After-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving

Since Chris had to work on T-Day, his parents were generous enough to delay their traditional celebration for Saturday, when we could join them in Salt Lake. Aside from the flood, we had another perfectly wonderful weekend!

While Grammuh was finishing the dinner on Saturday, Grampuh took the boys to Toys R Us and let them pick out some toys to bring home. Gordon chose a sidewalk chalk set, which he and Chris used to make the small sidewalk in Gramm's backyard look quite colorful, and a Thomas the Train DVD. Thomas picked a large drawing pad and a very fancy art set. His set includes several different types of artist tools-- crayons, paints, markers, and even oil pastels. Here he is with his first masterpiece-- in mixed media, of course.



Thanks, Grampuh, for spoiling our boys!!

Speaking of spoiling, Chris was definitely in heaven with three kinds of pie. I think I've mentioned before that I am not a pie person-- I am no good at making it and never do, and I really don't prefer eating it to other desserts like, say, cake. Chris, on the other hand, loves almost every kind of pie (maybe every kind, I can't think of one he doesn't like) and can make a mean pie crust himself. He got his pie-making skills from his mother, and he looks forward to her pies with great anticipation. He also likes the real whipped cream, as you can clearly see...



Gordon prefers a cherry on top, or several.



After a delicious meal and a fun day with the family, we got to help decorate the Christmas tree. Chris's parents collect a new ornament each year (we borrowed that tradition in our own family), so it is always fun to open the ornaments and reminisce. The first one on the tree is their first ornament, an adorable Santa. Tommer had the honor of hanging him this year.



We're so thankful for Chris's parents for hosting us for our delayed holiday! It was so much fun!

Recipes: Peanut Butter Treats!

Elena called for Christmas cookie recipes, so I thought I'd share my favorite peanut butter and chocolate treats. There are few things more delicious (or fattening) than peanut butter and chocolate, so you may as well get your fill before those New Years resolutions start!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Why buy Reese's when you can make your own?

Grease a 9X13 pan

Beat:
1 1/4 cups peanut butter
3/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar

Add and mix by hand:
1 more cup powdered sugar
3 cups crushed graham crackers
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Press mixture into pan

Melt on Low heat:
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Spread melted mixture over peanut butter layer. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until chocolate layer is firm. Try not to eat the whole pan!


Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies
The little extras make a huge difference in these tasty cookies!

Combine:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter

then stir in:
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg

Next, add:
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups flour
(add more flour if your dough is too sticky)

Finally, add
1 cup Reese's peanut butter chips (about 1/2 bag)
6 full sized Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped

Roll into balls and flatten with your hand or with a fork.
Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes.

Recipe: Dinner Rolls

These are great no-frills rolls. Very simple ingredients, but they turn out great.

Combine:
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp salt
1 can of evaporated milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup oil
1 cup hot water
1 Tbs quick-rise yeast

Add 5-6 cups of flour, mix thoroughly. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until dough doubles in size.

Form into fist-sized balls and place in greased pan(s). This recipe yields 21 rolls, so I use a 9X13 and an 8X8 pan. Cover and let rise another hour. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

I'm not going to ask you again...

Addresses, people!

I'm putting my Christmas cards together tonight and thought that there are some of you who really should get a card from me, but won't if I don't have your address. I love sending Christmas cards-- it's an important part the holidays for me. Every year, the week after Christmas, I buy my cards for the next year. Then, I hide them away for the year, forget all about them, then surprise myself with my selections when I get them out in December. It's so fun and it kind of kicks off the season for me. Those of you who have received my cards in the past also know that I always enclose a newsletter (one that I usually go overboard on, and this year is no exception) and usually enclose a little prize as well. It's all very Christmas-y.

And it's not e-mail-able, so if you want one, send me your address. You know who you are. elisehansen1 at hotmail.

I don't like stragglers, so if I don't have your address by tomorrow, you'll have to wait for next year.

By the way, I have a TON of stuff to blog, but I need to get these cards done first. Sorry. :)

Fun with Photoshop

I know, I know. I'm driving myself crazy with my lack of blogging! It has been a busy week and I've been working on a couple of projects that really needed to get finished. Fortunately, I'm almost caught up-- let's just say that it's kind of amazing how many loads of laundry five people produce, particularly when one of them spits up on everything. Sigh. Anyway, I've just finished a project on Photoshop, and I had to share this little remnant. Fun, huh?