Our Christmas, part 5: Ables family

Our Christmas, part 4: Frazier family

Our Christmas, part 3: Bloomington

We spent a few days in Bloomington with Mom. Starting with a basketball game at Assembly Hall. After a dismal first half the Hoosiers rallied and ended up only loosing by four.Emily was a fan of the corn hole game at half-time.Then a little Christmas Eve celebrating with Mom.

Our Christmas, part 2: the Farm

Dad took Rob and I for some four-wheelin' in the great outdoors.

Then Rob did some shootin.'

Our Christmas, part 1: Madison

In order to have Christmas you have to have a tree. We didn't really cut this one down. But the tools were used to get the truck the right size for the base.
The second thing you need is a fire. We like ours with marshmallows and hot chocolate.
Thing number three is some music. Rob liked it so much he is now the proud owner of a guitar and his very own copy of "Guitars for Dummies."

Houston, we have landed

Over Thanksgiving Rob and I traveled to Houston for my good friend Shannon's wedding. Her parents graciously hosted us for a Thanksgiving meal on Tbhursday, then Friday we headed to The Johnson Space Center, also known as NASA. I thought it was a great day, and because it was a holiday and the shuttle had landed a few hours earlier we got to see the real Mission Control (because no one was working there at the time) That's us with a feed from the International Space Station above. Below, one of the rockets that actually did go to space. It's huge, I can't remember which one it is, but it had less computing power than the average cell phone. Kind of crazy to think we were going to the moon 40 years ago...Saturday morning we had a few hours to kill before the wedding, so we braved the mall. It wasn't too bad and Rob got some new jeans and a coat. The wedding was in downtown Houston. I really love weddings. Shannon was gorgeous, as all bride's are. I don't have a lot of good pictures because we couldn't take any in the church, and most of my reception pictures are blurry. The coolest part was the church choir, that walked in singing before the wedding party. I've never seen that before, so definite awe factor. The reception was a ton of fun, Rob and I danced the night away. Here are a few photos that came out.

(at cocktail hour)

(before the garter toss)

(Shannon and me)

Sunday I caught the stomach bug that was making its way through the guest list, so Rob spent the day taking care of me and going to a movie while I slept and tried to do some school work. and then back to the grind.

This year so does not feel like Christmas. I am unprepared. At least the tree is up. I am skipping the rest of the planned advent posts, but maybe we'll get a shot of the tree in.

First Day of Advent

It's that time of year again! I love the Christmas season, and I love to decorate. I've always had a tree in my apartment, even though I always travel for Christmas and don't have a ton of time to enjoy it. But as my family tradition was to decorate Thanksgiving weekend, I have a few weeks.

This year I have a nativity for the first time, and am really excited about it. I bought this small one last year when we were in New Mexico and it has a southwestern flair. To dress up the nativity a bit I bought the jewel toned tea light holders (finally a good use for the tea candles I've had laying around), some ornaments and flowers.

I like the finished product. I put the candles on a ribbon I had, but if I can find a nice runner that is also cheap might put that down too.

A Hobby for Thursdays

I am a huge fan of the pond at Bryant Park, especially since I bought my ice skates on ebay last year. This rink is FREE as long as you have your own skates ($12 to rent them) because there is no ice fee, and lock for the free lockers ($9 for bag check). The last couple of Thursdays at noon I've taken my bag, and gone skating for 30 minutes or so.

I've been going alone, and that's about as long as it's fun, but since it's FREE I don't feel like I have to stay to get my moneys worth.


But if there is ever anyone who wants to join me, I'm in! And for as long as you want. And in January, when I don't have classes, I can go any day any time. I like that I have a new hobby that is also exercise.

Check this out

So Rob did some animation for Moby. Here is the latest video - I really love this one.
And if you CLICK HERE you can read all about the deluxe album release that includes Rob's animation.

Happy Birthday to my Favorite 5 year old

here are FIVE of my favorite pictures...



Happy Birthday Grant!

Company's Coming

1 8 pound turkey breast - $17.99*
1 box of stuffing - $2
4 yams - $4
1 bottle of wine - free
homemade bread - $3

Dinner with friends - priceless

Angela came over early to help me cook. Together we made the corn casserole, yams, and stuffing. Turkey is so easy, you just put it in the oven and wait for the button to pop up...
And Rob made his delicious apple pie with cinnamon sugar crumb topping.

Bon apetit!

Auntie's Refrigerator Rolls (from my great-aunt Evalee)

In a large bowl mix
2 cups warm water
2 packets dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
Dissolve yeast in water - 5 to 10 minutes

add the following:
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup soft shortning (crisco)
1 egg

Mix in 61/2 -7 cups flour by hand
Knead until elastic and smooth (8-10 minutes)

Form large ball and put in a greased bowl, grease the top of the dough and cover with a hot damp cloth
Refrigerate over night (or until doubled)

When ready for rolls, punch dough down and pull off 2 1/2 inch balls (somwhere between a golf ball and a tennis ball) and place on cookie sheets.
Cover with a dry towel and let stand at room temperature for 2 - 2 1/2 hours (or longer is fine)

bake at 375 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes

Enjoy!

*prices are approximated and may or may not be correct (didn't care enough to dig out receipts)