12.31.2008


Hope you're more excited for the new year
than Daniel is after a visit to the dentist!

We wish you a fantastic 2009, filled with joy,
love, prosperity and peace.

Happy New Year!
DnA

12.27.2008

E&E Slumber Party

During the holiday break, my nieces came to town. Emma Anne (9) braved the slippery roads all the way from Chicago and Emily Marie (12) flew on a 4 hour plane ride from Salt Lake City all by herself! To honor the occasion, we needed a Tata and Niece Slumber Party! They both responded to the Evite I sent a few weeks ago, anticipating the evening filled with movies, make overs, Wii Karaoke and junk food! Before the big event, Emma mentioned "This is really a big step for me, Tata... last time I had a sleep over was when I was 5 and it doesn't count 'cause I didn't have a choice and I got scared!"


To avoid anxiety, we focused on the positive and started the evening at the grocery store. We each got to pick out our favorite junk food. Emily chose Hershey's chocolate with almonds, Emma selected a big box of Hostess Zingers and I chose French Onion dip. Oh... and don't forget the Orange Soda!



Emily received a big Caboodle make up kit for Christmas so we just had to do makeovers! Emily was our make up artist and Emma was our hair designer. They pretended we were on What Not To Wear and gave me fashion tips. Emily knew what she was talking about "... and then you dot your eyelid with white to open your eyes..." and Emma taught us how to best apply Hannah Montana hair glitter... I definitely learned a few things! I love how Emily can multi-task... applying mascara, talking on the phone AND giving me fashion tips!




My completed look...


The many model faces of Emily Marie... surprised, serious and silly!!





The fashion show included dressing up in my dresses
and strutting it in heels. Since I'm a size 6 shoe and Emily is an 8,
she was a good sport about going barefoot!







After our show and dancing, we washed our faces,
got in our jammies and played Boogie and Wii Karaoke!
Emily and Emma did a great job dancing and singing!






By 10:30, we all needed some wind down time... we made popcorn and watched Mamma Mia. We sang to the songs and bopped our heads to the music. It was really fun to watch it on the LCD projector... felt just like we were at the movies!

By midnight, the movie was over, our eyes were drooping and it was time for bed. Emma and Emily snuggled up to their stuffed animals and blankets, the camping lantern nightlight was lit (via battery, of course) and goodnight hugs were exchanged. Soon all three of us were fast asleep!

Fortunately no one really stirred until 8/9am the next day and both girls slept through the night. Regardless, Emily and I still looked like we could have used a bit more sleep...



And Emma, bright-eyed as usual, called her mom
to tell her how excited she was that she made it
through her first real sleep over!




Thanks, Emily and Emma, for a great time!
You are both kind and fantastically fun people!

12.25.2008


Wishing you all a
very happy Christmas,
filled with peace, love,
unity & laughter.

XOXO
DnA

12.14.2008

Santa Lucia Traditions

Swedish heritage extends from my mother's side and, with it, a plethora of traditions... straw ornaments on the tree, folk art paintings and Swedish oven pancakes. A favorite includes the celebration of Santa Lucia on December 13th (read more about it here or my mom's blog). In our family the celebration began early in the morning, an hour or two before dawn, the house lit only by candles and holiday lights. The oldest girl in the house would wake up first, don a white robe and candle wreath and, one-by-one, sing each family member awake, handing them a lit candle whilst carrying a tray of sweet pastries. Once we were all awake, we sang to each beloved Christmas decoration... the lit tree, the portrait of the Madonna and the creche. With the sun just peeking through, we would sit around the dining table and eat a yummy breakfast, reminded of the Spirit of Christmas and peace family brings. My family continues the tradition with their children and am excited to continue with my own. Ella Paris is the perfect Santa Lucia with her brothers as the star boys.



Although I didn't wear the white robe and candle wreath this year,
we still celebrated with singing carols and eating yummy Swedish oven pancakes with whipped cream and raspberry jam. How do you make it, you ask?
Melt 4 pats of butter in a 400F oven
(be careful as not to let it burn!)


While the butter is melting, in a blender add:

4 eggs
2 cups of milk

4 tablespoons of sugar

1 /1/3 cups of flour

and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg


Blend until frothy.

Gently pour batter into heated,
buttery pan and bake for 20-30 minutes at 400F. When they poof and pop on the edges, they're ready... serve right away for their yummiest!






Top with freshly whipped cream,
sour cream or raspberry jam.






Daniel, still sleepy-eyed, enjoying the first
of many Santa Lucia Days!



I sort of forgot there is only two of us.... :)

Happy Santa Lucia Day!

12.04.2008

Autumn Highlights

Thank you to all those that sent kinds emails and words in regards to my last post. It has been difficult to post again as, although it was cathartic, it's still difficult to revisit the words.

However, life has continued marvelously. A few highlights include....

Taking my students to the homecoming game and pumpkin farm...



Revisiting wedding photos (and... eh-hum...finally printing some off...)


Designing business cards for Daniel...


Catching up with friends and family...






and Thanksgiving yumminess
!