Busy

Seems like this time of year is always so busy. We cram everything we can into the first two weeks of December so we can feel relaxed at Christmas. Just this past week I did a Teacher Appreciation and Training Dinner for my primary teachers. (I will be posting the delicious pork recipe later!! To DIE FOR) Last night we set up decorations for the ward Christmas dinner and tonight we will be AT the ward party. We have made the "famous" Christmas Candy Cookies that started with my great-grandmother. It's not Christmas without them. It's been so fun to be with Grandma Meyers. We've had a great time watching old movies together. The other night we all stayed up late and watched "What's Up Doc" with Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neil. That is such a funny movie. Watch it if you haven't seen it before!!

The boys have enjoyed taking walks with Grandma and helping me gut through the little bit of stuff that we have. They are great helpers!! Mitchell went on his FIRST date!! I barely survived!! He went with a group from his swim team (breathe, Rachel) to the Winter Formal. All the kids pitched in a little money for a limo ride since the dance was in downtown Honolulu at the Dole Ballroom. Les dropped him off and told me Mitchell was nervous to get out of the car. He'd never been to a dance like this or, of course, on a date. The day earlier, Grandma decided to teach him how to slow dance. That was adorable. I wish I had gotten pictures of it!! He ended up having a great time and I made it through too.

Getting ready to move with Christmas right around the corner is difficult but we are still really enjoying the opportunities of the season. Here's some great recipes you might enjoy.

I love this recipe for fudge. It's easy and so delicious.




GERMAN CHOCOLATE FUDGE(No fail recipe!!)

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 squares German sweet chocolate (1-oz each square)
1 7 oz. jar marshmallow creme
4 1/2 c. white sugar
2 T. butter
1 can (12 fl. oz) evaporated milk
1/8 tsp. salt2 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Combine chocolate chips, German chocolate and marshmallow creme in large bowl. Combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk and salt in heavy skillet. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 6 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour hot syrup over chocolate mixture. Stir with wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in pecans. Spread into buttered 10x15" pan. Let stand until firm, cut into squares. 80 servings

Note: Kids I taught cooking class to made this. If they can do it, so can you!! Easiest fudge recipe I've tried and so good.

Here's the simple recipe for the Kalua Pig





1 pork butt (or shoulder)
about a soup spoon full of Hawaiian sea salt (to rub on the pork)
1 small bottle liquid smoke Hickory flavor (Wright brand)
using smoke bottle, fill up 1/2 to 3/4 full of water, enough to cover the bottom of the pan
Directions:
Pierce pork with knife.
Rub salt over pork.
Put pork in a roasting pan cover tightly with foil and then cover with lid.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1st hour.
Lower oven temp to 250 -200 for 7-8 hours
Shred in pan and mix in juices.

*If in a hurry you can check pig after 3 hours and shred, cook total of 5-6 hours, turning temp up to 350 for last hour.

*Can also use crock pot. Just cook for 16-20 minutes on low, turning once during cook time.


The books for today are chapter books you can read together as a family:

Edward Eager's book, Half Magic, is a story about four children who find a magic coin that grants HALF of each wish. So to get what you want, you have to wish for twice as much. It was a fun read and the kids laughed all the way through it. It was hard to stop each night. There are more books to the series: The Time Garden and Magic by the Lake. Great author!!

"The Great Brain" by John D. Fitzgerald is another favorite read. The story is about Tom, AKA the Great Brain, and his little brother John. But trouble and adventure are always close by when Tom comes up with another money making plan! Enjoy the adventures of The Great Brain, in which he'll convince the whole town that there is a prehistoric monster living in a cave, solve a ghost town mystery, and even help the toughest britches-wearing girl in town wear a dress! I remember my brothers reading these. Very creative characters and a lot of laughs! Also a series with the other titles being:

More Adventures of the Great Brain, Me and My Little Brain, The Great Brain at the Academy, The Great Brain Reforms, The Return of the Great Brain, The Great Brain Does It Again, The Great Brain is Back.

Happy reading!!