Rollin' Back Time

I know, it sound cliche, but this time of year is magical. It's full of memories and feelings that seem unreachable, indescribable; only felt. And that magic seems magnified by the bitter cold and piles of snow outside. I know that doesn't sound ideal and for some, a definite 'warm fuzzy' eraser. But for me, it brings back memories of my childhood. Good memories. Waking up in my second story room in the farmhouse in Minnesota and peering out the frosted glass to check the weather. Snow? I could already tell before I sat up; that bright glow seeping through the curtains, telling me it was a snowsuit day. But the dread of getting out of my warm bed and meeting the cold curtain of air almost makes me want to roll over for a few more minutes. Almost. I know that if I hurry, I can have a little time before the bus comes to dawdle in the snow. Make a snow angel along the quarter mile road leading from my house to the point where I meet the bus. Or snap ice-encrusted twigs off the little bush by the mailbox; marveling at the glassy casing and the delicate woody core.

Moving ahead a few years, we're still in Minnesota, but not on the farm. In the city, we live across the street from my elementary school. I am entrusted with walking my little sister to school. All the way across our yard, between the crossing guards and skirting the baseball diamond that is all visible from our front window. In the winter, the school floods an area of the soccer field, making an ice rink. If we bring our skates from home, we can ice skate during recess. There was a sort of shed that had benches to sit on and change from boots to skates. We all jostled each other, wanting to get out and make the most of our 20 minutes of freedom on the ice.

It's these memories that I hope to be able to impress upon my children; create lasting impressions on their little gray matter. In a way, I feel under a lot of pressure to make the most out of this "Year In Country". Living overseas, I have regrets about what my children don't experience. I know, stop shaking your heads. How can I have any regrets when we took afternoon drives around the Sphinx and Great Pyramids of Giza? But it's these parts of my childhood that I want my children to have as well that I know can't be duplicated. Ice skating, building snowmen, freezing their noses off while they wait for the bus or stampeding inside, peeling off frozen layers of clothing and having a hot cup of cocoa. I've come to grips with the fact that their memories are drastically different from mine. That's not a bad thing. I hope I'm making a great, memorable childhood for them. But I am secretly pleased that they do get to have a winter of freezing their tushies off. Grant has already come plowing inside; shedding soggy gloves and socks, in search of a cup of hot chocolate.

Eliza Climbs

Beginning the last week of October, Eliza took a Rock Climbing class once a week. It was a bit of a pain because it started at 7pm. But she's a big girl that doesn't go to bed with the babies. (Grant's words, not mine. And he doesn't consider himself a baby.) Anyway, this last Saturday, there was a Speed Climbing competition. They had a kid's category and Eliza entered. Lots and lots of people showed up; there was a category for each: mens, womens, teens, etc. We had a fun afternoon, Eliza loved it and she won a coupon for a free frozen yogurt in the raffle. Go Eliza!

YouTube Tuesday: Brain Candy

Here is posed the eternal question; when a few spare minutes are found, do you a) feed your brain with healthy, wholesome, enriching facts and information or b) gorge on brain candy? Well, there are many factors to consider when making this decision. What time of day is it? Past a certain hour of the evening, my brain will not retain (hee-hee) anything of worth. First thing in the morning, I feed my gray matter with the stuff of champions; Slate, NYTimes, Drudge, MSN, etc. (And even some of that is fluffy.) But there is a point that you reach and your brain just needs some "lighter stuff". Ah, cue the intro music . . . . . . . . oh, sorry, I couldn't find the rockin' guitar riffs that roll before the beginning of "THE SOUP"!! Yes, I guess you could count this as a dirty little secret #3, but I'm really not that ashamed of it and um, I think we can just chalk this one up as a "Gee Whiz Fact on Lydia". I love The Soup. But the fact that it's combined something else I wanted to talk about this week in the clip, well, we just hit the double clip dip!



So, about all these cartoons from my childhood being made into full length movies; I don't like it. We have seen the cartoon choices available to our children these days and it's pathetic. I will admit, SpongeBob is occasionally entertaining in a train wreck sort of way. But the artistry, content and overall presentation of Saturday morning or after school cartoons is awful. Whatever happened to a good theme song? (see last week's Y.T.T.) Or do they care if the characters look like something that crawled out from under crazy cat lady's back patio? My husband and I have not been delinquent parents. We have been "The Best" and bought all of our childhood favorites on DVD. Gummi Bears, Smurfs, Transformers, Dungeons & Dragons, Jem, etc. So what really bugs me is when my son talks about how he loves Transformers, adults either a) patronize him, nod their head in agreement and whisper behind their hand, "Sheesh, what ELSE do his parents let him watch." thinking he's referring to the movies or b) if Gummi Bears are mentioned, they think my kids are asking for candy. Oh people, it's not your fault you've been poorly educated. Here, enjoy these introductions.

Christmas Idea #5

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without watching your favorite seasonal movie. My favorite? It's a Wonderful Life. Classic. And hey, Jimmy Stewart. I don't know if many are aware of 'What a Wonderful Guy' Jimmy Stewart was. His on-screen self-effacing performances reflected much of the man off-screen. Did you know he was a decorated World War Two pilot? Before the war ended, he was one of only a few men to move from private to colonel in just 4 years. He continued in the Reserves until 1959; when he retired at the rank of Brigadier General. He did do some successful acting before the war; and so after a short break after the war, he went back to acting. But he would not let the studios publicise his wartime triumphs. He did not want to appear to be profiting from the war in any way, even though he was a hero.

'It's a Wonderful Life' was his first movie after the war. Released in 1946, it was Jimmy's final Capra production and his first on-screen kiss since before the war. That phone scene kiss with Donna Reed? One take. It went so well that part of the embrace had to be cut to make it past the censors. Too passionate. I say well done, you can kiss me anytime, Jimmy! ;) Of course he has many other non-christmas-y classics; Harvey, North by Northwest, Winchester, Vertigo, Rear Window, The Man who shot Liberty Valence. Well, I could go on and on, but we have to veer back in the direction of holiday movies. I just HAD to plug one of my favorite actors; Jimmy Stewart.

So take some time and pop in your favorite holiday movie, whatever it may be. For more ideas, here are some great Christmas classics.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (original 1964 version)
Elf (2003 with Will Ferrell and James Caan)
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Scrooged (1988 with Bill Murray)
Miracle on 34th Street (original 1947 version)
A Christmas Story (1983)

Christmas Idea #4

Ok, my computer is smarter than me. Not like that was any big revelation, but I can't get my little christmas tree picture up there to align to the left. So, it will sit stupidly up there in the middle of the page. Booger, I mean, Blogger; it's a love/hate relationship. Though I am going to try the 'write the post on windows and post it' thing. I've heard it's good.

Anyway, that's nothing related to a Christmas Idea. I would like to preface this idea by saying that just because I'm suggesting these activities does it mean that I have accomplished any of it. These ideas are just as much a push in the tush for me as anyone. If there is a completely formed plan for me, I'm more likely to do it. More likely. Not necessarily do it, but at least I thought about it. For the record, I have managed to put up the tree, get it half decorated and set out my Nativities. And pay some guys to hang my lights. The rest of the week has been spent cleaning up kid barf. But, we're all good now.

O-K! Christmas Idea #4:
Make a paper chain to count down to Christmas. Or till the party next week. Or till that present comes in the mail. Count down to Boxing day, or New Years; whatever floats your boat. You could take it one step further and glue a little 'thought of the day' inside. Or make the chain out of candies and have a sweet a day!

Advent Paper Chain -- printable templates
Christmas Advent Calendars -- Step by step instructions for different kinds of advent things.

I did it . .

I wore them. THE pearls. The pearls that I loved on the display rack & bought, but really didn't think I'd ever be brave enough to wear in public. I wore 'em. Last night was the Relief Society Christmas Dinner and it was "church dress". Well, I actually found out it was church dress after I showed up in my jeans and all the other ladies were clopping their way inside wearing heels and skirts. Crap. Fortunately, I was early because I had a Nativity that would be used as one of the dinner table centerpieces. And double fortunate because we live less than five minutes from the church. AND I had all four kids in tow. Triple fortunate because they had a nursery provided. Whew. I'm worn out. Can I go home yet? Anyway, as much as I wanted to run right back out the door, screaming, people actually complimented me on them! I didn't feel so self-conscious & insecure about wearing them as I thought. Thanks also to my sis that pre-approved the outfit via picture text. Don't you love technology?

Christmas Idea #3

Ok, I'm getting a little more carried away with these Christmas idea posts than I thought I would. And the previous post was long enough already without adding this length on the end. Geez, I'm posting more than I did for NaBloPoMo. What have I morphed into; some crazy blogging lady?? Not that there's anything wrong with that . . .

Christmas Idea #3:
Make cookies & treats early. Even if you don't feel like it. That way you feel like you've already accomplished something in the holiday season! And usually, if you've accomplished one thing, it snowballs into a bunch of other activities; feeding from the productive enthusiasm high of making treats! And if the temptation to eat every. single. treat. is too strong, just have one of each treat, stack them on a plate and take it to a neighbor. Or send them to work with the husband. That way you can be Superwoman. "Wow! You've already made holiday treats? You're amazing!" I know. I know. ;)

Here's some easy & quick recipes. I promise.

Lemon Curd --> seriously tasty and insanely easy. Dolloped on a Nilla wafer or sugar cookie. yum. For an added flourish, use the extra zest and sprinkle a little on top of the whole confection and it looks professional! Just follow my LINK FOR LEMON CURD. And this is the place where I found the ORIGINAL RECIPE. It has step by step pictures.

Hot Chocolate on a Stick --> This is not my creation, but it's dang good! And easy. Though I haven't made the homemade marshmallow (it looks a little time consuming. yes, i'm lazy) the fudge is super easy. Oh so yummy. And again, looks like it took forever, but didn't!

No fail sugar cookies (this makes a huge batch. though you can refrigerate the extra and have it on hand for cookie emergencies!)

Ingredients

• 6 cups flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 2 cups butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract or desired flavoring
• 1 tsp. salt

Directions: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Mix dry ingredients and add a little at a time to butter mixture. Mix until flour is completely incorporated and the dough comes together. Chill for 1 to 2 hours Roll to desired thickness and cut into desired shapes. Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until just beginning to turn brown around the edges. This recipe can make up to 5-dozen 3” cookies.