The Christmas Tree

Before we dive into all the wonderful festivities of Christmas Day, I thought I would share a short story about our Christmas tree this year.  While shopping for a tree at the corner lot, my mom noticed an enormous Christmas tree lying on the ground.  It had obviously been neglected, deemed too big or awkward to be sold.  However, my mom saw some potential in it!  She asked the salesman how much it was.  He shrugged his shoulders, "It's not really for sale, I mean look at it.  But I guess if you really want it, then you can have it for $10."  My mom smiled, "I'll take it!"  She had them cut off the shabby top two feet and another foot or two off the bottom, so it could fit in our home.  The tree was glowing even without any lights!  After this quick fix, the salesman looked a little sad that he had sold such a stunning tree for so little.  Excitedly, my mom rushed her treasured tree home, cared for it, and filled it with lights and golden globes!  

When I first saw our Christmas tree I couldn't believe what had happened.  It truly was a magnificent and majestic tree!  My thoughts quickly turned to the real reason for Christmas.  It made me think of all the many times that I had walked by something, or even someone, not noticing them just because they seemed awkward, or not quite what I expected.  How beautifully this ties into our Savior's humble, and seemingly unremarkable birth in a manger.  But isn't that what is most remarkable!  That He was born in the lowliest of conditions only to die as our King!  Let's not forget to see the beauty all around us that is in everyone and in everything that our Savior has given us!  That, to me, is what Christmas is all about! 

On Christmas day my family woke up early, even before the sun came up, in anticipation for - no, not Santa - but church!  Mosiah and I played organ and harp as accompanists for the Christmas choir that my mom directed.

Again, Mosiah made the most delicious turkey a holiday could have!  And I supplied the homemade grape juice.  Yum!

Since Chapin and Kate where at Kate's house for Christmas morning, we waited until evening to actually open the presents and eat.  Part of the eating included our traditional crab cocktail, which is sort of an acquired taste.  I always document the in-laws first experience.  To see McKay's click here.

First sip, and...

She hated it!

Ok!  No, not really.  We were actually just making her laugh.  

Kate really liked it.

Yep, she fits in perfectly with the family!  Love her!

We typically don't have a ton of presents for Christmas, especially since there are no children in the family at the moment, and instead strive for fun and laughter!

Before I bought this sign for my mom, I told McKay that I thought my mom would find it to be a little risque.  I purchased it anyways because I thought it was cute.  When she opened it she laughed, then got a concerned look on her face, "Marielle, isn't this a little racy?" 

Yes mom!  Yes it is!

Eli's gifts traditionally have a theme:

This year his theme was his Benchmade switchblade knife.  

Chapin's present from Eli was allowing Chapin to use his Benchmade for exactly one minute.  He savored every second of that minute, cutting up any pieces of paper and cardboard in sight!

McKay got an extension pack for Carcassonne while wearing his Carcassonne shirt, and Heidi got a scarf and hat that perfectly matched the sweater she was wearing! 

We are good at Christmas!  

McKay made Chapin and Kate some lightsabers.

The funniest gift of all was McKay's gift to Eli.

The Sauna Suit by Kathy Smith!

It was the gift that kept on giving because we could not stop laughing.  We were all in tears rolling on the ground!  Eli was actually working up a sweat in it!

I gave Chapin and Kate a video I edited of their wedding.

And to McKay, I (finally) edited our wedding footage and photos into videos for him!  Meaning...

You all will get to enjoy all the videos and photos from our wedding over the next few months as I intersperse present posts with wedding posts!  Then, one day, I might get to our honeymoon...eventually!  

Christmas Pudding

After four years of Mitchell Hall cafeteria food at the Air Force Academy, McKay was thrilled to finally have home cooked meals from his little wifey.  He is so sweet and complimentary about my cooking, (even though I've had some pretty epic fails), that I love making him food.  Shortly after McKay and I were married, in fact during the very first part of our honeymoon, I asked McKay what meals I needed to learn to cook for him.  Without hesitation he said, "My Mom's Christmas Pudding!"  Ever since then he has talked about this pudding and how excited he was to eat it this Christmas.  To be honest, I don't think he even cared about presents as much as this pudding.  So, before this Christmas season I made sure to get my husband's fav recipe from my lovely and wonderful mother-in-law.  Joanna made it this year, so I lucked out of having to make it, but I'm so glad I was able to watch and learn for Christmas 2012.

  
The Christmas Pudding Happy Dance!

I would have to agree with McKay's face here - It really is that good!

In case any of you would like to try making this delectable treat here is the recipe, compliments of my mother-in-law:

Mom's Chocolate Christmas Pudding

Getting the Cans: Try for the biggest cans you can find (but not a giant #10, such as from the cannery). The cans must be all metal, unlike the Swiss Miss containers that are cardboard around the sides. I stroll through the grocery store looking for things like family size soups and such. A 27 oz. can of tomatoes, for instance may seem large, but it will take 2 or 3 cans to do this small batch. That is fine if you can fit all of the cans in your pot. Your cooking time may be cut down if you use the small cans. Check to see if the pudding is done by sticking a butter knife all the way down to the bottom of the can. If it comes out clean then it is done.

Small Batch:

1/3 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
1/2 c. baking cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla

• Grease cans. Pour 2/3 full of dough. Cover with foil. 

• Steam for appx. 1 1/2 hours - Start the water boiling and then add the cans of pudding. I usually start with about 4 inches of water or so. The small batch size can be put in a big pot with a lid on and steamed that way. Steam must be coming out of the pot all the time or it is not hot enough to cook the pudding, or you are out of water and your pan will burn.

Christmas Pudding Sauce

1/3 c. cornstarch
1/3 c. sugar
dash salt

• In a pot dissolve the above ingredients in 1 c. cold 2% milk
• Scald 2 c. 2% milk in microwave. Add to pot, stirring, and bring to a boil. Add:
• 1 1/2 c. light cream
• Bring to a boil again stirring constantly. This will burn easily so be careful.
• Add: 2 tsp. vanilla and remove from heat. Serve over steamed chocolate Christmas pudding or even frozen berries on their own.

The sauce is a bit tricky because it seems to turn out a different thickness each time I make it. Tonight I made the sauce and thought it was too thick so I thinned it down with some milk until it looked like the right consistency. It is a matter of opinion, however, as to how thick people like their sauce. Because it is made with cornstarch it becomes very stiff after being refrigerated. Therefore, I always thin it down with some milk after eating what we want before putting it in the fridge overnight. That way it won't stiffen up and I can pour some out and eat a bowl for breakfast the next day! McKay does that, too. We're bad.

For those with bigger families or just bigger chocolate appetites like McKay and I here are the larger batches.

Medium Batch:

2/3 c. butter
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
4 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 c. milk
1 c. baking cocoa
2 tsp. vanilla

Large Batch:

1 c. butter
3 c. sugar
6 c. flour
4 Tbsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. milk
1 1/2 c. cocoa
1 Tbsp. vanilla
(Warning: Do not make this batch unless you are serving a huge crowd! This batch requires a Bosch mixer to make up as it is so large. You will need a bonafide steamer for this quantity too.)

Christmas Pudding Sauce Doubled

1/2 c. cornstarch
2/3 c. sugar
dash salt
4 c. 2% milk, cold. Stir together in a pot.
Add: 3 c. light cream--boil again

Add 4 tsp. vanilla

Our Early Christmas

Since Matt and Joanna celebrated Christmas with Matt's family this year we had an early Christmas with them and Heidi at their home.  We came over early in the morning in our jammies for waffles and green smoothie. 

 Love that color!  Perfect for Christmas, huh?

We skyped the fam over in Belgium.

Then wrote letters to Gran over in Scotland that I have to share a little excerpt of from McKay's letter.

(I miss your mints and tauties)

McKay's world was turned upside down when I informed him that you spell it tatties, and that it's not mints and tatties, but rather mince and tatties. 

Joanna put together these cute little Christmas stockings for us!

Presents!

And as if we didn't have enough food, Heidi made her tasty cheese ball...

...which McKay loved.

After all the delicious soporific food many of us crashed and some fell into deeper sleeps than others... 

Eventually my Christmas present to myself emerged from his slumber cacoon!

Merry Christmas All!

More to come...