Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. What's one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

I'm a jot things down, planner type of girl. I have eight three ring binders, filled with ideas, plans, plots for books, menus, and a whole lot more. I've had some of them for over a decade already. For those older ones the paper is already starting to show age.

I decided it's time to get everything properly organized. Some things I am copying over into a new binder, other things I don't need I'm tucking into several of the older binders and tucking away into the storage room, because I don't have the heart to toss them yet. Seeing the goals the girls and I had set for 2016, the to-dos as we were preparing for our last baby. Yeah, I'm not ready to simply throw them in the trash.

So that's my major project I'm hoping to have complete before the calendar flips.  I've already taken care of well over a thousand pages, and still have several hundred to go.

2. What's something that brought a smile to your face this year?

The news of another grandbaby on the way. (Kenneth and Paige) 

Rosie Mae's wedding, though that was mixed with tears. So very happy for them, but it's an emotional time none-the-less.

And many many little things throughout the year that kept us smiling.

3. What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favorite cracker variety? 

My favorite crackers are butter crackers. I like a variety of things on them. It all depends what we have on hand. Hummus, cheese, or some kind of dip from a new recipe I found on Pinterest.

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year? 

We are basically boring people and staying up until midnight to welcome in the new year is something we have never done. We seem to like our sleep way too much for that.

5. What are three words that describe your 2024? 

Busy. Change. Emotional.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We have had our Christmas tree up for a while already, but it has been a challenge feeling Christmas-y this year. I have yet to wrap a single gift, have yet to make any festive snacks or treats.

I'm going to buckle down today and get to it.

On the list for today

Make popcorn balls
Make krispie treats
Make Cranberry Orange Cookies
Make Espresso Caramels
Make party mix

We also love Rolo pretzels but I don't have what I need to make them on hand so those will have to wait until after my next run to town.

Currently

Reading ...  in the Bible, I read Philippians this morning and several Psalms.

In other books, this has been the year of rereading a lot of my favorite books. The Anne of Green Gables series still ranks as my all time favorite, and I enjoyed my reread immensely.

I'm reading The Hobbit for the first time. It's okay. I don't think it will land on my favorite books list. I'm doubtful it merits a reread, but it's okay.

The Incredible Winston Browne by Sean Dietrich though, worth every reread! Think Anne of Green Gables meets Andy Griffith and viola you have this keeper of a book.

Writing ... I'm trying to wrap up a Christmas letter to send out with the handful of cards I'll be mailing this year.

Watching ... some Home Improvement episodes. I'm oddly entertained by them.

Listening ... to an audio book. The Incredible Winston Browne  I have the book, I've read it, but listening to Sean Dietrich read it is perfection. I've laughed, I've cried, and I'm bracing myself for the ending, because even though I know how it ends, it still gets me every time.

Baking ... I'm not keeping desserts on hand, so my most recent baking was a batch of dinner rolls earlier this week.

Cooking ...  for tonight's dinner I'll be making lamb chops, baked potatoes, and a quick salad.

Feeling ... happy and hopeful

Disliking ... being cold. We switched from our coal furnace this winter to heating oil. 

Pros of a coal furnace ... it kept the house toasty warm with a cozy kind of heat.
It was fairly affordable.

Cons of a coal furnace ... it created a lot of dirt, and no part of the house was spared dust from its use.
It needed a lot of care, including getting up in the middle of the night to tend to it.

Pros of a heating oil furnace ... it's basically carefree.
The house does not get dusty or dirty from using it.

Cons of a heating oil furnace ... the house is never ever toasty warm.
It's more expensive.

And so I'm cold a lot, and am actually looking forward to summer.

Loving ... the little pops of Christmas we have in the house. We don't do much, but the tree in the living room and the handrails of the stairs wrapped in greenery and lights make me happy.

Playing ... I dug out our Christmas and winter themed games. Steven and I have played Snowman Dice and Keys to the Ice Castle multiple times and enjoyed it a lot, but the game we have been playing the most is Stratego even though it doesn't have a hint of winter or Christmas.

Cleaning ... I cleaned out and organized the desk as well as the cupboard where I keep some craft supplies. Going through the stickers I used to use when the children were still much younger I decided it's time to pass them on. Our daughter-in-law was happy to take them for their busy three year old.