1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate?

I try to put decorations in just about every room, but the main ones are the kitchen, living room, and entry way.

I guess it depends on how much energy I have.

2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why?

I would visit Norway because my maternal grandfather was from there. Our first daughter, Braaten, was given his last name, my mom's maiden name, because I always loved it. It has been told by my very best friend, Annette, that in the 7th grade I said that if I ever had a daughter I was going to name her Braaten.

She is Braaten Noelle, born 2 weeks after Christmas, and will be turning 14 very soon.

3. What does the word faith mean to you?

Faith for me means believing in the One that I cannot see. It means trusting in Christ with my whole heart, knowing that He came to save the lost. I once was lost, but now I'm found and what a blessing that He chose me even before I was knitted in my mother's womb. 

4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose?

When I was about 10 years old, in 1976, the Bicentennial year, I entered the standing broad jump competition during a meet. I had never done anything on the track before and my gym teacher at the time encouraged me. It was a huge event because of the timing in our history, a place where families gathered, and schools in the area came together. What was I thinking? I was a bit of a tomboy, but like I said, I had never done anything like this in the past. 

It was my turn. I stood there bent at the knees, swinging my arms to and fro, to get as much distance as I possibly could. I leapt into the air for what felt like an eternity. I landed at 5 feet 8 inches. There were paparazzi everywhere taking pictures. OK, it was just an area journalist. I have been reading too many books about the Baxters and Flanigans by Karen Kingsbury. Anyone else reading this series??

I placed first, made it in the Jersey Journal, and both my parents were there. My dad didn't make it to many events. He worked a lot. What a grand day! Annette made fun of me for years, still does 'til this day because I brought my trophy in and walked around to different classrooms to show off that large trophy. My teacher encouraged that, too, so I went for it. Ah, what a day in the life of me. :-)

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe.

I think I had punch at a shower about 8 months ago or so. I enjoy it, but have never really acquired a go-to recipe. 

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts?

We do fill stockings. The kids love them and look forward to seeing what awaits them after opening everything else.

Shawn and I quite like them ourselves. I enjoy getting Cella's chocolate covered cherries each year. 

7. What takes your breath away?

Do I have to list just one thing?

Seeing my children for the first time after being away from them for a day, or two, or a long weekend. 

I love watching them perform at recitals, sports, etc. 

And because I can't list just one thing, I love seeing my husband's blue eyes in photos. Each day, we put a new photo up on our Mac as wallpaper and whenever there's one of Shawn up, I am always drawn to his eyes. I will just sit here and stare and then whisper, as though he can hear me, "I love you." 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It's a soggy day out there, 50 degrees,  and absolutely no sign of snow. I have twin boys that were born on Christmas Eve that are about to turn 10. They are having their birthday party this Sunday with 10 friends and they are reflecting on how much fun they had last year sledding in our backyard. It doesn't seem likely that we'll have any snow for them, but I sure would like to see a white Christmas.

Wednesday Hodge Podge

My friend, Joyce, over at From This Side of the Pond is hosting one of my favorite weekly memes. She posts questions that we get to answer which allows you to get to know me a little better. Thanks Joyce. :)

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this instead...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?
**I like my eggs scrambled, and not wet in the least. If I have my choice, melted cheese on top makes them even better. Oh, and this grosses some people out... I like ketchup on my eggs. I'm not sure where I got this little idea from, but it started when I was a kid. :0)

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?
**It's more like a turtle or snail. When I think of March, I think of spring time, but outside my windows I see WINTER. The white stuff hasn't melted yet and it's been known to snow through March and at points in April. I am more than ready to see my Wisteria in full bloom. 

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure?
**Generally speaking, I work better under pressure. I have a tendency to procrastinate if given the opportunity. Having said that, if I feel like I'm under too much pressure, I might fumble at my task and not be productive at all. Finding balance somewhere in there is what I prefer.

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us-is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

**I'm a fan only because my hubs and oldest boy loves watching it. We are huge Boilermaker fans around here since my hubby went to Purdue and even our late, beloved Fletch loved wearing the infamous black & gold. Well, um, maybe it was the kids who loved seeing him in it.

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?
**When I'm studying I need total quiet. That's just the way I roll. I have to find a quiet place in our home, and that's hard to do with 5 children, but it's possible. I usually go into my bedroom to do that. When I walk on the treadmill, I get the opportunity to have some quiet time to just think and ponder, but not if HGTV or the Food Network is on. 

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
**My jeans for sure. I wear them everyday. I found the most comfortable pair recently at Ma*y's.

7. Do you use sarcasm?
**I've been known to on a bad day, or around that time of the month, but I truly try not to. It's hurtful in most cases.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
**Since I talked about the lovely Michigan weather above, I realized it has kept me from 3 important things I have really wanted to be able to do in the past few weeks. 1.) Go to the funeral of a dear family friend, Skip, in NJ in the beginning of February 2.) Go to my niece's shower. She is having her first baby in the next couple of weeks, and 3.) See my oldest sister, Denise. She was going to fly from NJ to Detroit to visit for a day and a half on her way to Denver for work. I was bummed about missing each one of those things, but realize that God's timing is perfect! I will be able to see Skip's wife in the beginning of April and my sister, Denise, too. Plus Denise will plan a weekend trip to Michigan this coming summer, and we'll be heading to Indiana this weekend to see our niece and shower her with a gift for baby. It all works out in the end. 

Wednesday Hodge Podge

My friend, Joyce, over at From This Side of the Pond, hosts this weekly blog carnival. I love it because she does all the work for me and voila! I have a post. :) Thanks Joyce.

So here are the Hodgepodge questions that I get to answer...

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1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to mis-use, over-use or just general uselessness and they receive over 1000 nominations. Here are the fourteen words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2011-viral, epic, fail, wow factor, a-ha moment, back story, BFF, man up, refudiate, Mama Grizzlies, The American People, facebook/google when used as verbs, I'm just sayin', and Live life to the fullest.

What word or phrase would you like to see banished from our everyday vocabulary in 2011? You can choose one from the 'official list' or you can get creative and come up with your own.

     "Really???" When I moved back from England last March, I started hearing people say, "Really?" after something they disliked, didn't want to hear, sarcastically questioned, or just got into the habit of saying. I think I've said it twice in the past 10 months because it annoys me to say it any more than that. I know people that say it in every conversation and even more than once. Really???     

2. Do you consider opportunity something that comes to you or something you create for yourself?

     I think it happens both ways for sure. There are times when I feel led to do something, so I make a plan and get it done. And then there are things that seem to just happen or fall into my lap and in either case, I thank God for the opportunity.  

3. Since we're all eating healthy this month, ahem, what's included in your favorite salad? Is there dressing?

     I love mandarins in my salad or dried cranberries. So yummy!

4. The fourth Monday in January is said to be Blue Monday...aka the most depressing day of the year. The date was calculated using many factors including weather, debt level, time since Christmas, time since we've failed at our new year resolutions, low motivation and feeling a need to take action. Do you get the blues this time of year and if so what is something you do to lift your spirits?

     I don't feel like I get the blues around this time of year, but perhaps a little impatient while waiting for Spring to spring. 

5. Do you wear a watch? Any other everyday jewelry essentials?
     Yep, I love wearing a watch. I just got a chunky one from Premi*re Jewelry that I love. On the other wrist I wear beaded bracelets that my friend, Sarah, has blessed me with over the years. I always have earrings on and I do enjoy necklaces. Joyce, I'm not sure if you recall... but I posted pictures from a trip to Scotland where we did a lot of walking and hiking, and you commented on my bling. Yes, I was wearing a long necklace. See here. :-) 

6. What is something useful you learned in high school?

     To treat others the way I would want to be treated. 

7. Do you use an accountant when completing and filing your income tax returns or do you attempt to muddle through all by yourself?
     An accountant for sure. For now we have a team of accountants through my husband's company because of our recent expat assignment in England. From what I understand, it'll take a few years to get everything sorted properly. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     Instead of writing a post, it's done now though obviously, I should be ironing my son's shirt for tomorrow. Whenever he has a basketball game, he has to dress up and wear a shirt and tie to school. I should be grading my 7th grader's quizzes and tests from the past week, and I should be getting my exercise done. Oh, starting dinner would be nice as well. So off I go to get those things done...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joyce over at "From This Side of the Pond" hosts this weekly meme of Wednesday Hodgepodge. She puts the questions out there some time on Tuesday so that we can link up on Wednesday. Hop on board and join her. If you've never checked out her blog, you are missing out! 

1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?
   For me it's the whole package ...  The Christmas tree is up with Christmas decorations throughout the house. I'm in the middle of shopping, I'm working on getting my Christmas cards out, going to cookie exchanges, the Christmas music is playing in the background and I am generally in a really good mood anticipating all that Christmas is. And in the midst of the busyness I am remembering that it's all about Jesus.

2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?

   A sweet, little, white angel that my hubby and I purchased before we were married in anticipation of all the Christmases she would adorn our tree. She has a plain face, no eyes, nose, or mouth. She is made with white paper that has been curled at the ends and has a cute little head of brown hair with a bow made for wings. She brings us back to our very first Christmas together as a newly engaged couple. We both LOVE Christmas and the promise and hope that it brings.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?

   I think in the past few days. I am working at starting my own chiropractic practice here at our new home and God has been bringing people my way that are interested in coming to see me. I haven't really been talking about it and they are inquiring. That makes me feel good. 

4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?

  I love all of the smells of Christmas. The smell of pine is amazing and cooking with lots of cinnamon makes me happy. I love mulled cider because of the cinnamon and cloves that go in it that fill the air of our home with its aroma.

5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?

   Sugar! and ceramics. I have a sweet tooth and pottery makes me go weak in the knees. 

I think my house is getting cluttered with pottery!

See? I told ya.

6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it?

   Christmas happens to be the birthdate of our twins, Grant and Cooper. They'll be turning 9 in 9 days! We usually make whatever it is they request for breakfast and dinner. After about half the day, we switch gears to Christmas Eve and go to church. We take the kids for a drive to see all of the Christmas lights and decorations people have put up. When we get home, we open up one present which is new pajamas. If there's time, we'll watch a Christmas movie.

   On Christmas morning, I make a ham and cheese strada for breakfast. We sing happy birthday to Jesus and have a cinnamon roll.

7. What is the best thing about winter?
   Putting on cozy pajamas, slippers, and snuggling up by the fire.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

   These days I'm feeling a bit better about blogging again. I'm trying to be more consistent in posting, but can do better still at reading blogs and commenting. 

Abundant Blessings!

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Joyce over at "From This Side of the Pond" is hosting this fun, weekly blog carnival. Go over and see her and join in on the fun.

1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?

Oh let's see. I moved from England back to Michigan in March. That is a tremendous feat and I feel, in some ways, that I am still reeling from the move. I think that coupled with the ginormous move, putting our firstborn into high school after homeschooling him for 7 years was HUGE. So, I guess between those two things it was a pretty big year.

2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?

I don't really have any heirlooms. My mom was not one to hold onto things. I guess one of things that I cherish that I will hold on to and pass down is one of the last dollars that my father made while driving a taxi in N.J. It's in my wallet tucked away and each time I take a peek at it, it reminds me of the hard, dedicated worker he always was.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you're not sure click here to see a list of possibilities.
The Alba White Truffle one. That's the one that sounds the best to me. And, like Joyce, I love Italy, too.

4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?
I love the look of snow, the joy that it brings to my kids, and the fun I can have in it, BUT I don't enjoy driving in it! That pretty much sums it up.

5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?
Me no like to ski. I'm a big chicken.

6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?
His dependability. He has been there for me since day one for anything and everything. I adore him.

7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.
The coziest place in our home is the living room. I like cuddling there to watch a good t.v. show or a movie together as a family.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Life is so busy these days. It seems that when I lived in England I found the time and inspiration to blog. Since I moved back, I just don't have it in me to write a post on any regular basis and it bums me out. I miss those of you that I use to visit all the time. When I finally get around to putting a post up it gives me joy and puts a smile on my face. That's my random thought for today.