WE are having a high wind/rain event here in the PNW (Pacific Northwest) and our power has been knocked out a couple of times already. It will be an iffy day for visiting blogs. Our region is really being hammered!!
1. What’s one thing on your to-do list that you want to get done, need to get done, or that must get done before the year ends?
I want to make a favorite from our dear mom for our Christmas gathering, Roolyet. You can see the recipe here.
2. December 17th is National Maple Syrup Day…are you a fan? Do you like maple flavor in other food items such as candy, cookies, donuts, oatmeal, hot toddies, coffee?
We enjoy Real Maple Syrup on our Swedish Pancakes, regular pancakes, waffles, etc. I like maple bars, the donut variety.
3. Time magazine names a person of the year every year. The tradition started back in 1927 with a ‘man of the year’ but has since changed to recognize not only an individual, but also to consider the impact of a group, movement, or idea that most influenced the year. The selection is not always someone or something good (think Hitler in 1938 and Stalin twice).
This year they’ve named The AI Architects as their ‘person of the year’. What say you? Is this a good choice, an obvious choice, a logical choice? Who do you think should have been named person of the year?
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I think Time Magazine is sticking it’s head in the political sand or suffering from TDS syndrome in refusing to name President Donald Trump as the man of the year! Donald Trump definitely is on the minds of those who love what he’s doing and those who hate him and can’t get him out of their minds. Being on the minds of so many, he is a logical choice. Love him or hate him he is making an impact!
4. What’s a city, state, or country you’ve visited that you never care to visit again? Tell us why.
South Chicago. We made the mistake of taking a driving route from Wheaton college to the Chicago Museum of Art through south Chicago and it did not feel safe. The tension on the streets was palpable. I would never drive through there again.
5. Next Sunday (December 21st) marks the first day of winter (or the opposite if you’re living down under). What’s one thing you love about this new season?
We love Winter. All of our children were born in Winter. Christmas is in Winter.
Wednesday Hodgepodge is here again. Time to answer some questions From This Side of the Pond. Thank you, Joyce.
1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holiday season? What helps you keep your focus when the season’s busyness and commercialism start to take over?
I’ve had several years of Christmases to learn to focus on what is important. I can ignore commercialization. I need to focus on my own heart and mind and where I need to concentrate on the truth of what Christmas is. Look again with fresh eyes on the Biblical accounts and the wonder of the first Christmas.
Quoting from one of my favorite pastors who died this year: “Christmas is not about the Savior’s infancy: It is about His Deity.” John MacArthur
I’ll ask for help to focus my mind on my King and Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.
2. What’s one small thing you want to savor before the year ends?
All the things like twinkly lights and seasonal treats and stockings filled with little gifts.
3. December 9th is National Christmas Card Day. Do you still send Christmas cards? If so does yours include a photo or is it a more traditional card, or maybe homemade? How do you feel about the tradition of exchanging cards at the holidays? If Hanukkah is the holiday you celebrate in December do you send cards to mark the occasion?
I do still send Christmas cards, a traditional card with a photo and letter enclosed. I’m happy to say I was able to send them away on Monday the 8th.
4. What’s your least favorite holiday related task? What’s your favorite?
Least favorite is probably wrapping the presents. Favorite is buying the presents.
5. Let’s do a little holiday this or that?
shopping or wrapping: shopping
baking or decorating: decorating
eggnog or wassail: eggnog
real tree or artificial: real, although we’ve had to switch to fake
turkey or ham: prime rib
white lights or colored lights: white
ugly sweaters or matching pjs: ugly sweaters
peppermint or cinnamon: peppermint
presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: Christmas day
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I’m having a little surgery today to remove a cyst close to my eye. It is small and it shouldn’t be a problem but we have to drive to Spokane Valley for the procedure. I do not know when I’ll be able to come around to visit but I will eventually, Lord willing. Thank you.
1. What does it mean to have the ‘holiday spirit’?
I would say to be engaged, aware and a participant in what the holiday offers in small or large ways!
On a scale of 1-10 how is yours this year? (10=off the charts, 1=still looking for it)
I land at about an 8 most years.
2. What’s your favorite character from a (December) holiday-themed movie, book, or TV special? Tell us why.
One of the favorites is ‘A Christmas Carol’. I’ll choose Bob Cratchit as my favorite character. Why? He is a noble character who is loyal to his family and a trustworthy human.
3. Do you like gingerbread? Are gingerbread houses part of your holiday tradition?
I do enjoy gingerbread but it is not part of our holiday tradition and neither are gingerbread houses. Our church is having a gingerbread house making contest for families this year. It will be fun to see what the family units come up with.
4. Much of our vocabulary is determined by where we live or where we grew up. What say you-
sprinkles or jimmies? lightning bugs or fireflies? soda or pop? sneakers, trainers, or tennis shoes? sub, hoagie, grinder, or hero? freeway, highway, or motorway? frosting or icing? sauce or gravy?
5. Share a favorite holiday memory from your childhood.
Christmas caroling with our youth group is a favorite memory. Our caroling started at an apartment building just a couple doors down from our church in Los Angeles. Our Babushka and several other widows lived in this apartment building so it was a good place to start. We’d all stand on the grass below their upper floor apartments and sing the carols. We left from there with tangerines and other treats from the Babushkas. Loading up in a few cars, we’d head to nursing homes where some of our Russian church members resided. From there we traveled to a few select homes. At all of our stops we sang in Russian and English. Our last stop of the night turned into the party house for the rest of the evening. When we’d make it home late on Christmas Eve, we’d see our mom at her sewing machine finishing our Christmas dresses for church on Christmas morning. We always had a new outfit for Christmas and for Easter, too. We were in church on Christmas whether it landed on a Sunday or not. Tradition was that we’d have a regular joyful Christmas service in the morning and our Christmas Evening service was when our choir would perform a Cantata.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Speaking of our Babushka’s apartment at 3000 East 8th avenue in Los Angeles, California….
On Christmas morning our family and our cousins and others would make a stop at our Babushka’s apartment for Christmas baked treats before our church service. This would be our Christmas breakfast. Apartment #10 has many cherished memories.
Me and my ‘Little Babushka’ on Greg and my wedding day, December 6th, 1974. We are currently in Coeur d’Alene Idaho enjoying an overnight stay to celebrate our 51st Anniversary. I’ll be slow in getting around to visit.
Happy Birthday, dear Laura, on your actual day! We love you, we love you, we love you!
1. Do you feel like you have a ‘full plate’ at the moment? In what way?
Yes, yes I do have a full plate at the moment. The calendar is as full as can be with Thanksgiving festivities, both spare bedrooms full for a few days. Monday after Thanksgiving ladies ministry meeting plus decorating our church for Christmas. Tuesday escape to Idaho for an overnight to celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary (December 6th is the actual day). Ladies Christmas party on Friday the 5th. I’ll fit in some Christmas decorating, too.
2. How did you learn to cook? If you have children did you teach or encourage them to cook? Do you like to follow a recipe or is your cooking style more ‘let’s wing it’.
Mostly I learned the basics in my Home Economics classes. I didn’t cook with my mother growing up. My learning was hands on after I got married and it became my responsibility. My kids have the skills on their own initiative. Our sons are both good cooks. Our daughter can tackle any recipe. We modeled openness to invite people over to share a meal and our kids picked up on that. I follow recipes for baking but wing it a lot for spur of the moment meals.
3. Last time you bit off more than you could chew? Elaborate.
Winterizing our property, namely the planters, this is more than I can chew. I’m hoping to bring in some help to complete this task. It’s more than my back can handle.
4. When did you last say ‘the more the merrier’ and mean it?
Anytime my kids or family or friends want to travel to spend time with us I feel like the more the merrier.
5. Write an acrostic using the word T-H-A-N-K-S.
Thank you, LORD God
Hope of Heaven
Acceptance you give me in Jesus
Nothing to doubt
King Jesus my Savior
Salvation assured
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Last Saturday we attended JJ’s promotion at Taekwondo. He did very well and received his Tiger Badge.
He answered all the questions the Grand Master asked of him. One of the Tiny Tiger Creeds is “Tiny Tigers will obey their parents”. The Grand Master asked JJ why he should obey his parents and JJ answered, “because it is written in the Bible, Sir!” Well said, JJ!
Later on this day our Colville kids enjoyed their yearly tradition of a Christmas lights boat cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Thank you to all who stop by here. I’m thankful for visitors to my blog and fellow bloggers!
1. Let’s do our gratitude question first this week…what’s the best thing about your home, and have you taken time to enjoy it lately?
Our views are one of the best things about our home. After living for years in tract homes where you could almost touch your neighbor it is wonderful to see trees and fields and mountains out of our windows. We are also entertained with wildlife out our windows.
2. Do you like squash? Of the varieties listed, which one’s your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Is squash of some sort on your Thanksgiving menu??
Sweet Potatoes/Yams baked with butter and brown sugar topped with marshmallows is a favorite at Thanksgiving.
acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti, zucchini, crookneck (yellow squash), patty pan
Butternut Squash Soup is another favorite.
3. Last time you were ‘squashed in’ somewhere, or felt squashed?
My favorite kind of squashed.
4. Have you ever played squash? What about other ‘racquet sports’ such as racquetball, tennis, pickleball, badminton, table tennis (ping pong)? Are these sports something you enjoy?
In a time long long ago I played some tennis, badminton, Ping Pong and pickleball. I might have even tried to play racquet ball once. I enjoyed them but that is in the past tense.
5. Something in today’s society or culture that feels like a ‘racket’ to you? If you don’t like that one, tell us about a place you’ve been recently where there was a lot of ‘racket’.
There is always a lot of racket when I’m at Irish dance class with Addy on Thursdays. This is true especially when they are practicing with their hard shoes!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
My first Fall puzzle was not easy. A thousand piece puzzle of Shakespearean Insults.
‘Leave thy vain Bibble Babble’
And with that I’ll say adieu, Hodgepodgers and all who visit here.
It means honoring and obeying the laws of my country and doing whatever is in my power to insure the freedoms our founding fathers established. I love singing the National Anthem at sporting events. A little flag waving is good, too. Displaying the flag on holidays and other key times during the year.
2. September-October-November…your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall.
I’m cheating and naming something that is special to me for each of these months.
September ~ it always seems like the fresh start back to routine activities that make me feel grounded and we get to celebrate Greg’s birthday in this month.
October ~ where Fall colors shine the best and we enjoy the annual corn maze.
November ~ the Thankful month. gathering with family on Thanksgiving.
3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word) in the title or lyrics?
I’m sharing one of many songs that make me say thank you, Jesus!
My hymn of Praise shall always be forever Jesus! In Jesus I have sooo many reasons to say Thank You!
4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What’s the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ .
Oh, and you can’t say jelly.
It is peanut butter and honey for me. I had a piece of toast with peanut butter and honey for breakfast on Monday.
5. This week’s gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for?
The year started out with an epic surprise visit from Josh and Laura. We were having our local kids over for a birthday dinner on a Saturday. Dan and Jamie have birthdays 1 day apart and Josh has a birthday 3 days after Dan. Dan and Jamie arrived and 5 minutes later Josh and Laura came in the house with shouts of surprise!! It was such an epic surprise and so much fun to be able to celebrate all our January family birthdays together! I’m so grateful to God for the love he extends through our family.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Speaking of patriotism I’m copying a post here from 2011. This is from the Orange Circle Flag Ceremony, a weekly event, in Orange, California.
Before they lowered the flag and folded it properly Mark Wayland acknowledged 5 veterans in the audience that had served in World War II. One of the veterans was celebrating his 90th birthday and his family brought cupcakes for everyone at the ceremony. We got to sing Happy Birthday to him. This vet with Mark in the photo above, served in WWII, Korea, and the Vietnam War. He comes to the ceremony every week. It was great to meet him.
Mark also acknowledged a young bride in the audience who’s Marine husband was serving in Afghanistan right then…our Katie. He made her cry but the tears were good tears and then when the big burly Vietnam Vets came over to give her a hug with tears in their eyes we knew they understood and we cried some more. It was great to hear these Harley riders tell her they would be praying for her and Andrew.
Dear’s brother Terry and wife Christina with one of their 3 daughters with Katie and me. Christina got to know Mark while working with the Orange County School Board. She invited Katie and me to attend this ceremony.
I got the following information from an Orange County Register article written by David Whiting although my sister-in-law who knows Mark from working with him at the Orange County School board also filled me in about Mark and his giving heart, a Purple Heart retired Marine.
“Mark Wayland, Marine Vietnam vet, retired firefighter and Orange school board member, looks like a biker with his denim vest and bushy mustache. And he is. So are many of the men in the Circle.
Most are members of the Patriot Guard Riders. In particular, they ride to remember fallen military brothers and sisters and to ensure things go smoothly at military funerals.
With his black Harley Electra Glide decorated with Marine logos parked just 50 yards away, Wayland explains tonight’s mission.
Every Wednesday night, Wayland, his buddies, their wives, friends and supporters gather in the Orange Circle. They come to lower the flag at 6 p.m. and honor, as Wayland puts it, “those who are in harm’s way.”
What an honor to be able to meet these folks and to honor them and others who have sacrificed so much for all of us. Thank you Mark for all you do and may your sacrifices return to you tenfold.
ht: Orange County Register, David Whiting.
The Patriot Guard Riders honored our brother-in-law at his burial on Veterans Day in 2015.
Thanks for the time you took to visit this very long and wordy Hodgepodge. I’m grateful for all who stop by here.
We’ve had a few days of showing our friends from Southern California around our parts and even took a little trip into Canada with them. I’ll share all the fun in a future post.
1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you’re looking forward to?
We have been gifted tickets to the Nutcracker and we are also going to enjoy a performance of the Messiah in Spokane.
2. Dictionary.com’s word of the year is ‘6-7’. Huh?
Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it’s meaning because apparently I’m old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it’s a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.
What do you think? Oye is what I think.
Dictionary. com says it’s selection each year is a ‘linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by ‘6-7’. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.
What word do you think would have made a better choice?
3. What’s a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so?
Cruising on the high seas in a little city called a cruise ship! Specialty coffee drinks. Sushi.
4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc?
These days I’m a morning coffee drinker. I’ll enjoy teas if I go to high tea or other tea experiences but tea is not an everyday thing for me.
5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here’s the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing?
Being with family, part or whole.
2. Listening to a sermon from the Word of God. Here’s a quote I saw on Sunday at Tim Challies Blog;
“Preaching is the miracle of God communicating himself to a fallen world through the words of a fallen man.” Brian Edwards
“Each Sunday, he (God) communicates to fallen men through fallen men to save his people and to sanctify them. What a miracle!” Tim Challies
If you are interested in reading the whole article, click on Tim Challies Blog, above.
3. Trips to the United Kingdom.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
We have adopted the first line of the Guy Fawkes Rhyme and repeat it on November 5th because it was on November 5th of 2022 that Greg had his stroke. By God’s providence. Greg survived and he survived well. There are lingering difficulties as we continue to live with the ‘thorn in the flesh’, but we thank God that Greg’s life was spared and trust God with our future.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason Why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot. Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent To blow up the King and the Parliament Three score barrels of powder below Poor old England to overthrow By God’s providence he was catch’d With a dark lantern and burning match Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring Holler boys, holler boys God save the King!
Time for Joyce’s questions for the last October Hodgepodge of the this year.
1. Are you a risk taker? To what degree?
I will take risks in the kitchen by trying new recipes or throwing things together in desperation for a meal.
2. What’s your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth?
I have sweet and sour favorites. See’s Almond Royal is a favorite. I gravitate to dark chocolates from Sees. I enjoy Mike and Ike’s Original Fruits. I do have a sweet tooth. My favorite kind of sweet is in pastry form and not overly sweet.
3. Somewhere you’ve been recently that had you feeling ‘like a kid in a candy store’?
The new brand from Homegoods/TJMaxx/Marshall’s has been fun to explore. Sierra is the name of the store and it is a more outdoorsy themed store.
4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world?
On my knees in prayer and keeping close in obedience to the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ my LORD.
5. Do you like surprises?
Yes, but not in me being the center of attention as in surprise parties. I love a surprise visit from loved ones! I love a surprise sighting in the stores in town when I happen to run into our grands with their mom.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Speaking of sweet surprises, It was a surprise when Uncle Joshie and Auntie Lolo pivoted their plans for the weekend and drove to our side of the mountains after they heard our weekend company had their flights canceled. We were able to continue our Family Fall tradition of mastering the corn maze!
If it’s Wednesday it must be time for the Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce.
1. What do you like most about your family?
The different Gifts that God has given to individual members of our family and how it enhances our times together. We have peacemakers, servants, caregivers, loyal friends. We also have those who display gentleness, wisdom, discernment, faith, generosity, courage, wit, a sense of humor and above all love. We all have ongoing areas that God is sanctifying in us like humility, patience, and forgiveness, to name a few. None of us are perfect but hopefully we’ll cooperate with the Holy Spirit in growing us up in our faith and obedience to be more like Christ.
2. What’s something nice that’s happened to you recently?
I received this special gift from Andrew and Katie from Scotland (Edinburgh). It will have a special post on Friday. The Islander Handbag Workshop invites you to design and craft your very own bespoke Islander Harris Tweed® handbag.
3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what’s something orange you love?
An orange sunset!
4. What’s something you have now you couldn’t have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What’s possible now because of it?
I’ll answer this on a temporal level. Five years ago our freedom to breathe, move about, worship and make our own health decisions was threatened by those in power or those who were given more power than they should have had. For me this threat to our freedom was oppressive, harmful and sad. I’m thankful for the common sense and freedom I feel now.
5. Let’s wrap this one up with an October this or that…
pumpkin bread or apple cider donut
cozy sweater or cozy hoodie
apple picking or pumpkin picking
scary movie or Hallmark movie
hay ride or corn maze
twinkle lights or candles
autumn hike or autumn bonfire
My answers are highlighted in Bold.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
These two found a huge boulder while they were digging to China!
1. ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made?
In the family I grew up in, singing was something my parents enjoyed and that has been passed down to me and most of my siblings. Singing at church and singing when we had company over was a regular thing. Singing in choirs, singing in quartets, trios, duets, singing in Russian and in English, singing for recordings, and for me, singing in a Christian ‘rock’ band. Greg and I met because of that group.
The Russian Sacred Singers of Los Angeles are a group of California young people of Russian background. They sing in English and Russian under the inspiring leadership of director Leonard Wozniuk. The unique bi-lingual choir responded to our challenge to record their selections for radio use. Today, their joyful singing is heard world-wide over several short-wave radio stations and over local broadcasts in North and South America.
I’m on the bottom right, my sister, my cousins, and best friend complete the row. Second row on the left are two more cousins. The director is my brother-in-law. The Russian Choir and the Rock band were active in the 70’s!
Greg and I are on the right end of this photo. The photo was from somewhere in England, possibly Liverpool.
2. Something you’re nuts about these days?
Time spent with family.
How about something that’s driving you nuts?
Stink bugs are in abundance this year! This is a male stink bug. The females are rounder in the body.
Stink bugs, especially brown marmorated stink bugs or BMSB, are notorious for invading homes when the weather starts to cool. And while they aren’t interested in stealing your food or sucking your blood, their offensive odor is just as annoying to homeowners.
3. What does abundance mean to you?
These words from Jesus from the Amplified Bible:
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
Jesus is my abundance and I thank God for his plan of salvation through Jesus and for the Holy Spirit who helps me have faith and belief in the triune God.
4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto…what’s your caramel treat of choice?
5. What’s a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall?
Growing up in southern California did not afford me many memories of fall, at all. We moved to Washington state in 1988 and that is when I became more familiar with fall color and having to rake leaves! Our children were young enough that they are now the ones with childhood memories of leaves!
6. Insert. your own random thought here.
Our Grands are growing up with four seasons and lots of leaves! These photos were from a few years back while helping their Granny blow the leaves into a pile for the city to pick up.
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The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 