Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Hodgepodge Bicentennial


My friend Deb gave me this sweet framed quilt square.
Isn't it pretty!
I thought it would look good with a black bear and a snowman
 standing on a half round of oak. It has a nice, cozy feel to it.
I put it just to the left of our wood-burning stove.
 The snowman's been complaining ever since.

***

This week marks the 200th edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge!
Is Joyce amazing, or what!
She's been writing questions for 200 Hodgepodge posts, so...
Let's hear a hearty round of applause for Joyce!

Thank you, Joyce.

She writes the questions,
We write the answers.
Click on the button below,
Copy the questions into your own blog post,
Then link up at 'From This Side of the Pond.'



1. What is something in your life right now that feels a little 'hodgepodge'?

I would have to say, 'Just about everything.'  It's a happy and busy time of year, but things seem less orderly and predictable. There's so much I need to do, but all the little detail stuff takes a lot of time and somehow, before I know it, another day is over.

2. What does 'peace on earth, goodwill to men' mean to you?

Jesus said,  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

That is the order of things. Once we get that right, there will be peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind.

3. Which edible treat you are most looking forward to sampling this December?

Of course, the operative word here is 'sampling.' Right. I would love to 'sample' English Toffee,' but I know it's nearly impossible to only 'sample.'  Of course, it doesn't help that I make it, so there it is.

 English Toffee
Recipe to follow on Friday

4. It's that most wonderful time of the year...do you agree, and if so why is it so wonderful?  If not, what would you say is the most wonderful time of the year?

I'd say that it's a close second. I think Easter is the most wonderful time of year because we celebrate the bodily resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. It changed everything. It brought hope to the whole world. 

Christmas is a much busier time, and a wonderful time, but it tends to be so eclipsed by the secular holiday bash. Actually, that's a good reason for us Christians to make an even bigger deal of Christmas, because 'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.' God became a human being to rescue us from our sinful selves and give us hope and a future. So as His people, we should want to celebrate this season HEARTILY and with GREAT JOY.

5. What was the last word you looked up in a dictionary (actual or online) and why?

'Panentheism,' to distinguish it from 'pantheism,' but I'll let you look it up. (Have fun!) I am always looking up words because how could I come across a word in my reading and not look it up if I'm  not certain of its meaning?? Anyway, I feel compelled to look it up, just as I feel compelled to find out how something is pronounced. I remember my mom asking one of us kids to go get the dictionary or encyclopedia and bring it to the dinner table when there was a question of spelling or definition, or maybe even as a means to settle an argument during a discussion. Pffft. Who argues?

 December 2013
Bottom right is Rosemary, who died suddenly last winter.

6. Besides a Christmas tree, what is your favorite thing to decorate this time of year?

I like stringing little white lights on the brick above our stoves and across plants and across the Nativity set and having tea lights and candles everywhere. They just make the rooms feel cozy and cheery (to me.) I also 'decorate' with a good background of soft Christmas music from King's College Cambridge, Trinity College Choir, John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers, or Tingstad and Rumbel.

7. Share one thing you've learned (about yourself, people, or anything at all) in the Wednesday Hodgepodge, or through blogging in general.

In every Hodgepodge, I learn things about the other participants, and I like that! The Hodgepodge really helps us get to know one another better. It might even gently pry opinions out of us on topics we might not otherwise address.

What I've learned about myself is that I am probably sillier than I ought to be, but I do get it legitimately, from my father. We share a silly sense of humor, finding the funny side of almost everything. I am grateful that I have that ability, but on the other hand, it does tend to get a bit out of control at times. I'll try to tame it down in the future, but I won't make any guarantees.

 December 2013


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've always enjoyed grammar and spelling, but it drives me crazy when I get to a word and don't know whether it should have  -ible  or  -able  at the end. Did you know that most words that end in -ible are of Latin origin? HOWEVER, there are many words that are not of Latin origin that also end in -ible. I guess the solution is to memorize the list of 180 words that end in -ible.  Right. An easier, but not airtight, rule is this:

Rule of thumb (copied from EnglishClub.com)

"This rule can help you decide the correct spelling. It works most (but not all!) of the time. Remember, if you are not sure about a word, it is probably best to use a dictionary. Here is the rule:

  • If you remove -able from a word, you are left with a complete word (renewable, renew).
  • If you remove -ible from a word, you are not left with a complete word (sensible, sens). But note that accessible, contemptible, digestible, flexible and suggestible are among the exceptions to this rule."
***

That's what's wonderful about the English language - all the exceptions to the rules. And that's why we need dictionaries.

Thank you for the Hodgepodge, Joyce!


***

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35 comments:

Trace4J said...

Great post.
I love the framed quilt block.
A sweet treasure.
But poor frosty is melting. :)
I cant wait to see your recipe.
YUM!
Woolie Christmas HUGS

Joyce said...

So much to comment on here today...I love your black bear. We're partial to them here in NNJ : ) Also, the wood block. My daughter's future mother in law makes wooden bowls, etc as a hobby, and she has given us a beautiful wood round to display the wedding cake. It's gorgeous, and fits perfectly with the rustic elegance of the day. I can't wait to see the cake on it! Your photos remind me I need a Christmas cactus. Enjoy your day!

MadSnapper said...

I love little white lights and now I want a ladder decoration just like yours. i love that photo and the plants and lights. great idea.. poor litle snowman so hot by the stove, hope he makes it through the season.. love the bear to.. and your are right it does look cozy. i would not be able to just sample your toffee.. yum and i am the queen of silly in most things.

Unknown said...

I just love these - and I think I'll join up in the New Year !!!
Your choice of Christmas music is identical to John's -
My taste run more to the White Christmas variety ( John says I'm uncouth lmho )
Whatever you listen to may you have the most wonderful holiday season Judy !!!
XOXO

Anonymous said...

Your plants are beautiful. I love the way you have them displayed on the ladder, with lights among them!

Poor Frosty, stuck by the stove, but he compliments the rest of the decor perfectly :)

Lynne said...

I appreciated the English lesson for ible and able!
And loved your 2013 Christmas Cactus . . .
Guess it feel so HODGEPODGE right now I couldn't focus on questions and answers . . .

retired not tired said...

Great post! Love the pictures!and the English lesson. I am big Thesaurus user and love to also participate in Pondering on Thursday by BYG Adventures.

TexWisGirl said...

the toffee looks excellent! loved your christmas cactus from last year. :) the framed quilt block - what a neat idea!

magnoliasntea said...

Love those plants in lights. I've never had a rosemary that made it through the winter, and I'm holding my breath on the one in the ground outside.
Yay, for dictionary use. I use my phone dictionary constantly (yeah, too lazy to get up and get the real dictionary), especially when reading E.D.E.N. Southworth's books. They're oldies, but goodies. Have a great day!

April said...

What a neat idea to do with your plants and white lights, Judy! Guess what I'll be doing in a few? I agree...Easter is so very special. I have never tried growing a Christmas cactus, but I'm trying paperwhites for the first time. They popping up like crazy!

Tammy Enjoy Life said...

Great response to question #2 and totally agree!! Have used the 'able' and 'ible' with my 8th graders. Have a great day!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Who is Rosemary...your Christmas Cactus? It is the prettiest one I have ever seen! Full, and beautiful color. I LOVE your plats on the ladder! I love words, too. Spelling was my best and most loved in school. I also like looking up the Greek and Hebrew meanings of words in the bible.

Anonymous said...

We have a cute little nativity that I let the kids arrange but what I like to do is put two of those small battery operated tea light candles to backlight it. It looks so cute.

Cranberry Morning said...

Rosemary is my rosemary plant that I took indoors in the fall. It did so well all winter long, until about March. Then she died, an unfortunate and untimely death. I was hoping she would continue to thrive and I could set her outdoors again when summer came.

Michelle said...

Hi, Judy!

The toffee looks very tempting.

I also love how you have placed the white lights with the plants.

Merry Christmas!!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Poor Frosty:) Oh I love your plants on the ladder. We have lots of ladders around here I should do that. The quilt block is a beautiful gift.
I love the dictionary and my punctuation and grammar well questionable:) Hug B

Nancy said...

I'm looking forward to that toffee recipe. ;o)

Theresa said...

Your house sounds so cozy with your decorations. Thanks for the tip for spelling words. There are so many rules and exceptions to the rule in the English language. Have a great week :)

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Toffee is on our list to make this year too. Last year we couldn't seem to get it and after several failed attempts we decided to stop wasting butter and sugar and have Becky make it! Lol!

Love your quilt block, I think it is called Tree of Life. (In case you needed to know.)

Nikki said...

I like your #7! We are all unique on our own ways. I enjoy the humor too! :) Hope your Thanksgiving was joyful! My niece made a great pumpkin pie and she just turned 11!

Sandi said...

"Of course, the operative word here is 'sampling.' Right. I would love to 'sample' English Toffee,' but..."


:-) LOL!


Love the photos!


DeniseinVA said...

Lovely quilt gift and I enjoyed all the photos and the read. Enjoy the rest of your day :-)

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

No, no. No, no, no. DO NOT tame your silliness! (Just sayin')

Unknown said...

RIP Rosemary. And, #2, spot on. Happy Wednesday!

Farin
http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com

podso said...

200 hodgepodges, that's amazing. I would love to visit your main room with all the white lights and candles and coziness!

Cynthia said...

I love the name of your blog, and your photos are gorgeous. I grew up in Wisconsin and still spend a lot of time there. My sister lives on a farm near Stoughton.
I have some old, fragile-ish quilt blocks and now I know what to do with them! Yours does look perfect with the bear and the oak slab.

Terri D said...

I love Hodgepodge Wednesdays for all the reasons you mentioned, too! What a lovely Christmas cactus! I had one years ago, almost that big, that bloomed every year for Christmas. They are so pretty! English toffee...can't wait for Friday. I LOVE toffee. Oh my!!

Pamela Gordon said...

Wow, that is a lot of questions for sure! I'd never think of them. Really interesting about 'bile' and 'able'. And all those crazy exceptions! The English language is really unfathomable and almost impossible to keep straight. Haha.

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
I love your decorations.
And as far as your silliness, I love that about you!!

xx oo
Carla

Cheryl said...

Love, LOVE your quilt square!

Ooooo...I'll be sure to be back on Friday for your English toffee recipe. (Or maybe I shouldn't...)

My rosemary died last winter, too. It usually winters over just fine. In fact, I had had the same plant for nearly thirty years, although it had been moved a few times. But last winter was so brutal that my rosemary (and many of my herbs and my beloved pyracantha) did not survive.

I always enjoy your Hodgepodges!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

that was a lovely present you were given of to you in the frame. Very beautiful. Love the eats!!!! YI wonder what your Cactus will be like this month (2014)

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Loved reading your answers and seeing your pictures. I love Christmas cacti....and the ladder tree was awesome. Rosemary rocks my world.

A Colorful World said...

Great rule of English use...loved it! Loved the quilt square with the bear; very rustic! Interesting hodgepodge. But the fence with the Tower of London behind it....OH MY!!!!! The snowy fence was great too.

Anonymous said...

That's a great idea for the quilt square. My daughter gave me one (back when she had time/space to quilt). Now I know what to do with it!
Silly snowman--doesn't know how good he has it. ;)
Your Christmas cactus is beautiful!
Your ladder-turned-plant-stand is another great idea. The spider plant looks happy there.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I agree, a very busy time of year where hodgepodge is definitely in the air! Enjoyed reading your answers and being your friend in the world of blogging.

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