Gingerbread Tradition

We had our annual Gingerbread Man Cookie Decorating Party. This is the 2nd year. The grand kids seem to enjoy this event. I finished the aprons they wore last year by sewing the buttons on. Even the adults get involved. The kids still have short attention spans and were totally engrossed in the decorating for about a half of an hour. I feel that traditions are important. Traditions help solidify us together as a group of people. Christmas time gives us an opportunity to enact those traditions. As a Grandmother, I feel it special to be able to offer certain family traditions to bring us all together. I hope this event is something that these kids will always enjoy.

Gingerbread Cookies

½ cup shortening
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup dark molasses
1 egg white
½ teaspoon vanilla
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon baking powder

1. Beat shortening, brown sugar, molasses, egg white and vanilla in large bowl at high speed of electric mixer until smooth.
2. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger and baking powder in small bowl. Add to shortening mixture; mix well. Cover; refrigerate about 8 hours or until firm.


Easy White Fudge Frosting

1 cube butter, soft
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 c. confectioners' sugar

Mix butter and granulated sugar. Mix milk and vanilla in. Add powdered sugar slowly. Add more milk or powdered sugar depending on desired consistency.

Our Rock Stars

Talk about a following! These kids have the biggest fan base there is. We are true groopies. This was Landon's birthday party. The theme was "Rock Star." As this picture was being taken, I was watching their mothers trying to get the kids in some sort of acceptable pose. That never did happen. We loved watching their movement. The older boys got into it, of course! The girls just followed along and the babies ate anything they could get their hands on. We love being around these little people. I think of rock stars beginnings...garage bands. Having our own kids were like those garage bands years...rusty and inexperienced. These kids are the product of years of trying and endless experience developing. Chuck and I never dreamed we would be in so much love with them! We would never miss any of their performances!

Man's Best Friend

This is Amber. Have you seen the movie Marley and Me? She is the female version. We have never seen a happier, more outgoing, ADHD dog ever!! We didn't think she would be as big as she is because her mama was a smaller Golden Retriever. Her dad must have been a larger Yellow Lab. We're really glad she has kept the color of a Golden Retriever, hence the name Amber. She is a member of our family now, but she stays outside. The dream of a manicured lawn has indefinitely been suspended. We enjoy her though. Well, not everyone. The grand kids are terrified of her because she is successful at tackling them and licking them to death. Training is definitely in her future. Amber has a way of making even the dullest day bright. Her best friend is Tim. I have never seen a dog more attached to anybody. As soon as she enters the house, if Tim is not the one letting her in, she runs straight upstairs to Tim's room. I guess dogs really are man's best friend. Or at least man is dog's best friend.