Present in the mail !

My birthday present from Kathy came in the mail. She has been making me runners for the table in my living room. Today I got one that I can use in the summer - a 4th of July runner! Thanks sis!!

Sam's Birthday Celebration

I'm sure we always just need excuses to celebrate, but since last Saturday much of the day was spent at the Ward Christmas party, we needed to fit in the "birthday-movie-lunch" event we always do. My movie of choice was "Lincoln". I loved it! I could not believe how drop-a-pin-quiet the movie theater was during the entire movie. We just sat and watched the whole thing and then the audience clapped when it was over. First sound we heard for over two hours besides the movie track.

Then, because we had a coupon, we went to Red Robin. I know - it was the exact place we went to for John's birthday celebration just a few weeks before. But what really cracked me up when I downloaded my pictures? I'm wearing the same shirt.....  really, same shirt? really, same restaurant?  I'll have to work on being more unique for my 47th year!!  And really love the picture Audrey captured with Banzai burger dripping down my face.

We walked over to the Davenport to check out the gingerbread houses on the mezzanine level. I love the Davenport when it is all decked out for the holidays. And look at that gingerbread (green) cookie tree! Amazing talent! We purchased some Bruttles (soft peanut brittle) before heading home.

And then drove by John's first home purchase. It had a sign in the window so looked like perhaps it was owned by the bank now. John bought, fixed up and sold this house before we even started dating. I think home remodeling is in his blood.

And just because we love to fit a million things into one day, I went with my mom to the Holiday Pops symphony while John and Audrey went to Jon & Molly's wedding reception. The only hitch was our pre-paid parking. They are supposed to reserve the spots that the symphony patrons have paid for, but they did not... so we had to back up out of the parking lot (only one way in/out) and find a place to park on the snowy streets. But the concert was great! Always love to hear "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson. This year there were a few fun additions - "Bassoon It Will Be Christmas" and "Holiday Overture, both by James Stephenson as well as "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Vaughan Williams.

Distribution Center Luncheon

Today was yet another party & celebration. This was the annual Christmas luncheon held at the distribution center. Instead of having a restaurant cater as they had done in the past, this year they scaled back and prepared all the food themselves. The meal was no less remarkable though. They served prime rib, baked potatoes, green salad and various desserts. Delicious! Cindy (produce) had asked me if I would make cookies. I agreed, and then had a busy, busy schedule to include the Relief Society Christmas Progressive Party event last night. I had been asked to accompany Rochelle. The event started at Bouvier's (music program), then Simmon's (craft), and finally Whalen's (dessert). Fun and snowy event. I mixed the cookies and then had to leave. I thought I would be baking cookies when I got home, but John did the majority of the work and had them boxed and ready to go by the time I got home. Thanks sweetie - that is a lot of cookies!!

SNICKERDOODLES
2 & 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 & 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes if using a mixer. Mix in eggs until well combined. Gradually mix in flour until dough forms. In a separate, small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon together. Shape dough into 1 & 1/2 inch balls. Roll balls in cinnamon sugar. Space about 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Birthday & Christmas Lunch

I have the best bosses ever. Have I ever told you that? They took me out today to celebrate my birthday and also as an early Christmas. We went to Mustard Seed, can't go wrong there. They gave me gift cards and this floral arrangement.

And even though we were all full after lunch, they had me order dessert-to-go (red velvet cake).

Sam's Birthday and Events

Today I turned 46 years old. We started the day off by attending and participating in the Ward Christmas Breakfast. The theme was "Gifts of Christmas" with presents decorating each of the centerpieces. They served orange french toast for breakfast and then had the program. Audrey was in charge of the technical aspects of the program (microphones, playing the video Mormon Messages "What Shall We Give"). I accompanied the choir and Tiffani & her daughter. And then John gave out gifts to the Primary children at the end of the program with the other members of the Bishopric.

We went home to relax and open birthday presents (of course)!!  I got a "Just Dance" Wii game, "Voice Male" Jingle CD and two fabulous cast iron pans.

Later on the doorbell rang and Jessie dropped off this birthday cake from Just American Desserts. Yay for me!

And finally, Audrey went to Frank's Diner with Grandma Gramlow, Cheyenne and Mariska. This was the "girls" event with Grandma that they needed to schedule before Mariska went on her holiday trip.

Busy Week

This was the start of the busy holiday season and a busy week! I had various groups to accompany on the piano (choir on Sunday and performance on Saturday; practice with Mario on Wednesday and play for him on Sunday; practice with Tiffani & daughter on Thursday and play for them on Saturday) . Grandma agreed to go with Audrey to the MAC on Wednesday as part of a homework assignment Audrey needed to complete. John & Audrey helped to set up for the Ward Christmas party both on Friday evening and early Saturday morning. And I had a Christmas work party for one of my districts on Tuesday (Steam Plant Grill) and then the other district on Friday (Moses Lake). For both of these events I was tasked with getting all the reservations & arrangements made and then getting various award information to my bosses. It made for a busy work week as well.

Some extra fun at the Friday work party, however. Because my birthday was the next day, my store managers got together and surprised me at the Friday event. Honestly, my mind was not on my birthday at all, so it really was a true surprise. They gave me a huge gift basket and then the most delicious birthday cake I've had in a long time. It was chocolate and white marble cake with a strawberry filling in the center, a light chocolate mousse topping and then chocolate ganache over all. Absolutely decadent!

Ornament Shopping and Decorate House

Today was our annual ornament shopping trip with Grandma Gramlow. We went in the afternoon and below were the fun ornaments that I picked out this year. The cuckoo clock reminds me of one that was at Grandma Whisler's home, the carrot reminds me of my dad's carrot farm, the vehicles were just cool and the flute was because I played the flute throughout grade school, junior high and high school.

Afterwards we went to the Denney's where Mariska works and got some snacks - thanks to mom who treated us today! The we got a great idea to head over to the Carter's to get out Christmas decorations. I'm not sure why I did not think of this in previous years? Dakota, Mariska, Cheyenne and Audrey did a great job. It was fun to have some decorations find new places to be displayed. Great job guys!!

And finally, we made our favorite cookies - Sierra Nuggets.

SIERRA NUGGETS

Cream together:
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
1 & 1/2 cups white sugar

Add:
1 Tbsp milk
1 & 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Beat & add: 2 eggs

Stir in:
1 cup fresh corn flakes (crumbled)
3 cups oatmeal

Sift together & add:
1 & 1/2 cups flour
1 & 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp mace
1 & 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves

Stir in:
4 oz coconut
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup nuts, chopped

Drop batter by well rounded teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Baker 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Yield: 8 dozen