Thanksgiving Extended Weekend re-cap

My patients- Outpatient and O- (still need a name- hum?) arrived safely before the "blizzard that wasn't" on Tuesday- my  baby sis and her family arrived safely on Wednesday and we went to HP 7 part 1 (would gladly pay to see it again!!!).  My mom and dad arrived safely on Thursday morning, and my SIL, her kids and parents arrived safely on Thursday afternoon.

We had a yummy turkey dinner, and delayed pie eating (and ice cream eating).  We stayed up playing cards and the kids got along great.  It was a small group, but that is okay.

Friday- we DID NOT black Friday- well- except for a little online. I headed down to my in-laws to get my family off to their respective homes and to clean and straighten. The DR, Outpatient and O went up on the mountain with the snowmobiles to check out the snow level for our Annual Tree Hunt.  We had family pictures.  NOTE TO SELF:  DO NOT SCHEDULE OUTSIDE PICTURES IN WINTER MONTHS.

We were cold- very, very cold.  Thank you S- for taking them.  And might I say I am glad for photoshop- because between my freezing, Oldest not cooperating, and youngest, oh, and Sophie-  not to mention the DR sticking his head in when it was not wanted, we will have to piece together a picture. Although- this one isn't too bad.

Saturday, we left rather earlier than usual for our tree hunt- the snow was deeper than it has been in quite a few years- so the hiking was hard work- but we were successful.   Now I just need to get it in my house.  We hurried home to watch what we could of the BYU- Utah game- and then the DR, Oldest, and Middle went to do baptisms. We just visited the rest of the night, and Outpatient and O made Brazillian Cake- (heaven help my d-word). Sophie started acting really sick- and had us all quite concerned.

Sunday, we woke to find that the roads home looked rather yuck- so Outpatient and O went to church with us, then gathered up their stuff.  Miss Sophie had started acting better. We had Thanksgiving Dinner part II, and got them on their way.  They arrived safe and sound, while a friend we found out had slid badly in Provo Canyon- so grateful they were okay. We went to tithing settlement, and then choir practice.  Afterwards, we started decorating our gingerbread houses. 

It was a busy but fun and even relaxing weekend.  Love my patients and family.  Even when they don't act all that loveable.

2009 -Year in Review

In January:
Oldest turned 12, and continued growing at a fast pace. He was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, office of a deacon.
Outpatient had 9 months left of the mission.

In February:
Youngest turned 9. She was baptized, confirmed, and got a new girl cousin all within a few short hours.
Outpatient began shipping stuff home.
Rest of the Looney Bin attended the Draper Temple Open House.

In March:
Lots of blessings as two sweet cousins, girl and boy, joined the ranks. Few trials there as well, but overwhelming blessings accompanied them.
It was a real roller coaster of a month.
Lots of miles.
Finished hockey season.

In April:
More trials and blessings. More trips to Cougar Town.
Niece has baby girl.
6 months remaining, but who had time to count?
Few fun things for Youngest- first successful Flat Stanley project. Major part in the 2nd grade play.
Camping season officially started.
So did soccer.

In May:
More trips. Baby blessings and blessings for babies.
More soccer.
Year end performances for TaVaci and school, and practices for dance.
Little bit too eventful Bike Trip.
One nephew farewell, one called.

In June:
Final performance for dance. Missed Family reunion.
Sewing classes.
Travel Team Soccer. Lots of success.
Three months? How did that happen?

In July:
Surgeries.
Camping.
More Soccer.
Niece has baby girl.
Reflections on past, and evidence of lessons hoped for.
Household projects. Reminds me- need to get back to those.

In August:
Middle turned 11. Augh!
Still more soccer.
Inlaws mission call. Nephew mission call.
Toughest month of my life, I am pretty sure.
And speaking of month. !ONE!
and Back to school.

In September:
Nephew leaves.
My firstborn turned 21!!! Double Augh!
My firstborn came home.

In October:
Giant change of plans.
Arrival of iMac brings some sparkle back.
BYU Football in full swing.
Hockey beginning.
Several friends returning.

In November:
Another year for me, another year for him, and another year for us! (try not to get married in the same month as birthdays- kind of overkill)
New girl in the life.
Hockey, Hockey, Hockey.
Family. Good and Bad.

In December:
More miracles!
Traditions!
Nephew's wedding.
Lots of travel and family time.
Niece has baby boy.

emotional.

"Gingerbread" House Creations

***sorry- I didn't realize I didn't post this***

Stats: Parents-6; kids over 20 -2; kids 10 to 20 -6; kids under 10 -2;

Batches of Royal icing- 6 (1 1/2 too many)
Decorating tubes and tips 6
Pounds of candy- good question
Time- 1 1/2 hours total

someone likes themselves a little bit :)

Results: Fabulous- well, other than Outpatient who spent so much time looking for a picture of himself that he didn't do hardly any decorating.

Tradition

Friday after Thanksgiving nearly always means Tree Cutting.

For the past dozen or so years, the Lunch Lady, PB&J, myself, and the DR have gone up the mountain and hunted for the tree of our dreams- at least for the year at hand.
This year, all patients and carrot sticks were finally old enough and the weather was favorable enough for them to join us on the trip. They enjoyed tubing and sledding with the Outpatient and a friend while we took off like the mighty hunters we are. We had a time constraint this time, so we were trying to hurry. We have a pretty tree, albeit smaller than we are used to having :) the DR said he was a premature cutter. He had it cut before I even took the requisite photo. Good news is that we won't have to redecorate the furniture to fit the tree in. Kids weren't too impressed with it but that is okay.

This is not our tree- just Nephew and the DR helping someone else hauling their gargantuan tree.

We then hurried back to the patients and male carrot sticks (girlie carrot stick opted to spend the afternoon with a friend-go figure), and then secured the third tree needed, and made it back home with a couple of hours before we had to be at the temple with one of our nephews. he is preparing to leave in a month to serve the Lord in Brazil (you might remember I posted about that last summer). It was a wonderful experience and all the Larsen Brothers and their wives were in attendance, and made up the bulk of the session. What an awesome blessing it is to be a part of this family of stalwart men and women. It was only the send time I have had the opportunity to be in the temple with the Outpatient. There is nothing quite like looking across the room and seeing his handsome face. I pray he, the DR, and I will always keep ourselves worthy to be there, and someday be joined by the remaining patients. Incredible.

We also got to spend some down time just visiting with family and the DR's parents who had the chance to join us.

It was a great end to the day.

Traditioooooonnn! Tradition! (times six)

I debated not posting this tradition at all, or not posting the pic because the DR and I look a whole lot of scary. I hoped to take a different picture- which I still may- when we look a little less frightening, but it will be totally off the subject if I try to post it later, but if I get a new picture, I will change it. But then again most of you have seen us even worse :)

This tradition isn't very original- but it is the CHRISTMAS JAMMAS!,

The Outpatient's are wrapped, under the tree, so next year he can open two. It is summer for him, so he has no need for warm jammas.

A Little Christmas Time Miracle

Yes, Patients- there really is a Santa Claus. He really did shock the socks off of you when he came to our house while we were out driving around looking at the Christmas lights instead of coming while you were fast asleep, dreaming of cameras and Rockband, forget the sugarplums.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was seen- we don't have a mouse. There wasn't a moon, it was threatening snow, so the only lights were from the Christmas tree's glow.

When what to our wondering eyes did we see, but that you had visited early this Eve. Surprise of Surprise, our stockings were packed, full of good wishes and this and that.

As patients exclaimed and oohed and ahhed, I was grateful for you, dear Santa Claus. For sharing, this one time, my tradition held dear. Back to normal for them, will you come next year.

But for one fleeting moment a memory secure. None will forget it of that I am sure.

And so, my dear family and friends so bright, Miracles happen on Christmas Eve Night.

Merry Christmas and may you have your own miracles.

Traditioooooonnn! Tradition! (times five)

Oldest- Youngest- Middle

Christmas Eve is a night of many traditions for most people. Here at the looney bin, there are a few- okay- there is ONE measly little tradition that the DR let me keep from my youth. Fondue for dinner. Wouldn't it just figure that it would be the one that is Food related, and the most work for me.

Growing up, we held to the tradition of my great grandparents who came from Norway and Sweden. Santa Claus came on Christmas eve while we were out running errand and delivering final gifts. We would all come home and HE HAD COME!!!! He was pretty darn spry that jolly old elf. After a few minutes to investigate the gifts he had brought, we would pass out all the presents to everyone. We all had our "spots". Mine was on the end of the fireplace- hearth- what ever you call that thing. Anyway, Dad would say who started, and then we would go around, opening one at a time as it came to our turn. We would finish by around 1:00 am- then we would all go to bed. In the morning, we woke up whenever, and played with our new things. Mom and Dad always slept in. How I envy them now.

My first Christmas away from home as a newly wed, was one I will never forget. Staying up late, then having to wake up early, just to sit on the stairs with my new sisters-in-law and wait until Grandma M. was ready to wake up. DR's sis, T, was a major early riser, darn her. Anyway. I had called my family the night before where they were all in the thick of tradition and I was not. To make it worse, my sister, D, was home from Texas, and I didn't even get to see her. I was a very homesick new wife.

I wish I had stuck up for my traditions a whole lot harder. And kept his family's pizza for dinner. Okay- not really on that last part.

My rather attractive patients in their new Christmas finery.

Traditioooooonnn! Tradition! (times four)

Every year, the patients get a new ornament of their very own. Sometimes they are picked out by yours truly, and other times, I let go of my control freak tendencies and let them pick out their own. When I pick them, it is usually either from a trip, or some other thing that represents what is going on in their life. Which is why my daughters have hockey and ballet ornaments on their tree. I also have two patients that if I EVER see their name on just about anything- I buy it. So, they have a few extras as well.

The patients also have trees in their rooms for them to decorate BY THEMSELVES- thus they leave me alone to do My tree.

I haven't taken a picture of the Oldest's tree- but here for your viewing enjoyment, is the tree belonging to the Middle Patient and the Youngest Patient. If you can see the "tree skirt" on there- it is really a veil that came off of a princess crown. Youngest decided they needed a tree skirt. The fact that it was completely sheer didn't faze her in the least. Maybe we will have to make them one for next year.

When my patients leave for their own looney bins- they will not have a nearly nekid tree like the DR and I did. They also will have quite the collections of nutcrackers, and MY piano will be nearly nekid.

Traditioooooonnn! Tradition! (times three)

One of our very favorite traditions is collecting and reading Christmas or Seasonal books. We- I- try to find a new special book every year. At least one, but since I am not only a chocoholic but a bookaholic, we usually get more than one.

Sometimes our collection grows through other means. Sometimes friends or family give us books, and we have now collected a rather large bin full of books. As for the nightly reading, that has unfortunately gone to the wayside as our patients have become busier. We are lucky to get the have tos done- let alone the want tos. But the patients all love to get books out of the bin and read, even when it isn't a HAVE TO, but since they all have homework read ing every night, I seldom have to force the issue, because they love to dig through and find books to read.

This year- so far- we have added:

Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett- our most favorite children's author

Santa Claus- Gift from Grandma

and-

The Polar Express- which I bought because I couldn't believe I hadn't bought it yet.

Happy Saint Lucia Day

Youngest Patient 2008
Middle Patient 2007

Good Food Friday- St Lucia Edition

Yesterday's presentation to the 2nd Grade went really well. The Youngest got all dressed up and hid, then when we turned the lights out and she came out, she got the OOOHH reactions that made her little heart happy.

I forgot my camera.

I was a little preoccupied.

The kids loved the story, but most of the girls were way more interested in the American Girl doll we dressed up as Santa Lucia. The boys were mostly interested in how she was killed. Go Figure.

In Honor of Saint Lucia day- which is tomorrow- may we present the recipies for Pepparkakor and Lucia Buns.




"Pepparkakor"


Att man äter pepparkakor i Sverige är en gammal tradition. Kakorna är inte gjorda av peppar. Men för länge sedan tyckte man att peppar var en ädel krydda och eftersom pepparkakorna är bruna så började man kalla dom för pepparkakor. (Men den bruna färgen är från kanelen och ingefära.)
Här har ni receptet:
3dl vatten
½ dl sirap
2,5 msk kane
l2msk malda nejlikor
2msk ingefära
2msk bikarbonat
400 g margarin
750gr socker
1350 gr mjöl

Låt vatten, sirap, kryddor och bikarbonat koka upp. Blanda margarin och socker. Häll den uppkokta kryddblandningen över och låt smeten svalna. Nu så inarbetas nästan allt mjöl (resten andvänds vid utbakningen). Låt stå tills nästa dag. Kavla degen så tunn som möjligt, ta ut figurerna, grädda c:a 5 min. i 225 grader Celsius ugnstemperatur. Satsen ger omkring 150.

What- you didn't quite get that? Oh- okay, here it is again, in English- geesh.

"Pepper-cookies"

Eating "pepper-cookies" is an old Swedish tradition. Of course, the cookies are not made of pepper. But long ago people thought that pepper was a noble spice, and since the cookies were brown, they became known as "pepper-cookies". (The brown color comes from the cinnamon and ginger.)
Here is the recipe:

3 dl water
½ dl treacle/molasses
2,5 spoons ground cinnamon
2 spoons ground cloves
2 spoons ground ginger
2 spoons bicarbonate
400 g butter
750 g sugar
1350 g flour
Let the water, molasses, spices and bicarbonate boil. Stir in the margarine and sugar. Pour the boiled spice mix over and let it cool down. Now mix in almost all the flour (the rest will be used later). Let it sit until the next day. Roll the dough as thin as possible, cut out the figures, bake for 5 minutes at 225° Centigrade in the oven. This recipe yields about 150 gingerbread cookies.

I said English, not American. And that means metric.

Or: you can just go buy a tin full at IKEA. Like me.



Lucia Bread:

11 TB butter
6 C flour
2/3 C sugar
3 pkg dry yeast- OR 1 and 2/3 oz fresh yeast
2 C milk
1 gr saffron- OR 1/2 tsp cardamom and 15 drops of yellow food coloring
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C raisins
1 egg

If using saffron- grind with a little sugar in a mortar and pestle. or just use the cardamom. Melt butter, add milk and heat to 130degrees. Add salt and (saffron or cardamom with foodcoloring). Mix dry ingredients and gradually add the hot milk mixture. Knead the dough. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise 30 min. Knead again. Divind the dough into 30 parts. Roll into traditional shapes, add raisin decorations if so desired and place on a greased baking sheet. Let rise 30 min. Brush with beaten egg. Bake approx 5 min at 450 F.

If you like lots of raisins, add 1/2 cup to the dough.

CONFESSION TIME:

When we did Santa Lucia for Middle Patient's class, I just used the recipe for my braided bread and added yellow food coloring. I also left out all raisins- I was trying to not alienate half the class, and I didn't know how they would take the cardamom flavor- but I know everyone likes my bread. So, cheating is a perfectly good option for this one, too. And if you are "braid challenged"- not mentioning any names- you can have your fun rolling these little designs instead.

TaVaci Concert- Christmas 2008

Last night, the girls had their TaVaci concert. If you have an opportunity to have your children participate in this performing group, I highly recommend it. Of course, we are so lucky to have the very talented daughter of one of the founders as our group's instructor, but she is also the creative mind behind the songs and choreography- so it goes around. There are groups in lots of places, so look them up on the web and see if there is one by you. I know there are some in Idaho and California at least, as well as Utah. Anyway- back to the concert.

The performances are getting better and better, in part because the kids are becoming seasoned performers. There was a larger group than a year ago, so they were plenty loud, and with few exceptions, more professionally behaved. The littlest kids are always a treat because you just never know what they are going to do, and last night was no exception. The older groups sounded so good, you can really tell that most of them have been singing for at least a year now, and can follow parts as well as remember many lyrics and movements.

BUT- most importantly- they had so much fun! And we, the Audience, did too. I had a mother by me comment last night that this groups performances have become her whole family's favorite concerts. She was saving 4 of the first 5 rows (I had the other).

The confidence and self esteem that this group is helping to build in these kids is well worth the cost of time and energy.

There are no major stories of my own patients to relate, they both sang their hearts out and performed very well. The youngest did make sure quite often to watch her grandparents for their reactions to her songs. They did not disappoint.

Traditioooooonnn! Tradition! (times two)

Today I hope to complete another of our traditions- The Nutcrackers! The girls also have their Holiday TaVaci concert, I have to help in the youngest's class, prepare for my Saint Lucia demonstration tomorrow, clean that not self-cleaning house, and do the non-self fold and put away laundry. Not to mention work. So traditions of craziness and over scheduling do abound.

Edited-

I have now completed the Tradition for the day- TaDa! The Nutcrackers- don't worry, I will move them around the house in a minute- there are too many for the poor piano to handle anymore.

HOPE I GET ONE FROM BRAZIL?! Does anyone know if they have Brazilian Nutcrackers?

Traditioooooonnn! Tradition!

Blame the Fiddler on the Roof refrain going through your head on my S.I.L! It is all her fault, because she got it into my head recently and it hasn't left!

One of our favorite traditions is making candy houses. I won't call them gingerbread houses, because we cheat and use wood houses to decorate instead. I was talking to my mom tonight, and I mentioned that we had managed to get them done this year. Like any good Grandma, she wants to see pictures of the Patients' Creative Expressions.

Last year, between my sister, the Outpatient, and the real craziness that is our reality, this tradition didn't happen. It wasn't likely to happen this year either, but I figured, the only way it would, was if I made it happen. Things got off to a rocky start because I couldn't find any of my EIGHT wood houses. Where do you loose such things? After a frantic, and somewhat insane search, they were located. We had invited friends over, who also have the wood houses ( I did them for Enrichment several years ago which is why my whole ward has them) and the fun began. It was super fun for me, because after making the frosting, and helping them secure the roofs and houses, they were off and running pretty much on their own.

They had a great time, ate lots of leftover candy, made "masterpieces" and tonight as I was literally digging through the garbage can looking for my decorator bags that accidentally got thrown out, I thought- IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!

Can you tell this house was made by a MALE? Clickity to make it big if you need the details.



Middle Patient looking rather pretty for an end of the day, hard working candy artist.



Youngest Patient shows her love of Belle


Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset, swiftly flow the years....One season following another... Outpatient will be back next year. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself :) )

Family Gathering Follies

Family Togetherness! Oh, the joy those words bring; except when they don't. What family gathering would be complete without one or two really exceptional memory making experiences?

This Thanksgiving's first offering was quite a shocker! My sister's doorbell rang, and she went to answer it, and immediately said-You have got to come see this! I got up of the floor, and peering out the window to the side of her door, I beheld a stark nekid fairy. And not just any fairy, a boy fairy. To be specific, my youngest brother's three year old son! Wearing nothing but the sweetest smile and a pair of pink wings. I did take pictures, but since I don't want to go to jail, I can't really post them. Just know that he was more than happy to show me his wings.

We sent him back home, and let me tell you- you would be hard pressed to see anything funnier. This particular nephew runs on his tippy toes. So he ran home- on tippy toe, with his arms outstretched, wings flapping in the wind. My other brother- The Artist- was about to have a hernia from laughing! Seems he is the responsible party for sending the Fairy our way. Youngest Brother was not overly amused, however. Brought back memories of both of my brothers- The Artist's cross dressing days, and the Youngest's streaking days- guess this was a combo.

Said Nephew- this time properly dressed and ready to eat.

The next would probably be that this is the year with the least amount of contention in my most recent memories. Other than wanting to bop the DR on the head when he was getting cranky about dinner being late (when has it EVER been on time with his family) because the potatoes WOULD NOT COOK! And since when do 1/2 inch thick potato pieces require more than 2 hours to boil? But, they eventually were mostly cooked, so we mashed them and they were delish!

Oh, and this Thanksgiving, my Sophie was allowed to stay in my sister and BIL's house, a feat her husband called the "Thanksgiving Miracle"- because they don't let animals in their house. She was very well behaved to show her appreciation, and allowed Miss Ava lots of attention giving lee way.

And finally, the sharing of a stomach bug.

It Helps to Know

2007

Every year on either the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving, my BIL & SIL-PB&J and the Lunch lady- come and we go up to the mountains, hunting for big Game, Christmas Trees, that is. We have noted many a time in years past that our taste in trees is one of those things that should be discussed prior to marriage. We find it a little interesting that her husband's taste and mine are more similar, and my husband's taste and hers are alike. Weird, no?

This year was no exception, but unlike past years, we couldn't find A tree to choose, let alone more than one to try to agree upon as couples. Time to find a new place to get our trees. We finally did get our trees, but we were all shocked that it took so long to find something we would cut. Last year was bitter cold, but sunny with a ton of snow to tromp through. I found what was left of the stump from the tree we cut last year. This year was a contrast in weather. No snow to speak of, and the temp jumped around, but totally tolerable.

We really enjoy this tradition with them. Now that all of our children are old enough to be up there without too much hands on care, we will start taking them with us next year.

Won't that be fun? Did they fill out the Christmas Tree questionnaire in heaven before they joined our families, and whose taste will they prefer, mine or the DR's.

2008