Hodgepodge Christmasy

1.  With that being said I think I need to dive right in to some Christmas related questions, don't you? Which do you prefer-pretty gift wrap with a bow or a pretty gift bag with/without a bow?  What percentage of your holiday gifts are currently (as in right this very minute) wrapped in some form or fashion? 

Wrapping style all depends on size of item. My norm is it wrap in brown paper and ribbon or yarn. This year an handmade ornament will be attached to the bow.  But if odd shaped item I will put it in a bag. This year one piece is four foot by three foot so will have to find a big bag. In past I have done many hand made gift baskets as well.   0% currently wrapped. Still in the making process. I take the zero percent back, for I wrapped 100 ornaments gifts  for Va Voice and delivered last weekend plus family ornament exchange and sweatshirt.* 

2.  What is one item on your Christmas list this year?

Nadda. Seriously there is nothing I need or would like. A camera was in the back of my mind but I knew not possible, then my in-laws went and got me one giving it to me early so I could learn it before/during the holidays. 

3.  What makes a home?

.....Love....

4.  Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrates his birthday on Hodgepodge Day-November 28th. Are you a fan of the Motown sound?  If so, who's your favorite Motown artist and/or song? 

I like motown, I will listen to just about anything music wise.  I do not have a favorite song or artist though, 

5.  Red or green-which one is more prevalent in your closet?

Green though there is a hefty amount of reds as well. Green seems to make my eyes pop and keeps me cheery when wearing it. 

6.  True or false-bacon makes it better? If you answered true, what's your favorite dish made with bacon? 

True! When it comes to bacon you can't go wrong with a simple BLT. Mmmmm. I also make BLT Bites which are cherry tomatoes stuffed with a bacon, spinach, ranch and  cream cheese that's pretty yummy. 

7.  Share a favorite holiday memory.

This one goes back to when I was about 11-ish. Daddy always worked nights growing up and sometimes on holidays. One Christmas though will always stay with me and make me smile as I am now. Daddy had finally got vacation time and took the weekend before Christmas off. He rounded us up taking us to  Toys r Us and where he told each of  us to pick out a board game. Then we went out to dinner being allowed to have anything we wanted, even desert. Our waitress was so good with youngest sister and a damn good waitress unlike you  see these days. Daddy left a fifty dollar tip for her as he rushed us to the car, she caught up though giving a big hug, crying, smiling and thanking profusely. (This moment is where I learned to tip generously for good service when we have extra money) We then proceeded to go home where that night and the next day daddy played each game with us and several others. I can't tell you anything about actual Christmas that year for just having that time  together was the best gift ever. 

8.  Random thought here.......

I am so sore and exhausted. Since last Wednesday I have been go, go, go. Monday I was  going to rest but that didn't happen. Tuesday looked like I would rest but again after some coffee and a late wake up I was nonstop till hubby ordered me to bed. Even then my mind was going over things. So I am very thankful for Hodgepodge for it is forcing me to stay still this morning. I will make it to all of them this week! Last week I felt bad I didn't make all the rounds!  Instead of tempting me into the attic and getting down the Christmas Stuff I meant to do last night. I am not allowed to go in attic anymore when no one is home, I've fallen out too many times.  Still so much to be done this week before we make another trip to the Beach Friday night (I am not looking forward to the two hour drive) for Va Voices Christmas show. Then Saturday we are watching our niece over night, it's also my sister's birthday. Been working on her birthday gift this week as well. Sometimes waiting on the right paycheck can be annoying. 

* Oh yeah was going to add more on the sweatshirt.
On Christmas Eve  Hubby's family does a gathering that has become an ornament exchange. There is one gift the trademark sweatshirt. The sweatshirt dates back to when hubby and I were dating. Names would be drawn a month ahead and then exchanges unknown under the tree. Hubby had drawn Uncle Jim's name that year and knew what he would do. It was a running gag that every Christmas Eve Uncle Jim could be found saying "Pick Me! Pick Me!" as people tried and guess who the gift was from. Gag gifts were a sure deal.  Combine such with the rule you have to model what ever you get and hubby had a plan. He got a sweatshirt and I drew a 

bulls eye on it  with the words "Pick Me!"  then during the gathering Hubby stealthy went around passing out cans of silly string only saying "Keep it hidden and look for the bulls eye. You'll know" Thankfully no one got a dart board.  Well the time came and Uncle Jim opened his gift and help up the sweatshirt laughing Pick Me! And BAM! he was covered.  From that point on the sweatshirt begun being passed each year and people would add to it. At first it was silly or Christmas related, then family births and deaths were added, leading to historic or large events. Who ever received the sweatshirt would add something to it by the following Christmas.  So two years ago the sweatshirt found it was to me. Poetically I was going to change it into a large scrap book  using the shirt as a cover, but didn't have funds in time.  Last Christmas my sister and niece were living with us and I had forgotten about the sweatshirt.  So I added my two marks (added three though) and made an ornament of the original shirt. See you obtain the sweatshirt by getting the gag bag with a note in it instead  of an ornament during the ornament exchange. So I figured why not have an ornament  of the sweatshirt for the sweatshirt receiver.