31 December 2008
25 December 2008
Strange, but Fun
"Strange, but Fun" describes Christmas this year. The strangeness mostly comes from the enormous quantities of snow that have fallen. I have lost track of the number of separate snowstorms we have had over the past weeks. I ended up walking 2 miles to go to my doctor's appointment and walking to several grocery stores. We built a snow arch, went sledding, and even had a bit of a snowball fight.
We finally dared the roads on December 23rd in order to spend Christmas with my family (especially since my siblings were all in town). We slipped and slid several times, especially where the ice was thick and bumpy on the freeway entrance ramp. I am very glad that I didn't have to do any of the driving - I would have given up once I felt the car slide in our home street. We made it safely, stopping for 10 minutes to dig ourselves out a parking spot in the soft snow so that we could park along the flat part of the street.
Downtown Bellevue has a nifty street presentation with a drum line, costumed characters, songs, lights, and bubbles meant to look like snow. The girls went together to Snowflake Lane - my niece loved it, especially the princess who smiled and waved to all the little girls.
I stopped to pick up my husband's new suit (which had been ready for over a week but we couldn't get to the mall through all the snow). My mom's all-wheel drive car works so much better in snow than our little tiny car.
On Christmas Eve we relaxed and played in the morning, and then we started hustling to get ready for the big dinner. My brother went to pick up my brother- and sister-in-law so that we could have a big group all together on this snowy holiday. I finally wrapped all of our gifts and put them out under the tree. Actually, my favorite part was wrapping a big empty box for my sister's family becase I had already sent her gift to her house. My niece was so surprised this morning to unwrap a big empty box! She immediately climbed inside and started playing.
Our neighbor came over for Christmas Eve dinner - the snow kept a lot of people from their families this year. I had just gone out to the street to pick up the mail (wow - the USPS really does deliver in any weather) when the gentleman arrived. I showed him in the front door and headed downstairs. But I forgot to take off my snowboots first. Wet snowboots and a slippery hardwood floor ... I slipped and bumped down the half-flight of steps. I was pretty shaken up, but it looks like I'm just going to have a pretty good set of bruises. Lesson learned.
Christmas Eve dinner was ham, brown rice, homemade rolls, green salad and marshmallow fruit salad. My niece decided she didn't want to eat dinner, but she did want to sit on my lap and talk to me / help me eat my dinner...it was a little messy, but I managed to get some food for myself. I cracked up when she let out a little tiny burp and whispered "excuse me" to me; then she turned to the whole table and exlaimed, "I burped big, and I said 'Excuse Me' Mommy!"
Our neighbor was full of great stories from his work as an engineer: my favorite was when he was working on a bridge and a truck full of beehives rolled over nearby. The entire bridge crew jumped into the (shallow) river. By the time the bees were willing to leave them alone, the bridge deck had sunk and the concrete had to be removed so they could do the work all over again.
We acted out the Christmas story (my niece calls it Jesus' Happy Birthday), sang Christmas songs, ate dessert, and played games. My sister-in-law and I made really delicious rolls and left them to rise for Christmas morning breakfast. We all headed to bed. The next morning I woke up before the crowd, so I helped my mom finish cooking breakfast. The rolls turned out to be a favorite new tradition!
When my niece woke up, everybody woke up. She was incredibly excited for Christmas morning. We all opened our stockings, ate breakfast (egg and sausage casserole, sticky rolls, waffles, grapefruit, and juice), and then opened gifts. My niece was very helpful - sometimes she even brought us our gifts before she started unwrapping them. Seriously though, she did enjoy helping the rest of us almost as much as she enjoyed her own gifts.
My sister's family left by 1:00 to go to her in-laws. We packed up and left a few hours later. We got stuck in the 8-inches of slush on my mom's street, but we got out without too much trouble - we just hopped out and pushed the car until it had enough momentum to make it to the end of the street. The next road was still slushy, but after that we made it to a main road where the snowplows had come. The freeways were clear, but when we turned into the apartment complex where my brother-and sister-in-law lived we knew our trip was over. We had to push the car most of the way through the parking-lot, and we had to dig out a "guest" parking space so that we could try to put the car in there. We burned a little rubber, but finally three of us pushed the car into the spot.
So tonight we're staying here. Playing games and having fun with family - thanks to our hosts for putting us up for the night!
We finally dared the roads on December 23rd in order to spend Christmas with my family (especially since my siblings were all in town). We slipped and slid several times, especially where the ice was thick and bumpy on the freeway entrance ramp. I am very glad that I didn't have to do any of the driving - I would have given up once I felt the car slide in our home street. We made it safely, stopping for 10 minutes to dig ourselves out a parking spot in the soft snow so that we could park along the flat part of the street.
Downtown Bellevue has a nifty street presentation with a drum line, costumed characters, songs, lights, and bubbles meant to look like snow. The girls went together to Snowflake Lane - my niece loved it, especially the princess who smiled and waved to all the little girls.
I stopped to pick up my husband's new suit (which had been ready for over a week but we couldn't get to the mall through all the snow). My mom's all-wheel drive car works so much better in snow than our little tiny car.
On Christmas Eve we relaxed and played in the morning, and then we started hustling to get ready for the big dinner. My brother went to pick up my brother- and sister-in-law so that we could have a big group all together on this snowy holiday. I finally wrapped all of our gifts and put them out under the tree. Actually, my favorite part was wrapping a big empty box for my sister's family becase I had already sent her gift to her house. My niece was so surprised this morning to unwrap a big empty box! She immediately climbed inside and started playing.
Our neighbor came over for Christmas Eve dinner - the snow kept a lot of people from their families this year. I had just gone out to the street to pick up the mail (wow - the USPS really does deliver in any weather) when the gentleman arrived. I showed him in the front door and headed downstairs. But I forgot to take off my snowboots first. Wet snowboots and a slippery hardwood floor ... I slipped and bumped down the half-flight of steps. I was pretty shaken up, but it looks like I'm just going to have a pretty good set of bruises. Lesson learned.
Christmas Eve dinner was ham, brown rice, homemade rolls, green salad and marshmallow fruit salad. My niece decided she didn't want to eat dinner, but she did want to sit on my lap and talk to me / help me eat my dinner...it was a little messy, but I managed to get some food for myself. I cracked up when she let out a little tiny burp and whispered "excuse me" to me; then she turned to the whole table and exlaimed, "I burped big, and I said 'Excuse Me' Mommy!"
Our neighbor was full of great stories from his work as an engineer: my favorite was when he was working on a bridge and a truck full of beehives rolled over nearby. The entire bridge crew jumped into the (shallow) river. By the time the bees were willing to leave them alone, the bridge deck had sunk and the concrete had to be removed so they could do the work all over again.
We acted out the Christmas story (my niece calls it Jesus' Happy Birthday), sang Christmas songs, ate dessert, and played games. My sister-in-law and I made really delicious rolls and left them to rise for Christmas morning breakfast. We all headed to bed. The next morning I woke up before the crowd, so I helped my mom finish cooking breakfast. The rolls turned out to be a favorite new tradition!
When my niece woke up, everybody woke up. She was incredibly excited for Christmas morning. We all opened our stockings, ate breakfast (egg and sausage casserole, sticky rolls, waffles, grapefruit, and juice), and then opened gifts. My niece was very helpful - sometimes she even brought us our gifts before she started unwrapping them. Seriously though, she did enjoy helping the rest of us almost as much as she enjoyed her own gifts.
My sister's family left by 1:00 to go to her in-laws. We packed up and left a few hours later. We got stuck in the 8-inches of slush on my mom's street, but we got out without too much trouble - we just hopped out and pushed the car until it had enough momentum to make it to the end of the street. The next road was still slushy, but after that we made it to a main road where the snowplows had come. The freeways were clear, but when we turned into the apartment complex where my brother-and sister-in-law lived we knew our trip was over. We had to push the car most of the way through the parking-lot, and we had to dig out a "guest" parking space so that we could try to put the car in there. We burned a little rubber, but finally three of us pushed the car into the spot.
So tonight we're staying here. Playing games and having fun with family - thanks to our hosts for putting us up for the night!
21 December 2008
Happy Solstice!
The snow started falling again last night. Snow isn't really my favorite thing, but I've decided to look on the bright side.
It's really, really pretty outside.
We didn't lose power so we can stay warm inside while it's cold outside (plus we still have the Internet).
My brother made it home safely.
There are grocery stores in walking distance.
We have a fireplace in case the power does go out; we just recently acquired fireplace tools and long matches and had the chimney cleaned.
The garden is now kind of pretty again with snow-flowers.
Yesterday my brother and sister -in-law came over and stayed with us; it is a lot more fun to be stuck at home with them around because it's more like a giant slumber party.
I don't get cold very easily, so I can enjoy being outside without ill effects.
The cold feels good on my hurt hand. :)
Some nice neighbors lent us a sled; we all got to take a few rides down a nearby street.
We made fudge and divinity.
We might still try making caramels.
I don't have to drive in to work when it snows.
We spent a lot of time playing games this weekend.
The Christmas tree (the first one we ever put up for ourselves) is all decorated and beautiful.
Since the snow wasn't right for a snowman (too much crust, couldn't roll snowballs) we made a giant ice-arch instead.
See? I'm having fun with the snow.
It's really, really pretty outside.
We didn't lose power so we can stay warm inside while it's cold outside (plus we still have the Internet).
My brother made it home safely.
There are grocery stores in walking distance.
We have a fireplace in case the power does go out; we just recently acquired fireplace tools and long matches and had the chimney cleaned.
The garden is now kind of pretty again with snow-flowers.
Yesterday my brother and sister -in-law came over and stayed with us; it is a lot more fun to be stuck at home with them around because it's more like a giant slumber party.
I don't get cold very easily, so I can enjoy being outside without ill effects.
The cold feels good on my hurt hand. :)
Some nice neighbors lent us a sled; we all got to take a few rides down a nearby street.
We made fudge and divinity.
We might still try making caramels.
I don't have to drive in to work when it snows.
We spent a lot of time playing games this weekend.
The Christmas tree (the first one we ever put up for ourselves) is all decorated and beautiful.
Since the snow wasn't right for a snowman (too much crust, couldn't roll snowballs) we made a giant ice-arch instead.
See? I'm having fun with the snow.
20 December 2008
Once Again
I am summoned... to jury duty, that is. At least this time it is in my hometown and not over 30 miles away.
18 December 2008
I looked out the window
And what did I see?
I don't think that white stuff is popcorn!
We usually get snowfall once a year in the Seattle area; this year it is snowing twice in one week, and we still expect more snow this weekend!
The good news is that we are not expecting a white Christmas. The weather is supposed to warm up enough to melt everything so that we can spend the day with family. The bad news is that the combination of snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and lots of hills means that we're not going anywhere anytime soon.
I don't think that white stuff is popcorn!
We usually get snowfall once a year in the Seattle area; this year it is snowing twice in one week, and we still expect more snow this weekend!
The good news is that we are not expecting a white Christmas. The weather is supposed to warm up enough to melt everything so that we can spend the day with family. The bad news is that the combination of snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and lots of hills means that we're not going anywhere anytime soon.
08 December 2008
We Went
We went on a date this weekend. Well, two if you're like my husband who wants separate credit for each activity that day. First we headed over to the Seattle Center IMAX theater with my brother- and sister-in-law where we watched Madagascar2 on the ginormous screen. Good movie, good company, good fun.
Then we changed and headed back to the Seattle Center to watch the Pacific Northwest Ballet's production of the Nutcracker. I'm not sure when the last date was that I had to dress up for! I was a bit nervous that ballet would not appeal to my other half. Okay, more than a bit nervous. The Nutcracker has a special place in my heart and memories: we went as a family to see it several times when I was growing up, and some years we even had some (very talented) friends performing with the PNB! So I was relieved to hear a mostly positive response afterwards. He did find it funny that most of the familiar music is in the second half. I think this is funny too, because most of the plot that I think of as the Nutcracker story occurs in the first act. The only complaint I heard was that I dragged him away from the food because we needed to go get in our seats (and we really were cutting it very close - within +/- 30 seconds and actually on the minus side of that. Happily many others were in the same situation.
P.S. No, I didn't take any pictures in the theater - that is usually discouraged. I just found some pictures online to use for this post.
Then we changed and headed back to the Seattle Center to watch the Pacific Northwest Ballet's production of the Nutcracker. I'm not sure when the last date was that I had to dress up for! I was a bit nervous that ballet would not appeal to my other half. Okay, more than a bit nervous. The Nutcracker has a special place in my heart and memories: we went as a family to see it several times when I was growing up, and some years we even had some (very talented) friends performing with the PNB! So I was relieved to hear a mostly positive response afterwards. He did find it funny that most of the familiar music is in the second half. I think this is funny too, because most of the plot that I think of as the Nutcracker story occurs in the first act. The only complaint I heard was that I dragged him away from the food because we needed to go get in our seats (and we really were cutting it very close - within +/- 30 seconds and actually on the minus side of that. Happily many others were in the same situation.
P.S. No, I didn't take any pictures in the theater - that is usually discouraged. I just found some pictures online to use for this post.
Homemade Turkey Jello
Looks and feels like jello; tasted like turkey.
How?
Boil up a post-Thanksgiving turkey carcass - simmer a long time to get all that turkey goodness out of it. After cooling in the fridge, skim off top layer of fat. Spoon into freezer ziploc bags and store in freezer.
Why?
When reheated it will be yummy broth for soup. We will not be making soup until we are ready to eat turkey again.
And yes, I had to taste it - it just looked so ... interesting.
How?
Boil up a post-Thanksgiving turkey carcass - simmer a long time to get all that turkey goodness out of it. After cooling in the fridge, skim off top layer of fat. Spoon into freezer ziploc bags and store in freezer.
Why?
When reheated it will be yummy broth for soup. We will not be making soup until we are ready to eat turkey again.
And yes, I had to taste it - it just looked so ... interesting.
05 December 2008
Now I Know
To all those who hated it when I sometimes cracked my knuckles, you will no longer be hearing this sound from me. Ever. Now that the back of my hand is swollen up, now that the ice pack actually hurts instead of relieving pain, and now that the doctor put me on prescription arthritis relief gel to try and get the inflammation down ... now I know that it is possible to sprain the base of your finger by cracking your knuckles. And I completely did this to myself. Yes, I am feeling pretty foolish. I would use stronger words than foolish, but what's the point? You all can probably picture how I feel. It didn't help that almost a week after the original injury I tried to pack some boxes into the recycle bin and felt something pop when I tightened my grip on the box-cutter. I finally gave in and saw the doctor the next day.
03 December 2008
Christmas Tag
I'm not sure if it's appropriate to call it a "tag" when I'd rather not call out specific people. I liked this list because it was fun to think about. Play along if you want.
1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags: Mostly wrapping paper - because I already have Christmas paper and I already used my Christmas-themed bags.
2. Real or Artificial Tree: Artificial, especially in the room with the fireplace. Someday I'd like a pre-lit artificial.
3. When do you put up the tree: This will be the first time we put up our own tree. It hasn't happened yet, but I hope to get it done during this first week of December.
4. When do you take your tree down: After the New Year celebration, before work starts again. It will probably take a lot longer to put away than I anticipate, so I'm leaving us a few days leeway there.
5. Do you like eggnog: Absolutely NOT. I don't know why, but I think it's disgusting. Maybe it's the name - the thought of drinking eggs is kind of revolting to me. I just leave more for everyone else!
6. Favorite gift received as a child: Legos.
7. Hardest person to buy for: My in-laws.
8. Easiest person to buy for: Kids are easier - there are just so many toys!
9. Do you have a nativity scene: Not yet. I fell in love with a really beautiful olive wood set a few years ago. I've never seen one I liked as much since then; when I do, that will be the set for us. I really like my mom's set too - I just have too high of standards when I go shopping for these things.
10. Best Christmas gift you ever received: Seriously? There's no way to choose. I'll just fall back on Legos again.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received: I love socks. So my siblings gave me a couple of super cute pairs of socks one year along with ... a can of foot deoderant powder.
12. Favorite Christmas movie: White Christmas - Bing Crosby!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas: I will pick something up any time of year if it is perfect, but I only really start hunting in November.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present: I don't think so, but I have recycled the bags or boxes they came in.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time: Divinity. Fudge. Caramel. My dad used to let me help him make the Christmas candy, so it is my favorite!
16. Lights on the tree: Colored lights. I think the many colors go well with our current rather eclectic ornament collection.
17. Favorite Christmas song: mostly I just like singing all of the traditional songs, especially all the ones our church choir sang while I grew up. Otherwise I also really like White Christmas, O Holy Night, and anything sung by Bing Crosby. Oh, I should probably add Josh Groban's album to the list. And I will definitely add the Nutcracker Suite!
18. Travel at Christmas time or stay home: Stay HOME! This is the first time we're decorating our own home for Christmas.
19. Tree Topper: Good point. I'll add that to the shopping list.
20. Can you name all of Santa reindeer's: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph. Well, now I've cheated because I already read the answers. I probably would have forgotten Rudolph.
21. Open the Christmas gift Christmas eve or morning: It's complicated. Here's my family's traditions: One gift Christmas Eve - as kids we always got our new pajamas the night before so that the morning pictures were really cute. Then we open stockings before breakfast and the rest of the presents after breakfast. However, we could mix things up a little.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year: Giving Counters instead of Giving Trees (come on people - way to make giving to those in need LESS FUN). Honestly though, I want a Christmas radio station that only plays the Christmas songs I like. There are way too many new songs that just don't put me in the same Christmas spirit.
23. Favorite Christmas dinner: Ham with brown rice (not real brown rice - just white rice with enough stuff added to it to turn it brown when it cooks)
24. What do you want for Christmas this year: I want everyone to get home safely. I would love a working DVD player, an HDMI cable, Christmas ornaments that would sparkle in the lights on the tree, an 8x10 picture frame that matches the mirror frame in the living room (it has both silver and gold and is non-frilly), anything my nieces make, new but proven recipes, a footrub, the Josh Groban Christmas CD (yes, I already have a Bing Crosby one somewhere), a turkey roaster, and warm comfy cute socks or slipper socks. I love socks. Everything else on this list, if someone wanted to get it for me they would have to check with all the other people who might now have the same idea, but socks are endlessly useful, and they always wear out so I always need more. I don't exactly have a shoe fetish - but socks? Yeah.
1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags: Mostly wrapping paper - because I already have Christmas paper and I already used my Christmas-themed bags.
2. Real or Artificial Tree: Artificial, especially in the room with the fireplace. Someday I'd like a pre-lit artificial.
3. When do you put up the tree: This will be the first time we put up our own tree. It hasn't happened yet, but I hope to get it done during this first week of December.
4. When do you take your tree down: After the New Year celebration, before work starts again. It will probably take a lot longer to put away than I anticipate, so I'm leaving us a few days leeway there.
5. Do you like eggnog: Absolutely NOT. I don't know why, but I think it's disgusting. Maybe it's the name - the thought of drinking eggs is kind of revolting to me. I just leave more for everyone else!
6. Favorite gift received as a child: Legos.
7. Hardest person to buy for: My in-laws.
8. Easiest person to buy for: Kids are easier - there are just so many toys!
9. Do you have a nativity scene: Not yet. I fell in love with a really beautiful olive wood set a few years ago. I've never seen one I liked as much since then; when I do, that will be the set for us. I really like my mom's set too - I just have too high of standards when I go shopping for these things.
10. Best Christmas gift you ever received: Seriously? There's no way to choose. I'll just fall back on Legos again.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received: I love socks. So my siblings gave me a couple of super cute pairs of socks one year along with ... a can of foot deoderant powder.
12. Favorite Christmas movie: White Christmas - Bing Crosby!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas: I will pick something up any time of year if it is perfect, but I only really start hunting in November.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present: I don't think so, but I have recycled the bags or boxes they came in.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time: Divinity. Fudge. Caramel. My dad used to let me help him make the Christmas candy, so it is my favorite!
16. Lights on the tree: Colored lights. I think the many colors go well with our current rather eclectic ornament collection.
17. Favorite Christmas song: mostly I just like singing all of the traditional songs, especially all the ones our church choir sang while I grew up. Otherwise I also really like White Christmas, O Holy Night, and anything sung by Bing Crosby. Oh, I should probably add Josh Groban's album to the list. And I will definitely add the Nutcracker Suite!
18. Travel at Christmas time or stay home: Stay HOME! This is the first time we're decorating our own home for Christmas.
19. Tree Topper: Good point. I'll add that to the shopping list.
20. Can you name all of Santa reindeer's: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph. Well, now I've cheated because I already read the answers. I probably would have forgotten Rudolph.
21. Open the Christmas gift Christmas eve or morning: It's complicated. Here's my family's traditions: One gift Christmas Eve - as kids we always got our new pajamas the night before so that the morning pictures were really cute. Then we open stockings before breakfast and the rest of the presents after breakfast. However, we could mix things up a little.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year: Giving Counters instead of Giving Trees (come on people - way to make giving to those in need LESS FUN). Honestly though, I want a Christmas radio station that only plays the Christmas songs I like. There are way too many new songs that just don't put me in the same Christmas spirit.
23. Favorite Christmas dinner: Ham with brown rice (not real brown rice - just white rice with enough stuff added to it to turn it brown when it cooks)
24. What do you want for Christmas this year: I want everyone to get home safely. I would love a working DVD player, an HDMI cable, Christmas ornaments that would sparkle in the lights on the tree, an 8x10 picture frame that matches the mirror frame in the living room (it has both silver and gold and is non-frilly), anything my nieces make, new but proven recipes, a footrub, the Josh Groban Christmas CD (yes, I already have a Bing Crosby one somewhere), a turkey roaster, and warm comfy cute socks or slipper socks. I love socks. Everything else on this list, if someone wanted to get it for me they would have to check with all the other people who might now have the same idea, but socks are endlessly useful, and they always wear out so I always need more. I don't exactly have a shoe fetish - but socks? Yeah.
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