Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Hodgepodging the last of 2015


 Beautiful visitors to our cranberry bush

Winter has finally come to Wisconsin. I can't say that I was sad, thinking we might have a snowless Christmas, but we did get snow just in time. And now we will enjoy it for the next four months, as we sit beside the fire and console ourselves with the beautiful photos in the seed catalogs, a reminder that spring really will come again...we hope.

Evening, December 28, 2015

And now it's time for the Hodgepodge!

Join Joyce and the Gang
for
Plug the answers into your own blog
and join in!


Here are the questions to the last Hodgepodge of 2015. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here to share answers with all the other revelers.

1. Share a favorite memory/moment from the week of Christmas.

Enjoying time with family and friends, and trying out the Christmas cake and Christmas pudding.

Christmas Eve (below), Grandpa (Mr. C.) reading the account of Jesus' birth from the Bible.


We enjoyed the company of Carla (from The River Flowing Blog) and her sweet family as well, for a Christmas tea to try out the Christmas Cake (lower, middle, above), but unfortunately my photo turned out blurry. :-(

Earlier, at our daughter's home:
Hungry, Hungry Hippo,
Son-in-law's Christmas pudding
We had a hard time getting that thing to flame! 
But it was delicious.


My dad made the icicles, bottom right


2. If someone wrote a book about your life based on the past year, what genre would it fall under? What would the title be?

Non Fiction: Stuck, But Hopeful

3. What made you feel patriotic this year?

That's a tough one, but I'd guess I'd say that every time I see the BNSF Railway commercial, it makes me marvel at how beautiful and vast this country is, and the amazing industry we once had. It also makes me sad that we have little industry that hasn't moved out of this country, that we have little access to quality goods or even the ability to purchase decent textiles at the store, and that our economy is not healthy, despite the mainstream media energetically pumping the bellows into a pile of dying embers.


4. What experience from this past year would you like to do all over again?

Spend vacation time with our daughter and son-in-law in England, meeting UK blogging friends, attending evensong service at York Minster, Durham Cathedral, and St. Paul's. I would never tire of this.

 York Minster in the distance
(York has Good Fences too)

York Minster Quire

5. What song lyric sums up or is a reflection of your 2015?
Song title, not lyrics: Walk, Don't Run
 
6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate 2015? (10=stellar) Why?

So far, I'd rate it a 6.  Ask me next July. Maybe it will look better in hind sight.

7. What part of the upcoming year are you most excited about?

Most excited and most apprehensive:  Hip revision surgery with a 90% hopeful outcome. (The original hip replacement was done in December of 2013.) That leaves 10%.  But I would think that the chair of  orthopedic surgery, Mayo, Rochester, is the best, which is why he's booked until June.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 With Grandpa's Glasses

So 5 year old grandson was testing his 21 month old sister on her ability to pronounce words. 

'Lucy, say Paw Patrol.' 
'Papado'
'Lucy, say ornament.'
'ommamet'
'Hey, Mom, Lucy said 'ornament!' I'm so excited!  It's like she's an actual baby now, and not just a blob.' 

 The blob-turned-baby
with her grandpa

 Have a Happy New Year, Everyone!

***

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66 comments:

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Lovely photos, especially the cardinals on your bush and then oh MY....the blob! I had to bust out laughing at that one!! So cute! :)

Mary said...

The pictures with the cardinals are beautiful! Love the commercial! Isn't England wonderful??? I hope to go back to see more next time. We went a few years ago for a week...just not enough time!
Love what your grandson said!
Happy New Year!!!

Jenny Woolf said...

Lovely photos! And I am glad you got your snow in time for the picture postcard views!
I was in York just before Christmas but - I don't know if you are aware - the city has been flooded since then by completely abnormal rainfall and failure of its flood defences. |Terrible, and I was so sorry to hear it. As we went just before the rain, it was, for us, though, a wonderful visit, and we climbed right to the top of the Minster Tower and got amazing views over the city.

A happy new year to you!

maddie/cadesmimi said...

I loved all of your pictures, and the "blob turned baby" comment by your grandson was priceless :) I hope and pray that upcoming hip surgery falls in the 90% range!

Happy New Year!
Kathy (from Reflections by Kathy)

Unknown said...

I'd love for there to be a snowy Christmas here in England, hopefully you can share next year. Your Christmas looks so festive!!

Tammy Enjoy Life said...

Great pictures Glad you got snow for Christmas.
Happy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I just love your Cardinal images. The snow scene is lovely too. Your grandchildren are adorable. A trip to England would be high on my list but, then I just love any trip. Have a happy day! I wish you and yours all the best in 2016, a very Happy New Year!

Jane@Bluebird1959 said...

Happy New Year Judy! We got our white Christmas on the 28th here in southeast Wisconsin, along with some freezing rain and ice. It looks beautiful and the Christmas decor outside looks so much nicer now. Looks like you had a fantastic Christmas celebration with your family! Jane

Theresa said...

Beautiful snowy scene:) No snow in our neck of the woods, just RAIN and lots of it! Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!

Joyce said...

Love your beautiful bird picture! It sounds like you all had a wonderful Christmas with family. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

TexWisGirl said...

the blob made me lol! i can see why your hip surgery would make you pensive!

Elizabeth said...

Sounds like a wonderful Christmas !

Barbara said...

"Not just a blob!" How funny! Love all of your pictures. They look like something from a wonderful magazine, so warm and homey. Have a Happy New Year -- expecting the hip revision surgery goes well.

Vee said...

She is the cutest little blob I have ever seen! LOL!

Grands keep us laughing. This helps when we are in a stuck, but hopeful phase.

So next summer will be tied up in hip repair surgery? That was not a very pleasant way to put it! I can do better if pressed. I am certain that a hip that functions properly without pain will be a true mood lifter. John really needs a new hip...

Everything looks beautiful there...like an English Christmas married to a Wisconsin one. =D (Yes, we have snow; this is the second day of it.)

Carla from The River said...

Ha...still laughing about "Not just a blob"

I enjoyed looking at the collage of Christmas photos. I sure do love that fire. Warm and cozy!!

Have a Blessed New Year!!

Carla

J said...

Beautiful, beautiful photos of the cardinals! What a lovely setting for them.
Your little grandson is just adorable! And the conversation! And the commentary! Love the heartwarming pictures of kids with a loving grandpa and a good story book!
Happy New Year, Judy - and best wishes for a speedy (90%) recovery on the surgery.

Linda Kay said...

Such a cute blob, too! Nice review of 2015. My brother is scheduled for hip replacement next week. The photo of the cardinals is priceless. Blessings in 2016!

Chatty Crone said...

Are you getting your hip redone in July? I love your birds in the first photo. And I know that you had a wonderful time with your family! Happy New Year!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

What a beautiful cozy Christmas you enjoyed, Judy! Your grands are beautiful and quite smart with quips! I do hope and pray that 2016 will be a great year for you and yours. Getting a new hip from the Chair will certainly do the job for you! ♥

Tired Teacher said...

Capturing memories in photos and words keeps them alive, and you've done both in this post. The Christmas cake and pudding look delicious. I hope you ate every last crumb. Happy New Year

Theresa said...

What a beautiful picture of the birds. I remember Hungry, Hungry Hippos, such fun! Your Christmas sounds like it was wonderful and I'm glad someone had snow. I went into my summer clothes to take out capris and sandals since it was a record breaker. Instead of temps in the 20s/30s we had temps in the 60s! I'm still waiting for winter to arrive here on Long Island. Happy New Year!

Arlene G said...

Judy, I loved seeing pictures of your Christmas in Wisconsin. We had record high temps but we enjoyed the holidays except for the massive rains that caused so many a sad Christmas. Thankful for a warm dry home this Christmas. I hope your hip surgery goes well and as you said, if he is booked until June, he must be the Jedi Master of HIp Surgeons.( Can you tell I just saw Star Wars?) Hope all goes well for you and you will have complete healing.

podso said...

Glad it's working out to get your hip fixed. What hopeful relief for you. And the last part--a good laugh this morning! Enjoy your snow...

Elizabethd said...

A blob!! She looks a very sweet baby!

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Love catching up about your holidays Judy! Your nature photos are always so beautiful!!

All of your goodies and your cozy home look so wonderful. We're snuggled in here now with our many inches of snow. Thankfully the 2nd storm went south of us and we didn't get a ton more. ;)

I always love your answers and they always crack me up! Prayers in advance, however, about hip surgery!!

Love the "blob" comment my your grandson. So funny!!

May 2016 bring you and your family many blessings my Friend!! xoxo

Cathy said...

That's the cutest little blog I've ever seen. Love that comment and that last picture with her grandpa!!

It sounds like you had a really great Christmas and I so enjoy looking at your pictures.

Happy New Year!!

Empty Nester said...

I'm still chuckling over the ornament conversation. She's not a blob...LOL Kids are a riot! The favorite part of my school day is at the end. I corral the 4 year olds in the lab until their older siblings are dismissed. The things I hear about. LOL You made me remember how I used to read the Christmas story in Luke with my granddaddy every Christmas Eve. I miss him. I loved reading that with him every year.

Wendy said...

Thanks for sharing all your lovely photos, especially the very cute "blob". I hope your family in the UK haven't been affected by the flooding. It's been awful for many people. Happy New Year.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Your cake does look yummy. What a nice gathering your had. Nothing better than family and friends. Sounds like a perfect Christmas.
I agree, I want your trip to Europe too.
Happy New Year!

BeachGypsy said...

Hi Judy! Nice to meet you! Thank you for stopping in to my front porch! I do love the bird pictures you have posted. So pretty!!

Debby Ray said...

Hi Judy...I enjoyed these great photos, from the beautiful cardinals to the wonderful family Christmas memories...everything looks so festive and delicious! And of course I always enjoy your witty Hodge Podge answers :) I hope that your 2016 will be blessed!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Happy New Year, Judy - may it be one rich in laughter, love, peace and great health for you and your loved ones. Hugs. ♥♥♥

Sandi said...

;-D "...and not just a blob!"

Hey, that's high praise from a five year old!


Judy S. said...

Happy New Year to you and yours, too, Judy!

bj said...

Love your good Christmas....Happiest New Year

Susie said...

Judy, Looks like there was fun and love a plenty for Christmas. Certainly good foods. I want to wish you and your family a wonderful new year. xoxo,Susie

Michelle said...

Glad the baby has graduated from being a blob! lol

Paula said...

What beautiful pictures of your family!! Good luck with the hip surgery! The picture of the cardinals in your bush reminds of being told that when you see a cardinal it means a loved one from heaven is visiting. Whenever there is a cardinal in my yard I like to think my beloved Richard is stopping by to see how I'm doing!!
Happy New Year

Alex said...

Such heart warming pictures of your family Christmas...lovely! The pudding did flame in the end! - not easy to capture that on camera, it is over pretty quickly!
Yes, I can understand the apprehension about repeat hip surgery... But Mayo Clinic seems to be the very best, I hear it mentioned a lot.
I do hope I might be on your UK bloggers- still -to- meet -list, the next time you pop over the Pond!
Happy New Year, dear Judy!

messymimi said...

Happy New Year! It does look like you had a lovely Christmas, i pray the hip surgery goes exceedingly well, and that you for the comment from your grandson about his sister! That will keep me chuckling all day.

Christine said...

I'd say from your photos your precious family around you makes 2015 pretty stellar! I loved those photos from England too!
God bless you all in 2016 with much health and happiness and good hips!!!

Anonymous said...

Great photos! Looks like a wonderful holiday. My two year old say Paw Patrol like "Papa Troll." Pretty funny. Here's to a good 2016!

EG CameraGirl said...

Interesting that little sister was once just a "blob." Looks like little sister will be much better appreciated in 2016! All the best in 2016, Judy!

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy these hodge podge posts. Your answers and photos are wonderful. Happy New Year!

Suzan said...

Lovely pictures of your family Judy!!
Awesome shot of Granddad reading to grandchild, a Blob ?? Ha!! And neat that you got your cake to flame up!!
Don't you enjoy having a wood burning stove!!! We just had our do-nothing fireplace changed into a wood burning stove and I LOVE it!!
I always enjoy your England photos!! (One of these days!!! We'll go!!)
Thank you Judy for stopping by and sharing!!
Wishing you a wonderful 2016 - You'll wonder why you didn't get your hip replaced sooner!!! God Bless Judy!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

"An actual baby now, not just a blob" -- it's remarks like that that are priceless! Hope you and Mr C have a cozy winter!

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Gorgeous bird photo. I hope your hip revisions goes well.

carol l mckenna said...

Delightful post and photos ~ be well for 2016 ~ xox

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year,
artmusedog and carol

Ida said...

Yes York does have some nice fences. - I do so enjoy reading your hodge podge answers. Wishing you the best in 2016, sounds like you have a lot on your plate for the New Year. Thanks for a great year of blogging with you.

Anonymous said...

Lovely review of some of your family events this year! Love the cathedral - so beautiful.
Have a awesome New Year!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy New year my friend. I hope this coming year is much much better! Sweet hugs, Diane

Lowcarb team member said...

Enjoyed your great photo's, thank you.
Happy New Year Wishes to you and yours ...

All the best Jan

Karen said...

Your photos are simply amazing! My favorite is the cardinal! Happy New Year.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Happy New Year! I wish we had a cranberry bush. We do have an elderberry bush the birds are all hanging around the backyard.
~

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Loved all the wonderful photos. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Love seeing the cardinals and reading your answers to the questions. Kids can sure say the darnedest things, can't they? Who would have guessed a brother thought of his baby sister as a blob until she could pronounce some big boy words. :-)
We had family we didn't see at Christmas today for lunch and although these grands are older the soon to be teenager told Grandma she wouldn't understand a certain something, it would be too confusing for me. (sigh...)
Happy New Year Judy.

Mascha said...

Lovely holiday-photostory and a gorgeos minster! Most I like the cardinal (never seen in real, here in Germany)
Happy New Year

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Judy! I love your pretty Cardinals. Sweet shots and memories of Christmas 2015. Your grandchildren are adorable. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

May your New Year be filled with peace, love and joy! Happy New Year to you and yours!

A Colorful World said...

What a really wonderful post! I agree with you about so many of your thoughts, especially sadness over losing so much of what once made our country great! Those little reminders of our once can-do attitude can be sad now. Glad the changes in your baby/blob are meeting with the five-year-old's approval! :-) That was really cute! Looks like you had an awesome Christmas! Here's hoping your 2016 will be one you can look back on as really good!

Anni said...

One of my favorite birds! Love the cardinal image. And the snowy countryside at dusk.

Deborah Montgomery said...

Happy New Year! Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas, and that trip to England was certainly a highlight of 2015. I'd love to go again.
I don't think doctors ever say anything over 90%, so I'd say that is an excellent prognosis. Glad you'll be having a top-notch surgeon. Worth waiting for.
Blessings to you in 2016, Deborah

Red Rose Alley said...

Judy, do you know that it is my dream to see the red cardinal one day? These pictures made my heart sing. I don't see them here in California where I live, I'm wondering if they live in colder climates? It sounds like you had a busy year. Yes, Carla is such a splendid blog friend, isn't she? I was just over there reading one of her delightful posts.

Wishing you much peace and joy and love in the new year, Judy.

~Sheri

Red Rose Alley said...

ps That vintage New Year's picture is the cutest one I've seen so far. :)

~Sheri

R's Rue said...

Beautiful
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Robin said...

Hi Judy, did you go to England in 2015? I haven't been on the computer much the last few months. Wishing you a very blessed 2016.

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