I'm exhausted

If anyone thinks that taking care of 9 puppies isn't exhausting, they've never tried it. These little pups wear me out and by the looks of it, they wear themselves out. I'm glad they think my bed is comfy because I sure don't.

They do love the snow but they have the sense to come in when I call them. At least most of them do. A couple of them, Chunk and Max are always the last to come in and that's only when they realize they are the only ones out there and are all alone.

These pictures were taken just this afternoon. Most of the pups were already in but some were playing with Lacy before I called them all in.





Here are a couple of random photos just because I think they are cute.



Yes, she climbed into the bowl all by herself. Thank goodness we don't put water in that bowl. I guess it was just easier to sit in that and eat than try to stand and reach to eat her momma's food.

Time to Catch Up

Well, I failed on my commitment to post at least once a week. As always, I have an excuse. I was able to get all my orders out for Christmas except one. Thank heavens for good friends who understand. I will make it up to her though and her little girls will have beautiful nightgowns to wear for New Years eve. I don't normally sew for children but some friends are worth it. Keersten, If you read this, I promise, they will be done on Friday and I will bring them to you so you don't have to pack the girls out in this cold weather.

Christmas was super crazy this year. I didn't even get my tree up until Christmas Eve and it never would have gone up had it not been for Jessica and her son. Brayden hauled everything up from the garage and Jessica decorated the tree for me. Brayden worked so hard for me. He even cleaned off the deck, including hosing off the floor mat that the puppies had done their deed on.

We had a wonderful party on Christmas Eve with my family; Brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, kids, grandkids and anyone else I may not have mentioned. I cooked a ham, olliebollen, soup and provided the chocolate fountain. Others brought crackers, drinks, dips, cheese balls, rolls and fruit for the fountain and we all had a great time together. Me with Kim and Jenny.
From L to R: Ed, Linda, Me, Glen and Ron. Missing my oldest brother Hans, he was not feeling well and my brother Rick who lives in Colorado.


Christmas day, we went to Brent's parent's house and spent time with his family. Everyone got to meet Jeff's Jessica, her two kids Brayden and Avery and of course, Jeffs baby girl Rylie. This is the only picture I got on Christmas day: Rylie did not like wearing this dress and she will most likely never wear it again. She had such an ornery cry the entire time she had it on.

After bowling on Sunday, Jenny's SIL came over to snap a few family pictures. Normally, I ask everyone to dress similar or at least wear nice clothes but this time I didn't even make Brent or Jeff shave. The only rule was that no one could wear a hat. Jessica (Jenny's SIL, not Jeff's Jess) sent me the pictures yesterday and with a few tweaks with Photoshop, I think we'll have a group shot that I can hang on my family photo wall. Below are some of the photos that were taken.


Sunday evening, we had Rylie blessed. Brent's dad performed the blessing. I had plans on making Rylie's dress but I ran out of time. Instead, she wore the dress Jenny wore when she was blessed. (No, I didn't make that one either).


A few other pics I took Sunday night of the other grandkids playing on the stairs at Brent's parent's house. I don't know what it is about those stairs but the kids always love to play on them.






Finally, a little quiet time with me and Rylie. After three exhausting days, she and I sat on my bed the night before Jeff took his family home to Arizona. I am really missing this little angel.

Some holiday traditions to share

Sorry, I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. I have just finished my last order of doll clothes and now I can finally get to thinking about Christmas. I have yet to put up my tree or any other decorations but Jeff and is family is coming next week and I have to get ready. We're having the Schippers' Family Christmas Eve party at my house this year and the menu will consist of two of our family tradition recipes.

Oliebollen
1 pkg yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 3/4 c warm (110 degrees) Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let stand in warm place for 30 minutes.

3 eggs beaten
2 c warm milk
3 tbsp light corn syrup
4 c flour
1 tbsp salt (yes, a whole tablespoon but you can reduce to 2 tsp)
1 cup raisins
1 c chopped apples ( I like to use granny smith)

Combine eggs, milk, corn syrup, raising, apples and yeast mixture in a large bowl. Add flour and salt. Mix well for 2-3 minutes. Test a spoonful of dough to see if it will fall into a "lump" from the spoon. If not, add more milk or flour. Let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

Drop by teaspoons into 375 degree vegetable oil. Fry until light golden brown. Drain on paper towels then sprinkle immediately with powdered sugar while still warm.

This is a Dutch New Years tradition but in my family, it's our Christmas Eve tradition. I'm also including my mom's meatball soup. This seems to be a favorite of every person that tries it:

Oma's meatball soup
Fill up a stew pot about 2/3 full with water. Put in two envelopes of Lipton chicken soup mix with diced white chicken meat and about 7-10 chicken bouillon cubes. (You can substitute about half of the bouillon cubes if you use 1-2 boxes of chicken broth. Of course you would reduce the water by that much too). Bring to a boil. In the meantime, season 1 lb ground beef with salt, pepper, season all and about 1/2 tsp nutmeg. (nutmeg is very important). Mix well and shape into little 1 inch balls and drop into boiling soup. Sautee 1 small onion and two stalks of celery in butter and add that then add a package frozen sliced carrots, 1 pkg frozen brussel sprouts. Simmer for about 15 minutes then add about 4 crushed coils of vermicelli and simmer until the noodles are soft.

If I don't have the chance to post next week, I hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas!

Senior Citizen Day

The woman that was cutting my fabric at Hancock's was asking me if I had my coupons with me. I told her no but I had my preferred card. OK, good, that gives me the discount then. Then she said, "Well, today is Wednesday and every Wednesday is Senior Citizen day so you'll get that discount too". Do I look like a senior citizen? How much over 50 do I really look? I've always been told that I look young for my age but c'mon. Was it the wrinkles around my eyes?

Was it the hot flash I was experiencing at the time
I don't know what it was but if it's going to give me a discount at the fabric store, I'll say I'm 55.