so I have very limited memories of him.
He was showing us his sawmill in operation.
If you're a grandparent what do your grands call you? Who chose your moniker?

 They call me Grammy, or sometimes just Gram (in the case of my two teenage granddaughters).  I guess basically I chose it to begin with, but it's what came naturally.

2. Ever taken a road trip along the California Coast? If so what was the highlight of your trek? If not, any desire to do so? If you were to take a trip along the California Coast what's one attraction you'd have on your must-see list?


I haven't yet taken a road trip along the California Coast, but one will likely be in my future at some point.  My daughter and son-in-law took that trip a few years back and enjoyed it so much, they want us to go too.  I'd enjoy seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and some of the beaches.  My son-in-law was recently in Huntington Beach and sent us this picture among others:

3. What are three things you don't know how to do?

a) Downhill ski.
b) Drive a stick shift.
c) Text.

4. Tom Peters is quoted as saying, 'Celebrate what you want to see more of.' If that's true what will you celebrate and more importantly, how will you celebrate?

Hmmm. This is one of those thought-provokers.  One thing I would like to see more of is Christians actually living out their faith.  So I can celebrate that when I see it by trying to encourage those I observe walking in a Christlike manner.  Another thing I'd like to see more of is good, loving, responsible parenting.  I do celebrate that when I see it -- for example, if I see a young mom doing a great job with her kids in the grocery store, I will stop and compliment her.

5. Thursday (February 16) is National Almond Day. Do you like almonds? Which would you prefer-an Almond Joy or a macaron? What's something you make that calls for almonds? 

I love almonds!  I would definitely prefer an Almond Joy.
Photo from Taste of Home
These Almond Joy Muffins are a huge favorite in our family.  They don't contain Almond Joys, but taste similar to them.
ALMOND JOY MUFFINS

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, melted
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream OR plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Almonds (either chopped, sliced, or whole) and sugar for tops of muffins

Preheat oven to 375º. Grease 12 muffin cups. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, combine margarine, eggs, sour cream (OR yogurt), and extract. Stir in the sifted dry ingredients until just combined well. The batter will be lumpy. Stir in the coconut and chocolate chips. Spoon the batter into the greased muffin cups. Top each with a sprinkle of chopped or sliced almonds (or 3 whole almonds) and a little sugar. Bake in preheated 375º oven for 18 minutes or until muffins test done. Makes 1 dozen muffins.

6. What does Saturday morning look like at your house?

It depends upon the time of year.  Right now, in winter, Mr. T is working most of every Saturday, so my morning looks just like it does any weekday -- up by 4:20, then a good quiet time and breakfast before jumping into the tasks du jour.  His involves leaving home around 5:15 to head to a logging job site.  Currently that is in a neighboring state.  On an ordinary Saturday when he's not working, we might "sleep in" until 5:30 or 6 a.m. and we might go out to breakfast or at least coffee before starting the day, or I might bake some muffins or a coffeecake.

7. Share with us a favorite book you've read this winter.

I haven't finished this one yet, but I'm currently reading The Life-Giving Home, by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Clarkson.  It's excellent, just excellent, but unfortunately I keep thinking Why couldn't I have understood these things when my kids were growing up?  Sometimes it's a challenge to look back on one's mistakes and just realize God allowed our kids' childhood to be what it was.  (Not that it was bad; not just as wonderful as I would've liked, in retrospect!)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Snow!  We have had so much snow of late. 10-12 inches between Sunday and Monday, and there is more snow predicted for today and Thursday.  The photo at top was taken ten years ago this month, but it's a pretty good indicator of how things are looking here right now.  My hubby has just gotten new snowshoes, the much more streamlined type than what is pictured.   He actually went out snowshoeing on Sunday and said there was really almost too much snow to do so successfully.

The video below (I hope it will work for you) was taken in February 2007 when our daughter and son-in-law visited us following months of ministry in Antigua.  Clad in borrowed winter gear of my husband's, they enjoyed a snowshoe hike with him.  The crunching of the snow may be a fun sound for those of you who do not live in snow country!

Happy Hodgepodge Day!

34 comments:

  1. Your photo could have been taken from one of my albums. 😊 I like your answer to number 4. Very good. And those muffins sound delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

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    1. Thanks, Nonnie! And thanks for your visit. Please stop by and visit again anytime. Hope you will enjoy the muffins if you try them.

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  2. Those muffins look delicious. Love your answer to #4. Moms need encouragement and one of the best places to give it is at the grocery store with their littles. You sure are an early riser. Have a great rest of the week and enjoy the beautiful snow :)

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    1. Oh, thanks, Theresa. I hope you will try the muffins ... they are wonderful.

      I get up early because my hubby has to do so for work, and I like to see him off. (And of course, his schedule also means we go to bed early.) Being up early gives me the luxury of a nice long time with the Lord.

      The snow is falling steadily. I was to have a dentist appointment today but rescheduled, so I don't have to go out in it. From this vantage point, it looks pretty.

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  3. The muffins sound so good, thanks for sharing the recipe. I have a friend coming for coffee tomorrow and I think I'm going to try them : )

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    1. Oh, Joyce, I hope that you do try the muffins. We love them in our family. I think the recipe (which I cut out of the newspaper originally) was from a bed and breakfast in our state.

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  4. I truly can't even imagine the snow y'all have gotten this year. How long does it take that to melt? I am not an actual grandma yet, but my granddog calls me Grammie:)

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    1. I can't imagine it either, Sandy. It seems to be a lot more snow than usual. And it does take a LONG time to melt. That's why we have a fifth season up here called "Mud Season."

      Grammie is a good name! :-)

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  5. I admire you hard Yankees for your perseverance in the face of the snow and ice. I would not make it through one winter. It will be in the 60s here this week so I am a happy camper. I won't be so happy when it is 100 this summer.:) I agree with you...I like seeing Christians who walk the walk and do not just talk the talk. Hope you and Mr T can sleep in soon on Saturdays!!

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    1. Oh, Arlene, I think you could make it through one winter. But I know you are a Southern girl born and bred, so it would be a challenge all right.

      I don't do well with heat and humidity so I probably wouldn't handle your climate well either.

      Yes, we are hoping that when this winter logging ends we can take an overnight getaway someplace. Working 6 days a week, such long hours, is very tiring and it wears on the spouse as well.

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  6. Almond Joy Muffins?? I can see these in my near future! I also think we need to celebrate Christlike behavior in people. I don't know why some people are so stingey with praise, and I don't believe in flattery, but praise is encouragement. I can think of a few people in my life whom I love to praise because they are so uplifting and show Jesus in their lives.

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    1. Oh, I hope you try them, Judy! (As an FYI, the Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free baking flour works very well in cookie, muffin, and scone recipes. I like that it can be substituted 1 for 1 and there's no need to alter the recipe in any other way. It does *not* work for yeast breads, as I found out the hard way.)

      I'm with you on the praising others -- no, not flattery at all, but praise, as you said, is encouragement. I believe God intends us to encourage one another as we walk this pilgrimage together!

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  7. I enjoyed your hodgepodge as always! Your answer to number was good and just soo true! And those muffins? YUM...thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Debbie. Hope you give those muffins a try. We love them!

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  8. You show up as a no reply blogger so i can't email you, but i can answer your question here: kitty in the basket is taking a sun bath. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Judy! That sets my mind at rest. I could not figure out what I was missing in that picture.

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  9. How did you get blessed with so little snow? I'm beginning to think that I live under a dark cloud. Even this storm is predicted to bring my little swatch of ME 12 to 18. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. No plowman and now the roof is leaking to beat the band. * thud *

    Thankfully, I have happy blogs to read or I'd really be sunk. Now those Almond Joy muffins sound delicious.

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    1. We got about 10 to 12 in the last storm; we do have 10 to 16 predicted for this one. Snowed all morning here but not a lot of accumulation; seems to be in a lull right now. I'm heading to check the mailbox soon, so we'll see.

      Your part of Maine is getting hammered, that's for sure. Oh, so sorry about your roof. Do you think it's ice dams again, under the snow?

      No plowman! I'm sure the poor guy is doing his best to keep up with all his accounts. (Giving him the benefit of the doubt; surely he'll show up eventually?)

      Bake some muffins and lift your spirits ... praying for you!

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  10. I've actually done your three items that you can't do! Enjoyed reading your answers. I've never done snowshoeing but I have done cross country skiing back in the day!

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    1. Isn't that funny, Debby? I've done a bit of cross-country skiing but didn't really enjoy it as my daughters did. Snowshoeing was more my speed.

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  11. Thanks for visiting my blog and for the verse you shared with me. So encouraging.

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  12. You are most welcome, Judy. Thanks for visiting here as well ... stop in any time!

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  13. Your muffins look scrumptious! Tasks du jour - I like that - need to make a sticker for my planner with those words (as if having a title partly in French will inspire me to get busy around the house!).

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    1. Thanks, Pamela! I hope you try the muffin recipe. They are truly wonderful. Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed my slightly French phrasing. Be sure and show the sticker on your blog if you make one ... I'd love to see it!

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  14. What a pretty blog - I'm visiting from the Hodgepodge list. You mentioned how you wish, Christians would live their faith. Just this past Sunday, I saw the documentary, The Insanity of God - There is no free church and persecuted church, we are one = the church. IDK, what you said, made me think of that.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Debby! That is a thought-provoking statement about no separate free church and persecuted church -- that we are simply one body -- the church. If we thought about that more, we might be more faithful in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring persecution.

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  15. I enjoyed your hodgepodge answers! Couldn't quite find the time to post to it this week...hopefully will next time! Have a good evening!

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    1. Well, Debby, you had good reason not to find the time. Your floors and all of the moving things/cleaning kept you very busy. But the floors are worth it! Maybe we will see you at the Hodgepodge next week.

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  16. loved reading your answers . . .and I just can't imagine having that much snow. Here in the deep south, we get a small amount of snow most every year . . .but we usually have an ice layer underneath the snow and no one can drive on it and we have lots of wrecks! The good thing is that when we have a one day snow event (or maybe two or three days - twice in my lifetime) EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING shuts down so everyone hunkers down in their homes!!

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    1. Oh yes, we have so much snow. Not as much as some of our friends in Maine, but still a lot of snow. I hate driving on ice and I don't really like driving on snow either, but I do it when I have to. What is the worst with the snow is that it is plowed up into huge snow banks that make visibility very tricky when entering or exiting driveways and parking lots. You would not believe the size of the snow banks in our local Walmart parking lot.

      Thanks for visiting and please come back any time!

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  17. Those almond joy muffins look like a wonderful way to celebrate the weekend, thank you for sharing! I think I have almost all the ingredients on hand. Have a great weekend and enjoy our warm up and the sun!

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    1. Oh, I hope your family enjoys the muffins, Jessica! They are such a favorite with us.

      Yes, supposed to be warm and sunny for a couple of days, isn't it? That will be such a nice change from snow!

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  18. g'morning. up at 4am (usual for me) and coffee, hubs left for work at 4:45. he doesn't usually work saturdays but special condition required his attendance and he'll roll up his sleeves to work alongside the men - he's a good boss. the pooch snores .. more coffee needed then breakfast and begin my day in earnest. much to be done and checked off. blessings...

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  19. My day looks busy too, Sherry. We got up at 4:30 this morning. My hubby will work until 2 or so and then I will meet him at church to help clean the building, which he and I do once a month. That will take a couple of hours and then we are having four of our local grandkids here for supper and a few hours while their parents belatedly celebrate Valentine's Day.

    So my day looks very busy between these activities and my other tasks. Off to get busy ...

    Stop by any time, Sherry. I enjoy company here in my kitchen! Lots of posts in the archives may be of interest.

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Thanks so much for stopping by to visit my kitchen table! I love company here in my kitchen, so be sure to leave a comment so I'll know you've visited! I'll answer your questions and comments here on the blog unless you request otherwise.