The New Year

365. Yes, today is the last day of the year and as it comes to a close it is amazing to think I have been blogging continually this past year........and more really!  Crazy!!

I'm excited for the New Year of blogging.  This year is going to go a bit different.  Instead of monthly theme there will be a daily theme.  This will keep me on my toes.  I made it through one year of daily blogging.  Here's to the next........

Scripture Search Sunday

Many Memories Monday

Tasting Terrific Tuesday

Wonderful Words Wednesday

Full of Thanks Thursday

My Favorites on Friday

Super Snapshots Saturday

Love my new look.............thanks D1 and D2!!

2012 here we go!!

The 2011 List

This is my word list for 2011.  Each day back in January I blogged about these one words.  Wonder how I did with it?  Me too.  Before I go back and look at these January words let's see what I'm thinking about them now.  So here we go:

• Commitment:  Blogged every day in 2011; I would say that was commitment (the commitment was to work on all these words)
• Reverence: I've definitely pondered more (I think I did ok)
• 365: See "Commitment" (to blog everyday....I did it!)
• Quotes:  Need to improve  (didn't do so good)
• Train: Took one from SLC to Oakland......it was an experience! (Did it!)
• Reading:  I did more reading in 2011 (More to read in 2012)
• Motto:  Not sure (Forgot it, oops!)
• Move:  I never do enough of that  (need to improve in 2012)
• Naps:  Didn't take enough (Maybe next year I will find time for a few more)
• Cookin': Fell in love with my pressure cooker (It absolutely saw some cookin' time)
• Thank You's:  Improving (can never say thank you enough)
• Learning: Never stopped (using a pressure cooker was something I learned to do)
• Laughter:  Always (No problem with this one!)
• Seed: Ah, not sure where I was going with this (Let go of old habits and step out of my comfort zone and grow into something better...need work)
• Posture: I'm more conscience of it! (Must continue to stand tall)
• Memorize:  Improvement needed (Will try harder next year)
• Intermission: Not a clue (I was reviewing my list….of course I was!)
• Hard Things: I'm Primary President........(that's hard isn't it?)
• Time:  Still wish I had more in a day (I know we all have 24 in a day; I just want more)
• No Offense:  None taken (I feel good about this one, because none will be taken)
• Timeout:  Didn't take enough (It’s that time problem I have)
• Elephants:  See "Hard Things" (Believe me it is one bite at a time, there is no other way)
• Sleep: Doing a lot more in the car......(does that count??)
• Interruptions and Distractions: I’ll always have them (can’t get away from them)
• Birthdays:  Remember them (Getting better at it)
• Focus:  Some days did better than others (That was my word…not sure how focused I stayed)
• New State:  Didn't make it to one this year but will try again next year! (I really want to do this!)
• Sewing:  Created Mrs. Claus (That was a good thing)
• Simplify: Still trying (Need to do more than try!)
• Camera Ready:  Started good; ended slow, really slow! (Not even in my purse anymore)
• New Beginnings:  See Sewing!  (New Beginnings wasn't just about sewing; it was about everything)

One Word

As the month comes to a close the one word that continues to shout out at me is blessed.  The blessings of this Christmas season have been abundant; as have the blessings of this year.

My Blessings:

Mr. Man

Family
Friends

"My Girls"
Church
Work
Health
Home
Travel
Camping

The Movies

Every year at Christmas time there is always a movie or two that is considered a must see.  This year was no different.  The movie that caught my eye this year was War Horse.  It was the “horse” part in the title that told me it was a must see.  Somehow I overlooked the “war” part.  I’m not much on war, violence or cruelty or things of that nature.  At one point well into the movie I looked over at Mr. Man and said, “I shouldn’t be here.”  He replied, “Why?”  After shaking my head in wonderment of his lack of knowledge I recalled a conversation earlier in the movie when the wife said to her husband, “I might hate you more, but I’ll never love you less!”  Perfect!  That was exactly how I was feeling!!!

Bumper Sticker

I've seen this bumper sticker seems like almost daily in the past week.  Maybe it has been showing up for a reason.  Maybe it was just something I needed to see.  One would think living with all the dogs I do, I would know this.  But I guess I needed a bumper sticker to wake me up to it!  As this year of 2011 draws to a close and I look to 2012, I think I'm going to work on doing this more!

It's a Wonderful Life!

So here we are, it’s the day after “the day!”  And what a wonderful day it was.  One of the best parts of Christmas this year for me was that it fell on Sunday. Sunday the day we attend church.  This Sunday we celebrated the real reason for the season; the birth of Jesus Christ; the One who gave His life for ours.  

Perfect!

Searching the Scriptures

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

~~Luke 2:15-20

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

~~Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863)

Milk

I’ve always had this thing with the expiration date on milk.  It is like my benchmark for how much time I have until an event takes place.   Events like Christmas, New Year's, Birthdays and things like that!  When I see that expiration date I know that time is drawing near.  And so last night when Mr. Man brought home a new gallon of milk with January 1^st on it, it was then that it hit me that I was just eight days away from completing my goal of writing everyday in this year of 2011.  

Milk it does a body good!

Meet the Claus'

Checking to see who has been

naughty or nice!!

The Tree

Many of my Christmas memories have been jogged by D2.  She recently wrote about our "wall tree."  I love that she thinks I'm a genius but I know she too would have done the same thing had she been me; it has been said that she is me after all!  It is true that this special tree does make an appearance every year whether we have a traditional tree or not and it will continue to do so for as long as I live.  That tree holds lots of memories.  It has been 24 years since it first made its appearance.  And oddly enough I love it more now than I did when I first made it!

Smooth Sailing

We interrupt this smooth sailing month for a weekend get away to New Mexico.  What a wonderful opportunity it was to spend the past weekend with seven of the grans and their parents.  What a blessing it was for Mr. Man to be able to ordain S1 to the office of High Priest; as he has been called to serve in the Bishopric.  The blessings of this Christmas Season continue to grow!

It's Beginning

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.  You know the feeling.  All the purchases are made or at least you have declared a truce with yourself and said no more shopping!  Wrapping is done! YES!! All the baking is done again another truce has been declared; I will not sift another cup of flour until the New Year!!  It is that feeling you get when excitement fills the air and at last you can't wait until the day morning finally arrives and you can just sit back and savor the moment.  I'm at that point (well almost) and it feels so good!!  I'm on the countdown...........I can hardly wait!!

Searching the Scriptures

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

~~Luke 2:12-14

Traditions

There are so many great parts to Christmas for me.  But one part I love is the tradition part.  Over the years traditions have been started and some have sadly ended.  But always with the end of one another has been born.  This little tradition started; well not sure exactly when.  But definitely after we became "empty nesters" and for obvious reasons.

Perfect, would you say!?!

Candyland

It was candy that my mother made so lovely each year to share with all those who came her way.  Over the years she perfected the art of candy making. She made it seem so easy. Her boxes of candy looked so professional.  And the tastes were amazing.  Carmel that was so buttery and smooth. Carmel Nougat so chewy but soft at the same time.  She made Turtles, English Toffee and Truffles to name a few.  Her candy making brought us together.  Cracking walnuts although not the most exciting activity, she challenged us to crack it perfectly so she would have a perfect half for her turtles.  When a challenge is involved it is a whole new ball game in our family.  Then there was cutting endless amounts of tiny little plastic wrap squares for her Carmel Nougat.  It was a tricky endeavor but the outcome was always worth it.  I have some of her candy making supplies.  I’ve made some of her candy.  Maybe next year I will try my hand at it again.

Cookie Party

What is Christmas without a cookie party?  I like an adventure so I tried something new.  And I must say these turned out better than perfect for me.  They look great, are super easy to make (the chocolate dipping is a little tricky especially when done at midnight) but most importantly they taste wonderful!

Chocolate Covered Snow Peaks

by Tyler Florence

Ingredients

·         4 large egg whites at room temperature

·         1 teaspoon cream of tartar

·         1 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar

·         1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

·         1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 225 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites on low-medium speed with the whisk attachment until the whites become foamy. Add the cream of tartar and turn speed up to medium, beating until just fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, so it incorporates into the whites slowly without collapsing them. Once all the sugar has been added, add the vanilla and increase the speed to high, whisking until the meringue is firm and glossy, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Place meringue mixture into a piping bag with a medium-sized nozzle attached. Pipe 24 bite-sized "kiss"-shaped meringues onto the trays and place in the oven. Bake for 1 hour undisturbed then turn off heat and leave in the oven overnight to really dry out.

Melt chocolate over a double-boiler or in the microwave on medium power for 30 seconds. Holding each meringue by the peak dip the bases in chocolate so the bottom half of the meringue is coated. Let any excess chocolate drop off before placing on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Allow to set at room temperature - do not put in the fridge. Once set, store in an airtight container.

Just before I popped them into the oven!

The finished product!
Those tips are hard to keep from breaking

Turkey

Sure now that Thanksgiving is over look who 

has decided to make an appearance!!

Don't kid yourself,

we are happy to eat you for Christmas too!

Lights Camera Action

Gone are the days of attending school Christmas programs; being that our last child has been out of high school now for 10 years.  (That makes me crazy to say that.)  But today we will have the extraordinary opportunity to attend a special one-night only performance of "Annie Jr."  Starring none other than my extraordinarily talented niece as Annie!  Her sidekick, Sandy is played by Birdie!  It will be grand fun.

Here is the write up from the local paper:

'For elementary students, producing a play can be a great learning experience.

For the students at Riverbend Elementary School in Yuba City, performing "Annie Jr." isn't just a learning experience in acting, directing, lighting and staging. It also a chance to learn about the Great Depression.

They will perform "Annie Jr." on Tuesday.

"I let the kids decide on what play to perform," said director Michele Wright. "They had seen a couple of movies about the Depression era, and were really looking at history. They also wanted to do a musical, so 'Annie Jr.' was perfect."

"Annie Jr." is largely the same play as "Annie," albeit shorter and with some of the darker elements of the story toned down for younger performers. But it still includes the classic songs "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard Knock Life" and "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here," among others.

"Annie Jr." is the story of an 11-year-old orphan named Annie, played by Madelynn Heath. The year is 1933 and she lives in an orphanage run by Miss Hannigan.

Annie escapes the orphanage to go searching for her parents, but Lt. Ward, a policeman, catches her and returns her to the orphanage.

As she returns, Grace, assistant to billionaire Oliver Warbucks, is at the orphanage to take one orphan to live with her boss for the Christmas holiday. Because Annie is in Miss Hannigan's office, Grace takes her to live with Warbucks.

When she arrives at his mansion, she and Warbucks hit it off and they begin to search for Annie's real parents.

"Annie is an orphan looking for a better world," Wright said. "(She and Warbucks) find their way together.

"These are seventh- and eighth-graders who are perfoming this play," Wright said. "We have 30 kids, and everyone has a spot in the cast. They're training for lights, sound, the curtain — everything. (The play) is almost entirely student-ran, I'm just there keeping things on track."

Tuesday's performance won't be the only performance — the cast will also stage the play just for their schoolmates during the week.

"These kids are 12 and 13 and are singing and dancing on stage — that's pretty remarkable," Wright said.'

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/annie-112166-play-warbucks.html#ixzz1gL6pHwCx


My Review:  The play was fantastic.  Mr. Man and I were both blown away, the kids were great.  And Annie wow!  She made me cry!   What a voice.  And Birdie.........a star is born!!  When she came on stage the whole audience let out an audible......ohhh!  She was the perfect Sandy!

Songs of Christmas

I love the music of Christmas.  This year being that I'm serving in Primary I've found a new favorite.  This is the reason for the season after all.

The Nativity Song

This is the season beloved of the year.

Sing a rhyme; Christmas time soon will be here.

Tell the true story of Jesus’ birth,

When, as a baby, he came to the earth.

This is the new star, shining so bright,

Lighting the world on that first Christmas night.

This is the angel proclaiming the birth,

Singing “Hosanna!” and “Peace on the earth!”

This is the stable, shelter so bare;

Cattle and oxen first welcome him there.

This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed,

Waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.

These are the shepherds, humble and mild,

Hast’ning to worship the heavenly child.

These are the wise men who followed the star,

Frankincense, gold, and myrrh brought from afar.

See the sweet mother, Mary so fair,

Joseph, who guided the donkey with care.

See the dear baby of Bethlehem,

Little Lord Jesus, the Savior of men.