Music, Q&A, and Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Are you here for the music, Wednesday Hodgepodge, Wordless or Wild Wednesdays hook up?  What ever brings you by today, I’m delighted you stopped in for a visit. 😉

Click the banner to visit, Mary at Jingle Jangle Jungle!

This week’s prompts are a spice, a type of tree or tree in general, and a unit of measurement.    I couldn’t think of any songs myself because frankly this is a tricky set but I love a good challenge.   This gave me an opportunity to look for some new songs to stimulate brain growth in the music department.  

I use a lot of sage in my holiday cooking.  When I spotted the song by Emerson, Lake, & Palmer titled The Sage (song lyrics) I was curious.  The original audio wasn’t fabulous.  Lucky for me, Greg Lake remastered the song in 2017. I enjoyed it even more than the original.   Trying to find a song about a type of tree in a song title was harder.  When I first spotted Mighty Oak Tree by Hank Williams, Jr.  I shied away from it because I wasn’t in a country mood.  However, no other song title grabbed me, so I reluctantly listened.  I am really happy that I did.  The first chorus of the song did it for me.

Like mighty oak trees
They line a shaded, well-worn path
They’re the souls that have walked beside me
And I can see that, lookin’ back
Friends that stood by me
Right up to the last
Like mighty oak trees
They’ve helped me walk this well worn path

*Mighty Oak Tree lyrics

I’m winding up my song set with American Idol 11th season winner, Phillip Phillips singing Miles (song lyrics).  From the first note in this song to the end I loved it. Phillip was my favorite AI contestant in 2012 making me an instant fan.  Not to mention, he’s a southern boy.  His talents as a singer/songwriter are undeniable.  I found it interesting to read on Wikipedia that he appeared in an episode of Hawaii Five-O in 2018 as a diamond smuggler. He made an appearance on Pure Genius as himself in 2016.

In my second part of today’s post I’m doing a mashup of  Wednesday Hodgepodge Q&A and Wild Wednesdays.

Click banner to visit, Joyce at From This Side of the pond

 

1. This week’s Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more. Did you grow up ‘celebrating’ Lent? Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? I might be wrong about this but isn’t Lent associated with Catholics? If so then this would explain why I did not grow up observing this tradition leading up to Easter.  It sounds like a beautiful gesture to put aside things of the flesh in honor of the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf.  We haven’t been to church in a long time but as a child of God I know my body makes up the church of Christ.  I serve Jesus where ever I am.  I’m not sure if churches in our area are open. 

2. When is the last time you sat beside a ‘real’ fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire?  The last time I sat by an open fire was prior to 2014.  When we visited DH’s late parents in southern WV in the warmer months, it wasn’t uncommon for us to build a campfire to roast wieners and marshmallows over.  This was great family fun and to this day when I smell a wood fire burning, I think about those sweet times. 

Our kiddos enjoying the warmth from a blazing fire.

3. Something that’s currently got you fired up?  I’d rather not say what has me fired up as this is out of my hands. I am trusting God to have mercy on this old world.  There’s is so much evil around us.

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage? Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday? Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski?  I certainly didn’t know it was National Cabbage Day but I do like cabbage.  I haven’t any plans to add cabbage to my menu today.  I prefer mayo in my coleslaw but I do add a small amount of vinegar to my coleslaw dressing.  I like cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, and sauerkraut recipes.  My late MIL made a delicious corn beef and cabbage soup.  I haven’t made it in years.  I really need to make a big ole pot of this soup.  It’ll be the perfect meal to these cold days.  

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00?  Honestly, we don’t use cash too much so I don’t get too many coins of any kind to hang onto but when I did, I kept the pennies in a jar until I had enough to cash in for paper bills. The last thing I bought for a $1.00 would be Palmer Cuddly Cuties chocolate for our granddaughter. Right now, I’m not sure the thing I spent $5 on. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Last Thursday I made Ree Drummond’s Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies recipe that I slightly modified.   Ever since I saw the episode of Christmas Cookie Challenge of one of the bakers using red velvet emulsion I wanted to make some.   Using Ree’s idea as a base, I used in addition to the vanilla extra one tablespoon of red velvet emulsion and because the emulsion is red, I left out the food coloring.  I also omitted the white chocolate pieces and I only used the confectioners’ sugar to roll cookie dough in before baking.  

We, mostly me, were surprised that the cookies were actually too sweet.  Usually, DH is like it needs more sugar but not this time.  The cookies dough spread more than I expected and it’s probably due to the butter or buttermilk, perhaps both.  I re-wrote the recipe noting future changes to try.  The cookie recipe didn’t make me go WOW so I’m in no hurry to make another batch but I’m glad that I got a chance to try my hand at it. 

I asked Cookie Monster to guard the plate of cookies from DH but it looks like he was trying to sneak one off.  What was I think of putting a Cookie Monster in charge? *smack forehead* 

Join my #WildWednesdays linky party where just about anything goes! The concept for this mid-week blog hop was conceived as I found myself moving farther away from photography and more toward art. Of course, that’s not what this party is about. You’re invited to share anything – artwork, DIY projects, photos, music, musings, randomness, recipes, and more! 

I’m linking with these Wordless Wednesday Communities… Sandee, Natasha,  Marie, & Wordless Wednesday!

Thanks for including me in your day.  Perhaps the wind will carry me back tomorrow with a new sketch to share for Rain’s weekly art date.  Have a wonderful day! X💋X💋, Cathy




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34 comments

  1. I am a bit late in the week getting to the Hodgepodgers posts. I agree that there are too many things out there to get fired up about, and right now is just not the time in my life to do that. I have spent enough time doing that in the recent past, so need to take a break. Besides, my God doesn’t need my ire to take care of all that is going on. Thank you for paying my blog a visit on Wednesday.

  4. Your cookies look delicious, Cathy, and I love cabbage soup! We save change but haven’t been anywhere to add to our stash. When we accumulate enough change, we roll it and take to the bank. Have a great day! 🌺

  6. Hey there Cathy! Sorry for the delay in getting to your post. I literally spent all day at the doctor’s office (not to worry – all’s ‘mostly’ good, just followup care from last year’s nightmare). You’ve managed to come up with three tunes that I was not familiar with. Excellent job!

    1. Mary,

      No worries, my friend! My blog door is up 24/7 so show up when it’s convenient for you. Hooray on the good visit! Let’s hope that monster doesn’t rear its head ever again! I’m glad I introduced you to three new songs. Yay me! 🙂

  7. Great choices and love the first one, sage. Yesterday was Pancake Tuesday where we used to eat as many pancakes as we could because the next day was lent. We were supposed to eat simply unTil Easter but we still ate well. I would get the ash on my forehead which would trickle onto my nose which I hated. I consider myself spiritual and only get to church of there is a funeral or a wedding….yeah, I might burn up if I go into a church..just kiddin. Actually my hubby and I sat in front of a fire in January when it was a bit warmer that day..it was truly fun. The cookies look good.

    1. Birgit,

      I think one can serve God anywhere. Some need to be apart of a congregational gathering to spiritual growth and continue reassurance. Mmm, Pancake Tuesday that sounds something I can totally support 100%. I haven’t made pancakes in forever. I really need to make some stat!

    1. Ellen,

      This is my second Cookie Monster. The first one DH got me while we were dating. Somewhere within our first 5 years of marriage I decided to get rid of it. Later I regretted that decision so DH bought me another. 🙂

    1. Brian,

      Cookies are a perfect for those sweet tooth moments. I’m content with one most of the time but DH fights to stop. That’s a huge accomplishment because years ago, he could polish off about a dozen cookies before declaring he was done. The real killer is, he isn’t super heavy. He has a wonderful metabolism!

  11. I made chocolate crinkle cookies this past Christmas and hubs ate the first batch in record time. I had to make a second batch! I hadn’t made them in years and had forgotten how good they are. Have a great Wednesday!

  12. Good song picks!

    Since I’ve lived here I’ve met a lot of non-Catholic Christians who observe Lent. I thought it was a Catholic thing, too, but apparently not…

    1. John,

      It seems from what I’m reading there are a number of bloggers do the same. I think it’s a beautiful way to observe the days leading up to Easter. Jesus gave His all for us and I understand why people want to honor Christ this way. The Bible teaches us to deny the flesh but honestly there’s not too many of us who do that on an on-going basis. We eat too much, smoke, drink, … We’re certainly unworthy compared to Jesus but He loves us and God only see Christ’s blood that cleanses me. PTL!

  13. Great Hodgepodge! I wonder how much longer pennies will actually be around. When we went to Canada in 2013, they were no longer using them.

    1. Pamela,

      Gravatar profile doesn’t have your blog linked to it. Luckily, I found you linked up at Joyce’s and then it was just a matter of double checking to make sure I had the right Pamela. The only thing I had to go by is your email address which is the same as what’s listed on your Blogger profile. 🙂

      1. I’ll have to investigate linking my blog to my Gravatar profile. I’m pretty computer-illiterate but I’ll see where a Google search leads me. Thanks for the heads up!

  14. I haven’t been using change or any currency for much these days. Most of my purchases go on a credit card because it’s convenient. I do tend to save change. I’ve got change scattered all over my house. Maybe I should gather it all up and see what I got. Probably not all that much.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

  15. There is indeed so much evil around us. It’s so in Vogue too. Sickening.

    I love cabbage. We have it several times a month.

    Hubby saves changes so he can do exact change. There are places here that won’t take credit or debit cards. Like my nail place. They have been shut down so often they just do cash now.

    Have a fabulous day, Cathy. Love and lots of hugs. ♥

    1. Sandee,

      I couldn’t agree more. As one blogger said, “I don’t have my head in the sand…” but I prefer to think about positive things. I won’t allow this evil to steal my happiness! We’ve run across a few places over the years that take cash only but it’s so convenient to pay everything up front with plastic then pay off that bill at one time and that can be done online. Some day these cash only places will be forced to deal with plastic only if they want to stay in business. I think it’s not question if it happens but when it happens and that’s kinda sad.

  17. Those cookies look really good. I’d probably be like Cookie Monster and try to steal one too. lol

  18. Great music. I use to watch AI with my sister by phone. Yes we would talk to each other while watching AI. When she passed away I sopped watching it. Just not the same for me. I grew up in a Catholic home and went to parochial school. Not fun at all. The Nuns that taught were mean and hurtful and didn’t mind hitting us. I was so glad when we moved and we went to public schools. Needles to say I don’t celebrate anything to do with religion. It’s been awhile for sitting in front of a fire. I do like cabbage, I do save pennies, I shop the $ store weekly. No random thoughts it’s too early in the AM LOL Have a great day today.

    1. Nicole,

      I’m sorry to read that you lost your sister but what a wonderful memory for you. Watching AI might not be the same but have you thought it might help you to feel close to her? I love it when something sparkles a memory of my brother and often I look purposely for things. I’ve read of others who spoke poorly of Catholic nuns in parochial schools. I don’t understand why those dedicated to serving Jesus treat children badly. I know not all nuns are like that but it only takes a few to give the whole lot a bad name and to really turn kids off to wanting to know Christ personally. I’m so sorry that you had such a horrible experience. It shouldn’t be that way. Jesus loves children. 🙂 I like going to Dollar Store, too. Sometimes, I find some neat things and it’s so inexpensive.

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