Of Clocks, Cookies, Cats and Cardamom

Baby, it's cold outside!  I returned a short while ago from my exercise walk, and now the fog is rolling back in and the temp is at freezing.  Brrr.  It must be winter.


We've been busy here, as usual, at the Reeder homestead.  For example, Tom has been building a clock.

 My mother had a tall case clock that we didn't move to her assisted living apartment.  It wasn't running at the time, and no one else wanted it, so we brought it home.  Tom loves old clocks.  We had a clock maker look at it and he determined that the works would have to be replaced and the total cost of new parts and labor would be $950.  We knew we would like to get it fixed some day, but put it off for now, what with other expenses taking priority.


But in the last two weeks checks have started arriving from Mom's estate.  Tom had checked into ordering the parts himself and saving the labor costs, so I told him to go ahead.  It would be my Christmas present.


The parts arrived early this week.

 Tom carefully read all of the instructions, and followed them step by step.

 He has it put together and running, and now is in the process of regulating it.  It has a lovely soft chime and looks great in it's new home in the living room.

 Meanwhile Corey is here from Colorado for Christmas and more job interviews and he requested we do our traditional cookie baking.      Yesterday afternoon the crew arrived to cut out and decorate ginger bread and sugar cookies.  Jill brought along a crock pot full of beef stew for our dinner.

Everyone gets into the act.

The cookies are well decorated. :-)


Our newly adopted cat Jozy has been keeping life interesting too.  While she comes and goes outside through her cat door, she is mostly an indoor cat at this time, still getting used to her new home. But she is being taunted by the neighbor.

The yowling and spitting and tail thumping on either side of the glass create quite a racket.  Here at the window, and at the patio door too, they go at each other, whacking the glass with claws bared.  


Today I decided to interfere with a pitcher of cold water.  The intruder got a bit wet on the first hit, and now at least runs away when it sees me coming.  Actual conflict may be inevitable, but for now I don't want either cat ripped up in what might be quite a fight. Of course Jozy can go outside and have it out is she wants, but so far she's just acting tough behind protective glass.


Christmas isn't far away now, and preparations are moving right along.  Tom and I got all of the gift wrapping done early in the week, and now the wrapping station is ready for the kids to use.  Jill spent several hours this morning behind closed doors.  Corey wrapped last night. Jake will be last minute Christmas Eve.


Today I baked cardamom bread.

The Swedish cardamom wreath will be frosted and decorated for Christmas morning breakfast.  The rolls will go into the freezer to await another occasion.  The house smells wonderful!

HAPPY SOLSTICE!

Today is the day!  It's here - the first day of winter!


That might not sound so wonderful.  Winter is cold and long in the northern lands.  But it is also the turning point in the shortening of daylight hours.  Now the days will slowly begin to lengthen as we count down to spring.


My Scandinavian roots are calling to me.  I'm ready to dance around a bonfire!


Happy Solstice!

December Days

Yesterday we made lefsa.  Click to see the process as I posted it two years ago.  Sometimes it's a smooth process, sometimes it's a floury mess.  Yesterday's experience was somewhere in between.  But it's done, and ready for the Norquist Family Christmas party on the 26th. Last year I didn't make any and it was noticed. :-(


It was a good activity for a dark, wet December day.  The Solstice is coming soon, and the minute by minute lengthening of the daylight will be welcome.

                       I HEARD A BIRD SING

                    I heard a bird sing

                    In the dark of December

                    A magical thing

                    And sweet to remember:

                    "We are nearer to spring

                    Than we were in September,"

                    I heard a bird sing

                    In the dark of December.

                                                          -Oliver Herford

Nutcracker Saturday

 Jill and the kids and Tom's sister Jan met up at our house just before noon on Saturday for our big day in the city.  


Our first destination was Seattle Center.  It was a beautiful day so we walked across the grounds, enjoying views of the space Needle...

 ..and the International Fountain.

 We headed to the Center House for a snack at the Starbucks.

 Julie, Irene's American Girl doll got to share in all of the fun.

 While the others were eating, Isaac and I waited for his turn to drive the train.

 We had a hard time keeping the kids out of the fountain, so we promised to return on a warm day, dressed in play clothes.

 Then it was time to enter the Opera House and check out everything before the ballet performance began.

 Isaac no longer takes kindly to being photographed, so this took some talking into, but doesn't he look sharp!

 And then it was time for the Nutcracker to begin.

 Irene chose to sit between Aunt Jan and Grandma.  I loved watching her as much as watching the dancers.  Her favorite, of course, was the Peacock dancer.  At intermission, we had to wait in a long line to get that cupcake Irene had spotted upon entering, and she got the last one.  Issac had to settle for a Mouse King cookie.  I got nibbles of both.

The music and dancing and sets and costumes were all delightful.  Isaac left comparing it with the Denver production, and Irene left dancing.


As we crossed the sky bridge, the traffic blinked bright red and green.

Tom successfully navigated us through the traffic and over the bridge to the north shore of Lake Union, where we had dinner reservations at Ivar's Salmon House.  We were a little early, so we walked out on the dock to enjoy the view.

 Dinner was wonderful, with lots of fresh seafood.  Son Jake joined us for the family celebration.


After dinner we all went back to our house for a little early Christmas.  Aunt Jan will be heading to California for Christmas with her other brother and family.  So we exchanged gifts and enjoyed each other's company and ate cookies!

Today it's raining, but the feeling around here is still Merry and Bright.

Slowing Down

I spent an hour and a half late this afternoon sitting in my recliner! I watched some Martha Stewart shows I had recorded.  I was going to post right then and there, but the kitty crawled up on my lap, replacing the lap top.  Gosh, I was unable to move now for fear of waking Jozy. Too bad.


It did feel wonderful to not have anything else on "the list" to do by then.


Yesterday Tom and I made the last batch of cookies.  We do still have the lefse making and Swedish Christmas bread to bake, but there are days scheduled for that next week.  And there is the family cookie making party with Jill, Corey and the kids next Wednesday.  That will be work, but fun too.


Yesterday afternoon we took some of the hazelnut torte with us and visited friends Harry and Jeanne.  Jeanne is a part of the breakfast group, and they used to attend our Lucia dinners, but their health no longer permits them the ability to join in, so we went to visit them.


This morning I made soup, corn chowder, and Tom helped to set up for today's luncheon with members of my old school staff.  We had seven guests and had a delightful time visiting and eating.  Our cookies made their first appearance.


With leftovers for dinner the last two nights cooking was easy.  I'll soon be back in my recliner for the evening.


Tomorrow we have our Friday morning breakfast, I'll pick up a few more groceries, and then take a walk, weather permitting, before picking up the kids for the afternoon and evening.  They'll join us for dinner while Jill attends her staff party. I've sorted through the gifts that have been purchased and stashed, and have set up the gift wrapping station.  We'll work on that a bit at a time.


I'm going to hop on over and see what some of you have been up to, and then my recliner will be calling me back.  


Slower is definitely better.

Saint Lucia Day Dinner Party.

We had a great little dinner party tonight, even if I do say so myself.
Now I seem to be too keyed up to get to sleep, so I'm sharing it with you.


Because we were away in Colorado most years for Christmas, we decided about five years ago or more to do something that gave us a reason to decorate and use the good china and go all out.  We began the Lucia Day dinner party tradition.  We host members of our breakfast group, who are retired teachers from Tom's old school.  Our guests are four ladies and one husband.  Two of the ladies are widows.


Tonight the dining room was aglow with candle light.  Our guests arrived at 5:00.  We sipped wine and visited while the food was cooking.

 The adjoining living room was decked out.

 Dinner was served at 6:00.  We started with a salad of butter lettuce, mandarin oranges, avocado and pomegranate seeds.


That was followed by cedar planked salmon cooked on the outdoor grill, scalloped potatoes, and asparagus.

 We sat and visited around the table and then it was time for coffee and Tom's hazelnut torte.  

It was all very delicious, the guests provided lively conversation, the setting was beautiful, and we were so very pleased to be able to share this time with our friends.  


Tom and I have both been working hard to get jobs done inside and out and to get ready for the holidays.  Now the fun has begun!  It's time to party!

Lucia Day

Hi.  I'm just checking in to wish you Swedes, part Swedes, and wanna be Swedes a Happy Lucia Day.


House cleaning is underway.  The table is set.  The hazelnut torte is done and chillin'. Meal prep is under control.  Salmon is on the menu for our dinner party tonight.


Our new kitty, Jozy Fuzzbutt, says "Hi" too, from her position on my lap.


Happy, happy, merry merry to you all!

Whatcha' Been Doin'?

Lots!


Yesterday Jill and the kids and Tom and I met at Southcenter mall to see the Muppet Movie at 4:30.  Parking was jammed, but the theater wasn't very crowded.  It was fun remembering all those Muppet shows we used to watch as a family.  I love the song "Rainbow Connection"!  Then we had dinner at the food court and joined the shoppers, just window shopping.  We all had a good time.


Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I've been baking cookies.  Here are Corey's favorite, filbert crescents. 

 This morning I baked one of Tom's favorites, cranberry walnut swirls,

 and every body's favorite, chocolate covered cherry cookies.

 I have made two other kinds, and they are all packed safely away in the freezer.  Just one more batch to go.


I got the sewing for the kids' Christmas presents done.  There's a shirt and vest for Isaac,

And a jumper and shirt for Irene, with a matching outfit for Julie, her American Girl doll.  

 This afternoon I worked on a fancy doll dress.  It still needs some finishing, but it's mostly done.  I struggled a bit, since I was modifying a pattern.

This pattern set has been a good investment.  With the basic patterns I can modify to match most of what I make for Irene now.  Of course this is all secret stuff, so don't tell.  I'm sure if Jill finds this post, she won't tell.  I won't be linking this one to Facebook.


I wrote a Christmas letter right after Thanksgiving.  Friday I ordered photo cards at Costco, got the letter printed, reworked the mailing list and got the envelopes addressed.  Then I left the stuffing, stamping and sealing to Tom.  They are ready to go out tomorrow.

This week we will be hosting our St Lucia Day dinner on Tuesday the 13th, with five guests from our breakfast group.  We'll be shopping, cleaning house, cooking and table decorating for that.  Then on Thursday I'm hosting my retired school friends for a potluck lunch.  I'll be making soup and offering cookies.


Next Saturday we're going to the Nutcracker at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in the opera house in the afternoon, followed by dinner out.  I'll take my camera.


I'll try to keep up with blogging and commenting, but other things do take priority this time of the year.  Today I decided it was time to add some down time each day.  I've been going all out for long enough.  It's time to stop and smell the roses, or the cookies, or whatever.


What have you been up to?

An Evening of Holiday Fun

 Tom and I have been enjoying Garden d'Lights at Bellevue Botanical garden for years.  This time we got to take Jill and the kids.


The kids got their maps and the list of creatures to look for, and off we went.

The vegetable patch.

 The aquarium inside the visitors center.

 A 'toad stool'.

 The flower border.  Yes, Irene loved the peacock.

 The pond.

 Lilacs in winter.

 A macaw in the "tropical forest"

 A photo op.

 Snappy-Dragon.

 Waterfalls

 Petting the squirrel

 Yep, we found them all.

 Then we drove over to Bellevue Square, where we warmed up at Starbucks and had dessert for dinner.  We had a healthier snack before we left. I promise. 


At 7:00 every evening, Snowflake Lane comes alive with Drummers Drumming.

 And then it snows!

 The music plays and costumed characters dance with the crowd in a bizarre sidewalk party.

 It was great fun!  And as we headed back to the car, the almost full moon winked at us.