NEIGHBOR NICETIES

In the next two weeks little tokens of friendship, kindness, and affection will appear on our doorstep. This little elf was our first token. His cap was wrapped around a bottle of 7UP and is now hanging on my back door. He gives a little jingle every time we open the door. We again are giving Chex Mix in a Mason Jar. I had no time for this "nonsense" when we lived in California, but I have learned to enjoy the giving and the receiving.

Christmas Prep 2011

Front door Wreath

Tree cut over a month Ago

Still Fresh

Wreath on front of Great Room Fireplace

12-6-11

12-13-11

12-6-11

12-13-11

Cookies for the Church Christmas Party Tonight

The forecast is for snow on Thursday. Though our property is brown, it is cold, the sun shines brilliantly most days, and the roads are dry. Not a bad way to spend a winter day.

CHRISTMAS TABLE DECORATIONS

Paperwhites

Paperwhites, white amaryllis, white roses, and Christmas greens and twigs will be used in my Christmas center Pieces

Bulbs are being Forced

Tricked into thinking it is time to Bloom

Planted November 29, in pebbles and Water

Maintain water level to the bottom of the Bulb

Placed in a dark space under powder room Sink

Brought into the light after seven Days

Amaryllis

Planted in potting soil and followed the above Directions

This bulb will produce a red and white Flower

Named Pasadena

Fingers crossed for a Christmas Bloom

Thank you Linda and John

Entertaining a different evening after Christmas

Centerpieces similar to the above Arrangement

All of these flowers are Reproductions (Silk)

Although extremely high End

This arrangement probably costs between $300 and $400

Saw them at a shop in Jackson Hole this Summer

I will use red silk amaryllis and fresh red Roses

Red amaryllis at IKEA run about $3.00 Each

One amaryllis bulb runs between $12 and $15

Forcing bulbs is a great way to have fresh flowers growing in your home throughout the winter. Space plantings 3-4 weeks apart to maintain a steady supply of fresh flowers. Narcissus, especially paperwhites, have an extremely STRONG scent, so beware. I often have to remove them from a room for a while. I will force pots of tulips in potting soil in the same manner beginning the end of January. A bag of 90 tulip and hyacinth bulbs at Costco costs less than $20. A huge bargain. The 17 narcissus bulbs above cost $15. The bigger the bulb, the bigger the flowers. Small bulbs are hardly worth the effort. Beware: Do not let bulbs dry out or allow the water level to fall below the base of the bulb; too high and they will rot. Happy Winter Gardening!

THANKSGIVING PART II

Sunny Arizona

Heber: snow, cold, -30 degree Weather

Peyton

A happy little Girl

Chuck and his Boys played Golf

Aly and Jenny shopped Black Friday

Jennifer entertained us with Style

We always enjoy Charles and Jenny's Family

Karen

We loved spending time with Karen's Family

Brooklyn and Aubrey at Lunch

Paige loves her Daddy

Emily coming down the Waterslide at the Pool

So did Aubrey

Ditto Skyler

Macy playing Croquet

We had lunch Together

Jack

Taking care of Business at Lunch

Jenny helped Jack with his Game

Volleyball for all after Lunch

Charlie, Craig, Emily, and Steven

Steven had a strong Team of Players

Jack has a great Swing

Parker and Charlie enjoyed tossing the football Around

Charlie, keep your eye on the Ball

Beautiful Macy

...and Aubrey

Paige and Peyton

Best Friends Forever

..and Cousins

Cousins sharing a Cookie

Summer (13) and Parker(14)

Teenagers

Chuck and Paige

We love visiting our Arizona children and Grandchildren

With the exception of Charles' Family and Karen's Family, all of our children will travel to Utah in the days after Christmas for more food, fun in the snow, and more gifts. We are looking forward to sharing those days with the Carl and Judy Brenner family. They have rented a beautiful home in Midway, Utah and will ski on the "Greatest Snow on Earth" for a week. Charles, Jenny, Skyler, Charlie, and Jack will travel to Florida to spend the holidays with Jenny's Family. Karen, Roy and Paige will celebrate in Phoenix and then travel to San Antonio, Texas to check out the real estate. Roy will begin his PA studies there next summer.

Wishing each of you a Happy Thanksgiving Each Day of the Year!!!

THANKSGIVING 2011.....ARIZONA PART I

Jennifer and Craig hosted us for Thanksgiving Dinner

Jennifer's table was Beautiful

Karen made the mashed potatoes and Dressing

Jennifer and Craig planned and orchestrated the Event

Craig made the Sweet Potatoes

and helped Jennifer with the Rolls

Menu

3 Turkeys/ Gravy

Brined, roasted, and Smoked

Fresh cranberry Sauce

Mashed potatoes and Stuffing

Green beans and Fruit Salad

Rolls

Alyson made the Appetizers

and Cranberry Sauce

Baked Brie with Apples

Spinach Dip

Macy and Steven*

Jack was a big Eater

So were Parker, Skyler, Summer, Peyton and Brooklyn

Smoked Turkey

Highly Recommend

Jenny made four Desserts

Pumpkin, apple, pecan, and an amazing Crack Pie

and.....they Ate

Macy and Aubrey

Chuck and I spent Thanksgiving Week in Arizona with our Arizona families. We were entertained royally. Tuesday Night....Karen entertained all of us with White Chili, Green Salads, Rolls and an Almond Texas Sheet Cake....delicious all. Wednesday Night Charles and Jenny entertained with Beef Tenderloin, Scalloped Potatoes, Gr. Beans, Field Greens with pomegranate seeds, rolls, and Pumpkin Souffle....amazing. Thursday...Thanksgiving. Friday, Chuck and the boys played golf and went to the ASU Football game and I had dinner at Joe's....Fabulous Fried Shrimp....with Roy, Karen and Paige. Saturday fun and games with Paige...swimming with Charlie, Skyler and Jack....last visit with Brooklyn, Peyton, Logan, and Parents. And....out for chicken and cornbread with C. Ellis family. Home on Sunday....10 1/2 hours. As you can see, we more or less, ate our way through the week.

Alisa joined Joey's family for Thanksgiving. We missed her family.

* Why blue????????