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December 2007
today's view of Snoqualmie Pass
Five for Friday
December 28, 2007
- I think we got five inches of snow last night, probably more like four, but five fits this post better and since I haven’t measured . . . well, let’s just say five. It poses a problem for us as we’re supposed to go to the All Military Academy Ball in Seattle tomorrow. The mountain pass we have to drive over threatens closure due to avalanche warnings. Hmmmm. We were looking forward to the weekend in Seattle. Bummers that two good things—snow and the ball—happen at the same time.
- I am painting the lower half of my bedroom today. The kids and I have been half-heartedly stripping the wallpaper a bit at a time for a few weeks. It is a tedious, tedious, tedious chore. If you are ever tempted to wallpaper, please call me and let me talk you out of it. You will thank me later. We’re leaving the upper wallpaper (it’s a fairly timeless pattern), adding a chair rail and painting the bottom tan. We will officially be done with home improvement projects for a loooooong while. I am sooooo glad.
- Our Christmas tree is still up and counting.
- Yesterday I made Chalupa in the crock-pot and a pan of brownies, but due to excessive cereal raiding an hour before supper, no one was hungry. That’s okay, no cooking today.
Chalupas
4 lb. pork roast
1 lb. pinto beans
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 canned diced tomatoes with chili
Put all ingredients in large pan and cover with water. Cook, covered, over low heat. Add water if needed. After several hours take out bones and fat and break up roast with a fork. Serve over a bed of corn chips and top with grated cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, sliced avocados and salsa. Garnish with olives. (I add a lot more “heat” to the mix as Calvin and the kids like spicy. It’s also good served in tortillas.)
- I’ve enjoyed going out to Kristi’s Pink Christmas site to see all the incredible things people made and gave this year. Have you seen everything yet?
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I have been tempted to read the Kite Runner (since there is a movie about it) I have heard there is a lot of controversy....is that true? I can't believe how much snow you have gotten. And thanks for the recipe. Crock pot ones are a favorite and super simple! Jenny :)
I loved this week's newsletter and will commit to model my life after some great words women) beginning with a name - Jane! Enjoy a perfect 2008 and keep the letters coming. Love you -Sue
Remember how you used to LOVE wallpaper? I read your newsletter with guilt this morning. I'm no longer on the ten year plan. I think I made it through all of five assignments. I think I'm going to have to be on the eleven year plan.... starting January 2nd.........along with watching what I eat. I have a feeling the two aren't compatible as I need something to eat in order to keep me awake while I read. --Rachel
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Gift Idea—The Gift of Time
December 27, 2007
That’s the problem with a book. The world just passes by. I started reading The Kite Runner yesterday and four meals, a bowl of popcorn and two naps later it’s finished. I enjoyed the line, “Children aren’t coloring books. You don’t get to fill them with your favorite colors.” Calvin and the kids have already read it, so I’m glad I can finally discuss it with them.
Many of you have read The Five Love Languages. I made suggested our family read it together this summer while we were traveling in the car. I met some light-hearted resistance, but after reading it we all agreed it was helpful as a family to know the information. Christmas morning Abe told Cali when she opened his gift (a puzzle), “I give you the gift of time. You have to do the puzzle with me.” He could have given her $100 gift certificate for new shoes and it wouldn’t have meant as much…almost, as she does love shoes, but not as much as she appreciates the gift of someone's time.
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our rooster, note the feet
Homekeeping Tip—Happy Day after Christmas
December 26, 2007
Some things change with time—like green peppers. I couldn’t stand them as a kid, but really enjoy their flavor now. Same with the day after Christmas, it was the worst day of the year growing up, but now I quite enjoy it. I love Christmas and the prep, but I also love the relief of having pulled off another one successfully the day after.
This is the first year that our tree hasn’t come down the day of or the day after Christmas. With the kids here such a short time, I’m going to leave it up for as long as I can stand it—maybe even three whole days.
It was great talking to Ty on the phone yesterday. It’s still amazing to me that he can speak Mandarin Chinese. For a language that is full of inflection and tones it is fascinating hearing our monotone son speak it. He sounded so good and said he tries to do everything with an open mind; hence why he ate fried chicken feet and fried pork ear. He said it was interesting chewing the pork cartilage and that the chicken feet didn’t have enough meat on them for the effort they take. Cali, Abe and Ande grimaced on our end of the line, having raised chickens their whole lives and pigs several times they know full well what they walk and roll in.
My homemaking tip for the day is when you’re out shopping the after-Christmas-sales pick up holiday paper plates and napkins on Clearance. Continue doing this all year long after each holiday and then wrap the plates/napkins in a tote, basket or tablecloth with a note that says, “Celebrate!” or “Celebrate without having to do the dishes!” It’s a bright, fun and inexpensive gift.
Happy Happy Day after Christmas.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I can't imagine taking the tree down on Christmas day or the day after, I like the glow of the lights too much. Usually I'm sick of it by January 2nd and suddenly realize "there's a tree in the house!". I'm glad your son is doing so well. I fear the adventurous eating would be my downfall as a missionary. --Jill
Wow! You take down your tree fast. I usually take it down around New Year's Day. I love your homekeeping tip for today! I would've gone out yesterday, but I have the flu. I am going to call Danny at work though and ask him to pick up some plates and napkins on his way home though. My plan was to go out and get lots of wrapping paper and bags of bows and tags. I was going to give them next year at the beginning of December for our visiting teaching and home teaching families with a note that says, "Wrap up a wonderful season!" So, if there are any left, I'll have Danny get those too. Chicken feet? You wouldn't think there's much to them. ew. Fried pork ear sounds a little more palatable than chicken feet though. Merry Christmas Jane! Nikki
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Life in My World—Christmas Day
December 25, 2007
There are lots of advantages of having older children, but one of them is having time to blog on Christmas Day. THAT wouldn’t have happened a few years ago, but right now they’re either asleep or reading a new book and their naps are longer than twenty minutes and books tend to take them away for hours at a time. The house is blessedly quiet—and blessedly messy—and it’s a perfect time to blog.
I had a very best friend growing up and every Christmas afternoon we’d call and exchange happenings. She was practically an only child and I was one of many so our Christmas experiences were far different. Checking blogs this afternoon has provided me with that same experience. Merry Christmas to all of you, my imaginary friends (that is what Abe calls you), AND thank you for sending me Christmas cards, e-mails and gifts so that I can prove you exist.
We have had a wonderful week—another advantage of having older children since they come home and you have instant Christmas company. Ande came a week ago and Abe came last Friday night. Last Saturday we braved the mall crowds (70 miles away) and did our traditional family Christmas shopping. It’s not long till that tradition is no more as the kids live closer to bigger malls, but it stood for another year. In fact, when Abe told me on the phone before he came home that he needed to do some shopping I suggested he and his dad stop at the mega-mall next to the airport. The suggestion fairly offended him, so I quickly recounted and we planned a family shopping trip for the first day he was home. A big kudos goes to Calvin; he braved the mall the day after Thanksgiving AND the Saturday before Christmas.
Calvin was my shopping partner in Target and I quickly left him in an aisle and roamed the store with my cart. He’s a great shopping partner!
Next we went to Barnes and Noble—the place where all good intentions go out the door, the place where I could spend hundreds, the place where I am tempted to ditch a shopping list and buy for myself. Abe and I were shopping partners and found three perfect books—two we didn’t even know we were looking for. We got a Bathroom Reader for Ande, a book on World Wonders for Cali and a West Point book for Calvin.
Then we wandered the mall and Abe helped me sniff lotions at Bath and Body Works for the girls and then sat on a bench outside the store with the other men of the world who quickly tire of the smells.
After shopping we went to the movie National Treasure and then met up with Cali (who had to work) for supper at Red Robin. Much as I enjoyed each thing of the day, my favorite part would have to be the drive home in the car. Ande and I dozed in the back while Abe drove and he and Calvin sang along to all the Christmas carols on the CD. It’s those little unexpected things that make life so nice.
Sunday was a busy day with church. Our sacrament meeting (the main hour of church) was incredible. Our family has been assigned to the single’s ward (a ward is the name of individual church units) for a time, so that means that the members of our congregation are young (under 30) and unmarried. Calvin conducted the meeting and the music and speakers (all of our clergy and speakers are volunteer) used their very best talent and it was exceptional. I had to teach the lesson in Relief Society (the women’s meeting) and I taught it on the three levels of Christmas. For the first level I gave each woman a gift (socks, soaps or mini photo albums, etc) in a decorated little white soil sample bags that are so cute. The gifts were sitting on the chairs (everyone sat in a circle) when the women came in. We talked about fun traditions and then I had them pass the sacks to the music of Trans-Syberian Orchestra and then open them when the music stopped. I explained that even though the first level is important and builds so many family and community traditions, it can’t last. After a few weeks we’re sweeted, gifted and partied out. We need something more sustaining and thankfully, there’s a second level, the level that includes the nativity. Then we read Luke 2 and sang Silent Night. I asked them if they could be anyone or anything in the stable what would they choose to be and why. Some said the star, others the straw, manger, donkey, sheep, shepherds, angel, Mary. It was interesting as to why they chose what they did. (When I did this in seminary on Friday the kids had some good answers, too. One said, “The goat. Goats are too stupid to do much thinking so I’d have wanted to be the goat so I could have watched the whole thing, but I wouldn’t have been smart enough to say something dumb and ruin the spirit of the whole thing.” Another said, “The stable so that I could have protected Jesus.” Another said, “The straw so I could have given him comfort.”) After the women had shared why they would have chosen to be what they chose we discussed that even though this level is beautiful and the whole reason for celebrating Christmas, it can’t last either. Eventually the carols and the story would grow thin—we want the baby out of the manger, we need something even more sustaining. Thankfully, there is a third level to Christmas and that is the level where the adult Christ is. Each woman had a different picture of the Savior to look at while I read Bruce R. McConkie’s last testimony to them (with pretty music in the background). After I finished reading each woman turned her picture of the Savior so that all could see it and then shared why she loved and appreciated the Savior. It was very moving. We closed the meeting singing I Know that My Redeemer Lives.
After supper and visiting with a few neighbor families that stopped by, we had a family council that lasted FOUR HOURS. It was a great experience where we talked about a myriad of topics that affect our family. The kids told us about a couple of times when we scarred them for life and it felt good to get THAT taken care of. Nobody even moved to go to the bathroom or get a drink. It was a funny, sad, intense and light night of conversation.
Yesterday we spent the day getting last minute Christmas things (food and gifts) ready. Amazingly (again, a benefit of having older children) the girls and I put together a scrapbook for Calvin of Calvinisms. Calvin says several (over 30 if you’re counting) funny sayings that are unique to him. He doesn’t think up new things at different situations, he just pulls out a Calvinism. These sayings have no humor or value to anyone but us. For example if someone does something stupid you can’t help but hear him say, “Have you got foonyetta for brains kid?” in your head, if not in your ears. Or if there is a silence after something profound, he’ll just quietly say, “Well, well, well. Mathew Quigley I presume.” (I told you these sayings wouldn’t mean anything to anyone else  that’s why they’re called Calvinisms.) In the book we put pictures of Calvin in different poses (and from different years) and situations with the sayings beneath them and it turned out great.
We had a wonderful Christmas, truly wonderful. I am so humbled by my gifts. Calvin gave me a laptop. I mentioned a few months ago that eventually (like a year or two) I would like to have a laptop. I had no idea that Calvin would make that wish a reality. I feel so blessed and modern, no longer will I have to borrow hotel lobby computers when we’re away from home or borrow Darla’s computer when we’re at scrapbooking retreats.
Kelly, of the famed Thister Thaster, gave me the wonderful Pink Christmas gift above. These button trees are gorgeous. The buttons are unique and beautiful. I wish you could see them sitting in the living room windowsill underneath the red curtains. Kelly, thank you. Your talent for making beautiful things is as true as your talent for making me laugh with funny posts. Thank you.
Ok, it’s time to sign off this mega post. The kids are awake and moving again. One of the disadvantages of older kids is when they want food with sustenance they are not easily sidetracked from their wishes. Plus, we really ought to make a path through this blessed mess.
In a few hours we get to have one of our semi-annual phone calls from Ty! I. cannot. wait.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Thanks for sharing your joy this year. Merry Christmas to your whole family - I hope you get a missionary phone call!
Love, Barb
Merry Christmas Jane! I enjoy my young family now, but admit to hoping that someday, I get to experience the satisfaction of having happy and well grounded older children. Your Christmas sounded delightful. Lucy
The trees from Kelly are so pretty, I love those. It's so fun to read about the happenings of your grown family, it's inspiring. I can't believe you had a 4 hour family council...wow. I'm officially impressed that everyone was cooperative and involved. Merry Christmas, Jill
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Dear Neighbor,
Merry Christmas to each of you from the Payne Family!
All year long you’ve sent me funny notes and comments, great stories and wonderful recipes, newsy letters and phone calls. It’s like receiving Christmas cards all year long. I appreciate each one and am grateful for the blessing of you NJP neighbors.
We typically receive three types of Christmas cards: ones with beautiful pictures that come in gold-lined envelopes with neatly typed signatures, ones that are handcrafted and unique, and ones that have family pictures with newsletters. My Christmas card to you is a combination. It is neatly typed (except for the typos that always sneak in), I made it and it has pictures with a family update. Merry Christmas!
The family update starting from left to right:
 
graduation picture and Mexico
Ande graduated from high school and worked all spring and summer at a Thai restaurant waiting tables. She learned the power of a tip and with those tips is attending Brigham Young University—Idaho and loving it. We’re not sure whether Ande was made for college or college was made for Ande; either way they’re a match. She got her first stamp in her passport this year.
 
Ty ran his first marathon this year and taught the family to rock climb. He completed his second year at the United States Air Force Academy and then resigned to serve a mission for our church in Taipei, Taiwan. Not only does Taipei have a nice ring with Ty Payne, but he found out his name in Chinese means “climber.” He loves the people, the work, the country and the food—minus the stinky tofu and pickled toppings.
Due to old man strength, a mystery of the universe, Abe and Ty still can not pin Calvin in arm wrestling. Due to empty nest syndrome, Jane has time and space for new pastimes. They have discovered a GPS is a wonderful marriage tool (especially in New York)—Jane doesn’t have to read the map aloud and Calvin doesn’t get lost.
 
teaching a family in the Philippines football
Abe completed his mission to the Philippines this summer and is again attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. He quarterbacked for the Army Sprint Football team this fall. He has learned that when projects are due the human body can go 76 hours on 6 hours of sleep.
 
graduation picture and headed to work with cookies for co-workers
Cali graduated from W.S.U.’s College of Nursing this spring and is working in a step-down critical care unit in a Richland hospital. She finds her work rewarding, challenging and interesting. She is hospital shopping throughout the country and plans to relocate next summer. She has learned cops still issue jaywalking tickets in Seattle.
We sincerely hope each of you has a Merry Christmas and look forward to hearing from you throughout 2008.
Much love and appreciation from your neighbors,
The Payne’s
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
You have a gorgeous family and I appreciated the summary. Your kids are all so accomplished and spirited. I love it. Lucy
Jane, Thanks for sending out an online card. What a great idea. And I just have to say, your children are all so good looking! Your girls like they should be spokespeople for something. Billboards want their faces. It looks like a very happy and successful year for your whole gang. Great. Merry Christmas! Love, Marie
Dear Jane, Thank you for the e-Christmas card! We thoroughly enjoyed it. You have a beautiful family!
Merry Christmas! Lisa
What a treasure! Thanks for including me. Enjoy a perfect Christmas Season. Love you - Sue
What a great looking bunch. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Love, Jenny :)
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Lelly's SPT Challenge
December 18, 2007
~the children were nestled all snug in their beds~
Well, mine would be nestled if she could get to her bed. My goal is to have Ande’s scrapbook (Christmas gift) finished by tonight so that she can have her bedroom and bed back. I’m probably dreaming.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
i've always found that one sure-fire way to get a project done is to lay it out on my bed!! that way, i have to complete it before the sweet, sweet reward of sleep. (unless, of course, i give up and just move the entire project to my kitchen table..) Merry Christmas!! lelly
That reminds me of my Mom. I am sure there will be some clearing off of beds when we get there Thursday night. But I wouldn't have it any other way! ~Elizabeth
Jane – My scrap room/guest room looks just like this! Actually, I take that back, it looks more like a tornado. Piles and piles everywhere – mishapped and mismatched. There is no way in the world I could have a guest right now! Ande is going to love her gift – worth every minute sleeping on the floor ;-) -Heather
Oh, she will love that gift. I don't doubt it will be amazing. You are so creative!! I hope you are able to finish it soon. Jenny :) p.s. I did get my pink christmas gift!
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Quotable Quote
December 16, 2007
Martin and Muriel
“The best portion of a good man's life is his little,
nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love”
~William Wordsworth
Yesterday was a memorial service for my friend, Muriel, and her family asked me to share a few memories of her. For years Muriel loved and cared for several people, but since I met her five years ago, she lived her life for one person, her son, Martin. Whether buying him long underwear at Wal-Mart “because he gets so cold in the winter,” holding his hand, letting him rest his head on her shoulder at church or wiping his mouth—Muriel, at 94, was still her brother’s keeper. Martin has lived much longer than expected and there is no doubt that his mother blessed his life with “little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love,” but she also blessed mine in like manner through her Christ-like example of living to care for another. I am grateful she lived a long, long life so I could see a best portion of her life.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Muriel sounds like a lovely lady. Those individuals always inspire me. Did you get your pink christmas?? Jenny :)
I need your newsletter! I can't believe I haven't signed up earlier! I love your inspiring words. You are a great addition to the "online" world:) Lucy
Jane, I'm so sorry to hear of your friend Muriel's passing. I'm sure she was blessed to know you, as well. Will someone else be able to help care for her son now, I hope? Susan W.
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Newsletter Snippet
December 14, 2007
Today’s NJP newsletter was about “reality not reaching the ideal” (if you’d like a free copy of the newsletter just leave a comment, I’d be glad to send you one). Last night I made a double batch of Chex® Party Mix—I even used Chex® cereal, not an off-shoot. However, I just. couldn’t. help. myself. After mixing name brand cereal, name brand pretzels, cashews, almonds and peanuts I remembered the already opened bottle of dry roasted, unsalted peanuts in the cupboard that weren’t necessarily fresh. I thought, “Aaaaa, I’ll just throw them in so I don’t waste them.” A piece of me said, “Save $1 to waste $5?” but the throw-them-in-side answered, “The butter, the oven, the spices—they’ll rejuvenate them and no one will notice.” Someone did notice. Calvin. Nuts.
As I was making the mix last night I thought of how I never add Wheat Chex®, only Corn and Rice. I decided I really should use Wheat Chex® too so that everyone has something to pick around (you know, the old the-rose-has-thorns-so-you’ll-appreciate-the-flower-theory). Little did I know then we’d have bad peanuts to pick around—definitely trickier picking.
However, I am undeterred. In fact, I’m fairly giddy—I have the whole afternoon to work on Ande’s scrapbook with no interruptions and plenty of Chex Party Mix with stale nuts to pick around.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Jane, I will quote your kids from your object lesson, "You have outdone yourself this time". That was the greatest newsletter ever. I loved your reality vs. ideal. I almost wish I had a talk this Sunday. It would be ready made and the best ever. Love, Rachel
Jane: I have printed out this newsletter to keep with my Christmas ornaments, so that each year I can remember to keep perspective. What a beautiful post. Thank you. Lynn
All the Christmas baking done at once? I've never heard of such a thing! Barb
Hi Jane, I just loved your message in the newsletter today. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist and often rue the fact that my family and surroundings don't match the perfect Christmas scenes in the magazines. I'm trying to relax and just enjoy "us" with all our faults and failings and a house that looks less than perfect. Your message was so timely for me. I will share Rachel's pajama fiasco with my daughter who teaches sewing to 6th and 7th graders--I'm sure she'll get a good laugh out of it. Wishing your family a wonderful Christmas season...........Ruth Palmer
I don't think I've ever seen one of your newsletters, but I read your blog regularly. Thanks!
Dear Jane, I enjoy your Newsletters! Thank you! Love, Lora
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A Clean Sweep—AGAIN
December 13, 2007
We finished painting the living room and hall. It does look nice and though I dreaded, dreaded, dreaded doing it, I love, love, love how it looks. Then, and only then--after everything was painted and rearranged, did we put up the decorations. It remains to be seen whether or not we will leave the tree and decorations up longer than the day after Christmas (a poor tree has never yet made it longer than that in our house). I’m thinking this tree has a chance since it took us so long to put him up. While some have visions of sugar plums, I have visions of sitting by the lighted tree reading a good book and drinking hot chocolate, but not in the near future so he just may last.
Cali dribbled paint bad on the carpet…really bad, a cup or so. She’s such a perfectionist it was a surprise and I was glad it was her and not me for I don’t scold nearly so long. She scrubbed and scrubbed to get it up and has decided that the white paint blended into the carpet actually makes it look cleaner and that perhaps we should do it everywhere. I’m not up for buying more paint though.
A funny one happened in class a couple of days ago. I was trying to teach the kids the concept of trusting the Lord. We are studying Isaiah and he refers to trusting in the Lord often so I told them first we needed to know a little about trust. We did the activity where everyone sits in a circle with their feet touching in the middle of a circle (like the spokes of a wheel) and one person stands in the center of the circle as stiff as a board and falls back and the people push him back to the center of the circle and he falls another way and everyone just keeps pushing him till they’re tired or the center person hits a weak link. I have a funny, funny student named _________. Everyone loves him. He is funny without meaning to be funny, he never ceases to smile and he says random, innocent things. (Like last week when I asked all of the kids to tell me something terrible, really terrible. He waved his hand frantically so I started the conversation with him. I said, “_______, tell us something terrible. Really t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e.” He said very slowly, “Liver. Liver is terrible.” I expected something like murder, tsunami, earthquake, famine. I was not expecting liver. I started to laugh and said, “Good, can you tell us something else that is really terrible?” He said, “Stuffing is pretty bad, too.” I said, “_______, you’re kind of hurting my feelings. I make really good stuffing.” He said, “Oh well, Sister Payne, I’m sure your stuffing isn’t as terrible as most stuffing is.”)
So, back to trusting, after we’d practiced pushing one of the tall thin girls around in our circle I asked who wanted to go next and ________ waved his hand (of course). The kids started saying, “Noooooo ________” because he lifts weights and his arms are as big around as my lower thighs. He was undeterred and jumped into the center of the circle. I reminded him to stay stiff as a board. He fell right toward me. I couldn’t push him back up and he squished me flat. We were both lying on the ground, me on my back with him right on top of me. I laughed so hard thinking, “This is terribly inappropriate to have a student lying on top of me. This is embarrassing. I think people get fired for stuff like this. My laugh sounds stupid because I can't get enough air . I look stupid. My bangs have all fallen off my forehead and you know how stupid you look without bangs and now you not only look stupid you have a student on top of you.” All I could do was keep laughing. It was embarrassing for both of us. Oh my. I will add this incident to that time my skirt fell off in class and the time I fell asleep in a college class and bolted out of the chair grabbing my heart yelling I’d been shot (because in my dream I had been). Every now and then it tires me to be me.
I stubbed my toe this week. It is swollen and BRUISED. Really bruised. The kind you get to show off bruised.
We went to the community’s production of Messiah this week. It was a sweet performance and all types of talent from all walks of life came together and donated their abilities to make it possible. The cost was a canned food item for the food bank. At the end of the performance the orchestra and choir invited the audience to join them in signing three Christmas carols. As we sang I thought “This is a group of God-fearing people. The Lord must be pleased to see people assembled to praise Him with whatever talent we have to give.” I was grateful to the people who donated their gifts to make the evening for the few of us that attended and vowed to try and organize my life better so that I support more of these events.
As long as I’m sweeping, here’s a home keeping tip I got from Kraft Foods (I believe) that I’ve used a couple of times recently. Put an ice cream bar (the thick fat kind or “Skinny cows” if that’s your preference) in individual serving dishes and add a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle or two of toppings for a quick, easy, pretty and good dessert.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Oh my goodness, Jane! Do you know that the story made it to my house for lunch? Isn't that funny? I didn't hear the whole story though, you know, making lunch and all that, so it was good to hear your side of the story! I love your funny side!! Love, Susan
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Quotable Quote
December 9, 2007
"Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week."
~Joseph Addison
Kristi has posted a wonderful object lesson about teaching the fourth commandment to remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. It would be a fun family home evening lesson or object lesson for any group. Check it out!
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
This was a beautiful message (in Friday's newsletter) Jane! Thank you! Kelly
What a wonderful newsletter. I have let too many opportunities to serve pass me by due to stupid thoughts. But no more. You've inspired me to just act on it. :) I know Danny will be so grateful when I make these orange rolls for him. He's asked me a handful of times if I know how to make orange rolls. Onetime I just went and bought a package of Pillsbury ones. Rachel's letter is so funny. I actually was going to make gingerbread houses today out of graham crackers with Gabby. But the perfectionist in me decided it would be better to make them out of homemade gingerbread. So, it's on the agenda for tomorrow. And we're actually going to use leftover Halloween candy. Thank you Jane!
Nikki
I just fought off a terrifically stupid thought. Thanks for the newsletter! Barb
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Twelve Days of Christmas Meme
December 8, 2007
One holiday movie I recently watched
(Recently being relative here)
· the newer version of Miracle on 34th Street
Last two holiday websites I visited
This is a stretch, but both sites had Christmas news.
· www.magicvalley.com (hometown newspaper. I always check the obituaries and on Saturday love to read the religion section to find what the different area churches have planned—bazaars, Christmas programs, different reverends’ sermon topics, etc. It’s very Mitfordy.)
· www.foxnews (my biggest source for news)
Three favorite items of clothing
· a good sweater
· a pretty dress
· an oversized sweatshirt
Four favorite things to eat
· potatoes (mashed, baked, hashed, fried, boiled, sweet . . . any form)
· bread (whole wheat is a new preference)
· steak
· fresh vegetables (salads, broccoli, green beans, squash, corn, did I say potatoes?)
Five things I ate yesterday
This one is easy to remember because friends invited us over for supper last night and asked Calvin to cook the meat. One word: Yum.
· Smoked ribs with sweet/spicy rub
· Broccoli-Bacon-Cashew salad
· Coleslaw that was heavy on the lemon (and oh so good)
· Guittard chocolate
· Gingersnaps
Six things I need to do today
· Laundry
· Ironing
· Go to Tri-Cities
· Scrapbook
· Exercise
· Read
(So why am I writing a blog post?)
Seven gifts I’d like to receive
- someone to magically program my iPod (Ande, are you reading? I’d LOVE this gift)
- a phone call from Ty in the mission field
- my Pink Christmas gift
- whatever Rachel sends, she always picks something fun
- gee…this one is tough.
- it’s really tough
- it’s really, really tough. I like everything but really don’t need anything.
Eight ingredients my kitchen shouldn’t be without during the holidays
- flour (white, wheat)
- sugar (white, brown, powdered)
- cream
- yeast
- butter
- nuts
- chocolate
- corn syrup
Nine Christmas songs I like to hear
- Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas Canon
- Silent Night
- What Child is This?
- Drummer Boy (I know…I’m a sucker for cheesy)
- Away in a Manger
- Mary, Did you Know?
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
- Trans Siberian Wizards in Winter
- Joy to the World
Ten memorable Christmas gifts
- when Ande was born and we brought her home from the hospital on Christmas Eve
- when Trevor made me a little wooden box with a little certificate saying that he would thenceforth and forever call me “Mom”
- when Cali got a little kitchen and couldn’t believe it was hers. She kept saying, “I already got my present (a My Little Pony). This can’t be for me ‘cause I didn’t tell Santa about this so he must have accidentally left it here.” She was so humble and grateful when she realized it was truly hers.
- when Abe made Ty a gun from a stick for his present
- the picture Calvin drew for me
- the cedar chests Calvin made for the girls
- the black powder guns that Calvin made for Cali, Abe and Ty
- the year we moved and things were really tight and Rachel (my sister) sent me supplies to make gifts plus cash
- the year Marcia (my sister) bought the kids a trampoline and it was like it added another room onto our little house—they lived on it, even during the winter
- oh…this question wasn’t a good idea. I can think of too many: gift certificates, recipe tin from Michelle, a hat box full of things I love (like wall hooks, stamps, candy, etc), clothes, a bike, shoes, etc.
Eleven favorite Christmas traditions
- going out to the shop (in the several weeks prior to Christmas) and sitting by the little wood stove and visiting with Calvin while he is working on projects.
- receiving and sending Christmas cards
- working in the kitchen—I love it when the kids join me by either helping or by sitting on the stool at the counter and just visiting
- Christmas music playing wherever you go
- the mini-thrill every morning and evening when you turn on the Christmas tree lights
- everyone picking and preparing their favorite food for Christmas Eve (anything goes)
- celebrating Christ—both his birth and atonement--on Christmas Eve when we have a spiritual family program.
- after the program, everyone writing down the things that they appreciate about each other and then wrapping the papers into a scroll and tying them to the tree with ribbon and opening them on Christmas Day evening before going to bed
- going to a movie with the family
- going shopping with the family and then out to eat at a restaurant
- going to the temple as a family
Twelve fun childhood Christmas memories
- waiting for Grandpa and Grandma Hoops to come on Christmas Eve
- popcorn balls—we made them by the hundreds, quite possible even a thousand each year
- sliding belly side down on the stairs with my cousin, Casey, while waiting for the adults to finish eating
- ice skating on Callen’s pond or riding the snow mobiles around and around in the pasture with the Gines’ boys
- going to Disneyland
- sleeping by the tree with a flashlight with my cousins and brothers and sisters
- dad coming downstairs early one Christmas morning and hollering at us for being too noisy and Grandma and Aunt Jean hiding on the couch so he wouldn’t see them
- opening my sock
- watching Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy, Donny and Marie and the Lawrence Welk Christmas specials on TV
- the Hollister Christmas play and the bag of peanuts, candy and an orange that Santa brought after it
- school classroom party and gift-exchange
- going to the hills to feed the horses hay and then stopping to see Wally and Alvin (two old bachelors, of sorts)
If you’d like to do this meme, please do!
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
What a great list of things. I didn't do this particular meme, but a different one. Those sacks are darling!! I need you closer so I could come over and sew with you. Jenny :)
This was so much fun, Jane -- thanks!! Susan
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Travel Pillows
December 6, 2007
I know I’ve told you this lots of times, but it’s pertinent to the post: there were ten of us kids in my family. We went on several car trips and it took two cars, the suburban and the station wagon, to get us all somewhere. Even so we still had to pack light because besides suitcases and an extra friend or two, we also packed a lunch. Mom made jello cups before jello made jello cups—she poured hot jello into cups and refrigerated them until solid and then put a baggie and rubber band around the top. She did the same with potato salad, too. So, with space being a premium, to think we would each get to pack our own pillow plus a small blanket was unthinkable. Someone (I’m guessing an aunt) made us each a small travel pillow. My pillow was red and I felt akin to it. Mom stored all of the pillows in two big pillowcases in the top of my closet and so I was often reminded of Disneyland or Salt Lake City, Utah—our most frequent destinations. My pillow meant fun.
Last spring our oldest son from Calvin’s first marriage, Trevor, and his family came to visit. Trevor recently married into a ready made family of teenage girls. When their family packed, Trevor told the three girls they could share one pillow and one small blanket. When the family arrived I heard the story and though I could see Trevor’s point (girls do tend to pack a bit generously), I felt for those girls. I decided I would make them each a travel pillow similar to the one I had when I was little. I covered a travel-size pillow in soft flannel and bought a small throw blanket in a complimentary color and then made a simple drawstring bag to store them in. I tucked a movie and some candy in the bag, too.
Recently my niece was here and saw them and decided to make some for her boys so that when they go to their grandparents they just need to stuff their pajamas in the bag and they’re ready to spend the night.
The idea could easily be adapted to purchased items (pillow, bag, blanket) as well, it's the memories of where that pillow of mine went that made it so valuable to me.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Jane-I don’t know how you keep up. I am ready to get together for some down time after the holidays – we’ll scrap the day away! I loved your “finding your people in the sea of sameness” comment – I had to get Chance a bright orange hockey jersey for just that reason – put helmets on those kids and they all look the same! -Heather
I love this travel pillow idea! I have tried a few different variations, and all seem to end up on the floor of the car, encased in dirt and crumbs. With the little bag, this would be perfect for the boys. Thanks! -Heather
(Heather...I feel badly I made it sound like I'm so busy 'cause I know I'm not any busier than you and everyone else! It's like I told Barb, "I just didn't plan very smart!" But, as of 1/2 hour ago both bathrooms are painted and tiled--oh how good it feels to say that. And the leaves that have needed done all fall? Tony came back today and raked them up for us, I feel so grateful to him. In fact, I'm feeling so free that I just put a pot of soup on to cook, well actually two pots 'cause I know split pea will go over with Calvin like a fart in church so I made a pot of ham/beans, too --oh gee, I really should have used a better description of Calvin's distate for peas...I think I'll sign off before I get any deeper.)
Jane, I love your comment in answer to your comment (make sense?) Milo LOVES split pea soup (his dad would make big pots of it growing up) and well....let's just say I have the same feelings as Calvin. If I were him, I would totally appreciate that pot of ham and beans! I'm so glad your
bathroom projects are finished and you were able to relax today. It was a very good 2 pot soup day with no sun. Enjoy tonight! Love, Melanie
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A Clean Sweep--Life in my World and Homekeeping Tip
December 5, 2007
Remember when Christmas took forever to get here? No more. 25 days is not really 25 days once you’re an adult; it’s more like one big week with long days. I’m just going to do one clean sweep in this post.
First: The nativity turned out great. The cultural hall was incredibly and believably decorated. They used a large, sage green supply parachute to cover the entire cultural hall—which gave a cave like affect. On the sides of the walls where the chute didn’t reach were building fronts made of wood. Each building was painted to look like adobe. Yards and yards of fabric were draped over them to give the look of a Bedouin dwelling. The overhead lights were dimmed, but lights shone through the windows of the buildings. Iron sconces hung on the walls with lit electric tea-lights in them. There were torch-looking lamps around the hall as well. Iron grates also hung over some of the windows. There were pots and pots and pots of plants. Some of the buildings had doors that opened. There were two huge trees—the roots and trunk made of paper mache with real branches. A shepherds’ field was in the center of the cultural hall with a little fire and sheep (2-d made from cardboard, but realistically painted). Everything was controlled with surround sound and spotlights. The chairs were set up on three sides of the cultural hall (the stage being the fourth side)—surrounding the shepherds’ field. At the back and sides of the gym were two mini stages—one for Isaiah and his people and the other for the choir of angels. The big stage had the manger scene with a stable made of logs/poles. One foyer was set up much like the cultural hall—time period décor with a fire, grape arbor, a woman kneading dough in a wooden bowl and wooden slats over the normal doors. The other foyer had pictures of the Savior, lights, poinsettias and trees. The chapel was decorated similar to this entry and a person played Christmas carols while people sat and waited for the program to begin. It was all very, very, very cool. It took the women and their crew four days to create and they did an incredible job.
Outside on the lawn was also a live nativity with sheep, horses, Roman soldiers, wisemen, angels, Joseph, Mary, shepherds in fields—the whole megallah. There was a cocoa and cookies hut, too. And, it snowed. It was beautiful and really quite amazing.
When it was time for the program, the missionaries welcomed the people and lead them into the cultural hall. An average of 400-450 people attended each program and there were 9 programs. The people who performed did a wonderful job and their songs were beautiful. A great part was the baby, the woman who played Mary and her baby were perfect. The baby wore a little muslin cloth and stretched and sneezed and wiggled his feet and arm and even cried a little in one performance. He was so sweet. During the stable scene in each performance, an extra hush (if that’s possible…people were so quiet the entire time) came over the entire hall. Mary and Joseph quietly played with the baby and visited a little with each other rather than stand in a stupor—it made it look like fun to be in the stable. At the end of the program, the shepherds left their field and went to the stage. One shepherd, the little boy who started the whole thing by asking his father to tell him the story about the coming of the Messiah, sang a song while he touched the baby’s head/hands. After they finished singing the shepherd boy leaned over and kissed the baby’s head. It was a great way to end the story.
In the meantime, regular life continued. Yesterday we celebrated Hanukkah in seminary. I could have sworn the calendar said it was on Tuesday. This morning I see that it actually starts today. Ooops. I enjoy celebrating the Jewish holidays—they do love a party. (Last week when studying the book of Esther we mini-celebrated the Feast of Purim, that’s a fun one, too.)
Sunday we had a Christmas dinner for linger-longer after church. My job was to cook a 28 pound turkey and a roaster full of stuffing. I brought home a ham bone to make soup, other than that it was all eaten. It was good and there was plenty so the kids just kept eating.
Meanwhile, we’ve been painting and tiling our bathroom. Yuck. I do not like home repair projects, however I know Cali will only be in the area for another 6 months or so and so I want to take advantage of her know-how, drive and energy. It takes us forever, though, because we only have snippets of a few hours at a time.
Saturday I went to a baby shower for a friend. I made her a mini-scrapbook that morning while watching the Army/Navy game. Abe called early that morning and said, “I’m on the front row, I’ll be on the camera so watch for me.” Calvin and I watched the whole game (I only left the room during commercials) plus the hour and a half coverage before the game looking for him. We didn’t see him once. Lo and behold, he was on—Ande and her friends as well as several of Abe’s friends saw him for several seconds—but Calvin and I did not recognize him. I’m telling you, all those identical uniforms and haircuts, it’s hard to find your people in the sea of sameness.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon and evening finishing Christmas projects that need to be mailed. Tony came to prune the trees in the orchard, too. Ahhh…it feels good to have the trees trimmed (even if it's not THE tree at least A tree is trimmed) and the packages ready.
This weekend we’re going to paint the living room and hall and then put up our decorations. Painting and Christmas do not go together. Do not. My homekeeping tip for the week is don’t try to paint and remodel a bathroom, or paint anything for that matter, during the holidays. Do not. Do not. I know better.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I'm not feeling so busy now after reading what you've been up to! Barb
How very cool to have a large nativity. It reminds me of the beautiful Easter pageant that Mesa puts on each year. Thanks for posting that gorgeous photo and lovely quote! Jenny
Wow, Jane -- the nativity program sounded amazing! I would've cried. The older I get, the more things like that get to me. Heck, I can't even hear "Silent Night" or "O Holy Night" without sobbing! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I wish I could've been there! Love, Susan W.
Oh the nativity sounds marvelous! David and I wanted to come home for it so bad, but that would mean traveling almost every weekend, and we just can't afford that, so we had to miss it, so sad! Thanks for the mental pictures and the actual pictures (I think I recognize that Joseph and his donkey!!!!!hehe) Tiffany
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Quotable Quote
December 2, 2007
“Am I one of the inn crowd or one of the stable few?”
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I love this thought, Jane. I'm squeezing my eyes shut tight trying to figure out how to use this in YW's this month, but I don't have it yet. I'm going to pull it together, though. It's a clever play on words, and what a beautiful pageant family!
Barb
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