A Wise Men Christmas Eve

I thought you'd like a peek at our Christmas Eve activities. We had Jeff's two brothers and their families over as well as Jeff's parents. Somehow we've gotten ourselves into a tradition of doing a themed evening. Last year it was Christmas around the world, the year before, a shepherd's Christmas. This year--Wise men. And what's a wise man without a crown? Our first activity, therefore, was crown making. Here I am with mine. 

 



Paper plates, glue and assorted glitter--that's all you need to make some stunning head gear like my own.

The kids had such fun decorating that four-year-old Piper didn't want to stop.

Maybe that's why she looks so unhappy here.

 

 

After the crown making we ate dinner, which consisted of eastern-ish dishes, like curry and chapati bread, which didn't work out so well. Mango, pineapple and salads rounded out the meal. After eating, the wise men began their search for baby Jesus. They went on a scavenger hunt around the house for clues which were written and planted by Tamsyn and Megyn. Along with the clues, they found a piece of the nativity set at each stop.

 The last piece, the baby Jesus figure, was brought in by the head Magi. Here he is.

He read the wise men's story from Matthew and then those who wanted to offered up their gifts in the form of talents. We had some piano numbers and some singing to finish off our little program.

Dessert followed and all the little wise men were happy.  

Elementary, my dear

At the beginning of the school year, a volunteer at Cannon Elementary (where our kids went to school) asked me if I would be willing to spend an hour at the school teaching the kids about how math is used in my occupation.  I agreed, but didn't think the kids would be interested in hearing about accounting.  As Christmas was approaching, inspiration hit.  I asked the volunteer if I could use my turn teaching the kids about how I use math when I build our candy house base.  The idea was quickly forwarded to the principal and before I knew it, I was scheduled to teach all 2nd, 3rd and 5th graders.  I met with individual classes and spent about 30 minutes per class.  The kids seemed to enjoy my presentation.  They seemed most interested in eathing the candy house.  The principal followed me to several classes.  She took pictures and posted them on facebook.  You don't need a face book account to view the pictures.  Go to link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cannon-Elementary-School/150863795052950

Page down until you see the candy house.  Click on the title and you will see 9 more pictures.

Anatomy of a Candy House

First, the inspiration

The oldest structure in Grapevine, the Torian log cabin was built Pre-Civil War.

Next, the basic card board design

 

The cabin was built to scale.  Amanda and I visited the log cabin several weeks ago.  I stepped off the length and width.  Both were 9 paces.  We initially wanted to do one inch per step, but we wanted a structure larger than that.  Two inces per step was too big.  We settled on 1.5" per step.  The candy house card board base ended up being approximately 15" long and 15" (including porch) wide.

 

Next, add the chimney and porch.



 

Next, select candies.  Sorry, no picture of Kristin and I shopping.  :(

Next, decorate.  Sorry, no pictures taken during the decorating phase.  :(

Next, take pictures.  Everything you will see is "edible".

The above picture was taken with a flash with an 18 - 55 mm lense, the basic lense that comes with the camera.

The above picture was taken using natural light.  The lense was a 50mm.

The above picture was also taken in natural light.  The lense was 85mm.

The middle picture shows the back.  We invited our friends over to help decorate.  Their 2nd grader and pre-k daughters designed and decorated the rear.  Didn't they do a great job?

 

 

 

An oldie of my siblings and mother

Ann brought this picture to me to see if I could "do something with her hair".  I tried to mash it down but it didn't work too well.  It's a classic, anyway.  We didn't have very many pictures taken with our mother. 

Derek

This picture of Derek is one of my all-time favorites of him.  I'm posting it for Sona's benefit. 

Uses for Brown Sugar

I can think of so many brown sugar recipes it's hard to narrow it down to one. I do love chocolate chip cookies and that is one of my favorite things to bake. There's also Maple and Brown Sugar Overnight Oatmeal. I really like Aunt Londi Cake from the Chinaberry cookbook but I would say that the recipe I have made most and the recipe my family likes most is Hot Fudge Cake. I know I have shared this with you before so sorry for the repetition, but this is my go-to recipe when we have need of a last minute dessert or just a little comfort. Top this hot cake with a dollop of whipped cream or better yet, ice cream and it's a little bit of heaven in a bowl.

HOT FUDGE CAKE

1 cup flour                                          

¾ cup sugar

6 Tbs. baking cocoa, divided             

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt                                           

½ cup milk

2 Tbs. vegetable oil                            

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup packed brown sugar                 

1 ¾ cups hot water

Whipped cream or ice cream

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, 2 Tbs. cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in the milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Spread in an ungreased 9 inch square baking pan. Combine brown sugar and remaining cocoa; sprinkle over batter. Pour hot water over all; do not stir. Bake at 350 for 35 - 40 minutes. Serve warm. Top with whipped cream or ice cream.

Christmas Pudding Making

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned Grandma's Christmas Pudding at a Sunday dinner and neither Derek nor Jared knew much about it. They'd never tasted it and hadn't heard how it's made. I'm pretty sure other grandchildren and in-laws haven't either, so I'm going to show a bit about the process. Mom and Dad came up Tuesday to help and Jeff was off work. Unfortunately, the kids were either at school or at the dentist. I'm sure they would have much rather been home making puddings.

In Grandma's day, the Christmas pudding was an involved labor. They'd start buying the required ingredients and begin the grinding and grating weeks in advance. Our task was accomplished in an afternoon with the help of modern machines. Unfortunately, I didn't think of taking pictures until all the grating and grinding was done. But here are all the ingredients in a bowl, partially mixed. The wooden spoon is standing straight up, that's how thick the mixture is. 

Grandma's family tradition was that everyone took turns stirring the pudding and then her dad would drop a sixpence into the mix for some lucky person to find.

Once you begin stirring, you realize why everyone had to take a turn. It's pretty stiff stuff and, since we'd quadrupled the batch, makes for some aching arms.

Once the mixture is thoroughly combined, it goes into jars. We use canning jars and lids, something I doubt Grandma's family had. They would put it in a bowl and tie a piece of waxed paper over the top.

 

 



Here are the puddings, all ready to go into the canning kettle to be steamed, which takes three and a half hours. After that, they can either be eaten, or put in the fridge or freezer for later. In some cases, much later. A pudding will keep for several years in the freezer.

I didn't get a picture when they came out, but they looked delicious. Wish you could all be here to taste some. Derek and Jared, we'll save some for you.

Brown Sugar

During one of our conversations with Sona, the topic of brown sugar came up.  Brown sugar is as easy to buy here in the states as is white sugar.  Armenia...?  Not so much.  After we assembled a Christmas package for Sona, we had some extra room in the box.  Since it was a flat rate box, we wanted to use every square inch.  As we were discussing what we should do, Mandy blurted, "let's put in a package of brown sugar".  We took Mandy's advice and a package of brown sugar was soon on it's way to Armenia.  The package safely arrived several weeks ago.  Sona made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and was pleased with the result.  Of course, Sona didn't use all the package for one batch of cookies and is looking for ways to use the remaining commodity. Now for my question...if brown sugar became a rare commodity and you somehow acquired one package, what would you make?  Please share your favorite recipe's that include brown sugar on the blog for Sona to view.  She regularly checks the blog for new entries (like we all do). 

Big Announcement!

There is no picture to this post--only a big announcement that needs to be recorded for posterity.  Today, December 15, 2012, at the ages of 79 and 78, Merrill and Mary Lowe were called by the Area Authority presiding over Beaver Stake (Elder Dane Leavitt)  to be the Area Family History Advisers for six stakes in Southern Utah.  The Stakes are Beaver, Minersville, Panguitch, Escalante, Kanab and Kanab Kaibab.  Elder Leavitt came to our home this morning and we thought he was just coming to visit with us about the Indexing program we have been involved in.  Imagine our shock when he didn't even mention the Indexing program.  Instead he cut right to the chase and invited us to participate in something bigger and better.  We were overwhelmed!  We will be working with Stake Presidents, High Counselors and Family History Consultants, training and advising and assisting.   How inadequate we are.  We have just barely learned how to spell "Family History" and we have no idea how to find a lost ancestor.  We'll have to take a crash course and become experts in a hurry.   Elder Leavitt set us apart in our kitchen and promised us that we would be equal to the task and that our health would permit us to participate in this great work for as long as we desire and that we would travel safely to the areas we will be visiting in the months to come.  I could hear my mother in the background as she cheered us on.  He asked us about our family and we assured him we had "the best on earth" and that they would support us every step of the way.  Please pray for us.  Mom & Dad

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Christi asked me for this recipe a while back but I had to make it first so I could write it down. I made it last Sunday and the Lowe brothers enjoyed it too. It's sort of a cross between the Chicken Enchiladas we all enjoy and El Dorado Casserole.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole
3 cups chicken, cooked and cubed
2 cans cream of chicken soup (or homemade equivalent)
1 can green chilies, pureed
1 cup sour cream
1-1/2 cups shredded cheese, cheddar or colby jack
Approx. 10 oz tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 350. In a saucepan, combine soups, green chilies and sour cream. Heat through. Add chicken chunks. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray and place 1/2 the chips in the bottom. Crush lightly with hand and pour half of chicken mixture over chips. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Hello All,
Just wanted to let everyone know what Bretten's address is and would ask that you make him a part of your Christmas by sending him cards or letters. He would greatly appreciate it I'm sure. We would also appreciate it if you would remember him in your prayers and add him to prayer rolls when attending the temple. He is faced with some pretty serious health issues. Thank you so much.
Bretten Lowe
#174407
WB U2T
Utah State Prison
P.O. Box 250
Draper, UT 84020-0250

  

The Rising Generation

During the last conference, Elder Uchtdorf told of a nurse who cares for terminally ill patients.  She would routinely ask patients if they had any regrets.  Responses were grouped into three categories, 1) I wish I had spent more time with the people I love, 2) I wish I had lived up to my potential and 3) I wish I had let myself be happier.  Two of my regrets, not that I’m terminally ill or anything, clearly fall into the second category.  They are, 1) I wish I would have achieved Eagle Scout during my youth and 2) I wish I would have earned an Intramural Basketball Championship T-shirt during my 4 years at BYU.  Of course, once I turned 18, the opportunity to achieve Eagle was forever gone.  Once I graduated from BYU, the opportunity to earn a championship T-shirt permanently slipped away.  The next best thing is to live your life through your children, right?  Both boys earned Eagle.  Admittedly, Kristin helped them far more than I did but I at least provided encouragement along the way.  As of last night, both boys, along with Josh, are proud owners of a BYU Intramural Championship T-shirt.   The three of them, plus two of Josh’s friends played on a 3 on 3 basketball team and they won their division.  As I congratulated Derek last night, I reiterated my disappointment I didn’t have similar success.  Derek consoled me by reminding me both he and Jared share half of my DNA.  Let’s see, two sons times 50% DNA equals one, so I in essence finally won my coveted championship T-shirt.  I know, keep dreaming.  I’m sure the boys, as well as my daughters, will continue to plow their own way in life and accomplish things I never even dreamed of.  I don’t actually live my life through my children, but I am without a doubt one of their biggest fans!       

Chicken Post

We brought our chicks home Saturday. They sure are fun to watch. Some of them have very distinct personalities already. This one here is very curious. Every time we open the door she comes right to the edge and peeks outside. She is always watching and observing in the coop while the others keep to themselves and peck and scratch.

We have the coop lined with newspaper. As the kids and I watched one of the chicks tore off a piece of newspaper. She started running and all the others chased her around the coop trying to get it from her. We laughed and laughed as they ran circles around the coop until she dropped the paper. It was almost like watching a football game or something.

Productive Day

Today was a productive day.  I got up, exercised, ate breakfast, printed copies of The Lowe(n) Star, washed and waxed my car, fixed dinner on The Big Green Egg, raked the leaves and I'm currently taking a little break before I start constructing the base for our 2012 candy house.  Meanwhile, what has Kristin and Rachel been up to all day.  See following picture.

A little about the cake.  Yes, this box of chocolates is actually a cake.  The base is chocolate cake shaped like a heart.  Red fondant covers the cake to make the cake look like a box.  The "chocolates" are cake balls dipped in chocolate and decorated to look like chocolates.  Krisin and Rachel had a great time bonding.  Who had the more productive day?  I'll have to concede.  Kristin hands down. 

Beach turtle

This is the last little turtle to immerge from the nest.  He would have died had not the "Turtle Patrol guys" rescued him when they dug up the nest.  They made sure that he made it to the ocean so he could catch up with his siblings.  It makes you wonder how any of them survive because they are so little. 

Leaves, Chicks and Ships

 About two weeks ago my kids had a break for Veterans' Day. The weather was beautiful so we went for a hike. There was some kind of tree with huge leaves so we had a contest to see who could find the "biggest leaf". Tristan won finding the two biggest leaves. Here Kennedy and Tristan are holding them. Jack won for fining the most leaves.

 Our chicks finally came in the mail. They are living at our friend's house who is splitting the batch with us. We will ultimately end up with 8-9 of these bittys.

Tristan and Jack have been playing together a lot over Thanksgiving break. They came downstairs to show me the pirate ship they made. They have such great imaginations.

Kennedy B&W

Practicing my art work.  Trying some new eye techniques

Tristan, the Elf

How about that cute little elf up in the tree?

The three Kelseys in a beautiful sunset

Chicken coop

The Kelseys had their new chicken coop delivered while we were at their house.  It's so cute.  I wish I was a chicken and could live in it.  Tristan is getting ready to lift the lid to see if there have been any eggs laid yet.

Fork-In-The-Road

Amanda dressed up as a Fork in the Road for Halloween.  Hopefully, she chooses the correct path.

Amanda and Friends

Try This.

We had breakfast for dinner tonight and I served this recipe. Wowzer! I told Steve I would post the link so here it is.

Guess who this is

It's Jeff, in case you couldn't tell. His sister had a murder mystery party last night and he was supposed to come dressed as a snake charmer. What do you think? Charming, isn't he?

Sunset at Holden Beach

Tristan, showing off on the beach

Jack, doing his little twirly thing on Holden Beach

Kennedy, doing a handstand on Holden Beach

Halloween 2012

I know it's not Halloween yet but we had our ward trunk or treat last night so we all dressed up. Use the Force and guess what our theme was. . .

Jack at Holden Beach

Tristan at Holden Beach