1. Share one happy moment/memory from the holiday season.
Probably getting to be in a room with four of our grandchildren and seeing seven more of them via Skype at the same time. Oh, and here's another. We were able to stay at our camp two mild nights in December. On the second evening, three of our grandchildren came over for a visit before supper. It was pure joy to chat with them all as our teenage grandsons sketched (one of them comfortably stretched out in the plaid recliner) and 7-year-old Arielle alternately nibbled at a candy cane and swung from the rafters. After their mom called to say supper was ready, they headed out onto the dark forest path with their lights and we could hear them humming a lively hymn as they plunged into the woods. An unforgettable memory!
2. Let's be reasonable with our expectations going into this new year, k? What is one thing you'd like to accomplish/improve/complete/do in 2022?
Get the entire house decluttered and downsized.
3. Every January 1st (since 1976) Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words are chosen). Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2022-
wait, what?-no worries-at the end of the day-that being said-asking for a friend-circle back-deep dive-a new normal-you're on mute-supply chain
Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly?
Once in awhile I will say "no worries". I don't use it often.
Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why?
Supply chain. I'm tired of hearing about it. I don't care much for "asking for a friend" either.
Is there a word/phrase not on the list you'd like to add?
Probably far too many to choose just one -- most of them from the past 2 years.
4. Best thing you ate in the month of December?
Difficult choice! Maybe the roast beef and gravy that my daughter prepared on Christmas Day. But those caramel thumbprints Julia is displaying below were pretty amazing also.
5. January 5th is National Bird Day. Are you a bird lover? What's your favorite bird to see in the wild? Choose a phrase from the list that follows and tell us how it relates to your life currently...eat like a bird, bird's eye view, early bird, bird-brained, free as a bird, a little bird told me, or kill two birds with one stone.
I do enjoy birds. My favorite bird to see in the wild may be a pileated woodpecker. Owls are fun to see in the wild, too. Free as a bird sounds good to me. I've been dealing with issues from sciatica for a month but just got in to see the chiropractor this week. I'm hoping in the next few days to feel free as a bird and able to get around easily.
Hmmm ... Not sure how it is that today is January 5th and I've yet to post any new year goals or come up with a potential word for the year. Life has been oh so busy since New Year's Day!
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| Graphic from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings |
Wouldn't you like to join in, too? Head over to From This Side of the Pond to get the questions ... then answer them on your own blog and go back to link up!
You posted a picture of one of my most favorite birds ever, the Barred Owl. I've written quite a bit about him in the past. We don't see them here at our "new house", but we do hear them occasionally in the wee hours of the morning from a distance. We do see Pileated Woodpeckers every so often, and yes, I love them too. I LOVED the picture of your camp and the word visual of your time spent there with the grandchildren, and then them heading back home through the woods in the night. I love that your camp is near their home and they will be able to enjoy it often with you. What a blessing! Those cookies do look good. I am sorry to hear about your sciatica. I have had that and know how painful and debilitating that can be. Praying it will soon work its way out and you will be feeling much better. I am going to PT 3xweek for a frozen shoulder, and it is slowly getting better, but oh so slowly. Now I have diverticulitis working on me as well, and am going to the Dr. today for a follow up. Oh, the "joys" of getting older. My sweet Daddy used to say to me, "Oh Pammy, don't get old". and I'd say, "But what's my alternative, Daddy?" And he'd grin and say, "Oh, I see what you mean." He lived to be almost 93 and had Parkinson's, but managed to keep a sweet spirit until God took him home...and that was one of the days I had an encounter with a Barred Owl. very interesting story.https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2011/04/last-farewell.html Okay, that's all. I hope you feel better soon, and enjoy your winter for me! God bless you all....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pam! I'm glad that the word visual of the grandchildren heading into the night was a blessing to you. It sure was to us. As I said to Vee below, it seems a good metaphor for the Christian life.
DeleteI'm feeling a good bit better. The pain put a bit (quite a bit) of a damper on my December, but I'm so thankful to be on the mend and to have found a good chiropractor that I like.
Feel better soon!
That scene you describe of the grands wending their way through the forest singing a lively hymn is precious. I am glad that you documented it!
ReplyDeleteSciatica...ugh. Yes, praying with you that relief is coming soon.
You always have big goals! ☺️
Oh, I know. I wish you could have seen them, Vee. The little lights winding upward through the dark woods, and the sweetness of their song in the night. Seems like a good metaphor for the Christian life. We usually watch (though I don't think they realize it) until they reach their own driveway. That's easy now that the leaves are off.
DeleteThanks for prayers. I'm feeling a lot better. Today was my last scheduled appointment for laser therapy. He said to give it a week and come in again if I still have the same level of pain (which is in my knee, interestingly enough) -- but he believes this should take care of it. Hoping he's right. I have exercises to continue with as well.
After I wrote that answer concerning a goal for the year, I thought I should have maybe aimed a little lower. Like maybe "remove the first layer of clutter and begin downsizing". But what I have written, I have written. So we'll see how I do with it!
Those caramel thumbprints look so delicious! I've never made those, or eaten them come to think of it but definitely am going to have to give them a try now! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThey are delicious, Maggie! This is the first time I have ever tasted them. Happy New Year to you, as well!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to enjoy the grandkids at your cabin, such fun memories! Its a lot of work to downsize and declutter, an ongoing experience, lol! May you have a blessed and wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeletethose thumbprints look yummy
ReplyDeleteI LOVED your answer to number 1!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory indeed.
Happy New Year!
I started decluttering my house over the Christmas Break. It feels so freeing! :)
ReplyDeleteYour best memory of your Grands was so precious, just what I would envision a real Christmas scene to be like!. Enjoyed reading all of your responses, I would love the recipe to the caramel thumbprint cookies. Happy New Year,
ReplyDeleteSue
I enjoyed your answers....Owls are so cool. Roast beef sounds really yummy!
ReplyDelete