The Final Project from Santa's Workshop

This is the final project to come out of Santa's Workshop this year. We have been behind schedule for the past week because I have been spending most of my time working on dresses for the wedding, but felt that things were all under control, until I ended up in the hospital in the wee hours on the morning of Christmas Eve. I was grateful to be released later that day so that I could spend the holidays and upcoming wedding with my family. A special thanks to all of my married children who rushed over to my aid. They wrapped all of the gifts, made our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, helped clean for Christmas Day, and finish up the last of the Christmas gifts. They even helped Santa deliver and set up the gifts under the tree.

Here is the final project to come from Santa's workshop this year, a theatre for Brigitta. We transformed one that we had made for our older children years ago and gave it a complete face lift. This is what we came up with:

We are looking forward to many performances from

Brigitta and her nieces and nephews.

Thanks to everyone who helped save Christmas!

I am now back to sewing to get things finished for the wedding. I will blog later about our Christmas celebration. I have so much to be thankful for.

Birthday Celebration!

Happy Birthday Tati,

We Love You!

The Richest Man in Walnut Grove

As you know, my favorite TV series of all time is Little House on The Prairie. There is an episode entitled The Richest Man in Walnut Grove where Lars Hanson is forced to close the mill due to bankruptcy. This leaves Charles unable to pay his debt at the mercantile. Refusing to grovel to the haughty Harriet Olsen, he takes on three jobs, including digging in the mud and shoveling horse manure. Not only does he work hard, but his entire family pitches in. Mary leaves school to work as a seamstress while Laura takes over and does all of the chores. Caroline and Carrie tend to the house and the farming. When Charles is finally able to pay the bill, he and his family get dressed in their finest clothes and go as a family to the mercantile just to see the look on Mrs. Olsen’s’ face. She is quite surprised but her husband Nels is proud of the Ingalls family and how they sacrificed together, something he feels that his family would have never done. As Charles is carrying his provisions out to the wagon Mr. Olsen comments to Charles, “You are the richest man in Walnut Grove” and he was, however his riches came not in material objects but in love, the love of his family.

Please know that my intention is not to offend anyone, but I just wanted to share how blessed we have been lately.


Right after my piano recital ended last Saturday, I had a few families come up to tell me that they decided to quit while others wanted to take the month off. I was saddened, but understanding. It didn’t end there though, some waited and called the day of their lesson to break the news to me. One or two losses would have been fine, but SEVEN?

I received various excuses from:

• My children aren’t practicing as they should
• The economy is bad and times are hard
• You are very busy with the wedding and such this month, enjoy the time off, we will regroup in January
• I just can’t afford lessons and Christmas, see you next month……
  

These are difficult times for everyone and I understand, but because there was no notice given, it has been challenging news to handle because our family lives on such a tight budget.

BUT WAIT... HERE COMES THE BEST PART…..We did as Brigitta often mentions, "Let's find something to be glad about?" Of course she is glad about the extra time I have to spend with her now, but there is always good in every situation and I feel that we have been greatly blessed. We gathered together as a family and discussed our options a few days ago. The general consensus to alleviate our financial stress during this holiday season was a YARD SALE. Each member of the family went through their possessions and sacrificed what they could to make ends meet. Here is the outcome...

This has ended up being a wonderful experience and I feel that like Charles Ingalls’s, we are rich beyond measure because of our children and their willingness and enthusiasm to sacrifice. It is moments like these that help to draw families closer together. I am grateful for such lessons in life, they are character building.

Shantell and Paige also helped with the yard sale, but requested that NO pictures be posted of them. Teenagers!

Cake Mix Cookies

If you want an elegant cookies that tastes great and is easy to make, this is the cookie for you.

• 1 Chocolate flavored cake mix
• 1/2 Cup butter, softened
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 Teaspoon of vanilla
• 1/2 Cup chocolate chips***

Beat the eggs, softened butter and vanilla. Stir the cake mix in by hand until well blended. Stir in chocolate chip cookies.

Roll into walnut sized balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 35o degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

*** Instead of chocolate chips try adding, 1/2 cup of chopped nuts, coconut, M&M'S, white chocolate or anything else you can think of.



To dip the ends of the cookies you will need:

• 1-1/2 Cups white chocolate chips

Place white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir. Continuie to heat in increments of 10 seconds until it is smooth. Do not over cook it or it will become grainy and smell and taste scorched.

Now take your cooled cookie and dip the end of it into the chocolate coating. Sprinkle with:

• Crushed candy canes
• Red or green sprinkles
• Or chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, cinnamon candies etc.

For the "snow" look, dust cookies with powdered sugar.

These cookies create a beautiful display

that no one will be able to resist.

Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies

• 1 Spice flavored cake mix
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1-1/2 cups pumpkin
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 cup pecans...optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray two baking sheets. Best the pumpkin, eggs, butter and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cake mix cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves until well blended. The texture will be creamy.

Drop by spoonfuls. Bake until the tops are firm when lightly touched. 8-10 minutes. Cool on a rack and then drizzle with Browned Butter Frosting.

Browned Butter Frosting:

• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 1/2 Teaspoon vanilla
• 1 Teaspoon corn syrup

Melt and brown butter in a small saucepan over low heat. When browned, mix in remaining ingredients. Place in a decorating bag and cut off the tip. Decorate cookies.

These have a cake-like texture and are full of flavor.

The browned butter frosting adds the perfect

compliment to the pumpkin taste.

It's Hard to Believe it's December When....

I harvested this from my garden this morning.

My Son, the SCOUTER

Kendricks greatest passion in life is SCOUTING.

He has grown up in a home where Scouting is a family tradition. It started back with his Grandad Petty who joined the Church because of the scouting program. Grandad dedicated his life to Scouting and while doing so instilled in his son, Mar-Kay, a love and dedication of the program which he has passed down to his sons.

Kendrick has three older brothers who all achieved the rank of Eagle at a young age. Each one of them went beyond the required 21 badges for Eagle and earned over 45 merit badges each. From a very early age Kendrick has longed to be a Scout like his brothers and wear the uniform. His ambition is to earn MORE Merit Badges than his brothers and the rank of Eagle before they did, an admirable goal. To say that he is serious about Scouting is an understatement.

Let me show you his Scouting bag.



He takes this everywhere with him! He even took it on vacation to San Francisco and asked his Aunt Natasha to help him with a badge. In his bag are the Merit Badge books he is currently working on as well as the ones he is planning on earning. He even carries a calendar where he keeps his appointment schedule with the counselors he is working with.




Last night was our Troop's Court of Honor. Kendrick was asked to MC the program.




He received 16 Merit Badges, TOTE'N CHIP, FIREM' CHIT, and World Conservation Award.



He also earned the rank of STAR. Kendrick is 12 and a half years old, has earned 34 merit badges and is working hard to achieve his goals.


After the award ceremony was over one of his fellow scouters approached him and said, "I know why you get so many awards, your Dad is a Scout Master and so he just signs everything for you."


All young men have the same opportunity as Kendrick. He seeks out, calls and makes appointments with different merit badge counselors whom he meets with on a weekly basis. Currently he is meeting with three different merit badge counselors, none of which are his parents. Many of them come to our home while I am teaching piano.




I wish I could say that I was the motivation behind Kendrick, but his love for Scouting and the examples of his family is what drives him. He is an amazing young man who has accomplished this all by himself.



If you want to know anything about Scouting, ask Kendrick he has researched it over and over and is a well of knowledge.

Puppy in Training

Close Call

As I was driving to my doctor’s appointment this morning, I was traveling down the middle traffic lane when all of a sudden a truck began to switch lanes right INTO ME! The large truck in front of him was turning and rather than slow down he decided to change lanes without looking. My mind immediately flashed back to the last time this happened on my birthday 9 years ago, but this time I was blessed to be able to avoid a collision. I slammed on the brakes and honked my horn, but he kept coming. He had already set in motion his path and could not switch back without hitting the truck in front of him. My tires screeched as I almost came to a complete stop barely avoiding an accident. Needless to say I was quite shaken yet very grateful to be alive. I pulled over and asked Brigitta if she was alright because the truck was coming straight for her, but she was in a world of her own listening and singing along to the Christmas songs on the radio.





As I pulled back into traffic Brigitta has some profound words for me, "Mom, I think we should find something to be glad about." (She has been watching Pollyanna a lot lately.) I said, "Alright, what can we find to be glad about?" She replied, "I am glad that that man did not hurt us. I sure wouldn't want to miss Christmas, my whole family is coming!"

In hindsight I am grateful for the lesson I learned through this incident as once again I am reminded of the things that matter most in life, my family. I thank my Heavenly Father for watching over Brigitta and I today.

Butterscotch Cookies in a Jar

Instead of doing countless hours of baking for each activity on my schedule this season I decided to make Cookies in a Jar. (Of course I will still bake goodies for my family) The children and I had loads of fun putting some together today. They are quick, easy, affordable and attractive, but the thing I enjoy most about them is that the recipient can make them at their leisure. Often people are bombarded with "goodies" during the holiday season. This is the perfect gift that can be enjoyed after all of the treats are gone. :)

Layer these ingredients in a one quart wide mouth canning jar in the following order:

• 1-1/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans

It will be a tight fit so be sure to firmly pack everything in place.

To decorate the jars choose a Christmas print fabric and cut out a 9" circle. Place the fabric over the lid and secure with a rubber band. Tie a raffia bow to cover the rubber band and attach a card with the following instructions:

Disclaimer

I know that I put chocolate chips in the recipe,

however I couldn't fit the word chocolate in the title

and make the card look as nice as I wanted, so.....

I just called them Butterscotch Chip Cookies. LOL

Just think of the chocolate as an added surprise.

Butterscotch Chip Cookie
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl.

Add:

• 1/2 cup soft butter
• 1 Egg and
• 1/2 Teaspoon vanilla
  

Use hands to mix the wet and dry ingredients together.
When completely blended, roll into large walnut sized balls.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet and use the palm of your hand to flatten each ball.

Bake at 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes
Makes: 2 dozen

Brianna, Michele, Aimee and Nora,

what do think about getting together

and making up a bunch for the holiday season?

There's No Turning Back Now...

The Announcements have been sent out.

Congratulations Mar-Kell and Nora,

we are so excited for you!

THINGS TO DO...

I love lists and work from them daily, but this month is absolutely crazy...I hope that I can survive. I have taken my master list and broken it up into weeks and days so that I don't have to think about it all at once.
I have to accomplish the following :

• 2 Piano Recitals
• Court of Honor (I am Advancement Chairman for our Boy Scout Troop)
• 2 more Stake Choir Rehearsals (I am Stake Choir Director)
• Stake Conference
• 2 Stake Youth Choir Rehearsal's
• Brand New Year Celebration for Youth
• Granddaughter's birthday party
• Hair Appointment's
• Dental Appointment's
• Finish registering for College
• Basketball games to attend 2-3 times a week to support my foster daughter
• 5 Formals to sew for Mar-Kell's wedding (I haven't even purchased the fabric yet.)
• Christmas (I have barely begun shopping)
• Christmas Dinner at my house (I DO have the menu planned)
• Christmas Caroling w/ goodie trays in hand
• Visiting Teaching
• Bridal Luncheon/Party
• Hosting the Wedding Rehearsal Dinner (Which means I have to thoroughly clean my house)
• Finish the waterfall in the backyard. (The Rehearsal dinner will be outside, weather permitting.)
• Temple Trip the week before the wedding
• Wedding
• Reception
• I HOPE I HAVEN'T LEFT ANYTHING OUT!!!

Add all of this to my regular daily schedule and you have one

exhausted

weary

worn-out

drained

ready to drop

MOM

I wouldn't have it any other way!

I can't wait to see what next year brings!

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

As the children and I spent the past few days decorating the tree and the house, I was taken back to the memories of Christmas's past. Christmas is a time for family and this year is my year for my married children. I am so excited.

Almost all of the decorations we have for Christmas are ones that Mar-Kay and I have made ourselves. Many years ago we were going through a financially difficult time in our lives and so that year the children and I sat and cut snowflakes to decorate the entire house, tree and all. (Most of our paper snowflakes are 17 years old.) It was such a memorable time that I have continued to use them over the years. We also hand painted all of the ornaments for our tree. Paper, wood and paint cost only pennies. We have cherished them ever since and over the years added to our "wooden collection." Here are a few of my favorites:

To me putting up the tree is the start of the whole season.

NOT AGAIN!!!

You think I would have learned my lesson the first time, but NO, it took me three recital cancellations to finally realize that I will have to hold them in my home from now on. I scheduled my Fall recital back in August at the Vail Theater for the Arts and today, after trying for days to get ahold of someone, I received a call that they would not honor the agreement we had made because the women who drew up the agreement was no longer with them. Now here I am once again four days before a recital without a place to perform.

No worries though, I will just transform my home once again into a recital hall, this time all beautifully decorated for the holidays, after all, The Show Must Go On!

A Day of Thanks

My youngest sister, Natasha invited our family over for Thanksgiving and since this Thanksgiving was an "off" year, (meaning that my married children spent the holiday with their in-laws) we took her up on her offer. Not only would we be able to spend it with family but it was the perfect opportunity for Mar-Kell to show us where he served his mission. That was the plan, but after Mar-Kell got a job and a promotion, he was yoked down and was unable to go with us. Instead, he spent his Thanksgiving at work and with his fiance's family.

We arrived in California Wednesday afternoon and almost immediately began preparations for the Thanksgiving feast. We worked well into the evening preparing 3 different kinds of pies, stuffing and the yams. I enjoyed visiting with my sister and listening to the children play as we went about our cooking.

After sending the men out for items we forgot earlier

in the day we didn't have the heart to send them

out again for a rolling pin so we improvised.

The pies still turned out great.

Everyone dressed up for Thanksgiving dinner.

A few days later we had the ceremonial

breaking of the wishbone.

Brigitta took control of the house and found that the

stairs made a perfect play area.

We took a trip up to a mountain close by for some rock
climbing. Well, at least some of us went for the climbing.

The cousins.

We found several notches in the rocks.

Kendrick tested his strength.

This rock was the highlight of the trip.

If you look closely you can see those who

reached the top first.

While waiting for them to finish their

rock climbing adventure...

Natasha, Brigitta and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Just the right size.

The next evening we went to the town's tree lighting.

Dagny's High School choir performed and did a
fantastic job. After the tree lightening Brigitta met

Father Christmas.

By the end of the day she was snuggled in bed

dreaming of presents to come.

The next day we were off to San Francisco.

This was our first experience on the BART.

It was exciting to be able to go to the big city.

Union Square was all decked out for the holidays.

The tree was enormous.

Each store was beautifully decorated.

As you can see, Brigitta not only loves bears,

but she loves to pose.

We took several forms of transportation.

First the street car and then the Trolley.

Our next destination was Fisherman's Wharf.

The wind was whipping along the bay.

This was as close as we got to the water.

The end of a long and enjoyable day.

On our way back home we took the scenic route

and stopped off at the beach.
It was the perfect place to stretch our legs.

Brigitta couldn't help posing with another animal friend.

There was an elderly couple watching as Brigitta

asked us to take picture after picture

while she posed. They laughed and

laughed commenting on how cute she was.

We had a wonderful time with my

sister and her family as we strengthened family ties.

They opened their hearts and home

to us and invited us in.

Brigitta cried as we drove away saying,

"I miss Natasha."

We are thankful for their family and the

impact they have in our lives.

As for my family at home....We missed them terribly

but are looking forward to a exciting Christmas season with them.