Wednesday, March 21, 2018

St. Patrick, St. Cuthbert, and John Rutter Walk Into a Pub...


Beautiful Wisconsin
in the springtime


Join Joyce and the Gang
for


From this Side of the Pond


She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Plug them into your own blog post
and join in!


1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year.

When you endure a long winter, as we do here in Wisconsin, the weather of spring/summer/fall IS what's on our minds this time of year. We cram a lot into those months from April through October: good country walks, visiting friends and family, campfires, day trips, and other general outdoor adventures. Oh, and I mustn't forget moon walks! We've plans with friends for the Full Moon Walk the end of April. - check out Carla's blog


One of three photos I took at
our St. Patrick's Day party on Saturday evening.
After dinner, the kids gathered to play Liar's Dice.

There were a lot of CrockPots in use that evening!





2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?

This reminds me of the 'would you rather' questions that my grandkids ask: 'Would you rather be thrown into a den of rattlesnakes or be stung by 100 scorpions?'  but if I had to choose any of those, it would be to dust the bookcases. Although I have a lot of them, that would be the least objectionable of any of the jobs listed. And besides, I can always pick up something to read.




3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?

I love cream cheese/chicken in the CrockPot. To a can of green chilies, I add a block of cream cheese, stir well, and pour it over four boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Delicious meal in 6-8 hours! Sour cream? I put sour cream in the Shepherd's Pie that I  made for our St. Patrick's Day dinner (along with an entire bottle of Guinness). Making the Shepherd's Pie took far longer than rounding up a flock of sheep, but I'll have to admit that it was certainly tasty and sticks to the ribs (and hips and waist). Whipped cream? My favorite thing with whipped cream would be the strawberry freezer dessert made with a blend of strawberries, lemon juice, whipped cream, and spread on a shortbread-type crust, then frozen. Another delicious treat!





4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?

I don't usually have a problem with pronunciation until it comes to names - and those are pronounced however the owner chooses, of course. But I am one of those people who loves it when someone includes a pronunciation guide for people or place names, because I like to be able to pronounce them. If I can't, they stick in my mind, continually pestering in the background, while my brain is trying to figure them out. That's very annoying.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch  - It's a place in Wales. And I've long since given up on trying to pronounce it. 

Well, maybe not, now that I've found this:


via WalesOnline

5. What's a song you love* with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics?

* emphasis added.


LOOK AT THE WORLD, by John Rutter

(listen, below, in 'Random')

Look at the world: Everything all around us
Look at the world: and marvel everyday
Look at the world: So many joys and wonders
So many miracles along our way

Praise to thee O Lord for all creation
Give us thankful hearts that we may see
All the gifts we share and every blessing
All things come of thee

Look at the earth: Bringing forth fruit and flower
Look at the sky: The sunshine and the rain
Look at the hills, look at the trees and mountains
Valley and flowing river field and plain

Praise to thee O Lord for all creation
Give us thankful hearts that we may see
All the gifts we share and every blessing
All things come of thee

Think of the spring, Think of the warmth of summer
Bringing the harvest before the winters cold
Everything grows, everything has a season
Til' it is gathered to the fathers fold

Praise to thee O Lord for all creation
Give us thankful hearts that we may see
All the gifts we share and every blessing
All things come of thee

Every good gift, all that we need and cherish
Comes from the Lord in token of his love
We are his hands, stewards of all his bounty
His is the earth and his the heavens above

Praise to thee, O Lord for all creation
Give us thankful hearts that we may see
All the gifts we share, and every blessing
All things come of thee
All things come of thee

6.  Insert your own random thought here.





As I write this blog post on Tuesday, the following event is still three hours in the future, and how I'd love to be there!:

SPECIAL SERVICE - 


ST CUTHBERT’S DAY FESTAL EVENSONG AND PROCESSION

20 March 2018
7.00pm

This joyous service commemorating the life of St Cuthbert includes the Lucernarium (the blessing of the light), and the offering of incense. The service concludes with a procession to the Feretory where the Cathedral Choir will sing the late John Tavener’s work, Ikon of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, written specially for Durham Cathedral. 

Part of St Cuthbert Festival.

(From durhamcathedral.co.uk)  

Note: I've written a handful of posts about St. Cuthbert, which you can find, if you so wish, by typing 'St. Cuthbert' in the search bar to the right of this post.




***


And one last thought:


I asked Tommy what he thought of the vet putting him on a diet.



***

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Have a great Wednesday, everyone!
Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

Judy

26 comments:

  1. Good morning! loved visiting your blog from hodgepodge!

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  2. Good morning, dear Judy. I am typing this while listening to your beautiful Youtube tune. Looks like you enjoyed a wonderful St. Pat's Day celebration with the family. Have a wonderful week.

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  3. i get frustrated when reading a book that the people have names i can't say in my head. i try to decide what it will be and cant make up my mind. i have actucally looked up some words to see how to pronounce and i love my e reader because an unfamiliar word, i press on it and get the definition. have never cooked with cream cheese, but love it on a bagel. i don't do recipes so no use for any of those. none of those are on my food plan now. boo hoo.

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  4. Looks like a grand St. Patrick's Day celebration. The Full Moon Walk sounds like a lot of fun. The earth always gives way to spring, some places it just takes a bit longer : ) It's chilly here today (for SC), but we are definitely seeing green green grass and lots of color around the neighborhood. Enjoy your day!

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  5. While I didn't love the tune those are definitely some lyrics I need to keep in the front of my mind. I've made up a little thankful song I sing every morning that has kept me grateful all day long for some time now but those lyrics are what I'm trying to say in my little ditty. Moon walks are beautiful. I usually do mine on the beach and find a certain beauty in the quiet out there after the sun goes down and the people go home. LOL I have that issue with names, too. My BFF from college is named Paty and is always being called Patty. Her name is with a long A. I always dreaded handing out awards at school because it never failed I've have a kid with a name I couldn't pronounce to save my life. LOL

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  6. I make a cheesy rice and chicken thing in the crockpot with ream cheese too; I'd forgotten about that!

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  7. I agree with you regarding what to look forward to in spring...the weather dictates everything where I live! LOVE the song!!! I had never heard that one.

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  8. Your St. Patrick's Day celebration looks like a success!
    I know spring takes its time coming to you, but I'm sure your summers are a lot more tolerable than those here in the south. We spend most of our summers under the A/C just trying to survive!
    Have a great day,
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  9. Oh that precious Tommy...I guess he didn't like that idea much, did he? Your creamy desserts sound wonderful as does that chicken dish...YUM! It looks like you had quite a houseful for your St. Paddy's Day party...crockpots are definitely they way to go!

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  10. We're in the midst of what I hope will be the last snowstorm of the season. I'm grateful for heat, hot water and coffee. I'll be baking this afternoon and there's nothing better than a warm oven on a snowy afternoon. I'm most looking forward to a trip to Vermont in May. It seems the tougher the winter the more beautiful the spring and Vermont has beautiful springs.

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  11. Hi Judy,
    I was not able to get to the Hodgepodge today. I did post a lovely How to Create Spring Bouquet .. once flowers start to pop here in Northwest Wisconsin.

    We enjoyed our time Saturday night. Thank You!!
    Have a blessed week.
    P.S .. Tommy, love that quote and photo!

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  12. You have so much here. That St. Part's get together was awesome. Your pink desert awesome. I liked your song with the word rain in it. It is hard to believe here in GA that spring is here - it is cold. I am doing more laundry today - we were going to have a hail storm and the kids took all my blankets out to cover their cars and who dies the clean up - me! Well have a good day. sandie

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  13. I am all about the dusting, no rattlesnakes for me. No school today here in Kentucky, due to snow, so dusting and cream cheese is on the menu for the day!

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  14. The St. Patrick's Day party looks like it was a huge success and lots of fun. I miss having all my extended family nearby for dinners like that. I'd pick dusting the books, too, and for the same reason you mentioned...I'd end up lost in a book. That strawberry dessert looks yummy!

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  15. What a big party in your home, Judy. Looks like an enjoyable time for everyone. It's nice when everyone comes with a dish. I love the music and the words especially. Looking at our little corner of the world today we are blessed to enjoy many beautiful sights. The birds, the beautiful snow laden trees and the gift of a warm and cozy home. Have a lovely afternoon. ♥

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  16. What a beautiful song! And I worked in my bookcases today...getting a few books out to donate to a good cause. Enjoy your evening! Stay warm!

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  17. What a pleasant hodgepodge today! Your party looks like great fun. A whole array of crock pots usually means something good. I laughed at your answer to question #2. My grands play that game too! :)

    I must try your cream cheese/green chiles/ chicken dish! Sounds yummy and easy which is a great combination.

    Beautiful song!

    Poor Tommy. I know the feeling.

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  18. I have missed the sound of the birds, except when they start singing at 4:30.

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  19. Tommy's on a diet? How much does he weigh? How much *should* he weigh? I'm going to make the chicken breasts in the slow cooker - I need to get a few more quick and easy dishes into my lineup.

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  20. Thank you for sharing that beautiful song. John Rutter has written some remarkable choral pieces and I especially found the text of this one so meaningful. Again, thanks for sharing it.

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  21. You do have a lot of book cases, that would be a huge project. The crock pot recipe sounds yummy. Oh my, that is quite a name for that place in Wales.

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  22. Enjoyed your hodgepodge and especially listening to the music. Here we wonder if spring will ever come back, but even though we're freezing we can enjoy the blossoms and flowers, if they survive.

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  23. What a lovely hodgepodge today Judy! Loved your St. Patrick's Day gathering, what fun! So lovely to have everyone over at your house and to just enjoy having fun together! And that strawberry dessert does look soo good! I love putting cream cheese in a lot of chicken dishes, as well as heavy whipping cream works well in chicken soups. I also loved homemade whipped cream on pie. I always enjoy your hodgepodge, and hope that spring comes soon to your world, it is making its way slowly but surely to ours :) Hugs to you today!

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  24. Have a lovely Easter, Judy. Our choir loves John Rutter's music, too.

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  25. LOL the one last thought! I NEVER leave here without cracking up about something or another when I visit :)

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  26. That crockpot chicken recipe sounds fantastic! Think I need to try that out. I love my crockpot. And real whipped cream .... love it.

    Your St. Patrick's Day party looked like so much fun .. a great family time.

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