On the first day of cookies (Monday) I mixed up a double batch of chocolate chips.
On the second day of cookies (Tuesday), I baked the double batch of chocolate chips.
I also mixed up a quadruple batch of molasses crinkles and baked about half of them.
I then mixed up a double batch of peanut butters and baked all of them. And I mixed up a double batch of butters (cutter cookies!) and put the batter in the fridge to bake up some time over Christmas break.
On the third day of cookies (Wednesday), I baked the rest of the molasses crinkles. I then mixed up a double batch of oatmeal raisins and baked them, and mixed up another double batch of chocolate chips and baked them.
We then cleaned up, sang Christmas carols, drank hot cocoa, ate a bunch of the cookies, gave away a bunch, froze about half of what we made, and set aside the rest to eat over the next week.
Enough cookies to enjoy for a while! Happy cookie time!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Lots of Twelves
In celebration of Patience's 12th birthday, we hereby present to you....
Well, I guess we're starting w/Year "Zero"
(In the beginning.....or better yet, once upon a time,
there was a little girl named Patience! She was tiny, but she grew and grew and grew! And she's still growing, so no "the end", just a "stay tuned" by God's grace!)
The First Year of Patience (1999)
The first year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a kitchen cabinet full of Tupperware.
The Second Year of Patience (2000)
The second year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a bouncy bed and time with my family.
The Third Year of Patience (2001)
The third year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
some markers and a handmade tutu.
The Fourth Year of Patience (2002)
The fourth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a whole new outfit and accessories.
The Fifth Year of Patience (2003)
The fifth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a 2nd year of preschool and a cheerful attitude.
The Sixth Year of Patience (2004)
The sixth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a new little sister and time with my Grammy.
The Seventh Year of Patience (2005)
The seventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
another little brother and lots of time with my special friends.
The Eighth Year of Patience (2006)
The eighth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a ton of snow and a brand new sled.
The Ninth Year of Patience (2007)
The ninth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
new glasses and a crazy brother.
The Tenth Year of Patience (2008)
The tenth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a growth spurt and a new way to have fun.
The Eleventh Year of Patience (2009)
The eleventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
better health and tons of new books to read.
The Twelfth Year of Patience (2010)
The twelfth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a great trip with my mom and a pile of new friends.
The Twelve Years of Patience
Well, I guess we're starting w/Year "Zero"
(In the beginning.....or better yet, once upon a time,
there was a little girl named Patience! She was tiny, but she grew and grew and grew! And she's still growing, so no "the end", just a "stay tuned" by God's grace!)
The First Year of Patience (1999)
The first year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a kitchen cabinet full of Tupperware.
The Second Year of Patience (2000)
The second year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a bouncy bed and time with my family.
The Third Year of Patience (2001)
The third year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
some markers and a handmade tutu.
The Fourth Year of Patience (2002)
The fourth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a whole new outfit and accessories.
The Fifth Year of Patience (2003)
The fifth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a 2nd year of preschool and a cheerful attitude.
The Sixth Year of Patience (2004)
The sixth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a new little sister and time with my Grammy.
The Seventh Year of Patience (2005)
The seventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
another little brother and lots of time with my special friends.
The Eighth Year of Patience (2006)
The eighth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a ton of snow and a brand new sled.
The Ninth Year of Patience (2007)
The ninth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
new glasses and a crazy brother.
The Tenth Year of Patience (2008)
The tenth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a growth spurt and a new way to have fun.
The Eleventh Year of Patience (2009)
The eleventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
better health and tons of new books to read.
The Twelfth Year of Patience (2010)
The twelfth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a great trip with my mom and a pile of new friends.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Twelve years ago, we welcomed our little Patience.
This was actually the 19th - the day I went into labor. At the time of this picture, I'd been having consistent contractions for 10 hours already. Nevermind she didn't come until another 30+ hours had passed. We won't hold it against her. (She's apologizing even as I type - Patience, she says..... I say that's HER virtue, not mine! Lord help me grow!)
She did finally come out, and we have been delighted by her ever since. Isn't she cute? (Even in all the medical get-up?) :-) God has been so good to us through and with her! What a blessing - a true joy - this precious gift is to us!
Patience wishes you all a very Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Giving
I love to give gifts - and I like to receive them too. But giving is very, very fun. I get a bit caught up in it. Frankly. Really.
I am learning how to teach "giving" to my kids. Not just at Christmas, but for birthdays, and at school, and on the sidewalk, and so on and so forth.
And giving has everything to do with serving, and my God who gave His one and only son Jesus to die in my place. Period.
In any case, while there is much more that I can say on this subject, and maybe I will at some point, I just read two articles that were thought provoking. I think each brings interesting perspective to this "giving" season. And yes, there is too much "stuff", too much "commercialism" and too much "materialism." Oh yes.
May all my "abundance" at this season be a reflection of His abundant gift(s) to and for me, that it may give HIM glory, not just today, but every day, throughout my life and that of those around me.
So happy reading:
Please note too that this is all my own humble opinion - and those of you who do things differently are in no way in the "wrong" nor am I "right" not by any stretch of the imagination. There are so many ways to "do" Christmas, and to "give" to our kids and so on and so forth. This is just an explanation (if anyone was looking for one) of why we give a lot when we can. We can be a bit over the top. Honestly. And we know it. And we love to give gifts. Period. Me even more than the hubby, but he does get a bit carried away w/Christmas (even more than me!) And we give not only now but throughout the year. (Kind of different from one article anyway.... but still what she says is interesting). But that is yet a topic for another blog another time.
I am learning how to teach "giving" to my kids. Not just at Christmas, but for birthdays, and at school, and on the sidewalk, and so on and so forth.
And giving has everything to do with serving, and my God who gave His one and only son Jesus to die in my place. Period.
In any case, while there is much more that I can say on this subject, and maybe I will at some point, I just read two articles that were thought provoking. I think each brings interesting perspective to this "giving" season. And yes, there is too much "stuff", too much "commercialism" and too much "materialism." Oh yes.
BUT (and this is a big and important but)
God gave extravagantly.
There is a time and place for "extravagance". It reflects his abundant (over abundant and undeserved) favor, blessing, generosity, and love.May all my "abundance" at this season be a reflection of His abundant gift(s) to and for me, that it may give HIM glory, not just today, but every day, throughout my life and that of those around me.
So happy reading:
Please note too that this is all my own humble opinion - and those of you who do things differently are in no way in the "wrong" nor am I "right" not by any stretch of the imagination. There are so many ways to "do" Christmas, and to "give" to our kids and so on and so forth. This is just an explanation (if anyone was looking for one) of why we give a lot when we can. We can be a bit over the top. Honestly. And we know it. And we love to give gifts. Period. Me even more than the hubby, but he does get a bit carried away w/Christmas (even more than me!) And we give not only now but throughout the year. (Kind of different from one article anyway.... but still what she says is interesting). But that is yet a topic for another blog another time.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Skating
We finally made it back to the rink today - yipee! It was a lot of effort to get there, I didn't feel like going, getting skated up was time-consuming and hard work, and I started out w/my left foot uncomfortable and me wobbly in general. But once we were settled on the ice, it was lovely. I think I have missed skating. I am so glad we went. Yay! And it was just three families so the rink was delightful. Nothing like tons of space, your kids with you happy to be there (ok, just one was mine but we had a few others in tow). I love to skate!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Today's Checklist
- 5:30 am: Wake up and shower
- 6:00 am: Wake Dante up to do his homework (he forgot to do it last night because we decorated the tree - oops)
- 6:30 am: Wake up Constance - let others sleep (Patience is ill, Vivace has been tired and we don't want him to get ill)
- 6:55 am: Eat breakfast, make lunches
- 7:15 am: Clean up breakfast; Brush teeth; Get on everyone's snowpants, boots, hats, coats, mittens... (Note: Vivace is now up and joining in the fray)
- 7:25 am: Dante is ready to go and he and I head out to help Papa Bear find the driveway under the 6" of new snow.
- 7:30 am: Good bye and have a nice day to Papa Bear, Dante and Constance. My dearly beloved has dug out the driveway at this point (at least the half between the door and the street). My hero! Dante started on the cars.... And now I begin to do dig out the station wagon in earnest.
- 7:40 am: I go in to use the phone because I remember that I need to call school to tell them Patience probably won't be in again (I'm just letting her sleep at this point but since I don't know how she's doing....)
- 7:45 am: Patience wakes up, feels awful, but fever is down. I head back out to dig out the car some more
- 7:55 am: I'm cold and the car and van are both mostly brushed off so I come in to get the car keys (so I can start them warming up to get all the ice off from the major 45-degree melt and pouring rain we had Sunday and Monday before the temps dropped into the low teens overnight....) Patience and I get her breakfast ready too and dose her so she can eat. Decide she is indeed not going to school.
- 8:00 am: I tell Vivace to get ready to go to school and head back out to start the car and clean up the driveway, which I've now covered w/the snow I brushed off the cars. But I can't get into the car b/c it's frozen shut solid - and I'm reluctant to break the door handles to get in. Five minutes later I manage to pry open the passenger door and crawl across to start the car. Nevermind that I can't close the door now (it is frozen open...). I manage to push the driver's door open. Now I have two "open" doors . . . neither of which will close, but at least the defroster is going full blast. So I shovel the driveway some more.
- 8:10 am: I try to open the driver-side rear door and am successful (tho' it won't close now- that's 3 open doors . . . . I'm wondering how this is going to work driving down the road...) and discover that I don't have a carseat which means I have to go try to open the van door, which is also frozen shut.
- 8:15 am: Long story short, the rear hatch and both front doors can open, so I'm able to fish out a carseat and now the back door of the wagon is staying shut - yay! But Vivace isn't ready when I go tell him to come load up . .. . so I come back out - cello in hand to load it into the front passenger seat and now that door closes, yay - two closed, one to go!
- 8:20 am: Vivace is ready so we load up and do a final scrape off of the car (yes, the snow is still coming down!).
- 8:25 am: We head out to pre-school with me holding the driver's door shut while driving (not a first). Driving is slow and messy. Roads are slick.
- 8:35 am: Arrive at pre-school (the very long driveway there is not shoveled b/c the snow plow had frozen gas lines - we were forewarned - whee!!! at least it's flat) My door closes when I get out - yay! Have a great morning at pre-school Vivace!
- 8:40 am: I drive to Dante's school and deliver the cello.
- 8:45 am: I head to an appt for 9am. The drive is messy and slow going but I get there just in time without any incident.
- 9:00 am: My appt - an "annual" mammogram (long overdue). Relatively quick and simple. But definitely not fun.
- 10:00 am: Out of there! And on to my next errand.... roads are much better, the snow has stopped, and I'm at least heading back towards home. Ready to do a little Christmas shopping
- 10:40 am: Touch base w/Patience, do a quick return/exchange at the local hardware store
- 11:00 am: Pick up Vivace
- 11:10 am: Arrive home . . .
- 11:15 am: Tackle the van and the rest of the driveway (including making a giant pile at the end of the driveway for sledding). Note that the van sliding doors still do not open.
- 12:15 am: Finish the job, come in, make lunch and crash. We're exhausted! Forget all the "to-do's" for the afternoon!
NB - We can't really do that, but it's a nice thought, and some rest is definitely in order!
- 6:00 am: Wake Dante up to do his homework (he forgot to do it last night because we decorated the tree - oops)
- 6:30 am: Wake up Constance - let others sleep (Patience is ill, Vivace has been tired and we don't want him to get ill)
- 6:55 am: Eat breakfast, make lunches
- 7:15 am: Clean up breakfast; Brush teeth; Get on everyone's snowpants, boots, hats, coats, mittens... (Note: Vivace is now up and joining in the fray)
- 7:25 am: Dante is ready to go and he and I head out to help Papa Bear find the driveway under the 6" of new snow.
- 7:30 am: Good bye and have a nice day to Papa Bear, Dante and Constance. My dearly beloved has dug out the driveway at this point (at least the half between the door and the street). My hero! Dante started on the cars.... And now I begin to do dig out the station wagon in earnest.
- 7:40 am: I go in to use the phone because I remember that I need to call school to tell them Patience probably won't be in again (I'm just letting her sleep at this point but since I don't know how she's doing....)
- 7:45 am: Patience wakes up, feels awful, but fever is down. I head back out to dig out the car some more
- 7:55 am: I'm cold and the car and van are both mostly brushed off so I come in to get the car keys (so I can start them warming up to get all the ice off from the major 45-degree melt and pouring rain we had Sunday and Monday before the temps dropped into the low teens overnight....) Patience and I get her breakfast ready too and dose her so she can eat. Decide she is indeed not going to school.
- 8:00 am: I tell Vivace to get ready to go to school and head back out to start the car and clean up the driveway, which I've now covered w/the snow I brushed off the cars. But I can't get into the car b/c it's frozen shut solid - and I'm reluctant to break the door handles to get in. Five minutes later I manage to pry open the passenger door and crawl across to start the car. Nevermind that I can't close the door now (it is frozen open...). I manage to push the driver's door open. Now I have two "open" doors . . . neither of which will close, but at least the defroster is going full blast. So I shovel the driveway some more.
- 8:10 am: I try to open the driver-side rear door and am successful (tho' it won't close now- that's 3 open doors . . . . I'm wondering how this is going to work driving down the road...) and discover that I don't have a carseat which means I have to go try to open the van door, which is also frozen shut.
- 8:15 am: Long story short, the rear hatch and both front doors can open, so I'm able to fish out a carseat and now the back door of the wagon is staying shut - yay! But Vivace isn't ready when I go tell him to come load up . .. . so I come back out - cello in hand to load it into the front passenger seat and now that door closes, yay - two closed, one to go!
- 8:20 am: Vivace is ready so we load up and do a final scrape off of the car (yes, the snow is still coming down!).
- 8:25 am: We head out to pre-school with me holding the driver's door shut while driving (not a first). Driving is slow and messy. Roads are slick.
- 8:35 am: Arrive at pre-school (the very long driveway there is not shoveled b/c the snow plow had frozen gas lines - we were forewarned - whee!!! at least it's flat) My door closes when I get out - yay! Have a great morning at pre-school Vivace!
- 8:40 am: I drive to Dante's school and deliver the cello.
- 8:45 am: I head to an appt for 9am. The drive is messy and slow going but I get there just in time without any incident.
- 9:00 am: My appt - an "annual" mammogram (long overdue). Relatively quick and simple. But definitely not fun.
- 10:00 am: Out of there! And on to my next errand.... roads are much better, the snow has stopped, and I'm at least heading back towards home. Ready to do a little Christmas shopping
- 10:40 am: Touch base w/Patience, do a quick return/exchange at the local hardware store
- 11:00 am: Pick up Vivace
- 11:10 am: Arrive home . . .
- 11:15 am: Tackle the van and the rest of the driveway (including making a giant pile at the end of the driveway for sledding). Note that the van sliding doors still do not open.
- 12:15 am: Finish the job, come in, make lunch and crash. We're exhausted! Forget all the "to-do's" for the afternoon!
NB - We can't really do that, but it's a nice thought, and some rest is definitely in order!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Souvenirs and Chocolate
We came back from Switzerland with souvenirs, books, and chocolate! This pile of goodies took up at least a suitcase (or two), and would you believe over half of it is gone as gifts already? Wow, and what fun. Let me list some of the fun stuff (some of you are detail people and will be interested or at least amused so here goes.) Lucky Luke cartoon book, 3 Tintin books, two French bibles, six "Jesus Raconte" - that's the "Jesus Storybook Bible" in French, five scarves (two each for Patience and I, one for Constance), earrings (one pair each for Patience and I), play Swiss francs, play Euros, herbes de provences, knitting needles, playing cards, notepads, postcards, pastry cream (powdered), nougat candy, chocolate bars, chocolate balls, chocolate boxes, chocolate coins, marzipan, mustard, coffee mugs, pencils, "I spy" book in French, candy taffys, maps, tea, cowbells, umbrella, hard candies, vanilla sugar packets, smarties (like M&Ms), stuffed St. Bernard dogs, and chestnut cream/paste.
Regarding the herbes de provences (my favorite spice for cooking - I use it in everything from my potato soup to my chicken bbq to my baked sausage and egg casserole) - I spend about $6 per jar here (17g), and I can't get it at my usual grocery store so I have to make a special trip. I got lucky last year and bought a whole bunch when the spices were 1/2 off (that's why everyone got it for Christmas - I really love this stuff!). Anyway, I spent $2 per package in France - that's $2 for 100g - I saved over $25 per jar! And I have enough to last a year. I'm totally excited about that. :-) Nothing like "grocery shopping" abroad!
We have hung on to some chocolate for us especially to share with family and friends over the holidays that so fill this time of year, but much of it went to friends and classmates and to thank all those who helped make this trip possible, either before leaving, or while we were gone. It's amazing how much we can bring back and yet how little it feels like we have to give everyone (it only stretches so far!). Thank you to EVERYONE who prayed or who helped watch or transport kids and so much more. I wish we could multiply the chocolate the way you multiplied your love and help and support for us!
Regarding the herbes de provences (my favorite spice for cooking - I use it in everything from my potato soup to my chicken bbq to my baked sausage and egg casserole) - I spend about $6 per jar here (17g), and I can't get it at my usual grocery store so I have to make a special trip. I got lucky last year and bought a whole bunch when the spices were 1/2 off (that's why everyone got it for Christmas - I really love this stuff!). Anyway, I spent $2 per package in France - that's $2 for 100g - I saved over $25 per jar! And I have enough to last a year. I'm totally excited about that. :-) Nothing like "grocery shopping" abroad!
We have hung on to some chocolate for us especially to share with family and friends over the holidays that so fill this time of year, but much of it went to friends and classmates and to thank all those who helped make this trip possible, either before leaving, or while we were gone. It's amazing how much we can bring back and yet how little it feels like we have to give everyone (it only stretches so far!). Thank you to EVERYONE who prayed or who helped watch or transport kids and so much more. I wish we could multiply the chocolate the way you multiplied your love and help and support for us!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Five years ago....
At 8 days old (below), he was already an energetic bundle of enthusiasm and we celebrate today how much he has added to our home.
I missed him tons while in Geneva, and am so happy to be able to be home to enjoy this day together. We made cupcakes together yesterday and he took some to preschool with him this morning.
We'll celebrate as a family tonight, with homemade mac and cheese and broccoli, and gifts of course. And tomorrow after gymnastics, he thinks he's going to a friend's to play, but there will be lots of friends there to play, complete with cupcakes (we made tons), balloons, and party favors. Not much planned but "surprise!" and play time will reign supreme for a couple hours. No doubt he'll enjoy it all to the hilt.
Happy Birthday to my "baby"!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Lucette
Patience and I enjoyed a delightful trip to Geneva, all with the purpose of visiting my dear host mother, Lucette, with whom I lived for a year when I was in high school. We visited with many others while there, but were able to spend great, concentrated time with her. This picture was taken 11/18, the day we arrived (very tired of course having flown overnight, sleeping but a couple hours in the plane). Also pictured is Damien, the oldest son of my host brother, who comes over after school on Thursdays to play games with Lucette.
We just got home late last night and will evidently share more over the coming weeks, but I had wanted to post this while we were gone and it just wasn't possible w/o a proper picture editor etc. on the netbook we took along. So here it is, at last. Praise God for such a wonderful visit with folks so dear to my heart!
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