We Wish You a Merry Christmas

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away.
~Eva Logue

My New Tradition

I think I have a new Christmas Eve tradition. We went to the movies this afternoon and when we came out it was sleeting. When we got home I made some sugar cookie dough and put it in the fridge to chill. We then started to think about dinner and where we were going to go. The first thought was for Spaghetti Warehouse, since it was close. It was starting to snow, still mixed with the sleet. Calling ahead to make sure they were not closing early for Christmas Eve, sure enough, the Spaghetti Warehouse was closing at 5pm (in like 10 minutes, at this point). Rib Crib? Closed-- Delta Cafe? Closed-- Charlie's Chicken? Closed-- Ron's Hamburger's and Chili-- not even answering phone at this point. So I asked my mom, what else do you have around close? Brilliant idea! CHINESE! My mom produces the take-out menu, I call them up. Me : "Uh, Hi-- I was just wondering what time you are closing tonight? Are you closing early?" Chinese girl: "Oh, noooo-- we open until ten!" All righty then, let's here it for the Chinese!

It was great, we were the only ones sitting down to eat, most other people were getting it to go (dashing through the snow!) They were playing Christmas songs only in a funny pop style Chinese music. They did have Christmas lights up (loved the ice cream cone lights) and my fortune said, "You will have a five star day tomorrow." So my new Christmas Eve tradition is to go out and have Chinese food. Me and all the Jewish people.

Christmas Seals

We received a Christmas card from a friend of ours with these darling Christmas Seals from the American Lung Association. She has them on her cards every year, but this year's are so adorable! I liked them so much that I went on the website to look at the different designs they have had through the years. It is an interesting history! Read all about them and see the designs from over 100 years at www.christmasseals.org/

Going Rogue

So we saw something funny today-- wish I had the picture of the actual thing! Someone who once had the McCain-Palin bumper sticker (most intelligently placed over their brake light) had sliced through the sticker, peeled off McCain's name and leaving the lone Palin. As if to say to the world, "I don't want anything to do with you anymore Senator McCain, but I do still love that Sarah Palin." I am thinking they need to go to Wal-mart and get themselves some mailbox number stickers saying 2012. That would really top it off!

Then there were some parents of Columbia school children who were ANGRY that their child's school was selling notebooks and pencils out of a vending machine that had a logo similar to the one used in Obama's campaign. How dare they brainwash our children like that? LOL!

Snowball Fight

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The Tree by Me

I put the tree up the other day. The person that was in charge of putting it away last year conveniently left the lights on. That did save a little time, after a little rearrangement. At some point in my life before I die, I really want to get a real tree. Just once, just to say that I have. But that is not this year. And can I also say, that I do love me some fake powder snow. I like a snowy tree, so I stand on a step stool create my own personal blizzard right on the tree. Then the sparkly snow on top of that. It is a mess to clean up, but it looks so pretty. I just love to sit and look at the tree. But, I am still looking for the proper topper. I have this really woodland nature theme and haven't found one I just love yet. So yes, the tree is going topless for now.

The girls put up small trees in their rooms every year because they know that the only person that decorates our tree is me. Congratulations to all you people that actually let your kids decorate the main Christmas tree in your house. And what is a tree trimming party all about? Like I would let other people even think about decorating my tree as entertainment. How bizarre! The Christmas tree is when my inner control freak shines! I mathematically space ornament by color and type, make sure they are illuminated just right, personally place pine cones at the correct angle, and don't even get me started on fluffing branches!

These pictures don't really do it justice, so do come by and see it in person!!!




Mia approves!

Lights on

Ok, so we had a few warm weekend in a row, so we got most of the lights on the house a while ago. Then Jared recently got the last of the yard done. Now it's lights on and our neighbors have put theirs up, too. It's very festive!

Is this man going to decorate or rob my house?


All lit up!

Just one more

Ok, just one more Fall picture before moving on to the Fa La La La and the Ho Ho Ho. I spray painted these for the Thanksgiving table decor. I think this is just gorgeous. I am just weird that way! See my recipe blog for our Thanksgiving Fried Turkey and Potatoes Fondue, pie and rolls. Yum!

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for? Watch this short video and think about it today.

Feasting Upon the Word

Since we just finished reading the Book of Mormon as a family, I made this for a little family home evening treat. This was the first time I had made the marshmallow fondant and covered a cake all by myself. I wanted it to look like an open book of scriptures. I started to carve the cake, and I probably should have carved more, but I was scared to cut too much off! I think if you really had to close this book it would be super fat! Talk about "large print" edition. Also, I did not feel my best as I have a sinus infection right now (also went to the dr. today), so my head was killing me as I was piping on the words! Anyway, it was fun and I have so much respect for people that do this professionally. I have a few wrinkles in my fondant, but that's kind of how the pages of your scriptures get when you read them a lot, right? It tasted good and we are so happy we read through the Book of Mormon again! By small and simple things are great things come to pass!

Young Women in Excellence

Last night we enjoyed the Young Women in Excellence program at church, highlighting the girls' accomplishments in Personal Progress. The theme was The Worth of a 'Sole', so cute! Each of the values were related to a different kind of shoe. Each of the girls displayed something they had worked on this year. Madison displayed her Good Works value project and Gabrielle displayed her Knowledge value project. They received recognition for completing experiences and projects in a value. Madison has completed Choice and Accountability and Gabrielle has completed Knowledge. They are both very close to completing several other values as well. We know they are busy and could spend their time on many other things, so we really appreciate the time and effort they put into this special program. At the end of the evening the girls got to choose a pair of socks to take home. They were all pink and brown knee high style socks. The girls had to wear theirs to school this morning--with capris! We don't hide our light under a bushel, that's for sure. We love you girls! Keep up the good work on your experiences and projects! Thanks to their special leaders that work with them each week, building their faith and testimonies!

David Fans Rejoice!

New Christmas album out from David Archuleta! And it is beautiful! From the liner notes he says, "The main purpose of this album was to share my testimony with all of you my love for this special time of year -- one that we spend with family and loved ones, and what it means to each one of us. I hope you can feel that in the music. Through this album, I share with you something that is very special to me, and I hope it helps you understand more where I come from with my music and as a person. I also hope the music in this album will go beyond anyone's personal religious beliefs as I don't want anyone to feel I am only addressing this to people who believe in a certain way. I want the experience that you feel through the music to communicate to you in your own personal language, and in light of your spiritual or religious beliefs. Music has a universal message that can speak to people of different ages, beliefs, and languages, and can reach beyond the supposed obvious meaning of the lyrics and can allow everyone to feel something special. It is my hope that through this music you can feel something meaningful to you."

A Frightfully Busy Week

Last week was full of activities to end the month of October. Sunday, the 25th was our primary program for church. The kids did a great job, but I am glad it is over! The wonderful primary presidency gave me a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Then it was my birthday on Tuesday, the 27th. We went out to dinner as a family and had yummy Coldstone Ice Cream cupcakes for dessert. Gabrielle made a list of "People and Things that are older than Mom" -- she came up with 25, including the Statue of Liberty and the Gateway Arch. On Wednesday I prepared truffles and other goodies for the weekend festivities. Thursday the girls got their hair cut, Madison especially got more than a few inches cut off. About 10 of us ladies from the ward got together for dinner out that night, celebrating October birthdays. We have several friends with October birthdays, so on Friday night we had everyone over for dutch oven apple cobbler and other yummy treats. It was fun getting together. Got up early Saturday and drove to St. Louis to the temple. Jared had been called and was set apart as a temple worker. Later that afternoon we loaded up the candy and headed to the ward social, "Halloween on Book of Mormon Boo-levard" which ended with Trunk-or-Treat. I loved seeing all the kids (some of them big kids) in their crazy costumes. My favorite was Billy Mays. It is a good thing we got that extra hour of sleep Saturday night thanks to Daylight Savings time. Rest In Peace, October. Now I am ready for November!

Born on the 27th of October

I am proud to say that I share my birthday with Theodore Roosevelt (26th President and winner of a Nobel Peace Prize), American inventor Isaac Singer, poet Sylvia Plath (that one kind of creeps me out), and yes, no other than etiquette maven Emily Post. Pretty cool, huh? Oh yeah, and I have to mention, because I was a teenager in the eighties, Simon LeBon. Happy Birthday to us!

Homecoming Parade

Well, the sun finally came out and the MU Homecoming Parade went on as scheduled. The band finally got to march as they have been practicing! We were on the "sunny side of the street" which was great for warmth, but not great for my photos. Gabrielle had fun watching and seeing all the floats, bands, and organizations in the parade. I think the theme for the floats was fairy tales-- there was tortoise and the hare, hansel and gretel, little engine that could, etc. Very cute. Gabrielle's favorite was catching the candy, necklaces, and footballs being thrown from the floats (she came prepared with her bag!) The band sounded great and they had fun, too.

Leaves

I love Fall! (How many times am I going to say that?) Fall is all about color and textures-- beautiful, gorgeous color and interesting, diverse textures! Here are some my favorite leaves and trees so far! Click on the pictures for the full effect!

Pumpkins

I could have stayed all day taking pictures of pumpkins around Peach Tree Farms! Here are just a few that I loved.

A Visit from Grandma & Grandpa

My mom and dad came up for the weekend last Thursday. It was fun to have them here! We crafted, cooked, and watched football. Saturday we took a trip down I-70 with several stops including a picnic in the picturesque Rocheport on the Katy Trail, pumpkins and critters at the Peach Tree Farms, and finally homemade ice cream in the village of Arrow Rock. Even though it was chilly, the sun finally came out and the turning leaves glistened! More leaf and pumpkin pictures to come. Thanks Mom and Dad for visiting!

Mom seeing familiar items in this cute antique shop


Gabrielle holding this adorable bunny at Peach Tree Farms--- Grandpa being silly.


Pausing for a photo in Rocheport