This photo from January of 2016 (10 years ago) was from a few days spent in San Francisco while Greg was at an Oncology Conference. The words below the first photo are about that day in 2016.
Today was a full day of sight seeing with an old friend from my college days who grew up in San Francisco. She happens to be Russian/Chinese and knows the city well. We had several stops and enjoyed lunch and shopping in China Town where everyone is getting ready for the Chinese New Year. I don’t think I need to tell anyone what bridge they are looking at in my photo…
My friend, Alice, at our delicious lunch in Chinatown. She did the ordering. My friend passed away in 2018.
Back to…
…Another winter Hodgepodge with a flashback to ten years ago thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond.
1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk…which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter?
Nothing this winter. We have not had any measurable snow this season.
At this stage of life, the only winter activity I would choose are the walking kind.
When we have a good dump of snow I have gone out our door to snowshoe. This is from 2019.
This one is from 2022.
2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let’s jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn’t doing this, but many are and we’re going to be part of the fun.
This was one of the best memories of 2016! This is the photo that was shared with us and I shared it on the Hodgepodge with the words below the photo.
3. What’s a trend you hope disappears in this new year?
Stalking, attacking and verbally assaulting Law Enforcement.
4. ‘They’ say there’s a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds?
I’ll have one if I’m desperate but they aren’t something that is purchased and available in my pantry. I do enjoy granola as a cereal with milk.
5. A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well…which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like.
A deep well. There is so much to learn that I do not know. So much to see that I haven’t seen. So much about God that I do not know. I believe the ache to know more, see more and do more comes from a deep longing from our inner being that wants to see God as He is. It is a hard thing to explain. Someday that will be a reality. Until then I’ll keep digging in God’s truth and in the world God created for us to enjoy and give glory to God in the discoveries along the way that show me more of Him. My deep desire will become reality when I graduate to heaven.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Speaking of 2016, this is another amazing memory and experience we had in September/October of that year.
The “Girls” and most of our husbands have just returned from a seven day trip to Indiana and Ohio to see a production using our name in Amish/Mennonite Country. The Blue Gate Productions hosted us and treated us as VIP’s. All ten of the girls were together at the Blue Gate Garden Inn where we enjoyed “Faspa” on Sunday night before we had our cooking show and saw the production for the first time. As you can see from the first photo above we have fun together.
We took this opportunity to get some photos of all ten of us since Betty and Charlotte live in Manitoba and miss many of our get togethers in British Columbia and Seattle.
I shared many posts about our time in Amish Country. This is the initial one here.
Happy Wednesday, Hodgepodgers and all who stop by here.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
…take care and keep cooking!
Oh my- I was in the middle of a long comment and I accidentally deleted it. URG. This will be shorter :(. I love your random thought and the pictures and story that accompany it. What an incredible trip and opportunity from your blog! How fun to make those memories with your friend. LOVE that 2016 memory of learning about your granddaughter!! Just precious. Have a great day!
Such a fun post, Ellen! Loved seeing you with your snowshoes on!
Hello, this was fun going back to 2016, so many fun times.
When I asked my husband what to choose for #5, he said deep well, because of how many studies I have been doing. Charles Spurgeon has been a favorite of mine to study under.
I am currently doing a study in Psalms.
What fantastic throwback photos! So sorry about your friend but what lovely news about the baby and what a fab sounding trip with the girls!We haven’t had any snow this winter either, unless you count the light dusting which was gone in half an hour.
As always, Ellen, I enjoy and agree with your posts. Your answer to #4 is actually what I should have written. I, too, am desiring God’s Word and direction more now than ever before. I think it is perhaps at this stage (age) in my life that I realize more and more that this is not my home, and to see the face of God is my greatest desire. I can see why your trip must have been a highlight. This is the first year we have visited our family in Indiana, where we didn’t go to Shipshewana and to the Blue Goose. The weather was too unpredictable. No matter how many times we’ve been, it is still a delightful trip for us. May God richly bless the rest of your week.
Wonderful photo of the girls! I am not able to do winter activities except for walking.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
Such a happy post. What a wonderful group of friends you have who really know how to “cook something up”!!
Lots to enjoy in your post. Can’t believe your granddaughter is nine this year. B x
I’ve never tried snowshoeing but it looks like something I might like. It won’t happen in SC : ) Ahh, the memory of hearing you’ll be grandparents is so extra special. And what a wonderful trip you had that year too. We can’t live looking back, but it’s fun to glance that way now and then. Have a great rest of the week!
Enjoyed the questions and reading your answers!!
Thank you for another interesting hodge podge Ellen.
That is such a fun thing — a play about y’all!!
Thanks for sharing your chapters of life – they have been very good!
Hi Ellen, I enjoyed reading your post today. I did recognize that bridge and my cousin and I were there back in 2018. I am sorry you lost your friend. I enjoyed the pictures of you and your friends. Also the picture on the way they announced the new baby.
Snow + nikkipolani = usually disaster
I love that less-posed photo of “The Girls”™
I loved all the 2016 photos and memories you shared in this post! Very sweet memories of your friend Alice and the announcement of your first grandchild, and I loved the photos of The Mennonite Girls. I would have liked to attend that show! Hope you’re having a great week!
I liked your answers. I’d like to try snowshoeing. Love your photos too. Oh my goodness….so cool about the live production and event. That’s awesome. That’s something I would love to see.
What a great memory from San Francisco. Fun pictures of you skiing years ago. Yes, a walk in the snow would be nice. The baby was awesome news in 2016! Great answer for #3. Lovely answer from the deep well. What an amazing trip you had in 2016. I love that you always have pictures to share.