highlights

So the Christmas cards are made--but not sent. I am waiting to get a family picture when Andrew and Heather arrive to send out with our cards this year.

Our tree is decorated (thanks to Glen and the boys putting on white and colored lights this year):

And several batches of cookies have been baked, transported, and consumed. My go-to recipe this year is Pistachio Kiss cookies.

 http://yesterfood.blogspot.com/2014/03/pistachio-kiss-pudding-cookies.html
(I use 1/4 cup flour instead of 2 tablespoons and the cookies are 1 tablespoon-sized and not 2 tablespoon-sized as the recipe calls for so it make about 56)

We've been busy with various holiday activities. So the highlights of our Christmas season so far:

On the 8th I got together with some friends to celebrate my birthday. I made the above-mentioned cookies. We also made divinity and a raspberry crumble dessert, plus peppermint bark was provided fro us. Delicious stuff.

On the 9th we had a Relief Society activity where we went caroling. There were 5 of us and I think we sounded pretty good. I'm sure the cookies we brought were even more appreciated than our singing. Good times. (yup, I brought the pistachio kiss cookies)

Glen and I saw the local production of "The Nutcracker" on the 12th. When the kids were little and Glen would get free tickets for helping with the light and sound, we went several years in a row, but I haven't been in a long time because I didn't really enjoy those productions much. I guess it's because of trying to keep the children quiet and happy, because I really loved the show this time around. I also knew a lot of the kids who were dancing, so I'm sure that added to the enjoyment. They did a marvelous job.

Glen, Alex, Eric, and I went to a handbell ensemble concert on the 13th. WOW. Loved it. There are 14 members of the group Tintabulations, one of whom is our new high school librarian. In between each piece, one or two of the group members would share a favorite Christmas memory. It really was excellent--perfect for bringing the Christmas spirit. I even bought their Christmas CD. Go to their website and check them out. They have a few videos up. I recommend "The First Noel."

http://tintabulations.com
http://tintabulations.com/first-noel-performed-tintab/

Then at church on the 14th, Hannah and Eric sang the Primary version of "Away in a Manger" while I accompanied them. I think they did a great job. And I didn't really mess up, so that was nice, too.

Later that night we attended the baptism of our great-niece. Congratulations Brinley!

Monday the 15th we had Alex play hooky (we didn't let Glen play hooky, however) and Alex, Eric, Hannah, and I went to Reno to shop. It was a good day. Even if we went to 3 stores with Alex to get clothes and in the end he only got a $1 t-shirt from a thrift store. But it was fun to be together.

That night Glen, Alex, Eric, and I went Christmas caroling with a friend, Jody, and her friends. Yup, pistachio kiss cookies were my offering (I told you it was my go-to recipe this year).

On Wednesday night my parents drove in and spent 2 nights. They are now at my sister's for Christmas. On Thursday we went Christmas shopping and out to eat (the spinach and cheese ravioli at Don Julio's was the best).

Friday night I went to a Christmas dinner (delicious quiches) and white elephant gift party (I took partially used lotions, nail polish, and shampoo and came home with 6 adorable Christmas ornaments). I brought pistachio kiss cookies, of course. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful women. It was a fabulous evening. Thanks Jennifer and everyone.

one of my new ornaments

So tonight we will be going to a special Christmas musical fireside (and bringing, what else, but the pistachio kiss cookies). I am really looking forward to it. Music is such a big part of Christmas for me.

And cold. Cold really helps me feel in the mood for Christmas. Well, it's been kind of cool, but not really cold. So I'm feeling a little "not Christmasy." I guess I could turn down the heat...

But Andrew and Heather are coming in for the holidays. Monday night the family is going caroling (and I'm bringing gingerbread cookies...and pistachio kiss cookies) and on Thursday we will get to hear from Ryan! I'm sure I'll be feeling Christmasy-enough by then.


How blessed we are to have each other and the knowledge of Christ and His atonement in our lives.  Merry Christmas everyone.

birthday week with lots of fun stuff

This past Monday was Hannah's 19th birthday. Notice the nice wrapping job someone did on one of her presents (an old blanket, and no, I wasn't the one...I used the second hand Christmas gift bag for one of my gifts). Also notice her new hair cut. She's not too sure about it as she says it makes her look like a soccer mom, but I love it.

her chosen cake flavor--chocolate cake with caramel sauce and crushed oreos

Tuesday night was my last graphic design class. It was fun and frustrating--I easily get frustrated when learning new things on the computer, but once I got it figured out, it was really a blast. Besides using photoshop and adobe illustrator, we also briefly delved into Indesign (I had to design a 7 page booklet) and Dreamweaver (for web publications--I made a multipage website which is not actually on the web, however). One of our first projects was to design a business card of any kind. My  mom has been calling me Boo Boo Bear since I was about 4. I went with that as my business card. Like I said, class was fun. (thank you Eric for figuring out how to post this file!)

On Saturday December 6th, Glen and I were the King and Queen for the high school music department's Madrigal dinner (a fundraiser). When first asked (many months ago), I said yes, thinking we'd just sit there...but they actually had a script. Back in high school I had one line to say in the ward road show ("Tut! My baby! You've come back!") and that's about the extent of my experience on the stage, though I did do a chataqua with Glen once.

Besides the 2 of us (King Glensworth and Queen Eliza Beth), there were 4 members in our court (Lord Mitch the Poetical, Lady Lissa the Loud, Count Carl the Incomprehensible, and Countess Susan the Occasionally Sane). Luckily, we were not expected to memorize our lines. And I had the fewest lines (thanks, Glen, for arranging that!). Yes, that was definitely going out of my comfort zone, but I really had a great time. I got to wear the most gorgeous dress (that I couldn't get into or out of without help and 10 minutes of our time). The dress was sewn for a previous production (great job on the dress Kara!) and we were lucky to be able to use it.

So, being a fund raiser for the music department, there was a lot of musical numbers while we were eating and then a concert at the end. My favorite number of the night would be Aurora singing "O Come Emmanuel," which is my all time favorite Christmas hymn. My second favorite was a group of LDS boys that we know performing "The 12 Days of Christmas" in the style of BYU's Vocal Point, which is a version of Straight No Chaser's "The 12 Days of Christmas."  Here is Vocal Point's version (our guys were even better than this, though, in my opinion):

When we got back from the dinner, Hannah had a "last day of me being 52" party set up for me. She made this great "cake" I had pointed out to her on pinterest. It's called funfetti cake batter cookie dough brownie layer cake. Click HERE to go to the recipe. Brownie layers and cookie dough layers made from funfetti cake mix with a chocolate ganache frosting. We saved it for after dinner today. Oh. My. Talk about rich and delicious. Thanks Hannah!

here's a close up of the layers

At church today, Eric reported on his mission to the High Council and he did a great job. Last Sunday he gave the youth fireside. I'm so glad the Bishop asked him about his testimony last week because he bore a powerful one. Part of his testimony last Sunday as well as today was on how the Lord blesses us more than we can ever repay Him for. As we are obedient the blessings come. I wish I had taken notes while he was reporting as I'm terrible at remembering details. I just know it was great.

And today, I received my "honor bee" to go with my Personal Progress medal. (after earning the medal, you need to re-read the Book of Mormon and perform 40 hours of service to get your honor bee)

 

After the First Presidency Christmas Devotional tonight...

So, it's been a great week. And year.