Wednesday, January 17, 2018

January 17 Hodgepodge

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

1. What keeps you blogging?

Let's see.  I started this blog in 2005, mostly as a place to jot my thoughts and memories so I wouldn't forget them.   I started my Christmas blog in 2007, again as a place to put my memories, share crafts, recipes, and decorating ideas, and just share my love of Christmas with others.  I honestly just plain enjoy blogging. I still have more that I want to share, and would actually blog much more often if I had more time to do so.  I so enjoy connecting with readers and other bloggers, and it fascinates me to know that there are people in many other parts of the world who read my blogs.

I consider blogging a part of one of the purposes that God has for me -- that of encouraging and reaching out to other women.  That would keep me going, if nothing else did.

2. Some people like to travel in the winter months. Do you enjoy the beach in winter? 
I enjoy the beach more in the off season, actually.   Less people, plenty of room to walk ...

According to Southern Living the best U.S. beach towns to visit this winter are-

St Simons Island (Georgia), Hilton Head (South Carolina), Bald Head Island (North Carolina), Seaside (Florida), Bay St. Louis (Mississippi), Cape San Blas (Florida), South Padre Island (Texas), Folly Beach (South Carolina), Chincoteague (Virginia), Duck Key (Florida), Nags Head (North Carolina), and Fairhope (Alabama)

Have you been to any of the towns listed (in any season)? Which on the list appeals to you most this winter? 
I have visited Seaside, Florida and Fairhope, Alabama.  As to which town on the list appeals the most this winter, I would say Fairhope because Mr. T has family there.  But realistically,  the only beach town we are likely to get to this winter is probably in Maine.  (See above photo.)
Seaside
3. What's a song you're embarrassed to know all the lyrics to? Are you really embarrassed or do just think you should be?

 I don't think there are any songs I'm embarrassed to know all the lyrics to. Probably as a young teen I knew the words to many pop songs, but no more.  I do know all the lyrics to many hymns, but obviously am not embarrassed by that.

It's actually a huge encouragement to be able to sing all of the verses to precious hymns without looking at a hymnbook.  I often sing while vacuuming, for instance.
Delightful hymn graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings
4. When you were a kid what's something you thought would be fantastic as an adult, but now that you're an adult you realize it's not all that fantastic?

Hmmm ...maybe certain flavors.  I know there were some flavors, like anise for one, that I didn't care for and my parents told me I would probably like them as an adult.  I still don't.

I really can't think of much, if anything, that I couldn't wait to grow up to do, only to find out it wasn't all I thought it would be.

5. Share a quote you hope will inspire you in 2018.

I saw the quote below, from Sally Clarkson, on Instagram and really liked it.   It has definitely been true for me.  The more I trust God, the more I do literally see His fingerprints all over my life.  It's a very exciting and encouraging way to look at life.  I hope that in 2018 my own life experiences, seen in this light, will inspire me to share my faith with others -- to help them understand that this is possible, and actually what God would want,  for everyone.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I've got a lot on my mind as we head into a new year, and much that I had hoped to accomplish in January.  Just a couple of weeks left, but strangely, I'm feeling pretty relaxed about it.
Beautiful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings
Happy Wednesday, everyone!  It's a snowy one up here.

14 comments:

  1. I can't believe you have blogged that long. That is amazing. I am not sure if I will make it that long or not, although I must say I love reading them. I love to see how people all over are doing and what there day is like, what they see as opposed to me, etc.
    I have been listening to way more music these days. It is far better to clean house to rather than TV.

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    1. Oh, I hope you do keep blogging, Sandy. I love your blog and always enjoy your posts. Someday I need to go back and read in your archives.

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  2. We love Fairhope...just a lovely town. And it is right up the road from Gulf Shores which is another favorite spot. I sure would like to be sitting on the beach right now It is 10 degrees here!

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    1. 10 degrees? Amazing! I just checked and it is 28º here. Snowy, but still. 28º!

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  3. The graphics on your post today are so pretty! And of course I like the quote. My first blog post was January 28, 2010. You've got me beat by a lot! It is hard to believe that January is more than half over, and I, for one, am glad of it. February should be a little warmer.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the graphics, Judy. That Abby is so amazing with all that she designs.

      It has been such a strange winter here. Last Friday, 50º and heavy rain. Saturday morning the temps dropped quickly and sharply. A flooded field near us simply froze as it was, and is still that way, only now with snow on top of it. Hard to tell if the brook has an ice jam downstream, or if there are big bubbles or empty spaces under the ice. So unusual!

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  4. Sally Clarkson’s quote really is one to ponder. I often can review situations in hindsight and see God’s hand, but seldom am I aware of it as circumstances unfold.

    Now that group of children is adorable! Are you telling us who they are?

    So glad that you blog! 😊

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    1. It is a great quote, isn't it? This past year there were a few times when things happened and I instantly knew they had God's fingerprints all over them. I believe that looking back and seeing God's hand is just as good. Sometimes we are so caught up in a situation that we don't see until afterward how God worked.

      The children: I'm second from left, flanked by cousins (the little girls in matching hats). The little boys are my brothers. I only recently found that picture (you guessed it; going through the house. I thought all of the photos were more or less corralled in one location, but I was wrong.) and thought it was so cute. Especially the expression on my littlest brother's face!

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  5. I enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge today! Great quote by Sally Clarkson!

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    1. Thanks, Terri! And thanks for visiting. Hope you're having a great week!

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  6. Wow, you have been blogging a long time...that's awesome. Loved that great quote! We are digging out here today...had almost 10 inches of snow yesterday!

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    1. Yes, I have been blogging a long time and am not ready to quit!

      Wow, ten inches of snow! That's a lot to dig out from. We have freezing rain here today.

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  7. Blogging has certainly brought such joy into my life, and I've met such wonderful Christian ladies! Your friendship has meant so much to me, and I feel that even though we are as far apart as the east and the west {smiles} our hearts are connected through fellowship in Jesus. I always enjoy your hodgepodge, and loved the quote from Sally Clarkson, it is so true. I also love the beautiful graphic on trust by Abby, she is very talented indeed! I am thankful for your blogging friendship Sarah, hugs to you today :)

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    1. I am thankful for your blogging friendship too, Marilyn, and if we ever get to your part of Idaho while visiting out West, I hope that we can meet in person. I too feel that our hearts are connected through fellowship in Jesus, as indeed they are. Sisters in Christ -- awesome! Hugs to you too!

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