Odd Encounter

On Saturday I was standing on a crowded 4/5 subway platform waiting for a train. As usual, I was minding my own business and ignoring everything going on around me. Suddenly, I heard a voice say "PwC?" directly in front of me, I looked up right into the eyes of a passing man (most likely with a very confused look on my face), who was completely decked out in winter wear from fluffy coat to boots to a cap on his head and a scarf hiding the lower part of his face - - - and didn't recognize him. As the man continued walking away, he kept looking at me and then clearly said the name of my client, in a slightly questioning way. Not sure how to respond, I just nodded to which he smiled and walked out of my sight.

It was an extremely odd moment.

I still have no idea who that man was or how on earth he knew who I am! To be honest, I'm a little creeped-out by it.

Christmastime at Home

I wasn't very excited to arrive at the airport at 4am that December morning and see that my flight had been cancelled . . . but happily they got me on another plane and I made it home!

The fun began immediately, here are a few snapshots with my family. . .

Matt refused to cooperate for the photo with his favorite sister
I love how much my brothers can eat (this is only the first helping!)

Mom used to make these when I was a kid, so I taught Alena how to make the traditional Christmas bears and trees

Another tradition is that we always take a photo lined up on the stairs before opening gifts

Brock preferred Grandpa's hammer to any of his own gifts

Some of the grand kids

Matt, Alena, and Jay

Mom and Dad

I love wrapping presents!

Blane, Kristi, Denise, Jill, and Sheryl

Conner and Caleb admiring Gage's new toy

The newlyweds

Dad giving us a family history lesson

Rishelle brought 4 dolls over and plopped down in my lap, guess she needed some help holding them all

Mark and Brooke also refused to cooperate for a photo

Adelaide, the youngest grand kid (for now)

Gage and Brock at the piano

Brooke decided that she needed to help me sew . . .

There was quite a bit of snow while I was home, more than I have seen since I was a child. It was beautiful.

As always, I loved being home! I sure love my family.

Scenery from Home

On My Way!

I'm so excited to be on my way home for Christmas and I can't wait to get there!!! Regardless of how long it takes (already been traveling for 11.5 hours and not out of Chicago yet) it is so wonderful to be home that it is definitely worth the trip.

Roll Recipe

Emily, this post if for you! :)

Brenda's Favorite Dough Recipe
*Use for scones, rolls, bread, cinnamon rolls or twists, doughnuts, etc.

1 1/2 c. Warm Water
1/4 c. Milk
4 tsp. Yeast
1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Potato flakes
2 Eggs
3 Tbsp. Butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
4-5 c. Flour

Using a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, milk, yeast, sugar, and potato flakes. Let sit for about five minutes or until you can see that the yeast is completely dissolved and expanding. Add approximately one cup of flour, mixing well. Add salt, eggs, and oil. Continue to add flour (approximately two to three more cups) until ready to knead (will be difficult to stir with a spoon when it is ready to knead). Knead using an alternating pull - punch motion, adding flour in 1/4 cup increments whenever the dough is sticky, for around ten minutes or until dough is soft and elastic. Let sit for 45 minutes then shape into rolls, bread, cinnamon rolls (instructions below), etc. Let rise an additional 40-50 minutes or until fingerprint stays before baking. If preparing scones the second raising cycle is not necessary.

For cinnamon rolls: Roll dough about 1/2 inch thick in a large rectangle shape. Melt about half of a square of butter and spread evenly over dough. Top with a layer of brown sugar and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Can also add chopped walnuts or raisins (I have never been a fan of either but Dad loves them so sometimes I compromise.) Starting on one side, roll the dough from one side to the other, stretching slightly as you go. Use dental floss to cut (usually between an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half wide) and place on greased baking sheet.

Cook using following instructions.
Rolls: Bake @ 350 for 20-25 minutes
Cinnamon Rolls/Twists: Bake @ 350 for 20-30 minutes
Bread: Bake @ 350 for 30-45 minutes
Scones: Fry in hot oil for 2-3 minutes
Doughnuts: Fry in deep hot oil for 2-3 minutes

Thanksgiving 2008

There are so many things for which I am thankful, but especially the gospel and my family, which are truly the most important things in my life. I'm so grateful to have them.

I'm also happy that there is a day specifically for remembering to be thankful! I hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!! I enjoyed another Thanksgiving in NYC this year. The weather was a bit colder this time around, but that didn't prevent it from being a fabulous day.

I started my day at 6am by stuffing a turkey and getting it in the oven in time to meet up with friends to go to the parade (more photos can be found on Facebook). We went to 72nd and Central Park West and had a fairly good view, at least of the floats! It was a fun experience.

The following photos are in no particular order, just a few floats that caught my eye - - -

Dedicated to Swearika.

Richard, totally thought of you! I love Snoopy, aka the WWI Flying Ace

Carla, do you still have your old wallet??

D - - -

We waited (maybe not quite patiently) for Santa, and here he is!!!
For Thanksgiving dinner this year, a group of us who stayed in town got together and put together a traditional dinner. I was very happy that we were able to get a few extras to come so that I had an excuse to make a turkey with stuffing!!

I also enjoyed making a few pies (pumpkin and apple). My Mother thought I stacked the apples a bit high on this one, but it totally turned out fine!

Many thanks to our friend Rich, who loaned us his apartment for dinner! Instead of passing the food, someone brilliant (I actually don't know who devised this plan because I was busy making gravy, but it was truly brilliant) decided that we could put all the food on the table and then walk around it and serve ourselves like a buffet; it worked very well.

Trust me, the food was absolutely delicious! Everyone who came contributed something and it all came together very well.

My favorite part, the rolls.

Thanks to everyone who came, you made it a wonderful day!

Later we watched movies and ate pie and stayed up late talking, a perfect day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheerful Message

Sometime between the last time I looked at our fridge (yesterday afternoon) and this morning, a very pleasant message appeared! It made me feel happy and I thought it should be shared with the world :)

We heart you back Collin!