Happy Wednesday friends. I’m glad you stopped by my blog today. Before I jump into this week’s Hodge Podge questions…I wanted to mention this week’s Friday with Friends. On Monday, I was thinking all about the Thanksgiving food. Or foods. Who can pick one favorite? And, surprisingly, my thoughts turned to pies. I’m not a huge pie fan but they do seem a bit synonymous with Thanksgiving. Like many churches, we will have a Prayer, Praise and Pie type service the week of Thanksgiving. This originally started as a dessert fellowship (read that, a sweet pie fellowship) after church but it has expanded/grown to include all types of savory pies as well. I am thinking I want to mix it up this year and bring a savory pie. With that in mind, I was thinking we would talk pie on Friday. Question: How do you prefer your pie – sweet or savory?? Do you have a favorite pie?? If you have a recipe to share, oh please do. I look forward to it. But, for now. Let’s look at some Hodge Podge questions.
1. What does patriotism mean to you? Ever since reading this question the other day, I have been thinking about how I want to answer. I looked up the definition for patriotism and three different online dictionaries said the exact same thing: love for or devotion to one’s country. I was raised in both an era and in churches that taught that to be anything other than 100 percent loyal to this country and “proud to be an American” was a shame, even a disgrace, for a Christian. I have “heard” that sentiment all my life. But, to be completely transparent (and you are welcome to disagree with me), there are many times that I am angered, embarrassed and even ashamed of this country.
I try to be a good citizen. I certainly pray for, and try to honor, those in authority. And I am genuninely grateful that living in this country allows me the freedom and privilege to live for God. To read my Bible and to have a Christian home. I know many in other parts of the world cannot do so. But certainly God must be grieved with this country. With decisions made. With events taking place and so much more. It can be challenging to say I “love” this country. So, in the sense of the dictionary definition, perhaps I am not the most patriotic person among us. Probably not. And I will admit to a poor attitude…that probably does not help. However, I do ask the Lord to show me how to be a better citizen. And how to improve my attitude. That said, I hope we can remain friends.
2. September-October-November…your favorite fall month? Tell us why. I have always said, when asked, that September is my favorite month of the year. I have never had a specific reason as to why, though. Maybe, the weather? Brilliant blue skies with warm days but evenings that hint of autumn. Or maybe, the return to school. That always feels like a fresh beginning. And, as a kid (and a teacher), I have always liked back to school. I purposely planned my wedding for the middle of September. And I had two of my children in September..but I can’t say that was exactly on purpose:) I will add that I really like November, too. Because I really like (or love!) Thanksgiving!! This time of year, right now, is always special for me!
3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word) in the title or lyrics? There are lots of songs and hymns about thanksgivings, giving thanks and/or God’s rich goodness that come to mind. But one with the actual word “thanks” in the title are alluding me. I love “Count Your Blessings” (When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings, money cannot buyYour reward in heaven, nor your home on high), and “Great is Thy Faithfulness” ( Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside) will always be a favorite. But, to answer the question, I guess I would say, “Thank you Lord” (Thank you Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you Lord for making me whole, Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.)
4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What’s the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and ____________ . Oh, and you can’t say jelly. You can’t say jelly?? I LOVE peanut butter and jelly. I really love peanut butter and jelly on raisin bread. Oh yum. Yes, I am a fan of peanut butter. And, just this morning, at Bible study, I had a minature peanut butter cup. It was yummy (but not as delish as PB&J!) Interesting side note: I was watching a YT video last night and Mama Sue spread a Little Debbie oatmeal pie with peanut butter. It was her breakfast! Is this a southern thing?? I was raised southern but this was new to me! Peanut butter and oatmeal pies is not how I would fill in the blank here. But how would I fill in that blank? I think peanut butter and honey! Add a banana….and, voila, another amazing sandwich!!
5. This week’s gratitude question: What event from this past year are you most grateful for? I’m not sure I would say “the most” grateful (that leaves little room for multiple events)….but I am very thankful to have been able to visit my brother in San Francisco this year. Not only did we have fun exploring the city and some of the areas nearby, but it was also great to spend one-on-one time with my brother. I am also thankful that my son was able to complete his drive across country without any problems or trouble. That’s more his “event” but I am grateful. I really enjoyed (am thankful for) the trip my husband and I took for a few days in September. We celebrated 40 years of marriage. I guess that miletone anniversary would be the “top spot” for events this year!!
6. Insert your own random thought here. Speaking of dictionaries (in that first question), I was thinking about both those book of definitions…and about telephone books. Both of which are soon to be found only in museums of history. Sigh. I remember telephone books (maybe you called them directories but we called them books) being delivered to our house. A large van would come around (I guess once a year, but I’m not sure) and the new editions would be placed next to our mailbox. At least, someone did not have to haul them to the doorstep. Of course, I thought that completely “normal” but, as I think about it – what an undertaking. And a bit of a crazy idea. Every single house and business was listed alphabetically. With addresses. And kept current with new printings. Living in the suburbs – near the big city – our phone books were thick. It just seems crazy to me now. Those books were not only thick, and sturdy, but they made perfect booster seats. Please tell me you used phone books (once you graduated from a high chair) to sit at the perfect height at the dinner table?? Especially the Thanksgiving dinner table! I know I did!!
Well, that’s it for this week’s Hodge Podge. You can enjoy the entire link-up here. I hope you will share with us on Friday….
Oh for sure on the phone books! They were good for lots of things and I definitely perched on one a time or two. I personally have friends all across the political spectrum, with varying beliefs on all manner of cultural issues, and feel like it keeps me sharp and curious and trying to articulate why I believe what I believe so yes we can be friends : ) I do think we’ve become a country that complains too much, much more than we look for the good, of which there is much. I am the daughter of a career Marine, have spent a lot of time in military communities, have seen up close the sacrifices the soldiers and their families make and that definitely makes me feel patriotic and so so grateful for this place I call home. Now, about pie…I love a chicken pot pie, but sweet pies are my favorite-any fruit pie, coconut cream, and what we call angel pie which is a meringue crust with a custard filling and whipped cream topping, with shaved German chocolate over all. It’s heavenly, which may be where the name came from? Hope you have a great day!
An angel pie…I will have to look that one up! Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing…and for hosting the link-up!! Happy HodgePodge Day!:)
We are not big pie fans in this house either! In fact my boys made one of the character workers at Plymouth Plantation laugh when they said their favorite pie was a chocolate chip/Tollhouse pie since they don’t like any with fruit. I never used to like peanut butter and jelly at all but in the past few years when I started making my own jams I’ve really learned to love that combination– especially with cinnamon swirl bread. I definitely remember sitting on a phone book as a child! I don’t remember seeing them get delivered to our house but I do remember getting a new one each year.
Oh yes, PB&J on cinnamon swirl bread! I really think I will pick some of that bread up at the store tomorrow. I see a delicious sandwich in my weekend future:)
The Prayer, Praise, and Pie service sounds so sweet!! I can’t say that I have ever had a savory pie. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Beautiful song choices for question #3. I hope you have the most wonderful day.
Thanks Crystal…hope your day is going well, too!
I love all type of pie but sweet is my favourite, any type of fruit.
I think we all feel the same about our countries, we love them mostly but at the same time it can make us angry or ashamed.
I do like September with the return to school and the extra bit of summer weather that we get.
It sounds like a great trip to see your brother!
I remember phone books! We had the white pages with residential numbers and the yellow pages with businesses. I know I used to use mine as stepping stools to reach things up high. hehehe I do miss them.
Those phone books were super helpful, weren’t they? Boosters, step stools…and the occasional looking up of phone numbers!! lol Glad you stopped by, Kim!
Hello Friend,
I appreciated your honesty in your answer to #1.
I love that you got to spend time with your brother, I like that photo.
My husband makes a wonderful chicken pot pie. My favorite sweet pie is lemon meringue.
Lemon meringue…yum. I have not had that in so long!!
I am with you regarding patriotism. I find it difficult to be patriotic much of the time!
Thanks Dara. I’m glad you can understand what I was trying to convey!
The older I get the more I appreciate savory pies like the great pies you can get readily in Great Britain. Chicken pot pie is such a great comfort food. Our church has pie and praise coming up and I’m in charge of getting helpers to set the pies out and cut the pies that come in whole. It’s a big job. 🙂 Hooray for trips to see loved ones. Thanks for reminding us of those huge phone books!!
I can imagine it is a big job to get all the pies ready and served for your church service. I hope you have plenty of helpers…and plenty of yummy pies!:)
Awww, the phone book! Used as a booster seat, a stepstool, a doorstop, a tool to flatten items. Oh, and to find addresses and/or phone numbers. I remember there was a whole section of shelves at the library with phone books from all over Virginia and most other states. We love a good pie, and the best ones come from Yoder’s Market and the baked goods lady at the farmers’ market. My favorites are cherry and apple. I do like peanut butter, but I am not a jelly girl. I love November even though I truly feel we all could be more grateful and thankful throughout the entire year.