With Six You Get . . . .

2010

2011-01-22T10:51:00.001-08:00

2010, originally uploaded by LoriRad.

A quick little catch up of our year!

wherein the baby turns 21

2010-02-28T08:31:00.000-08:00

Here's the little cutie on her very first birthday....

and her second....

and her fourth....

I could go on and on!

Happy birthday, Amy! Even though the law says you're an adult, you'll always be my little sweet pea.

And I love you.

75 Happy Years

2010-02-13T21:02:00.000-08:00

Guess who turned 75 yesterday?

Grandma!

There was the traditional off key singing at the top of our lungs....

which may have made the birthday girl's ears bleed.

Happy Birthday G-ma!!

This Week at our House

2010-02-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

Lots of this...

and even more of this...

(Just so you can appreciate how much of this, look at the grocery sack in the background of the first photo. He went through two whole boxes of tissues in one day!)

Salt Creek

2010-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

One of the advantages to having a kid who takes Digital Photography: sometimes you find the most awesome pictures on your camera!

While the hubs and I were out looking at houses (yes, we are still renting!) we dropped the boys off at Salt Creek County Beach, where the waves were spectacular.

Here's one to give you a little perspective! (See the little surfer off to the right?)

This is the point that Dana Point is named for. One of these days I'll give you a little recap on Richard Henry Dana...but I'm going to have to get pictures of The Pilgrim first, so you'll have to wait just a tiny bit longer, mmmkay?

Here's a little something to strike fear in your heart!

Pictures courtesy of Colin, who never updates his blog.

Rain Rain Go Away

2010-01-24T20:05:00.000-08:00

You may have heard that we had a spot of rain here in California.

It was quite the event! It pretty much rained for a week straight, which threw a majority of Californians into a tizzy. I have to admit, it's pretty unnerving to drive on the freeway in the rain, considering how fast people drive here. Actually, it's not how fast they drive, but how closely they follow each other. Well, at any rate, my week wasn't spent on the freeway, thank goodness, and I rather enjoyed the rain. Bring it on, I say!

One of the last storms had the tiniest bit of hail, so of course that prompted a little hail throwing, the closest we'll ever get to snow around here!

Two silly California boys!

No Snow Here

2010-01-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

I understand the rest of the country is experiencing somewhat of a weather event. Here's what's going on in our neck of the woods.

You enjoy your snuggly time by the fireside. I'll be out watchin' my boy.

Surf's up, dude!

Me in a Word

2010-01-03T14:40:00.000-08:00

This comes from my niece Cathryn. It looked fun so I thought I would play along! You can see her answers here.

You can only type one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? counter
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend? husband!
3. Your hair? unstyled
4. Work? neverending
5. Your father? best
6.Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? weird
8.Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream car? functional
10. The room you’re in? kitchen
11. Your pet? dead
12. Your fears? rejection
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? author
14. Where did you hang out last night? home
15. What you’re not good at? sports
16. Eyebrow rings on the opposite sex? fail
17. One of your wish list items? Janome
18. Where you grew up? California
19. The last thing you did? church
20. What are you wearing? jeans
21. What aren’t you wearing? formalwear
23. Your computer? slowish
24. Your life? good
25. Your mood? content
26. Missing? routine
27. What are you thinking about right now? sewing
28. Your car? fixed
29. Your work? again?
30. Your summer? busy
31. Your relationship status? taken
32. Your favorite color? brown
33. When is the last time you laughed? morning
34. Last time you cried? unsure
35. School? finished!

The Family

2009-12-30T20:01:00.001-08:00

Okay, so it's been pretty much forever since I've posted. No excuses. But here we are, wishing you a Merry Christmas and happy 2010!

Free Time

2009-09-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

So, here in no particular order, I show you what we have been doing for the past 6 weeks.

Notice how it doesn't involve any cleaning.

This is me supervising that deck change. We've had one unfortunate incident and let me just say that no one really wants a repeat of that hiney flashing! Can't quite convince them to do their changing in a slightly more private place. Notice that a cousin of the female persuasion is wondering why Aunt Lori doesn't get control of the situation and make her boys change at home. Aunt Lori is wondering why she let Grandpa take such an unflattering picture of her and where is the local Weight Watchers because it's obvious she needs to go back.

Remember, I said they were in no particular order. That's code talk for "I'm too lazy to go upstairs and write this post on the computer that allows me to drag photos where I want them."

Now, didn't Gramps do a great job with these pictures? I would take awesome pictures too, if only....

Remember that really cool long lens I got for my birthday last year? I know, I know. I'm still cryin' in my virtual beer that I lost my camera bag.

Meanwhile, the boys made the most of the extra month of summer vacation they got this year, thanks to California schools starting in September as opposed to the beginning of August. We gloat now, but we'll be moaning next June when all our Arizona friends finish a month before we do.

Settling In

2009-09-05T22:11:00.001-07:00

Heading west...

What should have taken about 6 hours stretched into 9. It was Annika's first road trip as a driver. Needless to say, we stopped a lot. Here she is multi-tasking as the official caravan photographer. I had to call her up more than once and ask her to get off my tail. I think she was afraid I was going to ditch her somewhere out in the desert. Hmmm...maybe we've threatened the kids with that line a few too many times!

Our new casa in Dana Point

In the absence of having my own camera (yep, still missing) I'm going to try to explain the layout of the house using Annika's pictures. It's a bit confusing, but here goes. This is the gate you walk in as you enter the house. In this photo we're looking back toward the street. The garage is on the left and the casita (Annika's room) is on the right.

Okay, stay in the same spot but turn around. Now you are facing the front door.

Still standing in relatively the same place, look to your right. That's the entry to the kitchen, which you can also access from the garage. The boxes are for ambience.

Entering the front door, you see the living room, as well as a few more boxes.

This is the view from the stair landing.

I don't have pictures of all the bedrooms. Well, I do, but they're boring. As are the pictures of the bathrooms.

Here is the back patio. We put the basketball hoop here just for the time being, because we can't put it in front of the garage as per the HOA. It is nonfunctional in this location also, since that wall you see behind it isn't actually a wall, but in reality the next door neighbor's house. Gotta love those California lots where they pack the houses in tight!

Another picture of the patio and our view...awesome!

Unpacking the kitchen...not so awesome.

And there you have it. We'll be here for about 4 months while we try to sell our Arizona home and find a permanent place to settle here.

We're Here!

2009-09-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

I once read a blog where the mom blogger (who had 5 kids by the way) moved cross country. Not such a big deal, until I tell you that she posted every day more than once throughout the whole move. She didn't miss a beat! I'm baffled and comfuzzled as to how this is even humanly possible.

I, on the other hand, am a complete wreck. Boxes are still littering every room, the whole house smells like cardboard, and the kitchen is set up in the most illogical traffic pattern imaginable. To top it all off, certain key items have not been located, the most worrisome being my camera bag and all its cool contents. I'm kicking myself that we didn't leave the camera in the shop in Scottsdale, because then I would know where it is, but no, we thought we would take it in for service once we got relocated. Well, I guess we will take it in for service, when we find it.

Meanwhile, we continue to unpack, spend time at the beach, and explore our new community.

By the way, now that we no longer live in Scottsdale I'm not worried about posting the following information. I wanted to post it earlier but, you know, internet safety and all. I wouldn't want to wake up murdered in my bed after all.

Here's my old house. We're still trying to sell or lease it. Any takers?

Graduation, parts 3 and 4

2009-07-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, I realized that I never finished showing off the graduates in the family. This whole moving thing is really throwing me for a loop!

Graduation, Part the Third

Tait didn't actually graduate, per se, but he did "move up" from 8th grade and so we attended a "moving up" ceremony for him. If you're wondering why there are no pictures of this event, that would be because 8th grade boys (well the one that lives at this house anyway) have a tendency to put their hands in front of their faces in every. single. picture. This sort of behavior does not make a blogging mother happy, which I think is the whole idea if you ask said 8th grader.

He does come out from behind the hand on occasion to bug his sister. Here he is at the graduation dinner doing his best.

Graduation, Part the Fourth

High school graduation followed a different pattern this year, and boy are we ever grateful! Let me just say two words about it: Air Conditioning.

Yes, air conditioning is a glorious thing.

In the past we have sweltered on the outdoor bleachers, wishing for the sun to go down just a little bit faster, hoping for the tiniest bit of a breeze, and praying that a monsoon won't sweep through and drench us. This year, as you might have surmised from the above photos, graduation was held in the Wells Fargo Arena. Yes, we were packed in like sardines and it was death for the long-legged folk in our crowd, but that inconvenience pales in comparison to the beauty that is air conditioning.

Not to mention the big screen.

Not a bad seat in the house.

Did I happen to mention that it was air conditioned?

(sigh)

I love me some air conditioning.

Finding the graduate after the festivities was a bit of challenge. We are used to just rushing the football field, after all, but eventually we found her and took all the obligatory after shots before she was whisked away to grad night.

With the conclusion of this event, we are exactly halfway finished getting our kids through high school. Three down, three to go!

Beat the Heat

2009-07-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Supposed to be 113 F today.

Which means one thing.

Being outside is not really an option.

Unless it involves water.

(This beautiful pool belongs to our friends, the Webbs.)

Amiguwhatzit

2009-07-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am thoroughly enchanted by amigurumis these days, so I decided it was time to put my thinking cap on and learn how to crochet so I could make a little ami for myself. How hard could it be?

This is my tale.

First, let me tell you that once upon a time when I was in the third grade I knew how to knit. My mom gave me gigantic lime green wooden knitting needles and super chunky hot pink yarn. Did I mention that this was in the 60's? We took a road trip from Southern California to my grandma's house in Northern California, which is about a 12-hour drive. I would knit up all my yarn, then unravel it and knit it up again. I was proficient. And that is the extent of my expertise. I never really made anything to speak of; I just kept knitting and unraveling, knitting and unravelling. It was kind of addictive, I think.

Fast forward a few years. I'm a young mom. My friend is learning how to knit. She keeps knitting up a test swatch, counting stitches, and talking about tension and gauge. I'm baffled and astounded at the amount of work you have to put in before you can even begin. Looks too hard for me.

I move to Arizona. Theoretically, it's too hot to knit or sew. But I don't know anyone here, so I crank up the AC (or crank it down, depending on how you look at it) and sew a quilt. A flannel one. It's one of my most favorite things I have ever made. Finally, I make a friend. She knits socks and tries to convert me into a knitter, but I am strong and resist. I'm a quilter, I tell her. I want to focus on getting better, not flit from craft to craft. Besides, I have this image in my mind of the sweater my mom made for my dad back in the green needles-pink yarn days. It was gigantically huge, probably would have fit mom and dad together at the same time. I know that tension and gauge matter and that I don't have the patience for it.

Two days ago: Ah, but that's knitting and I want to learn to crochet. It's gotta be easier. It only has one "needle." I know I said I was going to stick to one craft, but one little foray wouldn't be so bad, would it? Besides, I just recently learned that acquiring new skills thwarts dementia, and I'm all about not being demented. So I do what any self-respecting 21st century crafter does--I turn to youtube. Yes! There is a great series that shows exactly how to make an amigurumi. The girl on the monitor actually makes it look simple and almost effortless. I decide to follow along.

And therein, I encounter my first obstacle. No matter how hard I try, I can't keep up, even though she has the patience of Job, and crochets very slowly. I'm stuck at the slip knot that you're supposed to start with. Half the time it turns into a slip knot and half the time it just slips off with no knot. I feel like an idiot.

Maybe I should just throw in this next little piece of information. If you're like me you'll totally understand my frustration. If you're not, I'm not sure I can fully express just how difficult my life can be. I'm....

I'm....

shhhhh....

left-handed.

Did you know we have a shorter life expectancy? Yeah, comes from living in a world bent on frustrating us, trying to conform us into something we are not. And don't even get me started on the topic of scissors. I'll just save that rant for another post!

Okay, back to crocheting the youtube way. I did another search and found someone who explained and demonstrated in slow motion (that was key) how to do a variety of stitches, including a slip knot, left-handed. And no, you silly right-handers, I know what you're thinking and I'll just tell you right now that I couldn't have just done it right-handed. That would be nigh to impossible. It would be like me telling you to just do it with your toes.

Well, the left-handed teacher got me on the right track, so after a little practice I took off. Here is my first attempt. His name is Happi.

I know the tension is off-kilter and he's got a few little problems, but overall I'm pleased. And while he's not quite suitable for giving, I'm sure he'll be perfectly content to live happily at my house. His name is Happi, after all.

Beach and Babe

2009-07-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

We spent last weekend in San Diego enjoying the cool coastal weather. Such a nice change from the Arizona heat! The boys had a swim meet (no picture, sorry, the camera is on the fritz), then we spent a little time on Imperial Beach, followed up with our traditional fish and chips meal on the end of the pier.

The day was a little drizzly, but that just made parking easier! Dad and I huddled in the shelter of some rocks while the boys got their saltwater fix.

Later that evening witnessed the birth of this little cutie. She came out the next day to have her picture made (as my grandma used to say).

(Just a little side note: you can tell we're in San Diego because the geraniums are surviving. Here in Phoenix they're all dried up!)

*Doll pattern available at Bowls-n-Annies.

*Pictures courtesy of Grandpa Sam (thanks dad!)

Graduation Season, parts 1 and 2

2009-07-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

(Biola Bell Tower)

Part, the First

The day started for us with a mad dash to California. The high school kids were supposed to be at school taking their finals, but we scrambled around and got them excused for the day (no small feat) so we could make it to graduation on time. Well, we just barely made it! We changed into nicer clothes in the car, then high tailed it over to the auditorium just in time to be seated. I'm not kidding you when I tell you we sat in the back row. And let me just add that taking pictures indoors with a zoom does not lead to the most quality photos. Or at least that's my excuse....

Here are some shots inside Sutherland Hall, where the Torrey Honors Institute graduation took place.

Part of the ceremony included what we affectionately called "The Bible Bonking."

Signing the book of membership

Geoff and Drew, just a couple of Torrey grads

Geoff, Johnny, Greg, and Drew

Part, the Second

The next day was the graduation ceremony for the general population of Biola.

Biola has a tradition of honoring graduates on the 50th anniversary of graduation. Guess which old geezer graduated from Biola in 1959? Yuppers, good old Gramps. Not only was he honored at the ceremony, but the university also reserved fantastic seats for the entire family!

Here are the two grads--old and new.

We didn't know who all of Dad's graduating class would show up, but it turned out to be a special day because we got to share it with Dad's long time friend, Buck Buchanan. Get this--they went to school together from 6th grade all the way through college and theological seminary.

Finally the big kid gets his moment with the president!

And, of course, after it is all over, little brothers have to try on the gear and dream of their own day in the sun.

Here is a video Dad put together chronicling the special day:

Angie, My Craft Hope Baby

2009-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed the Crafthope button I have on my sidebar. (If you're reading in google reader, you'll just have to click over and take a look!) I'm really excited about this organization and the opportunities they are providing for crafters to create for a cause.

I missed out on their first project, which was providing handmade dresses and shorts for kids in an orphanage, but I was able to participate in their doll drive which just wrapped up earlier in June. These dolls will be heading off to Nicaragua today, so you might just want to say a little prayer for their safe journey as well as for Eren, their human escort.

You can read all about the project here.

This is the doll I made for the project. I tried to find her in the mass of dolls on Eren's blog, but I just can't see her! I dunno, maybe one of the boys is sitting on her.

Here she is pre-hair. Don't you just love her sweet little ears?

Naked baby alert! I can't remember why I took the picture before I stuffed all the limbs, but there you have it--a bald baby with one gimpy leg.

Look, she just aged about 2 years! Her hair was quite a learning experience. I had serious doubts about the first yarn I chose, but it was so soft and curly. I sewed up a wig, then attached the wig to her head. About that time, my reservations were confirmed, as the yarn was literally falling apart in my hands as I finger combed her hair. I figured that would never do, as she is probably going to have to withstand rougher play than that! So I unattached all the hair and seriously contemplated leaving her bald, because....well, scroll up...those little ears are so darn cute!

In the end, I chose a really basic utility yarn that I already had in my craft cupboard from some Native American weaving project Brian had to do for school last year. I made another wig, but this time I cut it too short, so I had to make two more to completely cover her head. Let's just say Angie has a very full head of hair!

Here she is in her top and unders.

And with a little skirt.

I have to say, she is a huggable little thing!

The next Crafthope project is baby booties, caps, and blankies for three children's homes in India. Won't you consider participating?

Swimming in the Rio

2009-06-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, we're actually swimming in the pool. But it's the Rio Salado meet. (That's Salt River, and yes there is such a river nearby, and no it is not salty, and no we will not swim in it, although you can tube down it, but it helps to be a college student and requires a certain quantity of beer to entice you into that cold water.)

Back to the meet....

And by the way, we're still playing catch up. Because even though we are, in fact, at this very moment, at a swim meet, I wouldn't want you to confuse the Rio Salado meet in Arizona from last April with the meet we are swimming today in San Diego. I'm not really sure why I you need to differentiate between the two, because, quite frankly, they are all pretty much the same.

There's swimming...

And of course, swimming...

Followed by a little bit of swimming...

With a little extra swimming thrown into the mix.

Yes, swimming in the dark. Not recommended, but I do have to admit it is cooler once the sun goes down, even in Arizona. I actually got in trouble after this shot for using a flash because it interferes with the starting mechanism.

One other note (okay, two): the kid in the dark is not Brian, but his friend Cameron. You can tell it's not Brian because Cameron knows where his swim cap is while Brian has absolutely no clue as to the location of his. Also, take note of the location of Brian's goggles in all of the above pictures. Out of the water, on his eyeballs, where they belong. In the water, around his neck, where they are useless, although they do make a rather fetching necklace.

Don't You Wish Your Coffee was Hot Like Mine?

2009-06-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

You've seen the tea wallets.

And you know how I feel about tea.

That's why I'm pleased to present one of my latest discoveries: the coffee cozy!

You can find a tutorial by Erin Harris of House on Hill Road here.

And here's another tutorial by pink milk and fairycakes.

Geoffo's Birthday Bash

2009-06-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

Fast forward to May 9. Okay, I mean, we're going back in time again. If you're starting from yesterday's post, we're fast forwarding. If you're starting from today, we're skipping back through the pages of time. Oy, this time-space continuum thing is bending my poor brain!

The big bub turned 22, and thus officially ends birthday season.

The next birthday doesn't come until July 9, which is a whole 2 months away, or 2 weeks depending on how you view that whole space time thingamajig.

Every 22-year-old's dream--cashola!

Birthday Bubs

2009-06-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while this happens. Birthday season burns me out. I want you to know that this birthday party happened in a timely fashion. I just haven't posted about it until now. In fact, there's a lot of stuff happening around here that I haven't posted about. Been a tad bit busy and a lot bit unmotivated. I think I've been slightly in denial about this whole move. Well, no denying it now--the sign went up today!

So, I thought about it long and hard (okay, about 1 minute) and I have decided to spend the next few days catching you up (and by "you" I primarily mean the grandmas and anybody else who wanders in) but I'm not going to go into a lot of detail.

Let us wander back in time to March 25, the day the boy turned 12. . . .

His big bro was in DC at the time and so was enjoying the party telephonically. (Did I just make up a new word?)

Twelve-year-olds can be extremely intense when it comes to birthday wishes!

I think the intensity paid off--here he is opening his dream come true--his very own ipod.

The Anatomy of a Taco Salad

2009-05-03T22:39:00.000-07:00

Number 1 ingredient: Tortilla chips. Mission brand is the best. Store brand just like Mission brand is second best. Tostitos are okay, but a little on the flimsy side. Under no circumstance should you use Fritos. That is a different dish altogether. (We call it Frito Pie, and while it is scrum-dilly-icious, it is not taco salad.)

Number 2 ingredient: lettuce. I like bagged salad mix because I am about as lazy as they come.

Number 3 ingredient: the meat and bean mix. Ground beef and Lawry's taco seasoning. Pretty dang easy. Stir in a can of drained pinto beans, but be forewarned that Tait will pick out all the beans.

The toppings: a nice handful of shredded cheese, a healthy dollop of sour cream, and a generous drizzle of hot sauce. Pico Pica is the best, but Tapatio will work in a pinch.

Mix it all together and enjoy.

Taco salad at our house means one of two things. Grandma and Grandpa are here, or Geoff is home. This time it's Geoffo. The big guy has returned from Politician Land, and at least one little brother was happy to have his big brother back safe and sound!

And just for fun, we ended the evening with Strawberry Shortcake. Served properly upon a shortcake biscuit of course, just as strawberry shortcake is intended to be served.

It's That Time of Year Again

2009-04-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

You know, the time of year when a boyfriend comes in handy.
Yes, it's prom time.
Someone had a "boyfriend" but well, ummm, errrr, hmmm, well, it didn't really work out. Usually this not-working-out-thing happens after prom, with the operative word being--usually.
This year saw a slight change of routine. Relationship ended one week before prom.
Which made for a slightly awkward evening that was only marginally fun. Ah, the trials of the young. (Don't worry, condolences are not necessary. She's fine. Seriously.)

Here's our little prom miss with her best friend Rachael.

And posing sans boys.

Good times. Good times.

Sneak Peak

2009-04-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

We're getting ready to move. And since the current housing market is a little less than stellar, we decided it was time to spruce up a little in hopes of making a sale.

Here are a few of the many projects we are currently tackling. And when I say "we" you need to understand that I really mean "Ian." I personally have more of what you might call a supporting role. My job is to keep the rest of the household moving in the right direction as the projects unfold. Or sit at the computer and play Spider Solitaire. It really depends on my mood.

So here you see our new fridge. Although it looks much more massive than the old one, it actually has less cubic footage. Go figure. Ian constructed the built in for the fridge to slide into. He also faux painted all the kitchen cupboards.

And this isn't a current project, but go ahead and check out those awesome concrete countertops. Yes, he cast them himself.

What you may not appreciate in the following picture is what you actually don't see. And that would be the hundreds (perhaps thousands) of books that used to be on the bookshelf that used to be on this wall. According to our realtor, people don't have bookcases in their bedrooms. Well, I had a bookcase in my bedroom, and to paraphrase Sojourner Truth, "Ain't I a person?" According to Kim, apparently not. So that was a project I actually helped with. I gave away 3 boxes of homeschooling books, sold about 4 boxes and made $149.00, and gave 3 more boxes to Amy to sell at her garage sale this weekend. The other boxes got stacked up in the garage along with the floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Now we just have to paint the wall and get it to feather in with the old paint.

Look Mom, I even made my bed for this picture!

Baseboards are coming up next. And after that we will replace the world's nastiest carpet.

Moving down the hall, we come to the girl's room. First it was Amy's, now it is Annika's. They both have made their mark, literally. I wish I could find a before picture so you could fully appreciate the change. Those of you who have seen it in person can testify. We still have a little work to do on the shutters, as you can see. The ceiling had to be patched, because remember that little roof leak issue we had? Yeah, it killed the drywall in this room.

There's more to do inside, but it's a nice day here in Arizona, so let's go outside, shall we? New framing around the french doors, the start of the prep work for painting, and all the beadboard on the porch ceiling was taken down.

Yep, there it all is.

Now, Kim told us our back porch looked really bad. I wish I had counted how many times she mentioned it. Every time she looked at it she would say it again, "Oh, that looks really bad." Yeah Kim, we get it. This is the new tile we've picked out.

Here's a cool new gate Ian framed up. It leads to this tiny little area right outside the master bath. We have a huge tub with a big picture window, so this is the little privacy area that keeps the Toms from peepin' in.

We have several citrus trees that were a tad bit overgrown, so Ian cleaned them up a little. Now you can actually see the tree trunks. One of the last things we'll do is lay down a new layer of rock. For those of you outside of Arizona who might not understand, yes, I said rock. It's everywhere. You get used to it after awhile. You even grow to appreciate it. And then one day you hear yourself saying the unthinkable: "Hey, I like the way the rocks look in your yard." You know you've gotten used to the place once you embrace the rock. Well, anyway, it's not time for new rock quite yet.

These bad boys will require a professional.

And that is just a small taste of what's goin' on in our neck of the woods.

Tea, Please

2009-04-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of the April 15 tea parties around the nation, I thought I'd share with you my ode to tea. Personally, I'm a fan of a good old fashioned cuppa joe, unflavored please. Tea doesn't really do it for me, despite my southern roots. Making tea wallets, however, does seem to be my cup of tea.

For a non-tea drinker, I certainly have a large supply of tea, and quite a wide variety as well. What can I say? Tea comes in pretty packages that lure me in. Can't quite bring myself to enjoy drinking it though.

I found a tutorial for the wallets on Christy's Creations. They are actually pretty easy to put together. My big change was to use an elastic hair tie rather than the closure she suggested.

Turns out the tea wallets are good for Emergen-C packets as well.

As you can see, I've made quite a few of these wallets. Whenever I give one away, I load it up with tea, thereby significantly reducing my stash. Eventually I'll get rid of all the nasty tea leaves, unless a pretty package calls my name again. Besides, isn't it patriotic to be devoted to coffee? I'm just trying to do my part.

Zooloo and the Quilt

2009-04-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Big Guy, also known as Son #1, has been up to his usual shenanigans. In addition to finishing out his semester in DC, he's been filming for an intern contest with Zooloo. What's zooloo? Who the heck knows? I have my guesses but I'm keeping them to myself. You know, to avoid going out on a limb and all....You'll have to do your own investigative journalism on this one. My last foray into intrepid investigating wore me out.

Here's Geoff's video complete with flannel quilt made by the grandmother.

Of Easter Eggs and Other Such Things

2009-04-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

Some yummy treats

Some new friends

Some brothers and sisters

Some friendly competition

Some Easter basket goodies for the girls and Nate

Some Easter basket goodies for the boys minus Nate

(Nate was the surprise guest, so he had to take what he could get!)

A fun Easter celebration!

Flimsy Whimsy

2009-04-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits,

and their names were

Flopsy,

Mopsy,

Cotton-tail,

and Peter.

This was a quilting challenge set up by Milah, my quilty friend in Indiana. I'd like to tell you that I intend to handquilt this little baby quilt, and that's why it's not yet finished, but it's Sunday, and I don't like to lie on Sundays, especially Easter Sunday.

The truth: I fully intend to machine quilt this, but I've never actually done it before. I usually send my quilts out at this point for someone else to finish up! I pay someone cold hard cash to quilt it, then cry and moan and act all pitiful to trick my mom into binding it for me (for free). Wait a minute...did I just say that out loud? Ummm, I think I may have just sabotaged myself.

So, here's what I have.

This fabric panel was originally intended to be a soft book. I pity anyone who ever tried to make it into a book. The print was so "wonky," I don't see how you could make a book and have every page turn out the same size. Thank goodness this wasn't a "Make a Peter Rabbit Wonky Book" challenge!

I cut the pictures out, and reassembled them using a Crazy Eights pattern. Instead of buying the pattern, my mom and I stood in a quilt store and eyeballed the sample quilt until we had it memorized. Then we ran out to the car and scribbled it down on paper. Yeah, we could have taken a picture, but then we would have felt less like spies.

Oh yeah, I also intend to put borders on. I'd like to embroider a bit on the inner border as well. Maybe something Beatrix Potterish. But we're in the middle of packing up and moving, so I think that will have to wait until we're up and gone and resettled. (Did you know Milah's family has lived on the same property for three generations?! Okay three generations ago my family was in Arkansas and Ian's family hadn't even emigrated yet!)

Here's the flimsy hanging out with some of the Easter baskets. Did I happen to mention we'll have 10 kids over for dinner? Some are ours, and the rest are college kids who can't make the trip home. Amy collects them up like little orphans. I feed them and give them Easter baskets, cuz even big kids like candy! Maybe if I didn't have craft ADD, I would have finished my quilt instead of making Easter baskets!

Here are some of the other quilters who took the Peter Rabbit challenge. Go check out their cute quilts!

Milah, http://milahsbackporch.blogspot.com/
Bren, http://piecesfromme.blogspot.com/
Winona, http://catloverandquiltmaker.blogspot.com/
Christine, http://frontporchindiana.blogspot.com/

I Want Candy

2009-04-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

About 12 years ago, when this little sweetie was 2...

he woke me up from a dead sleep at 5 in the morning. It was one of those moments when you sense someone is standing near you, hovering, just waiting for you to wake up, and so you do, in a complete panic, wondering what's wrong.
"Mommy?" he asked, winsomely, working those sweet little eyebrows and dimples, "I have candy?"

Not much has changed in the course of 12 years. He still knows how to work those dimples.

And he still loves candy.

So this year, for his 14th birthday, he got a bagful of candy and gum from A to Z, Atomic Fireballs to Zone Bar. I found something for every letter in the alphabet, except one.

Surprisingly, it wasn't Q or X. Nope, the elusive candy was U. So he got one little package marked "Unknown." It was actually a tube of toothpaste. You know, to counteract the fact that I just loaded him up with sugar.

Of course, no teen birthday would be complete without a few electronics.

Here he is basking in the glow. . .

. . . and blowing out the candles.

Happy Birthday, Tater Tot!

Another Round of Basketball

2009-04-03T22:03:00.001-07:00

You can just thank your lucky stars that this is the last basketball post of the season. And aren't you glad that city league basketball is only 8 weeks long, as opposed to Pop Warner football, which lasts pretty much an eternity? Oh wait, I should say age group swimming lasts an eternity, because there is no off season in swimming. Those dang coaches want the kids in the pool every single day. It's enough to wear a mom out.

Speaking of Pop Warner, just when you thought it was over, it rears its head again. We got a little information in the mail today. Something about a Little Scholar we have living at our house. More about that later.

Okay, back to b-ball.

What we had was a close game in the first half. Then the opposing team decided (very wisely, for their own sakes) to press, and unfortunately, that did us in. Ball handling is not exactly our strength. Okay, well, neither is passing or shooting or rebounding for that matter, but hey, it's a developmental league and the kids are 6th graders, so we'll cut 'em a little slack...this time.

So, without any further ado, here are your Mustangs. Number 16 is our man.

Grand Prix

2009-03-31T23:00:00.001-07:00

So, this Grand Prix track is pretty amazing. Not a bit like the pinewood derby track my brothers raced on back in the day. And don't even get me started about back in the day. I'm not bitter that in Boys Brigade my brothers got to build derby cars and pumpkin seed kayaks that they took out on the bay while in Pioneer Girls I learned how to sew a doll and make tea. Oh no, I'm not bitter at all.Well, Lori, let's get back to the present. If memory serves, you last used your sewing machine a couple of days ago, and last we checked, the boys haven't built sea-worthy vessels since they were 12. Time to let it go.

Ok, then. They line these bad boys up on the trackthen let 'em fly!

This was the last Radcliffe hurrah. For some odd reason, we always try to go for speed. So far, that hasn't worked out too well for us. This year Brian was determined to win something, anything. Being the creative kid he is, he figured he would try for the best child-made car. Yes, that means the adults have to keep their hands off, though they are allowed to bestow their most helpful advice and oversight. I mean, come on, there are power tools involved. Someone has to make sure the kid finishes the project with all ten digits intact.

And lest you think the dads don't get overly competitive in these competitions, when the MC asked the younger division speed winners if they had even touched their cars prior to the evening, only 2 of the 6 raised their hands!

Can you spot the creative masterpiece?
Here it is at the finish line. It certainly didn't win its heat, but it didn't come in last either!

Yes, it's the one with the palm tree and half naked WWE wrestler basking under a heat lamp. And as you can see from the trophy in Brian's hand, he created a winner!

I don't know who made this one, but I thought it was clever. Note Jonah's legs protruding from the big fish's mouth. Mr. Big Fish looks as if he has a bit of indigestion.

I have to admit it was a long evening. I kept myself busy with taking pictures while Brian enjoyed time with his friends.
Ian did his share of hanging out with the guys too.

Some of the spectators, however, were forced to create their own entertainment.

Where to Begin

2009-03-30T21:10:00.001-07:00

Well, when you walk away for a week or so, it's kinda hard to get your groove back. To be perfectly honest, I'm not really sure where to start. I've got basketball games, birthday parties, trophies, ribbons, state championships, pinewood derby, and a host of crafty stuff to share with you. Because, you see, although I was away from blogger I wasn't exactly sitting on my tushie eating bonbons all day.

I have 726 pictures to offload from my camera. Lucky for you, I'm only going to show you 725 of them. For no particular reason, because it certainly isn't chronological, we will start at the pool.

Arizona Age Group State Championships, Short Course (that means yards instead of meters for the swimspeak illiterate)

Here we have some fine examples of the backstroke. No one particularly related to us, just practicing with the camera on some unsuspecting team mates.

Okay, now here's the little brother making ready for the 50 fly.

just breathe

And here he is again, getting ready to take off on the 50 free. If it seems rather chaotic behind the blocks, that would be because it is. Chaotic, I mean.

Breathing on the 50 free is overated, I say. Don't breathe. Just swim. Really fast.

Disclaimer: I'm not a swim coach. Don't take your coaching tips from me. I don't want anyone passing out in the pool doing lungbusters, so breathe if you must.

Only 713 more pictures to go.

Skiing Grandma

2009-03-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

Just because you're 80 years old doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite activities. Ian's mom came for a weekend visit, and the two of them headed off for the slopes. Yes, we have snow in Arizona!

The following video was captured with a cell phone, so the quality is, well, a little less than stellar. But you'll get the jist of it!

Go Grandma!

How to Kill a Blog and Lose All Your Followers

2009-03-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

1. Disappear for days on end.
2. Don't let anyone know where you are.
3. Neglect your twitter account.
4. Forsake your flickr account.
5. Ignore your emails.
6. Promise to post later, but don't follow through.
7. Apologize profusely to your readers, but still don't follow through.
8. Don't visit anyone else's blog.
9. And for heaven's sake, don't comment on anyone's blog.
10. Finally post something, but don't include pictures.

How am I doing so far?

This blog may actually have a fork in it.

Upsie Daisie

2009-03-05T05:08:00.000-08:00

We set the bar high around here.

And we don't tolerate any goofing around.

Nope. This is serious business.

Up

and

over
Okay, well, he didn't quite make it over on those last few.

But he did vault a new personal record!

A New Ride

2009-03-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Annika bought a car off ebay. It came from Chicago, covered in road salt. Road salt, what a curious thing. We don't have that in Arizona. We do have a lot of dust, however. (I don't know why I shared that; I guess I felt it was something you need to know. Maybe I'm feeling a tad bit guilty that I'm blogging instead of dusting, cuz goodness knows it's at least an inch thick around here.)

Signing the paperwork...

and checking out the interior.

Of course, it required a test drive. After the jump start.

Since Annika wasn't home when the car arrived, Tait filled in for her. This is a 13-year-old chomping at the bit to drive. Scary thought.

Sorry for the unfocused bit, but this scene cracked me up. Two guys checkin' under the hood. Seems pretty normal, right? Not these two guys. What are they looking at? They don't know a doggone thing about cars. But there they are, playing "Car Talk."

Finally Annika came home.
One happy camper!

Getting ready to take off. Yes, don't forget your seatbelt. That's how you got into all that trouble last time.

And off she goes!
Yes, I know. All our vehicles are the same color. We're boring that way.

Proud Mama alert: Annika passed the written portion of the driver's exam with 100% and the road test with 100% as well! Hooray!!

Score!

2009-03-03T21:51:00.000-08:00

These are some of the goodies I scored at the thrift store last week. I actually got 4 of the exercise books, which are filled with lined paper.
The travel diary is pretty cool, but after a week of trying to rid it of the yucky smell of cigarette smoke, I gave up and threw it out. It reeked. Now somebody will probably post a comment with a surefire way to beat the stink, but it's too late. Yep, it's a goner.

Don't you just love the stationery? It's a postalette from Current! Remember those? You write on the blank side, fold it up, and seal it with a sticker. I got a couple of packs of postalettes, but there were only 3 of this awesome design. The others were kinda meh. I'm thinkin' with the wonder of the color copier I can keep this design alive for yet a while longer.

I also got a totally cool something else that I can't show you because I'm making it into a gift. Now if some certain grandparent would come out to see a spring training baseball game, and if said grandparent would bring along his wife (aka Mom) then maybe I could actually show you what I purchased and the awesome thing I have planned! (No pressure, Dad.)

Until then, you'll just have to wait. Sorry.

The Masked Mustachio Strikes Again!

2009-03-01T07:06:00.001-08:00

Evil villains beware.

The Masked Mustachio is in town.
He scans the horizon, searching for injustice and guacamole.
Wherever there is a cry for help, he is there.

Wherever mustachios need twirling, he is there.

Wherever superheroes gather, he is there.

Wherever there is salsa, he is there.

Hey, superheroes are not supposed to smile. Fighting crime with flying burritos is serious business.

Oops. Unmasked.

Big Guy and the Playahs

2009-02-27T06:28:00.000-08:00

You may recall that a certain child of mine is doing a certain internship in a certain capital city. Dr. Barry H. Corey
Senator John Thune
Which leads to certain meetings with certain university presidents and certain US senators.

Based on the evidence I can surmise one thing. Mr. Thune must be a tall drink of water. Unless he's standing on a box. These are the interns from Biola, the Biola president and his wife, and the distinguished Biola alumnus serving South Dakota in the Senate.

Dear Mr. Fact Checker (and I use Mr. in the most generic sense because I know you are just as likely to be a Ms.),

I'm including a note for you because I know you will come for a visit. So, hi, how are ya? How's the weather in DC? Are you an intern or paid staff? Did you get a chance to attend the inauguration? Feel free to chime in and leave a comment, unless of course that sort of thing is frowned upon in the office. You can see I'm very nice, I didn't say mean things about your senator, and I'm just a proud mama. I'm sure your mama is proud of you too, but maybe she doesn't embarrass the heck outta you by posting your every move on her silly blog. Geoff would tell you to thank your lucky stars. One more question: how did you land your job? Pushy enquiring mothers want to know.

Love, Big Guy's Mommy

Murdelated

2009-02-26T20:47:00.000-08:00

This game happened last Saturday. I'm still getting over it. Let's just say the Pirates we are not.

I'm not even going to tell you the score, because I'm trying to erase it from my memory. This Saturday we play the best team in the league. Thank goodness Brian will be at camp. As you can see, I haven't mastered the indoor high speed action shot. If I could just convince those silly boys to stand still, I could take much better pictures.

Birthday, part 2

2009-02-25T21:33:00.001-08:00

What a crazy week this has been! Soon (and I won't say tomorrow, because I guess you know how my tomorrow promises have been working out) I'll fill you in on all the crafty projects I've been working on. For now, more birthday pics....

Amy managed to pose with each and every one of us. This one just proves that a certain 16-year-old has been growing like a weed. Yes, he has passed her up.

Brian is still working on his Greek god pose. Oh, it's so hard not to smile!

I'll show you this one just to prove I have no shame (or vanity). Gray hair, wrinkles, and I still can't open my eyes. Note to self: when you have issues such as mine, it does not behoove you to pose next to a gorgeous 2o-year-old. Oh well. The things we do for love.

Here she is with dear old dad.

Tait was living up to his name ("IrriTAITing") so we had to grab him and mete out some justice.
Serves the little stinker right!

Birthday Season Is Officially Open

2009-02-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

This week marks the opening of birthday season in the Radcliffe household, and I ask you, are 24 pictures of Amy's Awesome Hippy Birthday Party too much for one post? Yeah, I figured that's what you would say. I'll try to pare it down a bit. But it's gonna be hard. Because there were at least 50 college students crammed into her tiny little house, and there was lots for me to document. So here goes. She's turnin' 20 on Saturday, but will be counselling at winter camp for 5th and 6th graders, so we partayed a little early.She shared this party with her friend Aubreigh who is also turning 20 this week. Being that they are only 20, and that the majority of these kids are Amy's Campus Crusade friends, no alcohol was involved. Kinda unusual for ASU, but there ya go. Sober fun. It can happen.There was dancing in the backyard

and a firepit for smores. Do you know how a creative college student sets up a firepit in her backyard?

It involves a barbecue grill with no legs or grill.

You'll have to think like a college student to figure out the rest. Note the abundance of tie-dye.

They dragged practically every stick of furniture they owned outside, so they would have more seating around the fire, and more space inside the house. Here's Colin hangin' with the college guys.

This was the scene inside the house. There were pretty much people everywhere!I cooked and served food like a mad dog...you should've seen those starving students scarf down 13 pounds of teriyaki wings!

Then we totally surprised Amy...privately, of course.
This is her new toy.

Well, there you have it. I cut the number of pictures down to 12. You know what that means. Stay tuned for birthday post, continued!

A Frosty Laugh

2009-02-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

This post is for all my northern friends. Yeah, and my midwestern friends. Just not my Southern California friends; you guys are not allowed to laugh.

Last week it was a wee bit cold around here.
Let me remind you that I live in Arizona. And I grew up in Southern California.

Right after I graduated from college, I moved to Northern California (a different state, really) to teach English. One day there was frost on my windshield. I had absolutely no idea what to do about it; in fact, had never even seen frost before. I went back inside and told the family I was staying with that I guessed I couldn't go to work that day.

Here's the part where you realize what a complete idiot I am.

Or you take pity on the innocent, inexperienced girl that I once was.

Mr. Welty then introduced me to the wonders of a credit card.

Oh the joy that little bit of plastic brings!

B Ball Skillz

2009-02-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

You know what comes after football season...right?

Yeppers, it's time to hit the boards.
Now this is a sport I understand.

You know, having played it and all.

Okay, well I played rather badly, but I played. As did my dad and brothers. So when I get in a gym and hear the sound of sneakers squeaking on a glossy wooden floor, it all comes back to me.
I can even cheer in a somewhat intelligent fashion.

Here is my baby gettin' all aggressive. Oh yeah, this is my ball and you can't have it.

Now, I spent all fall learning how to follow a football game with my camera. You know, anticipating the play, framing the shot, catching the action. I figure I'm one step ahead of the game for basketball season in that I have some sense of the game. However, most of my pictures turned out really crappy and unfocused. So back to the drawing board. It looks like I'll be spending another season improving my skillz.

This next picture happened completely by accident, but I kind of like how it turned out!

Basketball Love

2009-02-14T22:14:00.000-08:00

Today was an unusual Valentines Day for us. No hearts. No candy. No flowers. Instead, we had basketballs.

Giant ones.

Plushie ones.

Here Brian shows off his skillz. It was just a little warm up for him, prior to his game.
In case you haven't figured it out, we attended the NBA Jam Session, thanks to our very generous neighbor who was working the event. Brian and I had to cut out a little early so he could make it to his own game. He was a little disappointed to leave, but as I pointed out to him, some people just watch the game and other people actually play it.

Here he is winning a round in the skills competition.

The event was held at the Phoenix Convention Center. Unfortunately, the vendors didn't bring in their dollar menus.
We opted to wait for dinner--8 bucks for a chicken nugget meal! I don't think so.

As we were walking through the convention center, I spotted a crowd of people with their cell phones and cameras flashing. Being the intrepid investigative journalist that I am, I felt the need to ummm, well...investigate...intrepidly.

We pushed into the crowd, snapping away. See all the security? Can you spot the celebrity? I'll give you a little hint. He's got a bling of a ring.
And a rock in his ear.

Figured it out yet? Yeah, well we're so unhip, we had to ask. Because that's what investigative journalists do when they're in a pinch. They ask. So, I'm here to report (intrepidly, of course) that Busta Rhymes made an appearance at the Jam Session.

Now, this guy I know. I mean I know who he is. I don't actually know him. But if I saw him I wouldn't have to ask.

Happy Birthday Mama!

2009-02-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

Today is somebody's birthday. And I'm not talking about Honest Abe.

This is my mom.

She made me learn how to type, even though I protested bitterly, and swore it was a skill I didn't need.

She taught me to sew, even though I refused for many years to learn to thread the machine, and swore it was a skill I would never use. (This is Alex Anderson, who is in no way related to us. Maybe mom should adopt her; she probably would make a better quilty daughter than me. I'll bet she doesn't give up in tears on half-bound quilts and shove them off on her mother to fix.)

She (mom, not Alex!) taught me what it is to be a mom and how to love silly children, even though I swore I would never have any of my own.

Moms have a way of knowing what you need to know, and finding a way to trick you into learning them. Then you turn around and it's you trying to trick your own kids into learning how to boil a chicken. And even though you would never in a million years force your own kids to eat tomato aspic, you will, every now and then, try to slip a crazy little recipe like "meatless" loaf past them. Of course, they will reject it and ridicule you, much in the same way you ridicule your own mother still for forcing you to eat that nasty tomato jello.

Thank you, Mom, for making me learn.

You were totally right, of course.

You always are.

Because you're the mom.

And I love you.

You're the Tweetest

2009-02-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

This is for all my tweeple.

You're the tweetest!

Happy Valentines Day!

I've enjoyed getting to know you in 140 or less characters at a time!

This card was made from a pdf file I purchased from upupcreative. Julie just reduced the price on her Valentines, so go check out her shop!

Family Valentine

2009-02-10T22:59:00.001-08:00

This is our valentine to each other this year. It's been posted on the fridge since the beginning of February.

I've been busy making and sending Valentines all over the world. I actually got a Valentine from Norway in today's mail! How cool is that?
This is just a sampling of the Valentine craziness that has been happening on my dining room table.

My favorite is coming up with silly Valentine rhymes.

Stay tuned for more Valentine goodies!

Beautiful Day

2009-02-07T21:07:00.000-08:00

I've introduced you to my brothers. Brian is a fire captain and Jon is a pastor. They both like to tell people what to do. (It's sort of a family trait; I seriously have to restrain myself from doing it all the time. Except to my kids cuz that's my job.)

Today I'm going to let Jon tell you what to do. Think of him as a guest blogger of sorts. Because I didn't exactly ask him for permission. Well, hey, it's youtube and it's fair game. And although I didn't ask, I did tell him I what I was doing, and in my book no response means yes. So here ya go. Pastor Jon, lay it down.

Find out more about Beautiful Day here.

Tattered Recipes

2009-02-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

It's getting close to the end of the week, and we're running out of stuff, like eggs. That's when cooking gets fun! I like the creative challenge of making something yummy from whatever I can find in the kitchen.
Okay, well, sometimes I like that creative challenge; I guess it just depends. Not really sure what it depends on, but it just does. Today I was up to the challenge. No eggs, and I needed something sweet. Leave it to reliable ol' Betty Crocker to come up with the goods.

Hot Fudge Sundae Cake, page 258.
You mix all the dry ingredients straight in the pan. Then you dump in the milk, oil, and vanilla, and stir it all together in the pan. (Did I happen to mention that you do all this in the pan, which, of course, means one less dirty dish. Hey! I'm all about less dirty dishes!) At this point your 16-year-old son comes in and makes disgusting remarks about the appearance of your awesome dessert, upon which you inform him that you are not obligated to share with him if he's going to be so rude.

The next step is kind of weird. First you sprinkle brown sugar over the batter, then you sprinkle unsweetened cocoa powder over that. Check out this awesome action shot.

The next step is even weirder. (I have decided that the word "weirder" is truly one of the weirdest words out there. The more you look at it, the weirder it looks. Just look at it. Weird!Ack, I'm freaking myself out.)

Weirdness aside, you pour hot water over the whole thing, and you don't mix it.

This is when your 13-year-old son wanders in because he can smell sugar from a mile away and mentions that it smells like hot chocolate. He is not rude. He will be partaking of this awesome dessert.

Now, I can't show you what it looked like straight out of the oven, because I do have a life. A life in which I must drive. All over creation, to be exact. So elder son redeemed himself and pulled it out of the oven for me. I guess I'll let him have a piece after all.

This is the awesome yumminess that is hot fudge sundae cake. Only vanilla ice cream could have made it more sublime.

All Played Out

2009-02-04T22:11:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you go straight from basketball practice to swim practice:
One tuckered out kiddo.

Sometimes I wish I could crash on the couch underneath my motocross quiltie . . . .

Unseasonably Warm

2009-02-03T21:29:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's what they're saying on the news. I'm so sorry if your weather isn't exactly cooperating. You're more than welcome to come visit. Word to the wise--come now. Unseasonably warm in February is downright chilly in June.
Unseasonably warm makes activities like this ever so much more enjoyable. Especially considering this is an outdoor meet.

A little butterfly action...followed by some backstroke...

This kid has a tan even in the dead of winter!
Okay, for brothers and grandparents who care about such details: Brian dropped time in 5 events, deaked in the 50 back for not having a continuous turn (turned too soon; let's just not mention that the flags were moved after warmup, so all stroke counts were rendered invalid, but I'm not bitter), Q time in the 200 IM.

For all you non-swimmers out there, sorry for all the swim speak I just threw at you.

Unseasonably warm. It's supposed to be warmer tomorrow (81) then a cold front is moving in and we'll be dipping down to a chilly 65-70. Brrr!

I'm boasting now, but I'll be griping come July.

Tennessee Apple Stack Cake

2009-01-28T22:05:00.000-08:00

So good.

I hosted a book club meeting a couple of nights ago. We had read On Agate Hill by Lee Smith, which I absolutely loved. It follows the fictional life of Molly Petree through letters, diary entries, school reports, court documents, and such. If you like historical novels, specifically Reconstruction era Southern lit, you should at least take a look at the Amazon listing! The book reminded me of sifting through material on ancestry.com or rootsweb.com trying to piece together enough information to get to know an ancestor.

Anyhoo, sometimes at our meetings we try to share a meal that somehow relates to the book. It's a creative way to make another connection with the story. So, after our southern barbecue fare, we feasted on Apple Stack Cake. It was delish! But here are the changes I made to the original recipe, along with my modern kitchen revelations.

First of all, the recipe called for dried apples. Ok, did you know that it's actually kind of difficult to locate dried apples in the grocery store these days? I remember back in the day, dried fruit came in 4 varieties: raisins, prunes, apricots, and apples. Now it's cranberries, bananas, mangos, pineapples, blueberries, papayas, yada, yada, yada. No apples. Not at my local Fry's anyway. So I figured, "What the heck? Why not just use fresh apples? I mean, I was just gonna reconstitute those dried apples anyway." So that's what I did, after I calculated that 2 ounces of dried apple=1 pound of fresh apple. I'm pretty sure this recipe was developed back in the day when fresh apples weren't available year round, and everybody canned and preserved and dried their own harvest. Well, I don't have an apple tree, so I rely on my local food storage unit down the street, also known as the grocery store. Let them pay the utility bill to store my food; that's hubby's motto.

Next step, simmer the apples, then mash them and add a whole lotta spices and brown sugar. About halfway into this process (I know, sometimes I can be a little slow) I realized I was just making applesauce. For heaven's sake, why didn't I just buy applesauce in the first place?! Well, in the end I did run back to the store to get some applesauce, because I was afraid (and rightly so) that I hadn't simmered enough apples.

Okay, on to the cake part. These were basically 8-inch round gingerbread cookies. I was able to bake two at a time. The recipe directed me to make 8 layers, but I wasn't careful in the divvying up department so I only wound up with 6. Interestingly enough, the amount of layers indicates your popularity. Back in the day, neighbors would each bring a cake layer to the party. The more friends you had, the more layers your cake would have! Well, I made all my own layers, so I don't know what that says about poor little pitiful me.

So you just stack these all up with applesauce in between each layer, leave it in the fridge to soften up, and 8 hours later it is absolutely scrumptious. It was even good the next morning for breakfast, which is what you see in the picture above. Later in the day, it was still tasty, but beginning to border on gooey and mushy, so we just put it out of its misery and finished it off. This was a fun cake to put together (although, come to think of it, I've seen similar recipes using applesauce and graham crackers; now that would be easy!) and I'll probably make it again sometime next fall during apple season!

Arizona Snowflakes

2009-01-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

Since we don't get much snow around these parts, sometimes we just have to manufacture our own. Here is one of the paper variety.

All folded up

and unfurled in its glory.I finally got myself a decent hole punch. It has a long reach, and more importantly, sharp edges. No more dealing with the hanging chad!

Random Fact: Did you know there is a town in Arizona named Snowflake? Yuppers, there is. Named after Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake. I'm not even kidding. In fact, one of Mr. Flake's descendants currently serves Arizona as a US Congressman--Jeff Flake. Maybe the Big Guy will meet him around town. I hear tell it snowed in DC today. Not that I got a phone call or anything. Nope, somebody is too busy playing football on the National Mall to call his sweet mother. And here I thought he went to Washington to help Mr. O solve all our woes.

Ok, back to business.

Here is some flaky felt.

Of course, everyone knows no two snowflakes are the same, which means lots of designing fun for me and Mr. Penquin.

Each snowflake gets paired with a light blue backing

and then they are stitched together with blue thread on top and white thread in the bobbin.

Random Fact #2-- Brian has an announcement: "I have chosen my life project." Really? Can you do that when you're only 11? "I will build my own car, using parts from all different cars." Good luck with that. I guess it's a life LONG project.

Gentle Reader,

Please pardon my sporadic outbursts of unrelated material. When my posts center on the domestic arts, my less feminine constituency become restless, and, dare I say it? Bored. I cannot afford to lose two of my most faithful readers--this gentleman and that. Consequently, I must occasionally throw out little crumbs of amusing tidbits for them. I do apologize.

Heeheehee

hoohoo

hahahaha!!

Vincent Price, you slay me.

Vincent is not my son, as that would make me incredibly old, and well, I'm old enough, thank you very much. World domination, how appropos.

(sporadic outburst, I'm so sorry)

Where were we? Oh yes, snowflakes. In Arizona.

Now for the fun part! After it's all stitched up, you cut away the excess to reveal the flaky beauty. You know, kinda like that Michaelangelo dude and his block of marble.

I was able to whip up this flurry thanks to Molly over at purlbee. Pink snowflakes. Who knew?

The Second Revenge of Fire Guy Again

2009-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is Brian's latest comic book. Maybe his next step will be his own zine. (That link is for you, Mom.) And okay, I'm just gonna be upfront with it. The kid is experimenting with language, if you know what I mean, trying to be edgy in his own 11-year-old way. Never fear, no swear words were employed in the creation of this comic, although he dances right up to the line.

Here's the frame-by-frame rundown. The bad guy's bullets are bouncing off Super Dad.

Another day saved

He hears a cry for help off in the distance

Super Dad meets his nemesis Fire Guy. FG is not exactly happy. "Oh *#$!," he exclaims. "It's you!"
I'm going to kick your
astronaut food! Hee hee!

"Holy Shin Surgery!" Fire Guy suddenly realizes Super Dad means business.

Well, as I'm typing this out and following along in the comic book, I realize I've left out a frame. That would be when Super Dad picks up Fire Guy and heaves him into the sky.

And, as we all know, what goes up, must eventually come down. This is an aerial shot of FG. Notice the oil tanker below him. "Noooooooooooo!"

BLAM!!!

The End

Happy 80th, Grandma Jan!

2009-01-21T21:30:00.000-08:00

Last October, these three brothers put their heads together and plotted out a little surprise for their mother's 80th birthday.

Kurt from North Carolina, Erik from California, and Ian from Arizona all converged upon the octogenarian's house on the same day and took her out for some birthday grub.

Every mother's dream--to have all her babies together again!

He Said She Said

2009-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

He said:

"It makes me happy when I walk in the garage and see this."
(If you could see the before picture which exists only in our memory, you would appreciate his new shelves even more.) Hubby took advantage of one of the many store fixtures sales in the area, and finally got himself some industrial shelving.

She said:

"It makes me happy when I lounge on the couch and gaze at my new shoes."

(Sssshhh! Don't tell anybody I have my feet on the couch!)

These are seriously the most comfortable non-tennis shoes I have ever worn.

Buttons

2009-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

I sent my button swap off today! I had way too much fun with all this button goodness.These are the covered buttons I made and then sewed onto the paint chips, just like a real card of buttons you buy in the store.

I also used a paint chip to make this sweet gift tag. I just punched a big hole in each square and glued a button in the middle. Easy and cute!

I had double sided cardstock left over from another project, so I decided to make some fun packaging. The matchbox holds the actual buttons for the swap, and the puffy box holds a cute little button ring. I found the templates for the matchbox and the puffy box here, along with templates for several other interesting boxes. And although my ironing board works admirably as a backdrop for my little projects, I'm really looking forward to building a do-it-yourself lightbox!

Mr. Radcliffe Goes to Washington

2009-01-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

If you follow my Twitter stream at all, you know what we've been working on for the last few days--getting this big goofball ready for his semester in Washington, DC.

He'll be completing an internship for the grand finale of his college career, which will hopefully transition nicely into some sort of career path. Well, that's the plan anyway!

He may be all dressed up in his fancy sport coat and trousers (he informed me just recently that gentlemen wear "trousers," not "pants," and they most definitely do not wear "britches")

but he's still just a big kid!

(And yes, I confess, that is my extreme mess on the dining room table!)

Hey! You Got Your Peanut Butter on my Chocolate!

2009-01-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

I'm testing out my Valentine chocolates. I saw these online and figured I could probably make them at home, which is a good thing because chocolate that gets mailed to Arizona doesn't often weather the journey very well.

I started with some basic chocolate chips...
which I melted in the microwave.

Then I spread the melted chocolate in the plastic mold. Yes, I know this is the cheater way of making truffles, and all you true chocolatiers are having conniption fits just about now, but this is what works for me. Sheesh, even the kid at Michael's who sold me the mold had an opinion on how to properly create a truffle.

After I spread the chocolate around, I held it up to the light to make sure I got good coverage. Wouldn't want that yummy filling to seep through! Then I popped the whole thing in the freezer to harden.

Once the shell was nice and firm, I filled those little babies! First, a little dab of straight up peanut butter...followed by a marshmallow fluff chaser.
I kind of spread the filling a little bit with my fingers, because I sort of overfilled them a little bit, but that just meant more licking for me! Wait, that sounds a little unsanitary. Okay, well, um, I spread the filling a little bit with my very clean finger, then I licked my finger, then I sanitized my hands before proceeding to spread the filling a little bit with my finger which I then licked...oh, who am I kidding? I've got ten fingers. I used them one at a time, then licked them, then washed up and wiped my mouth when I was all done.

Back to the truffles...I put more melted chocolate on top, which is really the bottom, and then put the whole shebang back in the freezer. Actually, the garage freezer, because everyone in the family knows that's the colder freezer; the one in the house gets opened too often because around here somebody is always standing in front of an open fridge/freezer looking for something else to eat. You'd think I never feed them, but I've got the dirty dishes to prove that I do!

Once the truffles completely chilled, I popped them out of the mold. Mmm-mmm-mmm!

Crafting Japanese

2009-01-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

Currently I'm completely obsessed with Japanese craft magazines. I am not, however, obsessed with paying ten bucks or so to have one shipped to me from Japan. So I'm on the prowl in the used bookstores around town. Here's what I've found so far:

This is actually a book, not a magazine. And it's written in English, which is like a little bonus surprise. It's amazing that felt can actually make your mouth water, but it can! There are some seriously cute sweets in this book. I'm just not sure that I need felt donuts and such laying around the house reminding me that I really really want a donut, a real one!

Look, felt chocolates! Perfect for the diabetic in your life.

This is my favorite project in the book, although they're not really sweets...happy french fries! I crack up every time I see them. You have to admit, the tic tacs are pretty darn cute too.

Well, one book and I'm hooked. I need more. This is where my trusty sidekick comes in. Sometimes I just call her Mom. Since she lives in San Diego where there are actually Japanese markets, I sent her on a quest for Cotton Time, the magazine I most covet. Apparently, I am not the only one who covets this particular periodical, and so the market was sold out. Ok, well, they only get in 4 copies of each issue, but at least you don't have to pay shipping!

Being the resourceful Depression Baby that she is, she located a used bookstore right next to the market that was loaded with just the sort of publication we were looking for. Here are two of them:

The beauty of these magazines is the $3.50 price tag. And yes, they are written in Japanese, which, no, I cannot read, but yes, the pictorial directions are very detailed, just like every other obsessed crafter has mentioned on their blog, and yes, I am going to make a project or two (or three) using these directions. (Just a little aside: one of my kid's swim coaches is Japanese, so if I get really stuck I can ask him for a quick translation.)

And now for some of the cute projects that have caught my eye...

Coffee filter holders (I won't be making these though, because I have one of these now.)

Check out the teacup patchwork on this bag.

I love the lace and linen look on this bag.

These patchwork bags look fun.

Is this not the sweetest flower purse? Love it!

I'll leave you with a little Valentine goodie.

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?

2009-01-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

I'm participating in a button swap this week, as in you give me 10 of your coolest buttons and I'll give you 10 of mine. So I've been sifting through my buttons over and over, trying to choose the 10 most giveable buttons. A couple of them are impossible to part with. And one I can't even use in a craft of my own, much less give it to a complete and total stranger! This sweet little ladybug has been in my mom's button tin forever, and now it lives in mine. Fortunately for my button buddy, I found a replica to send to her, so she can have her own ladybug in her own button tin.
I also made a few covered buttons to send. Love the cupcakes!

I actually intended to make little tiny red and white mushrooms, as you can see from my little prototype. I'm glad I changed my mind; cupcakes are much less poisonous and yummier all the way around!
Yum!

A quirky little button ring is going in the package too. I love the button ring I got from Nikki; I wear it almost every day and get the funniest comments about it. People either totally ignore it (which is kinda hard to do, since it's BIG) or ooh and aah over it. I made a few (okay, about 10) rings for fun, and now my girls want some. One of their friends has informed me she likes purple, you know, just in case I want to make her one too!
If you need a quirky button ring so people can ignore your weird taste in jewelry or admire your totally cool creativity and fun sense of style, go here. Lots of fun stuff!

Sweet Sixteen

2009-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Some little cutie in this house has gone and gotten himself all grown up.

How sweet is this? He's reading his little Bible!

Grandma thinks he's pretty special too! Here he is in San Diego a few years ago. And by the way, when we lived in Orange County we didn't fully appreciate the whole San Diego scene, but now that we live in Arizona, well, let's just say having grandparents in San Diego is a glorious thing. In case you're not from around these parts, pretty much all of Scottsdale relocates in the summertime to Coronado Island. Since the Hotel Del is not exactly in our price range we just schlep over to Grammy and Grampy's place. We're totally spoiled.Now let's all say the magic words: bhiaprpty hday!

A little pizza action...
A few friends and cousins...

A present or two...

makes for one happy sixteen-year-old!

On Top of Old Camelback

2009-01-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

With apologies to Old Smoky...

On top of old Camelback

All covered in stone

We dragged our poor cousins

Who surely did moan.

They hiked past the cactus

And over the rock

Oh crazy Jenna,

That girl sure can talk!

The hike up was easy

Or so Samuel said,

But as he creeped downward,

He wished he was dead.

With dear aunts and uncles

We do sympathize

Your children are yakkers

Without compromise!

Resolutions Shmezolutions

2009-01-07T04:24:00.000-08:00

About a hundred years ago I made a New Year's resolution that I have managed to keep lo these many years. I vowed never to make another New Year's resolution. It's kinda like giving up Lent for Lent if you think about it. I did the same thing when I hit those milestone birthdays. I remember exactly where I was standing, hanging onto the iron railing on my back step surveying the mess of an overgrown backyard. I said to myself, "Self, you're about to turn 30. You probably should take stock of your life, assess your situation, determine if you've made any progress reaching those goals you set, blah, blah, blah...."

It took all of about 10 seconds to take a Scarlet O'Hara attitude. Only I didn't think about it tomorrow. Or the next day. Or even the next day. Nope, I made the brilliant observation that I didn't even know what the heck I wanted out of life when I made those goals in the first place, because I was too young and stupid and didn't know "anythin' about anythin'." (Obscure Secret Garden reference, and excuse to show off my quotation mark prowess.)

All that being said, I don't wander through life quite so aimlessly. I generally set targets. Targets are good because they give you something to aim for, but if you don't hit them it's okay. Sometimes you can even move targets to better suit your purposes. Novel, I know. I also never set my targets in January. I'd like to say it's my rebellious streak, my desire to stand out from the crowd, to be a trendsetter and all, but who am I kidding? I'm such a rule-follower it's ridiculous. (Yes, I am the one that gets in trouble if I break the rules. It never fails.) I used to set my targets in September, but stinkin' SUSD starts school the second week of August, so I had to start earlier too. As you may have guessed, my year revolves around a school calendar, which really makes so much more sense to me than this whole January-December thing.

So, do I have goals for 2009? Have I set targets? Just what will I accomplish this year? Tune in next August to find out.

Just a Few Things

2009-01-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

Some images from Christmas Day...

A few of the kids' favorite things!

Project Runway: Amy-style

2009-01-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

I seem to recall promising a fashion show. Let me introduce you to today's hottest designer. Here she is modeling one of her own creations: the Edie shirt. She creates these one of a kind t-shirts with acrylic paint, water, a spray bottle, and stencils she cuts from plastic report covers. She says it's basic Art 1 stuff she learned freshman year in high school (thank you, Miss Shainer!). I dunno--I took a drawing class in college and I didn't learn anything near as cool as this. Everyone in the family got a custom design, personally tailored to their own interests!

Joe Jonas and one of his adoring fans...

Sweet baby James...

Watch out for my ninja skillz!

Not every pony grows up to be my Pegasus...

Ernest H ...

Packermania!

I guess it's my own fault that mine didn't get finished...I inadvertently let Colin borrow my undecorated shirt, not realizing that it was mine. He needed something to wear under that angel costume and I grabbed the first shirt I saw that would fit him.

I hear tell my shirt will sport a camera hanging around my neck!

Something Rotten This Way Comes

2009-01-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

I seriously pooped out this holiday season. Sorry for no posts! I got sick, had company, several migraines, blah, blah, blah...you don't want to hear my excuses! I'll try to catch you up with my very exciting life over the next few posts. In the meantime, do you know what happens when you don't nag your kid to empty his backpack before the holiday break?

Gross, isn't it? But wait, there's more.

Dare we open it, so I can save my little tuppie? Nope, in the trash she goes, along with 3 others. No wonder I couldn't find any tuppies for my leftovers this Christmas.

What have we next? Anyone hungry for a sandwich or two?

What was this yummy confection? I can't even tell you. I don't know. But it is completely mushy and gooey now. What say we don't open this one either.

If I were prone to using foul language, I might be tempted just about now. This...this...this...is an OUTRAGE!!

I almost never buy name brand goodies because 1) they're too stinkin' expensive and 2) they're full of unhealthfulness. But some kid talked me into it, and because I was feeling the generous holiday spirit I fell for it.

I know this has been sitting in the foulest of backpacks for two whole weeks, but somebody is gonna eat this thing, doggonit! I'm fairly certain its shelf life will prevent the partaker from becoming ill.

These pictures don't even represent half of what was extricated from said backpack. And I wish there were a way I could replicate the aroma for you so you could fully appreciate the Queen of All Unintentional Science Experiments. Because that's what this microbial madness reminds me of.

Any Play Without Baby Jesus

2008-12-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

This year Colin played the part of the angel in the Christmas play. Let me give you the back story on this clip. The kids are practicing for the play, but can't get over the fact that there is not actually a baby in the manger. The director, who is a little stressed out because the play is to be performed the following week, tries to convince them to continue practicing without the baby.

Watch the clip to see what happens!

Crafty Meltdown

2008-12-24T09:01:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I hit the wall. It wasn't pretty. It started when a certain 11-year-old woke up on the wrong side of the bed and fell apart because there were not going to be donuts for breakfast. Let the record show that there are rarely donuts for breakfast here. The day just kinda went down hill from there. The last minute errands were non-stop: Hallmark, Target, post office, thrift store, mall, Target again, Half Price Books, Borders, Walmart (twice), and KFC (where they wouldn't sell me gift cards because I wanted to pay with my debit card--guess they're not hurting for business). Let's not forget that I also had to haul someone's tushie to work as well! But the deal breaker was that I couldn't find the ornament that I intended to post for today's last advent ornament. Which meant that I needed to come up with a new one. And to be quite honest, I have reached the end of my crafty rope. I have zero ideas. And the thought of wandering the aisles at Michael's trying to come up with inspiration just put me over the edge.

Enter Amy. Now Amy is young. She's hip. She's crafty with a capital C and artistic to boot. And she is capable of working into the wee hours in a way that puts me to shame. Of course, she sleeps all day...but, that's another matter. She declared that no one should be unhappy on Christmas Adam (that would be the day before Christmas Eve) and proceeded to save my bacon. She took the ornament I was working on (I should say the ornament I was crying over and ready to smash on the tile floor) and reworked it into a presentable state. Oh Amy, how I love thee.

I wish I could show you the totally cool presents she is creating for the family. I have a feeling I'm getting one of these beauties too, although I haven't seen it yet. Let's just say it involves shirts, paint, cookie cutters, plastic report covers, and the most gigantic Christmas mess on my dining room table!

Here is a closeup of one of the projects that she is keeping for herself. This is Edie Sedgwick. I told you she is artistic!

Tune in tomorrow for the fashion show!

Advent Ornaments: Day Twenty-four

2008-12-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

...and so we come to our last day of Advent. As you share gifts tomorrow, I pray you remember the gift Christ has given you.

Matthew 2:9-11

...and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Advent Ornaments: Day Twenty-three

2008-12-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

Christ's birth was a momentous occasion, with far-reaching effects and global implications. Those wise enough to recognize the signs sought Him out, found Him, and worshiped Him.

Matthew 2:1-2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him."

Advent Ornaments: Day Twenty-two

2008-12-22T10:52:00.000-08:00

I love the shepherds' response to the good news. Let's go! Once they have heard, they don't waste any time finding Christ. And Mary's reaction is precious--she treasures up the experience and ponders it in her heart. I pray my heart is as responsive and reflective as the day of Christ's birth draws near!

Luke 2: 15-20

And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Advent Ornament: Day Twenty-one

2008-12-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Good news! Great joy! Imagine the excitement among the angels as they watched God's plan begin to unfold!

Luke 2:8-14

And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them," Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men

with whom He is pleased."

African Nativity

2008-12-20T13:52:00.000-08:00

When Amy was in Africa, she brought home a special Christmas present.

Christmas Corn Dolls, according to the label. I might call them cornhusk dolls, or figurines even. Here they are all nestled in their very small box.

Let me introduce you to Mary and Joseph. Mary has quite a svelte figure, considering she just gave birth.

These are the three wisemen.

And here is a shepherd and his sheep, hanging out with the donkey.

Out of the whole set, Mr. Donkey is the one who struggles to stand up on all fours. Kind of appropriate for a stubborn donkey, don't you think?

Here they all gaze upon a very tiny little Jesus, all snuggly in his swaddling clothes.

I love to see different cultural interpretations of the nativity. This one is quite a bit different from my other set, but the story the figures tell is just as powerful!

Advent Ornament: Day Twenty

2008-12-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hears alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious Throne.

Advent Ornament: Day Nineteen

2008-12-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we considered Mary's willingness to serve her Lord. Today, we turn to her betrothed, Joseph. When confronted with Mary's condition, he wanted to separate himself from her secretly, so as not to disgrace her. Then the angel set him straight! Notice that he, too, responded with obedience!

Matthew 1:20-24

...behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."

Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife.

The Stockings Were...?

2008-12-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I can't exactly hang them because we don't exactly have a mantle. Fireplace, yes. Mantle, no. I've always wanted one of those chunky rustic slabs of wood for a lodge-like mantle, but it's kinda low (like on the bottom) of the priority list. New roof is kinda dominating the top of the list, but it's soooo boring. Okay, that's bummin me out; let's just move on, shall we?

This is one of our first stockings. There is a matching one but it has lost its hanger. I guess Santa overstuffed it one year. I made these 24 years ago for Ian and my first Christmas together! The idea was that we would stuff each other's stockings. Not gonna lie, that didn't work out too well. Hubby didn't quite get the concept of stocking stuffer and gave me a dress from Laura Ashley in my stocking! (note: I am NOT complaining, just chuckling)

These two particular stockings have lived quite the life. After being newlywed stockings they became my two oldest kids' stockings, because who has time to make stockings when you have babies?

After baby #3 came along, I had somewhat of a problem. Two matching beauties, and a cheesy fuzzy red and white supermarket stocking. Well, the baby was a baby after all, and didn't really care. Eventually, I decided to make a new set of three. I really love these stockings.
The velvet, the tassels, the gold braid, the vintage buttons...

They looked awesome in our old house, which had a traditional fireplace and mantle. But then something happened. Babies, more babies. Number 4 and Number 5 got those newlywed stockings, and Number 6 got stuck with the fuzzy one.

The other problem was that the stockings weren't big enough. They were really hard to stuff! So, back to the drawing board.
I collected up a bunch of old jeans, cut them all apart, and made new casual stockings lined with flannel. They are super roomy and durable, which is a must because without fail EVERY YEAR the kiddos put their stockings on their feet and slide around the house.

They usually get some gum or tic tacs in the little pocket, and yes, I know, one doesn't have a pocket, but you know what? It has a pocket on the back because I made it backwards. So it either doesn't have a pocket or it hangs facing the opposite direction. If you know Colin, the owner of this particular stocking, you'll get why that is totally appropriate, and you'll understand why, at age 15, I don't even think he has ever noticed that his is different!

In a nod to tradition, the kids get an orange in the toe of their stocking, because that's what was always in the toe of mine growing up. The funny thing is that we had an orange tree in our yard, so my brothers and I were a little baffled as to why an orange was anything special when we could just go outside and pick one. Apparently, mom always had an orange in the toe of hers, and back in those dinosaur days it really was something special. For my own kids, I've upgraded to a Toblerone chocolate orange, since really, we have several citrus trees in the yard, and oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are coming out our ears at this time of year!

A couple of years ago, a little birdie told me that the kids were getting up in the middle of the night, unloading their stockings, then reloading them before we got up. Last year Santa came to my closet and let me pass the stockings out the next day. Not sure what clever idea Santa has this year!

Check out the other fun stockings over at Nikki's!

Advent Ornaments: Day Eighteen

2008-12-18T00:15:00.000-08:00

As we move into the final week before the big celebration, let's take a look at the old, familiar Christmas story. Today we focus on Mary.

Luke 1:26-38 tells the beautiful story of the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary to inform her she has been chosen by God to bear His Son, for, as Gabriel says, "Nothing will be impossible with God." (verse 37)

Mary responds with precious acceptance and obedience: "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word."

Today's passage was a bit long to type out, but it's not too long to read! Find your Bible and look it up, or go here to read for yourself.

The artwork inside the today's ornament comes from a Christmas card I received years ago from my dear friend Priscilla Burris. I love her work! I figured out how to stuff the image inside the glass ball by following these instructions.

Advent Ornaments: Day Seventeen

2008-12-17T01:22:00.000-08:00

The prophets knew the circumstances of Christ's birth would be unusual and miraculous!

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.*

*Immanuel literally means "God is with us." How beautiful!

Advent Ornaments: Day Sixteen

2008-12-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

Not only did the prophets of old foretell Christ's lineage, but they also spoke of His humble birthplace!

Micah 5:2, 4-5a

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Too little to be among the clans of Judah,

From you One will go forth for

Me to be ruler in Israel.

His goings forth are from long ago,

From the days of eternity.

And He will arise and shepherd His flock

In the strength of the Lord,

In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.

And they will remain,

Because at that time He will be great

To the ends of the earth.

And this One will be our peace.

Advent Ornaments: Day Fifteen

2008-12-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

Who is this Christ? From what family would He come? The prophets called it long, long ago! He would be born into David's royal line, King David, son of Jesse.

Isaiah 11:1-2

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,

And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,

The spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The spirit of counsel and strength,

The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Advent Ornaments: Day Fourteen

2008-12-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we saw that Christ will come and reign in peace. What will that kingdom be like?

Isaiah 11: 6, 10

And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,

And the leopard will lie down with the kid,

And the calf and the young lion

and the fatling together;

And a little boy will lead them.

Then it will come about in that day

That the nations will resort to the root of Jesse,

Who will stand as a signal for the peoples;

And His resting place will be glorious.

More about the root of Jesse tomorrow!

Advent Ornaments: Day Thirteen

2008-12-13T01:01:00.000-08:00

As foretold by the prophets, Christ, the Prince of Peace, will reign forever with justice and righteousness. His rule will be glorious!

Isaiah 9:7

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it

with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts

will accomplish this.

Thanks to Nikki at Whimsylove for providing the tutorial for this ornament!

Advent Ornaments: Day Twelve

2008-12-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

In addition to bringing light to a dark world and drawing the nations to His glory, the prophets also foretold Christ's coming reign as Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.

Today's ornament pattern comes courtesy of the purl bee.

Random Junk

2008-12-11T17:39:00.000-08:00

Today I woke up in a fog. Hubby is home, so he did the early morning run to school for zero hour. And just a little side note here: if your kid doesn't have a driver's license, don't let her take zero hour, because guess who's gonna pay for that one? Yeah, remember, sleep is a beautiful thing. So back to the fog issue. Imitrex fixed that. But then I had that "I've just been run over by a truck" feeling, which isn't really so bad compared to a migraine, when you think about it. In addition, Brian isn't feeling so great, so he slept in until 10. One of the beauties of homeschooling (besides going to school in your p.j.'s) is that you can still go to school even if you're sick. Well, the kids don't think it's a good thing, but if you're trying to hit a certain goal, it means you're not going to lose time just because you have mucus exploding from every cranial orifice. But, I must be getting soft in my old age, because I let him have the day off. He totally crashed on the couch all day watching cartoons. I'm blaming it on the fog. But it was nice for Teacher to have a day off too.

So, I got my advent ornament for tomorrow done while it was still daylight. Hooray! Which means, I was able to photograph it outside on some live greenery instead of on my fake-o Christmas tree. Don't get me wrong. I love my giant fake-o Costco tree. It doesn't dry out in two days, it doesn't suck water by the gallons, it doesn't fall over, and it doesn't drop needles all over everywhere. (Let's just disregard the fact that it doesn't smell evergreeny either; candles can fix that.) But after 11 days of taking close up pictures of ornaments, I've realized that a fake tree just looks, well, super fake in a picture. And I don't like it. Tomorrow you will see a little ornament nestled in the rosemary bush. Maybe I can stay ahead of the game here!

I also spent the morning cruising the web and found so many cute ideas my head is spinning. Really, this is probably not a good thing. On second thought, I don't think I'm ever going to buy a cooking or craft magazine ever again. There's no need to! The amount of creativity out there is astounding. I ran across a post for totally cute melted snowman cupcakes. I'll probably never bother to frost a cupcake like this (we have food coloring issues at our house; they aggrevate somebody's ADD) but the recipe looked intriguing, so I tried it.

Oh my goodness, these were super delish! I'm throwing my old cranberry bread/muffin recipe out and replacing it with this one--it was that good!

Here's my American translation of the original.

Cream together:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

Add:

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Stir in:

1/2 cup Craisins

zest of one orange

Bake 18-20 minutes at 350.

Yum.

I iced mine with a powdered sugar/orange juice glaze. Double yum.

Advent Ornaments: Day Eleven

2008-12-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

The prophets told of a Shepherd, who would gather His lost sheep and tenderly guide them, watching over them and protecting them.Isaiah 40:11
Like a shepherd He will tend his flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs,
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Did you miss a day? You can start working your way backwards here!

Advent Ornaments: Day Ten

2008-12-10T01:00:00.000-08:00

Isaiah the prophet speaks of the Messiah--Jesus Christ, our coming king!

Isaiah 60:1-3

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness will cover the earth,

And deep darkness the peoples;

But the Lord will rise upon you,

And His glory will appear upon you.

And the nations will come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9

Christmas Everyday

2008-12-09T06:28:00.000-08:00

Whoa, four posts in one day. I think I need to pace myself. But I saw this and thought I'd like to play along.

The question is, how do we as a family celebrate the true meaning of Christmas?

Well, sit yourself down and let me just tell you!

Since some of my family reads this, I will be honest. Since some of that said family includes a certain college-aged individual who is not shy about calling me out, you can rest assured that I'm not going to whitewash this shindig and try to hoodwink you into believing that we have family devotions every morning, or that we volunteer every week down at the shelter, or even that my six kiddos so altruistically give up their presents each year in lieu of supporting orphans in faraway places.

Nope, none of that.

Here's the lowdown. My big tip to young parents, if you will.

I gave up Advent calendars because I noticed that it totally hyped the kids up and put their focus on getting. One year I made a really cute felt banner with a Christmas tree and 24 ribbons attached to it. I frosted 24 cookies with the numbers 1-24, wrapped them individually, then tied them to the banner. Cute idea, huh? Wrong! I think I had four kids at the time. That meant I had to keep track each day of whose turn it was to untie and eat the cookie. Which meant that I had to also pass out identical cookies to the other 3 in order to avoid mass hysteria. All before 8 AM. Now I love sugar in the morning as much as the next guy, but something seems fundamentally wrong with giving a toddler a frosted Oreo for breakfast. After 24 days of fighting and arguing and "me first" I decided that the advent calendar was the most unChristlike part of my Christmas, so I ditched it and gave it to Goodwill.

Now the kidlets are mostly teenagers or somewhere near that age. They each get their own Trader Joe's chocolate advent calendar, with 24 chocolates weighing in at a total of 1.76 ounces, making each serving about the equivalent of a chocolate chip. And the best part of it is that they can manage the calendar themselves. If they want to open all the doors on December 3 and ruin their Christmas, they have that freedom.

But now, Christ in Christmas...hmmm...how do we manage it?

Well, it's reading a little less of this

and a little more of this.

To be perfectly honest, I don't really try to keep Christ in Christmas. Wha-a-a-a-a-t?

I try to keep Him in every day. It really works much better that way.

This year, as in years past, we are reading this great book. This year, unlike previous years, I will try not to read ahead and finish it on my own and then not be bothered to finish reading it aloud because I am too busy. Maybe this year a certain kid will actually solve the mystery!

In the spirit of Advent, I am crafting handmade ornaments that reflect some aspect of Christ and His Story. These are the first 9. (Get it? Today is December 9; I uncork one each day!)

Then I post about it, in an effort to force myself to actually finish making all 24. Have you picked up that I have a little trouble with finishing things? Yeah, well, my house is a complete wreck too.

Thanks for stopping by! Come on back anytime! (What I love about blogs: you don't have to clean them before people come over.)

Christ in the every day. Consider it.

Advent Ornaments: Day Nine

2008-12-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

Over the next few days, let's take a look at what the prophets of old had to say about Christ's impending birth.Isaiah 9:2
The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.

May the light of Christ shine on you today!

Just in case you missed a day or two:
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
Day 7 Day 8

The Secret

2008-12-08T23:03:00.000-08:00

I think I've discovered the secret to creating traffic on your blog. Oh yeah, this is a surefire winner all right. See, I notice I get hits every day on one certain page in my backlog of wonderful posts. So all you have to do is ...

shhhh....

(whispering, because it's a secret after all)

Mention a certain pro football player's name (the one who's doing jail time for that infamous dogfighting incident) in the same sentence as a certain clothing designer. Never mind that you were talking about shoes, sandals and cleats to be precise. They don't need to know that. They'll come snooping around, just to see what's going on.

Let's try another trick, shall we?

We'll see what kind of mileage we can get out of this one.

Perhaps we should mention in one sentence a certain Harry Potter star who shares our last name (and who, by the way, is not our cousin, contrary to what my kids might have told you) and the state of his clothing in a certain stage production involving horses. Dare I say it?

I can't/won't share any images of Daniel Radcliffe naked!

Google start your search engines.

Instead of the Christmas Angel

2008-12-08T22:32:00.000-08:00

We have the Christmas Joe?

Look, all I asked was one simple task.

Please hang the gold balls on the tree while I run out and pick up your little brother from swim practice.

I walk in the door, plop myself down on the couch, yakkin' away to my mom, when I look up and see this.(Okay, yeah, I know we have a serious water damage issues, but it rains like 3 times a year here, so we're not in imminent danger.)

You've got to be kidding me.

I seriously almost put that bucket of Joes and their paraphernalia out for charity last week. No one has even played with them for at least a year. They occasionally come out during the summers to make a brief appearance as ship captains in the pool, but that just about covers their playtime duties. I noticed that last Sunday Brian had dragged them out of the closet, as they work cheaper than the SAG actors do, and he was organizing his latest video shoot. (I know this because I found his camcorder and about 10 batteries on the living room floor. Apparently, all our batteries are dead, but, pet peeve, they all get put back in the drawer instead of in the trash so we never know which are the good ones.)

But I digress.

Back to Joe, our sweet angel of mercy.

Notice he has his life vest on.

Is he worried he's going to drown up there?

Or maybe his life vest has a more symbolic meaning.

Perhaps it indicates his desire to buoy our spirits.

Or maybe he's just trying to keep his head above water in our lovely economy.

Maybe he's trying to tell us something.

Eh? What's that, Joe?

You say you're just the victim of some knucklehead kids?

I feel your pain, Joe, I feel your pain.

Advent Ornaments: Day Eight

2008-12-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

We begin the week with the reminder that God gave us a most precious gift, a gift we celebrate each year at Christmas, the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Today's verse is an old favorite.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

Amy's Ornaments

2008-12-07T21:30:00.000-08:00

I have the most wonderfully creative daughter. Over the years she has made several ornaments. These are just a few of them! I wish I had put the date on them. What I can tell you is she was in the 6-11 range when she made these. What I love is how she would go around the house, find craft materials, and come up with these wonderful ideas. This was a popsicle stick and some twigs from the yard. Now it is Rudolph.

More yarn and twigs. Now we have Frosty.

A bead, a walnut shell from the street (the crows drop them to crack them and eat the nutmeat) and some cotton--Jesus!

Some paints and a shingle that blew off our roof in a strong wind. Now it's a nativity!

This one she created with polymer clay when she was 12 or 13 after she watched the Carol Duvall Christmas show. It's amazing. I'm still not entirely sure how she got all that clay inside there!

That's Amy--she's my crafty girl!

Dead Camera Mystery Solved

2008-12-07T20:54:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I wonder why my camera is dead in the morning. Now I know. Busted.

Advent Ornaments: Day Seven

2008-12-07T02:05:00.000-08:00

Today, we look ahead to the Easter story--Jesus, sent to earth to save sinners, accomplishing the work by dying on the cross.
Isaiah 53:5-6
But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

Up until today, all of the ornaments you have seen have been handmade by me. But today's ornament was actually crafted by Brian four years ago when he was seven! Didn't he do a great job? I think it is beautiful!

Since today is Sunday, do you think you can handle another snippet of Scripture? This one is the heart of the gospel!
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

See all last week's ornaments or any that you might have missed:
Day 1 Day 6
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Advent Ornaments: Day Six

2008-12-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

Let's remember that we celebrate this season because of the love God showed to us through His son Jesus.

1 John 4:9-10

This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about--not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. (The Message)

Have you missed a few days?
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five

Advent Ornaments: Day Five

2008-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we contemplated our dire situation. Remember, The Story doesn't end there! God, in His infinite mercy, saw fit to provide the perfect sacrificial lamb, without blemish or spot.

John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Get caught up!

It's Beginning to Smell a lot like Christmas!

2008-12-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

Pfeffernüsse--you either love them or hate them. There is no in between. They are the ultimate commitment cookie. In case you were wondering, they are of German origin, pfeffer meaning pepper and nüss meaning nut. See, all that German I took at Lutheran school and beyond (a whopping total of 7 years, you'd think I'd be fluent but unfortunately I am not) is finally paying off. Here, let me impress you just a little further: one pfeffernüss, two pfeffernüsse. I know, I know, I'm amazing.

This recipe is not like anything you've ever seen in a store. In fact, in my whole, entire life, I've only met one other person who makes them this way. Yes, I said one. And I'm kind of a little bit oldish, sort of.

In my humble opinion, these pfeffernüsse knock the socks off the other kind. But remember, you'll either think they are the most horrid little rocks you have ever eaten and why would anyone want to risk breaking a tooth on one, OR like my family (minus my unconverted hubby) you'll realize that these are the most amazing, addictive, mini-biscotti-like, crunchy little pillows of Christmasy goodness that you have ever tasted. The truth of the matter is it just wouldn't be Christmas without pfeffernüsse!

The following is a true story.

My brother Jon was digging under the couch cushions one July looking for loose change, when lo and behold, he happened upon a stray pfeffernüss. He gazed upon its perfect pillowy form, albeit a bit dusty, conjuring up sweet memories of Christmases past. He sniffed it, the peppery, minty aroma flooding his senses with all that is good and beautiful about Christmas.

And then,

and then,

and then

HE ATE IT!!

He claims it tasted as good, if not better, than the day it was made, and was all the more sweet because it brought Christmas to him when he least expected it!

Without any further introduction, I give to you...the humble...

PFEFFERNÜSSE

Mix together:

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

1 cup nonfat milk

2 teaspoons black pepper

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Sift in:

5-6 cups flour, enough to make a stiff dough

1 tablespoon baking powder

Roll out in long ropes, and slice into little pillows about 3/4 inch long. You may have to square them up a little bit if they get wonky when you slice them.

(You might think I have the grossest, most unsanitary cutting board known to mankind. What you are looking at is actually a clear plastic cutting board, sitting atop a dark gray concrete countertop. Now you can rest at ease.)
(However, I do own the world's most beat up Silpat.)

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. You want them to be golden brown on the bottom. Let cool completely, then store in a tin or large ziploc. Or just put them in a bowl and let the family snack on them. My kids load their pockets up before school. I'm not joking.

Makes about 5 cookie sheets full. It takes about 30-45 minutes to roll, cut, and bake all the cookies. (That's just a little note to myself, so I don't get started at 11 pm thinking I'm gonna just whip these babies out.)

Now your Christmas can truly be complete.