Good Bye 2012!

In a few minutes, it's going to be 2013.  We have had a fun New Years Eve night of eating, playing the candy bar game and laughing.  My eyes are heavy and so ready for bed.  I'm hoping 2013 is my best year yet!

2012's Top 12

I usually send out Christmas cards with my top 10 moments of the year.  I hate to admit it, but I was lazy this year and didn't send them out.  I know, shame on me.  But I do have some top moments for the year, so here they are in no particular order:
12.  Halloween Traditions
11.  BYU Womens Conference
10.  St. Patricks Day with the Canadian Tenors
9.  Summer Swim Days
8.  Hawaii
7.  Fall Foliage New England Tour
6.  Many trips to the Brick Oven Beanery before they closed
5.  My Summer Reading Program
4.  A new job in Urgent Care
3.  Hilton Head with family
2.  Evening Jogs
1.  Visiting CLT friends, the Biltmore and Myrtle Beach in the Spring

Service Brings Joy

Last Sunday a sister in our ward who has 5 kids under 8, had on a pair of shoes that were falling apart.  Just before RS ended the baby was fussy and she ended up leaving her babies booties in the RS room.  Tenielle picked up the booties and brought them home.  All through RS I tried to figure out what size shoe she wore.  I also noticed she wore the same outfit several weeks in a row.  I've actually been watching her for months.  When we got home Tenielle and I had the same thought to do something special for her for Christmas.  I went down to my closet and found 2 dresses, 1 still with the tags on it, a sweater that still had the tags on it that I loved but that is just a little to small, another sweater and a shirt.  Mom found a pair of shoes to match each dress from her closet, which just happen to be her size (we discovered with the help of the RS president).  We put some money in each booty, wrapped them up and dropped them at the door step.  A few days ago we received the most heartfelt email via the RS president from this sister which told us that she hasn't bought anything new for herself except for at the DI since she got married (at least 7 years ago) and that there wouldn't have been a gift under the tree with her name on it had someone not have left her a gift.  We have all been a little emotional when we talk about this.  We truly felt the true meaning of Christmas.  I think this service brought us the most joy of all.  Today she looked beautiful and confident in her new dress and seeing her brought us joy and a few more tears, knowing we helped make her Christmas and ours too.

Last Friday of 2012

I can't believe this is the last Fabulous Friday of 2012.
1.  Saturday we watched BSU struggle a bit to win the Maaco bowl against Washington.  We are hoping for a more entertaining football season next year.
2.  Aunt Marian brought us our Christmas presents on Saturday.  My mom's mother's maternal grandmother had many hankies.  Marion had most of them.  She color coded them and put 3 in a frame for all of the granddaughters, mom, my aunts and girl in-laws.  On the back of each frame she had written her name and placed a picture on it.  What a treasure indeed.  I had an idea that she was doing something with these, because a year ago she had shown them too me, but I never imagined such a wonderful gift.
3.  Sunday was our Christmas program for church.  I sang in the choir.  Our little choir struggles, but it turned out well.  We sang my favorite Christmas song, Star Bright a song my mom use to sing and our CLT RS sisters sang it at Christmas time too.
4.  I worked 3 days this week, all so busy.  The day after Christmas we saw 92 patients at my clinic.  A new record and I was glad to have had the on call person come help.
5.  We saw Les Miserables after having a lovely lunch at Goodwood BBQ.  They were both wonderful!
6.  We had an enjoyable Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We have yet to celebrate with the entire family, as we like to hold off a few days.  Grandma was missed this year, but we felt her spirit.  Grandpa got a little emotional several times, but was stronger than I thought he would be.
7.  For Christmas I got a new VeraBradley purse, some jewelry, a vintage mirror, a ticket to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway April 27 and a darling picture frame that reminded me of all the great friends I have in CLT, WA, SLC, and NYC, "Happiness comes in pairs, shoes, earrings and best friends."  At the top were a pair of heals.  So cute.

It's Almost Christmas FF

Oh, it's almost Christmas and we are totally in the Christmas spirit here in windy, cold ID.  Yes, it's been cold and windy here the last few days, but thankfully no snow, yet.  This week has brought so much sadness with tragic events of the past week with family, friends and the events in CT, however, it's Fabulous Friday time for the positive events!
1.  It has been such fun to have our friends the Sondrups visiting and staying in the barn's studio apartment.  We have had some great late night and breakfast chats.  It kind of feels like old times when Elder Sondrup would come in the back door.
2.  Fortunately and unfortunately I got to see my dear friend Jenny on Saturday evening.  She came to town because her father had a major head injury and is in the hospital.  It was so good to see her and visit with her at the hospital.  I'm so happy that I was here for her at such a tragic time.
3.  Again fortunately and unfortunately I had a lovely visit with my cousin Emilie on Wednesday here in our home.  It is heartbreaking for reasons why she is here from Alabama, but it is so nice to have her here and safe.  The events of this week helped me understand the inspiration that I felt not to go to a CME in NYC this past week and why I felt impressed not to buy a plane ticket to go to CLT, as much as I wanted to; I'm so glad I was in town this week and had 6 of 7 days off.
4.  Mom made cinnamon rolls this week; I think only the second time since I've been home.  I LOVE her cinnamon rolls!
5.  I love online shopping!  Mom and I did some on-line shopping one night this week and we've already gotten 3 of the packages
6.  Besides the Sondrups, we have our first tenant scheduled for our studio apartment for 34 days from our listing on airbnb starting Dec. 28!
7.  All the kids came over for mom's chili and dinner with the Sondrups on Wednesday.  Mom hasn't made chili for several years, like at least a few Christmas's ago when we had a blizzard and were going to go to the Cabin, but too much snow only got us to the freeway before turning around and coming back home to go sledding in our field.
8.   Mom and I made fudge and cookies this week and dad and I took a few plates around to our friends, which led to some lovely visits.
9.  Aidree had her first school play and was a dancing Christmas doll.  She did so good and was so cute, even though she wouldn't smile.

Mid Dec. FF

1.  As many Christmas decorations we are going to put up this year are up.  I wouldn't say we went all out, but it feels festive in our home.

2.  We have continued to work on Sister Jone's Chocolates, they are a slow process, but well worth it in the end, even the extra calories.

3.  I saw 64 patients on Wednesday.  That's 64 people that I hope I had a good impact on.  

4.  I went to choir practice on Sunday.  I don't do that often.  We are singing my favorite Christmas song, Star Bright.  My mom has always sung this song since I was little and the last several years the Reedy Creek RS would sing it in Sacrament meeting at Christmas Time. 

5.  We have friends coming tonight from AZ.  He was a missionary here for 11 months and lived in our studio apartment.  He became like part of the family those many years ago, even helped us tie 7 quilts for Christmas presents.

6.  I had lunch with a friend from High School today that I haven't seen in at least 15 years.  It was fun to sit and chat.  It was so easy to pick up from where we left off.

7.  I am so excited about the Christmas gifts I will be giving this year!  

12/12/12

12/12/12 was actually a rather uneventful day unless seeing 64 patients is eventful.  I didn't have to even think about the date when I had to write it today.  I did get medical records back from 2 patients that I sent to the ED yesterday, which thoughts of them woke me at 5am when Mitch went to the gym and I couldn't fall back to sleep.  So glad I sent them, because one was really, really sick and was admitted.  Hope you had an eventful 12/12/12!

South Western Slightly Spicy Chicken Salad Wraps

When we were on our Fall Foliage vacation I had a delicious, a little too spicy south western chicken wrap at the Yankee Candle Factory.  It was so good that I've craved it ever since.  Thanks to Pintrest I found a recipe that sounded similar to the YCF wrap, which of course I totally adapted to my liking.  Dad actually had 2.  He usually wrinkles his nose when I make a new recipe; he's not much into gourmet.  These are quite easy and oh so yummy!  ps. I don't really measure so realize it's approximately...

Combine about 1/2 cup sour cream, a little cream cheese, juice from 1 lime, a little salt and pepper, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, a little dry cilantro flakes whisk together in medium sized bowl.  Add 2-3 green onions chopped, 2 stalks celery chopped, 1/2-1/3 pepper chopped  (I used an orange pepper since it was 10 cents cheaper than the red) stir in a fair amount of chicken (I used a roasted chicken from Costco and used about half of it), add 1/3 cup corn kernels and 2/3 cup black beans. I shredded some pepper jack cheese, which gave it the spice and also added some olives which were left over in the fridge.  Take a flour tortilla, layer chicken salad, baby spinach, avocado, and cherry tomato's.  Wrap and indulge!

A Very Successful December Day

I love days off that are so successful that by the end of the day I fall asleep quickly.  I believe today was one of those days.  You see the last few nights I just haven't slept well, so last night I was one tired chick falling asleep rather quickly and sleeping until 730 when I had to get up to empty the 'ole bladder.  I was so tired I fell right back to sleep and was shocked when I rolled over and it was 920.  That doesn't happen often.  I hurried to get myself ready for the day, had some french toast and then it was time to decorate the Christmas tree and at least put up the nativity and a few more favorite Christmas decorations.  It is quite a chore to decorate the Christmas tree, but so much quicker and more fun when I'm not the only one doing it.  I decided that I wanted to decorate the tree differently this year, given my mom has so many ornaments to choose from, this was a possibility.  I really wanted it to be blue and silver.  Well it turned out gold, light green, and blue.  I think it turned out quite pretty, although we still need to add some navy blue bows.  No red on our tree this year.  We always have red.  Mom was a little disappointed that she had already wrapped presents in red paper, but I think it will add a little color which will be just fine.
After cleaning up the glitter that we still have all over the house from our Christmas tree decorations, mom decided that since she really hasn't been out of the house for over a week that she was ready for some fresh air.  After chatting with the mail lady who brought me my first on-line purchase (which I'm so excited about), we headed to Costco.  Yep, mom actually walked around Costco today, with her cane of course!  We also made a trip to Winco, mom stayed in the car while I got stuff for dinner.
After coming home, I did laundry, made a delicious dinner (recipe to follow), started a batch of Sister Jones' Christmas candies (because she is on a mission and won't be bringing me a plate this year), printed gift tags (mom is cutting them as I blog), and I made 2 on-line purchases and about to make a third (my favorite way to shop for Christmas  presents).  In 30 minutes I will fold clothes and put bows on Christmas presents while watching the Michael Buble Christmas concert, which I have looked forward to all week!  Yep a very successful December day indeed!

Welcome December FF

1.  Saturday December 1 as in last Saturday we had our ward Christmas breakfast; different than our typical dinner.  When I suggested the idea to the Bishop (my dad) he wasn't so hot on having it on the 1st; he thought it was too early. I think it was a great way to start the month of December and I believe the ward members quite enjoyed having a breakfast.  Everyone brought their traditional Christmas breakfast; I brought the egg souffle!
2.  The several days after mom's surgery we had meals brought to us and people have stopped by.  I have been so humbled by the sweet gestures of our ward members and their concern for mom.
3.  Speaking of mom, she is healing quite well and has advanced from a walker to a cane!
4.  Wednesday Tristen, Aidree and I made ginger snaps to bring the Christmas smell to our home.  I love ginger snaps!
5.  I had a little extra help at work with a 2nd person Monday and Tuesday.  She is new (as in a brand new PA) and full of questions.  It is nice to have extra help and the questions make me realize I know a lot more than I think I know.
6.  Thursday was our RS Christmas dinner and devotional.  I and the rest of the RS were so pleased with the way it turned out.  We decorated the tables with different nativity sets and tissue paper. Tissue paper brings so much to decorations if you didn't already know.  We also had the lights dimmed and tea lights on the tables.   We had potato bar, salad and our favorite "The Stuff" dessert!  I've been asked by several for the recipe; it's on the way to be blogged...Our devotional was a beautifully written script called The Women Who Knew Jesus, which I stumbled upon the a few months ago and instantly knew it was what we needed to present.  The sisters who portrayed Mary's mother, Joseph's Mother, Elizabeth, The Inn Keepers Wife, The Shepherds Wife and Mary took us in a sense to Bethlehem.  In between each person's narrative was either a soloist or a congregational Christmas hymn which added much to the program.
7.  Today I got off at 5 for our clinic's Christmas party.  Instead of going (because I really didn't want to be around people who perhaps got a little too tipsy) I volunteered to watch Tristens kid's so her and Mitch could go on a date.  The girls and I enjoyed a Blimpie sandwich for dinner and an evening with The Jungle Book!

The Tree Is Up

For weeks now I've been telling my mother that we really need to get the tree and some Christmas decorations up so that it feels like Christmas is on the way.  Well she really didn't want the tree up longer than need be, so we didn't do it before her surgery.  This past weekend I kept saying we need to get the tree up.  A ward member even suggested they come help us put up our tree, since theirs had been up since before Thanksgiving.  Well last night dad finally drug the ole tree out of hiding and into our sunroom where it sat all night and when I came upstairs this morning it was up and plugged in.  We do things the easy way around here:  artificial tree with lights already on.  So now we have a tree with lights on it but no ornaments and those are still in hiding.  I am in charge of our RS Activity night tonight and I work the next 2 days.  I imagine this is going to be as far as we get until Sunday when I have my next day off.  Hopefully tonights program will help me get into the Christmas Spirit.  I have been doing a lot of online browsing lately and I have already ordered one present which is on its way!  Mom keeps asking me what I want for Christmas and I haven't been able to give her a list except for a new battery in my watch, a new temple dress, some homemade mittens, a rain check for Breaking Dawn Part 2 and a trip to Europe.  I don't need anything really, when I do want or need something I usually just go buy it myself.  I did mention this morning that I could always use a gift card to Talbots.  However I do love surprises.  So just surprise me!

Christmas Peanut Clusters

Every Christmas season I make peanut clusters.  It is the only candy that I make.  I thought I posted the recipe last year on my blog, but can't seem to find it, which means I must have actually emailed it to those who requested it.  So because my friend Rachel was asking for the recipe tonight I thought I'd just go ahead and post it.  Hope you enjoy...
Combine 1 1/2-2 packages of White Almond Bark (comes in a thing that looks like ice cube trays), 1 bar of Bakers German's Sweet Chocolate, 12 ounces of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in a crock pot on low until melted.  When melted thoroughly add 2 1/2-3 jars of dry roasted peanuts.  Use a teaspoon or cookie scoop and place on wax paper.