Dude, Look! The Hodgepodge Sleigh is Here!

Joyce has done it again.  She has loaded the Hodgepodge sleigh with lots of goodies in the form of questions.   Here are my answers. There are plenty more answers  written by busy blogging elves, so grab some cocoa, sit a spell, and then go "over the river and through the woods" to other blogs with the click of your mouse, will you? Best part is, no hat or scarf required on this ride!

Wait! Wait! That reminds me of a riddle we heard in chapel today (courtesy of a sixth grader).
What did the hat say to the scarf? "You stay here. I'm going on a head."

Ho!Ho!Ho!  Wasn't that funny.  No?  Okay, not really but still, I know you're at least smiling, right?



1. So, when did you last take a walk in the woods? A stroll along the beach? A drive going nowhere in particular in the car? 

          a. can't remember
          b. August 2011
          c.  a couple months ago when I got angry and just wanted to "fly the coop," I got in the car
               and headed for BWI,  but ended up driving around, "cooling off." You know they say there
               is the 'fight or flight" response during an argument? Well, I have both. First I fight, then I
               look for deals on flights. Usually to KS, but I'm not picky, except when I realize I have
               no suitcase with me.  (THAT TIME I DID, THOUGH. I WAS REALLY MAD.)
               Too bad fighting is free and flying is costly. Well, actually, fighting
               is costly, too,  isn't it?  Waa. So I ate some crow and headed home.

2. Are you sending Christmas cards this year? About how many do you send? Photo card or something more traditional? How do you display the cards you receive?

               a. I don't know if I'm sending any this year .

               b. I send fewer than I used to. I always say I'll send just 25, but it ends up more like 40.

               c.  Traditional in the past. I still wrestle with whether photo cards have anything to do with

                    celebrating the birth of Christ, or if it's just a happy thing to do. That said,
                    this year I am leaning toward doing a photo card. Guess I'd better decide PDQ.
                   .Time's a tickin.'  Or I might send a winter songbird drawing I drew, if I get a "bee in  my
                    bonnet and have it copied.

                d. I display cards. on the back of  my front door with tape behind each.

                    When that door gets filled, I start hanging them on the front of the haIfbath door.

                    I've wondered for years about a better way of doing this, but I do like to see them as I

                    pass through the foyer. They are on full display for visitors that way, as well.

3. What's a word you've heard too much of in the past week?

Dude.   A friend of my youngest calls him "dude" Idontknowhowmanytimesaminute. He starts every sentence with "dude."  He carpools with us and is a great kid, but dude! Do you mind knocking off the "dude" for awhile, dude? It's gettin' on my last dude nerve. Dude, I mean that in the most loving way possible, dude.  

4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-are you a fan? Plain or flavored? Marshmallows or no marshmallows?

Oh, I love cocoa.  I like it plain usually, but sometimes I'm in the mood for peppermint mocha or

vanilla caramel creamer blended in.  Marshmallows all the way, baby, Or some "foof" cream! Or both. As far as I'm concerned , (dude), hot cocoa is not just a beverage; it's an experience.

5. What is something you do to help alleviate the hectic pace of the Christmas season?

This year I've made a conscious choice to take in shows, performances, or services that lift my spirits.

Two Sundays ago, I went to see a local college and junior ballet troupe perform  The Nutcracker.  It was quite entertaining, although I wasn't sure that someone's seams weren't going to rip when he did the splits. (It also made me wonder if the ballet might have been named for that signature move.) The costumes were spectacular, the dancing beautiful, the music uplifting. To sit there as a mom knowing that "it takes a village" to put together something of that quality and magnitude is really amazing--and liberating because I was not one of those busy hands!!!   I thought it all pointed, silently, to God.  He made the human body to do that kind of twirling and jumping and tumbling and flying! Imagine how we will dance in heaven--without reservation, not twisting any ankles or breaking bones or faltering one iota. The "set decoration" will be out of this world, literally! The music perfect in every way.

Um, this past Sunday I got to see my baby sister in the lead role of her church's musical, The Secret of Snowflake County.  My sister brings so much joy and energy to the stage, just like she brings to real life.  In the play, she was the mayor, a busy visionary who wanted THIS year's extravaganza to feature things that "are fresh, new, never-done-before" Christmas. Her daughter (in the play) a little 7-year-old, keeps trying to show her a secret, but Mom/Mayor is too busy with more important things.

Finally, the little girl gets her chance, her friend holds a foil star over her head, the house lights dim, and little Mary, holding baby Jesus near a wagon labeled "MANGER."  Mary sings her song, and as she does, tears just start rolling down my face.  It caught me off guard. The sweetness, the tenderness, the purity in her voice, with the simple message that never gets old to those of us who love Jesus.

6. Besides jewelry, what's a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet?

Temporarily, my ruby red fingernails and matching toenails.    I got my first-ever gel manicure, and wow, am I impressed. This polish lasts and lasts!! There was a special on it this week, and I was in desperate need of a mani-pedi.

7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol.

Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

8.  Random thought...

I need counsel, so please feel free to offer your proverbial two cents.

Today I went to a sewing machine shop and "test drove" three models in  my price range.  One Necchi (pronounced Necky, I think?) and two by Janome (pronounced Juh-NOH-mee).  The Necchi was loud and sounded clunky to me, and since I usually sew at night or when folks are trying to watch TV, I need a quiet one.  Both Janome machines were quiet.

Janome, an old trusted name in sewing machines,  makes high quality machines. Either one, I think, would be reliable.  Both these models are mechanical. (I don't want a computerized one--more to break, more to spend on repairs, and I'd rather spend it on fabric.)   The  one ( a refurbished New Home by Janome model 108) is about 15 years old, basic,  will do more than my current machine, runs smoothly, is solid, and I'd be content with it even though it looks boring.  60 day warranty from the shop, no warranty from the manufacturer.

The other is $120 more, a brand new Janome MyStyle 100, a few more stitches, but still basic. 1 year warranty from the dealer, 25 from Janome; the machine is glistening white and smooth.

The dealer will give me $50 for trading in my old Kenmore that he just diagnosed as a broken screw and timing issue ($85 repair bill if I get it fixed, $20 of which I've already paid for the diagnosis).   I sew a few times a year (curtains, pillows, crafts, and I've made four very small quilts)--when inspiration strikes. I  don't need "bells and whistles" (so I didn't even test one of those suckers).  Which one, which one might Santa bring me if I can talk him into spoiling me? 

By the way, I'm sorry but I've had to turn Word Verification back on because of all the spam I've gotten here in the past month. It's a pain to have to do the WV, I know, but I see no other way around it.  Please leave me comments anyway, will you?

Oh, What Fun it is to Wrap

I've always enjoyed wrapping presents. This year I had the good fortune of being almost out of the old paper, so I was a happy girl when I "had" to go shopping for new.  What a variety is out there in paper and ribbons, not to mention gift bags.

An elegant gift calls for elegant paper.   Chocolate brown with turquoise velvety ribbon  fashioned into a rosette, and a sparkly thang on top--plus a happy discovery:  how the cinnamon scented pinecones from Michael's come in a brown netting makes the bow smell good. I simply scrunched and scroonched the netting till satisfied.

 

 

Sometimes the look you want is whimsical. Practically edible. Often the tissue paper is too cute, ya gotta make it take center stage.  Tie it with scraps of lace ribbon, and you have yourself some eye candy.

 

  Sparkly paper, sparkly ribbon, sparkly "bow"...



And sparkly nails on the hands of Zo.

More velvety turquoise animal print on a different present.  My photography isn't so hot, but you get the idea, right?  This color combo here reminds me of Hanukkah--but the letters clearly spell out
 C-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s.   :)

 

I just love wrapping gifts to look like candy rolls.  The paper echoes the colors from  my tree and decor this year.  Jewel tones.

 

 

 Can't you almost taste the striped mint paper?

The bonus on the wrap is one of the  crocheted ornaments my late father-in-law gave me for Christmas our first year.  He was a plumber and often got little gifts from grateful clients. Not having a Christmas tree himself, he passed the pretties on to me and my sister-in-law for our trees.

Perhaps our future grandchildren will receive this ornament someday?

 

This next paper is my all-time favorite in my stash.  For many reasons.  First, I love the old-fashioned stamped envelopes and Victorian Christmas card scattered scrapbook-style about.  I love the candies that seem to pop right off the paper. And the feel of it--thick and glossy--is just wonderful to work with.

 I spy with my little eye my favorite winter songbird. Can you?

I wrapped a big box with it and couldn't decide which ribbon to use.

So I tried my hand at tying all three together.

That was a flop. I sat there after 25 minutes of fussing and fuming and thought, "Government bow.  Everything in triplicate, ending with a 'mangled-up, tangled-up mess.'"

So I simplified, and then added a pale gold silk poinsettia for the final panache.

 

So, which of the wraps of these do you like best? Which package intrigues you most? Just curious.

 

Vito's Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken

I tweaked a recipe that I found online, and it turned out amazing.  The whole family raved.  I'm sure you could use any Italian dressing, but I noted the brand I used in case it was the magic ingredient!

5-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Vito Marcello's Creamy Italian dressing -- use about 1 cup
garlic powder
honey
1 packet Chinese mustard (carry-out kind)
salt
pepper--I sprinkled it on generously till the chicken looks kind of "blackened"

Spray a  13x9 baking dish and arrange chicken in it. Pour generous amount of dressing over meat. Sprinkle garlic powder over all. Drizzle a zigzag pattern  of honey next over each piece. Dot with mustard. Sprikle a little salt over all of it. Spread the glaze evenly.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, turning every 10 minutes and basting. Chicken is done when its internal temperature reached 165 degrees.  It should be slightly crisp and dark golden brown,  and shiny with glaze.

This dish is not only delish, but pretty, too. Glazed and golden brown chicken is hard to beat!

Stocking Up in the Hodgepodge Lodge

Whipped up like a batch of sugar cookies comes this new batch of Hodgepodge questions. Thanks, Joyce.
 
1. Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking.

When the kids were little, I did the stocking stuffing on Christmas Eve after they were in bed. They had to remain upstairs in their rooms in the morning until given permission to come down, but could not peek into their stockings until I had the requisite Christmas morning picture or two on the steps. (I did that up until a couple years ago.)

When they  were older, they began buying candy for each other and for us, their parents, and being sneaky little elves about it.  I still stuff everyone's stocking  on Christmas Eve--with candy, small-amount gift cards, Chapstick, pocket tissues, batteries, a pen or pencils, stickers, and so on. 

I'm still the first one up. This year is going to be a little different since we have a newlywed son, and they are celebrating on Christmas Eve with us and having their very own first Christmas at their home, just the two of them.  Awww. Sniff, sniff for me.  Yippee for them.  I might make everyone bunch together on the steps and pose with their stocking just to throw a little grief nostalgia into the festivities.

2. How many hours of sleep do you average at night? Is it enough?

7 average, but that means I often get 5! Five isn't enough.  7 almost is. I prefer 8.5 to feel great. Tonight will be closer to 6.5.

3. If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?

Dusting?  

4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals?

Oddly enough, I "never" think about them, but just last night for some odd reason (had not heard the announcement), I was laying in bed thinking, "I hope Will and Kate have a baby soon."  So random. Then today I read this question.  (Cue Twilight music.)  And then tonight at the checkout counter of the grocery store, I see a tabloid, "Camilla Back on Booze" and I wondered if fellow Hodgepodgers had seen that. Funny how you think of other bloggy friends during the week, huh? Things you might not notice otherwise suddenly catch your attention because so-and-so had that on their blog!  Or is that just me who gets  her real life and her online life entwined?

5. For me, the sound of childhood is____

a mix of laughter, whining, incessant talking, screaming, singing, sounding out words, sibling squabbles, washer and dryer on the "constant" cycle, the words "Mom! Mom! Mom!" and "Why?"  877 times a day, babies cooing and crying, toilet lids slamming, Cheerios spilling, Legos being raked through a bucket, Legos being stepped on which itself is actually quiet but it's always followed by an associated sound from the stepee's mouth.  The sounds of childhood  are mostly happy  ones.


6. Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?

Ya know, I bet I'm in the tiny minority, if not the only one on the planet, who actually likes fruitcake. But I will not go so far as to say "yay."  I could go the rest of my life and not miss it, but if offered a piece, I would take it. Rather, I used to. Don't think it's worth the gluten problems I have with any cake now.

Favorite dessert made with fruit? Toss a coin--heads it's apple crumble or apple pie, tails it's peach pie. A la mode, s'il vous plait.

 

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?

I want to finish sewing the pillowbed I started making for my old dog, Brownie.  She is using an old chair pad now, but I'd like to make her something bigger from an old, flat bedpillow and some scrap fabric that she can't rip (I hope).

I was mid-project last week when my machine had a problem. Top thread wouldn't pick up bottom thread. No matter how hard my Mr. Fix-it Hubby tried, no matter how many times I tried to solve the problem, I had to take it in for repair. The guy says there is something broken for sure--and it'll either cost about $65 or $300 to fix, depending what he finds.  My hubby and I agree it's not worth even $65 to fix since it cost around $130 new --19 years ago!  Cheaper to get a new one with better features these days.  Not that I will. I wasn't counting on having to replace my seldom-used sewing machine right now. 

Thankfully I have a friend who kindly offered to lend me her machine. I have mixed thoughts about that. Would sure hate to have hers go kaput in my possession, but I really do have some things I'd like to sew for Christmas and before football season is over. Oh, and that dogbed.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 

Attention: I have had to postpone the start of the

the Christmas Tour of Homes till Dec 13th? Yesterday's post explains why. Are you planning to join me? Show us your house/apartment/dorm room/cabin all gussied up for Christmas.  You have a week's grace. I hope you join in the fun!