All my living siblings in 2003 in age order left to right, oldest to youngest. I’m in the middle.
Time once again for the Hodgepodge questions from Joyce!
1. Egg on your face, putting all your eggs in one basket, a good egg, walk on eggshells, nest egg, or a tough egg to crack…which eggy idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain
This one wasn’t easy for me. I’ll go with walk on eggshells because of my whole Plantar Fasciitis episode in 2025. I try to walk lightly and I don’t jump or run or stay on my feet in general for long periods of time. I threw caution to the wind on our latest trip in Europe and England where we walked and walked and were on our feet every day. So thankful that my feet survived.
2. April 7th is National Beer Day…are you a beer drinker? If so do you have a favorite?
I do enjoy a good beer once in a while and especially on a sunny day. (Don’t tell my mom…oh never mind she’s in heaven now and she doesn’t care anymore.) Speaking of my mom, today was her birthday when she was on earth. She was a good Russian Baptist…no drinking, no smoking, no dancing, no gambling, no cussing. 🙂
IPA’s and Dark beer, like Guinness, are favorites.
These photos, above and below, are from Bratislava, Slovakia. These are the two beers that are brewed at Bratislava Flagship Restaurant, a Slovak beer hall housed in an 18th century monastery.
I’ll have a full post soon about our time in Bratislava.
Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats…which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these?
Beer battered fish and beer can chicken sound the best to me.
3. Do you have siblings?
I have/had eight siblings. Our oldest sister died in Persia/Iran when she was only two. I have seven living siblings, three sisters and four brothers. Four of my siblings still live in Southern California. Two (the twins) live in Texas. I’m the only one in the state of Washington.
Here is our oldest sister, Kathy, who died in Persia and what our Pop wrote about her in his life story.
On April 25, 1944 our first daughter was born. She was the ideal baby – beautiful, happy, loveable. Then in early 1946 she contracted dysentery and died. Our hearts were broken. In addition we as parents were blamed for her death because we didn’t have a dedication ceremony for her when she was born – neither in the Baptist or the Molokan church – because we could not agree as to what church should conduct it. This guilt added to our grief. But fortunately, it was mitigated with the birth of our second daughter, Kathy, in May of 1946.
Yes, they named their second daughter Kathy, too.
What’s the best thing about being your sibling? If you don’t have siblings, what would you say are the pros and cons of being an only child?
I keep in contact and check up on my siblings. On many occasions, I’m the communication link for us all. Over the years all of my siblings (but one) have stayed in our home for an overnight or longer visit.
My older brother has chosen to separate himself and his family from the rest of us for the past twenty or more years. It is hard to understand and sad for all of us.
4. How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favorite?
I’d rather enjoy real flowers with their scents. I’m not a big fan of manufactured scents in general. Subtle fragrance in candles are okay. I like a clean light citrus scent. If I was to pick a floral fragrance, I’d choose lavender.
5. What’s one thing in your home that begins with the letter G that you would say is a keeper, something you’ll hold on to? Tell us why.
I could have said the Grand Piano but that is slated to go to our daughter in the future.
I’m going with goblets. I like a nice goblet to set a table with. When we moved I scaled down on my goblets but I still have a nice collection in different colors and clear glass, too.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
It has been so beautiful here the past several days.
I finished this very hard puzzle yesterday. It was a challenge and it felt good to put the last piece in!
I’m still basking in the celebration of Easter and my wonderful Savior who when I repented gave me immunity with his own life and not just immunity but I was delivered by God from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Your goblets and grand piano are all beautiful. Thanks for sharing photos of them. Your description of your mom sounded just like mine- no drinking, smoking, gambling, dancing, cussing except my mom was German!! Your family is beautiful. How wonderful to have many siblings. Estrangements are hard; perhaps your brother will want fellowship with his sisters again. I love what you wrote about Easter. Have a great day!
Hello,
Great answers and photos Ellen! Take care, enjoy your day!
Good Morning,
I love your goblets. Your photos made me think of my mom, she has a collection as well.
Your family story is so interesting to me, thank you for sharing it with us.
We also have estrangement in our family, I do understand this pain.
xo
Carla
You certainly have a lot of siblings. I can’t even begin to imagine. It is definitely hard when our feet don’t work right. I’m struggling with both of my feet right now. Happy heavenly birthday to your Mom. That is very sad about the first born dying. Sorry about your brother separating himself from the family. Lavender is a nice scent. Lovely goblets. Have a beautiful day.
I love your goblet collection! You have an interesting background and family story. I’m sorry about your brother. These relationships are complicated and I think every family has a piece that is a challenge or hard to understand. We have a situation currently with a member of hubs extended family that is causing a lot of stress and sadness for the rest of us so I understand the pain. I have not had alot of time to read this week, but will go back and catch up on your travels soon. Have a great day.
…come to think about it, there’s a lot egg humor!
I’m an only child so no siblings for me. NICE goblet collection. Bet your glad that the puzzle is done. Sorry about your brother. It seems a lot of families have one of them. In our family is it our daughter!
I enjoyed all your answers, especially about your siblings (some of whom I’ve met) and your goblets (I think I’ve drunk from a couple of them?) I am so thankful that my one sibling, my brother, and I are in constant contact and remain good friends.
I too am still smiling and rejoicing in celebrating Easter. Willow
What a fascinating story of your parents and oldest sister! And how they named the next daughter the same name. I am so glad you are close to your siblings, that is a precious treasure! Your grand piano is gorgeous! I too am continuing in the awe of Easter and what the Lord did for me!
Plantar Fasciitis is horrible, it’s understandable how you are wary on your feet now. Fantastic photos and what your father wrote about your sister was so sad. How wonderful that your daughter is getting the grand piano and your goblets are fabulous.
G is for goblet – great choice. I didn’t think of goblets!! Plantar Fasciitis is not nice! Boo!
I admire your family (from afar) so much for your familial closeness – multiple generations. How sad that one brother is not a part of that closeness. I have a nephew that has done the same thing. He got mad at me and I apologized (even though I didn’t really do anything wrong). I may have grovelled a little even . . .but to no avail. I finally had to realize that it is his loss, but it still makes me sad.
A lovely hodgepodge Ellen, thank you! Happy Birthday to your dear mother in heaven. Lovely to see all your siblings. My only sister passed away several years ago. I miss her to this day, so much some days I could cry but she’s in a better place free from pain. That gives me peace.
That is such a nice picture of you and your siblings! How sad that your oldest sister died as a baby. I can hardly imagine your parents’ deep grief. Although they were blessed with more children, I am sure that the ache of that loss never fully left them. It is also sad that your brother is estranged from the rest of your family. There is so much sadness and brokenness in this world . . . and I am so thankful that another place awaits those who are His, a place where there is no death, no tears, no mourning, no sorrow!
On a much lighter note, I am not a fan of heavy floral fragrances. I’d rather smell something food-ish, like vanilla or pumpkin or cinnamon. 🙂