Christmas Hodgepodge

Here are this week's Hodgepodge questions and my answers.

Hop over to Wednesday Hodgepodge 

to see others answers and to play along!!!

1. How will you spend 'the night before Christmas'? 

Packing and getting things together to go to Florida!! My stepson has a soccer tournament there. My husband doesn't get to see him play much at all anymore, so this is a good opportunity for him to see his son play AND get a much needed vacation. I have never been to Florida in the winter, so i am really looking forward to it.  

2. What is one thing you are not?

Selfish! I always put others needs and wants before my own.

3. Fudge-are you a fan? Your favorite flavor?

While I am more of a salty snack person,I do enjoy a soft creamy piece of peanut butter fudge during the holidays. 

4. Did you attend any craft/vendor fairs in the month of December? Do you prefer homemade goodies or the more professional stalls? Are you giving any homemade gifts this year? 

I have indeed attended a craft/vendor fair in December. The first day of December was our "Light Up Downtown" event with vendors of all kinds set up around the square. Many of the vendors set up at our Second Saturday events during the summer. There were lots of Christmas themed items. I do love handmade or homemade items.

I have given handmade items in years past, but sadly am not giving any this year. 

(The aprons pictured were made by me and given to my sister and sister-in-laws)

I did receive two of the cutest handmade ornaments from a friend yesterday.

Aren't they cute!!

5. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering? 

A simple gathering of Family and Friends sharing food and fun. It was a tradition in my family growing up to play a board game while all the family was together. I have done this with my kids also. Sometimes we play a game someone received as a gift. Apples to Apples, What's Yours Like, and Pictionary are a few of our favorites. 

6. We're approaching a new year...what's going to be different in 2013? 

My hope is that is will be a far less violent one. 

7. Share a favorite scripture, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to peace.

This song, performed by Vince Gill 

and his daughter Jenny,

is one of my favorite songs

relating to peace.

I think it is a very beautiful song.

  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I was sitting in the drive thru of the drug store the other day when I looked to my left and saw this little bird sitting on the window sill. My car was very close yet the bird didn't fly off. As I sat there waiting for the lady to bring my medications to the window the little bird sat there looking at me. Finally, when the lady opened the window the bird flew away. This little bird must have known I am a bird lover.

Christmas is almost here. The presents are wrapped and under the tree. Soon all the kids will be here and we will celebrate another Christmas together.

Our hearts will be saddened for those that will not have that chance this Christmas and we will say a prayer for them, that they will find God's peace and comfort on this day and the days ahead. 

May each and every one of you reading this blog have a very Blessed and

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Also linked with:
Christmas Tree Photo Link Party 

Christmas Hodgepodge

Well Thanksgiving is over and we are now in Christmas mode. I am beginning to see the Christmas decorations pop up throughout the neighborhood. I have seen the workers downtown putting up the decorations in Fountain Square Park in preparation of "Light Up Bowling Green" this weekend. It is a hectic time of year, but a beautiful one also.
On that note, we are back with Hodgepodge and Joyce has given us some great questions once again. Below are my answers to this week's questions. 

Four hodgepodges til Christmas in case you were wondering. (Oh My!!)

Time to make those Reindeer Cupcakes again!!

1.      With that being said I think I need to dive right in to some Christmas related questions, don't you? Which do you prefer-pretty gift wrap with a bow or a pretty gift bag with/without a bow? What percentage of your holiday gifts are currently (as in right this very minute) wrapped in some form or fashion? 

Well I prefer pretty wrapped and all tied up with a bow presents. I also like making each package look different. I try to use different paper on each gift and if I do use the same paper, then I use different ribbons and bows. I like using Christmas flowers, Holly or ornaments on the packages too.

As for the percentage of gifts I have wrapped at this moment... Does covered up with a blanket in the corner of the room count? I do have several bought, but not wrapped yet.

2. What is one item on your Christmas list this year?

The only thing I have really asked for is Bird Feeders. My current ones are falling apart. 

3. What makes a home?

That is an easy one to answer... Family and Love. Rather your family is large or small, Nothing fills a house more than the sounds of a family. A place where you can feel comfortable and safe. There truly is "No Place Like Home"! 

4.      Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrates his birthday on Hodgepodge Day-November 28th. Are you a fan of the Motown sound? If so, who's your favorite Motown artist and/or song? Here's a list in case you're stuck. 

I definitely have listened to my share of Motown artists. Even though Country music was the most listened to music in the house, I did manage to follow other genres. The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Commodores, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers were some of my favorites. 

Ain't No Mountain High Enough.... you can't get any better than that!

5.      Red or green-which one is more prevalent in your closet?

Definitely RED. Working ten years at Target, where the attire is red and khaki, has influenced what went into the closet. 

6.      True or false-bacon makes it better? If you answered true, what's your favorite dish made with bacon? 

I do love bacon, but it tends to be one of those foods that my sensitive tummy can't tolerate very well. I do indulge myself with a classic BLT every now and then. 

 
7.      Share a favorite holiday memory.

One of my favorite Christmas memories is one from 1991. Before Christmas my Son and I asked my Mother several times what she wanted for Christmas. Her response each time was, "Oh, just a box of rocks". So my son picked up some of the bigger rocks from her driveway. We put them in a box and wrapped them up and under the tree they went. She was so surprised when she opened them.

That night my Son stayed at my Mom and Dad's house. He and my Mother painted the rocks, glued them to the bottom of the box and gave a name to each one. They called them their Rock Band. That was the last Christmas we spent with my Mother and that "Rock Band" resides in my cedar chest to this day. My son is now 27, but he still remembers the Rock Band Christmas. 

8.      Insert your own random thought here.

Boy oh boy has it been a busy week. We had our Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday evening with all the kids. Made my Birthday perfect, even if I did turn the big 50. Thanksgiving Day I visited my sister and her family. My daughter had to be a work at midnight, her first Black Friday working retail. I remember it well...Don't miss it, but sure do remember it. I spent Friday pulling all the Christmas decorations out of the garage and putting up the tree. Saturday I ventured into town for a little shopping and Sunday I spent the day doing laundry, cleaning and making a big pot of Spicy Turkey Vegetable Soup. It was a great way to finish up those turkey left overs, plus I love soup.

I wish I had more of my Christmas shopping finished, but at least I have a good portion of it complete and I have ideas on what I need to buy to finish it. Hopefully I can get a chance to do a little more shopping this weekend.

Linked With:

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Christmas Is For Kids

Song: Kids

Artist: Kenny Rogers
From the 1981 Album: Kenny Rogers Christmas

Written By: Mac Davis

My favorite version of this song is Conway Twitty's version, but I could not find it on online. So Kenny's version will have to do. The video doesn't start playing for about 20 seconds into it, so be patient.

Kids, kids,

Christmas is for kids.

Look around and you will see

Kids from one to ninety-three

Laughin', lovin' life and bein' kids.

Kids, kids, Christmas is for kids.

Kids like you and little brother,

(or cousins).

Aunts and uncles, dads and mothers

Grandma, grandpa an' all the other kids.

Daddy runs the electric train,

While all the children wait in vain.
To take their turn

At playin' engineer.

 

Grandpa pinches grandma's cheek.

And all the family sneaks a peak.

And suddenly

Their years just disappear.

 

Take a look at Betty Joe Lindsey

Underneath the mistletoe.

Pretending that

She doesn't know it's there.

And in the front yard Uncle Mike,

Just fell off brother's brand new bike.

There's Christmas cheer,

And laughter everywhere.

Kids (kids), kids (kids)

Christmas is for kids.

Christmas time is here again.

And now it's when the fun begins

This time of year we all turn into kids...

Pictures: 1) My kids Christmas 2006; 2) My kids Christmas 2010; 3) Brother-in-law, my daughter, my sister, and my son's girlfriend Christmas 2010; 4) My son and my niece Christmas 2007; 5) The Lindsey Family and their spouces Christmas 2008; 6) My Mom and Dad and cousin in background; 7) Dollywood Train 2005 ; 8) My daughter 2007; 9) My baby brother 2005; 10) My brother, sister-in-law, sister and niece Christmas 2007; 11) My son, his girlfriend and my niece 2010; 12) Hay Bale along the highway.    

  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Linked to Thursday Theme Song. Come on over and join in on the fun!!