Tis the Season to Give Thanks

After being absent for a couple weeks it is good to be back with the Hodgepodgers on this day before Thanksgiving.  Thank you Joyce for bringing us together.

1.  Have you ever been on a cruise?  If so where did you go and how did you like it?  If not, do you have any desire to take a cruise someday?

In 1996, we and four of our best couple friends took a Caribbean Cruise to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversaries.  We had a great time making tons of memories, but realized that the sun on the sundeck of a cruise ship got old.  Regretfully, two of our group are now deceased and one couple divorced.  Time and life can take a toll, but we will forever be grateful for friendships.

In 2000, we took an Alaskan cruise with two other couple friends and it was a wonderful trip.  Yes, I would do this one again.

2.  Tell us about your Thanksgiving plans...are you hosting?  cooking?  eating out?  turkey or some other main?  is it stuffing or dressing in your house?  homemade cranberries or cranberries in a can?  are pies on the dessert menu?  what kind?  what are your 'must have' sides?  Tell us one thing you're especially grateful for this year.

We traditionally have Thanksgiving with our daughter and her family, along with her husband's family.  Since moving to Plano, it is only a 10 minute drive rather than the 3 hours it used to be.

Dick and I will be bringing the cornbread dressing and gravy, - yes dressing not stuffing- a Cajun Rice Dressing better known as "Dirty Rice," sweet potato casserole, and our family's favorite "Pink Salad."  Granddaughter Chandler will bring the favorite side, green bean casserole.

Christy always provides the meats, cranberries in a can, drinks and a beautiful table setting.  Chuck's mom, Sandra brings her much desired pecan and pumpkin pies; His sister, the bread.

I am most grateful for my family and especially for our two healthy, beautiful great grandsons.

3.  If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them?  Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street?  Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

No, I never give money to anyone asking on the street or elsewhere.  I sometimes will put a few dollars in a red kettle manned by a bell ringer.

I give year round to a ministry that supports widows of deceased ministers in our denomination.  I also support a child in Rwanda.  Our extra holiday giving is done through our church for missions.

4.  Have you started decorating for Christmas?  Is your tree up?  Shopping done?  Wrapped?

As I do not decorate for Christmas because we leave mid-Dec., I just today put out one little throw pillow that says "Joyeau Noel!"  NO TREE!

I have wrapped one gift and have another ready for a party auction, and that's pretty much all I have.  I haven't seen the shopping lists for the babies yet, so that remains to be ordered.

5.  Create your own acrostic using the word THANKS.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious unto you;

Now and for evermore.

Know the Lord will not leave you or forsake you.

Sing praises to His name.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

We saw the movie, "The Chosen" Season 3 Episodes 1-2 today and it was great.  We marathon'd the first two seasons and enjoyed them much more than we thought we would.  If you haven't seen these, I do encourage you to do so.

May this be a wonderful time of praise and thanksgiving for each of you and all within your door.