Performing Monkeys

Notice how they say "Cheese!" when they think I'm taking a picture and then automatically start performing for the camera when I tell them I am making a video...

Pumpkin Bread

Last month I cut up our Halloween pumpkins in preparation for making pumpkin bread as Christmas goodies this month.  Every year I puree the pumpkin in the food processor and freeze it for use throughout the year.

Here is the recipe for our family's version of pumpkin bread.  I traditionally make this every year for Christmas.

Pumpkin Bread

3 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon all spice

3 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2/3 cups water

2 rounded cups of finely mashed fresh pumpkin (or you can use 1-1lb can of pumpkin)

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup raisins

Preheat the over to 325F.  Mix the flour, soda, salt, spices, and sugar in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients.  Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the well-mixed wet ingredients.  Blend well to make the batter.  Pour into 3 well greased and floured loaf pans.  Bake at 325F for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center is dry when removed.  Cool slightly in the pans, then turn out onto a rack until thoroughly  cool.  This freezes well.

"I don't want to go shopping"

As I am trying to get the kids dressed this morning, I mentioned to James that we need to go shopping for his sisters.  He still needs to get his present to them from him.  His response? "Mommy, I don't want to go shopping.  I want Santa to do it all."  I think he gets it from his Daddy.  Santa is feeling very overworked this year.

Texas Trash

This year's holiday goodies included several batches of our family's version of Texas Trash.  It's like Chex Mix, but way better.

Texas Trash

2 pounds of pecans

1 - 1 pound bag of pretzels (I used the sticks, not the twisty kind)

1 small box of Rice Chex

1 small box of Cheerios (not the honey nut kind)

1 small box of Cheese-Its

2 cups (1 pound) of butter (do not substitute margarine here)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons garlic salt

Preheat the oven to 250F.  Mix the pecans, pretzels, Cheerios, Rice Chex, and Cheese-Its in a pan (I used two disposable aluminum roasting pans).  Melt the butter and mix in the Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt.  Pour over the dry ingredients and blend well.  Bake for 2 hours, uncovered, stirring every 15 minutes.  Cool before storing in an airtight container.

A New Tradition

Today was Madeleine's kindergarten girls ornament exchange.  Each of the girls brought one wrapped ornament to be exchanged for another ornament brought by another girl.  Each package was randomly assigned a number and the girls drew a number out of a hat to see which package they would receive.  The event was hosted by several kindergarten moms and held at the home of one of the hosts.  Both kindergarten teachers were in attendance as well (much to the girls' delight!).  There was food and drink (mimosas for the moms!), cookie decorating and letters to Santa.  As soon as we walked in the door, the shoes came off, there was a group hug and lots of shrieking, followed by much hand holding and running about.  And this was all before the sugar from the donuts and cookies set in.

After all of the ornaments had been exchanged, one of the hosts explained that a tradition of giving out charms to the girls had been started several years ago with their older daughters and they wanted to continue this tradition with our class.  Each of the girls received an identical Santa Claus charm to be put on a necklace or bracelet to keep.  Every year they will receive another charm to add to their collection so that when the class graduates in 8th grade, all of the girls will have a matching set.  What a wonderful keepsake of their time at Christ the King!  I feel so blessed that Madeleine is going to a school that has such a strong sense of community.  And even better, so absolutely loves it too!

Being an Adult

Lately James has been very concerned with getting older.  He just can't wait until he is bigger...every day he asks "Mommy, am I four yet?"  Today in the car he proclaimed: "Mommy, I can't wait until I grow up and become a grown-up.  Then I can stay home all day long!"  Ummm.... I guess our talks about where money comes from and how you need it to pay for things like food and shelter has not really sunk in yet.

So Sweet!

Y'all - he fell asleep cuddling with his Kitty-Kitty... doesn't that just melt your heart?  He really is such a sweet little boy.  I think I'll print this photo and keep it close when he is a teenager to remind myself that deep inside he is still the boy that cuddled with his stuffed animal and not just the numbskull who got another speeding ticket (because you know that is going to be a problem...especially if it is his father that teaches him to drive).

Extracurricular Activities

This morning Brannon took Madeleine and James to the toy drive at the RUF dealership in Addison.  There were over 100 cars participating, including lots of collector cars and exotics.  The kids rode with Brannon in his "new" Porsche (a 1996 turbo) - they LOVE riding in the back of his car since they actually get to sit together (unlike in my minivan) and much silliness usually ensues.  Both kids enjoyed seeing all the cars and Brannon continued to teach them about the different manufacturers.  (In case you didn't already know, by age 2 James could identify Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, Lexus and BMW.  There is no doubt he is his father's boy.)  They even got a lesson on how an engine works.  Mommy stayed home and did some holiday baking and house cleaning with Charlotte. :-)

Finally!

Her first official steps were taken on December 2nd (the day she turned 16 months old)... and now just a week or so later she is finally up and walking around.  Watch out world! Baby Charlotte is officially a toddler now!

Christmas Decorations 2011

It took several days and there was glitter EVERYWHERE, but we finally got all of the Christmas decorations up.  This is the second Christmas we've been in our new house and it is the first year we've done all the garlands.  A big "thank you" to our dear friends Al and Sandra for helping with the design and implementation of much of what you are about to see....

The staircase and entryway as you enter the front door

A close-up of the garland on the bannister of the front staircase

my village - complete with Marlowe, TX sign

the library - on the left as you enter from the front door

a close-up of the garland on the mantel in the library

the buffet in the dining room - on the right as you enter from the front door

the living room

a close-up of the garland in the bookcases on either side of the fireplace in the living room

our Christmas card display

the garland on the back staircase

our outdoor Christmas lights

 I'll have to post a picture of our Christmas tree at another time.  As usual, we have a train running around the base of the tree (it is one of the ones Brannon has had since he was a child).  Now every time we see a Christmas tree, James checks to see if it has a train around it.  FYI - Granddad William and Grandmother Shirley's tree has a train; the Christmas tree at school does not.

I Guess It Is Genetic...

I collected unicorns as a kid - it appears that my eldest has picked up the habit as well. She has appropriated what's left of my collection and apparently she is wanting more. :-)

Let the Christmas Parties Begin!

Well, our Christmas parties for this year start tomorrow, Dec 2nd. And it turns out that we are hosting! Tomorrow evening is the St. Anne's Christmas Party - it was originally going to be at the house of another member, but she has to go out of town this weekend and had to back out of hosting about two weeks ago. They were having trouble finding a replacement host, so I volunteered. (Mind you, this was before I found out that my housekeeper will be in Costa Rica from Thanksgiving until next week.) The budget for the party allows for some catering, but we've had so many rsvp's that there are a few of us making additional food and desserts as well. Each couple attending has been instructed to bring two bottles of wine - one to drink tomorrow evening and one to donate to the wine-pull portion of the upcoming gala to raise money for our sister school Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

We still have to finish decorating the tree, but all the other Christmas decorations are up. Having the party has been a great motivator to get it all done in a hurry! I made the runs to WalMart and Costco this morning to finish getting the food and flowers. Now it's time to start cooking and assembling! I'll let you know how it goes...

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