My last poinsettia from Mom

February 8, 2011 | Birthday,Family,Holidays

This was the last poinsettia I’ll ever get from my mother on my birthday. She and my father had been doing it since I was born. Then, after Dad died, it was Mom.

See, I was born in December. Ten days later, they had me in church for baptism. They had poinsettias on the altar that Sunday. And they sang something about roses … oh, I don’t know. She’s told me the story a dozen times, and she told my children the whole story again last birthday. I didn’t ask questions. Nor did I write any of it down. I just know that my birthday and poinsettias have always gone together.

Now? Not so much.

Eagle

December 30, 2010 | Family,Holidays

We visited my aunt and uncle in Missouri over the holidays. While we were there, we did some sightseeing and saw this eagle.

Holidays

December 29, 2010 | Family,Holidays

But do you recall the most famous … automobile?

December 23, 2010 | Holidays,Iowa

See the antlers? It’s a Rudolph car! Merry, merry, everyone!

It’s the season for lutefisk

December 17, 2010 | Holidays,Norway

I just learned that lutefisk is sold at my local grocery store. Lots of Norsky-Americans in these parts.

Sparkles & snow

Birthday,Family,Holidays,Weather,Winter

I got sparkles for my birthday.

Santa was in town today, but my kids would rather do this.

And this.

And this.

And this.

And this.

It’s great they had fun in the snow. (And we had hot chocolate afterward.) But it makes me wonder … they got videos from Santa. Was that enough for them? Or did it scare them? Or did something else scare them about Santa? Hmm.

Ah well. In any case. It was a great day.

Ice storm

November 24, 2010 | Holidays,Iowa,Weather

Brrrrr! This is what an ice storm in Iowa does. Good thing we’re all safe and warm at home and ready for the holiday tomorrow.

Food: Pumpkin pie

Family,Food,Holidays,Recipes

It’s so nice to have lots of help in the kitchen. I had the best help with pumpkin pie today.

Pastry for 9-inch one-crust pie

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons water

Cut shortening into flour and salt until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans side of bowl.

Gather pastry into a ball. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Roll pastry 2 inches larger than inverted pie plate. Fold pastry into quarters. Unfold and ease into pie plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Cut off extra pastry, then pinch together.

Pumpkin pie filling

2 eggs
1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin or 2 cups cooked pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 2/3 cup evaporated milk

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pastry. Beat eggs slightly with hand beater. Beat in remaining ingredients. Pour filling into pastry-lined pie plate. Put in oven. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean (took me about another hour). Cool and serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Sweetened Whipped Cream

1 cup chilled whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat ingredients together in a chilled bowl until mixture is stiff.

Boo!

October 31, 2010 | Family,Holidays

Farsdag

June 20, 2010 | Family,Holidays

Gratulerer med farsdagen, Pappa! We love you!