They flew the coop!

And speaking of sons-in-law.....

2012-02-19T04:00:00.001-06:00

Look at these amazing tunnels NTG made for his children:

Boy Howdy! What a fun way to spend a Saturday!

Way to go, Slim J!

2012-02-18T09:25:00.001-06:00

It's so rewarding when your alma mater recognizes your accomplishments. BYU's Marriott School Publication recognizes Slim J in their current issue:

1997

Jason Glass’s current position as director of investment operations and client relations at GM Asset Management in New York City has him overseeing one of the company’s largest areas and managing a variety of accounts. Glass worked for a number of hedge funds after graduating and has now been with GM Asset Management for nine years.

Glass earned his BS in finance from the Marriott School in 1997 and his MBA from the University of Maryland in 2002. He loves hiking and biking. Glass and his wife, Kristy, live with their two children in New York.

Congratulations, Slim J! BTW, Slim J does not hike! He runs!

If you knew Coco, like we know Coco.....

2012-02-17T07:20:00.000-06:00

If you knew Coco, like we know Coco.....this pic would especially make you chuckle.

I liked it!

2012-02-15T18:04:00.002-06:00

Suite Française is the first two parts of what was intended to be a five part novel by Irène Némirovsky. Némirovsky was writing Suite Française during the German occupation of France in World War II, and before she could finish the novel, she was captured by Nazis and died in a concentration camp. Her manuscript remained undiscovered until recently. It was translated into English from French.

Suite Française is a poignant, important piece of literature that creates a very intimate portrait of French life in the early 1940s.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T04:00:00.001-06:00

Love her 60's Vibe!

2012-02-13T04:00:00.001-06:00

Every week, I stand in front of the TV perusing the Turner Classic Movie guide and selecting movies to be recorded for our viewing. Boy howdy, do Dougie and I enjoy a bowl of popcorn and an evening with a Turner Classic Movie! I am always so excited when a movie comes up starring Doris Day. ((Dougie...not so much....but he is a very good sport)

Doris Day oozes that 60's vibe that I adore so much! I just want to watch her movies so I can stare at her clothes! They are so dang cute! She has great comedic timing and always seems to get herself into some kind of jam:

"The biggest female box office attraction in Hollywood history, Doris Day remains unequalled as the only entertainer who has ever triumphed in movies, radio, recordings, and a multi-year weekly television series. Doris Day was America's favorite girl next door. Day's underappreciated and effortless acting and singing range ran the gamut from musicals to comedy to drama and made Day nothing short of a worldwide icon."

Try to find one of her movies ~ you will love her!

Life with Lisa!

2012-02-10T04:00:00.001-06:00

Dougie and I were laughing about something the other day and I decided I had to blog about it! Several years ago, I went out into our garage and I saw this horrid brown fluid oozing out from under our van. It looked like this:

It looked mostly like the picture on the left. Now, I try to be an independent kind of wife aka when I have car troubles I try to handle them by myself. So after spotting the horrible brown fluid, I immediately called the Service Center we use for our car repairs. I explained to him that horrible brown fluid was oozing out from under our van and his response was urgent. He told me NOT to drive the van under any circumstances; this was transmission fluid and if there was that much on the floor that it was oozing out from under the van, then certainly there was no transmission fluid left; and he immediately sent a tow truck over to haul my van to the Service Center. A couple of hours passed, and the Service Center gave me a call. They were scratching their heads over this one as the transmission fluid in the van was very high and there was absolutely no sign of leakage. Hmmmmm.... He said I could come pick it up and take it home. When Dougie returned that evening I told him about what had happened and what I had done and I saved the horrible brown fluid for him to examine for himself. Dougie got down on one knee and put his face very close to the horrible brown fluid and then said, "~~Lucy~~, Lisa, this horrible brown fluid is:

MELTED CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM!!!!! Whoops....did I mention it was Summer and I had placed an expired uneaten carton of chocolate ice cream in the garbage can? I guess it melted......

Happy Birthday, Slim J!

2012-02-09T04:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday to Slim J, our son-in-law! There is a rumor going around that Slim J has not had a bite of sugar for one month but this pic looks to me like he was caught in the act! Not so! He is so beloved by his ward ( he is the Bishop), the ward members made treats dedicated to him! Slim J is a very busy man: demanding job! Bishop! mighty bike rider and runner! And lives with THREE WOMEN! Soon to be FOUR WOMEN... and he is as pleased as punch! He is never too busy to take care of his girls. Have a wonderful day, Slim J! Happy Birthday!

Celebrating 88 years!

2012-02-08T04:00:00.002-06:00

We had a wonderful evening, last night, celebrating my mother's birthday.

Happy 88th Birthday to my Mom!

2012-02-07T04:00:00.002-06:00

My Mother was Corporate Wife Extraordinaire........ back in the day when being a Corporate Wife was a profession in itself! She entertained, shopped for party clothes, went to conventions, did community service, moved, raised the children, joined clubs, worked in local politics, served in her church, kept a perfect house, went to parties, never complained, was an expert in etiquette, spent many evenings alone while corporate husband traveled, served in the PTA, cooked food, handled all emergencies that always occurred when corporate husband was out of town, drove the children here and there, sacrificed, etc. etc. Aren't you tired just reading about her life??!!! She is a great example of how to love and support a husband. And she is still doing it and going strong!

Happy 88th Birthday, Mom!

I liked it!

2012-02-06T04:00:00.001-06:00

I just finished "The Seamstress" and I really liked it. It is different then the books I usually read. Here is a description from Amazon. Com: Emilia and Luzia dos Santos, orphaned when they are children, grow up under the protection of their aunt in the hillside village of Taquaritinga, Brazil. Raised as seamstresses, the sisters learn how to cut, how to mend and how to conceal. Emilia treasures pretty, girlish things and longs to escape from the confines of the little town. Captivated by the romances she reads in magazines, she dreams of finding love in the bustle and glamour of the city. Luzia, scarred by a childhood accident that has left her with a deformed arm, knows that for her, real life can not be romantically embroidered, and so she finds solace in her sewing and in the secret prayers to the saints she believes once saved her life. But when Luzia is abducted by a gang of rebel bandits, the sisters' lives diverge in ways they never imagined. Whilst Luzia learns to survive in the unforgiving Brazilian outland, discovering love in the most unexpected of places, Emilia meets the son of a wealthy doctor who seems to offer her everything she has always desired. But for the innocent dreamer, the excitement of her escape to the city is soon overshadowed by disillusion and loneliness. As she learns how to navigate the treacherous waters of Brazilian high society, the bandits' campaign against the land-owning 'Colonels' intensifies, and when a price is placed upon Luzia's head Emilia realises she must risk everything in order to save her sister.

It's Time To Open Up the Igloo!

2012-02-04T04:00:00.001-06:00

When I was growing up, my mother would have wonderful parties and she would do all the work. No one ever brought anything nor did she ever take anything to someone's house. It just wasn't proper! I have tried to keep with that tradition until now! The other night, Dougie and I were talking about how we just don't see our friends as much as we would like. So we decided to do something about it. Dougie said, "it's time to open up the igloo!". So I got on the internet and this is what I sent to our friends:

Dear Friends,
Doug and I have been in hibernation since our family left....
So today we decided:
It's time to Open Up the Igloo!

We invite you over for some fun food and conversation!
Friday, February 3
7:00 PM
at our igloo.

And then I invited everyone to bring something! I said let's build a dinner by "replying to all" and letting every one know what you are bringing. I started by saying I would bring orange rolls and then it went from there. Every one was glad to bring something!
So last night was the night:

It was so fun to relax, have some great food, and some wonderful conversation!

Checking in with Hermana Coco

2012-02-03T09:03:00.000-06:00

Hermana Coco had the opportunity to visit the Oakland Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week. Here is a photo and her comments.

"After the temple, we stopped by the visitor's center real quick just to look at the Christus statue there. I stood for a moment and looked up at the face of my Savior, my Redeemer, my Brother, my Friend and as I turned around I realized that Elder Millard had taken a picture of me.
I love this picture because it truly candidly depicts how I feel about the my Savior Jesus Christ.
He is my King!
When I look up and remember Him - this is how I feel. He is the reason that I have joy in my life. He is the reason I feel constant and consistent peace and hope. I have never been lacking in happiness because He lives and He loves me.

So this picture is my testimony of the Savior as I stand at the foot of a statue of Him"

Celebrating 88 years!

2012-01-31T04:00:00.001-06:00

Last night, we went out to dinner to celebrate my Dad's 88th birthday. My dad used to be a man of many words but these days he has grown a little quieter and is a man of few words. There were some pretty good quotes coming forth at this little celebration, however. Let me share a few:

Me: So, Dad, how does it feel to be EIGHTY-EIGHT?!
Dad: Well, in looking back over the 88 years, I think I did pretty well.
Me: Everything you set out to do, you did! And you did it well!
Dad: I've had a very good life. I have no regrets. I succeeded at everything I tried.
Mom: We had many opportunities but there is only one that we might have missed.
Me: What was that?
Mom: Well, we got a phone call once from George Bush's people ( the first George Bush) and they invited Dad to do some campaigning and he had to be out of town on business. Maybe if he had gone, it would have lead to something.
Me: Oh, yes, maybe a committee member or something in President Bush's administration.
Dad: (spoken emphatically) You mean Secretary of State!!!!!

I asked him something else a little later on in the evening and he couldn't remember what I was talking about. He said: "There was a time when I was playing football at Princeton when they escorted me off the field. The other players were complaining I was calling plays they had never heard of!" It seems that my Dad had fallen and suffered a concussion on the field and was shouting jibberish. He confessed that lately he feels a lot like that moment. :(

Later on in the evening, Dougie suggested we sing "Happy Birthday". But we were reminded of a post my niece made for my Dad's birthday so we decided to take a stab at singing the Princeton fight song. My Dad doesn't remember everything any more, but he knew every word of that fight song! Thank you, Jana! And so I sign off with those words:

Crash through that line of blue,

And send the back on 'round the end!

Fight, fight for ev'ry yard,

Princeton's honor to defend.

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Rah! Tiger sis boom bah!

And locomotives by the score!

For we'll fight with a vim

That is dead sure to win,

For Old Nassau.

Happy Birthday!

2012-01-30T04:00:00.003-06:00

Happy 88th Birthday

to my Dad!

Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

2012-01-29T04:00:00.002-06:00

Another granddaughter is on the way

to join this beautiful bunch!

Dougie and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Congratulations, Glass Posse!
And now introducing the little doll:

Seriously? Can't you already tell how darling she is?

Look at that nose?!

(photo shopping by Kage)

Happy Birthday, Baby S !

2012-01-28T04:00:00.001-06:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, Baby S !

(Maybe it's time to give Baby S a new name!)

Be still my heart...this handsome boy is our grandson!

He loves trains and cars and monkeys!

After his sisters have built an incredible tower with blocks,

he runs by and knocks the whole thing over!

He keeps up with everything those older sisters are doing.

He gives the best hugs.

He has a real soft spot in his heart for Papa!

How we love him!

How I Handled Our Snow Storm aka an Afternoon in Heaven!

2012-01-21T11:10:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, we had a little snowstorm...about 8 inches or so. I drove home when it was just starting up. I got into my cozy, warm house and decided how I would spend this snowy afternoon. My afternoon was so successful and so much fun that I have decided to invent the formula for a snow storm. These are the ingredients you need:

I sat at my kitchen table for several hours, watching the snow fall outside my window, listening to the radio, sipping on Diet Coke, popping peanut m&ms in my mouth and crocheting! It was so much fun! People were calling into the radio station reporting on their experiences in the snow. Distances that usually take about 20 minutes to travel, were taking 4 hours! People were running out of gas! People were shouting at the snow removal trucks! People were praising the snow removal trucks! People stuck in their cars had to go to the bathroom! And all through this excitement, I am watching the snow come down and popping peanut m&ms in my mouth and crocheting away! It was really so much fun!

I highly recommend.....

2012-01-20T04:00:00.002-06:00

Run, don't walk to your nearest book store or power up those Kindles! I absolutely ADORED this book! You will laugh! You will cry! And you will absolutely fall in love with Jack and Sadie Rosenblum. That's all I am going to say. On your mark. Get set. GO!

Toast of the Town!

2012-01-19T04:00:00.001-06:00

Fact: Dougie loves toast! Seriously! Dougie eats several pieces of toast in the morning and sometimes more with dinner. If Dougie gets up for a little snack in the night? Toast! Sometimes our home is fragrant with the smell of a little burnt toast. :(

For Christmas, I found the best stocking stuffer for Dougie: Toast coasters!

They are made out of cork and they look so real! He was thrilled! Boy howdy, are they cute! They sit on our coffee table in our family room and every time I see them, I react by saying to myself "what is all that toast doing sitting on our family room coffee table??!!!"

Winter Workout

2012-01-18T04:00:00.001-06:00

Well, it's winter...so I have moved my workout inside the gym. To be honest, I moved in mid October. I am a very fair weather participant. Usually when I move indoors I become very bored. But this time it has been different. I am very satisfied with my current workout. Allow me to share my routine:

I immediately begin by running three miles straight....no stopping. I don't walk a little first....I just go right into running. I begin with a slow pace and increase. After I have achieved three miles I walk for about 3 minutes. Then I go into the next portion:

I set the treadmill on incline 15 and I walk that way for 15 minutes. Calves! Calves! Calves!! And heart! I really have to go into a zone and just do it!
After I have done that for 15 minutes, I walk for another 5 minutes to get my heart rate back into a normal zone. And that's it!
A lot of people are getting into fitness in January. Here are some things that have really helped me:
(1) I do not get up in the morning and ask the question: shall I go to the gym today? If I asked myself that every morning, I would never go. It's just what I do.
(2) I put a towel over the statistics on the treadmill. I used to look at how much distance I had left to run and it just put lead in my feet. So I don't allow myself to look until I have run 30 minutes.
(3) There is a TV on my treadmill. Rather then connecting my ear phones to the audio, I read what is going on with closed captions, and I keep music running in my ears from my Shuffle. I find I run whatever the beat is on my music and it distracts me from hearing my feet pounding, etc.
(4) I have a new playlist for the treadmill and it only contains fast songs
(5) I have a little talk with myself and I say things like, "Lisa, you are going to get on the treadmill today and you are going to run at least 30 minutes straight so don't start talking yourself out of doing anything less."

I believe that working out is more about mental then physical. If you're head is not in it, it's not going to happen! Stay tuned. A change in workout may be on the horizon......!

Do you love these?

2012-01-17T04:00:00.001-06:00

I've already admitted that when I enter Target, the lady at the snack bar begins to prepare my soft pretzel....how embarrassing! The funny thing is, I don't really like regular pretzels. I have made a wonderful new discovery. Do you love these?

Pretzel rolls! They are so amazing! You can find them at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and they now have them at my local Jewel. If you haven't tried one, run don't walk to your nearest market!!!! Let me know what you think.

Best Mascara

2012-01-16T04:00:00.001-06:00

Kage gave me a Christmas present this year and boasted that it was the BEST MASCARA EVER MADE! And guess what? She was right! Thank you, Kage!

First Book of the Year!

2012-01-14T04:00:00.001-06:00

I really enjoyed my first book of 2012. I have recommendations for it in many different sources. This is what Oprah's Book Club Website said about it:

Most Ambitious Book of 2011

When her grandfather dies far from home under mysterious circumstances, Natalia sets off on two life-changing journeys: one across her homeland, the former Yugoslavia, and another into her family's history, revisiting stories that her grandfather used to tell her. As long-hidden secrets come to light, Tea Obreht's The Tiger's Wife (Random House) deftly walks the line between the realistic and the fantastical. Natalia's grandfather was a brilliant doctor and practical man (his motto: "I prepare, I think, I explain") who scoffed at superstition throughout most of his life. Yet his recollections take on the magical sheen of folklore, as in the tale of the "deathless man," a wayfarer who never ages, and another in which a deaf-mute woman grows so attached to a stray tiger that her neighbors believe she's become its wife. These strange and beautiful stories from the past eventually converge with Natalia's present, revealing oddly comforting truths about death, belief in the impossible, and the art of letting go. In Obreht's expert hands, the novel's mythology, while rooted in a foreign world, comes to be somehow familiar, like the dark fairy tales of our own youth, the kind that spooked us into reading them again and again.

Baking with Grammy!

2012-01-13T06:41:00.000-06:00

The Glass Posse arrived at our house the morning of Christmas Eve. I had a lot going on in the kitchen that day: preparing for 30 people coming to ride the trolley with us; preparing for our Christmas Eve dinner: preparing for our Christmas Day food. I looked up from my work and there was Miss O standing with a little gift bag in her hand. On the bag was hanging a reindeer cookie cutter and on the bag it read: "Baking with Grandma". Oh dear! No time for that today!!!! But we finally did get it in and we had so much fun.

Hermana Coco's Presentation

2012-01-12T06:26:00.000-06:00

We received a wonderful email from Hermana Coco on Monday. In the email, she told us that she had been asked to give a 30 minute presentation at her Zone Conference. She said she was the first Sister Missionary ever asked to give a presentation. Needless to say, she was worried. But by the looks of these pics from the Mission blog, I think her presentation must have gone very well!

We sure were praying for her yesterday. How nice to see the results so quickly!

I highly recommend.....

2012-01-11T04:00:00.001-06:00

I am not a "made from scratch" cake baker. Whenever I try to do it....I fail. For our Company Christmas dinner, I took a huge risk and decided to bake a cake from scratch. I chose The Pioneer Woman's red velvet cake. The Pioneer Woman cookbook has photos for each step. Foolproof, right? The morning of the party I began my adventure. I began with a prayer...not kidding. I followed every one of her steps to the letter. I was so excited. I knew I was going to nail it this time. I put the pans in the oven; set the timer; tested for doneness; put them on the cooling racks. But when it was time to remove the cake from the pans, this is what happened:

This is not my cake, of course, because mine was RED VELVET! But this looks like the total mess that I had. I considered "gluing" it back together but I knew it wouldn't work. I had to leave to perform. I knew I didn't have the time to come up with another dessert so I stopped at our local
Sugar Monkey Cupcake Shop on the way home from my performance. I explained to the Sugar Monkey lady that I needed Red Velvet cupcakes because I had had a disaster in my kitchen that morning. Her response: Williams Sonoma Golden Cake pans! Say what? A few days later I investigated her suggestion and not only found them but found them on a really great sale:

So for our Christmas Eve dinner, I decided to try my Red Velvet Cake adventure....again! Miss Jennika was on hand to watch the adventure. When it was time to remove the cakes from the pan we took a very big breath and proceeded. The cakes slid out of the pan with tremendous ease! We shrieked with joy and did a little dance! SUCCESS! Christmas Eve we enjoyed Red Velvet Cake:

I highly, highly recommend this Williams Sonoma Golden Pans! Thank you, Sugar Monkey Cupcake lady!

Sunday With the Kennedy Krew!

2012-01-10T04:00:00.010-06:00

Miss V was the first one ready for church. She invented a game for us to play. She would say something like "Is that your skirt ( pointing to my skirt) and I would give her "a look" and not answer. Then it would be my turn to ask her something and she responded with "a look" and didn't answer! We did this for about 30 minutes and I never really understood the point!

Miss D was very tickled with her hair style. She has very crazy, curly, full hair! So she asked me to take a picture of it confined at every angle!

Side

Other side

back

Of course, this handsome boy has completely stolen my heart!

The Kennedy Krew

The Kennedy Krew - NTG +Grammy + Papa

Love these little granddaughters

Baby S would not pose with us so we tricked him!


Papa is always good for some stunts!

We had a huge surprise at church! They introduced the last speaker as a Sister Missionary who had just returned from Coco's mission! I needed to be restrained!!!! I hopped up so quickly when they said "Amen" and got to her before she was even off the stand. When I told her I was Hermana Coco's mother she shrieked with joy and gave me a huge hug! Her report was that Hermana Coco is doing so well; she is a stellar missionary; and she is HILARIOUS! It was so fun to talk to her. She asked to have a picture with us that she was going to email to Hermana Coco !

Weekend With the Kennedy Krew!

2012-01-09T14:46:00.000-06:00

The Kennedy Krew recently moved to a new location so we were excited to see them in their new surroundings. We sadly put Samyo and Miss Jennika on an airplane on Friday, and then hopped in our car and headed South. We had such a fun weekend with them.

NTG whipped up some rainbow colored pancakes for our breakfast: pink, purple, blue, orange, and yellow! And I must say: they do taste even better in rainbow colors!

Miss V had her first day at basketball! Her team is called the Orange Crush! Miss V is tall and athletic which is the perfect fit for basketball!

We watched them do their drills. Their first game is this weekend!

I couldn't take my eyes off of this player on a different team sporting a Chicago Bulls D. Rose shirt!

Basketball was held at Miss V's school and we were so lucky because the secretary was in the office that day. She was so happy to take us on a tour and even unlocked the door to Miss V's classroom so we got to take a look.

This is the reading station. Miss V is so happy here!

The Kennedy Krew lives FIVE MINUTES from this temple! Their ward building shares a parking lot!

It was a beautiful, sunny, 55 degree today so we headed for their local zoo.

I love the elephants!

I had to keep reminding myself it was WINTER!

There was a huge gaggle of flamigos....more then I've seen on any 40 year old's lawn! I loved them!

Hermana Coco and the Trio!

2012-01-07T18:39:00.000-06:00

Hermana Coco is currently serving as a trainer to the Hermana in the middle....but I guess there is one too many Hermanas in the mission so she is in a trio! Doesn't she look happy and beautiful? And what about that hair? Did she get a hair cut?

I love the Chicago Bulls!

2012-01-03T23:12:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love going to the United Center and seeing our beloved Chicago Bulls play! There are Bulls shirts everywhere! The fans are electrified! It makes me so happy that I live in Chicago! Tonight was the best game I have ever seen in my life. The Bulls were behind the entire game until the last 3 seconds of the game when they WON! I screamed so loud, my throat is sore! Dougie, Samyo, Miss Jennika and I had SO MUCH FUN!

The Countdown begins? Really?

2012-01-03T04:00:00.001-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls: Will you looky here! The numbers on my chart are now going to descend. We are halfway through Hermana Coco's mission. I really can't believe it. At this point, I think she wishes it would last forever.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T16:48:00.000-06:00

We are still partying - great food and football!

New Year's Eve!

2011-12-31T21:15:00.000-06:00

Well, clearly we weren't the only ones to choose to spend New Year's Eve Day at the Shedd Aquarium!

We waited almost an hour to get in, but once in, it didn't seem crowded at all

We went to the Dolphin show and what a show it was! They had these festive holiday singers, singing throughout the show!

The whole oceanarium was decorated for Christmas!

These decorations were a surprise to me!

These penguins marched right in front of us to the tune of March of the Wooden Soldiers! Adorable!

Even Santa made an appearance!

I put Miss D in charge of our New Year's Eve Dinner! She did a fabulous job! She named our kitchen "Cafe Lisa" and she decided on all of our food.

We had a beautiful tray of condiments

Deli meats

Sub rolls

Miss D designed menus and a "welcome" station where we had to check in before entering the Cafe!

We celebrated the new year with the girls at 8:30 PM!

Oh? You don't see Samyo and Miss Jennika? Well, they are out for a cozy dinner, celebrating their 1 year anniversary!

Some of the things we have been doing:

2011-12-31T10:17:00.001-06:00

Cookie decorating

Orange Roll Apprenticing

Gibsons with Grandma and Grandpa Z

Arthur Christmas: I laughed, I cried and I smiled throughout the whole movie! Loved it!

I had a nice nap

The adults went to this while I took Miss D and Miss O to Arthur Christmas

Kage, Miss Jennika and I did a "yarn crawl" It was so much fun. We went to three yarn stores in our neighboring suburbs

The Bulls were not playing in town, so Slim J, Samyo and Dougie drove to Milwaukee for a Bucks game

And we've been playing a lot of "Trouble"!!!

Books Read in 2011

2011-12-29T21:31:00.000-06:00

I Still Dream of You by Fannie Flagg

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs

The Apothecary's Daughter - Julie Klassen

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

All is Forgotten Nothing is Lost - Ian Samantha

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain

Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian

Sarah's Quilt by by Nancy Turner

Right Ho, Jeeves by P.G.Wade

Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout

Swim Back to Me by Ann Packer

The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen

The Bride's House by Sandra Dallas

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

The Bible Salesman by Clyde Edgerton

When Tito Loved Clara by Jon Michaud

One Summer by David Baldaci

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

Sarah's Key by Tatianade Rosnay

Once Upon a Time There Was You by Elizabeth Berg

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Mother Carey's Chickens by Kate Douglas Wig

The Star Garden by Nancy Turner

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Elizabeth & Hazel: Two Girls From Little Rock by David Margolick

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

Christmas Holiday by W. Somerset Maugham

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

The Non Runner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais

New Testament

Book of Mormon - 2 times

The books in the large fonts were my very favorites for this year. There are 41 books on my list this year. Don't worry, Dougie is being fed. But please do not look in my corners ......

Christmas Morning!

2011-12-28T19:07:00.000-06:00

This is the very first moment of Christmas day! I never sleep on Christmas Eve!

Slim J! First let's talk about those jammies! Aren't they awesome! He was so happy to receive biking accessories!

Kage gave a phone handset for his Iphone! Hilarious!

Miss D loved this hat and many other things!

Samyo received a limited Chicago edition of a Derick Rose shoe!

We celebrated Kage's 2011 half marathon

Kage made these cool scarves and Miss O also loved her hat and many other things!

These mugs were the favorite gift I gave this year! (Miss Jennika and Samyo are pictured with Joakim Noah)

The last gift of Christmas was a box full of clues. After reading the clues we were all bawling with joy as they revealed that Kage is having a baby in June!!!!! These shirts reveal the new "sister" status.

It was fun going to church and we had our pics taken before we left

Samyo and Miss Jennika's First Married Christmas

Love this Dougie.

A huge highlight of the day was our phone call with Hermana Coco!!! We were able to talk for one hour. She sounded so happy. There were tears as we hung up but it was all good.

Our Christmas Eve

2011-12-26T18:12:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve Dinner

Beef tenderloin, Baked Potatoes, Asparagus, the Anderson House Salad, Orange Rolls, Homemade Red Velvet Cake

Christmas Eve Program: Miss D tap danced to a festive Christmas tune

Miss D, Miss O, and Miss Jennika perform a dance number!

Miss O played her flute

Miss D played her violin

Samyo played his Iphone App!

Mother- Daughter hip hop number!

Linz made the girls Santa Balls

We read the Christmas story and acted out the story with puppets

Grandma and Grandpa do their part as a shepherd and a Wise man

Slim J was our narrator

Kage ended our program with her testimony of Jesus Christ

Clang! Clang! Clang! Goes the Trolley!

2011-12-25T21:36:00.000-06:00

We have had the tradition for some years now of renting the Naperville Trolley and going on a holiday light tour. It is so fun and very festive. We start out with appetizers a half hour before the trolley arrives. Then we all hop on and see amazing lights and sing and listen to Christmas music. Here are some highlights from our Christmas Eve Trolley ride this year:

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T04:00:00.001-06:00

And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. That sentence sends chills throughout my whole body. On this, the day before Christmas, I testify with every fiber of my body that Jesus Christ lives. That He is our Savior and Redeemer. My testimony of His love and grace has increased ten fold this year. I am profoundly grateful. Tonight and tomorrow we celebrate His birth. Merry Christmas, dear friends!

Ding! Dong! Merrily on High!

2011-12-22T22:48:00.000-06:00

I know our alms should be in secret, but Dougie and I have had so much fun this Christmas season. Sometimes the season gets past me and I regret that I haven't done anything for anyone. So this year I was committed to make something happen. All I wanted to do was bring some cheer to someone else. Every Monday night of December, Dougie and I ding dong ditched and left orange rolls on people's doorsteps. We took turns choosing the families we would ding dong ditch.

I did most of the ding dong ditching while Dougie sat in the ready with the car ready to take off!
Another thing we decided to do was a 12 Days of Christmas to a family. ( I am pretty certain our recipient does not read my blog.) Last year, Linz's family was the recipient of the 12 Days of Christmas and loved it and once again, I am totally copying my friend, Deon. It was so much fun putting our offerings together. I loved it. I will show you what we gave and then I will tell you of some of our adventures:

A partridge in a pear tree - pears and a dish towel with partridges

Two turtle doves: Dove Chocolates and Turtles Chocolates

Three French Hens: Chicken in a Biskit and Chicken Ornament

Four Calling Birds: Four candy Whistles

Five Golden Rings: Pineapple rings and Gold Coin Chocolates

Six Geese A-Laying: Egg Nog and Goose ornament

Seven Swans A-Swimming: Bubble bath and rubber duckies

Eight Maids A Milking: Chocolate Milk and Cow Ornament

Nine Ladies Dancing: Pirouette Cookies and Ballet Dancer Ornaments

Ten Lords a Leaping: Ben Gay

Eleven Pipers Piping: A Recorder


Twelve Drummers Drumming: Drumstick Ice Cream Cones and Drum Ornaments

As we prepared our gifts, I mentioned to Dougie that after our first drop, it would get harder to leave things because the family would be expecting us. So our first night was a Sunday. It was a busy day. I had on my Sunday clothes plus my running shoes. We strategically planned our drop off. I placed the pears on the front porch, rang the doorbell and started to run towards our car. But much to my surprise, the front door sprang open and three kids started chasing me at breakneck speed! Dougie looked in the mirror, saw that I was being chased and took off! He told me he yelled in his head, "Run, Lisa, Run!" I finally rounded a corner about 4 houses down from the original house and hid behind a fence in the shadows of a neighbor's house. The kids were still running and shouting, "We are going to get you!". My heart was pounding so hard. As I crouched in the dark behind the neighbor's fence I said to myself, " I AM 56 YEARS OLD AND KIDS ARE CHASING ME!!!!!! WHAT AM I DOING?". It was so crazy! Finally they gave up! Relieved, I waited until I was sure they were back home, came out from my hiding place and here came Dougie to my rescue! What a night! We definitely had to change our strategy. So I began making the drop offs during the day. A couple of times I went in the morning when it was still dark and did not ring the door bell. Other times I went in the day with a hood on and sunglasses. And then finally Samyo and Miss Jennika arrived and they took over the drop off duties. They don't know Samyo and Miss Jennika so it was perfect! Samyo dropped and ran every time and they never chased him! So tonight was our last drop off. Samyo was approaching the house when a car came around the corner and he felt like he should turn around. Sure enough, the car came into their driveway! We drove around the block, and Samyo tried it again. The minute he rang the doorbell, the door opened but he was able to get away. It was our last nigth and we felt so satisfied as we drove away. I told Dougie, Samyo and Miss Jennika that I probably got more out of it then the recipients. It was so much fun. That's all I needed to feel good about it. But don't you know, a Facebook posting was made tonight by the recipient saying how home sick she was this Christmas and how much she had enjoyed the anonymous 12 Days of Christmas. My heart soared at reading it. Samyo thinks we should reveal that it was us. What do you think?

We had a very festive evening at the Donny & Marie Christmas Show!

2011-12-22T04:00:00.003-06:00

Hermana Coco is doing fine (it's me that's a mess!!!) Here are excerpts from her last email:

2011-12-21T04:00:00.002-06:00

All mission conference was so tight. It was so thick. We had a program where all the departing missionaries gave their testimonies and in between a bunch of people performed christmas songs in between the testimonies. it was just super super good. everybody was bawling haha. oh and I performed! Elder Scott and Hatch (elders in my branch right now) and Sister Pina and Biggs (sisters serving in the other santa rosa branch) and I sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing in 5 part harmony. it was tight. after lunch Sis Bunker had made a slideshow of pictures of people baptized that year to music. super awesome. and then after she gave a little thought and pres bunker gave a thought and then we went through and stood up and sang all the christmas hymns in the hymn book back to back without stopping. I cant explain what it feels like to have 145ish I guess full-time missionaries standing up and singing their hearts out all the Christmas hymns to their king. His tired and weary servants that work for Him every day, standing up and just celebrating and praising Him. It was incredible. my friend Elder Gardner said "that was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. I was changed that day. It was just a day you cant describe" That really is how it felt. All of us were crying. And Pres Bunker and Sis Bunker stood up front arm in arm singing their hearts out too and they were just sobbing with us. And it was probably my favorite Christmas moment of my life to be honest.

Our branch Christmas party was awesome. we had a TON of food. more tamales than Id ever seen and a man with a cart of mexican ice cream. santa came and there was a pinata and then a dance. and man can those people dance. before all the dancing and things we sang hymns together between 6 people giving their testimonies of Christ. it was beautiful. each talked about their experiences with meeting the missionaries (as our whole branch is converts) and it really touched me as they talked about how they will always remember the day they met the missionaries. at the end of the night. actually right before the dancing, 2 recent converts who recently got baptized this summer and who moved out from living together in order to do so got engaged! He proposed to her in front of everybody and they are preparing to be married in the temple.

Caroling!

2011-12-20T04:00:00.001-06:00

Last night, we had a very enjoyable evening caroling!

We sang "Deck the Halls" at every house!!!!

The Christmas Eve Program

2011-12-19T11:12:00.000-06:00

Every Christmas Eve, we have a program. This program took root long ago:

Linz is taking instruction from Kage on how it is done

"He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake!"

Our Christmas Eve Program always has a lot of singing:

And piano playing:

And one year trombone playing:

And we have even had tap dancing:


Later this evening, Hermana Coco played the trombone AND tap danced AT THE SAME TIME!

One year, Dougie performed a solo (acapella) from "The Messiah". It was Epic! We are still not over it!

There is always a presentation of the Christmas story:

Kage was usually in charge of executing The Christmas Eve Program:

But one year, in particular, she really out did herself!


This presentation had costumes, harmony and choreography! Stellar!

This year, we will skip a generation and turn it over to Miss D and Miss O to be in charge of the Christmas Eve Program. And believe you me, I will have a front row seat!

Skinny Santa

2011-12-18T04:00:00.001-06:00

Dougie Anderson, you just lost 50 lbs, what are you going to do now?

Seriously? The Ward asked Dougie to play Santa Claus at our Ward Christmas Party! C-razy!

Gammy - the Christmas Queen's Mother

2011-12-17T04:00:00.001-06:00

I had two grandmothers with amazing creative talent. They were both exceptional seamstresses, crocheters, knitters, and cross-stitchers. All of the creative talent our girls possess comes from these two grandmothers. Today, I want to talk about one of those Grandmothers: Gammy, who is my mother's mother. Hanging in my house is a Christmas tree that Gammy made for me years ago. Here it is:

I love having a touch of Gammy hanging on the inside of my front door. She cut out each of these holly leaves and hand sewed on the sequins. She also made a Santa Claus that used to sit on my mother's mantle but now sits on mine: ( thank you, Patty)

Isn't he adorable? She made the suit and the body and the hat! I love it so much. My sister recently blogged about an advent calendar Gammy made us. Read about that here. One year, Gammy came to our house for Christmas. This is a picture of her watching my best friend and I performing a little Christmas play: (this friend grew up to be head of a very prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts! Sheesh!)

Anyway, when Gammy came for this visit she made all these Christmas decorations for our house. They were all pink! She made them out of ribbon. The mantle had pink ribbon decorations, the tables, everything! A while ago I said to my mother: "Did it bother you that Gammy came in and made all these decorations and decorated YOUR house with them??!!! " But my mother's response was so sweet. Gammy's husband had just passed away in May and my Mom thought it was therapeutic for her to have a project and generously let her take over the decorating. Gammy was one talented lady and I sure think of her this time of year.

Foto Friday

2011-12-16T06:44:00.000-06:00

Feliz Navidad, Hermana Court!

2011-12-15T05:11:00.001-06:00

In the beginning of December, I mailed Hermana Court and her companion a pre-Christmas box. It contained: Christmas pillowcases, Christmas lotion and shower gel, peppermint bark cookies, Santa hats, red scarves, a small nativity, Christmas lights, and a few decorations. About a week later, I was reading the mission blog. A Sisters Conference was held at the mission home and I came across this picture:

I was so excited to see that Hermana Court and her companion had arrived in their Santa hats!! Hermana Court's companion is from Ecuador. There is quite a difference in their height! (On a sidenote....Hermana Court told me she was telling a woman in her last area good-bye and the woman all of sudden took off her Vera Wang scarf and handed it to Hermana Court as a token of their friendship. I'm pretty sure that must be that Vera Wang scarf Hermana Court is wearing in that pic! Gorgeous!) I miss Hermana Court but particularly at this time of year. Saturday, I was wrapping presents and settling them into a shipping box. I was doing just fine and really enjoying it. I gathered the items I had for a stocking I made her. With a single motion I placed the first item in the toe of the stocking and just lost it....big, big tears. I thought of all the stockings I had filled for this dear daughter, and now I was sending this one away to a brave girl on a mission. Here is the stocking I made for her:

My favorite part of this stocking is the two sister missionaries holding hands with a man in traditional Mexican clothing! I think she will love it. From her letters, I think Hermana Court is going to be fine being away from home for Christmas. She is very focused on the work. And really, is there anything better then teaching people of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season? Everyone says Christmas on the mission is the best and I choose to believe them! Still, she is my heart always, but especially now. Feliz Navidad, Hermana Court!

High School Christmas Pageant

2011-12-14T08:27:00.000-06:00

My high school presented a Christmas Pageant every year. It was held in a church which had a perfect setting for it. There was no speaking. The Glee Club told the story of the birth of our Savior in song. I had the privilege of singing with the Glee Club my Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years. The Seniors were the characters in the Christmas Pageant. Every year, the Senior girls went into a classroom and were asked to consider the characteristics of Mary, the mother of the Savior. What would she have been like? Then we were asked to write down the name of the girl in our class who we felt possessed those qualities. ( This is the part of the story where I wish I could say that I was chosen to play Mary!) But our Mary was a lovely girl named Sarah:

Seniors played other parts in the Pageant. I was an Angel in the Heavenly Host:

There was a particularly moving moment in the pageant. After the Wisemen have delivered their gifts, one of the Wisemen turns to the audience, raises his hands dramatically over his head at the very moment the Glee Club sings: "Joy to the World!" It was a major chill factor! I checked with the school website, and this Christmas Pageant Tradition lives on! They have already performed it this season.

Christmas Eve Extraordinaire!

2011-12-13T09:58:00.002-06:00

Let me set the stage. It is the 1960's. You are in elementary school. You live in Gladwyne, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. The population of the town is about 3500. Two weeks before Christmas, a sign with a big Santa on it, is posted at the end of your street. The sign reads: "Santa will be here Christmas Eve at 8:25 PM". Christmas Eve arrives. At 8:15, Mothers, Fathers, Sons and Daughters are grabbing coats, hats, mittens and scarves. All the front doors in the neighborhood are opening and the same Mothers, Fathers, Sons, and Daughters are hurrying down to the big sign with Santa on it. Shouts of "Merry Christmas" are heard everywhere. Every one in your neighborhood is huddled in the cold night air awaiting the arrival of the big man. The Christmas spirit is palpable. Suddenly we hear the soft drone of a fire engine siren. And then we see the flashing lights! It is too exciting to bear. Here he comes! And here he is: Santa on top of our local fire engine:

He is waving at all of us! We are waving back! He is shouting "Merry Christmas, Everyone!" And we are shouting it back! The firemen are handing us candy canes and fruit! All of our neighbors out together on this cold, brisk night exchanging and feeling love! Merry Christmas one and all!
(I googled the Gladwyne Fire Department, and as far as I can tell, this tradition lives on!)

What was the best gift you ever received?

2011-12-12T08:04:00.000-06:00

Is there a particular gift you really enjoyed receiving? One of my favorite gifts was received when I was 11 years old and in the sixth grade.

This is the day. In the photo with me is my next door neighbor who had come over to see my gifts. She grew up to be an M.D.! Pretty cool! I received the outfit I am wearing that morning. Isn't it darling? I love it! But that's not the gift I am speaking of. Shift your eyes to the right....behind the Twister game and left of a little doll. There stands a stack of books. Those books had been my mother's when she was a girl. What a treasure for a lover of reading! One of them in particular really caught my fancy and resulted in my missing a day of school just so I could read it!!! What was the best or one of the best gifts you ever received?

Introducing the Christmas Queen

2011-12-11T04:00:00.002-06:00

I would like to introduce you to the Christmas Queen:

Yup, that's my Mom, the Christmas Queen. She is the reason I love Christmas. All of my life, she has put so much effort into having an amazing Christmas. Once when she was busy being the Relief Society President by day, she stayed up all the night long baking cookies. Everything was always perfect: the food, the decorations, the thoughtful presents, the Christmas cards! There was always something absolutely darling poking out of the top of my Christmas stocking. One year, when I was about 9 or 10, my Mom and I made a white sugar Christmas house. I wish I had a picture of it. It looked a little bit like this, only ours was bigger:

It was not gingerbread. I'm not sure what it was made of but we had so much fun making it and decorating it. Another fond memory: My mother always made something to take to the neighbors. One year she took a short glass and she made a Santa face out of felt and glued it onto the glass. The face looked a little bit like this:

She filled the glass with red, green and silver Hershey kisses. Then she placed a small Santa hat on the top. I was the one who always delivered her Christmas goodies to the neighbors. She came up with something different every year. It is the reason I make deliveries at Christmas time too. What joyous and memorable Christmases she provided for us and still does! Merry Christmas, Christmas Queen!

The School Christmas Program

2011-12-10T04:00:00.000-06:00

Well, I have been to my share of School Christmas Programs and what a delight! I will never forget when I walked into the Pied Piper Preschool and got myself settled on the front row. The teacher called our attention to the front and who should walk out to welcome us to the Christmas program ((and have the only speaking part in the whole shooting match) but my adorable little Kage!

Look at this little doll with one leg held in the air. She never even mentioned to me she had a speaking part. She memorized it all on her own and delivered with confidence!
Our elementary school had a Christmas program at different grade levels. Here is Linz who is evidently taking the role of a sled. I remember this cutie pie's mouth being in a perfect oval as she sang of trains and Santa. She delivered a line with much polish and expression.

Not one to be in musical productions, Samyo got his turn to be in a School Christmas Program too. He even had a memorized line to deliver which caused us all a bit of anxiety as in those days Samyo was a tad bit shy. We all memorized that line with him, and we could all say it today: "I vote for sliding. I saw a great patch of ice......"

Look at that darling toothless grin! And the couture! I wish you could see the whole outfit: khakis and topsiders. Stylish then as well as today!
Youngest Child Alert: I could not find a photo of Hermana Coco at a School Christmas Program! I'm sure she was in one. I am feeling free to publish this post anyway since she is 1000's of miles away and has rules about reading (aka not reading) my blog!
A huge highlight in my life were the School Christmas programs that our high schools delivered. All three of our girls were in them. The concerts included all choral and instrumental groups. They were called seamless concerts as they flawlessly went from one performance to another with clapping only allowed at the entire concert's conclusion. I remember standing in those high school auditoriums weeping, I was so filled with the Spirit of Christmas. If you are still in this stage of your life, enjoy it! What treasured memories!

Christmas Music

2011-12-09T04:00:00.001-06:00

One of the most important parts of Christmas for me is the music. I love it! I start listening after Halloween. There are some arrangements of Christmas music that are my absolute favorites! Boy howdy, do they stir my mush! So here they are in no particular order:

Have you ever heard Karen Carpenter sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"? It is mellow and sultry. It is no secret that I think she is the best alto that has ever lived and this rendition is one of my favorites ever!

Be still my heart when James Taylor sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

The combination of Bonnie Raitt and Charles Brown on "Merry Christmas Baby" is stellar!

Another favorite duo is Frank Sinatra and Cyndi Lauper's arrangement of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Cyndi Lauper is so dang cute on this!

The most spiritually moving song for me at Christmas is Kristy Glass' performance of "Mary Did You Know?" It brings me to tears every time I hear it.

No one performs "Sleigh Ride" like the Boston Pops! They have the clip clop of the horses and that "neigh" at the end. It is one of the most festive songs of the season!

I could listen to Amy Grant sing the popular Charlie Brown Christmas tune "Christmas Time is Here" all day long." And last but not least:

Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan singing "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen/ We Three Kings". I AM Sarah McLachlan when this song is playing!!!
What are you favorite Christmas arrangements? Do you love some of the sames ones I love?

Company Party!

2011-12-08T04:00:00.001-06:00

Last night, was our company party! This is when we gather Dougie's staff and spouses together for a celebratory Christmas dinner! A good time was had by all! Really great conversation this year!

Usually, I serve ham and potatoes, but this year I went a completely different route. This was our menu:

Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider

chips and salsa

crackers and cream cheese dip with jalapeno peppers and pimento

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Mexican Rice

Refried beans

Corn Souffle

Fresh Berries

Red Velvet Cupcakes

The Christmas Card

2011-12-07T04:00:00.001-06:00

Dougie and I have sent out a Christmas card ever since we married. It has always had a picture. In the beginning I would buy a card and tape the picture inside the card. Since becoming a little techno-savvy, I have constructed cards with several pictures. Every one in my family will tell you that the qualifications for a picture to become the "Christmas card picture" is that I have to look fabulous in it....even at the expense of others maybe not looking quite that fabulous. I admit it. It's the truth. One year that selfish little tendency of mine paid me back big time aka it so served me right! This is the picture I chose that year( 1997) for our Christmas Card:


See the horns coming out of my head?

Five Weeks of reading the Book of Mormon

2011-12-06T04:00:00.002-06:00

Today marks FIVE WEEKS of reading 10 pages a day from the Book of Mormon. Along with issuing the challenge on my blog, I sent an email to all the members of my Relief Society and told them that I would be reading the Book of Mormon in this manner. The response has touched me deeply. I have received emails, whispers in my ear, personal thank yous, and public announcements from people who are reading. Dougie is doing it! My mother is doing it! I am enjoying reading it so much. I get so busy this time of year. I look forward to sitting in my chair by my sunny window and disappearing into these pages. How about you?

Christmas Pillowcases

2011-12-05T04:00:00.001-06:00

I am going to take the opportunity this Christmas season to share some memories of Christmas with my family as a little girl, and Christmas with my family as a Mom. Today, I would like to share how exciting it was when I would turn my bed down in December and find this on my pillow:

This is the very pillowcase I had as a little girl. Can you hardly stand its "vintage-ness"??!!! I love Christmas pillowcases! This is a very fond memory for me. As a result, I have made Christmas pillowcases for my grandchildren, and I make sure every guest (no matter how old) who sleeps in our house at Christmas time lays his or her sugarplum filled head down on one!

Friends in Harmony 2011 Holiday Tour

2011-12-02T04:00:00.002-06:00

The Friends in Harmony 2011 Holiday Tour has begun!

This is what we are singing this year:

We Need a Little Christmas

Let it Snow!

Away in a Manger

Cool Yule

Jingle Bell Rock

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen

Calypso Noel

Jingle Bell Fantasy

White Christmas

Fruitcake

Man With the Bag

Ho!Ho! Holidays

Silent Night

When the first group of singers that constituted "Friends in Harmony" began, we made a commitment to always announce that we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) at each performance. We have stuck to that commitment lo these 18 years. I am the one who makes that announcement, and this year I am trying to announce it in connection with our testimonies of the reason we celebrate Christmas which is because of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I take it even farther and testify on behalf of all of us that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer. Our church has received some bad press aka inaccurate information lately as a result of the efforts of one of our members running for President of the United States. I am making an effort to educate people that we are, in fact, Christians. (That's okay, Mitt. You can send me 2 tickets to your Inaugural Parade to repay me. Yup. Right in the box with your family will be perfect.) Anyway, I sure do love these girls that I sing with and I sure love taking our Christmas spirit and message to those we sing.

Christmas Reading

2011-12-01T08:33:00.001-06:00

I always try to read a Christmas book or 2 during the holiday season. I have three picked out for this season and I have already read 2 !

This is the first one I read. I love Somerset Maugham, but this book did not have much to do with Christmas except that it began on Christmas Eve! A young boy is sent to Paris alone for a Christmas holiday. Oh well. ( I should have known..the color of the book is YELLOW for heaven's sake!)

This was my next read. It is currently on the best seller list. It was a fun story. A widowed mother decides to remarry on Christmas Day but doesn't tell her children who she is going to marry. Three men have asked to marry her and even they don't know which one she will choose until she reaches the end of the aisle. (They are all standing there!) It's all fluff ( with unfortunately, some bad language).
Now on to my next read! Stay tuned!

Delicious Chocolate-Peppermint Treat!

2011-11-30T09:20:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I got my hair cut and on my departure my stylist gave me a festive bag full of chocolate-peppermint goodies. I served some to Dougie and me after dinner last night and boy howdy, were they delicious! Dougie looked at me and said, "this is a ritz cracker dipped in peppermint chocolate." Say what? And he was right! So I googled it.

And they look super easy to make. Little effort for something so delicious!

8 ounces BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
36 Ritz crackers
1 peppermint candy cane, crushed (6 inch)

Directions:

1
MICROWAVE chocolate in small microwaveable bowl as directed on package. Stir until completely melted. Blend in extract.
2
DIP crackers in melted chocolate, completely coating crackers with chocolate. Carefully scrape off excess chocolate. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheets; sprinkle with crushed candy.
3
REFRIGERATE 30 minute or until chocolate is firm.

How Hermana Coco spent Thanksgiving

2011-11-29T03:54:00.000-06:00

There are SIX missionaries serving one Spanish Branch. Isn't that wonderful to have that kind of need for missionaries? A kind senior missionary couple took these missionaries in on Thanksgiving Day and fed them well. Hermana Coco brought construction paper and insisted they all make and wear hats! Looks like they had a great time.

Favorite Pic from Thanksgiving!

2011-11-28T08:20:00.000-06:00

This is my favorite pic from our Thanksgiving! Look at my adorable Dougie, kneeling on the ground, determining whether that turkey is done! (Dougie and I have a history of having everything ready to eat BUT the turkey....just can't get that dang bird done!) So here he is inserting thermometer and tugging on those legs! It was such a cute moment that I spontaneously went into song: singing "If Ever I Should Leave You.....it wouldn't be on Thanksgiving. No, not on Thanksgiving when you look so cute and are checking the turkey......" Linz captured the moment in a click of the shutter.

And so it begins......

2011-11-27T18:17:00.000-06:00

And so it begins....

Performances ( 12 in all)

Shopping

Baking

Wrapping

Decorating

Cooking

Christmas Cards

Company Dinner

Ward Christmas Party Chairman

Mailing

Movies

Christmas books

Surprises

Family Visits

Memories

Carolling

Love

Scriptures

Favorite time of year!

The Greatest Show on Earth!

2011-11-25T19:32:00.000-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls! Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth! And great it was! What a perfect activity for the day after Thanksgiving!

My favorite thing was the elephants! They were amazing! A good time was had by all!

Our Thanksgiving Day

2011-11-24T19:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Miss D and Miss V helped me make the stuffing. I saw a few pieces accidentally slip into their mouths!

Can you even imagine having this sitting up to the counter while you cook? Heaven!

We made turkeys for our Thanksgiving Day Craft: we used cocoa krispie treats, candy corn, chocolate frosting, and pretzels! It was so fun. Aren't our results amazing?


Before dinner, we played J-I-N-G-O (Christmas BINGO)

We colored Pilgrim masks!

We began our feast with appetizers. But this Thanksgiving, the star players were the sides:

Quinoa Stuffing

Creamed corn

Mashed Potatoes

Macaroni & Cheese

Turkey Stuffing

Spinach Spoonbread


Peas

And not pictured: sweet potatoes covered with mini marshmallows

We had such a great day together. We are so thankful the Kennedy Krew and my parents could spend the day with us. We missed the Glass Posse and Samyo and Miss Jennika and of course our hearts were with Hermana Coco.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Love to all!

2011-11-20T19:40:00.000-06:00

Look at our Thankful Door!!!!!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

2011-11-18T00:31:00.000-06:00

So who is coming to your house for Thanksgiving dinner this year? I have some fabulous guests rounding out my table . I know the conversation is going to scintillating! More then half of my guests have recently embarked on a great adventure. There will be many tales to tell as these people have spent the last week exploring the joys of southern living. A quarter of my guests have seen a few Thanksgiving dinners in their day. We will learn something new about the past. I always like to explore the possibilities of having a celebrity dine with us to really liven things up. I've had Tim Gunn on my list. I know he would really find the wow factor in my orange rolls. And I have imagined other celebrities as well. It is fun to think about. This year my nomination would be these two gents:

Do you even know who they are? They are Tom and Ray Magliozzi, hosts of NPR's "Car Talk". They are hilarious and so entertaining. They would have us rolling in laughter! So what celebrities would you invite to add entertainment to your Thanksgiving table?

I'm a Thankful Copycat!

2011-11-16T04:00:00.001-06:00

My friend, Deon, has such a fabulous idea on her blog. With her permission, I have copied it. The idea is to have a "gratitude wall". Deon has anyone who comes into her house, sign the gratitude wall by expressing something they are thankful. Now we don't have the traffic coming in and out of our house that the Divine Deon has..... so far it is just Dougie and me expressing gratitude every morning. Here is our little station where we write what we are thankful for every day.

And here is our wall: ( we just started on Monday)

Now, Deon also does this with her wall: She has issued an invitation to her blog readers to state what they are grateful for and then she writes that on her wall. So, I extend that invitation to you. Please make a comment and I will write your name and what you are grateful and post it on our wall. How I would love that! You can even request a pumpkin or a turkey for your submission. Please do it! It would mean so much to me during this wonderful season of thankfulness. ( and thanks again, Deon)

Two Weeks of 10 pages a day of The Book of Mormon

2011-11-15T04:00:00.000-06:00

Today, marks two weeks of reading 10 pages a day from The Book of Mormon. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am.

From one of Hermana Coco's letters:
"On Saturday we went over to Esperanza's house and she showed me that she had read over 100 pages of The Book of Mormon in a week. I didn't believe her at first and then she started talking about all the things she had learned from it - how to instruct your children better, the things we need to do to prepare for battle with Satan, how infants don't need baptism. I just sat there shocked. Normally getting people to read this sacred book is like pulling teeth. I knew there had to be a catch. I asked her, assuming that she just thought it was a good book and not scripture, if she had prayed about it yet. She replied, "No, I haven't". My heart sank but I was not surprised. I was gearing up for my "pray to know" speech but she kept going. She said, "I haven't prayed about it yet because I don't have a doubt that it is from God. I haven't needed to pray to know that."

Keep reading, blogland!

Foto Friday

2011-11-11T07:25:00.000-06:00

It's dangerous out there in the mission field

Good-bye, Kennedy Krew

2011-11-10T09:19:00.000-06:00

Oh we've had so much fun having the Kennedy Krew at our house. They left this morning and we are back to our quiet home. We love them so much and wish them well on their new adventure.

Another fun day!

2011-11-07T14:26:00.001-06:00

Today we visited Gma and Gpa Z. Don't my parents look fabulous?

Then we headed to one of our favorite grandchildren spots: 2Toots Grill! Baby S loves trains and really loved this place.

Our food is delivered on a train!

So fun!

2011-11-06T19:34:00.000-06:00

We had some serious card playing today!

Old Maid

Hearts

Animal Rummy

and my personal favorite:

Crazy Eights!

A good time was had by all

Warning: Grandmother with a camera!

2011-11-05T20:42:00.001-05:00

Kennedy Krew is in the House!

2011-11-05T09:19:00.000-05:00

The Kennedy Krew is in the house! They are moving and need a place to hang for a week! We are so lucky they chose us! They arrived very late last night. Dougie went down in the basement and brought up the train he had as a little boy! Baby S loved it and so did the girls! We are looking forward to a fun week with them.

Two Women of Little Rock

2011-11-02T16:10:00.000-05:00

Every year I try to read a book of non fiction. This year I chose:

It was a perfect choice. The book stems from this photo ( seen on the cover of the book):

In Little Rock Arkansas, in 1957, nine African American students were chosen to integrate into Central High School. Arrangements were made for the nine students to meet to walk in together, but Elizabeth never got that message. So she walked in alone while White students gathered around her in rage and began yelling while the National Guard and White adults looked on. This book is about Elizabeth and the girl captured behind her (named Hazel) and how this very moment captured on film affected their lives. The nine students never entered the school that day and when they finally entered days later, it looked like this:

Unbelievable! I really liked this book and highly recommend it.

2011-11-01T04:00:00.001-05:00

Get Ready, Get Set, Read!

Ten pages a day until Christmas Eve!

Trick or Treat!

2011-10-31T04:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween

from

Ward and June

Ozzie and Harriett

Howard and Marion

you decide!

Distribution of the finished product:

2011-10-28T07:02:00.000-05:00

Distribution of the finished product: The crew said that the video coverage could turn up just about anywhere. They own it and we signed a release form that it could be used throughout the universe!! The purpose is to promote being a service missionary. The crew said they might have commercials on the BYU channel; it could be on church websites; and for example, someone might be giving a talk at General Conference on the Word of Wisdom and a video might pop up of Dougie and me running! They said they would notify us of its usage as best they can. So stay tuned and if anyone sees us....let us know!

Movie Stars!

2011-10-26T19:01:00.000-05:00

Today a film crew from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Media Department came to our town to interview Dougie and me about being Service Missionaries and our work with the Addiction Recovery Program. They called me about a month ago and interviewed me over the phone and said they would let us know if they would use us. ( our people will call your people haha...don't call us, we'll call you....you get the drift!) Three weeks ago, they called and said they were coming. My first thought: what will I wear??!!!

So today was the day!

First stop: Dougie's office. They filmed and interviewed Dougie about being a dentist. They want to show that you can have a full time job AND be a service missionary.

Second stop: Friends in Harmony Rehearsal
Again, the same idea: you can be in a singing group AND be a service missionary!

They wanted audio for our filming so we could not sing anything we are practicing due to copyright laws! They were calling their office asking what was approved from our hymn book. So we sang something we have never sung before but we sang it well!

Third stop: Our house

This was the largest portion of the interviewing. We probably talked for 20 minutes. I was surprised they didn't want us to wear our "missionary attire". Once we got going it really flowed. There were four men in the crew and they were so nice and really put us at ease.

After the interview, we had a wardrobe change. They wanted us to change in another casual outfit. In this outfit they filmed us reading scriptures together, working in the kitchen ( Doug chopped a red pepper and I washed a glass over and over again as I gazed at pictures of our children in the kitchen window.) They also had me put one of my aprons from Aprons A Go Go on a metal form. (you can sell aprons and be a service missionary!) They also took some shots of Dougie and me sitting on our front porch swing.

And then another wardrobe change: This time we got in our running togs. We went outside and they got in their van and filmed us running up and down our street. Very funny! One of our neighbors wondered what was going on!

Final wardrobe change: Our "missionary attire". This was the outfit I was most worried about and I wore the least!!! In this outfit we sat at our kitchen counter and pretended to plan a lesson, we had some shots in front of our house, and we went over to the church and did a mock Addiction Recovery Meeting. This is what I decided to wear:

So that was our filming experience! We had to sign a release form that they could use this filming in the whole universe! We will see what happens. We may end up on the cutting room floor!

Who is With Me?

2011-10-25T04:00:00.004-05:00

It's almost that time of year when things start getting a little crazy. December is especially busy. My December consists of a very busy performing schedule, shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping, Christmas cards, family, etc. etc. Sometimes the purpose of the celebration gets lost in the hustle and bustle. So how do we keep this time of year meaningful and spiritual? Two years ago I proposed this idea, and I propose it again today. Beginning on November 1, I am going to read 10 pages of the
Book of Mormon per day to conclude on Christmas Eve.

It takes about 20 minutes to read 10 pages a day. The Book of Mormon should be studied and pondered but in our latest special Ensign edition about the Book of Mormon,

Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, " Sometimes it is helpful to read the entire Book of Mormon in a relatively brief period of time to grasp the sweep of its story and message." I think this is the perfect time of year to do just that.

I really can hardly wait to get started! So....one week from today is the starting day. We have a week to get organized and decide how and when we are going to accomplish it. Who is with me? If you will join me in this reading challenge and opportunity to enrich your holiday season, please make it known by commenting below.

2011-10-21T09:32:00.000-05:00

I was running on the treadmill when this guest appeared on GMA....seriously? Where do I get this hair?????!!!!!!!!

I Love Being an Alto!

2011-10-19T20:12:00.000-05:00

When I was a little girl, I wanted to sing just like her:

She is the ultimate Soprano! I love her crystal clear tones. We used to take long car rides and I would close my eyes in the back seat and pretend that I was singing those beautiful notes. Sometimes I dream that I have the leading role in a musical and I walk out on a stage and this beautiful Soprano voices comes out of my mouth! But alas, it was not meant to be. I am an Alto through and through. It's funny because my three girls are all Sopranos:

The other day, Dougie and I were working outside and I started singing to him. I tried to sing a melody of a song to him in a high register and it was hilarious. It just would not come out. Today, I was at a singing rehearsal for Friends in Harmony and a soprano sat on either side of me. They both have beautiful voices and it was fun to hear their melodic parts. But as I sat and listened, I thought: I love being an Alto! How boring to almost always have the melody! How rich and colorful are the tones of an Alto! How fun it is to harmonize! How rewarding it is to read music and master your part! I realized that I really, really love being an Alto!

And so now when I close my eyes and dream of being a singer, I will channel the best Alto that ever lived:

And rejoice that I am an Alto!

A near miss....

2011-10-17T04:00:00.001-05:00

Wow! I almost missed this book. I love Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks (Year of Wonders, March, Caleb's Crossing) so I was very happy to choose this book to download onto my Kindle. But when I first started reading it I thought, well, maybe this time she missed the mark. The book begins with a woman examining a rare illuminated Hebrew manuscript only to find a butterfly wing and I said to myself: I am done. This does not interest me whatsoever. Several months later, I tried it again. I actually started over and gave it another chance and I am so glad I did. I really loved it. If the manuscript could talk it would tell us all its adventures and that is exactly what happens. The manuscript does not talk, but we learn about all the people who have owned it. Fascinating. I highly recommend it.

Foto Friday

2011-10-14T04:00:00.001-05:00

Hermana Coco says: "I am feasting upon the words of Christ!"

( orange scarf crocheted by MOI!)

Frankenstein

2011-10-12T07:58:00.000-05:00

For years I have wanted to read this book during the month of October and I finally did it! And I am so glad I did. It was written in 1818! I do not think I have ever even seen a movie about Frankenstein. All I have known is that he looked like Mr. Munster in The Munster Show. I learned so much about this scary fellow. First of all, his creator was named Frankenstein. And secondly, he started out being kind and just wanting a friend and some companionship. But everyone was so horrified by his looks that they ran in horror when they saw him. He blamed his creator for his horrifying looks and so he turned to a life of murdering those who his creator loved. There is one kind of tender scene where he talks to a blind man who offers him kindness because he cannot see him. The book is not scary at all. We have come such a long way since 1818 in the world of horror and terror that this is a walk in the park. It's a fun Halloween read ( and free on Kindle!)

"Till There Was You"

2011-10-11T17:39:00.000-05:00

I love the movie, "The Music Man". And I especially love this moment when Marion the Librarian is singing "Till There Was You" to her swindling Music Man. I love Shirley Jones' voice. But, dear blogland, there is a version of this song that I love even more:

Have you ever heard Sir Paul sing this song? It is just him and his guitar and it is AMAZING! If you have never heard it, you need to run not walk to your nearest ITune store and download away! Love, love, love it!!!

Welcome to My Haunted House!

2011-10-07T07:12:00.001-05:00

I love Halloween mainly because of the decorating. I absolutely love the color: ORANGE! And Orange definitely has the leading role this time of year. Please allow me to take you through my Haunted House!
First you are greeted by Frankie who has sat on our front porch for years:

When you enter the house, the first thing you see is our staircase:

And then next in the entry way is this:

Then we walk into the kitchen:

This pottery barn table cloth is one of my favorite things! So colorful!

The Kitchen is full of festive decor:

I just sit and stare at this!

I'm not sure what to do about her

This is the Halloween Hostess Station!

And now for the Family Room:

This haunted mansion comes with screams and howls!

I think this is my favorite cross stitch project EVER!

You never know where a ghost or bat may appear!

This cake plate is a new addition this year from my dear friend, Jeanne

All the downstairs windows have a touch of Halloween

And amidst all this Halloween decor, you will find me reading this:

I would like to talk about running.

2011-10-04T09:06:00.000-05:00

Today, I would like to talk about running. I have had the best summer of running I have ever had. Since Memorial Day, I have run 3 miles most days. ( never on the Sabbath) I feel stronger than I ever have. I am enjoying it more than I ever have. I am satisfied with it. I like the way it makes me feel and the way it helps me maintain my weight. I am very happy that I am my age and I can RUN! But having said all that, I am still a slow runner. That is why I LOVE this poster. ( Thank you, Wendy!) This makes me feel even better about what I am doing. This and one more thing: the other day, I was walking into church. I got a little bit ahead of Dougie. All of a sudden I heard Dougie say: "Wow! Nice legs!" That is my new mantra!

"Sisters"

2011-09-30T11:36:00.001-05:00

Look at my darling Hermana Coco! These two companions have the same last name only one goes by "Hermana" and the other one goes by "Sister". The interesting thing is they are only teaching in Spanish so "Sister" does a lot of listening while "Hermana" is doing all the teaching. I am so looking forward to this General Conference weekend and here is one reason why: This is one moment in time where Hermana Coco and I are doing the exact same thing! We are singing the same hymn at the exact same time. We are listening to the same speakers at exactly the same time. We are laughing at Elder L. Tom Perry's pronunciation of words that have an "or" in them ( pronounced "are") at the exact same time and every time someone says the word "missionary" or refers to missionary work in general, you can believe it that Dougie and I will be doing the wave in the comfort of our cozy family room!

By George, I Think She's Got It!

2011-09-27T12:23:00.000-05:00

Oh, Blogland, I have been in earnest pursuit of learning how to crochet chevrons, zig-zag, whatever you wish to call it! My grandmother was a master at it! She crocheted the most beautiful afghans with exact precision. Kage has also mastered it. It has taken me three tries....but I think I finally have it! My first one got wider and wider....you should have seen Dougie's face when I held it up! My second one was too loose. I am very pleased with this result. I chose the colors and I love them! Yay! I am very happy!

Creative people work fast!

2011-09-25T08:21:00.000-05:00

I found this on FB this morning. Creative people work fast! But I love it and want it a part of my blog book when I print it next year. President Uchtdorf really understands women. I think he gets a little help from that cute Harriet.....and the Lord, of course. Great meeting last night.

Hermana Coco Countdown!

2011-09-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

One Temple Spire down...and two to go!!!

Fall! Friends! Fun!

2011-09-22T04:00:00.001-05:00

I just love a Fall trip to one of my favorite destinations with friends: Long Grove. It is Fall! It is Friends! It is Fun!

We love this Italian Restaurant!

We did not eat here... we just liked the porch!

I love these girls!

Sixty- five years ago today

2011-09-21T04:00:00.001-05:00

Sixty- Five years ago, these people...

Did this:

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Time......look what you've done to me!

2011-09-20T04:00:00.017-05:00

Time....look what you've done to me! I'm fascinated with aging...maybe because I am so actively involved in it! Today is my 56th birthday. I don't feel one bit sad about growing older. I think it is fun. I think changes in a face tell a story. I am grateful to be my age and have experienced all that I have in my life.

Age 6

Age 26


Age 56 The most surprising insight about aging...... Inside, I still feel like this girl:

Age 16

But okay....I admit it. Even though I don't mind aging, when it comes to my Resurrected body....I'm hoping for the "Age 26" model! But for today, Age 56....I embrace you!

Adventures in Vegan-land!

2011-09-19T04:00:00.001-05:00

I got an idea this weekend that I could make some Vegan lasagna. Remember Dougie's mantra: "nothing with a mother or a face" aka lasagna with no eggs or cheese. So this is what I did: I layered whole grain wheat lasagna noodles with tomato garlic marinara sauce, fresh spinach, fresh mushrooms and TOFU! The tofu stood in place of the cheese. When we came in from church, boy howdy, did it smell wonderful! And you know, it was quite delicious. ( not particularly pretty, however) Who knew that it could still taste moist and delicious without all that cheese???

For dessert, Dougie whipped up a chocolate mousse with silken Tofu, chocolate extract, cocoa powder and honey. It tasted like a bowl of melted chocolate ice cream! ( which isn't necessarily a bad thing)

Saturday Road Trip

2011-09-17T16:11:00.000-05:00

Well, as I have mentioned before Marilyn has come to our fair city and my Mom wanted to see her. So today, Dougie, my Mom and Dad and I took a little road trip to see our girl, Marilyn:

Isn't she fabulous? She is absolutely huge!

Look at my cute Mom standing next to her. After visiting Marilyn, we stopped in for lunch at The Rainforest Cafe in the city.

We had such a delightful time. And because I know you are all wondering, I took this pic:

Hahahahahahahaha!