Grandma Betty's Divinity

One of the most vivid memories I have as a child in the winter time close to the holidays was making divinity with my grandma Betty. She would chose a day where the weather was right, not to damp. It seemed like us kids were always there when she made it. I think she did that on purpose so we could taste it warm off the spoon. The mixture had to cook with the candy thermometer in it and we had to keep an eye on it for her to get it to the soft ball then hard ball stage. She would drip the hot syrup in a cold glass of water and it looked like an instant crystal would form. We would ohhhh and ahhhhh! Beating the egg white into that big fluff was something we were amazed at too.

This year I went to grandmas house and got her candy thermometer which has to be well over 30 years old. It's the same one she has always used. I also dug thru her recipes and found the one we looked at so long ago. It makes me sad, my grandma can no longer use a recipe, her memories are fading fast. I will keep this tradition alive with my kids, and hopefully my grand kids too.

I can't wait to take her a plate of the candy to see if she approves. She always LOVED her divinity and I was nervous trying it all by myself this time but I did it and it turned out great.

When I tasted it I closed my eyes and went back in time for a few minutes to my grandma's kitchen where we made divinity together.....

Gingerbread house

I've been busy... last week the girls and I bought a pre-made gingerbread house, I wish I could have made my own but the thought if it. ugggg! So I bought one. I mixed up the frosting and dumped out the candy and they went to work. The girls had a great time decorating the thing. They each got a side and front. I was trying to avoid all fighting over this thing as I only bought one. This worked well and made for an interesting project. Kylie was sneaking the candy in her mouth and Emily was licking the frosting.

Today is the last day of school for Christmas break. They will be home with me for 18 days I think. I'm looking forward to it as I sit here in the quiet house. I'm trying to think of some fun things to do while they are home to entertain them. Emily gets bored really quick and starts jumping off the back of the couch. Kylie will usually retreat to her room and teach the dolls and teddy bears all the math facts that are running thru her head. The chalk board gets a work out.

My grandparents called and wanted their hair cut so we will probably spend a day with them sometime this weekend and then on Sat. is my youngest brother Justin's birthday. Hopefully we can get together to celebrate with him and Laura and Barrett.

I have a few things to finish up for Christmas but really I'm almost there. It's always a good feeling to be getting close to just relaxing and enjoying the holidays.

Also Happy Birthday to my nephew Tanner, he is exactly 1 month younger than Kylie, it was so fun to be pregnant with my sister-in-law Tina. We had fun comparing and cheering each other on. It's hard to believe that's already been 10 years ago.

Sunday Evening

Sunday evening a little after 5 the girls went out the back door to play tether ball, they came right back in and said "mom come look at the sky!" I looked out and went right back in and grabbed my camera. Isn't it beautiful?

As I'm posting today I thought about that day and Dec. 7th was the day Todd's mom Betty passed away 4 years ago. She was a beautiful sweet woman. My girls loved her very much and remember some of the things they did together, although they were pretty young. We are sad that they didn't get to know her longer.

As I look at the pictures of that magnificent sky it reminds me of her today.

Advent Calendars

My calendar

Mom's calendar

Laura's

Well my home is decorated for Christmas and it's oh so cozy feeling, I love the glow of the lights on the tree when all the other lights are off it so warm.

I got a wild hair on the 2nd of December to make Advent calendars so around 9:30 p.m. I started the 1st one. I just used lots of things I had in my scrapbooking stash. I finished it up the next morning and promptly delivered it to Laura so she could begin using it. I was quick dropping off her surprise and got a big hug. I think she liked it.

My mom and I decided on Thursday to stay home and do crafts instead of getting out and shopping in the cold. I made her and I a calendar too. My girls love it. They can't wait each day to put up a new date. Laura tells me they take one off each day and I hadn't thought of that but I will let the girls decide if they want to have them all up to begin with or add a new one each day. How do most people do this?

Let the countdown begin....

Aprons

Remember those big skirts I bought awhile back at the goodwill store? Well while my mom and I were sewing I turned them into aprons.... Aren't they cute? They are not perfect but I will use them here at home and enjoy them.

Thankful

Well Thanksgiving came and went, we had a really nice meal and some good family time. I missed my brother Jeff but he will be here for Christmas. Laura had a birthday on Thanksgiving day which makes it sorta get swept under the rug. Sorry Laura, hope you know how much we love you and we didn't forget about you. The girls got to play with Barrett a ton over the weekend and we watched him walk all over the place.
Todd cooked the turkey breast on the rotisserie on his grill this year and it was really good and moist. He loves cooking anything on the grill, wish I would have gotten a picture.
The first day of Thanksgiving break from school we got the tether ball pole set up in the yard. The girls played with it alot over the weekend.
My mom and I did some more sewing on Saturday, I think next we are on to paper crafts which is more me. The sewing is fun but I surely do not have it perfected and it takes a lot of patience.
I have to get everything together and see what is still on my Christmas shopping list.
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. It's December 1st and Christmas will be upon us before we know it. Slow down and enjoy every moment because it passes by so quickly.
My friend Leslie put up this challenge and I hope everyone will at least consider doing it.