New Year's Eve

Hello friends!

I've no good excuse for failing to blog last week.  While there were no "whoopie" moments, thankfully there were no real lows.

..... unless you want to count the rotten head cold that found me Christmas morning.  Yep.  In a misguided -- and unsuccessful -- attempt to find eggnog, I'd gone out in the (feels like) arctic night before without so much as a scarf.

Thankfully, by yesterday I felt well enough in time for Pastor Janet and another couple to join us for coffee and sweets.

Where's Grandma Adele's candy, you ask?

Ha!

In spite of purchasing a fancy candy thermometer and following my mother's recipe to the letter, it was "Once! Twice! ... You're Out!

Suppose I can always turn this into a planter.

We were so busy yakking, I forgot to take any more pictures.

But trust me, there were smiles all about.

Even Tom -- who finally met with a pain management specialist Thursday and got a spinal steroid injection.  (Cross fingers this takes!)

Presuming we'll still be awake, midnight will likely find me looking U-KLY in fat socks and an electric throw blanket ... not caring who's on Dick Clark's Rocking whatever.

Perhaps more so than any other major holiday, New Years Eve ushers in a wave of nostalgia (that) I normally keep at bay the rest of the year.

Maybe someone else can relate?  I love to hear your stories!

The Roaring Twenties ...

We ladies of Beta Sigma Phi would have had our hair 'done' -- ratted to the nines.  (Thank goodness no photographic evidence exists!)

Clad in formal wear, husbands and wives gathered at the civic center to consume adult beverages and dance to a live band.

One time, on the spur of the moment we asked baby-sitters to spend the night, changed out of our gowns, piled in someone's panel van and drove to Fort Worth to attend the Cotton Bowl.  Seated on those concrete tiers in the freezing sleet probably qualifies as my top "never again" moment in time.

It was the Best of Times ...

My 30's.  Most NYE's were spent in the kitchen prepping (what seemed like) hundreds of my hubby's famous cabbage rolls for the next day's Open House.

Fast forward ...

Years later.  The only other memorable Eve found Myra throwing a major Pity Party for herself.  Silly me still believed no-one should have to spend New Year's Eve alone.

The fellow I was seeing at the time -- a cruise ship officer -- was mandated to be on the bridge at the stroke of Midnight.

Just in case. No-one knew what to expect.

Remember Y2K?

We chuckle now, but there was so much unknown.

We filled our car's gas tanks and stood in line at the ATM.

Obviously, today I'm much older.  (Not so wiser, but I try!)

I've an abundance of aspirations.  Expectations, too.

But I don't want to set myself up for failure.

I'll leave you with a quote I favor:

"There are years that ask questions, and years that answer."

(Zora Neale Hurston)

Dear friends, I pray 2023 will amaze and delight you with her answers.

Cheers!

Myra

Scenes on a Christmas Eve eve

Thanks so much for joining in the "Christmas Conversation Piece" the other day!

Over the years my family's grown weary of me opening that little book of questions -- so your comments are appreciated!

If you click here, I've answered my own -- in purple font.

For today ...

(ca. 1953)

Given our cold weather, the expression on my face mirrors what Tom thinks of Winter.

Okay, but!

Aside from the obvious discomfort of 'our' squirrels -- and other poor animals made to stay outside -- I'm loving these unaccustomed temps.

Knowing full well what was coming, yesterday morning I suggested 'Santa Paws' err on the side of caution and pay an early visit to our girls.

Oh my Santa, what a big beard you have!

New little sweatshirts

☃️

'Not saying I'm used to getting my own way ... 

but when the temps began falling, I sort of strong-armed Tom into going out for Mexican food.

As some of you know, one of the biggest surprises about moving to Alabama (is) what locals refer to as good Mexican food.  Seriously, it bears no resemblance to what we enjoyed in the Southwest.

I was giving serious thought to asking Tom's daughter if she couldn't arrange transport of our favorite restaurant meals on dry ice.  That, or I might have to learn to make it myself.  (Like that's going to happen, lol.)

Then I found one more restaurant online we'd not tried.

You should have seen the expression on Tom's face when this arrived piping hot!

Darn close!

I enjoyed a taco salad -- and the best refried beans ever!

☃️

What else?

Well, our intended family dinner has been postponed.

I can't blame Troy for 'channeling his inner Gram Willer' (his words) and asking if we couldn't wait to gather.  Chances are that Sunday's road conditions won't be awful -- but he and Lois aren't comfortable asking us to be out.

They will be out of town over New Years, so we've settled on Epiphany.   Appropriate, isn't it?

While at Publix, Tom found a nice rib roast; he will do that for our dinner.   Friends may stop by.  Or not.  It's all good,

..... and I'm super grateful not to be sitting in an airport or a snowy traffic jam.

Holding those stranded travelers, as well as the airline/hospitality workers in my prayers!

As always, thank you for visiting.
Your friendship is so valued!  Merry Christmas!

Hugs, Myra

 

Water Cooler Wednesday

 

Hi there!

Since Joyce is taking a well-deserved break from hosting the Hodgepodge, what do you say we re-visit the Water Cooler?

Today's questions are taken from The Christmas Conversation Piece, a little book that's been part of my holiday collection for a while now.

You can choose to answer any one -- or all.   Perhaps you'd enjoying posing them to your family and friends! 

You're the author a new Christmas novel that you hope will one day become a classic.
What would you choose as the setting for your Christmas story?

How about, a funky old kitchen.  One with good bones.  Lined faces and flour sack aprons.

I like what Erin Napier (HGTV) said about their 'new to them' farmhouse kitchen.   Rather than the popular sleek and shiny look that's so popular nowadays, Erin said she wanted it to feel like 5,000 meals had been prepared there.

Someone has graciously offered to make you and your entire family a Christmas quilt.
It will be made up of many quilt squares, each one representing a different family member.
What specific design and image would you want on your square?

Gotta be my girls, Macie and Grace.

Which of the following three events would you most enjoy attending during the holiday season:
A stage production of Dickens' A Christmas Carol ...
a choral concert of Handel's Messiah ...
or a performance of Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker?

I'm going with Handel's Messiah.

If you won $5,000 the week before Christmas, where do you think you'd go for a Christmas vacation?

I'd adore renting a mountaintop cabin near Gatlinburg, Tennesse for a few days with son and DIL.  Since I refuse to entertain plane travel, it's close enough to drive.  I think there'd even be plenty of $ for a chauffeur!

If you were playing Name That Tune! which Christmas song do you think you could identify in the least number of notes?

Joy to the World!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Myra

The Christmas Chair

 

... and more snapshots from an extraordinary Ordinary life.

11 months out of the year, this wee chair sits at my bedside, holding my cell phone and water bottle.

The rest of the year, however, it occupies a place of honor under the tree.

Long ago, in a land far away

See it there, holding my book?

It started out fire-engine red, before my dad took some leftover paint to it.

You can still see bits of the original red peeking out.

This trio may be my favorite.

Mother's book given her (I'm guessing) about 1920.

Not to be forgotten!

One of two horse collars belonging to my grandfather.

What I wouldn't give for just one glimpse of my mother and her parents in that sleigh, bundled up to their noses against the harsh Minnesota winter night.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the waaaay ....

Small-time farmers, my grandparents hadn't much in the way of material things.  In fact, my mother recalls she would receive but ONE Christmas present each year ... and was happy for it.

More recently ...

Yes, we had a wonderful time Thursday night.  The show was ah-mazing ... an experience for the senses.

At Troy's favorite eatery. We enjoyed one of the best seafood dinners I've ever had!

Great conversation and thankfully, a great driver.    Even having been up since 3:30 that morning, they got us safely out of downtown and home by midnight.

Still jazzed, I sat sipping a nightcap and playing word games for another hour. I don't know about y'all, but I can't remember the last time I stayed up past the crack of 9! 

And so it begins ...

Thankfully, I've only wrapping gift bags left to do for the Ladies Study brunch tomorrow morning.

I promised to bring Conecuh (sausage) and cheddar, but now I'm wishing I'd said Potato Soup.

Thanks to Cathy at TCKK, Tom's got a new cold-weather favorite!  It's so ridiculously easy, I thought some of you might like the blueprint ... or my variation thereof!:

Cover bag (28 oz.) Potatoes O'Brien with

box (32 oz.) Chicken Broth (I used low-sodium)

Bring to simmer on stove-top ... est. 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in smaller saucepan, mix Pioneer Peppered Gravy w/ 1-3/4 c. broth.

Pour gravy over potato mix, stir well and transfer to 6 qt. slow cooker.  Cook on high 1 hour.  You can season to taste, but my resident food critic said it didn't need a thing!

Thanks again, Cathy!

... and as last night's news anchor said, "Thank you for the privilege of your company."

Hugs, Myra

A Hodgepodge of Glad Tidings

 

Ho-Ho-Ho, friends and fellow Hodgepodgers!
Let's see what we can make with this week's ingredients ....

What does Christmas mean to you?

This line, excerpted from my favorite Christmas carol.

"... It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.  Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth."

What's your favorite cozy holiday activity?

Just sitting under a soft throw on the recliner sofa, nibbling and sipping -- one dog in my lap, the other at my side.

.. not so different than any other time of year!

Is all your shopping-wrapping-baking done?  Tell us about your holiday plans.

I'm 99% there!

Since gift wrapping's my least favorite part of the holiday, I love the Dollar Tree's alternatives.

Realizing I can no longer use the excuse, "I don't have time!", I ordered a candy thermometer and anise oil to make my mother's simple recipe.

Each Christmas, my mother would cut and wrap individual pieces in waxed paper, put them in cookie tins and distribute to coworkers and friends.   Simple, but oh my goodness ... they were anticipated and appreciated!

Plans?
Nothing's been decided for sure ... we're still celebrating my favorite son's birthday.  He and Lois have invited us to accompany them to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform up in Birmingham tomorrow night.

If you were Santa, what treat would you like to have left for you?  (It doesn't have to be milk and cookies!)  What sweet or savory treat do you most look forward to indulging in and around the holidays?

I've not enjoyed a glass of port in years, but that sounds rather holiday-ish, don't you think?

That and a plate of ooey-gooey, spicy nachos!

Honestly, I've sampled more sweets than were all that enjoyable, so I'm going with a final (big) glass of egg-nog.  Perhaps sausage bread if my study friend remembers to share her hubby's recipe!

Next Wednesday is the first official day of Winter (in the northern hemisphere).  How does that make you feel?  Tell us what you love most about Winter?

I love, love LOVE winter!
Granted, living in Alabama doesn't lend itself to the outdoor activities I once enjoyed.  Yet!

There's little humidity, no crazy electric bills.  I get to play with new soup/stew recipes and wear my favorite hoodies 24/7 if I so desire!

Insert your own random thought here.

I don't know who needs to see this, but ...

I can't resist adding .....
don't forget that person who's always behind the camera lens.  I remember someone like that.  Perhaps you do, too.

More often than not, I think they're reluctant to ask (to have their photo taken).  Do it anyway!

Thanks!

Warm hugs,

Myra

More Etc-ering

 

aka ...

(cue theme song)

So, when I think Good the first thing that pops in my mind is #1 son.  Thanks for indulging me while I brag?

For Chloe's 25th birthday, Troy called in a big favor.  

They got to attend last week's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta from one of the owner suites.

Best.Parents.Ever!

Of course, I have to add food to my Good list!

Since life's so uncertain, I've given myself a 'Carb Holiday' all month.

... and what's the best carb ever?

Mine was the Zelda:  

Bianca sauce, Italian sausage, Gorgonzola and Mozzarella cheeses

Not until our server brought our pies out did I have an 'aha' moment.  See, years ago in Italy I discovered I wasn't so fond of their pizza.  Come to find out, when MPK advertises 'traditional' Italian pizza, they're referring to the super thin crust ...almost like a wafer.

I thought Tom would be disappointed -- after all, he's a deep dish, Chicago-style fan.  But no, he really enjoyed his.  New favorite eatery!

☃️

I see today's National Christmas Card Day.

No, I'm not sending cards this year.

Not only have postage costs become absurd, the USPS recently earned a spot on my Naughty list. 

Without going into unnecessary detail, I recently sold and mailed an article of jewelry (given years ago by "Mr. Wrong").  Not only was it not delivered on time, at day's end the carrier must have been tired and just brought it back to the PO, marked "Delivered."

Imagine my surprise when I had a text from the buyer telling me the tracking information shows Delivered -- to a PO Box in Milwaukee.  She doesn't have a PO Box!

Thanks to our friendly Postmaster (think Mayberry-esque) it all was all resolved -- but not without a fistful of stress.

 .... And what does one do when they're stressed?

I'm a little old for a lollipop, but took myself to Target for this.

You know you're old when Peppermint soap makes you feel warm and fuzzy.  Simple pleasures.

☃️

.....which brings us to the final episode  -- Ugly.

Some of y'all may remember a while back when I talked about how my mirror's reflection is different than what's shown in photos.

Dismayed!  A friend shared something from church on her FB page -- and there I am last Sunday, looking for all the world like an apparition straight out of Dickens' Christmas Carol.

Needless to say, I've bought a can of "Golden Spell" mousse and we'll see if it and a smidgen of blush won't add some warmth to my skin's tone.

Meanwhile ... 

this excerpt from a book I read makes me go, Hmmmm.

"She'd read somewhere that you only truly saw what someone looked like in the first few minutes of meeting them; then after that it was only an impression, colored by what you thought of them."

What do you think?

☃️

Good afternoon now ... God bless!

Hugs, Myra

  

An Historical Hodgepodge

Aw, don't let the name fool you ..... this isn't a test! 
  
As ever, thanks to Joyce for hosting this coffee klatch / tea party / cocktail hour.  (Pick one!)

The Hodgepodge lands on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.  Have you visited the memorial?  Yes, back in the early 70's.  I'm afraid it didn't mean so much to me then as it would now.

Have you visited other WW2 sites and memorials?  No, not that I recall.  

Do you think we do a good job of teaching current and younger generations about the events of WW2?  Do you think it matters?  Of course, it matters!  That said, I'm not knowledgeable enough re. what's being taught in schools to form an opinion.

Many books, both fiction and non-fiction have been written with WW2 as the setting.  Is this a 'genre' you gravitate towards?  Share with us a book (or two) you've enjoyed that is set in some way around WW2.  If you're not a reader, how about a movie?

Considering where I grew up, this immediately came to mind:  

Inside Box 1663
(excerpt:  "In 1943 I lived in Croton-on-Hudson, New York with my husband and my son who was almost 10 years old.  At that time, I had no idea there was a Box 1663 in the Santa Fe post office, nor that I would disappear into it, lose my identity and emerge from it at the end of 1945 an entirely different person."

One observer writes, "Los Alamos was a bustling city that officially didn't exist."

Her first-person account wasn't without humor:

"..... remembers a quiet afternoon in early August 1945 when her husband witnessed an accident at the Lab and was thought to have been exposed to radiation:  'Harriet Hollaway was at the foot of the stairs and after I told her we just looked at each other.  In times of crisis, we would take out the whiskey bottle; Harriet went and got her bottle.  Every time I looked like I was going to faint, Harriet would give me another shot of whiskey.  Consequently, I have no real memory of that night, and that's how I got through it.'"

According to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, there are seven popular color trends for the holidays this year.  They are: red and white, Victorian blue, pops of pink, rich shades of green, rainbow hues, black and white and nostalgic retro colors.  Are you 'trendy' when it comes to holiday decorating in 2022?  How so?  Does your tree have a theme?

Trendy?  Absolutely not!
Tom hasn't volunteered an opinion, but I like to surround myself with olden, mis-matched articles that stroke the sentimentalist in me.

What is a current trend you buck?

???
Tik-Tok .... Woke-ism

What's your favorite chocolate something?

White chocolate peppermint bark.

Insert your own random thought here.

Etcetera

 

Aw, my mind's all over the place this morning.  Let's start by giving thanks and see where this goes.

I'm enormously grateful for being spared the wrath of yesterday morning's storms.  (Unfortunately, a local mother and her 8 y/o son lost their lives and there's numerous accounts of property damage.)

Our weather team is normally spot-on -- so when they predicted we were 'low-risk' for severe weather I didn't give it much thought.

Until about 2AM when the sirens began wailing.  We sat bleary-eyed watching live coverage until a little after 3 when Josh Johnson said "Millbrook/Coosada, take cover. Now." 

  

Not that many years ago I'd have called someone a liar if they said I'd be living in 'tornado alley.'   Now, instead of freaking out I'm usually just annoyed.  We prepare as best we can, say a prayer and leave the rest to God.

❄️

I didn't feel much like going to the dentist a few hours later, but I'm glad to have done so.

My hygienist is gentle, a good conversationalist ... and funny, too.
Her parting shot, "Now you can tell your friends you've been professionally water-boarded."

❄️

My favorite contestant on The Voice made it to the next round!

Is anyone else watching?  Do you have a favorite?

❄️

Speaking of television ...

We watched the annual Tree Lighting from Rockefeller Plaza last night ... then Kelly Clarkson's special.

Call me olden, but I still miss the Lawrence Welk Christmas show.  All those Lennon kids!

Andy Williams, too.  His impossibly beautiful Claudine.  The cheesy Osmond brothers.

Maybe it wasn't the shows' content but where my head was back then ... who I was with.

❄️

I finally got our tree up.

I didn't think so at the time, but now I'm glad we spent a little extra to get the automatic lights feature -- colored for Tom, white for me.

Some of you probably saw this on FB.  What I didn't realize it looks like I've not cleaned the french doors since 2018!  What happened, I took Dawn Power Spray to the door jams ... and used a little more elbow grease than necessary.  The paint came off!

Ooooh, no!

Hopefully, I'll get the rest of my tried-n-true (worn) decorations put in their assigned places this weekend.

Or not.

For some reason, I'm all about keeping it simple this year.  This meme caught my eye; perhaps it will for someone else.

Let's chat soon!

Hugs, Myra