Winterberries

Fire and Ice.

The color on these isn't showing up true...too blue.  Dot had been wanting some wrist-warmers, and I had wanted to try out Lucy's Attic24 pattern for them, for a long time.  This boucle' type yarn isn't really crochet hook friendly, though, so I ended up knitting them instead, with just crochet for the thumb and finger edging, and crocheted vines and berry trim. I tried to slim the pattern down a bit, to fit her small boned arms better, but were still a bit large on her.

Christmas Day 2011

Christmas Eve II

Sarah made these cute little reindeer cupcakes

Addie:  Words with Friends 

A rowdy game of how many marshmallows can you get into the wreath/bucket in a minute.

Lots of cheerleading!

Dear little reindeer: Violet

Ethan the Viking.  (I told you I'm not a great crocheter!)

Stacking the cups with one hand in a minute.

[Pix from Sarah.....Thank you Sarah!]

Christmas Eve 2011

The girls brought Christmas Goodies, and 7-up for the punch.  I fixed a crock-pot of Chicken Taco Chili, (which met with raves), Southwestern egg rolls (not so much), Mexican Pulled Pork Carnitas, Cilantro-Lime Chicken Tacos, sauteed bellpeppers and onions, avocados, salsa, pico de galla, sour cream and cheese. There was also layered bean dip and tortilla chips.  I really liked the chicken taco recipe.
One of the gifts I made was containers of Sriracha Salt for the guys. Chris and Joel both really like hot sauce and salt.  (The girls have some guys who are really good cooks!)  Bob has a real knack for grilling chicken, Chris makes awesome grilled veggies, and Joel makes great Chinese barbeque pork and fried rice.

More Hands

I was running late on gift making. 
Me: Honey, how would you like to do me a HUGE favor?
Him: Uh, OK......?
Me: Make a felt leaf garland for Liliana's pack-n-play?
Him: Uh, OK.....?
And so he did.  My right hand man.
Thank you Honey.

Many Hands

What a blessing to have helpers.  Not feeling well?  Set up the tree and slug down the ornament boxes.....Provide cocoa and cookies....sit back and watch.....Tree decorated; check.
Gingerbread house to be decorated......little Farmgirl is game....*note* if we want big Sister's help, we should decorate with candies....not banana chips, pretzels, and dried cranberries.
Banana bread, candy and cookies for neighbors.....One smashes bananas, one prepares pans with butter and cinnamon sugar.  One makes choco-nut Clusters, and one presses Spritz dough in the cookie press, and decorates them after they're baked.  Games planned and organized for the Family gathering; check...Big Sister's got it.  Yes, many hands do make work light.

Merry Christmas from our house to Yours, and may God bless you richly in the coming year.

Joy to the world ,
The Lord is come,
Let earth receive her King. 
Let every heart,
Prepare him room...

St. Lucia's Morning

Celebrations

At school, the girls had both learned some history and songs about Hannukah.  Tori was particularly interested, and thought it was cool that it was in conjunction with her birthday. When Jim and I were Christmas shopping last weekend, I bought this cute little book by Naomi Howland:  Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat (a Chanukah Story).  It has a latkes recipe in the back of it.  Today while I was working in the kitchen, Tori read it to us.  Tori's birthday supper was a traditional Hannukah meal.  The little farmgirl and I made latkes, accompanied by homemade applesauceand/or sourcream.  We had roasted chicken and roasted veggies/spinach salad, and green beans.  Turns out the Birthday Girl isn't particularly crazy about latkes.  (The Little Farmgirl on the other hand had to be stopped from making herself sick on them....and Papa and Joel weren't too far behind!)

Anna found this cute card, which was so perfect, since Tori has been going to Bull Dog Showing classes, with Joel's Mom.  (And is the only little girl I've ever heard; call a Bull dog, "handsome".)

 Instead of Hannukah doughnuts for dessert, Anna got an ice-cream birthday cake, after work.

They were going to go to a movie matinee today, but there was a misunderstanding about the days/times, so they went to a couple of stores downtown instead.  Tori came in the house, so excited....telling me how the man at the music store had helped her play the violin/fiddle, and how cool it was.

At the end of the day, it was pronounced to be; "the best birthday ever!"

Camo Birdie

I'm part ostrich.  If I can't see you, then you can't see me.  And.....If I'm reeeeeeaaally quiet; maybe no one will know I'm here and make me leave.

Panda Express

When we were at the Hot Air Balloon Launching and at Oktoberfest, Josie had seen Panda hats that she wanted,  so I made her one for her birthday.  I'm more of a knitter than a crocheter, really, but here it is.  A Ravelry pattern. As I was working on it, I was reminded of so many years ago when I was pregnant with Sarah, and preparing her nursery.  I sewed a stuffed panda from a kit, and made a couple of little panda wall plaques.  Seemed so funny....now doing something "Panda" for her daughter.

Thin People Ginger Thins

On the way home from the Dr. on Friday,  half checked out in the grocery line,.....oops.... I had forgotten the "Anna" ginger thins.  Dot and I had been talking about them on the phone.  We both like them because they're flavorful and satisfying, and you don't need a lot of them with a cup of tea.  Last night, I decided to make some,  I used this Swedish Cookie recipe: Pepparkakor 1 from all recipes,  They weren't quite as flavorful as Anna's, but close.
Jim and I both have been hit pretty hard with a virus and secondary infections the past few weeks.  Look out  book of world records for consecutive days of pajamas or sweats! We're still not "well", but at least have turned a corner.  We've consumed  lots of soup, tea, orange juice, and clementines, and have both lost some weight, though maybe not a recommended  weight loss program.

Let Them Eat Soup...

We had a yummy Thanksgiving at Kate's on Thursday, and then came home.  Friday, I had a wedding rehearsal to go to.  Jim and I were not feeling real great.  Saturday, it was evident that we were sick.  I dosed up on a 12 hr. cold med, and went to the wedding to start taking pre-wedding, ceremony, and reception photos.  I felt forgetful, and clumsy.  About 4 1/2 hours into the "twelve hour" med.....I was fading fast. As soon as I got home I made a pot of homemade chicken rotini soup, which we ate for the next two days.  Our schedule became: chicken soup....sleep.....cough....chicken soup...sleep...cough cough...  It seemed the perfect time to knit and watch British movies, but didn't have enough ummph even for that.  Monday, I made a pot of Thai Tom Yum, with a pkt. of chili paste mix. The heat in it is usually pretty good for congestion.  We watched Hallmark Christmas movies, and zoned.  Tonight have yet another pot of chicken soup on the stove. We're going to watch Lucy in "The Long, Long, Trailer." I'm  hoping the high energy in it isn't mania overload, for our weary systems.

Thanksgiving

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich"

Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks.

Sick, but sitting at the children's table an hour early, awaiting everyone's arrival,
in typical child-like anticipation.
I remember that feeling.... do you?

Kate had everything fixed very pretty and festive.

When everyone else had finished dinner, Ethan showed off his natural talent for feeding himself with his first taste of rice cereal/sweet potatoes...

Don't think he'll have any problems adjusting to solids!