December 25 - A Day In My Life

Christmas!!  My favorite holiday and my last blog entry for the year.  I thought it would be fitting to finish with Christmas since I love it so much.  And, doing the ADIML blogs are my favorites...so here you have it.  We had a wonderful Christmas day - my parents came over to open presents at our house and then we ate cinnamon rolls.  Later in the day, we went to my parents house and had a wonderful Christmas dinner.  It was a fun day and a great way to end my 2012 blog posts.  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and look forward to a Happy New Year! 
Who knows what 2013 will hold!!!

When I was little I would wake up VERY early, but now I appreciate sleeping in a bit!  

We opened presents around 9:30!

The cinnamon rolls before the oven.

Our tree with all the presents - remember, we were only 4 people!!!

Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and Santa filled them!

Bill's not sure he likes his present.

Just kidding...he loves it!

(He just wasn't ready for the last picture.)

Mom also loves her new lotion.

Bill opening one of the big ones!

Dad got a new knife...good thing since he's always losing it!

The mess after all the opening.

The cinnamon rolls after the oven (and after we ate some!).

Gadget is tired out from all the activity.

My contribution to Christmas Dinner - Cheesy Potato Casserole.

Mom making sweet potatoes.

Delicious ham and potatoes in the oven...it doesn't get any better than this!

The table without the food...

...the table with the food!

Gadget also got a special Christmas dog biscuit.

After dinner resting!

And we watched the Grinch.

Taking pictures of our pies.

Our pies (we had another one in the fridge).

Four pies for four people!

My choice - German Chocolate Pie with Cool Whip!

Our tree at the end of the day.

We had a wonderful Christmas!

I didn't get any pictures of myself...maybe I can get some from my mom's camera.  It was a great day and we are truly blessed!  I wish we could have celebrated with our family and friends around the world, but I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  See you next year!

Luke 2:10-11

Week 52 - Luke 2:10-11
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Christmas Lights

This week, we went to several different Christmas light displays around Portland.  I decided it was finally time to do some Christmas-y activities so we did them all this week!  We started at the Winter Wonderland lights display at the Portland International Raceway.  We got to drive on the racetrack and look at all the lights set up all around.  It was fun!  Next, we went to the Oregon Zoo to see the Zoolights. We rode the train around and saw the animal lights and then walked around and saw some more.  It was very cool!  Lastly, we went down to the river and watched the Christmas Ship Parade.  People decorated their boats and then paraded up and down the river.  It was smaller than I expected, but cool.  I hope you enjoy a few clips from the Christmas lights we enjoyed...and hopefully it helps put you in the Christmas spirit!  (Sorry for the blurry video - my camera doesn't do very well at night and some of the lights were hard to focus on...but you get the idea, so just enjoy it!)

As always, click on the "HD" letters to watch the video on Vimeo's website with better quality.

Habakkuk 3:18

Week 51 - Habakkuk 3:18
...yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

7-Layer Bars

It's time for cookies!  Actually, I can't believe I haven't made any before now.  I've been busy, but I finally decided that I wanted cookies TODAY.  Even though Spritz are my favorite Christmas cookie, they take a little more time to make.  So, I decide to start with a cookie that's a little quicker.  7-Layer Bars are in my Top 5 favorite cookies so I was happy to start with them.  I don't know why they are called 7-Layer Bars because they only have 4-5 layers as far as I can tell (they only have 7 ingredients after all).  But, they are tasty so I don't care what they're called!  They aren't really cookies since they are bars and they are ooey and gooey, but if you like chocolate and coconut, you will love them!

The ingredients.

Mix melted butter and graham cracker crumbs.

Spread in the bottom of the pan and press into a crust.

Layer the coconut on the crust.

Layer the chocolate chips and nuts on top of the coconut.

Pour on the sweetened condensed milk.

This is what it looks like before it goes in the oven

(I forgot to take a picture of it after!) 

The tasty finished product...so good!

7-Layer Bars

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips (optional) (I never use these because I prefer just chocolate!)
1 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans, but walnuts are also good)
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:
-Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.  Spread over the bottom of 9x9-inch pan.  Press into pan to create a crust.
-Layer coconut, chips, and nuts, one at a time, on top of crust.
-Pour sweetened condensed milk over layers.
-Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Let cool and cut into bars.  Refrigerate leftovers.

 Dirty Dishes.

7-Layer Bars

Taste: 5 out of 5

Dirty Dishes: 4 out of 5

Time/Effort: 5 out of 5

TOTAL: 14 out of 15

Ephesians 6:13

Week 50 - Ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

5 Favorite Christmas Things

As we're about to start decorating for Christmas and getting ready to celebrate this exciting season, I thought I'd share a list of a few of my favorite things.  Christmas really is my favorite time of year for many reasons - these are just a few.  This year I feel like we're having a smaller Christmas because we're still getting settled and we're new here...but it's still exciting.  I hope you are all preparing for an equally exciting and joyous Christmas Season!

5 Favorite Christmas Things
1. Christmas Music.  I love listening to Christmas music and I love that there are radio stations dedicated to playing it 24/7.  However, I have very strict rules about waiting until after Thanksgiving to start!  I usually buy a new Christmas CD every year to add to my collection.  Christmas music always helps put me in a festive mood!

2. Christmas Cookies.  I haven't made any cookies yet this year (some of my baking things are still in boxes), but normally I make many different kinds.  I love eating them and I love making them.  Spritz are probably the most iconic cookie for me so I look forward to enjoying some later this month!  I also like 7-Layer Bars, Moravian Ginger Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Fudge, Caramel Corn, and everything else!!

3. Christmas Decorations. I LOVE decorating for Christmas.  If I could afford it, I would probably have storage rooms full of decorations.  But, right now I have 5 bins with all my Christmas stuff in it.  I love getting it all out and placing things around the house.  I love using my tins for cookies and all the fun serving plates.  Last year I got a lot of penguin-themed decorations and kitchen stuff, so I'm excited to use that this year.  We also have a really nice tree and tons of fun ornaments.  This really is my favorite time of year!

4. Christmas Presents.  I am not ashamed to admit that I love presents.  It's a special part of Christmas for me because I love giving and receiving gifts.  It's fun to pick out presents for others and wrap them up in pretty paper.  It's equally fun to open presents from family and see what I got.  Presents are just fun for me - the cost of the gift doesn't matter, it's the act of giving that I like!  After all, the whole reason for Christmas is that God sent the ultimate gift to us...His son!

5. Christmas Celebrations.  I love all the activities that happen at Christmas time.  All the events and parties that people plan.  The tree-lighting ceremonies that bring people together.  Even the Christmas shopping is fun for me.  I love going to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and singing Silent Night.  I love all the traditions that we have that remind me of my childhood.  I just really love Christmas time.

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed season.  Merry Christmas!!

Psalms 118:6

Week 49 - Psalms 118:6
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?

Gadget

In October, we got a new puppy.  It was kind of an impulsive decision, and looking back it would have been better if we had waited.  But, we're stuck with him now.  He is tiny and cute and crazy and annoying, sometimes all at the same time.  We are still learning to get along, but he has entertained us quite a bit in the last two months.  I decided to make a video to show all his antics...and how he is getting along with Bacon, our unfriendly cat.  My last two videos were kind of short so this one is a bit longer.  If you're bored, just skip to the end!  Introducing Gadget...

As always, click on the "HD" letters to watch the video on Vimeo's website with better quality.

I Corinthians 10:13

Week 48 - I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

November 24 - A Day In My Life

For Thanksgiving, we took a trip in our RV to California to visit Bill's family. It was a fun trip and a great Thanksgiving!  The Saturday after Thanksgiving was spent hanging out with family and friends.  Here are the pictures to prove it!  Good times...

We woke up pretty early for being on vacation!

Our cozy bed in the RV.

Breakfast of bagels, bananas, and juice.

Gadget eats his breakfast in the RV (he likes to hide under the chair while eating).

Visiting lifelong friends.

Gadget chasing his tail...he's very serious about it.

Time check...time for lunch!

Lunch at the tepanyaki place.

The onion volcano - it was the biggest one I've ever seen...very exciting!

After a big lunch...naptime!

Gadget enjoyed playing with Milo.

I enjoyed watching some football.

Then we went bowling!  So much fun!

And we had pizza after the bowling...yummy!

Then it was time to head back to our cozy bed in the RV.

I forgot to take a picture in a mirror...sorry!

Psalms 34:8

Week 47 - Psalms 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Crock Pot Soup

For the recipe this month, I'm using one I got from Pinterest.  I saw Abby pin it and it looked easy and delicious, so I tried it.  It was easy and delicious!  I've since made it many times.  I always double the recipe because we eat a lot and because it's really good as leftovers the next day.  I love using the crock pot and I like making something that is just as good (or better) the next day.  The website that the soup came from doesn't include a name, it just says "super easy super yummy crock pot soup".  So, I'm calling it Crock Pot Soup for lack of a better idea.  Make this soup and enjoy it - you won't be sorry!  (The pictures are for a double recipe.)

The ingredients 

(I use three large chicken breasts when I double it, instead of four).

Rinse and drain the beans.

Dump all the ingredients in the crock pot.  

No particular order, but I try to layer it.

Set it and forget it!

The soup doesn't look very good until the end!  

Trust me, though, it's delicious!

Shred the chicken and stir it all together (doesn't it look better now?).

Serve with cheese and chips...it's so good, I'm drooling just looking at the pictures!

Crock Pot Soup (from Held Scraptive)

1 can Rotel
1 can corn (with liquid)
1 can black beans (drained & rinsed)
2 frozen chicken breasts
8 oz. cream cheese
1 packet dry ranch dressing
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder

Directions:
-Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook for 6-8 hours on low (4-5 hours on high).
-Shred chicken and thoroughly stir soup.
-Serve with shredded cheese and tortilla chips.

 Dirty Dishes - pretty good! 

(I love using the crock pot because it usually dirties less dishes!)

 Crock Pot Soup

Taste: 5 out of 5

Dirty Dishes: 5 out of 5

Time/Effort: 4 out of 5

TOTAL: 14 out of 15