Santa is trying to find the hodgepodge

What's one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

Visit my parents

What's something that brought a smile to your face this year?

My grandchildren

What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favourite cracker variety? 

Jazz with cheese

Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year?

I will be sleeping, and I hope I am not awake. 

What are three words that describe your 2024? 

Laughing, Family, Progress

Insert your own random thought here. 

At this time of year, over and above the parties and the gift giving, one star looks down at us cutting through all the tinsel and bling hope we can feel the simplicity of the lonely stable. Thus, thinking about the Holy Infant born there, born to be our salvation.

What is Christmas

 

What is Christmas?

Is it just a day at the end of the year, a holiday filled with merriment and good cheer?

Is it a time for the giving and taking of gifts and to indulge in good food and drink?

Have we become lost in the meaningless daze that invades our minds at the sight of the crowds and decorations everywhere?

Have we closed our hearts to God and his love, have we forgotten the bright star above and the real, true meaning of Christmas?

We should ask the Lord to renew and restore our faith, to allow us to remember the real and true meaning of Christmas. So, we can feel in our hearts again that peace and good will to all is still a promise that can be claimed if we just believe.

This is a reworked version of a poem or verse call it what you want by Helen Steiner Rice.

The Elf Stole The Hodgepodge

 

What's one task you'd like a little Christmas elf to sneak in and take care of tonight? 

I would love it if the cleaner my fridge inside and out as well as behind it.

What's your biggest challenge during the holidays? 

Surviving the heat  

Are you a cookie baker this time of year? If your year had to be summed up in the shape of a cookie cutter, what shape would it be? 

Nope I am not a baker in any way, shape or form

Santa likes milk with his cookies. Do you like milk? What kind of milk is on tap in your house? (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat, etc). What's the last thing you made that called for milk? 

I like flavoured milk for drinking and full cream plan milk, I had porridge for breakie made with milk.

Share one favourite line from a Christmas carol or holiday tune?

The only thing that pops into my head is He’s making a list and checking it twice 

Insert your own random thought here.

Christmas is different for different people, some like big family celebrations and are lucky enough to have them, some would love a big family celebration but do not have that. While others like to be alone if someone you know is spending the day alone, do not assume that they are not ok or happy with that because it just may be the way they like it.

 

 

A chilled hodgepodge

 

What's the best $5 gift to give someone? 

Novelty socks, most people wear socks and most like something fun over something practical.

 What's your favourite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season? 

I like to just sit in a quiet space, close my eyes and do nothing.

How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavour in other kinds of dishes?

No thanks, have tried it a few times but not a taste I like. 

December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day...will you be celebrating? Do you have a favourite brand? A favourite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favourite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants...which one do you wear most often? 

Didn’t know there was a Blue Jeans Day.

No favourite brand, usually just buy a department store brand like Big W or Kmart

I held on to a pair that I loved for years after they stopped fitting but finally tossed them at some point.

Once the answer would be traditional jeans, but I am moving towards leggings or yoga pants, far more comfy.

As we head into this holiday season what's your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

To wake my motivation up and get stuff done.

 Insert your own random thought here. 

Life will be better once we are at peace with ourselves, when we are comfortable with who we are and can stop worrying about what others think of us and the things we do. As long as one knows they are doing the best the feel they are able to do at any given time that should be enough. Become at peace with your life and you should feel happier

 

Being thankful for the hodgepodge

 

Talking turkey...are you cooking the turkey this year? Does ham belong on a Thanksgiving Day menu? When it comes to gravy do you pour it over your whole plate, skip it altogether, or land somewhere in between? Cranberries-homemade or jelled right out of the can? Do you look forward more to the main course, the savory sides, or the desserts? 

I know there are at least a couple of bloggers who participate here who live outside the US and won't be celebrating Thanksgiving. If that's you feel free to adapt this question to your December (or any) holiday meal.

Being an Aussie means we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, so for me I this question is about Christmas lunch. No I won’t be cooking the turkey my brother will be doing that, yes turkey is a part of many Aussie’s Christmas lunch. The gravy just goes over my turkey and cahicken. I have never tried cranberry sauce and for most who do have it, it comes in a jar. The best part of the meal is the baked potatoes and the Pavlova for dessert.

Holiday movies...tell us your favourite and what it is about the film that makes you love it. Is it the film itself or a memory it stirs? 

I have two favourite Christmas movies, The Santa Clause and The Polar Express, I don’t know why I like to watch them each year, but I do

A favourite way to give back and help others?

At the moment I am drawing a blank.

Name a place or setting you encountered this month that made you feel grateful. 

The grateful feeling, I had on my birthday

Knowing what you know today, if you could redo yesterday what would you do differently? 

Not a damn think

Spill your own random thought here. 

Our life is a journal each day recorded with the good, the bad and the what the hell moments we encountered. This journal is read by God and recorded by the angels who watch over us each day.

Is this a brown Hodgepodge.

 

What was your favourite part about growing up in your hometown? 

Knowing most of the neighbours, being able to wander around on my own without fear.

Do you prefer 'material' gifts or 'experience' gifts? If you answered experience, tell us about one you've received and truly enjoyed. 

Material gifts as I am not into experiencing stuff

Is brown a colour featured prominently in your home decor? Your wardrobe? What's a favourite brown thing you own? Of the brown foods listed here which one is your favourite and/or most often consumed... brown sugar, brown rice, pretzels, coffee, dates, cloves, German chocolate cake, whole wheat bread?

Nope nothing brown here, except the jacket I am wear that is brownish. Out of that list it would be the chocolate cake.

Which 'Charlie Brown' character do you relate to most? If you're not sure, you can take a fun quick quiz by clicking here-Which Charlie Brown Character Are You?  or the one found here-Charlie Brown Quiz. I got the same answer on both. 

I did both quizzes the first said Charlie the other said Marcie

What's a favourite item you've purchased this year? 

No one favourite item but do like that all the clothes I have had to purchase are three sizes smaller than what I was wearing years ago.

Insert your own random thought here. 

Remember to thank the Lord for all the moments in your life that are filled with joy and pleasure, those wonderful golden days of love and happiness and the cherished memories you have made, life for the most part is good.

 

 

It was my birthday

Yesterday was my 62^nd birthday I was going to write this post then but just couldn’t find the motivation, so I am starting it at 1.20am this morning as I was having trouble setting. I was in bed at 9pm but after 3hrs of dosing on and off I got up and despite how tired I feel I decided to stay up for a bit. As today is Sunday, after I take my 5am meds if I feel tired, I can go back to bed.

Tim arrived home at 1.20am and was surprised to see me up but understands why I am up.

I received many birthday messages either on Facebook or via messenger or a message to my phone. Kathy and the girls came over to see me and wish me happy birthday, they sung happy birthday to me as soon as they arrived. After they left Jes and Sam came down to wish me happy birthday they also sung happy birthday to me as soon as they walked in. I saw Tasha around midday, and she wished me happy birthday then.

In the way of gifts well Tim gave me a $100 of which I have spent $50 on a pair of denim shorts, a pair of cotton long leg pj bottoms and a pair of black slip-on shoes. The shoes are too tight across the toes, but they only cost $12, and I hope by wearing them with socks for 5-10 minutes each morning they will stretch enough so I can wear them. No, I didn’t try them on before I bought them. I also got a watch from my sister Sue.

Kathy said she plans to get me a gift while on holiday to Queensland, they leave at 6am for a family holiday, they will be gone a week. Jessica has asked what I would like but I need to give it some thought.

After thinking about it I will see if Jess can take me to Best & Less and Kmart to get a new dress and some exercise stuff.