A Dancing Hodgepodge

Our granddaughter dancing through this past weekend at the annual Feis (Irish Dance Festival) in Spokane, Washington.

Another September Hodgepodge is here today thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond.

1. How do you define beauty? 

My mind went to 1 Peter 3:3-4: Do not let your adorning be external–the braiding of hair and putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear–but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World)
~
We experienced parts of some trips by train in Scotland and England. York to Edinburgh in 2004 with our daughter and then Edinburgh to London on the same trip. With Josh and Laura we rode the train from Manchester airport to York and back to Manchester airport from York. On another trip we rode the train from Stirling to Edinburgh. In the Spring of this year Greg and I traveled by train from Cambridge to Ely and back to Cambridge again. All these journeys were good and seamless except for our Manchester to York trip in 2023 when the train suspended it’s journey midway to York and we had to scramble off the train to another platform to get on a different train to York. We made it but it was harrowing.
~

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells…choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.
~
I’m going to say in a nutshell since September has afforded a series of short life events that are very different from each other and that I have a short span of time to enjoy. Each nutshell is unique and short and over in 3 days or less.
~
4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs…your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell? 
~
I’m torn between tacos and eggs benedict! Lunch or dinner favorite, tacos! Breakfast out favorite, eggs benedict!~

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

~Some birthdays are more of a big deal than others for the adults in the family. All birthdays are acknowledged in some way. Sometimes big and sometimes small but a touch of love goes out on the special day. Our ‘Grands’ birthdays are always a big deal. Landmark birthdays like turning 16, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 have been a bigger deal than others. From here on out making it to another birthday for Greg and Me is a big deal.~

A flashback to my 60th birthday that was very special with a great variety of celebrations. The one above is with the Mennonite Girls Can Cook (some of the gals). Some of the girls who live in British Columbia, Canada drove down to Chuckanut drive in Washington State with their husbands for a dinner in honor of my 60th birthday.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This past weekend we enjoyed watching our granddaughter as she competed with hundreds of Irish dance pupils in Spokane at the annual Feis (festival). I’ll have two full posts coming soon about our time. I’m adding a couple Gifs showing a little of the action. Our granddaughter exudes joy when she dances. I’m unable to post a full video.

 

Ellen's avatar
About Ellenhttps://happywonderer.com/I am a wife, mother, baba (grandmother) and a loyal friend. Jesus is my King and my hope is in my future with Him.

17 thoughts on “A Dancing Hodgepodge”

  2. Good job to your granddaughter with the dancing! I love travelling by train but not having to change at York! I would describe it has harrowing too! lol Birthdays are a big thing here too. It sounds like you had a wonderful celebration for your 60th!

    Reply

  3. Agree that milestone birthdays are bigger deals and more attention is paid to the birthday person! You have gone on a lot of train rides- that’s so neat! I’ll bet it’s great traveling in Europe by train. Until something goes wrong but I guess that could happen with any mode of transport! The Irish dance pics are great- I hope your granddaughter loves it. I’m sure you love watching her dance!

    Reply

  6. I loved watching her dance at their spring performance in May. Irish dance is such a unique style, and she really does exude joy!

    Reply

  9. It truly is wonderful to see your granddaughter dancing. She looks like she is having a super time and the confidence in her steps shines through. A lovely hodge podge Ellen, much enjoyed. Thank you and have a happy Wednesday.

    Reply

  12. I enjoyed seeing the dancing. I have found loading my video to Vimeo and sharing that way seems to work. We’ve done lots of train travel around Europe but have never taken what I’d call an actual train holiday. I wish trains were more easily accessible in the US. Tacos and eggs were my choices too. If eggs benedict are on a brunch menu I’m ordering that.

    Reply

  13. Years ago, I had a family that I did daycare for – they moved up to Hillsboro Oregon, and they were really big on the Irish dancing. Even the mom and her sisters. Beautiful girls. For the life of me I can’t remember their last name. lol – well it has to be like 35 years. I’ll give myself a pass for that!

    Enjoyed 1 Peter 3:3-4 for your answer! So true

    Reply

  14. I love the Irish step dancing!! You must be one proud grandma!!

    What a beautiful settting where your 60th birthday celebration was held! LOVE the mountains in the background.

    I loved your beauty answer. 🙂

    Reply

  16. I’m so happy your granddaughter enjoyed her performance at the Irish festival. Interesting to read about your train traveling experiences too. I just now realize that for U.S.-based people, a train isn’t an everyday method of travel.

    Reply

  17. Loved getting a glimpse of your granddaughter dancing! Irish dancing is so full of life and joy and she looks like she is loving every minute too.

    I think traveling the UK by train would be a lot of fun.

    Hope you’re having a great week!

    Reply

I read all comments and appreciate them.