Wednesday Hodgepodge - December 13, 2017

I've taken a break from doing the Wednesday Hodgepodge due to a rather homeschool-intensive Fall. Am happy to be back this week to read what others have written and answer some questions.

1. 'Hurry less, worry less'...what's your strategy for making that happen this holiday season? How's it going so far?

I've intentionally been trying to scale back this year and be fully present in each activity. Although we have done something holiday related almost every day so far this month, it's not an excessive amount of activities like we have done in the past.

As for worrying less...that, unfortunately, is not something I've done well with this year. It's been a challenging year and medical bills have certainly affected what we are able to do and purchase. I haven't even begun Christmas shopping yet and am not sure when that's going to be possible. It looks like it's a certificates-for-something-in-the-future and homemade-gifts-with-what-I-have-on-hand type of year.

2. Do you have a list of to-dos that need accomplishing in order to prepare your home and/or property for the winter season? What are some of the jobs on your list? Are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone to accomplish these tasks?

Much of what needed to be done to prepare our home and farm for the winter season is done back in the Fall - before the snow falls. That being said, there are still some jobs that need to be done now that it looks like the cold weather is here to stay.

The most important things are to cover the rose beds and flower bulb beds with straw. With 50 degree weather up until about a week ago, it wouldn't have been good to cover the beds with straw. Now that it is down in the 20s, it is good to do that.

One of the lilies we grew this summer.

We also didn't cover the beehive yet. Again, the sporadically warm weather would have made the covering we put on the hive too hot for the bees.

We also have to get the snowblower out of the barn and closer to the house; and cover it with a tarp so that it is ready to be used for the season.

I also would like to clean out the barn completely before it gets too cold and get all new wood chips down for the horses. Will need to order a shipment of chips while I'm at it.

These are all jobs that we do on our own. We don't hire people to do things that we are capable of doing. We hire people for doing things that are out of our skill set and/or requires specialized knowledge - like electricians and plumbers.

3. According to dietitians surveyed, the most popular health foods for 2018 will be: turmeric, sprouted foods (bean sprouts, breads with sprouted grains, etc), veggies in place of grains, dairy free milk, and pulses (lentils, chickpeas, etc).  What's the first thought that ran through your head when you read this list? Of the foods listed which one might you add to your regular diet? Also, can milk really be dairy free? Is it still milk?

Some of the items are consistent with the Whole30 program and others are not. I did the Whole30 back in October and will be doing another round in January. On it, there's no sugar, grains, corn, beans, soy, or dairy. Basically, most processed food is out and all homemade food is the norm.

A typical meal on the Whole30 program.

I felt great while I was on the Whole30 - more energy, no digestive issues, and lost 8 pounds. Re-introduced foods in November and December that were not part of the Whole30 and noticed that the same challenges I was having before have come back. So, there's definitely food that I can't eat if I want to feel healthy.

Fresh fruit also is good on the Whole30.

This was a combination of strawberries, peaches, and lychee fruit.

So, out of the 2018 health foods, turmeric, bean sprouts, vegetables (with the exception of corn and beans), and dairy-free milk (that has no sugar added and isn't soy or rice) would be fine. I probably wouldn't drink the dairy-free milk as a beverage, but would use it in recipes as needed for liquid.

4. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet. According to the Pantone site 'Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking pointing us to the future.' What say you? Do you like the color purple? Did you see the movie or read the book-ha!?  Is purple a color you wear often?  If you were in charge of such things what color would you select for 2018?

When I was 8 years old, my family moved to a new home. Each of us kids could choose our own bedroom color. The color I picked: violet. As a teen, I stenciled purple flowers around the top of the walls near the ceiling. There was even purple carpet. 

My bedroom was changed into a sewing room after I went to college. 

The carpet was replaced at some point too.

However, the walls and stenciling - and

even the purple blinds remained.

I still like the color purple, though I would use it more as an accent color than an entire room's color at this point in my life. We have African violets which bloom purple.

I did see the movie The Color Purple when I was in college. It was very moving.

In terms of clothing, I had a purple sweater. However, I donated when I was streamlining my closet using the Konmari method.

If I were in charge of the color selection for 2018, I would pick a color that was unusual. It would be visually pleasing and have a memorable name. "Ultra Violet" seems like such a mundane name for something that's supposed to communicate "originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking."

5. Favorite book read this year?

I've read books this year, but there isn't one that stands out as a favorite one. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Olivia put together this 2,000-piece puzzle last month. It shows the wildlife that is typically seen in each state. There are pictures on the map that show the animals; and charts around the perimeter of the U.S. that name particular animals and what region(s) you can see them.

She glued it together and it is being framed so that the puzzle can be kept in good condition. She likes having a map on the wall plus loves wildlife - so this is the perfect thing for her bedroom.