Tuesday, December 21, 2021

A 2021 Final Christmas Post


A Joyous and Merry Christmas

 from our family to yours.


"I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:  Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord."


For your personal enjoyment and pleasure I recommend listening to the following link which provides 3 continuous hours of the best instrumental Christmas music.



Tuesday, December 7, 2021

12 Days of Jolly Hodgepodge

Merry Christmas
on the
Hodgepodge

Join all the Hodgepodge bloggers on Joyce's Blog.

1.  'Tis the season to be jolly....so are you?

Oh yes!  There are too many reasons not to be joyful and merry.  Giddy jolly?  Probably not!

2.  Do you trim a tree this time of year, and if so is yours all done?  What's something in your home-closet-life that needs to be trimmed in the new year?

No, I do not have one single Christmas decoration out, much less trimming a tree.  We will be leaving for Northern Indiana where we traditionally spend Christmas with our family there, this weekend.  But, no fear, daughter-in-law will have the whole house bedecked and the tree trimmed when we get there.

I honestly can't think of anything in my life or house that needs to be trimmed in 2022.  I'm sure when I go through and transition my closets for spring/summer, I will find some winter things that weren't worn and could be trimmed out.  Maybe.

3.  Are you 'dreaming of a white Christmas'?  Is that a possibility where you'll be celebrating?

Oh yes, I always dream of a white Christmas, and my dreams usually come true.  I trust this year will be no exception.  If we don't have it at our house in Indiana, we won't have far to drive into Michigan to find it.
This was last year in Indiana, so this is the place I most want to be for Christmas.

According to this site the top ten places in the US you can count on for a white Christmas are - North Pole Alaska, Crater Lake Oregon, Yellowstone National Park, Winthrop Washington, Aspen Colorado, Ketchum Idaho, Mt. Washington New Hampshire, Whitefish Montana, Duluth Minnesota, and the Lake Tahoe town of Truckee California.

Of the snowy spots listed which would you most like to visit?

I would either like to go to Mt. Washington, New Hampshire or Aspen, CO.  We have always dreamed of going to the New England area and think winter would be great.  Yet, Colorado has never disappointed us regardless of the season.  I might not prefer Aspen because of the crowds, but a mountain cabin nearby would be divine.  Just give me plenty of snow and a cozy fireplace.

4.  December 8th is National Brownie Day.... will you be celebrating?  How do you like your brownies - chewy or cake-like, frosted or plain, nuts or no nuts, a piece from the middle or give me the corner?  As a child were you a member of a brownie troop?

As I love brownies, I may celebrate with this recipe.

I prefer chewy, plain with lots of nuts, cut right out of the middle please.  No, there were no Brownie troops in rural South Louisiana in the 50's.

5.  Share a favorite line or two from a Christmas carol or holiday tune.

There could never be just one.

"In the Bleak Midwinter"

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part;
what can I give him:
give my heart.

"Mary Did You Know"

"When you kiss your little baby you've kissed the face of God?"
"Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?"
"This sleeping child you're holding is the Great I AM."

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

One night last week a dear sweet friend invited us and another couple to dinner and then to see the amazing "Twelve Days of Christmas" decorations at the Dallas Arboretum.
Margaret, Carol, Libby

These are only a few of the pictures I took.

Day 1 Partridge in a Pear Tree

Day 2 - Two Turtle Doves

Day 3 - Three French Hens

Day 4 - Four Calling Birds

Day 5 - Five Golden Rings

Day 6- Six Geese A-Laying

Day 7- Seven Swans A-Swimming

Day 8 - Eight Maids A-Milking

Day 9 - Nine Ladies Dancing
(the dresses were absolutely gorgeous)

Day 10 - Ten Lords A-Leaping

Day 11 - Eleven Pipers Piping

Day 12 - Twelve Drummers Drumming
(One of my favorite pics from the night)

The German Village was also a highlight

And what is a Christmas event without Santa.
And the look of delight on children's faces.

Thank you, Carol for a spectacular evening.

As we will be on the road next week, I will skip next week's Hodgepodge.