First day of February Hodgepodge

This delightful graphic is by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

 Here goes for another week, in a brand new month, of the Wednesday Hodgepodge.   Joyce, over at From This Side of the Pond, asks the questions; bloggers answer the questions on their own blogs and link back to Joyce.  It's a fun way to write a blog post and fun to get to know other bloggers better from their answers to the questions.  If you've never joined in, why not give it a try this week?

1. Can you believe it's the end of January? What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

No, I can't believe it is the end of January.  That month flew by.  As to what was the best day of January 2017 for me -- oh, this is a tough question.   I might say January 1, when we had a delightful Skype visit with our daughter, her hubby, and their children out in Nevada.  I might say January 13, when four of my local grandchildren spent the afternoon with me, and my hubby took me out to dinner that night.  I might say January 14, when we celebrated my birthday at my local daughter's home.  Lots of nice things happened in the past month. 

2. What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

Chattering squirrels, the occasional chickadee, the hum of the dryer,  the roar of the blowers from our forced hot air wood furnace.  Oh, and a dripping tub faucet.

3. I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are-

anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead)

Which thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?

Most of these things I have already dropped or am actively working at dropping.   People who put you down -- well, you can't always drop them because they may be family, co-workers, fellow church members, or whatever.  But you can sometimes limit your interactions with them, or stop allowing them to affect you negatively.

Graphic from Holley Gerth

4. What is sacred to you?  

My relationship with God.

And also, a favorite quote of mine concerning this verse:

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."  (Colossians 3:23)

is from Bible commentator William MacDonald, who wrote: "This verse teaches us the very important lesson that the humblest service can be glorified and dignified by doing it for the Lord.  In this sense, there is no difference between secular and sacred work.  All is sacred.  Rewards in heaven will not be for prominence or apparent successes; they will not be for talents or opportunities, but rather for faithfulness."

5. January is National Oatmeal month. Are you a fan, and if so how do you like it?

I do like oatmeal, and isn't January the perfect month for it?!   I like oatmeal with dried cranberries and maybe a little peanut butter mixed in.  Oatmeal is good in desserts like no-bake cookies, apple crisp, and more.

Baked oatmeal is wonderful, too.  Try this:

Photo from Taste of Home

AMISH BAKED OATMEAL

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Warm milk
Fresh fruit and/or brown sugar, optional

Combine the first eight ingredients; mix well. Spread evenly in a greased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately spoon into cereal bowls; add warm milk. Top with fruit and/or brown sugar if desired.

6. What feelings does twilight stir up in you?

I love the gorgeous blue color of twilight in winter.  If you have ever seen the Maxfield Parrish painting Hill Top Farm, Winter,  which is shown below, you have seen what winter twilight looks like in New Hampshire.  We once had Christmas cards with this painting on them.

Image from FramedArt.com

Color like this just grabs me by the heart.  And beauty like this. 

7. Something you're looking forward to next month?

 Days continuing to lengthen.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

It is so interesting to see how, when we commit a situation to God, He works out the details for the very best.   The older I grow in the Lord, the more I notice this happening.

Antique card from my Aunt Sadie's personal collection