Ladybugs!!

Part of living in a lush and green part of the country, is dealing with an endless amount and variety of insects. Most of them stay outside, but aaaallll through the winter we have an infestation of ladybugs that wake up and live in our windows.

This is much to Elena's delight. She has become the master hunter of ladybugs and is constantly crawling up on any furniture to look for them in all the windows. Mostly they live in the two windows in our bedroom because of the sunlight we get on that side of the house, so she gets up early just to hunt in our windows. (Above is one of her hauls.) I was concerned for the welfare of the ladybugs she captured, so we made it a game that she relocates them to be with their "friends" in our potted plants in the kitchen windows dowstairs. My hope is that they'll eat the ants which are just beginning to appear indoors. (Noooooo!) I doubt they will, I think they mostly eat aphids. But I am trying a new trick that I read about- spreading cornmeal for the ants. Apparently they take it home and they can't digest it. Supposedly an organic way to deal with them. We'll see.

I also wanted to share a short clip of a day in the life with toddlers...because it makes me laugh.

At least baby powder smells good!

New Calling

I was recently released as Sunday school teacher to the 20 or so youth in our ward. (Almost two years of 12-13 year olds- felt like I was teaching release-time seminary!) My new church calling in which I have been called to serve is as the newly reinstated Activities Committe Chair. We haven't had a committee for a while, so I am the one they've decided to trust to keep it all on track. Needless to say, I am very humbled. I want very much to have some awesome ward activities, so I feel a lot of weight on my shoulders. So, I was hoping that I could get some ideas from everyone- just tell me about your favorite activities that you have had in your wards! Thanks!

Morsel of Life

During the snow we did lots of fun things, like eat popcorn and watch lots of tv and movies. The kids, of course got creative and it was good exercise for me to clean up after them. Here are just a few excerpts of their cute snowday playtime.

I wish I had some high-tech software to edit myself out of these.

Apparently I don't ever dress my children. What can you do...

Cabin Fever!

Oh, Yeah! We had it bad! Cabin Fever was rampant last week. The first big one was Saturday the 6th. We got about 31 inches feet throughout the day. So much that church was cancelled and people were left to dig themselves out. Here are some shots of what it looked like before the storm: Still enough to make a snowman family from the previous snow!













But then the snow fell...
















and fell...
















and fell...

















and fell! Here I am showcasing the depth of the snow. You can still see the snowman behind me to the right by the lightpost.

















Well, after tuesday the 9th, you couldn't see him any more! That night we got another 16 inches and everything was cancelled again on wednesday. We were all stuck inside again. Time to dig some more! Poor Jim. (Yes, I helped a little!)














Our street has only been plowed once, and it was in between the storms. The second storm is the one that broke the camel's back, so to speak. It was blizzard-like with horizontal snow and lots of trees went down. Lots of roofs and awnings have been giving way under the weight of it all. Oh, the joys of winter! Eventually after a day or two we were able to get outside and see the blue sky and feel the rays of the sun. The kids were certainly happy to get out too !

Please note the lightpost in the background, and the fact that you can no longer see a snowman. These days we scoff at a mere 1-2 inches, which is what we got just yesterday. Ha! That's sissy stuff. Some of these mounds might last until summer. Yippee!
(Did I mention that I am ready for spring already?)

Homemade Detergent

Yes! You can make your own laundry detergent! I got a recipe from a good friend at church who has been using it for a long time. I finally tried it! Since I am more a fan of powder than liquid, I did that version. (Plus to make the liquid it was more involved.)

However, I will share both versions of the recipe for those who are interested.

Liquid:
4 Cups hot water
1 Ivory soap bar
1 Cup washing soda
1/2 Cup Borax

-Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5-gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean laundry soal dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
- Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavebdar, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soal recipe makes 10 gallons.
(Top-load machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads))
(Front-load machine 1/4 Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads))

Here's the recipe I did for powdered detergent:
1 Ivory soap bar (or other abrasive bar of soap)
1 Cup washing soda
1/2 Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields 3 Cups Detergent (Approx. 40 loads)

I also threw in some Oxy clean powder since I had it on hand. I was able to find all the ingredients at either Wal-mart or my local grocery store. I believe I used a Lava bar of soap. I just started using it and hope it will help me and anyone else who wants to try it to save a lot of money! Good luck, and tell me if you try it!

(Credit goes to Becky Harms)

Biggest little Visit in the World!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the nickname for Reno, this is a little play on words. (The Biggest Little City in the World.) Elena and I flew out on the 6th and came back home on the 12th. Short stay, but had lots of fun!

We had planned to all go together (both Jim, I and the kids) but finances were such that...well, need I go on? The reason for our visit was mainly to be present as my brother's temple work was completed. Jason (3rd out of the 4 of us siblings) passed away last January at the age of 23 and had not as yet made temple covenants.

There was no way I was going to not be there, even though as a female I could not act as proxy for him. My father did his Initiatory work in preparation for him to receive his Endowments, which my brother Dan was able to do for him. I have never been in a more full session! It was literally bursting at the seams, with rows of chairs being added as more people came in to join us. It was a very exciting, deep and meaningful morning in the temple. I think he was there too, I felt it, and his acceptance. I think he was ready. It was a very special experience and I felt so blessed to be there.

The rest of the time of our visit we crammed full of as much as possible, although we lost a day or two by being sick. (Of all times and places to get sick- Vacation!) It seems whenever we travel a great distance somebody catches something. I went to the theater with family 4 different times- seeing Twilight: New Moon, Avatar, The Young Victoria, and Leap Year. Some were better than others, but it was being out with family that was the funnest part.

We got to see cousin Jackson...

And cousin Adyn too! My, has he gotten big!!

Elena and Jackson had fun rekindling their friendship, since a year previous. It would be fun in an ideal world to live closer to all our family. Just not probable right now...And cuddling with Grandma is neverending fun!

We rode the Ferris Wheel at Scheel's, which Elena still talks about. We also got to go to our cousins, the Worlton's, on the other side of town for a dinner get together and play on their Wii. Fun times, fun times.

The trip went way too fast and I am plotting when I can sneak away again.

Santa Came to Town!

But before he came, it snowed. And we tried to sled, in vain.

They truly look happy, no? The snow was way too wet. Not good snowman making, snowshoeing, or sledding weather. The sled, once full of kids, sank all the way down, filled up with snow, then soaked all the way through your clothes. But, hey- we had a white Christmas! (Just like the ones I used to know!)

Then it was time to get ready for Santa to come.

First, we have to get the tree up. Our handy-dandy fake one!

Spooky wanted to help...much to the amusement of the kids!

Finally we got the ornaments all in place!

But, as you can imagine they didn't stay on long. The cat kept climbing the tree, which caused ornaments to fall, and children to laugh...

Then we had to go through the festival of lights display, as is tradition. They do it every year by our house. Here's just a glimpse. I love that you can tune to their special holiday channel to get the full effect!

I guess my camera doesn't do so well at night, but you get the idea!

Next we had to make sure all was under the tree!

And that Santa had some goodies. (Sleepy Aaron did his best to resist.)

Here's what we found in the morning!

The kids were pros at unwrapping. Next year we'll try to slow them down a bit so it lasts a little longer.

We were blessed by all the love from others, symbolized in gifts!

Later that morning we went over to Grandma & Pop Feagin's for a little Christmas continuation. Woo Hoo!

Soon after Christmas it was time (according to Jim) to un-decorate. The tree was the last thing to go down, but it didn't stay empty long! Elena gathered anything that would stay on the tree.

Hilarious!

So, we celebrated the holidays at home this year. Part of me is grateful we didn't have to travel with the crowds, but I really missed my extended family. Here is a picture of all of us last year.

I will be seeing the family soon anyhow! I fly out this week to Reno for a 7 day stay. I am definitely looking forward to this get-away, despite the parallel weather. (It's just as cold there as it is here, I'm afraid.)

May 2010 bring everyone hope renewed- hope of a new start, hope in Christ who has made all things possible.

Merry Christmas!

The afternoon before Christmas eve we took the kids to the mall to see Santa. We were lucky to get there soon before they cut off the line to get in. I felt like I was in line for a ride at Disneyworld! I think we waited for abou an hour and a half or so. Next year we're going right after Thanksgiving...no waiting! But the kids loved it! This is the first year that we didn't have a crying child for the picture. Yippee!

We stayed home this Christmas, as we alternate each year with each side of the family. I was grateful not to have to travel with the masses, although I greatly missed celebrating with my parents and siblings. I will be heading to Reno in 2 weeks or so, however for a visit! So I was not too sad knowing I had that to look forward to soon.

The kids tore open their gifts with ferver, and received a modest haul of new toys.

We have been very blessed this year and want to express our appreciation to our Father in Heaven for his loving kindness on all of us, His children.

Merry Christmas to all and a happy New Year!

Traditions and recipes

Last year I posted some of our Christmas Traditions, specifically celebrating Sinter Klaasje. Click here for a quick refresher. We celebrated again this year, of course! Here's what Sinter Klaas brought us-



Some Diego for Aaron, Hello Kitty for Elena, building blocks to share, a camera for mommy and a movie for daddy! (Sorry about the yucky-looking fireplace.)

If you are curious about how the children's song goes, watch the old school "Miracle on 34th Street" with Maureen O'Hara. There's a scene when a little dutch girl goes to see Santa and they sing the song. Very cute, although it's quite obvious the little actress is 100% American. Here are the lyrics they sing in the movie:

"Sinterklaas gepoentje
Gooi wat in mijn schoentje
Doet maar in het haastje
Dank U Sinterklaasje"


Also, last year I neglected to post some of the traditional recipes my grandparents passed down to us. These are primarily Norwegian favorites.


#1 Lefsa


Peel and boil 6 potatoes
1 cube of butter
2 cups of flour
Mix all together and roll the dough in flour. Cut in size of a plate, continue doing so until all the dough is used. Dry fry individually in a skillet on medium-high heat, until both sides are browned. Stack and serve with any topping desired. Even with beef stroganoff on top!


#2 Ollibollen

Take a box of any cake doughnut mix and mix in currants, raisins, or dried fruit mix. Roll in small (1-inch) balls and drop in a deep-fat fryer with hot oil until golden brown. Remove from oil and once cooled, drop in bag of powdered sugar and shake around. The ball only needs to be lightly coated with powdered sugar. Enjoy! (This seems similar to Russian Teacakes to me.)

Share some of your cool or unusual traditions please! And be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for some holiday fun!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I was interested to learn that at the original Thanksgiving, they most likely ate venison and squirrel as opposed to wild turkey. Then it actually became a national holiday in the late 1800's, by decree of President Lincoln. At that time the more traditional feasting food was turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and so on. So we are actually eating food normally consumed at that time, versus the assumed "traditional" fare of the 1600's. Fascinating, no?

That being said, we enjoyed our ca. 1800's holiday feast. We went over to Jim's parents, who only live approximately 20 minutes away in a neighboring town. Jim's brother and wife, Cacilda, were also there. They are leaving next week for China for a couple years for government work, so it's the last time we'll see them in a while- unless we decide to starve ourselves and live in a box for a year so we can visit the great wall. (Not against trying that!)

(Dinnertime + Feagin's= Discourses on Politics)

Karen (Jim's mom) made most of the feast. My contributions, although small, garner no small amount of pride on my part. (Sorry, too much Jane Austen lately.) I made 3 pumpkin pies from scratch- from our Halloween pumpkins, as well as a strawberry-rhubarb pie. The rhubarb was from our garden this summer, which I gradually harvested then put in the freezer. I also made some corn muffins, with some added flax-meal and honey. Delicious and nutritious!

Overall it was a great meal and even better was spending precious time with family! I hope everyone else had a Happy Thanksgiving!