Gingerbread Houses

Erin and the kids  came over to make some
graham cracker /gingerbread houses.
We are just starting our houses and it took all
night to finish.  They did a very good job with
them and Erin made one for Carli.

Thanks for coming over for dinner and an
activity.

My Helper

Kitty was playing with the ribbon while I
was wrapping packages tonite.   She is
my little shadow - follows me from room
to room. 

An Overnight Guest

A door to door salesman dropped by last night and this kitty was following him.  She politely decided to stay at my house (can't imagine why) and spend the night.  She just meowed and meowed at the door until I couldn't stand it any longer.   I let her in!
I put a towel on the patio and she slept there until about 5 am and then started meowing.  So, here she is - very much at home.  Right now she is sleeping in Dad's computer chair while I am doing this blog.
He put a sign on the corner post - I hope I get a call today for her.   I think she is a house kitty and well taken care of.   If she were mine I would call her Muffin - but I can't be her Mom. (and don't you girls start begging to keep her)

What Shall We Give?

A Snowy Picture

Snow Slide on the shop

Dad's Corner

(More toys)
This is where Dad exercises every morning for
1/2 hour.  He has his laptop on a shelf where he
reads his scriptures at the same time.
He also has the little tv for a dvd or the
cd player for whatever goes with that.
He's set for the winter~~!!

The Ernie Hat - Who Remembers this Hat?

Who remembers this hat?  I'm
watching Carli today while Erin and
family go skiing.  She walked in
wearing this little hat.  Oh My Gosh!
I haven't seen this for years.  I think
I bought this for either Cory or Andy.
But I have a picture of Andy wearing
it in that blue snow suit when she
was about Carli's age.   Wow -
and I remember loaning it to
Mercer , I think, when you guys
went to Liberty Lake egg hunt.???
It's a good hat.

Dad and his toys ?

This is after 4 driveways and our back yard.    Now I am drying his clothes so he can "go to work".

Here He Goes

Dad with the snowblower.   The  trailer you see  is one  he built
to haul it in plus he can haul a
couple of motorcycles and the
boat on the top.  I think he's in
his 2nd childhood.

So Yummy

This Cranberry-Orange bread is so yummy.   I found the recipe in a slow cooker book and just had to
try it to see if it would actually turn out.   (I was  a little skeptical). Anyway, it did turn out and we
love it.  It's scrumptous.   Just be sure to watch your slow cooker so it doesn't cook too much on
the sides.    I think it would go well for breakfast - maybe with the Christmas casserole and hot
chocolate.   mmmmm

Cranberry-Orange Bread

Cranberry-Orange Bread

2/3 C. Powdered Milk                           1 egg beaten
2 C. warm water                                    1/4 C. veg. oil
3 C. flour                                                2 tsp. finely grated orange peel
1 1/3 C. Sugar                                        3/4 C. dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
1 Tb. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda

In a bowl, dissolve powdered milk in warm water, then combine with 2 (two) cups flour, sugar
baking powder, salt, baking soda, egg and oil.  Beat with electric mixer 2 minutes on low.  Add
remaining flour (1 C.) and beat onlow until combined.  With wooden spoon, fold in orange peel
and dried cranberries.  Place dough in "greasted" 4-5 qt. slow cooker.  Cover and cook on
high 2-3 hours.  (Mine took 2 hours, but keep watching so it doesn't burn on the sides).
Makes 10-15 servings.
Serve warm with butter or a cream cheese spread.
Yum

:Happy Birthday party for Carli

Erin gave Carli a birthday party and
I think she really had a good time.
Her birthday was in Oct. but she didn't know the difference.   We gave her a princess costume and I think she liked it and felt pretty wearing it. What a cutie.

The Princess

This is her princess costume - dress, crown and jewelry. 

# 2 Cupcake

Carli and Papa

Papa asked C to come sit by him, so she did.
I had to snap it fast because it didn't last long.

Another Indian House

It is made with 9 sides indicating the 9 months a woman carries her baby.

The hole in the ceiling is to let the smoke out from the cooking fire inside.

This is the Place Heritage Park

we spent an afternoon walking around the pioneer village.   They have shortened hours in the fall so we were kind of hurrying to see all we could.
There were many buildings we didnt get to go into.  One was the school house where the teacher had been teaching the Deseret  Alphabet. There were old time desks with little slates on each desk.  It was a beautiful day and we just had such a good time.