Christmas Blessing

Something bizarre has happened to me.  I'm not sure if it is the fact that I have become resolved to the fact that Alaska will be my home for many more years, or maybe I have actually begun to like it here, or maybe God has been gracious and has given me a peace about calling Alaska home. 

Whatever the case may be, this Christmas season did not bring nearly the heartbreak as previous years.  I am so thankful for my husband and my four wonderful kids.  God has blessed us over and over.  We have health, home, employment, friends, family and most of all the love of a Savior.

To all my friends and family: Thank you for your love and support through the years.  The Howe family has been blessed by you.

As for the picture...it was a goofy pic from Christmas morning.  I just couldn't resist.  Pretty scary huh :)

Cookie Maddness

Love my husband, but why is it that he always comes up with these fantastic ideas that involve tons of work for me.  I'm quite sure I'd never do that to him.  Just because the window washing turned into new windows and new siding, doesn't give him the right to force me into the cookie making business, does it?

So Ron wanted to give the people in his department cookies for Christmas.  14 plates of cookies and bars later, I was still smiling.  The girls had a fabulous time baking.  I was basically the supervisor!

And the bonus - I got my Christmas present early.  A new Kitchen Aid mixer.  My previous one had a bad encounter with a chef in training.

Ron really wanted everyone to know that he had a wonderful day in Juneau.  Of course he refuses to write anything, so therefore I could make up anything I want about his jaunt to the Capitol city.  But I won't bore you with the details of his day playing with stereo equipment, instead, how about a picture of the mountains.

Little cooks make good bread

The girls hard work paid off.  No food processor, that's cheating.   Seven beautiful loaves of zucchini bread.  

We had to keep one for ourselves.

Getting in the Christmas spirit

So, I think I'm starting the holidays.  I decorated, I've purchased a few things, the baking is beginning, and the music plays continually.  My girls, who are extremely domestic, are making zucchini bread for the "Women's Gala."  I am not really the "gala" type of gal, but I am trying to embrace the whole idea.

Being so far removed from my family is a challenge, especially at Christmas time.  I long to bake with my mother, go shopping with Julie, and laugh at my dad who is constantly pretending to be the Grinch, which we all know he isn't.  Then of course there is the eating!  But that is a no-brainer.  I love home baked pies and candy.  For the holidays, nothing, and I mean NOTHING should come from a box or a bag!  From scratch is the only way.  But then, is there ever a time that something from a box can possibly taste better than homemade?

Christmas Tradition

I don't know when it happened but somewhere through the years I have become obsessive about the Christmas tree. For those of you that know me, you might be laughing. But of all my obsessive tendencies, the tree was never one of them. After receiving harassment from some dear friends, I actually got into it. Well, maybe I was still compulsive about the placement of each decoration on the tree, but it was a start.

A few years ago, I decided that it would be best to have a "kids" tree and "my" tree. Trevor helps put the tree up, and then disappears, and then Lindsay, Shelby and Jillian put on the lights and every decoration they can find. It has all the ornaments that they have made over the years, and those that we have been given and then a few that have been purchased.  It is always beautiful!



So if we have a tradition in this family, it is multiple trees. Some for the compulsive, and then those for the free spirited.

I try but keep failing

Okay, so I've tried the blog thing. I have all these great thoughts, and I think, "Oh, I should write this down," but then a child needs help with homework, the phone rings, the dryer is done, it's time to take someone to practice, Ron walks in the door or I just sit on my butt and don't do it, reasoning that I'll remember and write it later. As you can see I have a terrible memory.


But I'm not a quitter, I'll keep thinking great thoughts, and maybe someday, I'll be sitting near the computer when it happens and the thought will make it to the web. Then you will all be so impressed.