Wednesday, December 11, 2024
It’s Wednesday and time for Hodgepodge with Joyce. It’s already Wednesday and it’s only Wednesday!
1. What’s one task you’d like a little Christmas elf to sneak in and take care of tonite?
I would say putting ornaments on the tree, but I really just need a cleaning elf. My house is messier than I would like it to be with puppy toys everywhere and just the stuff of life of four people living here. That’s also stuff I will miss later so I am trying to be chill about it.
2. What’s your biggest challenge during the holidays?
My biggest challenge is and always has been keeping up with my school life and taking care of all of the extra holiday stuff at the same time. This is a busy time of year in a school! We get out of school on December 20th. I was telling someone that my district can’t think outside of the box about letting us out on a day other than Friday, so it’s always the last Friday before Christmas. The traffic and amount of people shopping is crazy on Saturdays so traditionally I have always taken off one week day in December to help myself out. I haven’t planned that for this year. Of course, online shopping, grocery pick up, and all the modern conveniences really help!
3. Are you a cookie baker this time of year? If your year had to be summed up in the shape of a cookie cutter what shape would it be?
I love a holiday cookie. My Aunt Judy had tins of cookies in her freezer each Christmas and I want to do the same. She sent me some recipes in her handwriting in the mail this week and it was so sweet!
Gosh, what a hard question. 2024 was the year that Mason was back in the US after England first semester (and I was riding that high of seeing England and Scotland), that my twins graduated from college, that Ernie passed and we adopted Eddie Otis, that my dream came true of taking my family to Spain, and all the little things that make a life. Maybe my shape would be a heart because my heart because my heart was full for much of the year. And, maybe my heart shaped cookies broke a couple of times when I experienced loss and sadness this year.
Also, I can’t wait to wear this shirt!
4. Santa likes milk with his cookies. Do you like milk? What kind of milk is on tap in your house? (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat, etc). What’s the last thing you made that called for milk?
So, I make so much fun of my husband. He must have a giant glass of milk each night with dinner. It’s always skim milk. I like milk in cereal but rarely eat cereal these days.
5. Share one favorite line from a Christmas carol or holiday tune?
“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” but not a big one where plans have to be changed and driving is difficult!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I love making a seasonal cocktail as you know. I am drinking blue ones in both of these photos – hmmmm…. I am thinking cranberry or red this year!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
These are hard questions to answer; it would tough to pick one cookie cutter to sum up the year! I have never been a milk drinker- in fact, I keep a small carton of Almond milk in the pantry for when I need it in a baking recipe otherwise we don’t use any milk at all anymore (such a difference from when the boys were young and my husband drank milk too; I used to buy 5 or 6 gallons a week!).
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Right? I had trouble with them. Wow! That is different. I saw a lady buying 3 gallons at the store and I felt bad for her. Lol.
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I love your cookie cutter answer! And I like what you said about trying to be chill about the mess that is there now. You are so right! I know this time of year is so hard on teachers. I don’t know how all of you have done it for so long! Thank the Lord for online shopping, though, right? I was thinking of that just yesterday.
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Thank you! Yes, chill does not come naturally to me. But, I have worked hard on it!
I know – it’s so crazy. The teacher moms (of littles0 out there are so busy.
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I don’t mind putting ornaments on the tree but taking them off after the holidays is another story. Ahh yes those last school days before a holiday are rough. You can do it! We had company for dinner Monday and made a fun and yummy cocktail called Rudolph’s tipsy punch…it’s red and festive. Hubs made sugared cranberries for part of the garnish. Here’s the recipe if you want to check it out. We used slightly less orange as commenters said the drink was more red with less of the orange juice and we wanted red. https://www.callmepmc.com/rudolphs-tipsy-punch/
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Oh, yes. That is the worst. They are but they can also be fun. Oh, I want that recipe. I have called something a Tipsy Rudolph before but can’t remember what I did. I did snag a bag to sugar and freeze so I need to incorporate that.
And now I see the recipe – thanks!
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Thank goodness for online shopping and grocery pick up! I would have so loved that when my kids were younger, what a help. I always have to remember how lucky educators are at this time of year because we don’t have to worry about having the holidays off! So many of my friends have to work Christmas Eve and the day after, etc. We are on the final countdown for break!
xo,
Kellyann
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Right? I think the same all the time. That is true and a different perspective.
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This is a fun post! I wish I didn’t miss it. I love the cookie cutter question and your response! I agree – we get out the 20th…how about the 19th? At least give us one day.
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A cleaning elf would be a dream come true!
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I love a good cocktail made with cranberry juice! I don’t know what I would do without online shopping and grocery delivery!
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That is so good to take a week day off to take care of errands to help your weekend be less busy. Saturday and Sundays are crazy in the month of December! You’ve almost made it to Christmas break!
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I also look back on 2024 and think it held so much – both good and sometimes not so good. Our kids’ graduation was definitely a big deal, as well as getting apuppy!
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My Jack refuses to have his toys picked up. I can sneak them into the bucket (he doesn’t even play with them), and if he notices, he’ll sit there and whine until I’ve dumped the dumb thing! I think we always got out on a Friday, too. I can remember years when it would be December 23rd! And, I definitely think your cookie cutter is a heart…a really big one because your heart is so full of wonderful memories (some good, some sad). I do like milk and occasionally have a glass of it. We drink Fairlife lactose free (I think). It has lots of protein which is something I’m trying to increase.
Have a wonderful finish to the week!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Yes love holiday cocktails! I made a White Christmas punch this year that was pretty good but usually gravitate towards red cocktails this time of year too
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