2012

There was a lot packed in to this year. I can't even count the number of plane rides, the number of hugs, and hellos or goodbyes. So much to fit into a mere 52 weeks. I get all mushy when I think of what was lost and what was found, what was given up and what was obtained; not only by myself and my family, but our country, our religion, our world, and our humanity. Lots of heartache, lots of triumphant joys. Tears and laughter filled many moments, and those moments are precious memories to me. Weddings and funerals, vacations and homecomings, packages sent and received, kitchen mishaps and athletic feats.

2013 might hold all sorts of new adventures for us. We have no idea, and that is half the fun, isn't it? As long as we have family and friends, food and comfort, we can say we have it all.

At the close of 2011, I was done with stress and ready to relax and enjoy life at a day to day pace. New Year's Resolutions were out of the question. It served me well for this year of 2012. I still had many new experiences, exercised, read books, watched lots of movies, visited many new places, and spent time with my loved ones. This year, however, I am ready to pace myself to meet some new goals. I have slacked off the exercise the last bit and have been motivated to get back into yoga. It's been a while, and it should be an exciting challenge. I want to read more. I want to sew more. I would love to be a finisher. And an organizer. Learning systems that work for my house to enable myself to be more of a teacher for our two little ones. I want to teach them all the numbers and words I can before they start school in a couple years. It's coming fast and I want to prepare them with the best head start I can, for whatever lies ahead. I would love to finally get a bicycle and take bike rides with Mark around our neighborhoods and around the woods in back with our two stinkers strapped down with their arms and voices up in the air as they hoot and holler with excitement. I would like to get out and walk more with the kids and the pup. Before it froze here, I took all three of those little ones out and Mont and Emmy practically sobbed and fought the whole time for Buckwheat's leash. It was a joy.. but if we do it more often, perhaps they'd gladly share the responsibility of my commands to don't let go! hold tight! chase him! 

This year we are going to learn more scripture stories and I am going to strengthen my own testimony. I am going to read the stories of The Friend more often to our children and explain more enthusiastically the simple truths of the gospel. The love learning. They love to play. And Mark and I want to enjoy it all with them.

Happy New Year!

a bit of magic

5 points awarded to whomever can find Buckwheat

Our house held a bit of magic this last week for our two children, but let's be honest, mostly for Mark and I. The fun that is involved in seeing these wonderful holidays through the eyes of little ones might be the best part of the season. Telling Mont and Emmy all about the birth of our Savior, and having His gift of life relate to all the gifts they give and are given, is the greatest.

Toys... are another favorite around here. Setting up late Christmas Eve, with some help from jolly ole' Saint Nick, was full of laughter for us. We were trying to build this tower over there near the bottom, and it just wasn't working for me; Mark came to my aide and showed me how to use the "door stop" pieces and even went so far as to put Santa's gift of dinosaurs all over it. Even the dragon had a nose-bleed seat way up top - those wings are good for something after all, eh, Dragon?

This lovely little, partly burnt out tree has been with us since our first Christmas together as a newly established Reeder family. We purchased it while in Del Rio, TX as Mark was suffering getting through pilot training. (fun memories!!) Sadly, this long-lasting tree didn't last long enough, as this mid-section burnt out a couple weeks ago.. and our light-gun was no where to be found. On to the fun facts: This year's Christmas loot included a tent, blocks, dinosaurs, little velvet horses, small (but big enough!) trampoline for indoor energy release through the winter months, a couple movies, clothes, a couple books, and a doll house for Emmy and a doll castle for Mont. They are sharing just dandy, making a decent sized neighborhood with its drawbridge, front door, and dungeon.. those creative little cuties.

A week ago I made a yummy sugar cookie recipe which I discovered earlier this year; but I made it with a "self-rising flour" instead of "cake flour" - no no no!!! I didn't realize why at the time, but it tasted a bit off. Come to find out, the "self-rising flour" has extra baking powder in it... which the recipe had already included. They tasted as sugary as an old pair of jeans. OH! it was embarrassing. So I took them to Cub Scouts and fed them to the wolves (literally. the Cub Scout Wolves ate them like they were the best thing ever. Only one little girl (it was pack meeting) told her mom [whom I was sitting next to], "I don't like my cookie." haha!)

But to make up for my unsuccessful cookies, I had to make something to share with a few people around base! So I made these old-fashioned, spiced oatmeal-raisin cookies. They remind me so much of Williamsburg, VA at Christmas time. (recipe below)

If you don't follow down through to the recipe, but made it this far, I hope you had the merriest of all Christmases. Heartache was prevalent throughout this special month with everything that has happened, in states abroad there was horrific tragedy, and family losing a dearly beloved grandmother. Yet in the midst of all the darkness...  joy. There were bits of Christmas magic sprinkled throughout the month, even has trying as it was. I pray that everyone found that bit of magic I'm talking about.

Merry Christmas!

Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

- 1 c butter, softened
- 1 c packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 c white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 t baking soda
- 1 t ground cinnamon
- 1/2 t ground cloves
- 1/2 t salt
- 3 c rolled oats
- 1 c raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350º
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. (I cover sheets with aluminum foil - don't grease that either).

2. Bake 10 - 12 minutes until light and golden on bottom. Do not over bake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in something airtight if they last longer than 20 minutes before being gobbled up.

merry and bright

We had lots of pictures taken as a family this month, yet none made it into card form! So from our family to yours, we hope you had a wonderfully happy and very merry Christmas! 

Little America, SLC

with Santa in Tacoma, WA

LeMay Car Museum in Tacoma, WA

Zoo Lights in Tacoma

With Grandma Cokes and Grandpa Tiger - these kids still talk about "the spiders... ah!" 

Merry Christmas to all!

home sweet home

Mont and Emmy caught on camera on 26 November, 

the day my fuji camera returned home, 

as good as new.

can't get enough

Finally, I just backed up all the pictures I've accumulated over the last couple years on my computer to an external hard drive (2 actually), and now that there is room enough for more pictures, I've uploaded the pictures from our time away this summer. This is the very last picture I took of the kids while we were visiting my parents in the Pacific Northwest. They seem to love it as much as I do. Mont's here just hugging the cool rocks on the beach and I think Emmy is just throwing her arms up in the air in celebration. The picture before this was very similar.

We just can't get enough. It helped that the weather allowed us to go outside at any moment during any day while we visited for two weeks. It was a wonderful stay full of ice cream, skipping rocks (or sinking rocks), eating delicious food, airplanes, wrestling, stickers, museums, fun toys, and family. These kids lived this summer in all the sense(s) that childhood has to offer.

christmas cookies | white chocolate + dried cranberries

This morning after trimming our tree, the kids helped me make Christmas Cookies. They watched and begged for cookie dough while I mixed ingredients and said, "just a moment, please!" over and over again. Two years ago while we were in Alaska still, the young women thought they were being stealthy ding-dong-ditchers and left some delectable cookies on our stoop. I never got that mysterious recipe (no one knew where those particular cookies came from), but I've never forgotten how delicious they were. This year, thanks to the famous pinning website, I discovered a recipe that was oh-so-similar. I gave it a shot, altering just a couple things. The review I give this recipe is 5 out of 5 stars, and Mont, Mister Picky Pants, even ate them with the craisins. I couldn't believe how many he wanted, I was so pleased.

Word of advice: double it if you intend to share! These cookies I made in the pictures are very small; about an inch and a half in diameter. Bite size! Only made about 3 1/2 dozen of these small cookies.

Here is the recipe for all my sweet Instagramers who requested it. And for my own future reference: 

3/4 c salted butter, softened

3/4 c light brown sugar

1/4 c granulated sugar

1 extra large egg

2 t vanilla extract

2 c all-purpose flour

2 t cornstarch

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

3/4 c white chocolate chips

1/2 c dried cranberries (craisins)

•line an ungreased cookie sheet(s) with aluminum foil, set aside. 

•with a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together on medium speed until fluffy and light in color. Mix in egg and vanilla. Scrape down the sides when needed. Then on a lower speed, mix in the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. 

•preheat oven to 350ºF. Drop balls of dough onto cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the bottom edges. Remove and let cool on the cookie sheet, then transfer to cooling rack. 

•wait until cookie sheets are cool before dropping the new cookie dough balls onto them, or drop them right before you're ready to put them in the oven. 

I don't often stray from my favorite cookies, but these are a home run, slam-dunk sort of cookie. My neighbor texted me twice saying she loved them, and Mont kept asking for more throughout the day - both are evidence enough for me to say these are a new favorite in this house! Now if only Mark were home to taste them too. I'm sure they won't last until Sunday. Oh well, guess I'll have to make more. 

A note about the plate in the pictures: 

This plate carried the very first batch of cookies I ever received from a neighbor, welcoming us to Frazier Street in Del Rio, TX. Her Grandmother used to paint plates, and this was one she never painted, but rather used to set her brushes on. To this day there are still smudges of old and forgotten colors, and I hope never to part with it. For me it signifies good values, kind women, sweet treats, and warm kitchens. It has been woven into my memories of military life, both stormy and sweet. Happy baking everyone, I dare you to make a neighbor smile with these sugary delights.