A Mellow Merry Christmas

 

We enjoyed our Christmas at home this year.  It's become more of a tradition.  The Fall is super busy, Les travels almost non-stop, so by the time Christmas rolls around we are ready to be at home.  Most of our gifts were on our Amazon wish lists, but they still felt like surprises!

 

 

Mine included shoes, a sweater, a coffee mug, a purse and a new coffee maker.  

 

Les got some new shoes, a jacket, a mug and a few other surprises.

 

This is a two sided "Food Decision Coin."  One side is Wife's choice and the other is Husband's choice.  If you're like us, you spend way too much time saying, "What do you want to eat?  I don't know, what do you want to eat?"  Hopefully this will help us with our decision making!

 

It was a beautiful, sunny day!

California Weekending

 

We got home from Hawaii late last Friday night.  By the time we got in bed it was after 1:00 a.m. on Saturday - Les' 60th birthday!  I'm a horrible blogger since I didn't even mention it here, but I'm a good wife who showered him with love on his big day.

Four hours later, Les' alarm went off and he was out the door by 6:00.  He met up with friends in Ventura and they rode the Cool Breeze Century ride - 100 miles on his 60th!

Meanwhile, I went to the grocery store to get enough food to get us through the weekend.  I also bought supplies for another batch of homemade ice cream.  This time I made cookies and cream, cherry, German chocolate cake, and Heath bar.  I'm having SO much fun experimenting with different flavors!  I don't really measure the add-ins, I use about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup for each quart of ice cream.

We hadn't been up for long on Sunday morning when we received a text that church was cancelled for the day.  This was due to tropical storm Hillary, with the threat of flooding and road closures.  The rain started mid-morning and didn't stop the rest of the day.

Sunday afternoon, Les was taking a nap and I was reading when I felt something a little different.  The wind had been blowing all morning, but I knew this was something else.  Within seconds, our phones started going off with emergency alerts.  It was an earthquake!  This was in Ojai which is about 50 miles from us.  Later that evening we had another emergency alert - this time for flash flooding.  Our total rainfall for Sunday was about 3.7 inches - more than a fourth of our annual average of 12 inches.

Les received two birthday gifts on Monday.  A bag of coffee from his sister, Lisa:

 

And a flugelhorn!  

 

 

This is something he's been wanting for a while.  His horn collection is growing:

Trumpet, flugelhorn, pocket trumpet

 

Things are definitely odd - a wildfire in Hawaii and a tropical storm in California, but one thing hasn't change, I was with my best friend!

Boy Turns Winning Prize into Gifts for Needy Children

The above headline caught my attention this morning.  USAToday reports that after winning a $160 tablet from his school fundraiser, nine-year-old Jarrett cashed in his new gift and bought gifts for needy children.  He took tags from his school's Angel Tree.

"Jarrett bought Christmas gifts for 15 children. Among the gifts: a blanket to keep a little girl warm, books to make an 11-year-old smile and toy trucks for a special someone. He got more than $300 worth of merchandise because of sales and using coupons."

In a time when headlines are full of violence, protests, and politics, it's wonderful to see a young boy that understands what the season is about.   "Giving is the right thing to do even if you really, really want it, because you know that another kid might really, really need it."

John 3:16 says  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."   I'm so glad for the precious gift from God because I really, really needed it!

12/24 ~ Wrapped (Photo-A-Day)

I have an accumulation of wrapping paper, boxes, bags, tissue paper and bows.  At Home!  I bought one roll this year.  The "gift bag" is a plain brown bag (from a restaurant, I think) that I wrapped.  It's the thought that counts, not the wrapping paper, right?

Are your gifts all wrapped??  When do you open gifts - Christmas Eve, Christmas morning or some other time?

12/12 ~ Joy Is... (Photo-A-Day)

It's Christmas time, a time when we think about gifts, stress about gifts, and wrap gifts!  I am done with my shopping, how about you?  I find great joy in giving - the look on a loved ones face as they open a gift you spent hours searching for.  I'm adding just a little extra joy today - I've got a giveaway going at my running blog.  Check it out here.  If you're not a follower, let me know and I can send you an invite.

Because Cycling and Pasta Go Hand in Hand

Mary wanted to know what Les and I exchanged as gifts this year. I will tell you up front - he spoiled me big time and enjoyed himself along the way! He has been telling me, "you're getting something for Christmas" since early November. All my gifts fall under two categories - cycling or pasta making!

On the cycling side, he got me clip-in cycling shoes and pedals, which means I'm a real cyclist now. At least I will be once I learn to ride with these! He also bought me a new Dressing for His Glory skort made out of super lightweight fabric! Les called the owner of DFHG and asked if she could make a lightweight garment, I've already worn it running and riding and it's going to be great this summer when the temps heat up!

You might remember my pasta making adventure a while back. I think my muscles were sore for about a week! Les got me the Marcato pasta maker with a ravioli attachment! I can't wait to try it out. I said, "I'll need to do lots of cycling so I can enjoy the pasta." Les said, "You need to make lots of pasta so you can ride more!" He also called the pasta maker "the gift that keeps on giving." Definitely a gift for both of us.

Les bought a new bike back in July and has been saying it was his Christmas present. I didn't let that stop me from buying him a few things! Like a shirt, some Old Testament study books (I & II Kings, Ruth and Joshua), and a cycling wind vest.

And finally, I picked up this picture frame in Santa Barbara last week. It is made from a bicycle chain and the picture says, "I want to ride bikes with you." Could not pass it up!


Cycling and pasta really do go hand in hand, just like Les and Kathy!

Toys for Tots 2011

We had our fourth annual Toys for Tots giveaway at church yesterday and it was a huge success! Approximately 150 children with their parents, grandparents or guardians were in attendance. You can see the many gifts just waiting to be distributed...


But first, the Kids Choir sang! Including many of the visiting children...



Two U.S. Marines were in attendance to hand out each gift...


As each child's name was called, they came to the front to receive their gift...


Then they had to WAIT! And wait until everyone had a gift...


After a count to three the ripping began...


The only sounds were laughter and paper ripping!



We followed the service up with a free Christmas dinner for everyone. This year we had ham, potatoes, veggies, rolls and dessert. One little girl told me, "This is my best Christmas ever!" I'm so glad we get to be a part of this great event!

Public Service Announcement

It's time for my annual Valentine's Day helpful hints...


I realize the majority of my readers are female, but just in case there are any men reading, I thought I'd help you out. Valentine's Day is next Monday! Do Not Forget!! Do Something! Buy a Gift! Get a Card! Send Flowers!I personally LOVE getting flowers. I know, they are just going to die. I normally am very logical about this kind of stuff, but when it comes to flowers, I am mush.


Going out to eat works well, too. Anytime I don't have to do dishes, I'm happy! Unless you're going to the golden arches, reservations will be needed.



Candy MIGHT be acceptable. Know your woman...



Any kind of exercise equipment (unless requested) is NOT an appropriate gift - for any occasion.


Cleaning equipment or supplies are also not gifts, they indicate work. NOT exactly heart warming, Romeo!

Give me some help readers - we have a few days... Do you have any memorable stories to share? Any other helpful hints?

And ladies, love goes both ways, so do something special for your man, okay? And to my single friends - do something special for a friend or a child or feel free to pamper yourself!

Friday Foodie

Before I share my newest recipe, I have to show my newest toy! It's a KitchenAid Food Processor!! I don't know about you, but when I ask my husband for a gadget it's always better than what I would have bought for myself. He likes to do the research, make sure he's buying something that is going to last. And this thing does it all! Here are some sliced mushrooms - aren't they pretty? I would have never gotten them so thin.


It's also VERY quiet! I couldn't believe it when I turned it on. I have a blender that can wake the neighbors (well maybe not quite that loud), but this little baby is super quiet! One of my favorite features is the slicing/shredding disc. With just a flip of the disc I went from slicing mushrooms to shredding carrots!

Okay, on to my latest recipe - Chicken Pot Pie, Weight Watchers style! I received this at my meeting last week and decided it would be perfect for this rainy weather.


2 serving(s) butter-flavor cooking spray
1 tsp butter
1 small onion(s), chopped
2 cup(s) mushroom(s), sliced
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cup(s) frozen mixed vegetables (I used peas, carrots, celery, and green beans)
1 cup(s) canned chicken broth
3 cup(s) cooked chicken breast, chopped
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk, divided
4 roll(s) reduced-fat crescent roll dough, unrolled

Instructions:

* Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 10-inch round shallow baking dish with cooking spray.

* Coat a large pot with cooking spray. Add butter and melt over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, until tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in paprika, thyme, salt and pepper. Add vegetables, broth and chicken. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

* In a small cup, combine flour and 1/4 cup of evaporated milk; stir into chicken mixture. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of evaporated milk and cook until mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes more.

* Spoon chicken mixture into prepared baking dish. Unroll crescent rolls and arrange dough around inside edge of baking dish to form a border (there will be a hole in the middle). Bake until rolls are golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 15 minutes. Cut into 6 pieces and serve.

This was delicious and very easy! Les and I both loved it. It was even good reheated - big bonus when you have 6 servings. To reheat, I put it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, then put it back in the oven at 250 for another 5 minutes so the crust would not be soggy.

Nutritional values were not given, but one serving is listed as 5 WW points. Trust me, this is a steal. Marie Calendar's pot pie has 540 calories with 35.1 grams of fat, and measly 2 grams of fiber making it a whopping 13.3 WW points!!

My "Little" Project Completed!

Way back in September 2009 I wrote about our family pictures. I thought I'd show you the finished product. I scanned nearly 700 pictures, sorting and labeling them by person or persons. There were days (okay, weeks!) that I really didn't think I would get this done before Christmas, but I scanned on... and on...

The final product was a CD with all the pictures and this book:


I created it using Shutterfly and was able to do it all online, never leaving the comfort of my home! The book is about 30 pages, with pages featuring Mom and Dad...


I made pages for each of us kids ...


and the grandkids...


And there are a few pages of candids...



All in all I was very pleased with the finished product! I got it done just in time for Christmas and this gift was definitely a hit with everyone. I'm glad I did it because some of the pictures are really starting to fall apart, so now they'll be preserved for everyone. Of course now I have all the pictures I'll ever need to put on this blog!

Toys for Tots 2009

For the second year our church hosted a Toys for Tots giveaway yesterday morning. It is so fun! Take your favorite childhood Christmas morning memory, or memory of your children, multiply that by about 50 or 100 and you have the Toys for Tots presentation!

We had a packed house. We sang Christmas carols. Pastor White gave one of his trademark 20 minute masterpiece messages - "The Only Source of Peace." We then welcomed three U.S. Marines who were here to help with the gifts. One of the marines is shipping out soon to a place of conflict, so we took the time to not only thank them, but pray for him and others who are currently serving.


Then came the moment all the kids were waiting for - the presentation of gifts! Of course with over 100 children in attendance, the place was filled with excitement. A hush fell as the names were read. Each child was called up and received their gift directly from one of the marines. They then had to wait until everyone else received their gift before they could open theirs. As more and more children received their gifts, the volume and excitement increased! The wait was very difficult!! When the last name was called, our coordinator Sis. Tricia, counted to three (one... two... two and half...) and the ripping began! The gifts this year were amazing! Bicycles, cars, stuffed animals, video games. I was amazed to see American Girl dolls in abundance. I asked one of the Marines about the dolls - he said, "We hit up Hollywood!" I loved it!!


After a time of chaos, everyone made their way downstairs for a wonderful turkey dinner. Sis. Tricia was able to have the turkeys and some of the fixings donated by Ralphs. That was a great blessing! As I stood serving salad, I so enjoyed seeing the happy faces. We've heard a lot this year about the difficult economy and the meal probably meant more to the some than the gifts. I know no one left hungry unless they wanted to!

That was our final of three huge Sundays this month! Our Sunday school did a program on the 6th and our Music Department had its recital last week. Whew!! I think we're all a little worn out, but it has been a great month! Here's a slideshow of all three weeks. Enjoy!