Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!

I hope that this finds you all looking forward to another new year. Other than a broken bone (AD's collarbone) and the loss of a few family members, we had a great year. We took some great trips, went boating, and made a lot of memories. So here's to another great year for all! Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas to all!

Hope this all finds you with your holiday shopping done, presents wrapped, and your house ready for your Christmas guests. (I have the first & the second accomplished, but the third is a little shaky.) We are spending Christmas at home. My folks are driving up to be here tonight until Sunday (or Saturday if the weather gets worse). It has been snowing like crazy for the last three days (the first two storms missed us but got everyone around us). We probably have 5-6 inches of snow in some places and it's still snowing! The kids have went sledding several times and are just loving it. Me, being a Minnesotan at heart, love the snow at Christmas, just hate driving in it. (Needless to say I finished all my shopping last Sat before any of this came.) We will be going two houses down the day after Christmas to celebrate with T's side of the family. The kids are so excited because there are finally presents under the tree. If you are out and about this holiday week, please drive careful and know that you are all in our thoughts & prayers!
From our family to yours: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Another Monday post

I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted. It's been a pretty busy one at that. Although we only have 4 more days of school and it's Christmas break! Yeah!! This week was pretty crazy. I worked 3 days this week and had Christmas parties on each of those days! What timing I have!

Thursday night was our town's Winterfest. The kids rode on a float during the lighted parade. It was soooo cold that we wanted to huddle next to the big ol' bonfire they had going. It was so neat and sure put us in the mood for Christmas.

It was a fun week but I sure was looking forward to Saturday and staying home doing . . . . hmm . . . I can't remember what I did. However, it was nice to do nothing, whatever it was.
Sunday was the kids Christmas Service at church. They did a really great job! We also had installation of our pastor so we were pretty much up at church all day. Gave T & AT a haircut. Mom usually has given AT one, but I thought I would give it a try. I guess I should have used a bigger clipper size.



He has a little boy haircut now. However, the good news you only have to wait two weeks for a bad haircut to be good, right? (At least that's what I'm telling myself.) After I got down with the haircuts, we put up the Christmas Tree and decorated it. (The kids had been bugging for quite a while to put up decorations.)

Oh! That's what I did Saturday! I had to move furniture and clean up things so that we could decorate. I had to laugh. My husband says "Let's decorate" and I say "Okay, but we have to move some of the furniture upstairs to the downstairs to fit the tree and stuff in. However, to move it downstairs, some of the toys down there need to go in the kids' rooms so we need to clean up the kids' rooms." He just looked at me and said "I just want to decorate not rearrange the whole house." I had to laugh, but needless to say we did move all that stuff and clean the kids' rooms. (Which they were in dire need of.) In fact, we tore down AT's crib (boo hoo) and put it away. No more crib needed in this family. (Believe me, that's a good thing!)

We've had such cold weather and a little snow. When I went to town today, couldn't believe how much snow they got just 40 miles south of us. At least 3 inches and not cleaned up very well. AJ and I were slipping and sliding all over the place. Was glad to come home where the wind was blowing, but the roads were clear. Don't get me wrong; I grew up in MN and love the snow. It just doesn't seem like winter without some snow, but I despise driving it. I think more snow is coming (I know the cold is here to stay for awhile) which would be nice.

Still have a busy week ahead but I think it will be fine once Friday hits (TGIF and all). We did pick up the Santa pix that they took. They turned out a LOT better than my camera had taken so I swapped the dark Santa pix for the lighter, brighter ones. So you may want to check out my last past (Santa) to see the updated pix. They look much nicer.
Well, time to go relax. Need to save my strength for making sugar cookies, peanut clusters, Christmas presents for teachers, and a Christmas concert this week. CWTIF! (Can't Wait 'Til It's Friday!) Enjoy your day!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Santa

AT & Santa
AD & Santa
Last week we took the kids to Santa & Mrs. Claus. They were brave enough to even sit by themselves with Santa. (I think AJ felt she was too old to sit by herself.)

Well, as you can see I finished the ragged squares quilt (although I can't say they are ragged enough). I decided to use reds, greens, & gold to make it Christmas colors. However, I did not use Christmas fabrics so that it could be left out all year long. It measures 40"X40."

It would look perfect in my living room, but it's for a gift exchange that us ladies are doing. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll win it back!

Because of the three pieces of fabric being stacked on top of one another, it's not exactly light. So I cheated a little bit and didn't add any batting. It still is a decent weight and if someone wanted to use it as a table decoration or something, it would be okay. So because I didn't put any batting in it, I have to wonder: is it a quilt or just a blanket?

Special thanks to Crazy Mom Quilts (http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/) for her tutorial on how to make this quilt. I loved her pattern and it was so easy to do. Check out her blog for the Ragged Squares Quilt.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Lefse's Done!

Yeah, we survived the Lefse Making Day. A friend and I worked all afternoon on lefse making yesterday up at our church. We barely got finished before it was time for the soup supper. Needless to say, by the time I got home, I was tired!! My shoulders are sore from rolling and bending over the counter. (Being tall has it's disadvantages in cases like this.) However, all & all it was a success.

We both had very different ways to make it (ingredients). I learned that last year when I was doing some homework on lefse. Not everyone uses the same ingredients and not everyone agrees on the thickness it should be. My family (husband & kids) didn't know that in my family (gparents, parents, etc) we are used to thin lefse. So when I made my first batch last year and they were thick, they thought they were tortillas and so it tasted just fine to them. (I didn't care for them that's for sure.) Well, this year I thought I had done a lot better rolling them out, although they were sticking to my cloth more, but no. They are thick & doughy just like last year. I may have to invest in some more lefse tools. Although all the tools in the world won't help if it's user malfunction!!

The fog that has been blanketing this area for the last week has finally lifted in the last few days. It's nice to see the sun again. Can't say it's much warmer, but at least it's not dark & dreary. Probably will take the kids to see Santa tonight. I hear he happens to make a pass through our little town on Thurs in December.

Well, better go get something done! Enjoy your day!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Post-Turkey Weekend

Sure hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I know we had tons of food and good times. (I may be in sweats for the rest of the week!) Still working on a few pies that didn't seem to get eaten immediately (bummer for us!).

Back to school today for everyone. Just AT and me hanging out. Looked at the CyberMonday deals, but not finding anything that really reached out and grabbed me. Probably should tackle some chores and get back in the groove of things. Holidays really can make a person lazy!

Lefse making day is Wednesday! Should be interesting. However, I watched my aunt do it while I was back in MN, so I'm hoping I can turn out a better batch this year. (It helps to watch someone do it especially when you only make it once a year.) Keep your fingers crossed!

Well, better get to work! Enjoy your day!