Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Fun holiday activities

What do most people do during the holidays?

We played many games, put puzzles together, ate too much wonderful food, read new books, caught up on every one's lives.

And learned to shoot a gun!!

Jeff and Norm took me to the shooting range. It was very overwhelming at first. It is much louder than I thought it would be. I jumped every time someone shot something. Since we were at a shooting range that was about every two seconds. I looked like a Mexican jumping bean. I was also surprised by the raining brass. Somehow I guess I thought that the empty shells just collected neatly into a pile somewhere. They don't. They fly everywhere. It's very disconcerting to have pieces of metal flying everywhere.

My men were patient with me. They let me stand there and watch for quite awhile, adjusting to the sights and sounds. Eventually I learned how to load my pistol, aim it, and fire it. I was pretty good, although the target was very close as you can see in the picture.

Serious stuff, though. I have a healthy respect for guns.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Cookies!

I worked all weekend on family Christmas presents and here is one of the results: a scrumptious brownie-like cookie sandwiched together with peppermint frosting. Yum!! The recipe was from Sunset Magazine.

I also made gingerbread cookies, shortbread present cookies, and a wonderful homely looking Scandinavian cookie that was probably my favorite. It was unassuming in appearance, but packed full of the wonderful flavor of hazelnuts, cinnamon, and maple syrup.


Norm and I shopped at Michaels for the perfect packaging, worked all afternoon Sunday preparing them, and we will ship them off today. I hope they make it without too much crumbling.


I'm hoping people won't be too disappointed with these simple gifts for Christmas this year. A lot of love went into them and they ARE quite tasty.


On a different note, I'm being honored at next Monday night's school board meeting because of the National Boards!!! Oh my goodness. Wish you all could be there with me, especially those of you who endured my hand-wringing throughout the process and those others of you who kindly understood why I had to work on my portfolio through Christmas last year. Thank you all for your support!!


Have a blessed Monday!



Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Beautiful!!

Isn't this Christmas cactus beautiful? I'd forgotten how lovely these plants can be. My thoughtful mother-in-law sent me one as a congratulatory gift for becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. It was so sweet of her, but I'm amazed at how much joy this plant is giving to me.



I also received an unusually beautiful poinsettia from one of my students. I love looking at it in my kitchen window. It's incredible.



These simple plants have really touched my heart. Speaking of which, yesterday was December 1st. My incredible husband set up my Christmas table, and when I woke up, it had the first gift of December upon it. I'm so blessed, aren't I?