Misc December

Hard to believe it is December 22!!  This month has flown by!  We are excitedly waiting the arrival of family (James made it home yesterday - the rest are coming tomorrow) and looking forward to beginning our Christmas celebrations.  There will be much to blog about over the next few weeks, but in the meantime, here is a quick catch up post about some misc. December happenings.

Since I finally completed rebuilding '2007' on my Archive blog, I decided to celebrate by creating a blogbook of the posts from that year.  I had seen De'Etta talk about the company Blog2Print on her blog and had wanted to give them a try.  I am very happy to report that not only was it simple to create the book to be printed, but the copy that was shipped to me is of very high quality.  I will definitely be creating more blogbooks from the Archive blog (once I get them updated/uploaded) clear up to the present blog.  Since I blog primarily as a way to scrapbook the boys lives, the opportunity to have it all printed out in a high quality hard copy form is pretty exciting!

this doesn't look nearly as good in the photo as it does in real life...

We had family photos taken for our church directory a few weeks ago.  I have to say I am really happy with them and thankfully so since Jackson is a senior.  This feels like a fairly significant year for a family photo…

Jonathan and Jackson, along with their buddies Zack and Adrian, went to the midnight premiere showing of The Hobbit.  Jonathan, especially, was so excited and is still talking about the experience.  I am glad they were able to go - and even more glad that Jackson drives and I didn't have to participate!   :)

Jackson and Brianna participated in an 'Ugly Christmas Sweater' contest at their youth group and Jackson won the top prize.  He was way too proud of that fact.   :)

Actually, he owes it all to Matthew, who loaned him the prize-winning sweater.  It was pretty astounding… I have to admit.  :D

The photo seriously does not do this sweater justice!
There is 'bling' all over this thing!

Chef Jonathan was back at it making a yummy supper for all.  This time it was a take on Beef and Broccoli.  Boy, did he create a winner!  You can see the recipe here.

Jonathan's Beef and Broccoli

On Friday night Brenda, Megan, Julie, Anna and Matthew came to join us for movie night.  We settled in to watch some old home movies followed by a viewing of Holiday Inn.  What a fun evening and how wonderful to have that time together.  Sadly, I didn't take a single photo.

Saturday morning Jackson and I took Brianna's car to her house (the bad weather/bad road conditions caused her to leave it at our house the night before) and dear Jeremy and Shonda invited us in and fed us breakfast!  Wow!  Rewarding us in that way might be dangerous… we might just show up again!  :D

Saturday evening we once again received several inches of snow on top of a little ice (deja vu from last weekend) but, thankfully, James made it in safely before the worst of the weather.  The fellas had to spend several hours this morning digging us out with the tractor and shovels, but we celebrated by gathering for lunch at Julie's house.

Lunch at Julie's 

James is home!

James and Julie

We then went to see the movie Saving Mr. Banks this afternoon.  I have to say I truly enjoyed it, and now plan to add Mary Poppins to my movie viewing list over the next couple weeks.  :)

Traffic circles downtown on the way to the theater - made of piled high snow!

tricky to drive around!   :)

Jonathan's Beef and Broccoli

Jonathan's Beef and Broccoli

1 Tbsp. sesame oil

1 pound of sirloin, cut into thin strips

½ onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

fresh ginger, grated (to taste)

½ bag baby carrots, sliced

½ bag frozen broccoli

1 cup soy sauce

⅓ cup oyster sauce

¼ cup teriyaki sauce

Slice the sirloin into thin strips.  Chop and slice the vegetables.  Heat a small amount of sesame oil in a skillet or wok and quickly sauté the beef strips for 1-2 minutes.  Add the vegetables and lightly sauté.  Add in sauce ingredients (you might prefer to increase the sauce amounts if you like more sauce.)  Let simmer/cook through for a few minutes until all is cooked to desired level of doneness.  Jonathan serves with spaghetti noodles, but you could use rice noodles or plain rice instead.  

Sledding

Sunday afternoon, Jonathan invited a few friends over to enjoy the snow and go sledding.  As you may recall, we hook the sleds up behind the truck then drive around the property.  This is a family tradition from my youth!  However, for the first time, *I* was the only one around to drive the truck!  Yikes!  Usually, I am in my warm house taking photos of the kids as they go by.  :)  But, Grandpa was out of town and so was Jackson… so the duty fell to me.  I think I did an okay job of it… the boys seemed to have a good time.  Glad it worked for them to come over!

getting the sleds hooked up behind the truck

Austin, Jonathan, Nathan and Zack

Zack, Austin, Nathan and Jonathan

Marvin took photos out the back window while I drove.   :)

They look cold!!!

Jonathan, Nathan, Austin and Zack

Bella and Governor watching us go by...

Jonathan's Punch

Jonathan loves this punch!  When I make a batch for parties, I also have to make a separate batch for him.  I found that is just easier than having to deal with his sad face when he only gets a cup or two at the party.  Plus, the rest of us kind of love it, too.   :)

Jonathan's Punch
1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade
1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice
1-2 cups sugar  (I typically use the lesser amount)
6 cups water
2 pints ginger ale

Mix all above ingredients, EXCEPT the ginger ale, and freeze.  About 1-2 hours before you serve, take out of freezer to thaw.  Add 2 pints of ginger ale, mix and serve.

I always double or even triple this recipe, because it is SO good!!  :)

Snow!

Last Friday we had our first snow of the season.  Friday evening was a bit treacherous but by Saturday morning it was all quite beautiful.  Since we were hosting the Christmas party Saturday evening, we had a lot of work to do getting the place ready for arriving guests.  Luckily, the fellas were able to get to work early in the day and they did a wonderful job of clearing the road and walkways.

Saturday morning

Jonathan taking a break from shoveling the walk to pet Marley

Jonathan and Marley

Sunday morning - the sky was blue and the snow was still heavy on the trees.  Beautiful!

Mama and Daddy's yard

Julie's house on left, Mama and Daddy's house in middle - taken from the road.

Sunday morning

the pretty home of my childhood….

love the blue sky and snow!

Queso Dip

This was a very good dip.  Will definitely make this one again.

Queso Dip
1 block (32 oz.) Velveeta Queso cheese
1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 can (10 oz.) Rotel
1 can (10.75 oz.) cream of mushroom soup
1 pound beef or sausage or both  (I used 12 oz. of sausage/bacon mix)
1 green onion, optional

Brown the meat in a pan over medium heat and set aside.  Cut up the Velveeta and cream cheese into cubes and place into a crock pot.  Pour in the Rotel and the cream of mushroom soup and stir ingredients together.  Place the crock pot on low setting for an hour, then add the meat.  Continue to let cook, stirring as needed.    (Note - I made this in the microwave the first time.   Just heated on medium for a few minutes, stirred, repeated….)

Serve with tortilla chips.

Tempting Toffee Crisps

This is one of the boys absolute favorites.  They ask me to make it for every party and potluck.  Luckily, it is also super simple to make.

Tempting Toffee Crisps
12 whole graham crackers (5x2½ inch each)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter (do not use margarine)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
½ cup almonds, chopped or slivered

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Arrange graham crackers side by side in a single layer in a bar pan.  In saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and vanilla.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil across the surface.  Continue boiling 4 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove saucepan from heat and immediately pour mixture evenly over crackers.  Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.  Remove pan from oven.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips; allow to soften, then spread evenly over baked crackers.  Chop almonds and sprinkle over chocolate.  Cool completely.  Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.

Christmas Party

We enjoyed a nice gathering of folks Saturday evening.  We weren't sure if people would be up to coming out considering the weather, but it worked out really well.  Thankfully, we were scheduled for Saturday night, not Friday night, when the storm hit!  :)  It is always fun to spend time with wonderful folks - visiting, eating and enjoying one anothers company.

Below are several photos, but you can see an entire album by clicking here.  

Jane and Katherine...

Julie, Jane and Katherine...

Then we added Hena to the mix...

Then Hena added me!

Anna came into the room and wanted in the photo...

Finally, we grabbed Matthew, too!  :)

This may be my favorite photo of the party… or of the year!  :)

Jeremy, Marvin and Erick

Mary Lee, Julie, Matt and Rick

Karen, Brian, Brinda and Tim

Elsa and Rich

Erin, Anna, Nancy and Julie

I have to tell you about the wonderful gift that Nancy (in photo above) brought me this evening!  She had asked me awhile back whether I had one of the collectable plates from the 100th anniversary of the university.  The answer was, no, I didn't have one and had always wanted one.  Well, she located one at a sale and purchased it, then brought it to me Saturday night!  What a treasured gift!!  Thank you so much, Nancy!!  :)

My special plate from Nancy P.!!!

Alaina, Jonathan and Aviel

Melina, Cody, Aaron, Jeff and Jackson (can't believe I missed getting Megan in the photo!)

group in the basement

It was Emma's birthday!

Jonathan gave Cody his Minecraft costume that he made.  :)

Maddy, Erica and Leah

Victor, Dean and Andrea

Julie and Hena

Elaine, Glen and Matthew

Daddy, Shana and Mama

Aaron, Miles, Deb and Bryan

Victor, Tyler, Jeremy, Shonda, Alaina and Jonathan

A note about the below photo… when I was a little girl my Grandmother Jewell made stockings for me, my brother and my sister.  You can see my original stocking in the photo below right.  When we moved back to town in 1996 I was able to reconnect with Trish and discovered she knitted.  I asked her then if she could possibly recreate the family stocking so that we could include all the 'newer' members of the family.  Ever since then dear Trish has made a stocking for each new child born and for each newly 'married into' family member.  What a wonderful friend to help us continue this cherished tradition!!

Trish and the stockings

Chris, Alicia, Marvin and Shonda

Although Brianna had to work the night of the Christmas party, she was able to slip in for the last few minutes.  Long enough to have her picture taken with this group!  :D

Anna, Matthew, Pradip, Jonathan, Jackson and Brianna