Merry Christmas!

To those of you who faithfully read and leave comments on this humble little blog, or just stalk it... :-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours!

May the approaching new year bring great blessing and an ever-growing awareness of God's relentless love and grace, made possible through Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. When we trust in Him as our Savior we have an unshakeable hope!

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What a whirlwind weekend, but such precious time with family! I am reminded once again of what a blessing it is to live near the majority of my relatives.

We spent Christmas Eve with my mother-in-law and a few of her friends, Skyped Pete's brother, Wojtek, in BELGIUM and got some face to face time via the webcam. We were excited to congratulate him on his recent engagement to Ula. Here is a picture of the two of them from when they visited the States earlier this year in April.

We're so happy to see them making this commitment.

On Christmas Day we enjoyed a semi-relaxing morning. The kids were obviously still hyped up from the festivities of the night before and awoke early. But, I put the Baked French toast dish I had prepared the night before in the oven, along with a quick and easy Vegetable Frittata, and then the kids opened their gifts while things were cooking.

So far the kids have enjoyed much of the same things, so the LEGOS were a big hit as a combined gift.

Don't you just love the raised eyebrow?! Makes him look so much like his daddy. :-)

Pete and I notoriously pick out our own Christmas gifts, usually before Christmas, and this year was no exception. We went for practical gifts and purchased a 3 quart yogurt maker and 8 cup food processor while the deals were hot, and have wasted no time in trying them out.

At lunchtime we headed to Mom and Dad's for the rest of the day, savoring one of our family's favorite meals:

Gene Wenger's hamloaf

gourmet potatoes

succatash (baby lima's and sweet corn)

Mom's homemade cresent rolls

cranberry sauce

local homegrown celery

applesauce &

lemon sponge pie

The kids burned off some energy outside while the littlest one caught a short nap, and then the building excitement could be contained no longer!

Adam got so warm that he ran around bare-chested for the rest of the day.

Just relaxing and being our usual silly selves.

We are staying home today to decompress and just breathe. :-)

This coming week we'll celebrate Natalia's 6th birthday on Wednesday and my 35th on Saturday. (My niece Morgan turns 7, and we are anticipating a new niece or nephew in the next few weeks too--maybe before the new year! Surely we can squeeze a few more birthdays into this month, right?!) A few more family dinners and time with friends...lots of fun in store before Christmas break ends!

Christmas Tour

I thought I'd post some pictures of our holiday decor, even though I don't decorate with very much. Another blessing of a small and cozy house--not as much room...not as much stuff to put away!

Potted tree and window candles...come on in! It's cold outside!

Entryway wreath.

Every year I use the same things, for the most part. The last few Christmases we've stuck with a small tabletop tree for a number of reasons...his name is Adam. :-) This year I sensed that it wouldn't be such a temptation and frustration for all parties involved to put up the big tree, and I'm happy to say that has rung true.

I just love my Christmas tree ornaments. Traditional Polish straw stars and snowflakes, various shades of red glass balls, strands of wooden beads, white lights, a big ribbon bow on top, and my newest bargain find: wooden filigree crosses and hearts. I found them in the unfinished wood department clearance bins at Michael's for 25 and 75 cents each! Added some red embroidery floss and voila!

I added Scrabble letters to my nativity scene atop the china hutch. Now if only I could find someone to play SCRABBLE or TAKE TWO with me. My husband is not a board game fan and, well, the rest of the family is still learning how to spell their name. :-P

This tin had some tasty treats in it and now doubles as a candle holder; a gift from my mother-in-law after her trip to Poland this fall.

My music box nativity, a gift from my dad one year.

It plays "Silent Night" and one of my favorite things to do as a kid was to sit in the living room with only the Christmas tree and manger scene lights on, and wind up the ceramic musicbox angels we kept by the tree that played the same song.

Now, if you'll excuse me, my gifts are all wrapped and I've got a hot cup of tea and a book calling my name.

I Love Thee, ALDI, Let Me Count The Ways

This is no surprise to anyone who spends a minimum of 8 hours in my company.


Not only has it been a major means of savings each week for our grocery budget, but I have found so many great things there over the years--their weekly specials are one-time deals. You snooze, you lose.


Exhibit A: Wrought Iron Wall Piece




Exhibit B: Glass 2 Qt. Batter/Measuring Bowl (I've never used the lid--but this bowl gets used at least once a day.)







Exhibit C: Kid's Rubber Boots (they doubled as snow boots one year and are used weekly when we walk to the neighbor's to buy eggs)







Most recent, Exhibit D: 5 Qt. Cast Iron Enameled Casserole Dish (mine is a very pretty blue)







Last week I decided to pick up one of the few of these pots remaining (the price had been reduced even more to $25!!!!!). Since reading Julia Child's memoir "MY LIFE IN FRANCE" and delighting in the movie JULIE & JULIA, I've been wanting to try my hand at Boeuf Bourguignon.





It really is just Beef Stew, and yet the laborous steps outlined by Julia Child and the SCRUMPTIOUS result makes that label a ridiculous (absurd, really) understatement.





I think I've made some pretty tasty pot roasts in the past, so working with a big chunk of beef wasn't too daunting. I just didn't want to spend an hour and a half prepping the dish for the 2-3 hours it would then spend hanging out in the oven. After perusing the internet and combining J.C.'s, Rachael Ray's, and a few other simplified recipes, I came up with this...

Shhhh, I left out the braised pearl onions, but with the extra regular onion I used, no one was the wiser.




My hubby practically swooned, my kids gobbled and asked for more... try it! It's even better the next day!



BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

8 slices bacon, chopped
4 lbs. stew beef, cut into 2" chunks (I used brisket--it's what I had)
4 Tbsp. butter, divided
2 large onions, chopped
1/3 c. flour
4 c. beef broth
1 (12 oz.) bottle red wine (I used burgundy cooking wine, found at Weis)
4-6 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1" diagonal chunks
1 Tbsp. dried parsley (or a handful of fresh)
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 (10 oz.) package fresh mushrooms, sliced


DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Cook bacon over medium heat in stovetop/oven safe pot, then remove bacon to a platter and leave drippings.
3. Dry meat with paper towels, then brown in batches in reserved drippings, being careful not to crowd the pieces. Remove to platter. (This part took me about 15 mins.)
4. Add 3 Tbsp. butter to pot, melt, then saute onions about 3-4 mins. until transparent. Sprinkle flour over top, stir until blended, then gradually add broth and wine. Add bacon, beef, carrots, parsley, garlic and black pepper, put lid on pot and cook on lowered rack in oven for 2 1/2--3 hours. *Remove bay leaf when finished.
5. About 20 minutes before serving time, melt remaining 1 Tbsp. butter in large skillet over medium heat, and saute mushrooms until browned.
6. Serve with mushrooms over top and your favorite sides (mashed potatoes, noodles, salad). Makes 6-8 servings.

Bon appetit!

You Say Hoary, I Say Hairy

Yesterday morning's frigid temp's yielded a beautiful sight--hoar frost!

All that is needed for this breathtaking display is the combination of freezing temperatures, low winds, low-lying fog and clear skies. The clear skies allow the plants and other surfaces to cool more quickly that the surrounding air, and the moisture crystallizes in a thick, hairy frost.


I know I've said it before, but I just LOVE the scenery yielded by our pre-school commute.


Round-trip, it is less than 10 miles, is solely confined to back country roads, sprawling farms, a lazy winding creek, 2 covered bridges...oh, and a construction site with enough diggers, graders, and dump trucks to endlessly delight my kiddos.


This morning's frost was a feast for the eyes, like God had sprinkled sugary feathers over everything.


While I'm still itchin' for spring, it was a reminder that there are blessings in every season.

Just like my impatience for spring, I've been struggling with impatience in being physically made low (my knees taking a long time to recovery). BUT, there IS blessing for me in this season. And it doesn't take long to discover it, once I stop whining (whether spoken or suppressed).

Snow Day Tradition

(I meant to post this awhile ago...our snowy weather this week reminded me.)

Homemade doughnuts on the first "snow day" of the year.
We love when Daddy gets to stay home!

It's a once-a-year tradition, and we share the left-overs with a neighbor. That's how I'm justifying it! :-) Besides, there is always lots of shoveling to be done and a good hike through the snowy pasture to the neighbors.

Previously I had tried a yeast doughnut recipe, and while my family scarfed them down, they weren't my favorite. Too heavy. THIS recipe, we ALL agreed, was a keeper!

CAKE DOUGHNUT HOLES
A slight crunch to the outside, warm and spicey cake on the inside. Not heavy or greasy.

1 egg
1/2 c. milk
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 c. all-purpose unbleached flour (I needed 1/4 c. more at the end.)
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. ginger
oil, for frying
powdered sugar, for dusting

1. Heat about 1" of oil in large, deep pot to 375 degrees. (I set my heat half-way between medium-low and medium. Double check temp. with a cooking thermometer. You could use a fryer, but I don't have one.)
2. In a large bowl, beat egg, add milk and butter and mix. Sift dry ingredients into mixture and knead into a smooth dough. Add a bit more flour if needed so dough is pliable.
3. Roll dough into one long log (about 1" thick) on floured countertop. Using a knife, cut in half until you have 36 even pieces. Roll slightly so they are ball-shaped.
4. Carefully drop in hot oil with slotted spoon and cook for about 1 minute, turning occasionally. (Do one piece first to determine cook time. Doughnut will be medium-brown in color.) Drain on paper towel and cool a few minutes. Then dust with powdered sugar.

Makes 36 (1-1/2") doughnut holes.

NYC

This past Saturday Pete and I enjoyed an early Christmas gift--a day in NYC.




Our church was able to use the bus trip to raise money for our building fund too.


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The day went something like this:

4:00am--need coffee.

5:00--hit the road.

5:30--climbed on the bus, tried to get some more shut-eye but the rationale of that earlier cup of coffee backfired. Instead, shared an ear bud with my hubby and watched the sun come up to the sounds of Enya.

8:30 Started our day in Rockefeller Plaza. Saw the famous Christmas tree and iceskating rink. Kept walking south to admire the display windows of LORD & TAYLOR. We saw some of BERGDORF GOODMAN's too, but L&T's are more our style--traditional and not too crazy. In another life I could see myself creating window displays like that.


Further south, Bryant Park had lots of craft and food vendors set up around another ice rink. We were there before many were open for business, but since the little cubicles were walled in glass we could see their wares. One lady was selling Turkish food and it smelled so good we decided it was time for breakfast. We couldn't stop ooohhhing and aaahhhing over the borek we shared (layers of phyllo dough with feta cheese and fresh parsley inside, grilled and then rolled up). Perfect for a cold morning on the go.


Grand Central Terminal was full of people dressed like Santa, (and we saw rowdy bands of them throughout the day due to a Santa convention in town) a high school chorale group performing, and plenty of subject-matter for people watchers like us. I would have liked to take some pictures of the beautiful architecture but we decided to leave our camera at home. Didn't want to take the chance of something happening to it. Kind of regretting that, but oh well.


We braved FAO Schwarz Toy Store for a few minutes. There is only so much of the retail scene that we both can tolerate. I enjoyed seeing the large stuffed animals though and Pete was fascinated by the science toys. Surpised? Found it humorous to hear numerous salespeople claiming THEIR product was the best toy in the store. The store's doormen were so dapper in their toy soldier costumes.


My brother and his fiance Sarah had recommended a burger joint inside La Parker Meridien Hotel, so we decided to head there for some lunch. As soon as we walked in the doors and saw the lavish interior we began second-guessing ourselves. A burger joint? In here?! But, sure enough--down a dark, narrow hallway there was a neon burger. That apparently is all the signage they need! The eclectic music blend pulsing through the 24' square room, the freshly made patties on grilled buns, the signature graffiti covering the walls...it was so much fun! We made it just in time too because when we left, the line was stretched out into the lobby. Oh, and we saw the Denver Nuggets boarding their bus as we were sitting in the lobby, planning our next stop.


A quick subway ride and a beautiful walk through the swanky Upper East Side led us to the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art), where we enjoyed a few exhibits. *If you ever go, the admission price of $20 is suggested. All you have to do is be brave and tell the cashier what you wish to pay. :o) They gave us no grief at all--not even a hint of condemnation.


By this point my comfy but dressy shoes were not working out so well for me. Apparently pounding NY pavement is different from Lancaster County pavement. I thought pavement was pavement. I was wrong. But, we were in no hurry and it was nice to sit and watch the world go by every now and then. Such a different scene from what we're used to.


Zabar's market on the Upper West Side (a few blocks straight across Central Park from the MET) was a feast for the senses. It's a specialty grocery and kitchen supply store that I remembered from the movie "You've Got Mail". There were like 12 kinds of olives, seemingly hundreds of cheeses, meats and pastries! And the samples were divine. I'm still smacking my lips over that cheese!

We could have indulged in a hotdog from Gray's Papaya, another NYC landmark north a few blocks, but it felt like we had nibbled all day. And we needed our Subway pass to cover our return downtown.

By the time we headed back to the bus, the sky was dark, there were lights decorating every possible surface it seemed, and the streets GORGED with people. I have never been in a mob of people like that! They had to shut down some streets because of the sheer volume.

With 45 mins. until departure and not wanting to stand on the street in that mob, we found a little park inbetween some office buildings, somewhat sheltered from the weather. The day had been cold, but sunny, so when evening came it was F.R.I.G.I.D.! While we sat on a bench freezing our tushies and listening to "A Prairie Home Companion" (being recorded a few blocks away--kind of surreal) four men arrived with their wheeled carts and stuffed garbage bags, and began settling down for the night. Suddenly my cold rear end wasn't worth mentioning.

I'm curious how many miles we walked that day. I'm sure we would have walked even more if my sore feet hadn't slowed our pace. We would have like to wander Central Park and the Upper East Side a bit more, and we didn't even venture downtown. Next time we'll have to work in the Ellis Island Museum, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, and the Donut Plant.

What a wonderful day and Christmas gift--and I got to spend it with my best friend! :o)

Tis The Season

It's such a busy time of year for everyone. Our household is no different.

I feel I've been neglecting my blog, but that's okay.

I've been trying my best to not overcommit, to plan well the outings and projects we do have, and to simply take time to enjoy being at home despite the rush of this season. I do not want frenzy and fuss to accompany me wherever I go. I want to remember the point of this holiday. And I also want to take time to make special memories with my husband, children, and those we love.

What I've been up to...

Fun things. We'll be meeting friends at the Choo Choo Barn, Pete and I are taking a day trip to NYC, and we've got 2 upcoming Christmas parties. Then we'll enter full holiday mode with 3 birthdays thrown in (4 if you count our niece). Craaaaaazy!

Christmas goodies. My family always swaps Christmas cookies each year. This year we've narrowed it down to 1 kind each instead of 2-3 each. Maybe our jeans will fit better. One can hope. Ha ha. I will be also be contributing desserts for our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. Pumpkin Rolls and Lemon Cheese Braids. YUM.

Christmas shopping--completely online this year. I'm nearly finished! Nothing like wearing my moccasins, sipping hot chai, and finding exactly what I want without leaving the house! Shopping has never been a hobby of mine, and I avoid the mall like the plague.

Brainstorming birthday cake ideas. My son wants "Thomas, da chang chang chang" on his cake. We've got the engine already. Pipe some chocolate buttercream tracks, throw on a few trees and trains from the playroom, and voila. We're keepin' it simple. My daughter wants a combine on her cake. Yep. She's my farmer girl. She also emphasized that she wants a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Be still my heart. That I can do. :o)
I found a miniature combine at Outback Toys in Lititz. (What a great store!) I'm thinking toasted coconut will make great amber waves of grain. I'm not making myself a birthday cake--I think we will have already filled our cake quota for the month by New Year's Eve!!!

Anticipating time with family. My youngest brother Ryan and his fiance Sarah (woot woot) are coming in January for a visit. I'm so excited! We'll also have 2 extended family dinners in January. If only Pete's brother in Belgium could be here too. Hopefully we'll see him at Easter.

Experimental breadmaking. I have a breadmachine, and use it occasionally. Lately though I've been making bread the old-fashioned-roll-up-your-sleeves way. My quest: to find a good sandwich roll recipe. Something slightly crispy on the outside, dense and moist on the inside. I think I'm getting closer after 4 attempts in the last 2 weeks. I find it hard to imagine life without allrecipes.com and other such websites. :o)

Reading. I've been re-reading some of the books from Bodie Thoene's ZION COVENANT series in anticipation of her new series ZION DAIRIES. I also picked up THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA by Michael Pollan, HER DAUGHTER'S HOPE by Francine Rivers, and THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS by Isabel Wilerson, a book about the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities in search of a better life. (An exodus of almost 6 million people between 1915-1970.)

Snow, Shovel, Blowing Wind, Shovel, Repeat...

When I think of my childhood and winter, THIS is what I remember! Somehow our winters grew tame (ish) in the last 2 decades. Okay it's three but who is counting?!

Snow you could sink in up to your knees. Being able to tunnel through the piles without first building a huge mound. A fluffy, glittering wilderness.

We've all been enjoying the snow around here, talking with our neighbors as we shovel out, and taking walks.

Adam, sporting his high-tech "boots".

Discovering this tunneled trail made me want to watch COOL RUNNINGS and buy a toboggan.

I just had to throw her in. :-)

Back inside and reading books.


It's so hard not to nibble on these cheeks. I'm afraid I am without restraint, my son.

Pink And Blue

Birthday Boy

Where did that year go?!?!?

Today my son turns one, and I marvel at how fiercely I love this little man of mine.

I could get super sappy on you all, but let me just sum it up with this. Just looking at him makes me mushy.

(Aren't you glad I spared you the rest?! Ha Ha)

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It's been a busy, fun-filled couple of weeks!

I hosted a Christmas Brunch/Tea one weekend for the ladies in my Care Group. We also did a pumpkin roll fundraiser as a Care Group to benefit our church's building fund. Throw in a few Christmas parties, a special date night with my parents and younger brother and sister-in-law to a Hershey Bears hockey game, AND getting to meet one of my blog friends face-to-face at the Choo Choo Barn! Needless to say, I have 4 or 5 posts at least floating around in my head...when I'll actually get to them I don't know.

We had a 1st birthday party planned for yesterday but since we all got a bunch of snow dumped on us it's been postponed. Not to worry. We'll be with everyone again in a few days.

In the meantime, we've had some fun family time here at home.

Here are some pictures of the cupcakes I made for the party, whenever it happens. Since Adam loves the two Eric Carle board books that we have, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" and "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?", I decided bear cupcakes would be fun.

I was really pleased with the recipes I used for these. That's another post! :o)

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Not everyone gets a decent snowfall on their birthday! We spent a good chunk of time both Saturday and Sunday playing outside. It's hard to say how much we actually received but I'm guessing between 10-12". Hopefully it'll stick around so we can have a white Christmas!

Adam was pretty unimpressed with his first introduction to the white stuff.

He DID like the sled ride though.

This was the first time in a long while that he stayed where I set him down!

What would be a good caption for this photo do you think?

I mean, just look at that face! :o)