Tag Archives: Wednesday Hodgepodge

Doing the Math Hodgepodge

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Jo, for the questions!

1. Thursday is National Pi Day…are you good at math? What was the last thing you had to calculate? Did you use your head or technology? Last slice of pie you ate? 

I am good at basic math but not in the advanced stuff like algebra, trigonometry, calculus and such. My brain remembers numbers for some reason. I can still remember birthdays of some of my classmates in high school. On Monday I had to make a simple calculation of how long I’ve been blogging so I took 2024, minus 2007 to come up with 17. I used my desk calculator to come up with that. That comes out to Seventeen years of blogging. The last slice of pie was at Thanksgiving.

2. What makes a house a home? 

The easy answer is love. For me, a home is a comfortable peaceful place where I can be real and enjoy loving others and being loved. Cozy furniture helps. Too much formality in decor makes me stiff unless you throw in an overstuffed chair with an ottoman.

3. Your current favorite green thing? 

We bought some new wall art with blue flowers and mossy green leaves for our Master Bedroom and added some mossy green to the bed with pillows. It was nice to freshen up the Master Bedroom. Did you know that it’s not kosher to call a Master Bedroom a Master Bedroom anymore? Oye Vey! It is still the Master Bedroom at our house.

4. How do you define achievement? How does your personal definition look similar to, or different than, society’s definition? What’s something you think is worth achieving in life? 

Achievement is being able to accept who you are and what your talents are and using those talents everyday in big and small ways. Achievement can happen everyday without applause from the world. Society would add fame and money as the benchmark to achievement. If your talents and hard work reap a monetary gain, that is a bonus. As a mom, raising children is a worthwhile achievement.  Contentment is worth achieving in life.

5. What song is a good soundtrack for your life right now? 

This is hubby and my song for last year and pretty much always. I’ll share a stanza and the refrain…

My Worth is not in What I Own…

My worth is not in what I ownNot in the strength of flesh and boneBut in the costly wounds of loveAt the cross

And I rejoice in my RedeemerGreatest Treasure,Wellspring of my soulAnd I will trust in Him, no other.My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Not only is tomorrow Pi day but it is my birthday. If I take the current year and subtract my birth year from it, I calculate that I will be 73 on Pi day! A blast from my past for your enjoyment. Sheriff John was a favorite!

Sharing the Light Hodgepodge

Collections from the past…

fairtier2

Some of my pewter collection with some silver napkin rings thrown in.

fairtier

Time for the first Wednesday Hodgepodge in March this year. Thank you, Joyce, for the questions.

1. Has March come in like a lion where you live? If not a lion then what animal would you use to describe the weather in your area this first week of March?

My post on Monday called it a Cat but that was a hasty evaluation. March came in like a schizophrenic feline. Sunday night the roads were treacherous with low visibility because of the snow storm that blew in, lionish. We were tucked nicely in our bed so we did not know about those conditions. We woke up to a nice white landscape, lamblike. That all melted and then on Tuesday morning we were surprised with 5 inches of new snow. By now that new snow has mostly melted away, too.

Does the weather affect your emotions? When did you last feel ‘under the weather’? 

Sunshine and blue skies definitely cheer me up and make me smile. I have been above the weather these days and not under it. If the electricity stays on and we can still drive into town the weather does not affect me emotionally. I could get cabin fever if things are so bad that I’m stuck at home for more than a couple of days.

2. Do you know what your name means? Does the meaning of your name fit with your personality? Do you like your name?

Ellen: Bright Shining Light. I hope I live up to my name. I can be outspoken and shine a light in dark places to expose how wrong they are only because I have the ‘Light of the World’ inside me.

My mother chose my name, which no other Russian immigrant relative named their child, because she was tired of everyone choosing the same names for their children. Examples of overused names; Vera, Kathy, Manya, Luba, Tanya and others. I didn’t come across another Ellen until high school. I didn’t appreciated being called, Ellen Watermelon or Helen. I’m Ellen with an E.

Gregory (my husband) means watchful, alert, watchman, vigilant.

We make a good team. 🙂

If you have children did you consider the meaning of their names before choosing them? 

We chose strong Biblical names for our sons and a historically strong name for our daughter. We did think about the meaning of their names.

3. It’s National Sauce Month…what’s your favorite sauce? Last thing you ate that used a sauce? 

We did have some good spaghetti sauce, tomato and basil, on Monday. My favorite sauce would be one with a little kick and some good layers of flavor, like in a great steak pie. 🙂

4. Something you’ve seen, tasted, done lately that you’d describe as ‘awesome sauce’? 

Despite the snow we have been seeing some signs of Spring. We saw our first Robin of the season on Monday which is always ‘awesome sauce’.

5. What kinds of things do you love to collect? 

Because of my age and space limitations, I have stopped collecting most things. I’d rather collect experiences.

In the past I’ve enjoyed collecting; Beatrix Potter Figurines, Napkin Rings, Tablecloths, Cloth Napkins, China, Dishes, Tea Cups, Pewter, Russian lacquer boxes, cake plates, chargers, goblets, creamers, anything blue and white in the dish world. OYE! Stop the madness!!

We also collect good books. We still look for our favorite authors on trips and in used bookstores, thrift stores. In England we look for books by Elizabeth Goudge, Dorothy Sayers, Spurgeon, Bunyun, Beatrix Potter and others.

We bought this book by Goudge in Chipping Campden in September of 2013. Goudge’s father was a reverend who taught at Cathedral schools. She lived in the shadows of Wells Cathedral and then her favorite, Ely Cathedral, close to Cambridge.

The inside cover of the book. We purchased this book for 5 pounds. We have several of the books she authored. This is one of my favorites.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Question 2 sent me on a great search about light. There are so many references to ‘light’ in the Bible. God created light at the very beginning of the world, Genesis 1.

Psalm 56:13: For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 119:130: The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Isaiah 60:19: The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light, but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

John 8:12: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Romans 13:12: The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Ephesians 5:8: for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Colossians 1:13-14: He has delivered 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.

Any light I reflect is because of Jesus and what he did on the cross for me. I’m a sinner who has been forgiven of my sins because of Christ’s sacrifice. God requires payment for our sins. Jesus made that payment. God accepts me because of Jesus, His perfect Son, taking my penalty. I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for me on the cross, rose from the dead, and is LORD. When I asked for forgiveness for my sins, He forgave me. He can and will forgive and save you, too.

Since You Asked…Hodgepodge

 

Getting my Hodgepodge done early on Tuesday. We’ll be busy Tuesday evening with some company around our table.

Welcome again to Wednesday Hodgepodge. Jo From This Side of the Pond asks the questions and we answer them.

1. February is coming to a close. Give us a two-word phrase that tells us something about how yours went.

Slow & Easy

2. If you had to describe how you’re feeling right now as an amusement park ride, what ride are you on? Explain. 

Merry-Go-Round or Carousel. Slow and steady with some ups and downs but mostly calm and content.

3. What’s something on your desk or a nearby wall that cheers you up when you see it or walk past? 

My happy space.

4.  Are you a salad eater? How many salads do you typically eat in a week? Your favorite kind of salad? 

The salad police just caught me and they are taking me in for questioning!  We have moved into the habit of not eating salad. Maybe one salad a week. I like crisp salad greens with cucumber and tomato and a simple Persian dressing. 

5. Without telling us the category give us your top five ______________. 

  1. Tolkien
  2. C.S. Lewis
  3. MacDonald
  4. Montgomery
  5. Beatrix Potter

1, MacArthur 2. Spurgeon 3. Sproul 4. Ryle 5. Piper

  1. Johnson Brothers
  2. Royal Albert
  3. Spode
  4. Tudor
  5. Churchill

1. Cotswolds 2. Oxford 3. York/Yorkshire 4. Windsor 5. Cambridge

  1. Yellowstone
  2. Badlands
  3. Mt. Rushmore
  4. Yosemite
  5. Grand Canyon

I bent the rules and went with 5 fives. I’m sure you can name my category titles.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Tomorrow is our sister Vera’s 19th real birthday day. She was born on Leap Year! Happy 19th Birthday Vera. We’ll have to have a big ‘do’ for your 20th! (Hope we are all alive, then) I’ll be singing ’76 Trombones’ for you tomorrow.

These photos were from her 18th birthday party! Sisters in order of birth and then Vera with her son and daughter.

Perfect Love Hodgepodge

It’s a Valentine’s Day Hodgepodge! Thank you Joyce From This Side of the Pond for the love filled questions this week.

1. What does love mean to you? 

I’m fighting between being trite or deep with this question. Have you read The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman?

I think Words of Affirmation speak love to me and Acts of Service.

Understanding God’s love for us is important in knowing how to express our love for others. God’s love is complex and perfect. It never compromises from the Truth of God’s Word.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

~~~~~

2. Is love blind? 

Simple answer, no. Complex answer, love sees, knows, confronts, forgives and lasts.
~
—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
~~~~~
3. How do you remember Valentine’s Day as a kid? Do you have any special plans for the day this year? 
Valentine’s day in the 50’s was one of my favorite days at school. I so enjoyed the bag or box of Valentines to open and enjoy.
We don’t have anything special planned for today except for giving Addy and JJ their Valentine gifts.
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4 Are you a fan of the movie genre known as ‘rom-com’? What’s your favorite (or one of your favorites)?
Not my favorite genre. In my not so humble opinion, bedroom scenes should not be broadcast on the screen. I can appreciate the romance in period pieces like Pride and Prejudice.
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5. What’s something you recently put your heart into? 
Looking for a little something special for Addy and JJ for Valentine’s Day.
~~~~
6. Insert your own random thought here.  
This is a ‘Valentine’s Day past’ table setting.
I put my heart into setting a themed table. I’m doing it less now but it still is enjoyable for me.
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Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
May you “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Sweet ‘Little’ Memories Hodgepodge

Our first Wednesday Hodgepodge in February is bringing back special memories of our dear Babushka Vera. We also called her our ‘little babushka’. The photo above was taken at Greg and my wedding in December of 1974.

Thank you to Jo From This Side of the Pond for her questions this week.

1. Something you’ve waited for recently? 

Dependable hot water.

2. What’s something you loved to do as a child? 

So many things: Hide n Seek, Jacks, Tetherball

One of the best family memories is stopping at 31 Flavors (Ice Cream shop) on Beverly Blvd. after a church event for our two or three scoops! I chose orange sherbet and chocolate chip. One of my brothers always chose vanilla.

3. Something you learned from a grandparent? 

From our little babushka Vera we learned you could still do amazing things with only one hand. Her left arm was amputated at the elbow when she was very young. With one arm and hand, she managed raising children, cooking blintzes, baking piroshky and creating beautiful embroidery just to name a few. The photo of her above was taken at Greg and my wedding shower at Bethany Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

She made all those goodies on her kitchen table for Christmas breakfast before we walked a few doors down for church. All her ‘people’ would stop into her apartment before church for a treat and the most Merry Christmas start to the day.

This embroidered tablecloth and napkins was my little babushka’s wedding gift to us.

4. The most visited cities in the world last year (according to this site) were-Bangkok, Paris, London, Dubai, and Singapore. Have you been to any of the cities mentioned? Which would you most like to see? How do you feel about international travel in general these days? 

Of these cities, I’ve only been to London and would choose London to see again from this list of cities. Still hopeful for travel to the United Kingdom. I’m a comfort traveler so I’d avoid any country where I wouldn’t feel comfortable about language barriers, etc. There are enough wonderful International adventures for me in the UK.

5. February is the perfect month to ______________________.

February is the perfect month to be loving and kind to one another.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our Babushka Vera was promoted to heaven to be with her Savior in March of 1980. She was a Godly woman who prayed for all her grandchildren and for all her grandchildren’s future spouses. She prayed for our Pop’s salvation and for the salvation of her own husband. After they were married and he became a follower of Christ, our Dzedushka Fedot became a Baptist Minister. He was killed in Iran just after our parents immigrated to the USA after World War II. Our little Babushka immigrated to the USA with my Uncle and his family without her husband. I am so looking forward to seeing Babushka in heaven and seeing Dzedushka for the first time in heaven.

A long post about our Little Babushka is here.

I’m way behind this week after a busy full and wonderful weekend and then our Hot Water Tank repair job that took our son Dan and Greg all morning into the afternoon on Monday to fix. Hey…but we have some hot reliable water now and it will hopefully last a while.

A Puzzling Hodgepodge

Happy last day of January everyone. Here are the Hodgepodge questions we pondered by Joyce From This Side of the Pond this week.

1. January 29th is National Puzzle Day. Do you enjoy puzzles? What kind (crossword, jigsaw, sudoku, etc)?  How often do you work a puzzle? 

I am a jigsaw puzzle fan and I will work on them when the season is right and the time is right. While waiting for each of our grandchildren to be born we worked on a jigsaw puzzle in the hospital delivery waiting room to pass the hours away. I’ve completed two puzzles this month and am now just starting this one.

I have not gotten into sudoku or crossword puzzles. The photo at the top of this post are some of the jigsaw puzzles completed in the past year.

2. Something you currently find ‘puzzling’? 

I’m in the throws of troubling and puzzling and am wrestling with my thoughts and feelings on this issue. It’s nothing to do with my family or marriage which is a blessing but it has captured a lot of my attention. I’ll be praying and watching and waiting on how it progresses.

3. What’s your go-to dish to take to someone who needs a meal (new baby, bereavement, etc)? 

The go to was chicken thighs baked with Italian dressing and served with rice and whole green beans, not canned beans. Some of the ladies in our church are providing meals for someone who is undergoing aggressive treatment for breast cancer and who is too wiped out to think about cooking. I had to come up with more than my standard go to so I’m looking forward to reading what fellow Hodgepodgers share to help me come up with something new.

The photo above is a Teriyaki Glazed Skillet Chicken that I will make for the next meal for our friend. My recipe will post on Saturday.

4. Do you watch any HGTV and/or The Food Network? If so, what’s your favorite program there? 

I watched more in the past but not so much anymore. In the past we enjoyed, The Kitchen on Saturday mornings. We thoroughly enjoyed all the Fixer Upper shows. When the new season of shows come on we’ll watch them. I’ve enjoyed the Food Truck challenges in the past. Flea Market Flip is another show I’ll watch once in a while if I’m sick and need to make the hours pass quicker in my head.

5.  Wrap up your January in five words, with a five word phrase, or with a five word sentence. 

I have two…

Celebrate Three birthdays and more.

Snow, Fog, rain, minus sunshine. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The top view of this collage has been the norm around our parts for many days in a row. We are hoping to see more of that bottom view soon!

See you soon, Hodgepodgers.

Tips For You Hodgepodge

If it’s Wednesday it must be Hodgepodge. Click over to Jo’s blog, From This Side of the Pond to join in.

1. Do you have a word for the year (WOTY)? If so, and you’d like to share, please share. How do you decide on a word? If you don’t have a word are you still on the hunt for one for 2024? 

I did not pick a WOTY for the year but I did pick a phrase.

Love Jesus More in Twenty Twenty Four

2. January 23rd is National Pie Day…will you celebrate? Do you like pie? What’s your favorite? 

We don’t celebrate except for in November before Thanksgiving our church has a pie and praise night. We enjoy pie but don’t have it often. My favorite pies were the fresh Strawberry or fresh Peach pies from Marie Callender’s. Growing up in Southern California it was a special treat to have boysenberry pie from Knott’s Berry Farm.

I just remembered Chicken Pot Pie and the all the great savory pies in Great Britain, yum!

The photo at the top of this post is of a Pear Custard Pie. Click here for the recipe.

3. Tipping. What are your thoughts, expectations, as to who, when where? Do you appreciate a store/restaurant giving a ‘suggested amount’? Have you ever left an extravagant tip? 

We do tip and we try not to skimp. When service is over the top exceptional we tip even better. We have left large tips for some of our favorite waiters/waitresses but extravagant is in the eye of the beholder. Before we moved away from the Seattle area, Seattle instituted a set tip and service fee in their prices. That change was confusing and we stopped tipping in Seattle. These days we avoid driving into Seattle to dine.

Since we are talking about restaurants and trends I’m not a fan of using my phone or a table top device to order food. I like the personal touch of the waitstaff coming to the table to take our order. I haven’t mastered the whole take a photo of the thingie that looks like a weird puzzle piece (QR Code) so you can connect with your phone. (yes, I’m old)

4. Share with us one household ‘tip’ that works for you. 

We got a tip from a dishwasher salesman that it is good to run the tap till the water is good and hot and then start your dishwasher cycle.

5. Influencers on social media are people who’ve built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a particular subject. Do you follow any influencers online? Have you made a purchase or tried something new because of that ‘influence’? If there’s one you particularly enjoy tell us who they are and why you enjoy them. 

The type of influencers we follow online are well known and knowledgeable teachers of the Bible who have proven they believe and teach the inerrancy of the Bible for all areas of life. We regard them as the best influencers out there.

Grace to You, John MacArthur, Ligonier, R.C. Sproul, Master’s Seminary, Tim Challies, Sinclair Ferguson, Keith and Kristyn Getty,  just to name a few.

We have purchased books, commentaries and music influenced by these folks. Keith and Kristyn Getty’s music is exceptional.

There are many ‘false teachers’ that we avoid like the plague.

The other type of following we do are the ‘how to people’, like ‘how to replace the hot water thermostat’, or ‘how to smoke a brisket’, or ‘how to clean your oven racks’.

On the lighter side of things this granny is fun to watch…

https://www.youtube.com/@memesrecipessc  Meme is a hoot to watch and I love her closing line! She is a cooking in the kitchen influencer.

I also like the jewelry this young gal is creating for sale; Nicole Joy Jewelry Design

https://www.instagram.com/nicolejoyjewelrydesign/?hl=en

https://06e86a-2.myshopify.com/

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

These two get to enjoy the snow with joy and then their mom adds more fun with these frozen colored water balloons to decorate their snow castle.

It’s still winter out there!

Update on our Water Heater, the parts arrived early and we should have hot water before this post is published on Wednesday. PTL! And yes, we do have hot water thanks to Greg!

Happy Hodgepodge, I’m looking forward to reading your tips.

A ‘Hunny’ of a Hodgepodge

Joyce From This Side of the Pond has questions commemorating the birthday of A.A. Milne for our Hodgepodge this week.

When our boys were infants and toddlers they had those toys above and our favorite jammies for them were the Winnie the Pooh brand from Sears.

This little guy isn’t little anymore and he has a birthday this Friday.

1. On January 18th we commemorate A.A. Milne’s birthday. Milne is the author of the beloved classic Winnie the Pooh. In many ways Pooh represents innocence and simplicity. His optimism reminds us to appreciate the little things. What are three little things you’re appreciating in mid-January? 

  1. Watching the birds at the bird feeders.
  2. Hot soup and good bread.
  3. Working on Jigsaw Puzzles since the weather outside is below freezing.

2. Piglet teaches us even the smallest of individuals can achieve big things with the proper amount of determination. How do your current responsibilities make you feel? 

I am content in my current responsibilities outside the home. I need to be more proactive in bringing on some helpers who could take over for me if needed in these responsibilities.

At home I could be a little more diligent in keeping up the house and making meals so if I’m attaching a feeling it would be feeling behind or unproductive.

3. Tigger is known for his enthusiasm and energy, his boundless joy and love of life. What’s something you’re interested in learning more about in this new year? 

History of the Church ~ Church History by Simonetta Carr

4. Eeyore, while a melancholy character, teaches us the importance of resilience and perseverance. How do you stay motivated and persevere in difficult circumstances?

I have to go to the Word of God for my motivation and encouragement.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

5. What’s the last thing you ate that was made with honey? 

Toast with peanut butter and honey

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Currently the only Winnie the Pooh book we have in our country bungalow is this one:

The only authorized Russian-language edition of Winnie-The-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner

In this edition Winnie the Pooh becomes a Russian bear.

I bought it way back in the early 70’s at a bookstore in Westwood, California. It was $4.95.

Thanks to all who stop by here in my little corner of the world.

Shoveling the Hodgepodge

Here are the latest questions Joyce From This Side of the Pond has come up with for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. What’s a change you’d like or need to make this year? 

Physically, I need to be more active throughout the year, not just in fair weather. Mentally, I need to be less selfish.

2. Break the ice, on thin ice, ice skating, tip of the iceberg, ice cold...which icy idiom applies to your life right now? Explain. 

I’ll go with ‘tip of the iceberg’. I need to continue my efforts in getting rid of many of my possessions! Decluttering the storage areas in our home.

3. What’s a project you’ve been putting off? Will you get to it this month? This year?

See #2

4. Of the fruits that grow well in winter which ones have you tried? Which is your favorite? 

pomegranates, clementines, persimmons, passion fruit, pears, grapefruit, lemons, pomelos, kumquats

I believe I have tried all but a pomelo which looks like it’s pretty close to a grapefruit. Since I’m supposed to pick a favorite, I’ll go with lemons.

5. What do you think it means to be courageous? 

To fear God rather than man and have my actions, words and lifestyle reflect that.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had 6 inches of snow fall Monday night into Tuesday. Snow Hats are in fashion…

A Foggy Beginning Hodgepodge

Today is the first Wednesday Hodgepodge of 2024. Thank you to Joyce!

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they’d like to see banished from the Queen’s English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen). Here are the words/phrases they’d like to see banished in 2024-

hack, impact, at the end of the day, rizz, slay, iconic, cringe worthy, obsessed, side hustle, wait for it

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why?Are any of these a regular part of your speech? Is there a word not on the list that you’d like to add? 

I’m all for banishing rizz since I still don’t remember what it means or why it is a word. None of the other words/phrases bother me enough to banish them.

2. What do you wish you’d done more of last year? Less of? 

More walking…less sitting

3. A place you’d like to visit in this new year? Do you think you will? 

Scotland pops into my head but I don’t think that will happen so I’ll go with the beach as in somewhere along the West coast with the Pacific waves coming onto the shore. The last time I was at a beach was in January of 2023.

4.What are three words to sum up or describe your 2023? 

Family, Travel, Renovation

5. What advice would you like to give yourself as we begin a new year? 
~
Love Jesus more in twenty twenty four!
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6. Insert your own random thought here. 
~
We have been in a foggy pattern with less snow than usual here in our corner of the world. I took the photo at the top of this post on our way to Spokane yesterday. We did our big box store shopping before the predicted snow of this coming weekend. It takes most of the day when we drive the 70 plus miles there and back again.  I’m still working on getting Christmas tucked away until next year. I’m looking forward to getting back to a somewhat normal schedule around here. Hope all is starting well for you.