Christmas Fret (and maybe poop)

Despite the title, I'm actually in a good mood- or maybe a mellow good mood.  It's probably because I found a LOT of Christmas music on my computer, which I can get to and play.  As opposed to the nice Christmas CD collection, packed away with all the other holiday stuff in the attic, which only my husband can get to.

Which means we haven't drug out the tree OR the lights OR the nativity sets OR any other holiday decoration.  And I was all fine with that, and then suddenly I wasn't.  Where was the window of time that had both "I'd like to get the decorations out and up" AND "we have time to do this."  GONE, I tell you- I went from fine to annoyed in .6 seconds, and it's no one's fault but my own.

Still, I'm laughing at myself- after just one or two nights of cranky annoyedness, now I'm more like "heh, I'm annoyed without giving a reason".  SO I highly recommed stashing Christmas music in an easily retrievable and rememborable spot.  Also, having a kind husband who listens to your rant and is STILL kind afterward helps very much.  Also, having plans to decorate jsut before the crazy holiday party circuit (and we're not even going to them ALL) helps.  Oh, and don't forget having a toddler who likes to sing along with the Christmas carols even if he doesn't know the words.  Hmm, well that's helpful for about 5 minutes, and then only as a memory to smile at.  Otherwise, the FIVE GOLDEN RINGS  starts to clash with the nice Christmas music feelings.

Well, believe it or not, I'm knee deep in wrapping presents and making all SORTS of compromises to my "original, best plan" that involved everything being equal and fair and recycled wrapping that Kaden colored or painted on.  Which is odd, since I had finished shopping about 2 weeks ago.  Well, except for the alternative gifts and one online special that I missed the deadline on and was waiting for another deal to come up.  And now it IS up, but there's no way for me to tell if i can GIFT it to another address before I click the 'pay now' button, which makes me a bit nervous.

And then, with the alternative gifts, there's a spousal debate raging about whether we include them in the Box-o-Gifts or mail the acknowledgements out separately with the Christmas cards.  Actually, I'd like to include the Christmas cards too, but I haven't taken the "Florida Christmas" photo, even though I've had the idea since halloween. 

I think the shipping deadline is today, for regular dont-sell-us-your-arm shipping prices.  But in addition to all the above, I need two large boxes and instead have one XXL huge bog and one medium large-ish box. I THINK I can use the medium big box for one family but then the other family's box will have lots of air packs, which makes it look way less exciting. Especially because we really don't go overboard AND it's got recycled wrapping paper, which looks less exciting.  I like to think our Christmas gift boxes say:   "we love you, and we carefully picked out these few presents, AND we also love the earth so we've recycled paper AND we also want to share our creativity so we've painted the paper to make it look festive"   I don't know, though, maybe it says something else entirely. 

Anyway, I have two hours before going into work, and should have all the gift-y stuff off the table before kaden comes home too.  Plenty of time if i'm just wrapping and sealing boxes, but not so much if I have to go print and pick up things.  So I'll get off the blog now.

BUT I really have to share my most favorite alternative gift:   Manure.   Really, with the tagline that says something like "show your family you give a sh*t this Christmas".  Oxfam makes me laugh so hard!!  And I could think of a few people to send it to, but I think maybe they'd take it the wrong way.  Would you?

Required Holiday Photos

I suppose it's time to drag out the tree, eh?

and dress up to go to holiday stuff...

But if there's still pumpkins around, that's okay.

There's plenty of imaginary characters around this time of year,

what's another three?

Because we'll still smile for the camera,

even when we have no idea what else to do.



Because, as Kaden often reminds us:  "It's okay, we're family."

We can barely contain our excitement at that...

And we'll dress up like Pop.



And remind ourselves, it's all about the Light of the World

(which is, of course, "ME AND JESUS")



Our goal is for a simple, meaningful season.

Being sick and unable to decorate the first two weeks is helping.

So is crafting an ornament each day (part of an Advent calendar/devotion).

Though I use the term "craft" lightly.  Maybe I'll post some examples later.

Peace, y'all.

Still Thankful (long post about pumpkins and races)

There may be all sorts of stuff happening, but today is still the last day of Thanksgiving break.

Do you remember, a month or two ago, we went up to Pennsylvania and enjoyed Grandma and Pop's garden?  Here's a refresher of the mini harvest for the day:

The specimen (fruit? veggie?  I feel like I should know this...) that Kaden is holding below is a "neck pumpkin."  As in, it has a long neck.  It's also called something like a "dutch crooked neck pumpkin" and there's an official name for it.  Anywho, it pretty much grows only in central Pennsylvania. And it's perfect for baking pies.

Which is what we worked on down here in Florida, with one of Grandma's pumpkins.  Kaden was so excited to help - here he is carrying it across the kitchen:  "Mama, this is BIG and heavy."  (Yes, it DOES look like butternut squash on steroids.  But it ain't.)

Then we started cutting it up.  Well, I did, while Kaden manhandled one piece with a butter knife.  Anyway, here's WHY neck pumpkins are so good at baking pies-- the neck is pure pumpkin meat!

The little bump at the end is where you'll find the seeds, but even still it has a lot of meat there too.

Here's our yield-- one small dish of pulp and seeds (far left), one small plate of the skin for composting, and two large dishes full of chopped up pumpkin.  I think about 10 cups total.

Next step- cook it in a bit of water until a little soft.

We also spread the seeds out to dry.  We're going to try a few down here and see if we can get a plant or two growing...

Other steps included: draining well, storing in fridge until bakign day (within a week), then putting in food processor to get rid of the stringy bits, then measuring and baking.  We made about 24 mini pumpkin pies (think baby quiche), one pumpkin custard (think pie without crust), two pies and a loaf of pumpkin bread.  Pure heaven.  I forgot to get photos of those, but trust me.

And here is our little turkey on Thanksgiving day- this shirt has his handprints from 2009 and 2010.  I forgot to put one on this year, so I guess we'll add it when we do Christmas crafts...

Thanksgiving day we also did a "Turkey Trot" as a family.  Jim did a 5k first, with his personal best time (go Jimdad!), and then Kaden, Jim, my mom and I all did a 1 mile "fun" run.   We all gathered together, and when the race started, Kaden honestly took off and was in the middle of the back of the pack.  He ran for about a block or so, then started walking (My energy is gone, Mom). 

Kaden did a half mile in this walk/run/walk fashion.  We were in the absolute back of the pack, near a old guy with a cane (more power to him for going out!) and the peeps walking their dogs.  After a half mile, Kman took a break and rode in the stroller for a while.  Then, about 2 blocks (quater mile ish) from the finish line, we started to talk him into finishing the race on his own.  A nearby teen girl heard us and asked Kaden "do you want to run in with me? I'll run with you." Kaden said YEAH and jumped out of the stroller.

Poor girl.  We should've warned her that the toddler was faster than he looked.  He *took off*, people! The teen gave her friend a startled look, and then ran to catch up.  With the teen beside him and encouraging him, Kaden ran the rest of the way!!  When he turned the corner for the final homestretch, the crowd cheered for him!! and then he got a nifty ribbon and a bottle of water when he crossed the finish line.

Later, I asked him how it felt to cross the finish line and finish his first race.  His reply?  "It felt sweaty."   So then I asked how it felt when the crowd cheered for him:  "It made me feel happy."  Aww, that's the sound of my heart bursting with pride.

See?  Lots to be thankful for!  And this long post is just a few things :)

11-11-11 means....

a) Happy Veterans Day

b)  a few photos

c) not much else

d) all of the above

Above and below, "glitter pumpkins".  Super easy, fun and messy.  We painted glue on them, then dumped glitter on them.  Then dumped glitter in the glue, mixed it up and re-painted.  Then left the pumpkins outside :)

Yes, that was from a few weeks ago.  I'm slow posting these days.  Notice the emoti-pumpkins- Kaden's request was for a "mad one" because he likes mad best.  I'm hoping this is a phase.

Above, just a random play photo.  But doesn't he look so... big?  and all concentrated-y?  *sigh*

And here, the boy took photos while we were cooking (the infamous neck pumpkin is on the right there).  There's a few that aren't too bad.  Out of maybe 100.   He's quick, that one.

Ah, and tonight his dad was going off to a race, and Kaden says to him "I bet you'll get first place."  Jim chuckles, and says I don't think so.  Kaden responded, "Yes, you can because I think you have fast legs."  :)