HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Hooray for 2010!!!!!

Delicious Cheddar Puffs

For New Years we decided to try a new appetizer. It all began with the perfect, crusty french bread loaf.

Then we diced the shallots into tinny pieces so that no one would know there were "onion" chunks. For this I got to use Annie's divine German chopping knife.

I also decided to taste a shallot to see how it tasted in the onion spectrum.

Annie pressed the garlic. It was a very empowering experience.

Here the bread was dipped and rolled in our cheesy mixture.....mmmm it was even good at this point. Our men were sure excited for the garlicky New Years Eve kiss.

Ready for the oven!

And the hordes came to devour. The Cheddar Puffs are behind the Bacon Wrapped Little Wieners. Good food and good company!

Scotish Digestives

Who has ever heard of Scottish Digestives? Our friend Kenny went to the store to get some New Years Eve treats. They had these yummy shortbread cookies he loves so he grabbed two boxes. Next to the cookies they had these crackers that were in a similar box. Naturally one would think since the cookies are so good, these crackers will be good too. When he came home Annie, his wife, and I read the box some. Apparently these cookies are called Scottish Digestives and Oatcakes - delicious Scottish Biscuits.

We opened the boxes and looked at these scrumptious international cookies, they looked liked crumbled and pressed oatmeal shapes. But hey, looks can be deceiving, they could be delicious!

Bella was leery, but Luke was excited and went to the cheese toppings. The rest of the crew....the answer is on their face.....

And Kenny was the one who purchased these international delights.

Christmas Morning

Everyone is awake! 7:00 a.m. imposed minimum by the parents. I had a very late night.
Making doughnuts with my number 2 favorite guy.
He was doing a great job!

Doughnuts for breakfast is our tradition......they were delicious!

There was a little bit of excitement! Gotta love 5 year olds.

There was love for technology.

There was a gift for a girl with great talent. There was a lot of box sitting.

There was a cute girl in a new hat.

There was laughter and happiness.

There was love for a mom who sent a gift that could not be purchased.

There was the demolition of the Gingerbread house (that kitchen stool again).

What a GREAT 2009.

Christmas Nativity

The Angel Visits Mary
Mary and JosephNo Room at the Inn The Shepherds Find Baby Jesus

The Wisemen Follow the Star

The Whole Cute Cast

The First Winter Snow

My favorite outside chore is to shovel snow. There is such a defining moment when it is all done. I also love the "muscle" it takes to get the chore done. Luckily this snow day came on a Saturday so Jim was out there with me. It was like a little date. Lilly did not like her first snow experience. We put her on the sled and as we began to pull it she rolled over and did a face plant. Snowsuits make for rollypoly bottoms.
Bella didn't mind the snow on her face.
Arielle was a Tasmanian Devil in the snow.

Kiley and the kids all had fun with different snow toys.

It was a bright, beautiful sunny day.

Perfect for snow angels.Not too perfect for snowmen. They took some work to stick together.

This snowman is going to get Valerie some kind of math extra credit.

Gotta love those winter days.

The Kitchen Stool

I keep forgetting about the kitchen stool.........

I love that smiling face.