Hodgpodging the Long Lash Look

Littlest Granddaughter, ready for winter

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we write the answers.

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(Thanks, Joyce!)

1.  Many families have a story they love to tell every year around a holiday. Does your family have one? Are you the star of that story, or does another family member take center stage? Share your story if you want.

My story: The only story I can think of is that when I was about 12, after Christmas Eve dinner was over, the dishes were washed and dried, and all the gifts were opened, my grandma and grandpa, my aunt and uncle, and my cousin Bobby had gone home from our house. I again took inventory of my gifts, among which were the annual flannel nightie and undies. It wasn't until a couple hours later when my brother whispered something to my mom, that she flew up the stairs and returned with a box - for me. It was the ice skates I'd been wanting. She had forgotten all about them in the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve preparation. They were a size 8. I didn't wear a size 8 until I was about 22.  But it was understandable. There wasn't money to spend on a new pair of skates every year, and these had to last.

Mr. C's story:  " Way back in the middle of the previous century, I remember growing up on a small, family dairy farm and the excitement on Christmas Eve of hurrying through the evening chores, feeding the cows, feeding the calves, milking the cows. It brings back the sensory memories: the smell of the sweet hay and the molassesy feed and the warm bodies of the cows and the crunchiness of the snow. We were in a hurry to get done so we could go to Grandpa's house, nearby, for Christmas Eve dinner and presents. Regardless of any other gifts we would get from Grandpa, we knew that there were two gifts that we would get every year: A bottle of green olives and a cylinder of candy made from a toilet paper tube filled with hard candy and wrapped with Christmas paper and tied with a ribbon at each end. When we were quite young, the little people would end up climbing onto the bed and falling asleep on all the coats piled there."  

 A little like this, except this is our son

when he was young, and of course it's summer, not Christmastime.

But Mr. C. looked like this when he was a kid.

Our family now is so spread apart in age that I can't think of a story that's told about family members. We also almost never get together at the same time, which is very sad.

 Christmas Past

Left to right: Cousin Bobby, Judy, Gini
Now living in Montana, Wisconsin, Florida, respectively
(and I hope, respectably)
I could hear my dad saying that!

The doll was named Dody. Her life ended when some meanie pulled off her head.

2. Are you afraid to speak your own opinion?

I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable answering that question.

3. Pantone has announced the color of the year for 2016, and for the first time have chosen two shades-rose quartz and serenity. Hmmm...did you know serenity was a color? You can read the thought behind their selection here, but essentially it's blending the warmth of rose quartz with the tranquility of a very soft shade of blue. So what do you think? Are these colors I'd find in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in these shades to either place in the new year?

post-gazette.com

Hideous Emptiness

I had to look up the Pantone thing. And to tell the truth, that poor woman in the photo needs a good laugh. How can anyone be happy wearing that hideous coat?? I think political engineering is trying to move us rapidly into a post-beauty era. On The New York Times website, I found this statement re. the choice of colors:  It’s not about indecision, but social progress. That's progress? This woman needs to put on her Columbia jacket, blue jeans and hikers, and get outdoors. Take a dog, preferably a German Shepherd, with you. Walk to the woods. Stand next to a rushing stream, then walk to a hilltop out in the country and take a look at the view. Stand outdoors at night, away from the city, and look up at the stars and Milky Way. God made those. You are a mere speck in the cosmos. He is the creator and ruler of the cosmos, but He loves us with an unsurpassed love. Burn the ugly coat and quit your boring job. Make something with your hands. Get a haircut. Put on some lipstick (not mandatory). You can keep the shoes. Here is truth: God has put a lot of beauty in this world of His. Get out there and see it. Let it soak in. And praise Him for it! There is a God of beauty, joy, and love who cares about you. Turn to him.  He will take away your emptiness and fill the void with His love.

If the photo above is any indication of how those colors affect us, I will be avoiding them for sure.

4. If you could be in a Christmas carol, which one would you choose? Why?

If I were in a Christmas carol, it would be either 'Once in Royal David's City' or 'Jesus Christ The Apple Tree.' The first, because it's sung during the procession for First Sunday of Advent at St. Paul's Cathedral and also the first carol to be sung in The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, and the other because I love the message. Actually, I love the message of both of them. The lyrics of any song matter a lot to me, which is why I refuse to sing some heretical hymns and some new 'Christian' choruses.

 JESUS CHRIST THE APPLE TREE

 The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Just close your eyes and pretend you're at King's.

5. December 9th is National Pastry Day. Will you celebrate? When did you last purchase something from a bakery? What's your favorite treat that falls under the heading of pastry? Do you make it yourself or buy from the professionals?

I will celebrate the fact that I have Phase One and Phase Two done of my Christmas Cake. I don't purchase from the bakery, unless it's on the rare occasion that I buy their floured dinner rolls. Kids love them. I tend to make my own stuff. I am currently 'feeding' my Christmas Cake, and in another week will put a layer of apricot jam on it, make the marzipan layer, and just before Christmas will frost it. I made my own because I wanted it absolutely stuffed with fruit and nuts. Purchased ones never have enough. In fact, for the entire cake, there is only one cup of flour and 4 eggs, which seem to act as the glue for the fruit and nuts. Elmer's Glue might work just as well. I'm sure that the Southern Comfort, all the nuts, and all the fruit would drown out any glue taste.


6. When it comes to holiday decorating_____________________________.

I am totally unenthusiastic this year. I did try to replicate the decorations on the Christmas tree from last year because I liked it that way.

And yes, Tuppence is here this year as well.

Her usual occupation

7. When did you last laugh so much it hurt? Explain.

Mr. C. makes me laugh like that so often with some stupid little remark he makes. He has a very droll sense of humor and we laugh a lot around here. In fact, I was laughing my head off when Mr. C. was dictating his Christmas story (above) because I had to edit it quite a bit! I gave you the charmed version. He is a crazy man. I'm pretty sure that most of what we find humorous would present a real puzzle to others.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Next week I will be sharing my Christmas Cake recipe and also photos of my son-in-law's Christmas Pudding!  Stay tuned...

 Christmas Cake, Phase One

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 The Photo Below is

Linked to

Theresa's GOOD FENCES

Taken in Wausau, the end of November.

What's Jazzie doing in the reading nook??

Linked to Eileen's

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
and Stephanie's
Roses of Inspiration

***

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Have a great Wednesday, everyone!

  

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