Christmas Day 2010

We woke up Christmas Day, not at the crack of dawn! That's the beauty of living in a house with teenagers. They aren't so much the early risers as the little ones on Christmas Day. We all had fun opening our presents and cleaning up the paper and ribbons. Gramma and Papa H. came by to deliver and open a few themselves. They gave the great grands movies and the grands got hotpads (hand made) and a sharp paring knife etc. in their presents. It's always nice to get new things for the kitchen. It's my favorite room in the house. Grumpy and I got some good reading from Robert and some sparkling grape juice for the celebrations coming up. Grumpy got a nice History of Aircraft and I got Women of the Old Testament. Good books. I also got a Mary Englebright Fairy Tale book from Summer and Jamie. I love Mary Englebright's art, and I'm a sucker for a fairy tale. Also a good book. Got a great outdoor stove from Papa K. and can't wait to try it out. I think we are teaming up with Tawna and Nathan to do dutch oven pizza this Friday. We'll see how that goes. Grumpy and I got our griddle ahead of time this year for our gift. It has already been to R.B.'s for sandwiches, down to the dunes for more sandwiches and maybe a pancake or two. It will come in handy through the year I'm sure. Jade and Jeff gave us our favorite candy and some awesome coupons good for wonderful stuff in the weeks to come. We got a power generator/portable battery charger from R.B. and Stacie so Grumpy can get things started wherever he is. That has come in handy already too.

Tawna and Nathan were our hosts again this year for Christmas Day dinner. All the kids decided on Mexican Food potluck again, so we had quite the buffet. Jade made her famous Guacamole and her wonderful salsa for appetizers. Robert decided to do his version of the Louie's we all like at Mattas. He also went online and got a recipe for Jalapeno Cream Cheese. It was good, but we will play with that and hopefully get closer to the Geckco Grill recipe that we love. The Louie's were good, but we can fine tune those too. He did a great job figuring out how to make them and what to do different next time. He likes the kitchen too.




Summer and Jamie brought yummy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, R.B. and Stacie brought Green Chile Meat for burros, or not, I brought tamales (from Shar's), both green chile corn/chicken/cheese, and beef. I made a chocolate nutty delight for dessert. We love that stuff. Tawna and Nathan got salsa, tortillas, chips, rice, beans, lettuce, tomato and sour cream to fill in the gaps. People brought soda pop and it was a delicious dinner. We ate outside and it was nice. Faith made a banner to decorate the patio with. The cousins all ran around crazy and had fun. The adults all talked and did some more gift exchanging. We all got our annual invitation to Tawna and Nathan's dinner. She has done an awesome dinner for all the adults (her siblings and us) for three years now. It has been so great to get together without all the kids for once so the brothers and sisters can really visit and spend some time together. We are all looking forward to that coming up in February this year.



Taya is coming between Christmas and New Year's and we are excited to see her and Kevin and the kids. The best present is always being with family and the safe journeys we enjoy in our travels.

I have such a great family. I love them all so very much.

The Night before Christmas 2010…

Ahhhh…The night we all look forward to all year. This year R.B. and Stacie were our hosts and they did an excellent job getting ready for the party. Grumpy and I got a new griddle for our Christmas present this year. It worked out really well. We will get some help to do a few modifications on the height, etc. and it will be even better next year. Grumpy chopped and sliced all day getting everything ready to go. R.B. and Stacie pitched in and cut the tomatoes right before the crowd came. Stacie made her famous Spinach and Artichoke dip (so yummy) and Frances brought her famous Arrowhead Dip, so I'm surprised anyone had room for a sandwich after that! We got our buns from a great sandwich shop our guys eat at all the time, and they were the best buns ever. It is a little Mom & Pop place called Philly's Famous on Alma School, just north of Warner. They were kind enough to sell us 6 dozen of their rolls for Christmas Eve. It made our sandwiches that night more like the originals than ever before.



The dips are always so good. I love them both.



Stacie slicing some olives at the last minute for those of us who like them on our sandwiches.




Grumpy is getting started for the "Everythings minus…" for the kids. They all pretty much just eat the meat and cheese. I did a homemade Mac & Cheese for all the little ones who aren't quite old enough to appreciate an Italian Peppersteak Sandwich. Robert ended up adding some mac & cheese and some arrowhead dip to his everything. He says it was awesome. I don't know.



Gramma H.'s sandwich. They were all so good. She's an Everything minus mushrooms.



R.B. biting into his Everything minus mushrooms. He also gets out the chopper and chops his peppers and onions up really fine. Different strokes for different folks. It's all good.




Stacie organized a cousin gift exchange this year. The kids all had a great time buying and receiving their gifts. I love Christmas Eve. It was wonderful as always, only we missed our Taya and her family. I guess you can't have everything all the time.

The Baskets and Tins

I really misssed not doing much for give away treats last year. I was determined to make this year better in terms of showing some appreciation for meals brought in, phone calls, prayers, etc. It has been a very crazy year. Even still there are so many people that I didn't deliver to, but hopefully they will know our heartfelt gratitude for their love and concern. Back in the summer of 2009 I canned some various jams and in the process did some tiny jars that are really only a sample. I was going to do baskets with homemade bread and jams and various other goodies, but Christmas 2009 just got away from me. This year I got the little jars out and decided to just do it.

Grumpy and I went shopping for inexpensive baskets to pack our goodies into and ended up with a combination of both baskets and tins. He kept muttering under his breath…"what's wrong with paper plates?" I think he thought I couldn't hear him. No paper plates for my plans this year. After all, presentation is part of the gift. Paper plates are fine for a lot of things, but not for our packages this year.

Having started a little late in the season, I had to be realistic about time, so I settled on various combinations of bread/jams (four different kinds) toffee and various other things that were available to pack into our gifts. Summer made some delicious little pretzel/rolo/M&M treats that she did a few variations of and were really tasty. I got a little grouchy Sunday morning as I was getting the baskets ready for delivery - I guess I didn't calculate the tired factor that is my constant companion these days. Nonetheless, baskets were readied, Christmas Sunday was wonderful and then baskets were delivered. It felt good to give just a few things to a few families who live around us and have been so helpful. People Jamie and Richard hometeach (not the same families) and those who give of their time to teach us. There were also a few friends mixed in and I wish I had started earlier so I could have done a longer list. There have been so many people who have called and come to visit, best friends over the years who have been there and so on.




Toffee cooking. It took a couple of batches to get to know the right settings on Summer's stove, so I had an overcooked batch that I did give away as it wasn't terrible. (I hope not any way).



Toffee cooling all dressed up in chocolate and nuts. I love the breaking up part after it is all set. There are always a few pieces that just don't break right so they have to be eaten. You know, the really little ones that are just too small to pack. Yummm.

Next year I will do even better and hope that I continue to have the energy and resources to do all this. Because I truly love it.

Giving is the best blessing there is.

Lacy's Wedding

I guess I should say Lacy and Barry's wedding. Been talking about it and doing stuff for it (mostly offering advice) for months now. Thank goodness it is done. I really didn't do that much for it but I know how hard Tracy and Kevin have been working to get everything done. I did help a little on her dress and got it ready to go. Tracy sewed most of it and then I helped with the skirt. We did a good job with our team effort and Lacy looked beautiful in it. She was a very pretty bride and of course we all think Barry is a lucky man. She is blessed to have found him too, I am sure.

The day started with me making 6 gallons of potato soup for the reception. It was done (with Grumpy and Robert's help) by 10 am so we could go to the wedding. Barry's Grandfather was there to seal them in the Az. Temple and it was a wonderful ceremony. Very simple and for time and eternity. That's the best. There were pics at the Temple with most of the group, but some of the party had already gone. There were so many people there for the wedding.

After the Temple, it was home to change. I rested for about an hour and then packed the soup and me to Tracy's to do whatever.





I was just late enough that all the tables were set up and looking very lovely. Tawna was already there and she is a great kitchen dictator. She is very good at getting things done and ready. Tracy has wonderful help from Kevin's family too. They are all doer's and fun to work with. I look forward to the behind the scenes activity at the weddings so I get to talk to his fun family.



Tawna and I posing for a pic.



Lisa and her Danielle stopping for a sec. Her other cute daughter Heather was somewhere else, but is amazing help too. They are quite the team.




Leslie putting together some last minute greens to help out the serving table. She is so awesomely talented. Her flowers are truly beautiful. She did the bouquets and all the table flowers and did such an outstanding job. Again. She and her girls Brittany, Brooke, Becky and Brianna were on hand to do whatever was needed and were such great help.

Patty and JoAnn were doing their part as well. Pam and Ashley were on hand and everyone was so willing to just get it all done. It's always fun to work with such a great bunch of family.

Jade, Summer, Jamie, Grumpy and Robert came closer to the start of the reception and were doing so many last minute things. If I didn't already know a thing or two about the down-side of catering weddings, a group like this would almost make me consider it. I should say all the girls husbands were right there too. I love it families come together like this.



Above are Dallin and Tanner manning the Italian Cream Sodas. Brother Bob has quite a set-up and has the making of wonderful Italian Cream Sodas down. He and the boys set up the workings and served the tastiest beverages all evening. I tried a couple and am looking forward to the next party.

The food choices down the food tables were Potato, Chicken Noodle, or Corn Chowder soups in a fresh baked bread bowl, a spinach salad that is to die for, Italian Cream Sodas, Donuts (glazed, chocolate glazed, sugar twists and maple bars) all on a collection of glass cake plates, Hot Chocolate (complete with flavored syrups, peppermints, cinnamon and nutmeg and of course marshmallows) to add. And the wedding cake was bannana coconut or red velvet. It was all good. Better than good. No one went away unsatisfied.



All the Grace Grands. Four little guys and One little Penny. Too cute for words and all dressed up for the special day.



The Grace Clan getting ready for the camera clicks. What a good looking group! Love them all.
It was a beautiful wedding, a gorgeous reception, and everyone had a great time. Weddings. Craziness. Happiness. All things family. It was a memorable weekend for sure.

Setting the Mood... Christmas in the House

Even older and slower I still like to make the house reflect the happiness of the holidays. Since the kids were little I have tried to make our home memorable at Christmas. I thought that no matter how much or little we actually did on Christmas Day, the house would be as Christmasy as possible to set a mood that they would remember through the years. For me, getting the house into the spirit was how I got myself into the right spirit to celebrate the birth of Christ. I love the look of the tree, and the garlands with their white lights glinting off the ornaments and glittery ribbons. When the room is done, I can sit and enjoy the peace that the lights bring to it. Even the cupboards in the kitchen are usually wrapped for the season. I love making the holidays special for my family and building traditions they will take with them to their homes. Holidays are special times that bring families together and we are able to spend a little time together in this busy world. Fancy or not, I know that the effort we make to have a special feeling in our home is in our memories. We might not remember all the things we get at Christmas, but we remember the season and feeling we had in our home. I love the trappings of Christmas that allow us to set the ordinary things of life aside for a few weeks and enjoy the beauty of all the extra stuff that is making home special.

It took a little longer than I'm used to, but the house looks like Christmas is coming this year. I can now sit and "watch" the tree and enjoy the peace of the season. I remember doing that with Nana in her home and loving that I do that in mine. I love doing that in my kids homes too.



The tree is done, yay. I love looking at the tree and all the memories that brings. I put the tree together by myself this year (in my "impaired" condition) and it's too bad I didn't have a video camera on. We could have won some serious money with it this year. The tree almost won a couple of times, but I did eventually prevail. Jordyn was my finishing up helper this year and did a great job getting the finishing touches just so. She will be an awesome tree doer someday.



It was nice putting garland on a stairway again this year. We had a stairway at the cabin last year, but I didn't get to enjoy it very much as we were only there on weekends. I love the way the garland looks going up the railing. Jordyn was a big help finishing up here too.



The Nativity scene. I love to get this set up and so enjoy looking at it during the season. I finally got one I really love and missed setting it up last year.



The Christmas dishes are out and ready to go. It's no secret I do love my dishes and so mine and Summer's are both out this year and I am loving it.



The cupboards are festive, but just barely. I was having a particularly hard time with the ribbon this year, so in the middle of it all I promised myself I would cut it off the cabinets at the end of the season and burn it. I probably really won't, but I won't use it again next year. I like my ribbon to be obedient, at this one is not. It looks nice done though.



I found this crazy set of boxes a few years ago at Costco. 12 boxes. 12 Days of Christmas on them. I love them and the song too. Even as annoying as it can be.

I love this season. Everything about it.

Weekend in Solvang

Well, the weekend between Thanksgiving and December 1st is usually my busiest weekend. Back in the day, I would go to various houses (as well as the office where I worked) and set up and decorate Christmas trees. I don't have so many to do now that I am older and slower. This year Grumpy and I took the weekend off and flew to Solvang to visit Taya and Kevin's family. I fully intended to help her get all the Christmas stuff up so she would be able to enjoy their limited season with the older kids. Did I say I am older and slower? That doesn't begin to cover it. We did get the tree (already up) decorated and I must say it looked very nice. Emmy thought so too. Taya tells me she has since broken several ornaments and no amount of punishment (which isn't too stringent) will deter her from her fascination with the tree this year. She is two after all, and that is the worst year for Christmas trees. She is too funny.

We had a great time with our California family. We went to the year round Christmas store and I didn't even buy anything. Grumpy is still in shock. I found some Ug type boots to buy for cheap and was a happy shopper. We all know how much I love to shop (not)! We ate at our favorite China Panda and it was Goooooooood! We had tasty dinners at home too. It was fun to see the kids and spend some time in their digs. Daron was a gentleman and gave up his room for us. Thanks Daron. He gave a very good talk in Church on Sunday. I don't think he was even nervous.

Kaitlin and Maddie were drawing stuff and reading a lot too. They are such cute girls. Lauren was funny Lauren. She has such a sweet nature.

It was a great weekend.



Grumpy and me with the plane. I'm looking as cute as I usually do these days. (a train wreck). I must say though, I like not wearing make up very often. I guess I'm old enough not to do that for other people. I only wear it when I want to. Maybe I'll learn to want to more often again some day. For now, I am just me.



Grumpy getting comfy in our guest bed.

Thanksgiving 2010

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving this year and life has been ultra crazy from that weekend on. At least that's my lame excuse for not getting the post done until now. Jade and Jeff were our Host's this year and they did an excellent job. They set up tables and got everything ready for the whole fam damily to descend. Well, not quite the whole fam damily. R.B. and Stacie had plans with Heidi and Bruce who were traveling from out of state. I think most of Stacie's family made it to their fun day too. Jamie and Summer had family coming from hither and yon on Jamie's side, so spent the weekend mostly in Maricopa. We missed Taya and Kevin's cute family this year. They stayed at home in CA. and did their own thing this year.

We are happy to have had such a good day. I personally discovered (again) that I need to make pie more often. Crusts were never hard for me until I stopped making pie except for once a year. I am definitely out of practice. I planned on making 4 pies for our mini pie fest after dinner, but alas, I only got 2 done. And those were only done by a slim margin. Tawna helped make up for my less than manic skills and made an Apple and a Pumpkin pie to bring. I ended up with a Lemon and a Coconut Cream. Gramma Dorothy brought her famous Pecan. Someone made a delicious Strawberry dessert too. None of us went away without dessert overload.

Tawna roasted our 20 + pound turkey and made the dressing. Jade did the mashed potatoes and got us all set up and ready to sit down and eat, plus all the last minute things Hostesses end up doing for everyone. She also got the rolls in to bake and the carrots and corn on to cook. Jeff's sister, Christy brought the famous green bean casserole. Gramma H. brought Grumpy's favorite jello salad, sweet potatoes, the pecan pie, some coleslaw (just for me because I love her coleslaw so much) and maybe some cranberry sauce. We all succumbed to dinner overload and wanted to sleep the rest of the day. It was fun to visit and catch up with family we don't see often. I love Thanksgiving.



Kay, Christy, Jeff and Robert waiting for dinner.



Nathan was our Turkey Carver and did an excellent job.



Our mini pie fest for our desserts this year. They were all awesome.

My sincere thanks to Grumpy (and his helpers) for all the table loading and unloading, same for chairs and the hauling of such items wherever they were needed. He is always there for me and helps me so much. What a guy!

Walk On…

Early in the month of November saw the organization of a breast cancer walk by the Making Strides people. Tawna got us all involved (all who could be) and for many of us it was the first time we had participated in something like it. We wanted to do something to show our love and support for our sweet family member who is dealing with breast cancer at this time. Tawna got us all signed up and we got some shirts printed so we would look like a team. The walk took place at the Tempe Town Lake and I think the final word on the distance was 4.3 miles. It was really quite wonderful to see all the people who were there to walk for someone, had survived breast cancer, or who simply wanted to do something to show concern. There were a lot of people there. I never heard how many walked that day, but there were at least 1 or 2 thousand it seemed like. I don't have a pic of the whole group as it was on Tawna's camera, but I have a few of before the walk and then some as our group came across the finish line.






Our walkers were Grumpy, Tawna, Nathan, Faith, Chance, Taya, Kaitlin, Maddie (Kaitlin's friend), Summer, Jordyn, Rylee, Jade, Robert, Tracy, Kevin, Malea, and Colby. I was there with my shirt on, but knew I wasn't up to a long walk yet. I waited for them at the finish line and took pics. Me and the high school cheerleaders who showed up to cheer people on along the finish line.



Kaitlin and her friend Maddie finished first from our group.



Grumpy and Jordyn were next to cross.






Kaitlin kept circling back to come in with whoever was next to finish. She was too funny. Of course we can't do anything without food, so we all went to breakfast at a little hole in the wall called “Carolina's”. Not much to look at, but they do have really good food. The best tortilla's ever.

It was a great experience and we hope that our sweet lady will know how much we love her and that she is in our prayers always.

Thank you all for coming to walk. It was fun and hopefully will teach us to be aware of the concern out there in the world from so many people. Tawna, thanks for thinking of doing this and organizing us. We should do it again.

October Decorations

Now that October is over, I guess I'll get around to posting a little. I remember years (when I had a lot more energy) our house looking pretty awesome the month of October. I would web much of the interior, make all the frames on the walls crooked, put out all the wonderful, fun decorations accumulated through the years even made "halloween candy" lights one year. I really like those lights. They are lots of fun.

This year I decided I would do only what I had energy for, so it was pretty lame, but hey, some is better than none, right?

This is what you saw coming up the walk to the front door:




I made the tall witch years ago and I really have enjoyed her for many a Halloween.



I managed to put the candy lights on the stairs and place a few jack-o-lanterns around the house. Sadly, that is as far as I got. I really missed the webs. One of my favorite things to do after the webs were all strung was to walk under them and toss black spiders (plastic of course) up into them. That was so much fun. Maybe next year.

I have so many fun memories of costumes Nana made for me, and my brothers and sisters. Later she made some for her grandkids. She always did such a good job and enjoyed doing it. I remembeer a Spanish Dancer dress, a Jeanie, a Dutch Boy and Girl, a Pirate, a Gypsy, several Witches, a Princess or two, Bo Peep, a couple of Clowns, and many others.

Maybe that's why I love the season of Halloween so much. Great memories.