Smash and Grab!

Have you heard of the new trend in Christmas gift getting?

All you need is a crow bar, a little knowledge, and quick fingers.  Before anyone knows what's happening, you can have yourself a stereo, sub woofer or anything else that would merit money from the local pawn shop! 

Leave the scene as quickly as you can.  You don't want to see the owner of the vehicle take the time to clean out the broken glass, call the police, (knowing it will do no good) then begin his cold, dark, hour long commute back home, with no window...or music!  

From now on, we're leaving the doors unlocked! Instead of "smash and grab", it will be just grab!  It's less messy and less expensive! 

Better Luck Next Time!

Today, I'm joining The Corbanator in the sad/mad face department. 

When I checked my registration status of the tickets to this: 

These are the words I read:

We are sorry, but you were not selected to receive tickets for the 2010 Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Please try again next time. Thank you!

Oh well.  I'm sure Christmas will still come even if I don't attend.  

Shopping at Ross

My son, Dan, has many talents.  One of which is knowing how to find awesome buys at Ross!  I have been the grateful recipient of his gifts, most of them footwear.  Here is a Christmas gift from 2 years ago. These chic, Italian, plastic, pink, boots are the greatest!  I put them right on when I got them and did a dance!  That's how awesome they are!  That was the last time I wore them because I didn't have anything to wear them with...until now!

This year Dan out-did himself!  Imagine my surprise when I opened up the brightly wrapped Christmas box to discover this coat!  This is Clara. I don't usually name my articles of clothing, but a pink and gray wool, plaid coat with pleats in the back, a belt that ties 2 inches above my natural waist line and a fur collar deserves a name!  She is a magical coat.  Just the other night, while wearing Clara, I went to pick up a pizza and when I questioned the price of the pizza, the guy knocked off $7.00!

People open doors for me,  checkstands at Wal-mart open up when I'm ready to check out, I drove to my daughter's house in half the time that it usually takes and without a police escort!

Did I mention that it also keeps me warm?  What a coat!  What a gift!  Thanks, Dan!

Now, if I could just find those pink boots!

Glimpses

It's been a fun, family filled, Christmas.  Here are some pictures of the activities.

Christmas eve at Candice and Andy's house. 

Santa, bless his heart, took time out of his BUSY schedule to stop by and say "Hi" to the fam.

Jeanette got a gift.

Kelsey wasn't sure about Santa.

Troy just wanted to get hold of Santa's beard.  Luckily Dan was able to hold him back!

Corban gave his list of wishes to Santa. (A little too late, buddy)

The beginning of the Nativity. 

David has been the donkey since he was 12 years old!  According to Emily, who played Mary, the reason why Uncle Dave is the donkey is because he won't break!  Others had their own philosophy but we'll stick with Em's.

Mary. wrapping the Baby Jesus in his swaddling clothes as Joseph looks...around.

After the reading of Luke, acting out the Nativity and singing Christmas hymns at the appropriate places, we convened in the kitchen for ginger bread house decorating.

Nicole's team consisting of Kelsey and Keiti.  Their house had the fewest decorations but those girls sure had a good time eating the candy.

Jeanette, Em and Rachael putting the final touches on the only house that stayed together!

Christmas eve in new pajamas.  Perhaps this will be our next year's Christmas picture! (perhaps not!)

Christmas morning. Jacob playing the drums.

C8 admiring her Cabbage Patch Doll.

Jeanette loving her gift...

...but not as much as Jordan loving Jill's Snuggie!

Christmas dinner with my parents, brother, sister and their families.

Ending the day with a little Wizard of Oz

and a cuddle with Troy!

I am so blessed!  I hope everyone had a fabulous day!

Lion House Cookbook

Ann Marie from Old Fashioned Girl, sent me a wonderful package! She had a giveaway and I won! Hooray! She sent this beautiful angel for my tree. That was a total surprise!

I thought the giveaway was only this cookbook. Ann is so thoughtful. This Lion House Christmas Recipes was published in 1989! I looked through it and realized that most of the recipes require a trip to the store to make it just right. There are meat recipes, soups, appetizers, drinks and desserts. I tried a dessert.

Spencer W. Kimball's Raspberry Cheese Cake:

This is more like lemon cheese cake with raspberries. It's really good.

1 3 pz. pkg lemon jello

1 cup boiling water

1 cup evaporated milk - chilled and whipped

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 cup butter

28 graham crackers, crushed

1 cup whipping cream, whipped and sweetened

1 to 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

Dissolve gelatin in hot water; cool and blend in whipped evaporated milk

The milk will increase in volume but not whip up like whipping cream. Anyway, mine didn't.

Beat cream cheese with sugar. Gently combine gelatin mixture and cream cheese and fold in lemon juice. (I didn't gently do that, I just added the gelatin to the cream cheese and beat it in my Kitchen Aid mixer.)

Melt butter and combine with cracker crumbs. It took 3 packs of graham crackers to get the 28 (actually it was 27 if you want to get really detailed) Place half of crumbs on bottom of 9x13 pan. Pour gelatin/cream cheese mixture on top and sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Chill at least 3 hours.(Mine was very runny but it set up beautifully over night) Serve with whipped cream and fesh or frozen raspberries. Makes 12 - 15 servings.

This was really good. I took it to my family Christmas party and it was a hit! This would also be good as a summer dessert! (Just don't serve it on the snowman plate)

Now, I'm just wondering. Do you have a secret family recipe that you will never give out to others or do you feel flattered when someone asks for the recipe and you allow it to be shared?

Have a Happy Week Before Christmas!

Jingle Bells - rock?

You can't sing Jingle Bells while sitting down...just ask Keiti! This wasn't her only rendition.
She slept well that night!

Nativities

I have several nativities that I display at Christmas time.  This one was given to us anonymously by a friend during a time we were struggling financially.  It's a beautiful "Willow Tree" rendition with carvings of Mary, shepherds and animals.

This beautiful ceramic nativity is very special to me.  My Grandma Hansen had this in her curio cabinet all year round.  I always admired it and I was fortunate enough to inherit it.

This darling wooden nativity was a gift from my dear friend, Noreta, who passed away 11 years ago.  Many of my Christmas decorations were lovingly made by her.  I have many emotions when I open my Christmas boxes and rediscover the treasures of the season!

This sweet Precious Moments nativity was given to me by my daughter, Candice.

This is my Christmas stocking.  My daughter, Jeanette, made all our stockings several years ago.  I was happy that mine had the Holy Family.

I "made" this nativity.  My friend, Rhonda, from Nampa, Idaho sat down with me and helped with this craft.  Any of you who know me, know I'm all thumbs and very uncreative.  But this was a fun project, especially with Rhonda.  I like the crazed look in the donkey's eyes!  I guess that's how you get when you've traveled such a long distance carrying a heavy load.

This nativity is lots of fun for the grandkids.  They make the pieces talk, move, ride, eat, hold the baby Jesus; and I don't worry about them breaking any of it.  It's important for them to know the story of the first Christmas and to share it through play and imagination.

All of these nativities are special to me, not only because of the memories evoked by them, but because of the reminder of our Heavenly Father's love for us by giving us His Son.

If you want to make a nativity set that is really kid friendly, check out Camille's blog or Tauna's blog!

Christmas Lights Events

Here in Utah there are many places where you can see Christmas lights. 

The most famous is Temple Square in Salt Lake City. 

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Farther South is the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork

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Salem Pond is a sight to behold!

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Thanksgiving Point has some beautiful lights you can see from your car as you drive through the Christmas wonderland!

But everyone agrees

that the very best

event 

is the yearly

lighting of

the walnut tree!

I bet you thought that tree was only good for walnuts!