Old Man Winter, You're Bumming Me Out

Today I was shoveling the driveway, in a dress, because if I thought it was man's work I would have worn pants. Anyway, G was of course, hanging out in the snow with me. His hands got cold, so we put on his mittens, but he still got cold.

Johnny's car wouldn't start this morning because it was so blasted cold outside, so it was sitting in the driveway. G kept going up to it and touching it and saying "Dad". He knows it's Daddy's car, but he didn't see Daddy. He got a little mad at me, like I was hiding Daddy from him. I tried getting him to remember driving Daddy to work, but I ended up putting him in the house with the idea that he could play with the vinyl Christmas cutouts on the front door, and I could shovel the front walk, that way he would know where I was. Shortly after I went outside, I heard G start crying, monumental crying. I called to him from the front porch so he would come to the front door and see me. He did, but he didn't stop crying. I thought, how sweet, he's sad he can't reach me and give me hugs or have me hold him.

That helped with the cold for about 2 secs, until I saw that in his hand was a candy bar from my stocking. Here's what I think happened. The candy bar was on the kitchen table. As soon as I left, he climbed up on the chair and got it down, but when he couldn't open it, he got really sad. And since I was outside, I couldn't open it for him either.

The proof of this story happened when I went inside and G came over to the back door, face wet and snotty. First thing he does, hug me? No. Hold out the candy bar. Which just led to a little candy-eating fest for the two of us. So we were all happy in the end, though the front porch is still icy.

Naughty List

I guess I was on the Naughty List this year because the only things I asked Santa for was elves to clean up my house, and being caught up on my blog, and I didn't get either. Luckily I have friends who like me and family members who were obligated to get me presents so I had something to open Christmas morning.

So, because I have to catch up on my blog myself, I decided to only post the food related ones on my other blog.

But G had a good Christmas.

books

stockings

cars

slippers

wagon of legos

drum

lots of unwrapping

Christmas Cheer

Our local paper, (which I become more and more convinced as I read is edited by a high school honors English class) published the local elementary schools' 1st and 2nd grade letters to Santa. Some of them were so cute, I just had to share to give you a holiday chuckle. Because kids say the darnest things.

The spelling is original, though some of it may have been the kids and some may have been the paper, hard to know which.

Funny Questions

"Do you ever get tired of giving out all the toys?" - Bailee

"By the way Santa, how many cookies do you eat?" - Carson

"Mrs. Claus, I want to know if you and Santa make toys together?" - Sydnee

"Do you remember me from the pictures at the mall?" - Brittany

"Is the rain deer doing good?" - Evan

"What kind of cookies do you want this year?" -Makayla

"Do you get tired?" - Dawn

"How do you make magic" - Jacob

"Are the reindeer your pets?" - Caiden

"What is your number?" - Ty

"Don't you remember when Rudolph said 'hi'?"- Trinity

Kissing up to the Big Man

"Can I have a hug?" - Hannah

"Thank you for reindeer." - A.J.

"I love you Santa so much and you are the best Santa in the whole world I know that you are the only Santa." - Brooke

"When you come to my house, you will get some money from me." - Zac

"You are my favorite person!" - Jacob

"I will leave you milk and cookies and Draw you a picture because I love you very much." - Braylyn

"Dear Santa,

Hello Santa, I have been good. I want a guitar for Christmas. I love music, how about you? What do you want for Christmas? I guess a great Christmas. I do not know Mrs. Claus, I want to meat her badly. I thank you for your love. I like your reindeer, you are so nice. You have lots of toy sat the North pole. I bet it is cold. Thank you for toys and other things too.

Kelissa"

"Santa, I love you and you are good and great or aweson." - Marleigh

"How is Mrs. Claus doing today? I hope she is doing fine. I might come there. If I come there I might play with you." - Gabrielle

Strange Requests

"Can you please send me a letter of how big your elves are?" - Ruth

" . . . I would also like 20 packs of fireworks, a bag of onion rings and gingerbread cookies. I will give some of the gingerbread cookies to you." - Marissa

"Do you have Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton books? Could you please bring my brother and me so me if you do?" - Hunter

"Would you get Ian a Halo?" - Spencer

" . . . and my cat 'Star' needs a stocking and don't forget my doggie; I think you still remember him." - Madeline

" . . . most of all I want people to know its Jesus' birthday." - Destiny

"Please give me an iPod with 9,000,000 songs on it" - James

"My dog Cooper chews on me, so can you give him a bone for Christmas?"- Ramsey

"Can I have 11 dog bones for my dogs?" - Henzlee

"Please make the snow big!" - Joey

Kids say . . .

"Dear Santa,

. . . My cousin doesn't believe in you but I do. Christmas is my favorite holiday. It is not because you get toys; it is because you get to see your family. At my maw maw's house we have a wrapping paper fight and sometimes my cousin gets to stay a night. . . .

Love, Samantha"

". . . last year you got me a DS game and I hope you do again. . . ." -Blake

"On Christmas Eve I'll leave two cookies on a plate. You ride in the sleigh to my house." - Megan

"I wish I could fly in a plane. I wish I could have a Mustang car." - Ben

"Also can you bring me something for my sisters, because they're not all bad." - Haleigh

" . . . Where I live is great if you were wondering . . . I have been fairly good this year I hope to get at least one of the tings on my list. I will be happy with whatever you bring me. I will make sure I throw reindeer food in my front yard . . . Be careful Santa and dress warm" - Angelina

"Dear Santa,

I want a puppy and a phon! I want a new bike I want a new pear of church shows. And I want one of the best elf's that is good at making girl stuff. And I want you Santa Claus and I want a real magic wand. And some brand new lipgls. And some new makeup. And all the food I want! And a brand new house! And everything in the world!

Love, Terra"

"I am going to leave you lots of cookies and 1 milk." - Jackson

"Don't worry my dog doesn't bite." - Kendra

"Tell Jesus happy birthday." - Brooklyn

"What I want for Christmas is a Nintendo DS because my brother broke mine." - Emily

"I not bin a good girl." - Anna

"I promise to try and be good. Sometimes it is really hard!" - Klayton

"I've been trying to work on my handwriting." - Joshua

"My Mom really loves wolves. I love you." - MaKenzie

"You're suppose to leave Santa milk and cookies, so look for them on the table." - Ryan

"I will leave your reindeer a treat on the roof." - Abby

"I have my first loose tooth that's wiggle. I can run a lot faster than I used to run. I got new glasses this year." - Miles

"I already gave the list to Nana." - Isaiah

"Dear Santa,

How are you doing? If you could please tell the reindeer that I would like to come and visit sometime. I lost two teeth and I am getting older now. I would like to have the best Christmas ever. I would like an AC/DC guitar and the Star Wars AT with a couple of troopers and jedis. I love you and hope I get to see you sometime.

Love,

Nathan"

I Know what I want

"Dear Santa,

. . . I'm writing you this letter to let you know a few things I want for Christmas this year. The first thing is Zoobles. Then for my second present I would like a 19 inch flat screen HD TV. For my third one I would like to have Zhu Zhu pets 2 for my DS, Then for my last present I would like a Blizzard maker. . . . Thank you very much.

Savanna"

"Dear Santa,

I'd like to have a magic book, a magic wand, and a magic set of really really high price.

Kaleb"

"Dear Santa,

I would like a littlest pet shop and a flute. But I would love a Rapunzel braiding hari set.

Dakota"

"Dear Santa,

Teddy Bear, Monster truck, X/Box 360.

Signed,

Nick"

A Taste of This Area

"I will leave out milk, cheese, pickles, and pepperoni for you to eat." - Tre'

"Thank you for Jesus every Christmas." - Marie

"Dear Santa,

I was really good this year. I kept the A-B honor roll. I went undefeated in flag football and scored many touchdowns. I believe an Xbox 360 and some games would be nice, and a flat screen tv too. Along with the xbox 360 a few DS games, a Star Wars life saver, some weights to prepare for the NFL, and a Ray Lewis fathead. It would be nice to come to a greement and I promise to leave a lot of cookies and milk.

Jayden"

"Dear Santa,

More vest's, a tape megur more skiny jeans, more little house in the prery books, more marbles, a little laptop, a pink fone cover, another rat, more note books, SD's, more chapter books.

Victoria"

"Dear Santa,

Just want to say hello. I have been good this year. I like school, my teacher and sports. I wish I had some WV clothes and stuff. I really could use a good pair of jean overalls. Say hello to Mrs. Claus.

Ryker"

"Dear Santa,

Thank you for the guitar you gave me last year. How are your reindeer? My dad would like a new rifle. My mom would like a new cross necklace. My sister Braelyn would like a knife. My little sister Kylie would like a baby doll and a new toy horse. I would like a x-box 360 and a gas four-wheeler. I will leave you milk and cookies. I will leave the reindeer some carrots.

Merry Christmas,

Logan?

Ahh

"The thing that I want most of all is for my dad to come home from Aphganistan." - Jordan

"Dear Santa,

Before I get started writing you a note well First, I want to thank you for everything you have done and gave me and I am glad that Christmas was even inventid because it is a good celebration for everybody and you. Santa you have spent a lot of money on everybody in the world. You are a good man. You do sure to take care of your elves and your rain deere and Mrs. Claus and sure your raindeere enjoy all of there food and you and your elves take a lot of time making toys and giving all you can for all the children that do not have one toys and no matter how much toys I get I still believe in you and I never complan.

Kendra"

" . . . and for the people that barely get anything give them more presents that you've ever gotten me!" - Brooklynn

"Dear Santa,

I hope the kids that have parents without a lot of money get resents. I also hope the kid that I have parents over seas in the war have a good Christmas too. And the kids that don't have parents too. And I really really want a bike for me.

Fayth"

". . . One last thing I would like for this Christmas to bring peace and happiness to all." - Justin

"I would like to be together with my family." - Kaylee

"May God bring peace in Haiti and plase give the animals in the world a warm place to sleep on Christmas Eve." - Zoey

"Please bring us a nice healthy baby." - Caden

"I want my Daddy to not let anything happen to him in surgery." - The Keilee

Christmas Hands

I guess I have to give up being a Scrooge officially now, at least for about 20 years while I have kids around.

I was somewhat guilted into getting a tree this year, but I have not been sorry. Look at this beauty!

I realized while decorating the house that I don't really have many decorations. While I don't think this is a bad thing, I will be hitting up the after-Christmas sales this year so that next year we can be a little more festive.

I feel bitten by the crafty bug this time of year, but I have a lot on my plate this month, so I decided to start a tradition I think I can handle. It's a pretty good idea, too, even if it's me saying so. It came from our lack of child-friendly tree ornaments. And while I could make like 50 with G, given time, I decided (thanks to my sister-in-law's brilliant handmade gifts from 2 years ago) instead to make ornaments every year by tracing my child(ren)'s hands and turning them into a soft, squishy, heart-melting reminder of how fast and how much they grow.

I put a star on this year, but in the future I'll do other Christmas-y pictures. I also put tags on them with G's name and age, so we can keep track.

I have tons of white felt thanks to Halloween, so maybe we'll keep doing G's in white and if we have more kids, they can get there own color. Or maybe we'll pick a new color every year, or maybe everyone will be white. Clearly I haven't ironed out all the details yet, but luckily I don't have to yet.

Happy Christmas, everyone!

New Look

Sorry, guys. I swore that I wouldn't change my blog template when I started this blog 4 years ago, but things have changed a lot since then. There weren't any cool gadgets back in the day, and I can't use them with the old set up. So I have endeavored to keep it simple and undistracting. Let me know if it is annoying or hard to navigate.

Back to the posts.

A Few Faces

Just some faces from the other day.

The dimple

Ooo

Really?

Oops

and . . .

The Cheese

Pre-Thanksgiving Day Feast

Our 5th annual Pre-Thanksgiving Day Feast was a huge success. Every year I get a little stressed out with planning and executing and feeling like I'm the only one who cares and I wonder why I do this every year. Then people come and we have a great time, and I think everything is worth it.

This year, due partially to my growing experience in planning weekly menus and partially due to luck, I managed not only to make 9 recipes for an early dinner (for us, it was 4 this year instead of 6), but to keep the kitchen in pristine condition. That has never happened before.

Recipes Made for Today

Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey

Mango Cranberry Sauce

Bubbly Cranberry Punch

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

Ginger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie

Lemonade Meringue Pie

Festive Cranberry Topped Cheesecake

Everything was done with plenty of time, except the turkey. It just always takes longer than I think it will, and there was a fireside that night, which was why we had dinner early, and we stuck it in right after church, which was done at noon, so it had as much time as we could give it. We carved the breast and stuck it back in the oven. After cleaning it all up, we realized that it actually probably didn't need the extra time. It had been marinating for a day and a half and was just super moist. So moist in fact, that we had no drippings for gravy. It just held on to every bit of moisture. Which is what made it so delicious. We didn't get to grill it, but we are planning on getting a grill, so maybe next year. This was worth not having any room in my fridge for two days.

The Pilgrim Hat Cookies were too cute and easy not to use for table decorations. We put them on the roll plate along with an autumn leaf we collected back in September. We pressed them in a book and wrote people's names on them for place cards. It was cute, but I need a thicker sharpie and note for next year, yellow leaves are easier than red. Though they made nice table decorations.

The cranberry punch was amazing. I think that got the most comments that were consistently good. And it was super easy. Those two things )the punch and the cookies) were just about the only things I had to make on Sunday. And I will probably be using these again and again as well.

As you can see the food spread was pretty amazing.

Everyone was so generous with their offerings, and between nice guests and my husband I think I only did 3 dishes.

Here's a close up:

This one has my pies in it.

I think the pumpkin pie I made might be the best pumpkin pie I've ever had. And the cheesecake was also amazing. I loved the cranberry topping and it was an extra creamy cheesecake because Johnny was doing the grocery run for me on Saturday when I was making all the pies, and I ran out of eggs before he got back, so I just let the Kitchenaid keep creaming until he got back. It was only 10 minutes or so, but it made a big difference. The lemonade meringue was a dismal failure, but the other two made up for it, I think. Plus, Johnny made his Banana Cream, so there was plenty of pie.

So in addition to the 7 recipes from the book, I also made my corn bread sausage stuffing, which I learned is a very Southern tradition. Everyone was impressed that I knew about corn bread stuffing, but thanks to the internet, I've been a fan for awhile. I'm glad I can pass off as Southern occasionally.

I also made my Grandma's fruit salad, which is the dish that holds the most Thanksgiving memories for me.

Well, we had the most people we've ever had. Next year we'll have to get more chairs. And everyone enjoyed themselves, including G who got to have 2 cups of punch.