Hope

Hope is the first crocus bursting through the gray of Winter.

A Simple Joy

It's a simple joy when your often aloof feline friend jumps onto your exhausted self. No coaxing involved. It is a shock--a surprise that catches you off guard, but swells your heart with happiness.

Pure love given and received.

A Valentine Picture

I like to think that this picture was taken in February (in actuality it was December 1939). These are my grandparents, freshly married and in love.

I wonder who captured this moment--so telling, so intimate.

My grandfather died when I was nine years old making my grandmother a widow for 29 years. Oh, how she missed him!

I wish I had thought to ask her about this photograph before she passed away. I wonder what she would say.

To me it is the epitome of Valentine's Day--a sacred beginning that culminates in generations who look back with gratitude and smile.

Dear Rachel (#6)

Dear Rachel,

Have you seen this look? It is the latest way to do your ponytail at the middle school here--upside down french braid--a hidden surprise beneath her pony tail. Abby can't do it herself yet, so often on a dark early morning you will find me plaiting her thick golden locks while she is bent in half, hair flipped over her face. Of course, she tops it all off with one of your awesome headbands!

We are at the height of basketball season. Travis made the Sophomore team. They are mostly winning. By the way, your brother is now 6'4" with size 15 basketball shoes!

Abby's 7th grade team is mostly not winning. She has a great coach, though, and is learning a lot.

I had to laugh at her defensive tactics at a recent game. She was guarding her "man" like a soccer player! It was tough after her soccer tournament in Las Vegas to remember exactly which sport she was playing. Arms out, Abby!

I have to show you what Kellie has made at least 3 times since Christmas--Finnish Pulla from Baking with Julia. Cardamom is the secret ingredient, and, oh, is it good!

I can't believe you said you had a high of 68 in Atlanta today. I suppose I shouldn't complain. We've had a strangely mild Winter. This is about as good as it gets (snow-wise) for us.

That's the latest. Love you and David lots!

Mom

Rings On Her Fingers

Big rings are "the thing" right now and, of course, Abby is on top of her fads. So, after making this fabric flower, topping it with beads, and locating a paperclip in my desk drawer, her creation was immediately turned into a ring.

Two years ago we turned great grandma's old clip-on earrings into trendy bobby pins? (You can see that post here.)

This year we turned them into rings with bling.

"With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes

She shall have music wherever she goes."

 

A Toy for the Scientist

Brian was absolutely no help in offering up his wish list for Christmas this year so I decided to peruse our local upscale toy store for a creative gift of some sort. I remember reading about Buckyballs on C. Jane's blog so they were on my radar of possibilities. I found Nano dots instead. (I wonder which brand is the original.) They were pricey, but I had to get SOMETHING fun for Brian to accompany the boring shirts and ties I had already purchased.

Source

Ironically, they were the very last present we opened at our house on Christmas day. They had fallen beneath a chair almost lost and forgotten. Brian opened them in the usual cheerful and grateful manner, but I sensed a bit of indifference.

The kids were the ones who found them the most entertaining over the next few weeks. I left them out on our kitchen counter to encourage creativity and to deter the kids from their usual down time activities of TV and computer games. I had a bit of success.

Among other things, Abby made a mouse

and Travis made an elephant.

One evening last week I forced the Nano dots into my husband's hands and told him to "play" while I finished up dinner.

Suddenly, his indifference turned to curiosity and amazement.

"This is really interesting!"

"The minimization of energy is so different than what I expected."

"No wonder the lattices have dislocations."

HUH?

On and on it went. I laughed at him and then wrote it all down. He was hooked. A successful gift--appreciated a few weeks late, but appreciated none the less.

I love that scientist of mine.

Poster Child

We were quite surprised when Travis informed us this poster was hanging in his high school band room advertising BYU's bands and percussion. Do you recognize our daughter, Rachel? I wonder how many other band rooms across the state and country have Rachel posted on their bulletin boards.

Pretty awesome we think.

Nativity by Abby

Abby sketched Mary and baby Jesus one night after she was tucked into bed. I had to share.

Merry Christmas!

Dear Rachel (#5)

Dear Rachel,

Your sister is now officially a teenager. Thanks so much for the book you sent her. She's heard it's a great read. Of course, she also loved the crazy-fun hat from Grandma Stoker. Her friends can't decide if it's a monkey, a giraffe, or a zebra. What do you think?

These cute cupcakes were delivered to our door this week--Reindeer at the North Pole!

I can't believe it was 70 degrees in Atlanta when I called you this week. It's been so cold here in Utah that I'm breaking out all the soup recipes. I made your Stoneless Stone Soup recently--love that one. This time I used spicy sausage and it warmed are bodies from the inside out. (I even posted it on my Salads and Such blog which has been ignored a bit lately.)

Since you weren't able to come to Travis' Christmas Concert this year, I've brought it to you. Enjoy your brother and the rest of the Percussion Ensemble playing Trepak from The Nutcracker. It was my favorite.

Love,
Mom

Popcorn Balls

Making popcorn balls as a family is a tradition we TRY to keep each December.

While the syrup reaches "soft ball" stage, we pop a huge bowl of popcorn with our ancient air popper. It really is a group effort when it's time to pour the hot syrup over the popcorn and stir to coat each piece. Many hands dig in to form the balls. (Cold wet hands work best.)

Of course, the best part of the process is the eating. They are delicious!

******************

My dad is the one who started this tradition. When he was a boy his family would make popcorn balls, wrap them in red or green cellophane and hang them on their Christmas tree. When friends or neighbors stopped by during the Holidays, they each would receive one of the homemade treats to enjoy.

We miss my dad very very much, but luckily, my kids have sweet memories of making popcorn balls with their grandpa.

Here is his recipe:

Popcorn Balls
2 c. sugar
2/3 c. white corn syrup
2/3 c. water
1/2 lb. butter
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla or maple flavoring (We actually used both.)

Cook all ingredients except the flavorings until the mixture forms a soft ball in cold water. Add vanilla and/or maple and pour over popcorn. (If you only use one type of flavoring, make it maple.)