I'm Baaack!

Well, what can I say. After a good, long while of inactivity, I have decided to make a comeback with another attempt at Blogging.

New Construction/Remodel!

Opps, this blog is due for a remake and redesign. Please be patient while the blog is evaluated for a new design and new posts. Sorry for the long absence from this site. I have been busy with other endeavors and I have finally decided to return an emphasis to updating this blog and exerting an effort to maintain it.

The purpose of the blog will remain as an effort to establish and maintain communications between family and friends. I will also attempt to post family information of general interest to all. Please comment or suggest items of interest and the blog may be able to expand into other areas of interest according to that information. Friends are welcome to view and react to the blog. Please be patient and positive and let's see where this blog can take us.

Christmas Traditions at Our Home

Nativity Scene:

  The Nativity Scene or Manger Scene is the traditional Christian representation of the birth of Jesus Christ. This scene is usually a set of models, statuary, or other art objects representing the infant Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and others as described in the Gospels of Mathew and Luke. In my picture of our family Nativity Scene you can see a shepherd with his sheep as well as other stable animals and the Angel and the three Wise Men. In some cases the Nativity Scene is depicted with live individuals and animals. The first live Nativity Scene was credited to Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. He wanted to encourage the worship of Christ with a "living" Nativity Scene.

  Christmas is the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is derived from the term "Christ's Mass" from the Middle English form of "Cristemasse" and the Old English "Crīstesmæsse".

  Our family Nativity Scene is prominently displayed in our entry hallway upon entering our home. This Nativity Scene was originally purchased by Pam's parents at Sears when she was in elementary school, probably prior to 1964. It became part of our family tradition after our marriage in 1975 and she brought it into our home. She regularly sets this Nativity Scene up as part of our Christmas tradition. My contribution to this tradition has been the repair to the damaged camel figurine and the replacement of the disintegrating cardboard stable. I replaced the cardboard a number of years ago with a wooden craft style fence and roof for the stable scene on a wooden base.

I hope you will enjoy this part of our Christmas celebration.

Traditional Family Nativity Scene

 

The 'Reason for the Selfie' / The 'Reason for the Season'.
This may seem self explanatory, but more explanation will soon follow.
Merry Christmas!

Wow! It's been a while.

It's been a while . . !  But, here goes.  We're currently involved in extensive redecoration of the house, for Christmas!  At least it feels like extensive changes.  More to come soon in explanation of this exciting new story. . .

Impromptu Fairy Princess

Kira had an opportunity to go with her Aunt Janna to a Halloween Party.  Since her costume had been left at her house, Pam got one of  the dance costumes which Janna or Kari had worn at one of their dance recitals many years ago.  A set of 'Fairy Wings' and a 'Magic Wand' and we have an Impromptu Fairy Princess for Halloween.

Recipe Wednesday

Recipe #21 - Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Just in time for Haloween a seasonal recipe of unknown origin. What can you do with those seeds you scrape out of the pumpkin for your Jack-o-Lantern? Usually they get thrown out with the next trash. Some people may save them for planting to grow next years pumpkins. Here is a tasty and nutritious alternative. Make a batch of:

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Seeds of a pumpkin

Salt (to taste)

2 Tbsp. Vegetable oil

Rinse the seeds to remove strings and pulp and pat dry with a paper towel. Spread the seeds on a baking pan and let stand for several hours to dry. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the seeds with the oil and salt to taste. Toast the seeds in the oven stirring every 5 minutes or so, until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let them cool completely. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve the pumpkin seeds as a snack or use as a garnish.

I found this recipe in a flyer I picked up at a local Fall Festival Pumpkin Patch sponsored by the Clear Lake U.M.C. in 2008. Here are a few pictures to chronicle that event and our Grand-daughter's visits to the Pumpkin Patch in search of the "Great Pumpkin".

We didn't find the "Great Pumpkin" here, but we did get a few good pictures of Kira.

P.S.  Be sure to follow the link for the Great Pumpkin!

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