Happy New Year

Certainly everyone remembers the New Years Celebrations of 10 years ago...The Millennium New Year. Our girls were 10 and 14. We had several close family friends...all with children in about the same age group.

A party was planned...a big party...a party to create special memories on this special New Years Eve.

We all dressed up, started the evening with cocktails (mocktails for the children), then gathered at the convention center, ate a lovely dinner, listened to the band and danced the night away.

I remember this special New Years Eve with fondness.

Ten years brings many changes for everyone. We now live in three different cities, so I cherish the few times when we are all together. (This picture was taken on Easter 2009.)

Best wishes to you for

health, happiness and success

for the New Year...for the New Decade.

Tuesday Traditions~Tastes like Christmas

KrumKake...another one of our family traditions. Making this delicate Norwegian cookie brings back so many warm memories...and this year it was wonderful to have Emily's help...
Although I have made them by myself, the process goes twice as fast when she rolls the cookie and I can add more batter to the griddle. And of course, having someone's company makes any job so much better.

My best friend in elementary school was Karen. Her mother grew up in Norway and moved to the United States when she was 22 years old. I stayed over-night at their house at least once a week. It was Inger that taught me how to knit, how to bake Norwegian goodies, and how to say the two phrases that I can speak in Norwegian.

This is her recipe...it is quite large.

It calls for 8 eggs.


2 cups of sugar and mix well. Add 2 cups of heavy cream.

3 cups of flour

4 tbsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. cardamom

Beat until smooth.

Add 1 cup of melted butter last.

The batter is so rich and smooth.




Preheat your krumkake iron until a drop of water sizzles.

Place 1 Tbsp. of batter in the center of the griddle and close.

Cook the krumkake on one side for about 30 seconds. Rotate pan to the other side to cook for an additional 30 seconds, or until it is the desired color.(It helps to have a clock with a second hand.)

Remove from Krumkake iron and immediately roll onto wooden cone.

Allow to cool slightly.



Gently slide the cone-shaped cookie off of the wooden cone.

Aren't they just the sweetest cookie creations?!

Monday Memories ~ Climb Every Mountain

Emily loves to cook and Grammy loves to watch.
Plus...Emily is a good cook...a fabulous cook. How does this happen? Is it genetic?? We do have a history of some great cooks in our family. Aunt Enid was a pretty good cook. Aunt Bertha was a really good cook. Aunt Darlene is an excellent cook. My Aunty Vivian was an amazing cook.
I predict that Emily will be one of the best cooks on our family tree!

Last night she made Shrimp Newburg...another entree from my Rachel Ray magazine.

After dinner, the three of watched my absolute favorite movie of all times...The Sound of Music...
This is the first movie I ever saw in a theatre.

My mom remembers that we had taken my grandma to Moorhead, Mn., to stay with her sister, Birdie. The rest of us, my Aunt Enid, my mom, cousin Betty, and I stayed at the Comstock Hotel. (Betty can you help flesh out this story? Was there anyone else?? Your mom???)
That is Aunt Enid on the left...my mom (in curlers)...and me. This picture is dated June, 1966, which makes me 10 years old...

Watching the Sound of Music during the Holiday Break

is just one of My Favorite Things.

(Line's Luggage Update: Lost in Minneapolis...)

Lost in New York

Line's luggage, that is...

As you all know, we just survived a 3 day blizzard here in the midwest. Line's parents arranged a trip for her to visit family in New York City during the holiday. Thanks to the redneck pickup, we were able to get her to the airport by 5:20 a.m. for her flight. (Hubby said that even our trail blazer would not have gotten us there!)

This is Line's suitcase...hopefully, not the last time we'll see it?!

Thank goodness all of her electronics were in her carry-on. After she cleared the security check, we waited and waited...the runway was too slippery for take off. Their flight was delayed for about an hour...while the luggage made the connection in Minneapolis, Line just missed her flight.

They were able to rebook her onto another flight about 4 hours later.

But her suitcase??? Hopefully, I will hear from Line that they have found it and delivered it to her with all her clothing inside...

Meanwhile back in Aberdeen, we hunkered down, as no travel was recommended...Not even within the city. Over 12 inches of snow was reported. You know it must be bad when ...Even the mall was closed...

Was Santa Good To You?

On Christmas morning, when everyone finally wakes up...We gather in the family room (in our pajamas) to see what Santa put in our stockings. Yes...we are all grown-ups here, but this is still a fun tradition. Everyone in the family buys little surprises for everyone else and then sneaks around to put them in the stockings. (Last year the sneaking was a bit of a challenge for this Santa, due to the Sister Slumber Party Habit.)


No one knows who bought what...

so usually that mystery is part of the fun!
Christmas Dinner at Grandmas

A blizzard made travel...even in the city...a bit of a challenge. But thanks to hubby's new redneck pickup we all made it to grandmas for dinner.
The underage guests were responsible for serving the holiday cheer...
Grammy and Line relaxed in the Grandma recliners.

It would not be Christmas without Mashed Potatoes...

At the Christmas table...

The young generation

The elder generation...

The 'sandwich' generation...

The girls always helped Grandpa and Grandma pass out the gifts, and this year was no different.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Merry Christmas To All

Best wishes for a warm and wonderful Christmas.

I hope you are all enjoying this special holiday

with your family and friends.

I have not been online much, as it was the end of the school term so busy...busy...busy...

Here is review of our week of Christmas preparations.

Emily's last final was the 18th. Since then, she has been at home...being the 'stay-at-home' daughter. She has kept busy during the day baking cookies, shopping, & making dinner for us...who had work and school. This was delicious...it is Sausage-and-Mussel Spaghetti from my Rachel Ray magazine. It is one of her 30 minute meals and well worth the effort.

The dining table had been converted to a gift wrapping center for about 3 days. Do you think Lucy thinks that she is hiding and we can't see her??
Emily wrapped most of my gifts too...while Line enjoyed some after-school Party Mix.

On our last day of school, Emily was our delivery girl for my Advisory Group's pizza party. I have Sophomores...and the boys were eager to help her...need I say more?


And finally, home for the holidays. We are missing Amy, since she wasn't able to come. Isn't Skype the best?!

All this cooking, baking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, decorating and socializing has been exhausting...

And Christmas eve...time for family to gather for worship services, good food and fellowship. We enjoyed Elegant Wild Rice Soup with other holiday appetizers.

Line had lots of fun packages from her family and neighbors in Norway.

Happy Christmas to All ... and to All ... a Good Night ...