Wednesday, December 20, 2017

December 20 Hodgepodge


Can you believe it?  It's Wednesday again,  time for the Hodgepodge with Joyce and friends at From This Side of the Pond.  Head on over to get the questions.  Then answer them on your own blog and go back over to Joyce's to link up!   Here are this week's questions:

1. Where have you found unexpected magic or delight this holiday season?

In things that I've been finding as I clean out my childhood home.  Whether it's photos I didn't know existed, letters I could pass on to bless other family members, or gorgeous vintage Christmas cards and trims, there has been much delight in this journey along with the drudgery and some frustration.

2. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering? Will you/have you gathered in your favorite way this month?

I like low-key, very simple holiday gatherings. Things like Christmas Eve supper and gifts with my granddaughters,  sharing a Christmas Day meal and gifts with my local daughter and her family, having a few friends in for cookies and eggnog, or impromptu cups of tea at a kitchen table.  Obviously, the first two haven't happened yet this month, but they will.  The last two have happened and were a relaxing way to enjoy the season together.  Last evening a friend and I hosted a simple cookie swap here at my house.  Good food and fellowship and cookies to take home.
A few of the cookies
3. Time has named 'The Silence Breakers' (women who came forward with stories of harassment)  'person of the year' for 2017. Would you agree? If not, who do you think deserves the title?

Oh, I just don't know how to answer this.  I do admire them for their courage, obviously.  I don't know that I would name them "Person of the Year", but then I seldom agree with Time's choices.  I have no real idea who I would say deserves the title, but I liked Joyce's idea of naming our nation's firefighters person of the year.  While we were out in Nevada, we saw a number of signs expressing appreciation to the firefighters for battling the wildfires in that part of the state.  And one night, out for pizza, we saw a number of firefighters getting their supper.  These are incredibly courageous folks that leave their homes for weeks on end (or more) and go to the aid of others in distant states.

4. How did you spend your time this year? Are you happy about that? Elaborate.

I have spent a good deal of time since my dad passed away working on responsibilities having to do with his estate.  Just how busy I've been was brought home to me this morning.  I ordinarily change out the paper treasures under the glass-topped desk in our bedroom seasonally, sometimes even monthly.  I cleared off the desk to pay the oil and electric bills for his house, and noticed what I had not paid attention to before: the cards under the glass had to do with springtime and Mother's Day!  My dad passed away the end of May.

As to being happy about it -- well, I am happy to do this task as a way of honoring my dad, but it has been and continues to be quite a task.  Let's say I'll be happy when this task is more complete than it is now. 
Glass desktop in a previous year
5. Bid farewell to 2017 in ten words or less. 

By God's grace I navigated it wisely and with joy.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Today has been a "desk day" in more ways than one; paying bills, writing a few cards, working on blog posts, planning menus and making a grocery list.  I definitely need more days like this.

And this ends this week's Hodgepodge.  Logically enough, there will be no Hodgepodge next week so we can all celebrate Christmas with our families and friends.  Merry Christmas!

8 comments:

  1. I'm glad your finding delight in cleaning out your childhood home. The cookies look delicious. I do think the firefighters would have been a better choice. I worked on my aunt and uncles estate and it was a lot of work. God Bless You. I love your farewell to 2017. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  2. Displaying cards Or anything under the desk glass is a good idea! I’m with you on clearing an estate...we honor the one who left it behind, yet we’d like to be farther along in the process. Beautiful tree! 🎄

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  3. I like your under the glass idea for the desk. I can totally relate to the year of sorting. I am about through with all of those things. I do hope my mom can enjoy life a bit more this year and move on some. Love the tree.

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  4. I hope you have a merry and blessed Christmas! God bless you!

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  5. I agree with you about the Firefighters...they do an amazing job to protect our country in many ways. To me, all this whistle blowing at one time smacks of publicity seeking...but then I do tend to be cynical. Wishing the T family a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2018,

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  6. I feel like desk days are especially trying in December when there are so many more interesting ways to spend my time. But here I sit, at my desk, paying bills : ) Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  7. I can only imagine the joy of finding these vintage treasures from your childhood home. Your tree is so pretty and I love your 10 words for 2017! Merry Christmas and may blessings abound in 2018!

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  8. Thanks for visiting my Hodgepodge blog! We seem to have a few connections in common here! Nice to 'meet' you! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

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