12of12 November and December 2011

I am about a month behind on blogging.  I have stuff I want to blog, like our St. George trip and our Colorado Thanksgiving trip and other things, but haven't taken the time to do it.  Been busy with my biz blog, daily life and getting Christmas stuff made for the kiddos.  So this month 12of12 you get last month's as well.  Enjoy!

November 2011

1.  Sat. morning scripture reading.  Wait...what is Baby reading?

2.  Printing labels and packaging items sold in my etsy store.  I sold something everyday that week.  Woohoo!

3.  Working on an doll clothing order for a neighbor.  I had to get it done that day because we were leaving for St. George the next.

4.  Reffing women's volleyball.

5.  Cutie Pie.

6.  Someone was helping with my 12of12.

7.  More sewing (and picking).

8.  Baby shower for Alicia.  She had a baby boy.  Congratulations Neighbor!

9.  Shopping to finish up said doll stuff.

10.  Dinner (or part of it anyway).

11&12.  Two of our favorite people: Brother and Sister Dougherty.  More on them to come.

now onto

December 2011

1.  Tredmill run.  They day seems to go better if I get up and exercise before My Pearls are awake.

2.  Scripture reading.  B. helping Little I.

3.  Delicious breakfast!

4.  Baby loves to help put the silverware away.  I think it is becoming her daily job even though it is part of someone else's - I don't think they mind.

5.  Photos of a pillow cover that I was putting in my etsy shop.

6.  Playing on the kids computer.

7.  Baby and Little I love to have me blow the hair dryer and them while I'm doing my hair.  They then squeal and run away and shortly thereafter come back for more.

8.  Jumping on my unmade bed.

9.  Got my November 12of12 ready.

10. Sewed Christmas gifts.  Can't reveal anything because the recipients will read this blog post.

11. Miss A had a Christmas Ballet Performance.  She did a wonderful job!  We are proud of you Miss A.

12.  Muppet Movie for FHE.  My oldest daughter (9 years old) seemed to be the most into the movie.

Wow! I can't believe the year is almost gone.  It has been a year of growing.  Thanks Amy for this fun photolog experience.

Fall Leaves

Trees are great for shade in the Summer

and then to jump into in the Fall.

It was a beautiful day outside.

Although I didn't anticipate spending the entire day outside.  I hope there isn't a limit on bags of leaves that can be picked up tomorrow.  And what you see in the photo below isn't even all of it, but I had to stop because the sun was disappearing.  I hadn't worked in the yard in awhile and even though it wasn't what I planned today, it feels good to accomplish what I did.  Yard/Garden work is therapeutic for me.

Pumkin Roll Recipe

Photo and recipe source.

 Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, separated
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 2/3 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Filling: 

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Additional confectioners' sugar, optional

Directions:

• Line a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with parchment paper grease the paper REALLY WELL and set aside.  

I had a larger pan and it worked fine.  The batter is thick and can be spread to the cake size you want.  The original recipe says to use  wax paper.  I did the first time and 1/2 the cake stuck to it.  But I also didn't grease the wax paper as well as the parchment.  So probably the important part is to grease the paper REALLY WELL.   I used PAM.  

• In a large bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and pumpkin, beating on high until sugar is almost dissolved.

• In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg yolk mixture. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gently fold into pumpkin mixture. Spread into prepared pan. 

• Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes. 

• Turn cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar. [I dusted the cake, and the towel only where needed]. Gently peel off parchment paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Unroll cake; spread filling evenly to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up again. Cover and freeze until firm. May be frozen for up to 3 months. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before cutting. Dust with confectioners’ sugar if desired. Yield: 10 servings.

This turned out delicious.  My family was begging for more.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The first storm skirted around us.  The second storm decided to treat us with the snow.  Woohoo!  Woke up to this this morning and still going.

I love the falling snow.  I especially enjoy walking outside at night with new snow on the ground, trees and everywhere.  It makes life feel so peaceful.  One of my favorite places to walk with new fallen snow is in the woods.  Happy Winter to You!

Sunday Play turned Movie

12of12 November 2010

1.  Baby ended up sleeping in my bed after keeping me up a couple of hours.

2.  Walking to Kingsbury Hall to see The 5 Browns perform.  Thanks to a kind friend we didn't have to walk far.  E had her arm around B.  She is such a good friend.  B loves E and is always excited for the opportunity to see her, but I wonder if she really understands what a good friend she has.

3.  Getting ready for the performance sitting on the balcony.  See the 5 topless Grands in the background.  Cool!

4.  E and F suggested we stop at Dough Girl.  I have been wanting to go for a long time so jumped at the opportunity.  YUMMM!  I was not disappointed.

5.  I had a surprise photography assistant.  She took several photos.  Her is one with Little I drawing.  The sequence of photos was funny to see.  First Little I was okay with it, then turned angry and then finally ignored the photo shoot.

6.  Our 2 Danios taken by my assistant.  They are all we have left of the fish we first bought.  We had to get rid of Goldie (another Danio) because she was killing off all the other fish.

7.  The Assistant: Miss M.  She kindly took a self-portrait.  Not that I couldn't have guessed who had taken all of the photos.  She loves the camera.

8.  Shopping at Target.  The older girls needed shoes for church. Target usually has shoes I like for the girls.

9.  The shoes - couldn't pass up the boots for tactal sensitive Miss M.

10.  Traffic already seems Holiday heavy.  It felt like people were already out Christmas shopping.  Where did Thanksgiving go?  Actually it is nice that it isn't so commercialized!  Too bad Christmas is.

11.  Watching a movie.  I wonder if Miss A was actually comfortable hanging inbetween the chair and bag.

12.  Reading before bed.  I love how Little I is peeking around the book at the camera.  She is getting so big.  Not my little girl anymore.  I'm sad that she is growing up so quickly.

I can't believe there is only one more month for the photolog this year.  Wow!  This year seems to have flown by.  It has been fun to do the 12of12.  It is never too late to start.  Or you can start fresh at the new year that is just around the corner.

Maya Stein at RAW Night

 

Last night Amy gathered 5 of us together to have the special opportunity to meet with Maya Stein.  It was a writing workshop.  Oh boy, I need help.  I actually was supposed to be at my Master Gardener's class at the same time, but skipped it.  The subject was pruning.  Although I don't like to miss class because I learn bits and pieces here and there that the manual doesn't share, I didn't want to miss this special RAW night (not that all RAW nights aren't special).

I feel I made the right choice.  The evening was empowering.  I don't think I came away a better writer (not that I'm even calling myself that in a professional sense - I can put pen to paper though).  I did acquire skills to help get writing started, in whatever form.  That is sometimes the hardest part.  We shared our written thoughts from prompts that Maya gave.  One of the exercises was difficult for me to get started.  We were to write about an item we brought and what is was not.  Writing about what something is not was a mind blocker.  I trying to write about my dad's tie.  I finally begin with the writing about the tie itself and then couldn't help writing about what it represented for me.  When it was my turn to share I only made it through the first line before I began to choke up.  Wow.  It took me a minute to continue reading.  I miss my dad! Amazing how sharing written words can conjure up feelings.  My thoughts of my dad ride close to the surface all the time.  When I think about my dad I simultaneously think about my brother and vice versa.  I miss them both.  But am grateful for the knowledge that I will be with them again.
It was a wonderful evening with amazing people.  I am grateful that I didn't miss it!