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Girls Holiday dresses

I am having the hardest time finding a traditional christmas dress for the girls. But, I have been doing alot of searching and I think I found some.
The best selections are at macys. The good thing about Macys is they offer free shipping on orders of 75.00 or more. They also have pretty affordable items, that are good quality offered in all of their departments.
Do you have any suggestions?
Just thought I would share this with you moms out there in search of the perfect holiday outfit.

Christmas List

This is the beauty of blogging you know. It helps you get your thoughts out and complete a task all at once. I know I need to get my christmas list done because every year, I end up with something I was surprised by. I talking like guns and pajamas with grizzly bears all over them. I know he tries, but in all reality, I need to make him this list. Andy likes the list.
Here is to organization. Things that make life less...hectic.

1. HOT TUB
2. New pots and Pans
3. New Knives
4. New Camera Lens with ALOT of F/stops
5. Ice Cream maker
6. Gift Card for some maternity clothes
7. the kids to be happy and not spend too much on me
8. Bunk Beds for the girls
9. A small TV for our bedroom
10. Socks. Warm socks.
11. Kitchen-aid

I think that is about it.

Holiday Spice

The holidays are an exciting time of the year for me. One, I smell pine every time I vacuum and two-I drink holiday spice. The flavor is like a hot cinnamon roll.The traditional name is "Hot Buttered Rum Mix", however, it is not an alcoholic drink as the mix. Let me repeat...There is no alcohol or alcohol flavoring in the mix. (I have to repeat myself because I told my mom and she kinda cringed at me. I'm like, have I ever gave you a recipe and lied to you? anyways....) But if you prefer to spice it up at the end, that would be where you add the rum.

Here is the recipe.

FYI-It is a mix that you refreeze back into ice cream state and only use 1-2 tbsp per cup. It should last you a while.

HOLIDAY SPICE

Ingredients
1 tub of Vanilla Ice Cream (make sure it isn't frozen yogurt)
1 pound butter
2 cups Brown Sugar
2 cups powder sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

1.MELT. 1 pound of butter in your largest microwave safe mixing bowl. (about 2 minutes) Remove from microwave

2.ADD. brown sugar, powder sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until it is an even consistency.

3.SOFTEN AND ADD. Place your tub of ice cream in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to soften. Take it out and dump it into your mixture. Stir all the ingredients together until there are very little clumps.

4.TASTE TEST
5.REFREEZE. Get your empty ice cream tub and an extra Tupperware. (If you have a big empty ice cream bucket with a lid that will fit all of it, that would work the best.Any container will work) Pour into containers, place back in the freezer until it sets up.

5.TO ENJOY-Place 1-2tbsp in each cup. Pour hot water over the top and stir.

WHAT IS A BRINE?

You might have heard of a brine but the challenge of creating one might be a little overwhelming. Why would you want to brine a turkey if you can just stick it in the oven until the red thing pops up, right?

Well, for starters, brine is basically salt water, or water saturated or nearly saturated with salt. Brine has historically been used to preserve vegetables, meats, fish, and cheese through a process called brining.

Brining is like marinating in that you soak your (in this case) turkey in the solution, but it's benefit in addition to flavoring is that it's supposed to help cooked meat stay moist. The explanation for why has to do with osmosis and denaturation.....boooring. Let's just say as long as it ain't dry, who cares why.

A simple brine can be made easily with sugar, salt, water, ice, and flavorings like herbs and spices. So now that you know what brining is, and why it might be worth a try, here are some recipes you can use to brine your own turkey this Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or whenever.

SMOKED TURKEY BRINE

We used this recipe last year and it was the best turkey I have ever...I mean EVER had in my life. Tis the season for Turkey so I thought I would share it with you all. Try it out! You won't regret it.

SMOKED TURKEY BRINE

INGREDIENTS
•1 gallon water
•1 cup salt (1 1/2 cups Kosher or coarse salt)
•1/2 cup sugar
•6 fresh tarragon leaves or 1/4 cup dried tarragon
•1 teaspoon black pepper

PREPARATION
The water you use should not be chlorinated. If you don't have easy access to good spring water. Boil it first, let the water cool and then add all other ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Place Turkey in large non-metallic dish and cover completely with brine.

Let sit in refrigerator for 1 hour per pound.Overnight is the best way for timing.
Remove Turkey from Brine,
RINSE thoroughly and pat dry.
COAT turkey with olive oil. Place in Smoker.

New Moon

I believe the private showing of "New Moon" was G.R.E.A.T. If you look at the quality, it was perfect. I loved it when the producers portrayed the passing months by circling Bella sitting on her bed looking out the window. There was so much more to the movie but I have to say, I would choose Jacob.
My lunch party after the movie was good. It's alot of work to be the hostest, or maybe I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. On the plus side, Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
Here are some pictures of our after party.

The best cupcakes I have ever had. Seriously..we put the forks in them to represent the town of Forks, WA.

Italian food always goes good with fancy Italian Juices. I love how the light hits off of the glasses.

The food was chicken parmigiana, fresh bredsticks, green salad, and mottzarella sticks. In the future, I will stick with recipes I know. This one wasn't the best to me.

Guests happy the food is served.

The group.

Holidays

What brings the Holiday spirit in?...

It is yet again another year. Another winter with snow on the ground. I am a little surprised I survived another year in Alaska...I sure didn't HOPE I would have to, but nevertheless... its here.

Today it's a beautiful day. A blanket of white snow sits on the ground and in the trees. There is also this sun that is hitting me in the eyes as I look out the window. I kicked the kids outside to go play in the snow. Yes, Im one of those moms. Rain or shine, they are outside. The excitement for snow doesn't last that long. Really.But it brings in the holiday spirit.

Thanksgiving is coming up. Are you excited? I'm trying to get excited. I'm thinking about smoking the turkey but I might just do it the traditional way. It's alot less work. And I need less work.What is going to excite me this year is allowing the kids to help me with the preparation of the meal. Andy will be working nights so his mood might not be the best, but he will be there. And I will be making a pumpkin roll witch will make it all worth it....mmmm..That will bring the holiday spirit.

Hot Buttered..Holiday Spice drink. I just need to make a big batch of this right now because one cup of this, brings the holiday spirit in for me. It's so warming and spicy with the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon. You start your morning with one of these! How could you not like the holidays.?

[this is where you tell me about the bills and all the negative stuff that goes with it.Because yes, the holidays do take a big chunk out of the bank]

Enjoy your day...your time...your youth. Enjoy the season.

Twilight Party Pre-View

I'm having a "New Moon" party tomorrow. Some friends and I decorated all night. It's relaxing sitting here, watching the snow fall, and the fire glow. The house has a touch of romance with the smell of homemade bread sticks through the air.






Tomorrow is the big day for my par...tey! We are going to a Private showing of "The New Moon" and then having a lunch at my house afterward. We are having all Italian food. Mmm...Fun times.

sledding

Snow

Snow is amazing...well, the first couple times it falls it is. It feels so clean and pure. It is exciting. I know there is much more to come. Enjoy your first days of snow!

HALLOWEEN

Halloween. I love Halloween. I am writing this 2 weeks after halloween and it seems like it was so long ago. But it's good to sit down and have time to do it.

(Mattie negotiating with the sheriff.)

(then she just had to do her own cupcake walk)

Isn't it about time for pictures of the kids.

Harvest Carnival 2009 at the Church of Christ. One word: ENJOYABLE. Everything was enjoyable from the company to the activities. I love the traditional approach to a halloween party. There was a doughnut on a string, cupcake walk, fishing, darts, bowling, and ect. The kids l.o.v.e.d. it. Andy showed up at the end and I challenged him to the doughnut challenge.

Trunk-or-Treat at the LDS church. We started going to these for the last 2 years. It's outdoors, and everyone just parks in the parking lot. It reminds me trick-or-treating, tailgate style. They have even incorporated a chili cook-off and apple cider booth. Maybe next year they'll have hotdogs too and make it a real tailgate style. It's nice that it has been opened up to the community..

BUT the actual trick-or-treating door to door? One word: HILLARIOUS.

Trey had a friend with him and they saw some other girls from their class. It was one of the first signs of "boy/girl" attraction because of course, the girls were following them. They wanted to run from house to house, but we said no.

Morgan was a princess and acted like one. She loved trick-or-treating, but was more passive about it.

Mattie, 2 years old, was a pumpkin halloween night. She ran right with Trey to be at the front of the door, rang the doorbells, and once tried to open the door if no one answered the door. You could tell people were facinated by her enthusiasm for halloween. I know it made me laugh. She is a firecracker.

In the end, the kids had 3 full buckets of candy that still, 2 weeks later, are mostly full. I can't just hand the buckets to the kids and let them dig in. It just doesn't feel right to give them candy overload. I wonder how parents do it? Because I can't...mentally.

Here are those pictures of Andy in the doughnut challengea.

SOBRIETY

I had this friend growing up. His life has always crossed mine one time or another. When I was 4, he lived on the same street as I did. We played and rode bikes together. I moved around alot and in high school, we ran into each other again. We even went to a Sadie Hawkins dance together and had such a good time. He brought his video camera and we went to the bike path on the Columbia River, acting like we were cops. What was funny was there were some people down on the dock. They heard us and thought we were real cops. So they threw their drugs in the water.

He called me up shortly after and said he needed a ride to Yakima. He didn't want to be in the Tri-Cities any longer and needed a ride. So, I took him in my old Pontiac that only had high beams, and we started on our adventure. Along the way, we told ghost stories and then....a tire blew. We were stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire. I decided to drive up a little further where there was lights and we got that tire changed. I think we were running out of gas too. So before we went any further, we stopped and said a prayer. We were just young, but it seemed appropriate.
Then later in life, we had a class together at Tri-tech, a vocational school. The class we were taking was Videography. This was a tough time in MY life because I had left home. But I remember feeling at peace when I saw him, almost like a baby clutching onto their teddy bear.

When I was 22, I worked at a tv station, and yet again...I walked in the door and saw him sitting there as a master control operator. My crazy life, I yet again saw him there. He was always so happy and easy going.

Recently on facebook, he mentioned that he was celebrating his 28th year of sobriety. I thought, 28 years...never touched a drug or alcohol. Maybe that is why he was always so important to me. He never judged me or made me feel less of a person. 28 years.

This friend I am talking about is now a youth pastor somewhere in Washington State and his name is Mike Garbutt. I don't talk to him anymore but I'm sure glad he was there for me growing up. Everyone could use a good friend as a youth that is strong. It's times like this, years later that you thank that one person.

Chocolate Factory

(This day we scheduled to go to Gettysburg and Hershey Pennsylvania.)

8am-Woke up

10am-Was soposed to be gone already but:

A. WE HAD TO CHANGE THE OIL

B. WE HAD TO EAT CAKE

C. WE HAD TO WATCH A HAUNTING SHOW

If you know the Lloyds, the answer could be any of the above. But this particular day, we were all sitting in my moms room waiting for Karrie to finish curling her hair and Tiffany turned on a huanting show. Before long, we were all sucked in and didn't get out the door until 11am. We were never going to get everything done.

We had a 3 hour drive ahead of us and it was a beautiful day. The trees were a rainbow of color. Farm houses spotted the hillside and I just imagined living there as I staired out the window. .
The houses are picture perfect.

When we arrived in Gettysburg, it was lunch time. We stopped and ate at a local cafe and had a little time to check out downtown of Gettysburg. Everything was original and unique.

The old buildings were converted into shops that fit the town. When we were eating lunch, we talked and decided that there wasn't enough time left to do all our activities. We were going to keep going to the Hershey Chocolate World and go to Gettysburg at a later time.

Hershey Pennsylvania. I picture streets paved in Chocolate and a gated entry like Willy Wonka's. But in all actuality, the town of Hershey was founded by a man with Hershey in his name, the man that started the Hershey brand. The factory was set up for tourists with all the chocolate...you can buy.
This candy bar was 40.00 so we just took a picture with it. Amazing how they produce the chocolate.

Shannadoah Valley

I arrived at Regan National Airport Tuesday night around 10pm. There was a 4 hour time difference than Juneau, but I was still exhausted.( My exhaustion might have had something to do with a cold that was in full swing at this point) My mom, Karrie, and Tiffany came and picked me up and it was a beautiful night, not a cloud in the sky. We drove by the Regan monument and it was all lit up in the dark night. We stopped at a grocery store because we needed to buy a cake. It's a Lloyd thing, we have a thing for sweets. Once we got to the house and settled in, it was around 1pm when we finally got to sleep. We had to get an early start the next day.

9am-Woke up.
12pm-Left the house. Our early start didn't happen (this is a Lloyd thing). We were headed to the Shannadoah National Park which was about a 2 hour drive. Along the way, we stopped at my brothers work and visited with him. It has been YEARS since I have seen him and I have to say, he hasn't changed a bit. He is still the most loving,funny, big brother you could ask for. Jason is now engaged to Jannett, who is really great.


The '''Shenandoah Valley''' is both a region of Virginia and West Virginia. The valley is bound to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Appalachians, and to the north by the Potomac River. In the fall, this land is beautifully untouched by man and abundant with trees. Here are pictures on Skyline Drive.

A view.

Taking a break.

A pod releasing it's seeds for the next years growth. This picture was taken for an assignment titled "Inside Out".

On our way back, a black bear ran out in front of us. I didn't expect that.
There are 4 deer in this picture...and I was about 5 feet away from them. It was amazing that they were in the middle of the woods, and not afraid.
This one, cars were practically touching it, and it wasn't afraid. One guy was freeking out because it was a 5 point buck.
We drove back at sunset. When we arrived home,Tiffany had made these AWESOME chipolte burritos. They were soooo good, but we all know what happens after you eat burritos...

The next day, we were headed to Gettysburg and the Hershey Chocolate Factory in PA. I went to bed fairly early, because I knew we had to get an early start.

Walking in the footsteps of the Past

I have been home for quite a time now and I'm sure alot of you were tired of checking my blog and seeing it say "I'm in Seattle right now"...yes I have been trying to recover from the long trip and looking at pictures was the last thing I wanted to do. You have to understand, in 6 days, I took close to 700 pictures, my journey was through the camera lens...I love taking pictures but then it became annoying. Now I am past it, I have scrolled through all my pictures and am glad I documented every thing that we did.
After everything, my trip back East was well worth it. It was something I have always wanted to do... always wanted to see... and experience with great company. To summarize it, it was cool. History came to life and I felt like I was walking in the past. We (My sister, Mom, and I)traveled to Gettysburg and I felt the soldiers on the battlefield. We traveled to Ellis Island and I felt the immigrants that came in the early 19Th century. I saw the Statue of Liberty in all it's glory. I even saw some HOT New York Cops that told us all about their experience with 9/11. Learning about the history gave me a new appreciation for America. New York City gave me an appreciation for Juneau.