A Hodgepodge Full of Cliches!

We made it to our little Country Fair Parade on Saturday morning. We were only sprinkled on and didn’t get wet…just sprinkled. ‘Every cloud has a silver lining.’ Our Grands were able to gather a bunch of candy as the different participants in the parade threw the treats to the sides of Main street. Our Fire department starts the parade off with their sirens and such and that is why Addy and JJ have their ear protection on! ‘Better Safe than Sorry’

Onward to our questions of the week…

Yikes! It’s the last Wednesday Hodgepodge for August! Thank you to Jo, From This Side of the Pond, for the questions that ‘give us a run for our money‘.

1. What is one cliche you think is nonsense?

‘Easy as pie’, for me, is nonsense. Getting the pie crust just right and making a great pie without a ‘soggy bottom’ is not easy for me. I wasn’t raised with a pie baking mom so making a pie has always been intimidating. That said, I do appreciate my pie making friends and their great pies with the crust being just right!

What’s one you think holds truth?

‘Ugly as sin’ Sin is ugly and has caused all the trouble we’ve ever seen in our world or will ever see. So thankful that God made a way for us to be out from under it’s condemnation! That way came through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for our sin. Colossians 1:13-14: For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

2. What’s the last thing you broke and how did it happen?

Recently, I knocked a stemless wine glass off my little side table and it shattered and traveled to many places unknown. The glass did not have wine in it, it was empty which was a good thing! It was a cheap variety of glass, too, not a Riedel, (if you know, you know). ‘Don’t cry over spilled milk’

3. Are you a fan of s’mores? Have you had a s’more this summer?

Not a fan and no I haven’t had a s’more this summer.

Last thing you ate that you wanted to ask for ‘s’more of’?

A Scone with lemon curd. ‘One Man’s Meat is Another Man’s poison’

4. A mode of transportation you’ve never tried? Will you someday?

I’ve never tried a Hover board and I will never try them. I’m at the ‘it’s too easy to break a hip’ stage of life! ‘Don’t Play With Fire’

5. Believe it or not, next week’s Hodgepodge lands in a brand new month. What’s your happiest memory from the month we’re bidding adieu?

My favorite part of August was when Josh and Laura came for a 4 day visit in the middle of the month. All the gathering moments together were sweet and it’s always good to spend time together ‘face to face’.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of Josh and Laura, they celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary this past Sunday.

This is what I posted on Facebook about them…

Thanking God today for your twenty third wedding anniversary Josh and Laura!

We are so thankful to God for creating each of you and bringing you together, the very best of teams. Your generosity and caring hearts have helped so many. Your niece and nephews’ lives have been enriched with your love and care and generosity! May God continue to strengthen you in Him and with each other and in the ‘Body of Christ’! We love you, we love you, we love you!

Pops and I will take you out for dinner in Scotland to celebrate…soon!!

Happy Cliche Hodgepodge y’all. I hope to get around to most of you this week. Wow! Labor Day weekend is just ahead of us. Put on those white shoes and celebrate those remaining days of summer!

Jesu, Lord of Life and Glory ~ Hymn

Jesu, Lord of Life and Glory

Jesu, Lord of life and glory,
Bend from Heav’n Thy gracious ear;
While our waiting souls adore Thee,
Friend of helpless sinners, hear:
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

Taught by Thine unerring Spirit,
Boldly we draw nigh to God,
Only in Thy spotless merit,
Only through Thy precious blood:
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

From the depth of nature’s blindness,
From the hardening power of sin,
From all malice and unkindness,
From the pride that lurks within:
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

When temptation sorely presses,
In the day of Satan’s power,
In our times of deep distresses,
In each dark and trying hour:
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

When the world around is smiling,
In the time of wealth and ease,
Earthly joys our hearts beguiling,
In the day of health and peace,
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

In the weary hours of sickness,
In the times of grief and pain,
When we feel our mortal weakness,
When the creature’s help is vain:
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

In the solemn hour of dying,
In the awful judgment day,
May our souls, on Thee relying,
Find Thee still our rock and stay:
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

Jesu, may Thy promised blessing
Comfort to our souls afford;
May we now, Thy love possessing,
And at length our full reward,
Ever praise Thee, Thee, our ever glorious Lord.

Words: James J. Cummins, 1839

Truth for Today #114

Thursday August 22nd

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you!

1 John 2:1-6

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him, ” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

From Dianna:

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you have have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. ” John 16:33 LSB

From Vera:

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭23‬-‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let Us Love, and Sing, and Wonder ~ Hymn

Let Us Love, and Sing, and Wonder

Let us love, and sing, and wonder,

Let us praise the Savior’s name!

He has hushed the law’s loud thunder,

He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame.

Let us love the Lord, who bought us,

Pitied us when enemies;

Called us by his grace, and taught us,

Gave us ears, and gave us eyes.

Let us sing, though fierce temptations

Threaten hard to bear us down!

For the Lord, our strong salvation,

Holds in view the conqueror’s crown,

Let us wonder, grace and justice

Join and point to mercy’s store;

When we trust in Christ our fortress,

Justice smiles, and asks no more.

Let us praise and join the chorus

Of the saints enthroned on high;

Here they trusted him before us,

Now their praises fill the sky.

Hark! the name of Jesus, sounded

Loud, from golden harps above!

Lord we blush, and are confounded,

Faint our praise, and cold our love!

Words: John Newton, 1774.

Truth for Today #113

Thursday August 15th

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you!

Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

From Dianna:

So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19

From Vera;

From Maria:

Flee from the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don´t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

2 Timothy 2:22-23

From Cindy:

Psalm 44:3 – It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm Lord, and the light of your face, for you loved them.

Lemony Hodgepodge

Addy’s first lemonade stand in August of 2020.

It’s time again for Wednesday Hodgepodge with thanks to Jo From This Side of the Pond.

1.What was the best (or one of the best) summers of your life? Tell us why.

The best summer of my life was in 1963. The summer of that year I responded to God’s call on my life. I repented of my sins and believed and put my faith on the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for my sins and began following my LORD and Savior. Why is this the best? Jesus is my guarantor of a future with the Triune God in heaven. I have been saved from the wrath of God, saved from Hell. Now I am a child of God and His love is over me. I was given eternal life and everything I need on this earth to grow in obedience and the knowledge of the one who saved me. Jesus is way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Him.

Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue Christ and obedience to Him. It isn’t enough to believe facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God, but they don’t love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience.

2. When you have a trip coming up do you make a list and check it twice to ensure you don’t forget anything? Or are you a ‘throw whatever you can think of into the suitcase at the last minute’ kind of packer?nd

Lists, lists, and more lists. Sometimes I do throw in some last minute items!

When returning from a trip do you unpack immediately or leave the suitcase right where it lands?

It depends. If I’m suffering from jet-lag it could take a day or two for the unpacking and laundering.

3. What’s your favorite food or beverage made with lemons? Is that a flavor you enjoy?

Lemon curd is a favorite on a scone or in a pastry.

A Kensington Dream for a drink. It has a half a lemon squeezed in it.

I do enjoy lemon flavor.

4. When was the last time you had to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking I mean?

This was a tough one for my memory bank. When we were in the condo for a couple years in Southern California, I wanted to make a calzone for the first time. I did not have a rolling pin as they were both back in our home in Washington State. We did have a muddler and I ended up being able to use that to roll out the dough!

5. Did you like school growing up? Why or why not?

I did like school growing up. I remember that ‘feeling’ in September when school was just about to start. I can remember holding a book early on and loving the fact that I could read the words on the page. I had some wonderful teachers who encouraged me in their kindness to enjoy school. Mrs. Nicklaus, Mr. Demar, Mrs. Sawyer, My senior American Government teachers, Henke, Simon and Sciandra. Mr. Sciandra signed my annual with this sentiment; “I certainly have enjoyed having a swell Christian in class. Best wishes for your future. “

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I captured a few shots of the northern light show on Monday night but it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as this one I captured back in May of 2024. The cool thing I saw on Monday night was a shooting star! It’s been ages since I’ve seen one of those.

Have a good end of the week everyone!

Truth for Today #112

Thursday August 8th

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you!

Jeremiah 31:31-34:

Behold the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

From Dianna:

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what pleases Me,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

From Vera:

“Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭28‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Nikkipolani:

Hosea 6:1-3

¹Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
²After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
³Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

From Leonard:

Psalm 70:4

“But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, God is great!”

From Maria:

Psalm 86:11-13- Teach me you way, O Lord, And I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

From Karen:

I John 4:14

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior ~ Hymn

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

Words: Kate B. Wilkinson

Ht: Cyberhymnal 1996

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)

Truth for Today #111

Thursday August 1st

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you!

Titus 2:11-15

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

From Vera:

“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Janc2:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Proverbs 4:23

From Willow:

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat come, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

From Karen:

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

From Cheryl:

Our ladies’ Bible study discussed this verse this morning:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
~ Psalm 27:1

A Side of Sour Cream Hodgepodge

It is the last Wednesday Hodgepodge for July so we are more than half way through the year! Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond!

1. What is a childhood habit or preference you will never outgrow?

Sour cream on pancakes. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Growing up our butter was sour cream. I honestly don’t remember ever having butter on the table in my early years.

2. Did you know July is beans month? What’s your favorite bean? Your favorite recipe that calls for beans? When it comes to chili are you team beans or team no beans?

No, I did not know July was beans month. I would say pinto beans are my favorite bean and have refried beans regularly since Mexican food is way up there on my comfort food list. Something I make with beans that is a favorite is open up all the cans chili. Yes, I am team beans when it comes to chili.

For a quick meal I’ll start with ground turkey, chicken or beef and cook it up with onion and seasonings. Then I start opening up cans from the pantry. Black beans, pinto chili beans, diced tomatoes or Rotel, diced green chilies, sometimes a can of corn, cumin and chili powder. Heat it up and top with grated cheese, fresh tomato, avocado slices, scallions, diced jalapeno, cilantro. Most of the time just enjoy a bowl with saltine crackers and sometimes we’ll enjoy some cornbread along the side. You could turn it into soup by adding some chicken or beef broth.

3. Some historical figures have a tag line after their name, something like ‘the brave’ or ‘the wise’ or ‘the mad’…what would your tag line be? Explain why?

Ellen the Happy Wonderer. That’s the name we came up with for my blog because for the most part I have a happy disposition and I wonder about a lot of things. Blogging has made me wonder even more. I think I could have been a decent detective, too.

4. The way to my heart is______________________________.

If I go deep, it would have to be truth. More and more my heart resonates with the truth. My heart needs to be filtered by the truth because on it’s own it is selfish and wicked. My heart needs refining with the truth that God gives. My heart is now connected to Jesus. He is the way the truth and the life. His truth, the Bible, is the only truth that makes sense and corrects my feelings, thoughts and actions.

If I go ‘lite’ it would be sitting around a table with good food and good friends.

5. The calendar rolls into August this week, but before we go give us four adjectives that describe your July.

Full. Hot. Celebratory. Smoky.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Quotes of the week:

from Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands ~ Paul David Tripp

“If God isn’t ruling my heart, someone or somethings else will.”

“Lasting change takes place through the pathway of the heart.”

“Change has to penetrate the heart”

from The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

“The Bible was not given just to increase your knowledge but to guide your conduct”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

See you soon, Hodgepodgers!

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Category Archives: Jesus

A Hodgepodge Full of Cliches!

Jesu, Lord of Life and Glory ~ Hymn

Truth for Today #114

Let Us Love, and Sing, and Wonder ~ Hymn

Truth for Today #113

Lemony Hodgepodge

Truth for Today #112

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior ~ Hymn

Truth for Today #111

A Side of Sour Cream Hodgepodge