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.