The tree is up and some of the ornaments are on it. I’m debating about how many to fill it with. Maybe it will be simplified this year. The rest of the Christmas bins are coming down today (Tuesday) and hopefully all the decorating will be accomplished before I visit Hodgepodgers this week!
Thank you to Joyce for the Wednesday Hodgepodge Questions! Click over to join in.
1. What’s the best $5 gift to give someone?
Oh boy, this is a tough one. How about meet someone for a cuppa that you pay for and give them an hour of your time. I would have said buy them a cup of whatever and a little sweet to go with it but it would have to be a cookie because pastries are up in the $6 range these days!!
2. What’s your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season?
Sitting with my feet up and enjoying some quiet. Going for a drive and enjoying the winter views.
3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes?
A little gingerbread is enjoyable but it wouldn’t be missed. Houses have not been a big part of our tradition until lately with the Grands and it’s a nice craft for them to enjoy. Ginger is a nice addition to other kinds of dishes and in tea.
4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day…will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants…which one do you wear most often?
Any jeans that fit well and stay put at the waist are fabulous in my book. When I find a brand that will do that I’ll cling to them forever! Around the house and working in the yard joggers are the comfort go to for bending, kneeling, pulling weeds, etc.
At night when the day and work is done it is always time for comfy pants! (Jammy bottoms)
5. As we head into this holiday season what’s your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year?
Remembering that God is my portion. With Him I have all I need. He is the strength of my heart.
“Christ’s divinity has no starting point in time. He always was. He was God before time began. He is God at this very moment. And He will continue to be God forever.” Alistair Begg ~Let Earth Receive Her King.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Hello,
Nice post and answers! It is hard to find a gift for only $5 now.
Take care, enjoy your day.
Thank you, Eileen. Hope you are having a great start to December.
I like your answer to question 5- something that I need to remember and keep in mind. Your Christmas tree is so pretty especially close by to your pretty piano!
Thank you, Maria.
…let there be light.
Tis the season of Light!
Your tree is beautiful and I enjoyed reading all your answers!
Thank you, Marilyn!
Thank you for sharing that beautiful hymn Ellen!! Happy decorating to you …
Rosella, It is a great hymn!
Pretty tree! Ours isn’t up yet.
There’s lots of time, Bethany. Thank you for stopping by.
Hello, #1 … we both said the same thing. 😉
Happy Christmas Season to you!
Carla
Carla…’great minds’…
Happy hodgepodge to you.
Your tree looks lovely. I may not be able to decorate but I think we should still put ours up. Meeting someone for coffee is a nice idea. Those do sound like nice ways to relax. Yes, decorating a gingerbread house is really fun with James. I like my stretch pull on jeans with elastic waist and I have other pants I wear in the house. Amen to #5. Thank you for sharing the song.
Debby, stretch pull-ons are comfortable. Take care..
Love that hymn and the wisdom of Alistair Begg. I didn’t put all the ornaments on the tree this year. I told hubs I was only adding enough to make it look full but not FULL. We usually have three trees and are going with just the one. Well, one on the bar too but it’s tiny so doesn’t count. I am all about comfy jammies. Sometimes evening starts at 4:30 PM : ) Have a nice day!
Joyce, it’s good to give ourselves permission to change things up from year to year. I’ve got comfy pants on already today! 🙂
I wear jeans every day and love them.
I do like gingerbread.
Great answer to number 5!!
Enjoyed all your answers today, especially the gift idea. Buying coffee and a treat for a friend is a wonderful gift and use of $5 in my book. Hope you’re having a great week!
While I grew up with religion in the background of this season, I know I “forgot” about it during my earlier parenting years. I feel like it is featuring more prominently this year.
I am wondering how you fared with your decorating yesterday? (I am wondering as I sit here surrounded by a Christmas-y cyclone of sorts. Yikes!) Thank you for sharing this gorgeous arrangement of this wonderful Christmas hymn! What a message in this old song!
Well, Cheryl…I had a lot of pressure to try to finish things off since we had a getaway planned for our 50th wedding anniversary on Thursday-Friday and then we leave for western Washington to then head north to Canada for our Mennonite Girls Can Cook Christmas dinner. Yep…the decorations are done. Done with some moderation. Not all of the ornaments are on the tree, but there are enough to make it look done enough! When we get back from Canada and the westside I’ll need to work on the Christmas letter and cards!!!
Loved your answers (especially #5) and the photo of your beautiful tree! The hymn is also lovely.
Hi Ellen, I like your tree and piano! We inherited my mother in laws baby grand piano. I like to see my grands play the piano. I do not like the amount of space it takes in our little family room. Our son/granddaughter will inherit it someday. Have a great weekend!
It is so hard to find a good $5 gift — I love your idea of including time!!!
I love the tree, the piano (is that a baby grand??..the former piano major in me is coveting!!), the song and your answer to #5!
Enjoyed your answers, Ellen! Have a relaxing weekend
Hi Faith, yes it is a Chickering 1906 baby grand. Hopefully our daughter will have a home in the future that it can to to. Thank you for stopping by.
Oh, so much loveliness!
Always enjoy these. Thank you Ellen.