Under the Tree

There isn't one gift in the world that I have loved and appreciated as much as these.

I'm so thankful for Ruby and Maxwell.

Hopefully Max will sit still long enough for a photo in the next day or two... no promises though!

Only a Week Til Christmas

Here we are, only one week away from Christmas. I'm slowly ticking things off my list--shopping for the kids (check!), party planning and execution (check!), and all those Christmas crafts... well, they're coming along in between sneezing, coughing, changing diapers, and preparing meals, snacks, etc.

We've also been stuck inside quite a bit this week with bitter cold temperatures and icy conditions. Thankfully, we do have power and heat, unlike many of our neighbors to the north. Max and Ruby have been creative in their play--finding new (and questionable) uses for old toys and putting on shows for me. Hope you enjoy their performances as much as I have!

Christmas Cookies!

First of all, for those that were wondering and praying for me, the Christmas in Denmark party for Friday Footsteps went perfectly. Everyone had a great time and learned a little something too. The craft was challenging, but doable and everyone went home with a bag of Pebber Nodder (tiny Danish spice cookies), a Danish Christmas Heart basket, and a smile on their face. I won't tell you how much fun it was to make 93 dozen peppernuts in a day, but they were enjoyed and appreciated, so it was worth it.

Today marks my final Christmas commitment--a cookie party I'm hosting for a few ladies from my MOPS group! In honor of all my cookie making, I thought I'd post up a few recipes.

First is a family favorite that we've enjoyed at Christmas time since we were kids...

Coconut Date Balls

2 eggs, beaten

1 c. white sugar

1 c. chopped dates

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 T. butter

3 c. Rice Krispies

1 c. flaked coconut

1. In a medium saucepan over MED heat, combine eggs, sugar, and dates. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in the butter and vanilla. Mix in cereal.
3. Butter hands and roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls. Finally, roll the balls in coconut.
4. Store in an airtight container once cooled to room temperature.

This next recipe is a staple Danish cookie that everyone loves. Cardamom is an expensive spice, but if you can visit an ethnic food store (esp. Indian) they will have it in large quantities for next to nothing.

Pebber Nodder (Peppernuts)

1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. ground cardamom
2 tsp. cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, stirring until light and fluffy.
4. Combine the flour, cardamom, and cinnamon. Stir into the sugar mixture just until blended.
5. Separate the dough into six balls.
6. Roll each ball into a rope about as big around as your finger on a lightly floured surface.
7. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces, roll into balls, and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
9. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

This is why my head is spinning

I think I have a problem. I think Christmas cheer and fun and traditions and I think... I MUST DO IT ALL! RIGHT NOW! So, here's a few of the things I've been working on the last few weeks. This isn't everything and several of these projects are still unfinished, but it's a sampling.


Years ago, back in Idaho, I purchased a bunch of Christmas fabric at JoAnn's for something silly like $1/yard or something. So, since I have the sewing machine now, I thought, "Hey, why don't I make a tree skirt this year!?!" So, Jared and I spent hours cutting fabric and I have been sewing away. Here's a sample of the skirt with the prairie point star at the tip. I think it will be nice if I ever get a chance to finish it!

I accepted the challenge to organize the Christmas party for Friday footsteps this year. So, we're doing Christmas in Denmark. It's been fun, but a bit stressful prepping crafts, decorations, making nut-free Danish Christmas yummies, and trying to come up with something short, sweet, and meaningful to share with the kids about Christmas in DK.

One of the first things I worked on back in November was the ornaments and devotionals for our Jesse Tree. I ended up using info from various sources, but mostly from the Reformed Church of America's website. I ended up getting a small Christmas tree and then buying little wooden ornaments that I painted the images on (poorly, but recognizably!). Ruby has been following along very well each night and can't wait to do our devotional and hang up the new ornament.

Yesterday, I said, "Let's make sugar cookies!". Here is Ruby proudly posing with the fruit of our labor. It was not exactly the least stressful thing I've ever done, but it was worth it to hear Ruby say, "This is the best day ever!". She sure is soaking up Christmas. Max, on the other hand, was busy upturning the kitchen trash and scaring me witless with numerous load crashes throughout the house. He also enjoyed stealing cookies. What a kid.

Oh, and did I mention he thinks he's potty training. I still haven't totally hopped on the wagon, but something tells me this little boy is getting big boy underwear for Christmas!

Happy Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2008

Better late than never, I decided to post some pictures from our Thanksgiving in Maine!

Our good friends, the Schmidt family, whom we met at FIBC in Denmark, invited us to spend the holiday with their family at their home in Bowdoin, ME! We were so excited to spend some time with them and the kids are always up for an outing. Ruby wanted to stay for a loooong time and was disappointed to hear that we'd only be spending two nights there.

This photo is one that Isabelle took right before we dug into the feast she had prepared!

I had hoped that I would be more help to Isabelle, but Max woke up that morning with a 102F temperature and was feeling absolutely miserable, so I ended up spending the morning watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade while she and her girls, Natalie and Olivia, worked hard in the kitchen.

Jared, Jon, and Olivia decided to do their own Turkey Trot around Bowdoin. Aside from aching feet (on Jared's part), the trek was enjoyed by all. Jared has decided to take up running and would eventually like to try a marathon. I think we'll get him some new running shoes before then. ;)

The feast was amazing--sweet potatoes, squash, mashed potatoes, succotash, green bean casserole, chestnut stuffing, cranberry relish, homemade rolls, turkey and ham! Oh, and there were FOUR pies. I'm pretty sure that they ate off that meal for a week!

After dinner, Ruby decided to do a little photojournalism. She took about ten pictures of the ham... apparently it was a very interesting subject! Some of the family said that they could see a face in there somewhere... I'm not seeing it, but maybe I just haven't had enough egg nog!


After dinner, we enjoyed relaxing a bit. Jared and I worked on cutting material for a tree skirt that I was just starting, while Ruby made this adorable turkey from felt and dyed corn husks! That Isabelle is a crafty one!

Max spent the afternoon in his bed napping... After a while, I ended up joining him, finally succumbing to that nasty old virus myself.

After naps, we both felt a bit better and were able to enjoy the rest of the evening including a very competitive game of Pictionary! I'm proud to say that Jared, Olivia and I won-- twice. Not that I keep track of things like that!

We'll close with this shot of Ruby warming up with her hot cocoa after a walk in the woods.

Thank you, Schmidts, for a wonderful Thanksgiving. And sorry for bringing the black death to your doorstep. Hope you still love us!

Hello!

Hmmm... The title of this post looks and sounds a lot more upbeat than I do this week.

I just wanted to let y'all know that I may be out of commission for a few more days. The kids and I are passing around viruses like a hot potato game. Today I have a sinus infection and ear ache. Max has goo coming out of his nose and eyes. And Ruby is just plain grouchy because she's been stuck in the house too long.

You wanna come over?

Just kidding.

I'll be back when my face doesn't resemble a blotchy jelly donut. Until then, stay well.