We had an evening of fondant and flower making. F-U-N 30 ladies came to our house. I taught the fundamentals of covering a cake in fondant, then Dona worked her flower magic.
Dona's beautiful sampler.
We all started with the same thing - a 4 in round rice krispie covered in buttercream frosting and white fondant, but every one took home her own unique creation. They are amazing - it was pure fun to see the process.
Can you tell which one is Mark and which one is Kyle? (hint they're the ones without the pony tail or beard)
These "forced" blossoms are pink popcorn hot-glued onto red river birch which grows in huge patches up the canyon close to the water. I've seen similar looking branches landscaped into almost every church yard, but I thought the better of snipping those. More sugar art combined with nature's surplus - that makes for an endorphin surge!
. . .you get this.
Jay does rock work too.
The maiden voyage of our new wood stove.
An intricate lego creation by M and K.
Mark in his lego heaven.
The men in my life! I love 'em, I admire 'em, I idolize 'em AND I made a HOLIDAY tie for them. AND they humored me and all wore them at the SAME time to the SAME meeting. AND it gets even better, I embroidered a tiny pink heart on the back so I can figuratively send my love with them. SOOOO silly. Isn't it great?
All missionary papers complete. After an interview with the Stake Pres. on Feb 1, they will click the button and he'll find out where and when shortly after.
MMJ (Marvel Man Jay) and Me
New Years Day at the Body World exhibition. WOW ! 3 hrs later we came out quite changed for good.
K and M are posing with the paper man their friend Russell sent. This little paper guy is supposed to travel to interesting, different places that his owners can only enjoy through pictures. And these are 3 of a gaggle of Canada geese MMJ cut out for me. (I loved the geese when we lived in British Columbia) Next Christmas, they'll all be painted, and the whole flock will be here.
Neil is chortling, for he could not lose on this 4500 point roll which soared him into victory over us all in a new-to-us-roll-the-dice-game that Kristen taught us - Farkle. I know, I hate the name too. But it WAS fun.
The Puzzle. A Las Vegas city scape. 2000 pieces!
Discovery of Tai Pan Trading Co. on New Years Eve. Yes, Anna got the mirror for 75% off because of an inconsequencial flaw which only added character to the thing. And I got a bunch of little holly wreaths (75% off) for my gaggle of geese's necks. Can't wait 'til next year to use them. Kristen got a cool wreath for her front door and we all got some mistletoe. I shall put mine to good use next year by attaching it to a longish pole, portable you see, for obvious reasons of convenience. (you never know WHERE you will need a little mistletoe in the house, especially at Christmas Parties!)
We never did figure out what the thing around Anna's neck was. So we are blogging it. Maybe someone can enlighten us? This WAS the 75% off corner, maybe NO ONE knew.
The Fisher family party. Primary age cousins sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" while accompanied by piano, and harp played by the lovely J, now 11)
After 25 years, the PIGS are back. When Jay and I were first married, I sewed these silly pig slippers for Kristen's Christmas present. The pattern was given away (who knew she would love the slippers to death and thereafter long for new ones?) For a few years I have looked for that pattern with no success. Well, Marvel Man Jay found the exact pattern for me again, and each stitch was a joy, knowing her impending pleasure. Funny, this year SHE gave me pink crocs, which I love and wear everywhere.
The Christmas morning crew. Oh so fun! How can one not have fun spending Christmas with Miss Christmas herself - Kristen. We had a city Christmas - Temple Square, bell-ringing caroling (we made Kristens lonely neighbor smile with our attempts), personal pizzas, the Shake, Rattle and Guessing Game (presents ARE to be handled and squeezed before-hand) and "It's a Wonderful Life". We always like James Stewart to remind us how we love that movie. Kristen has a beautiful collection of nativities to stare and wonder at and remember whose birth it is we're celebrating.
The Amazing Neil - still smiling even while stashing away golf balls in his cheeks. His all-four-wisdom-teeth-removal-at-the-oral-surgeon appointment was successful. This was the day after BYU finals. What a welcome home, huh? He may be smiling because of his 3.9 gpa he worked so hard for. He may also be smiling because his mission papers are well underway. And he may be smiling because that's just what Neil does. We love having him home. We love him. I love him. Does anyone NOT love him? I think not.
The perfect Christmas tree. After the twins carefully placed each ornament on (mostly on their favorite branch) Mark declared it the most beautiful tree ever! It was.
Thanksgiving Pie Morning - A delightful tradition where any and all willing pie artists bring their masterpiece(s) and converge in one place where each pie may be fully appreciated before turkey and stuffing take center stage.
Grma and Grpa barely home from New Zealand.
Our hostess with the mostest.
Bridget made these napkin rings with baling wire. (you can get a life time supply of it from IFA for about $4. She also helped make many a wire card holder) She wound the wire around a short (maybe 10 inch long) pvc pipe, slipped it off the pipe and curled both ends with a needle nose plier.
More Pies!
The Spread.
Before Dinner.
After Dinner.
Bridget's beautiful Thanksgiving Day centerpieces. 
Our Lady-bees produced a whopping crop of honey and bees wax for us this year. I'll blog a great lotion bar recipe that we tried. Now I have something to do with the wax.
