Hodge Podge: A Few Questions about Christmas

Happy Wednesday friends!  Did you miss me on Monday?  I didn’t think so but, nevertheless, I missed you.  And I missed blogging.  But, boy oh boy, was I feeling puny.  I felt well Thursday and Friday – which was great as I had lots of plans.  Woke up on Saturday with the slightest twinge in my throat but by Saturday evening, the worst cold hit me hard.  No fever, etc., etc. Just that winter cold that makes you feel miserable.  Between the Dayquil and extra caffeine (which did not compensate for lousy sleeping), my brain could not blog coherently on Monday.  Today, I still sound wonky but am feeling much better.  AND, I managed to get my haircut last evening.  That always helps me feel like a human again.  I had gone for a haircut a week ago and, wouldn’t you know it, my stylist was sick and I had to wait a week.  Seven days that felt like a month.  I was way overdue for a good sheep shearing – which, honestly, sounds so wonderful to say after waiting (and waiting…and waiting) for enough hair to even comb!!  God is good!

Since it is Wednesday and I don’t blog that often on this day mid-week, I thought I join the Hodge Podge link-up.  You can find the whole thing here and you probably will not be surprised to know the questions are Christmas related.  Anyone who has read even a few of my posts will know that I struggle with Christmas cheer.  I’m no Buddy the Elf.  But, I try my best.  And will keep trying here:)  Let me jump right in.

1. What’s one task you’d like a little Christmas elf to sneak in and take care of tonite? I suppose put up my tree.  I did (finally) get my Christmas decorations out.  I had pulled out the bins right before I landed on the couch this weekend and the disorganized piles of reindeer, bells and other decor were quickly becoming a burden.  My stuffy-headed, sore throated self wanted to just throw it all back in the basement.  But, oh no…that would not be too festive of me.  I stuck with it and everything is now properly bedecked for Christmas.  Except no tree.  There is a limit to my perseverance.  Truthfully, we were not “all in” with the idea of a tree this year even before I felt lousy.  I know I sound incredibly old but we just don’t need a tree “in this season of life.”  But, if a Christmas elf were to sneak in and to make it all pretty for me – well, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings.  I just don’t see that happening.  (If there is such an elf, where was he or she when those bins were mocking me all weekend??)

2. What’s your biggest challenge during the holidays? Trying to meet everyone’s expectations.  And those expectations are all quite different and all over the place.  Honestly, it is impossible to do…and yet, I try again to do so each year.  It makes my head hurt.

3. Are you a cookie baker this time of year? I have not baked any cookies yet.  I love cookies (as in, LOVE cookies) but whenever I bake, I eat way more cookies than the rest of my family combined.  They just are not big cookie eaters.  (How have they survived here?)  So, if I do bake this year, it will only be if need to take a treat somewhere.  Hmm.  Maybe I could bake cookies for my Junior Church kiddos.  Or the neighbor.  Or the nurses at the infusion center.  Just thinking outloud here.   If your year had to be summed up in the shape of a cookie cutter what shape would it be? I debated leaving this question out but just indulge me.  I don’t want to be too negative (no one needs that in a blog post) but this year would probably be best depicted in a dog bone.  I used to make homemade dog treats for our cute grandpup and they were very well received and enjoyed.  However, I’m thinking more along the lines of dough scraps mushed into the shape of a bone and tosssed aside for the stray dog.  Dramatic?  Maybe but I will not be sad to wave good-bye to 2024.  Just sayin.  Enough with being negative.

4. Santa likes milk with his cookies. Do you like milk? What kind of milk is on tap in your house? (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat, etc). What’s the last thing you made that called for milk? I love milk.  Almost as much as I love cookies:)  I used to drink 2% percent and I drank a lot of it.  Many years ago, I switched to almond milk (and I drink a lot of it!) and now “regular” milk tastes “not good” to your girl.  I guess your taste buds get used to something and, well, there is no going back for me.  I drank soy milk before almond milk and I could easily still drink it but I just love the taste of almond milk.  This morning, I put some milk in my baked oatmeal.  Delish –

5. Share one favorite line from a Christmas carol or holiday tune? “Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King.”

6. Insert your own random thought here. Despite the aggravating winter cold, we have really been making the most of December.  It started last week when I went to a huge Christmas bazaar in Richmond.  A couple friends and I do this every year and we always have a great time.  This year did not disappoint.  The next day, my husband and I went to West Virginia to ride the Potomac Eagle train.  I had no idea what to expect but it was a fantastic day and great way to celebrate his birthday.  I actually took several pictures (unusual for me) but they all pretty much look like a different angle of the same landscape.  But let me share one here.  And maybe one in the header.  And that will be it for me today.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week.  I hope to post again on Friday.  Fingers crossed.