My Christmas Picks -2007

HERE ARE MY CHRISTMAS PICKS FOR 2007!

1.Favorite CD-

Josh Groban's Noel is a 5 star choice! I got 2 other new Christmas CD's this year. One being my all time favorite Carola. But it feel short in comparison with Noel. Noel is simply GREAT!

2. Starbucks's Eggnog Latte- Creamy frothed Eggnog mixed with hot espresso!Christmas in a cup!

3. This years Christmas goodie-Broken Glass Candy

HERE IS THE RECIPE!

Candy Serves/Makes: 2.25 lbs Difficulty Level: 3 Ready In: 30-60 minutes

Ingredients:
Confectioners' sugar3 3/4 cups sugar, 1 1/4 cup light Karo syrup, 1 cup waterFood coloring, 1 teaspoon oil flavoring (available at walmart in flavors such as cinnamon, anise, wintergreen, spearmint, lime)

Directions:Sprinkle confectioners' sugar on 2 (15 x 11-inch) cookie sheets. Combine sugar, Karo syrup and water in heavy saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Continue to cook, without stirring, until syrup reaches 290�F on candy thermometer. Remove from heat and add food coloring to desired intensity and the desired oil flavoring. Pour onto cookie sheets, cool and break into small pieces.To make it extra use sanding sugar instead of powdered sugar. on bottom and top. I also heard about gem mold to use to make faux jewel shapes! How cute!

4.Furreal pets- The kids love these creepy toys that look very "furreal"

5. I will soon get my Christmas presents in the mail, picked by me

A waffle maker. And I really only want it cuz I will make waffles that look jsut like they do in Sweden! Heartshaped!

5. What gift better to compilment #4 than the book -The Great Scandinavian Baking Book =)A book I have wanted since I worked at the Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Good stuff!

Merry Christmas to all! Let your Season of Christmas revolve around only one person-Christ!

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...............

She looks like the spitting image of a girl I know, but who???

From the back, nope still can't tell if I know her.

Her twin, still not sure if we have met.

Just wondering if you recognize her? I know I don't.


I post this a little nervous. My husband is away for the weekend and he will return home to find another women. I am confident he will love her because I do. Even though I don't recognize her!

The Ice Storm

The girls had fun hiding with flashlights and playing explorers!

42 hours with out power, a new camping stove, 50 tealights, and 2 new flashlights later......

Tulsa had an ice storm and this is what it can look like inside and out!

Thank God it is over we have power again!

Sing a few songs, sounds simple doesn't it!

Sunday night was the Christmas program for the kids at church. All the little ones get to go on stage and sing a few songs. 6 weeks-to 6yrs old, sounds simple. Especially when you think it is only 8 minutes. I mean, come on right? Maybe that is what a 13 yr old would think! After a few years with kids and being around little ones for a few MINUTES you understand that the above task my friend- is a huge one! All 116 kids ages, 6 weeks to 6yrs, managed to get one stage a charm the audience as usual. That including Julia at her very own microphone and Emma stage left doing her own song and dance routine. (and hysterically waving to her "papa")! I am buying the DVD to watch it all again! Julia took the mic off it's stand and was laughing at me cuz she knew I couldn't do anything to her in front of like 1,000 people! Then she start to spin the mic stand as she sings??? Where did she get that from? I asked her how she thought it went up there ( Honestly, I was silently just a little annoyed with her little act) she says " I think the mic was not up loud enough, I couldn't hear myself at all"! I am sure all this drama comes straight from my genes! Enjoy the pics!

Our little elves

A Christmas tradition at our home each Christmas-baking Gingersnaps!

2 thumbs up from the kitchen staff!

The sweatshop complains!

Santa's workshop

Made with love!

5 stars on this years cookies kids!

Love- Head Chef

aka Mrs. Claus

With Love from Sweden

My dearest Therese and I

I sit and am teary-eyed. Home sick for many things, however precious and strange they might be. My dearest Therese has been ever so faithful to me. Every chance that has arisen she has gladly accepted my wish list, and yes hauled herself and her kids to the store. Purchased shopping carts full of candy..(no joke) and boxes of valling for our kids. I appreciate the time and the thoughtfulness. As Peter's bags opened up filled with candies, crackers, and presents we were all squealing like...............(well like you do at a good sale at Wal Mart!) With every slice of cheese I eat- Therese I think of you. Sigh, I miss you so much!

Dear, sweet, faithful friends are few and far between. When you find one you cherish them and hold them close! A huge thank you to the world's sweetest mamma!

Long live Sweden and every Swedish candy factory !!!!

HIP HIP HURRAY- HIP HIP HURRAY -HIP HIP HURRAY!!!!!!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO THERESE!

PS............ THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL!

Mrs. President isn't making decisions today, she has PMS

Maybe someday we will read about that on the news. How our female President is taking the day off, due to cramps, bloating and low back pain! It is my blog I guess I am free to state my political view right? If it turns out to be Hilary, I might think of moving back to Sweden!







Peter and I had a discusion about females in leadership. The only downfall we came up with was PMS. And that some people feel that in that a women menstrates that might be considered a weakness. Some deny that PMS really exists. But sorry friends, it is very real. A plague that needs to be thrown into the pit! Not all women have experienced it. I have, so explain to me why I start to cry at the dinner table during our prayer for the food? And why I scummed to the overwhelming urge and have baked 72 Swedish Cinnamon rolls, 6lbs of glass candy and 3 doz peanut butter blossom cookies over the last 4 days! No exaggeration-I wish I was!



This blog was not meant to really touch on the females in leadership-I am for equality. I would support a female president. I am only bringing a little food for thought, and having PMS reflections.

I found this quote =)

"My license plate says PMS. Nobody cuts me off! "

Boys will be boys

I take pride in letting my children get dirty. I will not let city life rob them of the chance to experience the great outdoors. Even if it is only the backyard! Erik has gone wild to dig, dig and then dump it over himself. After this playtime in the great outdoors, I had to literally dig dirt balls out of his ears. Yes, boys will be boys.

Turkey lurky De and Turkey lurky da....

Flash back come now and then around the holidays of me and my big sister singing Adam Sandler's Saturday nite live songs...."Thanksgiving is a special time......blblabla...Turkey lurkey De and turkey lurkey da...I eat the Turkey and I take a NAP. " I guess you understand that song only if you have heard it! I did manage to restrain myself this Thanksgiving, I didn't burst into the chorus and scare my dear guests to death!

It was a wonderful day filled with way to much great food, and lots of thankfulness! I wish Thanksgiving could come more than once a year!

I had to giggle as I remembered the times when people would ask "How do they celebrate Thanksgiving in Sweden"? Hmmm, how to politely say " Thanksgiving is an American Holiday, and remember pilgrims, and Indians??? To funny.

We had a great time with all the Swedes the Ekarlind's and Lovegrove's....and Edward (the Mexican!! Or is it El Salvadorian...same things right?)

Also this wonderful fall season has brought lots of Harvest party's and Thanksgiving party's! Enjoy the pictures, the kids are growing so fast I want to you be able to recognize them next time you see them!

The Scavenger hunt lead to a Pearl in the front yard!

Have you ever lost your cell phone? Then you have to backtrack like an idiot to find it. The whole time with another phone plastered to your head...listening.......for your precious ring tone! I was so lucky to have my on vibrate making the hunting process even more fun!

I realized that my phone was missing as I searched for the restaurant I was going to meet some friends at. I realized that it still works to actually stop the car, get out....yah this is wild.....and ASK SOMEONE for directions! New thought for some! What did we do before cell phones.

When I returned home I thought, I better start the search! So I grabbed the cordless phone and started wandering. My journey lead to the front yard. There glowing in the dew filled grass, my Pearl. She so small she tends to fall out of my pocket, opps.

Maybe I should invest in a cell phone fanny pack?

Our Kid FREE Vacation

"NACHO LIBRE"

WINNER OF :

THE FAVORITE VACATION PICTURE

THE BEST DEAL IN MEXICO

ARE WE THERE YET?

LOVE YOU

FOOT THERAPY

THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS

MEXICO

LITTLE CRAZY

SWEDISH HOTTIES

GOT LOBSTER?

MY BDAY AT THE BEST DESSERT PLACE!

The 3 days and 2 nights, couldn't have come at a better time! Every minute was wonderful. I must admit to being a little nervous,yet very excited! We were off to see our dear friends John and Julia in San Diego!

It was rather strange to walk thru an airport with carry on baggage only. As we walked alone I told Peter I felt like I was naked! No kids, no stroller, no diapers, no emergency snack. Deep breathe, I was starting the winding down process.

It was the best birthday present ever and our time was made very special by J&J! The bonus trip to IKEA and surprise Pite Palt (a dish from northern sweden) made the weekend extra special. Sat. we went to Mexico to eat Lobster.Sunday was church and lunch by the beach at Del Corenado. The kids did great and a big shout out to Nat our wonderful babysitter!

We will start saving now for our next little trip. This is 2 thumbs up recommendation to all couples with kids. Get away by yourselves some time. Because we all no when Mamma is happy, everyone is HAPPY =)

This is one happy mamma!