Waste not

Because of the weather, our garbage has not been picked up in almost three weeks now. I am feeling really guilty about all the waste produced by Christmas. So many boxes and plastic wrappers, wrapping paper and bags. It makes me a little sick. I am usually so good about keeping our garbage low and recycling. My goal for next Christmas is to scale way down on the waste. Wrap presents in cloth and aim for any store bought gifts with little or no packaging. That will be a fun challenge I think. I will put a sticky note on my new calendar right now! What else to remember for next year?

Pictures with Santa

We are buried in over a foot of snow here (that is alot for us). I hitched a ride to town yesterday after being home for 6 days straight. I had to get out, but it has been fun staying home. The kids are loving it and finding lots of friends to keep busy. I am glad all my Christmas shopping was done! Unfortunately we did not get to visit santa yet, and the forecast isn't looking good for tomorrow. Our neighbors snow santa will have to do this year. (it is really amazing!) Sorry, I didn't get cards out this year, (thinking I will be sending a greeting in 2 months anyway.) I hope everyone is safe & warm and spending fun time with family.

Merry Christmas!

Play in the Snow - Check!

We got a surprise little flurry of snow here, about 2 inches. The kids were ecstatic and played outside all day and got along great! I didn't have to do anything but sit inside and be lazy. With any luck, we will have a bit more snow this year.

Coconut Thai Soup- Yum

Here is a new recipe I constructed and love! Its a little too spicy for the kids, but just what you need on these cold days. You can add any vegis you like or shrimp. Do you have a fav soup recipe?

THAI CHICKEN AND COCONUT SOUP-
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tsp lemon zest or 3 TBL minced lemongrass
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 to 3 teaspoons Thai red curry paste (or to taste)
6 cups homemade chicken broth
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
2 (14-ounce) cans unsweetened coconut milk
1 whole boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into strips
1 can slivered bamboo shoots, drained and rinsed
1 cup or so of chopped carrots
A handful of rice noodle sticks
3 tablespoons lime juice
Salt if needed
1/2 cup loosely packed whole fresh cilantro leaves
3 green onions, sliced thin on an angle

1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lemon grass, ginger, and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic, 30 to 60 seconds. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
2. Add chicken stock, fish sauce, and sugar, coconut milk, bamboo, rice sticks, carrots and chicken. Simmer to blend flavors, about 20 minutes.
3 Taste for seasoning and add salt if desired. Add lime juice cilantro and scallions. Yum!

Perform in a Christmas Play- CHECK

Tonight the kids got to be in a Christmas play at our church party. It was a simple nativity story but very cute. Owen was a sheep and played his part so well and serious, with great excitement. I was surprised at him. Perrie was an angel and was shy of course. It was very fun to watch them. The pictures are really not as cute as the real thing.

We have a fake tree. I know this takes away alot of the fun, but it also takes away the mess, the expense and the hassle. We put our tree up on Friday, because Perrie could not wait a minute more. But we managed to enjoy some of the live tree fun with my inlaws at the Christmas tree farm for their tree.