Snow DayZ

Isabella is my Super Fixit inspiration

Even Willy got some toys, but just one. He's a collector.

We've been getting a lot of cards in the mail. Christmas Cards. They're beautiful, your families are all so gorgeous, and your family letters so very long. ha ha, I mean interesting- ah that's not any better well we like them all the same especially if they're funny. I'm going to stop by your blogs and tell you so very soon...

Anyhow don't take us off your Christmas card list because NEXT year I might do the card thing. No promises though, we're pretty low-maintenance over here. Did you see our advent calendar? With all the whistles and bells? No! Well maybe we lent it to Elizabeth this year. The queen does admire our heirlooms so.

I've been looking around at all yourguyses super fancy envy inducing Christmas Advent Calendars... and I want to take a moment to brag about the Snow Family Christmas Countdown Chain

Pick your jaw up off the ground and wipe away the spittle, because this is as good as it gets in our home. Yes folks, that is tape holding it to the door frame. Very fancy packing tape. And inside each ring is a very fun family activity like:

• See the Temple Lights
• Pop Corn and Watch The Grinch
• Cut out Paper Snowflakes (thanks Katherine)
• Begin Reading A Christmas Carol
• Have a Family Game Night
• Decorate a Gingerbread House (thanks Gma Snow for saving me the effort of baking one)
• Make Candy Cane Reindeer
• Build a Fireplace for Santa
• Write a Christmas Card to Elder Timmy Snow
• Have fun at the Ward Christmas Party
• Watch the First Presidency Christmas Message
• Watch Luke II
• Sing for your supper
• Make Treats for the Neighbours
• Make Ice Cream (pray for snow)

There were some really good ideas that I'm going to steal for next year:

• build a fort and sleep in it
• Make a birthday card for Jesus and put it under the tree
• Go Ice Skating

Sometimes I look up from the chaos and realize it's quiet.

I made too many of these and made myself sick. But it was totally worth it. Next year I'll make sure I have a larger biscuit/cookie cutter. I used the recipe from http://www.joyofbaking.com/ButterTarts.html

I have a great friend. She comes over every Thursday and we bake something new and a little bit intimidating. Lately she's also been preparing dinner, so it's a great deal for me. Thanks Nicole. Our first two treats were pies. I don't even like pie (cooked spiced fruit=puke), but these were really good. And now I know there's nothing scary about pie crust.

We've also made Chocolate Fudge, the no fail kind with sweet'n condensed milk. It tasted like a giant chocolate chip. I think I'd like to try a failure-is-possible-but-it's-worth-the-risk recipe.

Today we made a Yule Log. I think it's supposed to be like a giant Ho-Ho. Instead we created a delicious mess, we're going to have another go at it. I'll take pictures before we eat it next time.
Note to self: The frosting was divine, but I think we over whipped the cream.

Pie Crust Recipe:
2-1/2 c. sifted flour
1/2 tsp salt, generous..... use whisk to blend dry together
1 c shortening.... cut in with pastry blender until crumbly
1 egg beaten
1 Tbs vinegar
1/4 c cold H2O...mix wet ingredients then add to dry

Make two balls, flatten to discs wrap individually in plastic and refrigerate for 5-10 minutes. Roll out on well floured surface. Rotate and flip pastry often to prevent sticking. Roll out from the center only. Fit to dish and cut as desired. Leave some extra pastry along the edge to flute. Refrigerate empty shell for 30min. Preheat oven 375deg. Preheat a baking pan in the oven. Fill pie with prepared fruit. Bake pie on pan- it will catch spills & make the pie crispy on the bottom.
*I don't know if refrigeration is necessary since this recipe doesn't use butter.
*Also I've discovered how much better things tasted when I sift the flour.
*And a nice whisk or two is great!