Christmas Celebration

Today was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for us in Minnesota.  Normally we wait for the “usual” time but since we will be in Chicago for those 2 days, we celebrated our small family’s Christmas early.

Every Christmas Eve my husband (and this year my son) disappear in the kitchen and come out an hour later with the most wonderful finger foods that would satisfy any palate.
Christmas Eve finger foods
The “spread” is delightful to behold.  Plates fill up quickly and we always manage to go back for seconds.

These are fresh vegetarian avocado egg rolls which also have shredded carrot and cucumbers.

Inari
Inari is a Japanese dish that has cooked rice (with vinegar) and includes sliced carrots and cucumbers.  It is held together in a tofu wrap.  Very delicious.
We never can have enough healthy vegetables to eat — fresh broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and sliced cucumbers.

Pineapple, orange slices, pickled herring, green and black olives accompany the mint and almond M&M’s.  This is the first year we’ve tried the new M&M’s.

Smoked salmon, crackers and edam cheese finish off the list of finger foods.

Only thing missing this year was our number one son who still lives in Seattle.  And of course, the wonderful friends we left behind.

While eating, we listen to Christmas carols and talk and enjoy each other’s company.
Afterwards, we open presents.  A little early this year but it’s more about the love we have for each other and the love that Christ has for us than the actual date.
After all, that’s the real reason for this lovely season.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Grown Up Christmas

As I was listening to the radio on TV, the song Grown Up Christmas List started to play.  There are many versions of it but the one that was playing was by Monica.

The words were soothing to me.   (I’ve added a link in case you want to download the song to hear it.)

Platinum Christmas

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I’m all grown up now
Can you still help somehow
I’m not a child but my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

(Refrain) No more lives torn apart
That wars will never start
And time will heal all hearts
And every man would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up Christmas list

May kindness rule our lives
Not just the strong survive
Sweet tears for all the thousand years gone by
This is the world I pray
We will all share some day
Help me begin by reaching out my hand.

(Refrain)

Why is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in the blind belief
Can we ever find the truth

(Refrain)

This is my grown up Christmas list
Christmas list

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Marriage Vows

There are many marriage vows.  Some are traditional and some are written by the bride and groom.  One of the ones I recently saw included the words “I will serve you with tenderness and respect.”

At the entrance to the apartment complex where I live, this statue sits almost unnoticed.
When I first saw it, there was no snow.  After Minnesota got hit with a few weekends of snow, I looked at the statue surrounded by snow.
I was reminded how in marriage we need to continue being tender and gentle with one another in spite of the adversities and life changes that we go through.
This is how God’s relationship with us is also.  In Matthew 11:29 Jesus says “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
Rest in this world of busyness.
In our Father’s love as in our marriages we find rest for our souls.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

UGG boots

With all the snow that Minnesota has been getting lately, and the cold temperatures, I decided I needed warm boots.

I rarely shop for myself but when I do, I usually go to Nordstrom’s since my shopping time is usually quick there, service is great, and I find exactly what I’m looking for.

Within 10 minutes of walking into Nordstrom’s I found my new UGG boots.

UGG Boots

When I tried them on they felt snug.  The salesperson assured me that this was the correct fit and that they will stretch.

Trusting him, as I have previous Nordstrom salespeople, I left with my boots in hand.

They are truly warm and comfortable.  I had the option of getting an insert to give foot support but for $40 I decided to pass on it.

I figure I won’t be wearing them all the time so I shouldn’t have to worry too much about support.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Pancakes from scratch

I tried a simple recipe that I found at allrecipes.com for pancakes.

The recipe is included below although I changed one measure — the salt.  The original recipe says add 1 teaspoon salt but I found that one teaspoon is too much.  I’d suggest trying 1/2 teaspoon salt and if you want a little more flavor add a wee bit of vanilla.

This recipe is so simple and makes quite a few pancakes so I suggest you make a large batch of the recipe and then put some away in a container for future use.  No need to go out and buy already made pancake mixes.

Pancakes from scratch

These are fluffy and you can add other ingredients like mashed bananas, blueberries or thinly sliced applies.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Make a well (hole) in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter.  Mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle  over medium heat.  (I used butter but I’m sure a non-stick spray will work as well.)  Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.  Brown on both sides and serve hot.

I thought 1/4 cup was too little so I added more but the batter spread quickly so I’d stick with the 1/4 cup that it calls for.

Enjoy!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Godiva Chocolates

It’s always nice to receive Christmas packages in the mail.  Especially when they come from people you aren’t expecting a package from such as the real estate agent who recently sold our Seattle house.

Godiva Chocolates

Godiva Dark Chocolates

Godiva Milk Chocolate Assortment

The boxes came wrapped in cellophane which I immediately removed.

These dark chocolate pieces will go fast as there are only four of them.

The milk chocolates have a smooth taste and almost melt in your mouth.

They taste fresh and are highly recommended.

Thank you to Carrie Pierce, Home Realty Realtor in Seattle, WA.  If you’re looking for a top-notch agent, this is the person to use (and not just because she sent us chocolates).

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Christmas Ornaments

Most years, we go out and get a live blue Frasier tree for Christmas.

We bring it in and let it dry overnight for a day before putting on the Christmas music and decorating it.

We have received many ornaments throughout the years.  Some are angels, different color balls, snowflakes, birds, etc.

Every year we methodically place the ornaments on the tree remembering the people who gave them to us and when we received it.

This year, our small artificial tree has ornaments that we bought at Walmart and Target.

We had no memories with the ornaments we placed on our tree this year except the new ones we made.

A move to Minnesota.
A new job.
Apartment living.
Close proximity to family.
Snow.
House-hunting.

Yet the memories we have of the ornaments of “old” still remain with us.  Never to be replaced by these ornaments.

Each person who walked through my life has been etched in my mind — their smile, laugh, advice.  Each one as different as each ornament — unique.

It reminds me of a Scripture that says “And even the very hairs of your head are numbered.”  Found in Matthew 10:30 this verse refers us to God who knows everything about us including the number of hairs on our head.

We are never forgotten by Him.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email