Friday Favorites - Christmas Ornaments

One of our family traditions is adding a Christmas ornament to the tree every year. Jason and I started doing this back in 2000 for our first Christmas together, and we've had fun finding an ornament that reflects what's happening in our life each year. In 2008, we started the same tradition for Brennan for his first Christmas. We also have a large assortment of ornaments we've gotten as gifts from friends and family, as well as several ornaments I have made over the years.

Here are a few of my favorites.


The Ornament That Started it All - Our first Christmas ornament, back from when we were engaged and living with my parents. We hung our ornament on a tiny tree that sat on top of the television in our room. We've come a long way!




Brennan's First Christmas




Santa Moon - One of the crafty ornaments painted by me. I don't remember what year it was, but we were living in North Carolina at the time. I painted a lot of ornaments that year! I used them as gift tags, and I also made one for each of my co-workers.




Paper Quilled Snowflakes - There are several of these on the tree. Another handmade goody by me. A dear childhood neighbor made beautiful framed and quilled memory frames, and gave me one for my high school graduation. I was inspired to learn how to paper quill, and taught myself how to do it. Most of the time I quill flowers and leaves to use as borders around wedding invitations or pictures, but quilled snowflakes are pretty too.




Our 2009 Ornament - We wanted something to signify our move to Utah. I found this one at Northwest Jewelry, and thought it was perfect.




2007 - A souvenir from our trip to the Biltmore estate. It's a miniature reproduction of the Vanderbilt china.




Flying Pigs - There's no "When Pigs Fly" story, Jason just likes pigs, and they were a gift from his Mom.




The Cardinal - Redbirds are significant in my family. They were a favorite of my grandparents, and we grew up watching them at the bird feeders in Grandma and Grandpa's front yard. Grandma and Grandpa have since passed on, and redbirds have become more like guardian angels. If you see one, you know Grandma and Grandpa are watching over you, and you are sure to have a good day. He's a must on our Christmas tree.




2001 - A Ne'Qwa Handpainted Ornament - This was our second ornament. A lot happened in 2001; Jason and I had gotten married, he finished basic training and tech school, and we moved to North Carolina. We found this one in a little boutique and both thought it was perfect. Ne'Qwa is an art technique of reverse painting. It's painted in reverse, on the inside of the ornament. I can't imagine painting the whole ornament in reverse through the tiny hole at the top. I tried to reverse paint an acrylic keychain back in high school, and let's just say it wasn't pretty.




The Brass Heart - This "ornament" is from 2004. I know it's hard to see in the picture, but that's how it is on the tree, tucked inside and hard to see. We get a big laugh out of the brass heart every year. Of course it has a story. I ordered it online that year, I loved how it looked in the picture, but I didn't pay attention to the dimensions. It was described as an ornament, so I just assumed it was regular ornament size. It's actually about 12" wide! I was not happy when it came in, but Jason wouldn't let me send it back. He said that's the one we picked, so that's the one we're keeping. It took me a couple years, but I'm glad we kept it. It gives our tree some heart, ha ha.




Apples - Gotta have apples. Mom always had them on the tree when we were growing up, and a Christmas tree is just not complete without them.




Bells - Same reason as the apples. Apples and Bells go together like peas and carrots.




Hand-sewn hearts and stars - Some more ornaments made by me. Back in 2003 we bought a new Christmas tree, and there was a lot of empty space to fill up on that big ol' tree. I bought a couple yards of different Christmas-y fabrics and made these.




Military Branches Ornament - A gift to Jason from his great aunt after he joined the Air Force.

So there you have it. I love that each ornament has a history and reminds us of special times in our lives, and I look forward to all the ornaments of our future.

Thursday Tidbits

Some little tidbits from our week.

Maggie is almost out of dog food.
Normally not a big deal, we'd just go get some. But this week it's really cold. And windy. And Snowy. And really cold. In order to delay having to leave the house for a day or two, I've been giving her extra table scraps...and leftovers. Like when all the salisbury steak I made the other day didn't fit into the plastic bowl I picked, I didn't get another bowl, I just put the extras in Maggie's food dish. Or when I made Pigs in Blankets yesterday, I had too many pigs and not enough blankets. Maggie gobbled those pigs right up. I also made her scrambled eggs for breakfast. We had french toast, and after I was done with the toast, I cooked up the leftover egg mixture. Well, Maggie's a big dog, and what I had left didn't look like enough for a hearty breakfast, so I added another egg (or two). Believe me, she's in doggie heaven.

I resent Jason superhuman willpower against chocolate and cookies.
I just don't understand it. At Christmas time, Jason loves peanut butter balls, and peanut butter fudge, and sugar cookies, and butterscotch haystacks. This year since we're not going to be visiting family for Christmas, I thought I would try to whip up some of those tasty treats right here at home. So far I have made the peanut butter balls and the sugar cookies. Both turned out absolutely scrumptious. The downside of that is, Jason can eat one or two of them and he's done.

Not one or two a day, one or two total.

Now what exactly is supposed to happen to the other 38 peanut butter balls, and the other 22 sugar cookies? That's right, somebody has to eat them. And who does that leave. You guessed it, me. Brennan doesn't count, if I give him a half a ball, I still have to eat the other half, and he only licks the icing off the cookies. Not that I eat the leftover cookie, that's just gross, but Maggie enjoys them. Now I was able to ship off half of the peanut butter balls to work with Jason. That still leaves a dangerous amount of peanut butter balls lurking in the refrigerator.

Baby Jesus is missing.
Last year for Christmas, Santa brought Brennan a Fisher-Price Nativity play set. This year we set it up on the coffee table for Brennan to play with. He is very proud of it, and was doing a good job of learning all the characters. Of course, Baby Jesus was his favorite. He carried him all through the house. Well, for the last couple days Baby Jesus has been MIA. (Oh, why couldn't it have been the sheep!) I keep hoping he will turn up. I've looked everywhere I can think he might be stashed, but no luck. I'm hoping for a Christmas miracle...or if it comes to it, an awesome eBay auction.

You can find anything on eBay, right?

The Wonder of Christmas

Where Does the Wind Go?

Where does the wind go when it doesn't blow?

This is a question from my Dad that got us all to ponder from a young age.

Where does the wind go when it doesn't blow?

Hmm, of course, we always had an answer. It goes someplace else. But where? It goes in the trees? Can you see it? The list goes on. Even as an adult, usually in a circle with other adults who are drinking adult beverages, the question comes up from time to time, and we all sit and ponder the deepness of the question, and crack up at all the crazy answers. Somehow everyone knows you can't answer the question with scientific reasoning, and talk of fronts and the jet stream.

Until now.

Now I know where the wind goes when it doesn't blow.

It comes to Utah, specifically to the Wasatch Front, for a fabulous ski vacation. It comes and sets up camp and brings it's buddy snow with it. For the last three days it has been here on vacation and it's giving no sign of when it's leaving. And since it's on vacation, it's got to show off a little for the locals. No small breezes here, no way. These are near hurricane strength winds we're talking about. Constant. Wind sure nows how to party.

You'd think I'd be used to it, living in Florida for 5+ years. Completely different. In Florida, the wind picked up, got stronger, and blew on through. It rarely stayed for very long at a time.

So here we go, another day surrounded by snow drifts and listening to the wind blow. I've found it's got quite a personality, too. In our bedroom, the wind whistling through some unseeable opening around the window sounds like a harmonica. I had to camp out on the couch last night for awhile, because it was so nerve-racking. Oh, and if your in one of the bathrooms, it sounds like one of those long lumber carts from Lowe's being pushed down the aisle. Twice, before I figured it out, I looked outside to see what kind of truck was out there.

Funny, that wind, quite a character. I'm just glad I finally mastered the question. Not as glad as I am that the heat works, and that Brennan and I don't have to go outside for any reason today, but a small victory all the same.

Hugs From Windy Utah,
Heather

We're Rockin' This Christmas

Never in the history of our relationship, have Jason and I been so ready for Christmas so early. I mean, we've had good intentions, but for one reason or another things never come together. Some years it's because we travel over Thanksgiving. By the time we get back and get settled and get in the mood to tackle Christmas shopping and decorating, it's the middle of December, we have no idea what we're buying, and the tree is still in the attic. Other years, when we're not going to be at our own home for Christmas, it's hard to get in the spirit to decorate when no one is going to be there to see it. You can imagine that this cycle drives my slightly OCD perfectionist self nuts!



This year is different, we have all our decorations up, inside and out. Actually, we started putting them up Thanksgiving evening, and finished them over the weekend. All of the presents are bought, and most of them are wrapped and either already under the tree, or stashed in the garage. Well, I can speak for the presents I take care of, which is all of them except for my own. Jason still might have some shopping to do, ha! Our Christmas cards are in the envelopes, just waiting to be addressed. All the packages I need to send are wrapped and packed and taped and just waiting to go to the post office. I have already bought Christmas jammies, and a Christmas outfit for Little Man, and I even remembered stocking stuffers! That is definitely a first in this house. I also have all the ingredients in the pantry for all the Christmas goodies I plan on making this year.



So as we are getting ready for the first weekend of December, I'll be so glad that we can sit at home and admire our work, and not have to make any last minute shopping lists or hectic trips to the mall. No last minute baking, or cooking, or wrapping, or standing in line. Yahoo!

This is how Christmas should be, enjoying family, and all the sights and sounds and smells of Christmas without the underlying current of stress. Hopefully we can make it happen this way every year, it's definitely worth it.

And now, I think I'll go work on making some peanut butter balls, and I'll take my time, just because I can.

Daddy's Shoes

Brennan's newest fascination is wearing my and Jason's shoes. He's so proud of himself when he gets them on and is able to walk around in them. Here's a photo of him doing just that earlier in the week.

Prickly

We were able to finally get out and enjoy some time in the mountains yesterday. Here was one of my finds on our nature walk.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Since I am staying at home with Brennan, I have had more time and energy to find and create new recipes. I have even gotten to the point that we know what we are going to eat for every meal a week in advance! It's been wonderful so far, and no more running to the store at the last minute to pick up expensive quick meals or eating greasy fast food. And as an added bonus, I've lost 7 lbs since we've left Florida. Yay! But enough about that, on with the recipe.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Ingredients:
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut in half
Bacon (I used two pieces of bacon per piece of chicken)
Chive Cream Cheese
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Tarragon

Spread one tablespoon of cream cheese onto each piece of chicken. Top with 1 tablespoon of butter. I sliced the butter thinly and just placed it on top of the cream cheese. Season to taste with salt, pepper and tarragon. Wrap each piece with the bacon slices and secure with toothpicks. Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Mmmm! The chicken was very good, and the recipe will be going into my keeper file. For sides I sauted squash, zucchini and onions and made alfredo noodles. Next time though, I'll just stick with the veggies. The chicken is very rich, so the noodles were kind of overkill. Still good though, we all have happy, full bellies!

Hugs,
Heather

Rootin' Tootin' Cowboy

The pictures from our Halloween Adventure


The Cutest Cowboy


OK, The Two Cutest Cowboys


Mommy and Brennan (Yeah, I was a dud, and didn't dress up. I ran out of time getting a costume. I am sporting my Halloween shirt though.)




The first house. A little tentative.


Several houses later. He's got it figured out now!


Back in our yard, chowing down on his treasures.

Utah - Our New Beginnings

Well, it' time to knock the dust off of the Bal Family blog. We've been unpacking, arranging and settling now for a couple of weeks. The house is finally looking like civilized people live in it. It was bad, I was getting scared for awhile. We moved from a large three bedroom house, to a much smaller two bedroom house. Needless to say, we are having a yard sale, Goodwill will be getting a truckload, and I will have things to sell on eBay through the Spring. At least the car can fit in the garage now. For awhile I had serious doubts!

As for how we're enjoying Utah so far? So far so good, though we haven't had the chance to get off base much since we've been here. There has been a lot going on around here, so we haven't had the chance to do much touring around.

The first week, Jason was still on leave when he got recalled for a bomb drop. Here's a link to the story on that: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091023/ap_on_re_us/us_air_force_base_explosion
Nothing like a warm welcoming explosion to start your new job.

The next weekend was spent clearing our the garage, and running back and forth to Lowe's to get shelving and totes to organize all the stuff we are keeping. Thankfully, Lowe's, SUPER Target, and Wal-Mart are all right down the street from us.

Oh, and of course, we had to go trick-or-treating. Brennan was a cowboy. I'll definitely round-up the pictures of that to share.

This week started a 7 day base excercise, which means we haven't seen much of Jason in days. He leaves for work when it's dark, and comes home when it's dark. We're hoping for some normalcy next week, if there is such a thing.

So to wrap up this post, I do have a couple of pictures to share.

Here's the Wasatch Mountain Range looking out our front door.


And here are more mountains and the Salt Lake looking out our back door.


Not bad, huh?

Hugs,
Heather

Another Catch Up Post - The Rest of Summer Vacation

*sigh*

Here I go again, trying to compact a months worth of happenings into one post. I really will get better at this. I do want to be a good blogger, I really do, I just haven't figured out how to work that into my schedule yet. I am determined though, IT WILL HAPPEN. In the meantime, here's the ultra-lite version of the past month.

(Another) Day at the Beach

Jason and Andrew decided that instead of going to our normal (read: close to home, not crowded, clean) beach, we needed to drive all the way out to Panama City Beach and go to the County Pier (Read: Too Far, Crowded, DIRTY). Of course, in my neverending quest to keep everybody happy, we did. I will spare you all the details about how I had to obsessively hover over Brennan to keep him from picking up garbage, or about how we might as well have stayed in the parking lot to find a spot where we weren't right on top of somebody else, but even with that, we had a good time. A big thunderstorm also rolled in, so we had to leave early. :)

Jason and Andrew - Posing for the Camera


Brennan - Getting his zoom-zoom on, trying to catch those dang seagulls!




And on to the pictures of our excursion to the "Old Country" as my Dad likes to call it.


The Alabama Portion of the Trip

Brennan's First Skinned Knee - He got that from falling on Nana and Papaw' patio. He wasn't too phased by it beyond the initial crying. He did try to rub it off though, until it went away. He also got his second skinned knee on the same patio, a week later. He's such a boy.



Indiana
Jason and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary while we were in Indiana. Yay us! (I love you, honey!!) Since we were staying at Grandma Brenda's, we were able to take a day and go off on our own. Gulp, it was the first night we had spent away from Brennan. Really though, it was great. Brennan, Grandma, and Harry got to spent some time together, and Jason and I got to spend some much needed time alone. For our anniversary we gifted ourselves with a Bed and Breakfast Package at the West Baden Resort Hotel. Those of you from the "Old Country" know what this is; everyone else definitely take a moment to Google it. It is a truly awesome place.

While we were there we took a guided tour of the hotel and grounds, checked out all the shops, bought some book, ate some great food, drank some great drinks, and gambled at the casino. Of course, we also did some additional exploring of our own, and took a trip to the local winery. We had a wonderful time, so wonderful in fact, that neither of us wanted to go to bed. You just can't imagine how peaceful and fascinating it is to stand on one of the atrium balconies in the middle of the night, when no one else is out there, without experiencing it first hand. I highly recommend staying there.

Our Room


Another View of Our Room - Complete with handsome hubby checking it all out!


Our Balcony View


Another Look From the Balcony


Outside on the Veranda


One of the Entrances


Out in the Gardens - One of the Mineral Spring Buildings


Restored Fountain in the Gardens


Lover's Promenade - At one time there was a large bathhouse at the end of the Lover's Promenade, now, not so much. We walked out there, and all that remains is a smelly mud puddle. You can see some of the wall remains, and the stairs, but that's about it. Hopefully, one day they will be able to restore it.


West Baden Hotel


One of the approximately 235 Self Portraits that Jason and I feel compelled to take any time we go anywhere. I don't know why we don't have someone else take a picture of us. I do it all the time for complete strangers, you'd think I would ask one of them to return the favor. Nah, we have too much fun doing it this way!


Another View of the Hotel


Back Inside


The Top of the Dome at Night - There was a constant light show going on. The colors were constantly changing behind the dome finial.


View From Our Balcony at Night


All Good Things Come to and End - A Shot of the Big Arch on the Way Out



Last Day
On the evening before we had to go home we went to a Family BBQ/Fish Fry. A good time was had by all, and Brennan got to see and play with all kinds of new things.

The Kitty - Brennan has never really been around cats, so it was love at first sight.


Driving - No road rage (yet).


Shanny and Jason's Mom (aka Grandma Brenda)


Kitty, Part II - This kitty was obviously used to kids! :)




Swingin' - Brennan has never met a swing he didn't like, and Shanny was nice enough to help him out.


And that's that. We've been back in Florida for a couple weeks, and have started the countdown to Utah. We have lots to do, and hopefully getting it all done won't be too overwhelming. We'll see. Hopefully, I can get a few blog post in between now and then to keep you all updated on the progress --- or maybe the next photo on the blog will be of the Great Salt Lake. We'll see!

Hugs to All,
Heather