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.