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

Stool & Doll Bed

Sidney is sitting so prim on a real cool item from my childhood. My dad made this stool (one for me and one for Kathy) for Christmas one year. When you turn it 180 degrees, it becomes a doll bed that rocks. Maybe my mom can share the "rest of the story" with me? (hint, hint)

Mom took the hint and this is what she adds to the story - "You will notice that the stool was made from lumber that was around. Hint is the groove in the one side - a piece of something larger. The handles on both ends (top and bottom) were so you could carry it around whether a stool or a doll bed. I made a cushion for each that could be used as a cushion to sit on when a stool or a mattress when a doll bed. I imagine we were probably short on cash, so making things was the way to go."

John's 50th Birthday

Today was John's official birthday. He opened his presents after work. His brother Ralph kept asking us what John liked and we said "nuts" (because truly, if you have almonds or cashews or peanuts around the house and a chocolate candy bar, he will always go for the nuts. Also, if we make brownies or cookies or zuchinni bread = must include chopped nuts.) With that in mind John got a large box from Ralph. He opened it and pulled out.... NUTS. Almonds, peanuts, cashews, mixed nuts...quite an assortment.

He opened the next box from Ralph. Nice!! A blu-ray player!!

He then opened the gifts from us. The John Carter novel, his annual Star Trek Christmas ornament from Hallmark, some ear buds and a Star Trek pez dispenser.

About this time I started getting the dessert & birthday candles ready so Audrey thought it would be fun to hook the blu-ray player to the TV. She opened the box and then called John back downstairs... hah, hah, more nuts!

We did not want to have too much dessert since it was just the three of us so we stopped by Just American Desserts and bought three single desserts. John's was a berry cheesecake. Happy 50th Birthday John!!

Anniversary

\

For our anniversary we wanted to try a new restaurant but nothing too stuffy...basically picked one out of the phone book but was pleasantly surprised. It was called Steelhead Bar & Grille in downtown Spokane. It had a relaxed atmosphere but the food really was fabulous. John had a chicken linguine dish and I had the Pub Steak. Thanks for 24 years together!! Love you!

Early Birthday Celebration

Celebrated John's 50th birthday a few days early by going to the newest James Bond movie "Skyfall". Full of action and nifty gadgets and cool cars. A fun movie. We all enjoyed it a lot. Good addition to the series.

Afterwards we went to Red Robin for lunch. I had the BBQ chicken wrap while John and Audrey ordered a burger: one had the Royal Burger and the other tried the Guacamole Burger.

He seems surprised that he is 50?!!

Overnight at Hartman's

I've decided the best way to spend Thanksgiving Day is to not have to worry about driving home when you are full & sleepy from a fabulous meal. This year we stayed overnight at the Hartman's lake house. After helping them clean up the kitchen and put things away (tables, chairs, serving dishes), we relaxed by watching a couple movies and then went to bed. (Audrey brought Firefly so Richard could experience... he logged onto Amazon that day and picked up his own copy, must have liked it!)

We woke up and had waffles - the Kremin's joined us.

Mary's Waffle Recipe
1 & 3/4 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 beaten egg yolks
1 & 3/4 cups milk
2 stiffly beaten egg whites

Combine yolks, milk and oil. Stir in dry ingredients. Fold in egg whites leaving a few fluffs. Cook in waffle iron.

As we were cleaning the breakfast dishes, Mary started up a batch of soup, so we definitely stuck around until after lunch. Spent time watching more Firefly episodes and visited. After lunch we went home and took a nap!

Turkey and Navy Bean Soup
2 lbs turkey with bones (if no leftover turkey, use drum sticks)
3 T. oil
2 & 1/2 quarts water
2 tsp salt
2 bay leaves
Heat oil and brown turkey in a covered pot to avoid splattering of oil. Drain excess oil. Add water, salt & bay leaves. Boil for 1 & 1/2 hours. Remove meat from bones. Set broth and meat aside.

3 c. Navy beans (small white beans)
3 quarts water
1 large onion, chopped
12 cloves garlic, chopped
2 T. oil
1 T. ground cumin
2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
3 c. celery, sliced
salt to taste - about 2 tsp.

Wash beans. Add beans to 3 quarts water. Boil 10 minutes. Set aside for 30 minutes, then cook for 30 minutes more. Saute onions and garlic in oil for 2 minutes, then add turkey & broth as well as the beans and their broth and 1 more quart of water. Add celery and seasonings, cover and cook over medium heat for 1 hour.

Variations - chicken instead of turkey; more veggies; rice or noodles instead of beans.

Thanksgiving at Hartman's

Before we headed to Twin Lakes for Thanksgiving Dinner, we made our Apple Raisin Cream Pie. It was delicious as always and we did not bring home any leftovers. (We will have to remember to make an extra and keep at home next year!)

Apple Raisin Cream Pie
Pastry for a double crust pie
7-8 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples
1 cup sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
Dash salt (optional)
1-2 tsp grated lemon peel
1 TB butter
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Make favorite pastry; line bottom of pie tin with one crust and set aside. Combine apple slices, sugar, flour, spices, raisins, dash salt and lemon peel; mix together well. Spoon filling into pastry-lined pan; dot with butter. Cover with top crust decorated with steam vents; seal edges. Cut a 1-inch circle in dough in center of top crust.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Remove pie from oven; slowly pour cream into center hole of top crust. Return to oven; bake 5-10 minutes longer. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Refrigerate leftovers. 

The McLaughlin's were there - here is a picture of my friend since grade school, Jessie McLaughlin.

Richard carving the turkey

Not enough room to fit everything on my plate. 
This was the first round. Went back for more.

See that sweet potato dish tucked between the mashed potatoes and the turkey? Here is the recipe. It is definitely worth the calories.

Stephanie Wagner's Sweet Potatoes
1 cube butter
1 & 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
4 yams, peeled, cubed & boiled
Marshmallows

Melt butter in a saucepan with the brown sugar and maple syrup. Place yams in a baking dish, pour over the sauce, dot with marshmallows and bake until heated through.

Mary had suggested we sit at tables "not" with people we knew, so we got a chance to get to know Stephanie and her family a little better. After dinner people played games, visited and rested until time for the dessert course. A fun way to spend Thanksgiving - with family and friends.

The Gang! 
Front Row, left to right: Michelle Gramlow, ?, Cheyenne Gramlow, Christopher Hartman, Connor McLaughlin, Mary Hartman
Second Row: Tom Zollezzi, Jessie McLaughlin, Emma McLaughlin, Richard Hartman, ?, Opal Adams
Third Row: Zach Wagner, Pam Wagner, Mariska Gramlow, Audrey Carter, Sam Carter, Dale McLaughlin, baby Wagner, Stephanie Wagner, 
Back Row: Marv Wagner, John Carter, Dakota Gramlow, Shaune Gramlow, Brad Wagner, ?, Sherry Lansford, Larry Lansford, Carol Lansford, Vern Lansford, Jacquie Gramlow