3 1/2 week vacation: part 1

Robert and I have been fortunate enough to take a 3 week long christmas vacation.
Well he only gets 2 weeks, but I get an extra week!
Our first stop: Kansas!


this is Robert's Aunt Pat's Christmas tree. We visited her a few times on our visit.
Unfortunately, while we were in Kansas, on Christmas eve, Robert's great uncle Fritz died. I am sad, although I am grateful that I got to know him, and Robert and I made an effort to see Fritz a few times, every visit. We we fortunate to be in town for the funeral, as Robert felt very close to Fritz.

[Aunt Pat and Fritz with their dog Molly at the nursing home- taken from Pat]

Christmas eve was started with a candlelit service and followed by a great meal prepared by my mother-in-law.

christmas day we played Domino's, my first time ever! I've never known how to play! Please that my hubby taught me, not please that he never let me win.


Christmas goodies: I got a wonderful wool jacket, and Robert got new boots, pants and a holiday sweater (Lacoste, from me:)

lots of baking!

Our next stop: Denver, CO!

my thoughts on christmas.

homemade strand of ornaments.

I cannot believe that it's christmas 2009 already. its like a jug of milk sitting on my doorstep, i must grasp it and enjoy it before it goes sour!

For most of us, this year has been a roller coaster of experience.

The economic fall has impacted almost everyone and some people more then others.

The burden hasn't just been financial, but emotional. People's dreams, plans, mindsets have all been altered.

In my opinion, this year's recession has resulted in a culture wide increase stress and apprehension.

homemade stockings: wizards doggy stocking

my homemade stocking.

The anticipation for the christmas season is for months in advance! Scented candles, indulging in sugary foods, wrapping paper, consumerism; but it is also a stressful and anxious time.

I love celebrations, as I am sure other's do to, family traditions, cherishing those holiday memories from the past. Along with the blissful memories, we build up a stress for preparation and expectations and fear of letdowns, and past family quarrels.

cut down our own trees and made ornaments!

All of us want christmas to mean something, to be memorable until it comes down to the "shop till you drop," spend spend spend, swiping your credit card over and over, road rage cause by traffic jams, long lines. We are usually just happy to "survive" it.

Americans spend 450 billion$ on christmas every year!

Why don't people use their already talents (reading, writing, creating, talking, eating, baking, crafting, eating) to make gifts; like when we were kids.

What if we gave all the money we spend on christmas to the lonely, thirsty, hungry, hurting, poor, needy?

But then "gift-giving" is also many people's love language.

so you find your balance.

be free to celebrate. :)

this picture doesn't do these little owl ornaments justice!
home made snowflakes for decorations! made with old sheet music!

~

recipe of the day!

healthy peanut butter doggy cookies!

(and people friendly! good healthy snack)

2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 c. non-fat powdered milk

1 egg

1/3 c. raw sugar/honey/agave (whatever you prefer)

1 c. cold water

1/3 c. natural peanut butter

1/2 c. coconut oil/vegetable oil/saffleflower oil (whichever you prefer)

(may need more water)

oven to: 350

roll out and if you can find a dog bone cookie cutter its very easy!

belgium + france

november is a time to cook for me. things and meals that i never cook any other time of the year.

i dont usually eat breakfast, although I know it's so important for me to.. but this weekend robert and I cooked breakfast like never before! my oma's famous crepe's with strawberry preserves and raw sugar. oh my gosh they were delicious. and the trick is, if they look like lace, or a doillie, then they are good crepes! mine are getting there. they are so fabulous!

so we celebrated france yesterday. and on saturday we celebrated belgium! with homemade belgium waffles. i woke up to the smell of maple syrup and blueberries in my house. wish i could bottle that fall smell up.

compliments to my husband's mad skills!

also this year, being our first christmas married we have decided to make our own stockings, decorations, and ornaments! we are starting our own traditions and we are so excited!

above: my stocking

below: wizard and the top of robert's stocking!