Wednesday, February 01, 2017

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


24 comments:

  1. I liked baked oatmeal and put apples in mine. It almost feels like dessert : ) Beautiful twilight photo! Enjoy your day and thanks for being part of the Hodgepodge!

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    1. Thanks, Joyce! And thanks for hosting the Hodgepodge! I so enjoy it.

      I just put a pan of baked oatmeal in the oven. And that picture ... yes, it does look very much like a photo, but in fact it is a painting by Maxfield Parrish, who lived and painted in Plainfield, NH in the first part of the 20th century. I learned that the color cobalt blue has sometimes been called Parrish Blue after his use of it, as here.

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  2. Your January was lovely - here's wishing your February is just as special. What a beautiful painting of twilight.

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    1. Thank you, Pamela! Isn't that painting beautiful? Truly, a New Hampshire twilight in winter does look exactly that color.

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  3. What a beautiful depiction of Twilight!! Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thank you, Katie! And thank you for visiting my kitchen table!

      Hope you will have a wonderful week, as well!

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  4. Beautiful twilight photo...breathtaking! I completely agree with your random thought...God has proven that to me over and over, again. Glad you joined us today...I'm your newest follower! :)

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    1. Welcome to my kitchen table, April! It's a delight to have you here. Hope you'll visit again; lots of things in the archives may interest you.

      I loved your thoughts on *my* random thought as well. And yes, that depiction of twilight is breathtaking. It really does look like a photo but is in fact a very beautiful painting.

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  5. I really like the days of early darkness when I can be at home. I do not like driving in the dark anymore but like you, I am looking forward to the longer days. And once January is over, I am always looking ahead to spring!!

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    1. I detest driving in the dark, Arlene! I have done it just a week or so ago, but I prefer not to. And if it's raining, the glare of oncoming lights makes it nearly impossible for me to drive. It is encouraging to see the days already getting longer. Snowing up here today, so I'm not really thinking spring yet!

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  6. Lovely twilight photo! And that oatmeal looks good, even to me, who is not a big fan. But I sure do like oats in apple crisp. :-) Have a great week!

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    1. Mmmm ... yes, apple crisp! I have an apple crisp pizza that I make with a pastry crust on a pizza pan, then apples and a crumb topping including oatmeal. It's wonderful!

      You have a great week too, Judy!

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  7. Enjoyed your hodgepodge...I too love oatmeal in desserts..can't be beat! Looks like a wonderful recipe. I love that soo many have their relationships with God as their sacred thing. Have a good day!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! Yes, wasn't it so interesting reading what people's sacred things were.

      That recipe ... I hadn't made baked oatmeal in a long time, so I whipped up a pan of it for a late breakfast. So good! And plenty left over for several more mornings!

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  8. Sounds like a great January for you. I love my relationship with God. He is awesome! Thank you for the recipe. Love your random.

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    1. Thank you, Debby! I hope that your February is more uneventful for you as far as your dad goes. Hope he will gain strength every day and be able to regain his independence.

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  9. Wonderful days in January for you, time with family is always so special. And indeed, our relationship with the Lord is the eternal link in our earthly lives, what would we do without Him? Always a joy to stop by and enjoy hearing your thoughts on the hodgepodge questions :)

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    1. Thanks, Marilyn! Always wonderful to have you stop by! Such an encouragement to read your thoughtful comments.

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  10. What a beautiful painting! Aren't Hodge Podges wonderful ways to learn more about a person? So interesting, too.

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    1. Isn't it beautiful, Vee? I think I mentioned in the post that years ago we had some Christmas cards with this painting on them. I think they (the cards) came from an art museum, perhaps. My mother got them for us. And now that I think about it, I may find another box of them among her Christmas cards. Who knows? That would be a fun find.

      Yes, I am enjoying the Hodge Podges so much for that very reason. Wish I had gotten involved sooner!

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  11. I so agree with you on your last comment about God working out the details when we turn things over to Him. Oh my He's been busy proving that to me the last few days!

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    1. Thank you, Julie! I have been seeing God in the details more than ever in recent days. He is so good!

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  12. Thank you for stopping by my page and for your comments. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better, it looks like we have a few things in common.

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    1. Oh, you are welcome, Julie! Stop by here or my Christmas blog anytime; I would love to have you. There are a lot of posts in the archives that might interest you, so take some time and browse!

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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.