Christmas Recap.

I love Christmas.  And I forgot to do a post about our Christmas.  Ummmm . . . . . . let me think . . . . it was nice?

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I got to attend the nephews' school Christmas program.  It was cute.  G was King Herod and he did an excellent job with his "tough guy voice".  I asked him after the program if I could borrow the dress he was wearing sometime.  He exclaimed:  "Its a robe!!"

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I made a flourless chocolate cake at some point in the month of December.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?!

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Boyd and I got a Christmas tree.  We brought the boys to help.  I had anticipated a night of Christmas carols, hot chocolate and the boys helping me decorate the tree.  There were SOME carols but mostly a lot of punching and pushing.   Boys and their Christmas spirit. :)

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Boyd's family celebrated Christmas over Thanksgiving.  That seems so long ago and I guess it was. It was great to see everyone and my nephew Jake is getting so stinking tall and old - he's not a little boy anymore!

Here is a family picture.  Yes . . I'm the pasty weirdo up front.  And yes, I probably did not brush my hair.  And yes, my sisters-in-law are crazy pretty.  And no, Jim is not blind.  They are sunglasses.

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I had the book club over to my house for a little holiday party bash.  It was delightful.  I haven't entertained since I lived in Minnesota.  I forgot how much I enjoy . . . people . . . . and books.  I thought I would be doing book updates periodically but I'm lazy.  So as a recap our book club has read: (1) Until They Bring the Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon West (one of my all time faves); (2) Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (fabulously entertaining); (3) One for the Money by Janet Evanovich (hilarious AND is coming to theaters on 1/27!); and (4) The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (Such a rich story . . . loved every minute of it).

I'm now caught up on my book reviews. . . . I am nothing if not thorough.

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My family Christmas went well.   The weather was creepy warm so we took advantage and played outside.  Much fun was had by all.

It was a beautiful day.  Mom got greedy and wanted the entire crew to go outside to take another family picture at sunset.  She lost.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  Now . . . . on to 2012.

One Lucky Girl.

Today marks 11 years of marriage to Boyd.

I'm still not sure if he is the one . . . .

That was a joke.

Sister1 set us up.  She has always been a bit bossy and this was no exception.  She and Ryan were in Watertown for a wedding.  I get a call from her.  "Get your butt over here.  I showed Boyd your senior picture and he seems interested." Ummm . . . awkward and a little creepy.  "Get here NOW."  Okay. Okay.   So, I arrive at the wedding dance with a reinforcement of friends **Because in high school that is how you roll**  So my friends and I danced and I managed to ignore him as much as possible.  Then Sister1 pulls me aside again:  "Get out there and dance with him!"  GOOD LORD!!  Remember me?  I'm your INTROVERTED SISTER!   Somehow this all worked.

I smile whenever I think of our dating time.  It was blissful.  

Boyd is 5 years older than me.   It doesn't seem like a big deal now but flash back to me being 18 and he's 23 - - it was kind of a big deal then.  Boyd had GRADUATED from college and was back in the area for supposedly just the summer.  But then we started dating and he decided to stick around until I was done with high school.   He even went to prom with me.  I was horrified.  NO WAY was I going to ask him to go - I was fine just going with a guy friend.  He finally asked me if I was ever going to ask him to prom.  Embarrassing.  And yet I love him for that.

He smashed my car that I adored - - on date #3.

He writes me love poems.

He made me a necklace that I still have and wear frequently.

He is an average bowler.

He makes me confident in his love for me.

He was, is and always will be faithful.

He is a fabulous dancer.

He laughs at all my hilarious jokes.

He is kind.

He is sort of smart.

Have I mentioned how hot he is?  Or how strong he is?

He encourages me in my crazy endeavors.

He eats all our leftovers.

He claims his "love language" is physical touch.

He loves his family and loves my family.

He is obsessed with the dorkiest of things . . . broncos and paintball.

He gives fabulous back rubs - - not to mention awesome hugs.

His handwriting looks like a 2nd grader's.

He is always up for an adventure.

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Okay. Okay.  I will stop.  I am making myself gag a little bit.

I was warned that having an anniversary on December 30th would be a tough one to celebrate and it is -but at the same time, it is kind of nice.  It rounds out the year.  No matter how tough the year may have been . . . . our anniversary lets it end on a good note.

I am one lucky girl.

Summer of 2000

Wonton Crack.

A friend of mine from Minnesota recently emailed me asking for the recipe for my sausage-ranchy-olive-wonton appetizers.  She is also a fellow blogger.  Check her out at http://themaladroitwife.com.  We met through book club. So . . ummm . . . yes we are both nerds.  Hi Rachel!  AND to give credit where credit is due:  I got this recipe from a different friend in Minnesota who I used to work with.  She is an amazing cook and has often given me delicious easy recipes.  Thanks Shawna! :)


Once I received the email, I had an "aha!" moment.   See . . . THIS IS PROOF that I have made something worthy enough to be asked the recipe for.  I almost cried tears of joy but then I remembered that I don't cry anymore.  


Without further ado - - here is my recipe for "Wonton Crack"  (The crack is in reference to the drug because these are extremely addicting and also fun).


Ingredients:
1 package of wonton wrappers (16 oz)
1 pound of sausage (cooked and crumbled)
1 cup of shredded monterey jack cheese
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped black olives, drained
1 cup ranch style salad dressing

Preheat oven to 350 and spray miniature muffin pan with cooking spray.  Insert wonton wrappers into the muffin pan so as to form small cups.  Bake 5 minutes in the preheated oven.  Allow the baked wrappers to cool.  Remove from pan.  

In a medium bowl, mix the sausage, monterey jack, cheddar, black olives and ranch style dressing.  Fill the baked wonton wrapper cups with the mixture.

Bake the filled wonton wrappers 10-15 minutes, until the sausage mixture is bubbly and slightly brown.  Watch closely so the wonton wrappers do not burn (I hate watching things closely).

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This recipe is foolproof since I have successfully made it 3 times.  Yes.  3 times.  AND if you are in my book club, you will be experiencing this delicious treat at the Nerd Holiday Party.  The last time I made these, Boyd ate so many that he threw up.  NOT because I had food poisoned him but he just couldn't stop . . .  just like crack.  

Baby Its Cold Outside

I'm rather fascinated with this song.  I love the beat, the lyrics - all of the date rape innuendos, etc.  Very festive.  I would like to hear a version of this song but switch the roles - -like have the guy basically trying to push her out the door and she's thinking of excuses why she should stay.  If someone out there does this and makes millions because of my idea - - please send me a check for $10.

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A recent article stated that Watertown was #5 for the coldest cities in the United States.  That's right - - we are COLD.  I like to say it keeps the riff-raff out or maybe it just keeps the "crazies" in.  Depends on my mood as to how I look at it.

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This past weekend was a benefit for Tyler Taschner.  He is the kid who was recently paralyzed and is currently out in Denver at Craig Hospital for rehab.  We may be freezing our butts off in South Dakota but one has to admire the support a smaller community can give to a family.  The Hamlin gym was packed.  There was a dinner, silent auction and an alumni basketball tournament.  Dad realized later on that they didn't have a girl on his team (a requirement).  He then started asking every girl he could find if they had tennis shoes that would fit me.  Umm . . . no . . .  My legs are dry and flakey and I'm not mentally prepared to expose them to the entire Hamlin County!  Sheesh.  Dad didn't seem to understand the problem.  FORTUNATELY Sister2 let it slip that she had workout clothes in the car.  Ha!  Sucker.

Have I ever mentioned that I come from an intensely competitive family?   I do.  It is ridiculous.  And yet, as much as I KNOW it is ridiculous . . I get worked up at sporting events.  Sometimes I cry, my heart pounds, my stomach will hurt, I can be completely inspired by someone's drive and determination and feel so badly for someone if they miss a game winning shot.  Its a GAME for crying out loud!  Get a grip, Sabrina!

My dad is the guy wiping his face with his sleeve.  Trademark move.

I have not heard how the benefit turned out money-wise but I hope it blesses the family immensely.

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Brother2 turned 30 the other day.  His wife lined up an 80s party at a bowling alley.  It was fun.  Brother2 loves big events and even more if they are in honor of him.  

Lots of reminiscing of the "good ole days".  We told stories and stories.  My all time favorite is when he bit his English teacher.  I know I should explain it further . . but I am not going to.   Brother2 has always been a fun part of our family and I am very thankful for him.  Even when I want to kick him.

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I have been trying very hard to think of the positives in life.  There are so many and yet the "physical failings" of this world get in my way all too often.  A friend of my mom's once said:  "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful."

The Joys of Being a Shopkeeper.

I keep thinking I should write in my blog but then I can't think of something to write.  Its a problem - the whole "need-to-think-of-things-to-write-about".

So . . here are 2 random shopper comments instead:

Random Man "Shopper":   I used to be able to hunt deer and pheasant right here in town.  Now I can't.  Its a darn shame.

Me:  Wow.  What a bummer.

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Random Woman:  Do you have a rice beboppy-thingy?

Me:  No, I don't believe so.

Randome Woman:  It strains rice and makes potatoes.

Me:  Nope.  STILL don't have it.

Random Woman:  How about a lefsa board?  Do you even know what that is?!

Me:  Is it a board that you make lefsa on?

Randome Woman:  (surprised)  Well . . why yes it is!

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Ahhh  . . . the joys of being a shopkeeper!

Tis The Season

It is snowing today.  A lot.  And its not the nice snow of Minnesota.  Its the crappy windy snow of South Dakota.  ahh . . yes . . how quickly I forget.

It may be a tough day at the Shoppe.

Fortunately, I brought projects to do and I also decided it would be a good time to listen to some Greg Boyd sermons online since THE PLACE IS VACANT.  Sheesh.

During one of his sermons, he shows a clip from Conan O'Brien.  I love this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk

It is amazing to me how impatient I can be.

Thanksgiving is next week (or in my case, Christmas with the in-laws) and I find myself being more in tune with all that I have to be thankful for.

Like windy crappy snow. :)

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Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving with my family.  I am in charge of the green bean casserole.  Is it a problem that I work until 3pm today and dinner is at 5pm at the farm AND I DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHEN I WILL GET THE CASSEROLE DONE?  Blasted holidays.  But how thankful I am to have family to celebrate with.

I am starting to like my little house better.  I think I finally found my groove somehow and started to "nest".  It feels nice.  I think moving 3 times in 6 months (and big moves at that) drained me more than I could have anticipated.  But, I am determined to make this house a home for however long we may stay there.  AND I love it so much more because of that.

My Jeep is broken down near my parent's place.  Lovely.  Boyd knew the brakes were going to fail soon but told me to keep driving it until it no longer allowed me to.  I personally don't care for this type of tactic and told him so.  I find it a small triumph that it failed 30 minutes away and we are now in a blizzard. Ha!  Fix it now in the WET COLD SNOW.  :) I am the best wife ever.  BUT . . how thankful I am that I have a vehicle.

I should go.  Not because there are shoppers to tend to but I have run out of things to say.

Have a nice weekend.

Sabrina

I have a hard time

I have a hard time writing posts when times are dark.  I know there is much to be thankful for. I do.  Trust me . .  I chant them to myself frequently.  I just don't like to post frustrations, disappointments, etc on the world wide web - - after all - - I try my best to make this blog as shallow and flakey as possible.  I MUST MARCH ONWARD WITH THIS LOFTY GOAL.

No. I have not posted in awhile.  I forgot all about Mr. Blog.

Our long-time family friends, the Taschners, had a terrible accident in their family a couple of weeks ago.  Their son, Tyler, was hit by a tree while hunting in a deer stand.  He has a serious spinal injury.  BLAH.  Such a lovely family.  Such a terrible tragedy.

Umm . . . . in other news . . . .

We finally got renters to sign a lease for our White Bear Lake home.  Which is good.  But then all I have heard is complaints from them . . . and they haven't even moved in yet.  Ugh.  I feel like burying my head in the sand.

And you know what?  I KNOW THIS IS A SILLY LITTLE PROBLEM!  For some reason, its not helping my attitude.  I think I take it too personally.  I lived in that house for 10 years and I LOVED that house.   If you don't like it . . . THEN DON'T MOVE IN IT!  Sheesh.

Now watch . . . somehow they will find this little blog.  Oh well.

Shannon hosted a memorial dinner in honor of Ryan this past weekend.  I think that made me sad too.

Too much hurt in the world.

See? I can't even think of something to make fun of!

Where is my pizza that I ordered?  I'm starving.  Godfathers is going to get some hate rays soon.  I'm completely irrational right now.

I promise I won't write again until I have "TURNED THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN!"

Adios -