Here comes the Sun

Don't you love corny titles?
There may be a serious sun deficiency in our parts this time of the year {well, except for the last few days... hallelujah!}, and you may have heard me complain about it a time or two, but we have an abundance of something else, something we soak up and love even more... Daddy time!  I'm sure, the farmer's wives are all nodding their heads right now.  The guys put in  l o n g  hours other times of the year, but the winter pace is slower and much appreciated!

I have been trying to capture some of the sweet moments.

  

SweetP and Daddy making chili

{the recipe for my Grandma's delicious cornbread we ate with it at the end of this post}

O and Daddy watching Modern Marvels

Getting our Christmas tree

Remember, he is the Christmas king, so we've been having a lot of fun! 

Watching Rudolph

Errands and milkshake with Daddy... brrr!

  I love his popcorn {made on the stove with olive oil... ummm}!

And I love his "coat tree".  We have a mirror in our laundry room and we were planning to use these horse hooks in the bathroom, but decided they didn't go.  David had the idea to hang them on the mirror and I love 'em!

I'm kinda crazy about horses, so they make me very happy {never mind the laundry room, I know it isn't anything to look at:)}.

They come in handy, too!

Yep, there's no doubt, he's our hero.  I love you, David!

Grandma's Cornbread

This recipe is from my Dad's Mom, Lenora.  She baked this cornbread for her large hungry brood in this very house!  I am going to type it the way she wrote it- the first number is if you want to double it, which I always do!

4 - 2 eggs

1 - 1/2 cups sugar

2 - 1 cup corn meal

2 - 1 cup flour

2 - 1 tsp soda

2 - 1 tsp salt

4 - 2 T melted butter

2 - 1 cup buttermilk {I usually just add lemon to milk as I don't keep buttermilk on hand}

375 degrees for 30 minutes

Party Bright

This might get a little old trying to document each and every birthday our little nuts have, but I promise you this: it will be the last birthday party I share about this year! :)  Phew! 

I am glad that I work on things  s l o w l y  over time, 'cause the birthday girl and I got sick the week of her party {actually came down with it on her birthday :( }, so we I was barely recovered in time to party.  My sweet sister actually took over for me to help baby girl open her presents half way through so I could go to the bathroom and cough uncontrollably. :)  Sheesh.

I think the first birthday party is really special.  It is as much a celebration for the baby as it is the Mama.  Don't you think?  We are celebrating all the major milestones of the first year {learning to sleep, eat, sit, crawl, walk, talk, etc.}, as well as being done breastfeeding, getting back to pre-pregnancy weight {yeah, it takes me that long 'cuz you have to keep producing milk!}, and much more. 

I'm not quite sure how I came up with the theme for her party, but it is the only idea that came to mind, and I just went with it.

So, we had stars {not sure what they have to do with "This Little Light of Mine"}, and "This Little Light of Mine".

It is her favorite song, so we sang it the way Nana sings it in children's church.  She loved it!

"Star luminaries" as the party was at night, in the winter, in Oregon.  They were fun to make, albeit time consuming.  I found the colored bags at Tarjay. 

Star "Let your light Shine" commissions for her guests to take home {they included taking cookies to your neighbor, writing a letter of encouragement, visiting an elderly loved one, taking food to a pantry, etc.}

Pictures of Daddy and Mama at our first birthdays.  I was going to have people vote to see who she looks like, but I chickened out {saw the idea on Baby Center by Young House Love}.  You can vote in the comments instead- she definitely doesn't have my hair color. :)
Also, an album of the first year of her life {I like to put out their albums for their first birthdays}. 

I decided to go "light" on the food since we were just coming off Thanksgiving, but I may have gone too light.  Yikes.  We have a large family, and a lot of hungry men, so note to self!  We had bacon wrapped potatoes, mini quiches, salads, fruit trifle, but I was most excited about making fruit pizza for the first time.  We have a large, old kiwi plant in the yard, so I have been planning for months to utilize them for fruit pizzas for her party, only to realize too late, that you have to let them ripen after you pick them for some time! 

I am getting my use out of these frames.  Pictures of the first year.

This centerpiece was fun.  A coffee can, twigs, glue gun, and spray paint are all that is required.

The family all remarked at what an incredible job she did, and she was a total ham.  No meltdowns, just smiles and very interested in everything that was going on.  Sweet baby!  Happy, Happy Birthday! 
Praise God for a wonderful first year and for many more to come!
P.S. Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!  We were so blessed with yummy food, the best family, and sweet togetherness!  Thank you, Mama, for hosting, and for your invaluable help last week with the little nuts while I was sick!  You are truly a lifesaver!

Washington County Fair Rolls Recipe

What?  I'm back?  I know, I have AgBags to sew, Thanksgiving preparations, Julia's party to get ready for, but what am I doing?  Yeah, sitting down to post this recipe!:)  I think I work better under pressure or somethin'?!  Calls {OK, only two} are coming in for Nanny's "Washington County Fair Rolls" recipe and I could not find it on the blog.  Didn't I post this already??  Since I can't find it, here it is just in time for Thanksgiving!  You will LOVE; it is our favorite!

Mix Together:
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup dry milk
1 pkg yeast dissolved in 1 cup of quite warm water

Add
4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt

Leave in bowl and let stand overnight (cover with a dish towel).

Morning: Gather dough into large ball and divide in half.  Roll out one half at a time on a floured board and cut in wedge-shaped pieces.  Roll up from wide edge into roll.

Place on well greased cookie sheet and bate at 400 degrees for 7 minutes.

This dough is super for many variations: wiener wraps, fancy coffee cakes, braided sweet breads, small cheese appetizers.

Picture via 

Family- October 2011

My parents decided to have family pictures taken for my brother's senior pictures and for Christmas cards {we typically pile onto the couch on Christmas Eve for a picture and my mom sends out a New Year's card}.  

Carrie took the pictures back in October. when the blueberries and trees were still so beautiful!  She was amazing with our large group!

Here are the grandchildren: 5 years and under {we're just getting started!:)}

Left to right: Peyton, Julia, Olivia, Hugh, Marcus and Evelette

Aren't they cute?

 The Crew

 The two lovebirds who got it all started {my hot parents :)}

 The senior!  Handsome, youngest brother, Nathan.

And a few recent, random shots...

She loves babies like her big sis!

Such a sweet, funny little nut!

She is looking way too grown up these days.

Sweet cheeks

Happy Thanksgiving!

One is One

Our baby is one today.  I don't believe it!  I knew it would go by at lightening speed, so I have cherished the moments, but it still went so fast!  I thank God that I am able to stay home with my children; I don't take it for granted; it truly is a gift, and one I hold very dear.  I am so thankful to be her Mama!  Our children teach us so much and she is no exception.  She is independent and determined, loving and sensitive, very vocal and athletic.  She is beautiful.  There is no one like her!

We love you Julia Bright!  

Can't wait for the celebration of your birth {your FIRST party} this weekend!  :)

Sweet Pictures by Origin Photography!  Thank you Carrie, you rock!