Dear Santa, from Jerome

I will provide these two lists for your convenience in hope that I will get everything I want for Christmas!

PLEASE give me these things

• 1 Wii OR 1 X box 360 WITH Bolt the Video Game  Dear J, Well, I have a policy against giving smart kids video game consoles.  Sorry.
• 1 Swiss Army Knife – got from parents
• 500 sheets colored origami paper
• 1 Multi-geared bike (boyish) 

Things I want, but you don’t have to give me

·     100 sheets 8 ½ x 11

·     1 tank pressurized helium (for chemistry and physics)

·     1 large plastic toboggan

·     1 Nurf gun

·     1 subbuteo soccer field

·     1 notebook (red or blue) 

                                                                        Thank you,

                                                                               Jerome Campbell

P.S. Remember, nobody’s perfect – especially Santa

                                        I hope you like your car track. 

                                                                             Santa

The aprons were received well.  The kids wore them all day.  

Asha with her American Girl doll.  Santa brought the doll and I made the three piece gown shown in the picture.  The sleeves were so small that it was hard.  I should have left the side seams to the end so I could have sewn the details of the sleeves while the fabric was flat.  I have to remember that for next time.      

Doll clothes patterns you can download for free are found here.     

Quinn eating cardamom bread, a Swedish tradition Scott's family enjoys on Christmas morning with hot chocolate.  

Quinn vacuumed all day.   

It's snow time!

The snow, the snow, that is all we talk about around here.  The kids go to school in their snow gear and play outside during recess.  They come home and play more in the back yard until supper.  Some days they play even more until bedtime under the patio lights.   

So much for worrying about keeping the kids physically active during the winter.  I love it! 

 

  
Here is Kai taking advantage of the steep hill in our back yard.  We are glad we brought our boogie boards with us.  They make excellent sleds.  

     

Coming down backwards this time.

  

And climbing up for more.  

The best part of this is that I can see all the fun while I stay warm in the house with Quinn. All three pictures were taken through the kitchen window.     

I finished Jerome's apron.  I tried my best to refrain from any hint of cuteness.  I hope he will use it.  

Doll Quilts and Pillows

Just when I thought I was all finished with my holiday gift prep, I saw this post over at Crazy Mom Quilts.  It is hard to resist such a cute project, especially when Asha tells me that she is going to ask Santa for an Am*rican Girl doll for Christmas.  I didn't follow the measurements on the post.  I made up my own to fit the doll that is coming.    

I made a pillow and case to the doll quilt I made last year.  They match Asha's pink quilt.   

Then I made another quilt for when Asha has a friend over.  I am still working on the pillow case for this one.  

Three more sets for cousins.  

I could spend all day making these little things. The possibility is endless and it comes together  so quickly.  A great way to satisfy your instant gratification.  I am all about that.    

All the above was done pre-sickness.  Asha threw up at church on Sunday, followed by me Monday morning and Kai last night.  It is a terrible bug with stomach pain.  Scott took some time off work, and has been taking good care of us.   

This soup is what I had this afternoon when I finally felt like cooking something for myself. It is my version of the chicken noodle soup. Chinese noodles with lots of cabbage and leek in pork bone broth and Thai red curry paste.  It tasted like home.   

Thanksgiving Report

Did you all have a nice Thanksgiving?  We did... with three straight days of visiting with family and eating yummy food at Scott's parents' house.  Scott's parents have recently built a party room over their over-sized two car garage to accommodate such affair.  There were at least 30 people at any given time, and we counted 44 the last day when Scott's aunts, uncle and some cousins joined in.  

On Thursday, Scott smoked a turkey on his grill after braising it over night.  It was the best turkey he has cooked.  Tender and juicy meat with great flavor.  I made pumpkin pies and yam/apple casserole.  Saturday was pie day.  Tamsin headed the party by baking the most pies.  The rest of us brought a few each.  We counted 18 pies including the quiche I made.  My favorites were Scott's mom's pecan pie and Tamsin's lemon sour cream pie.  

         

Quinn got a new toy for his birthday... 

which replaced this.  

Kai and I baked 30 loaves of bread today in three batches.  We are hoping they will get us through December.  

Kai operated Magic Mill, the wheat grinder, and the 10 qt. mixer Scott's dad made for us.  

Note his cool t-shirt from the reunion:)

Quinn's new favorite in the kitchen.