Dec 24, 2008

Chain up yo!

For all you folks that have the luxery of living in the Midwest where salt the BEJEZZUS out of the roads so all you have to do is drive in slush, this one is for you.



Those are tire chains. It was the first time in 4 years that I had to put them on. The last two weeks have been like driving on an ice rink around town. Without these little devil's, there would be no way for me to get around town. Important note: that chain is now destroyed as I got the car cock-eyed on the street because I couldn't clear the 18 inch bank of snow and ice on the side of my car. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DIG MY CAR OUT OF SONW!!! I moved out here to escape that. At least Portlander's don't put out couches and dressers to save the spots they shoveled out. Enjoy the photostrip below of a once in 40 yr. snow storm (18 inches in a day and a half)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/loolaherzing/sets/72157611607601402/

The Nef Meets Santa


Dec 23, 2008

Black Dog vs. White Carpet

Who will win?



Holidaze


Well kids. If you hadn't heard already, my lovely wife Leah escaped the Portland madness and has been in Chicago/Peoria since last Thursday. With the help of her Pop's, and a little of my "super secret stash", we were able to afford to have her go home and surprise her mom, sister, and neph, for a Christmas together! She will be flying back to PDX (if the weather allows) on Christmas night. So don't fear..........Danny Boy will have his wife back hopefully for a Christmas evening together. Until then I have all these wonderful decorations she put together to remind me of her!



Dec 17, 2008

Project #4: Growth Chart Keepsake




















I wish I could claim creative credit for this heirloom growth chart, but I got the idea from fabulous Miss Natalie. I used the same concept but made it a little Christmas-y with red and white polka dot lining and a green label on top with Logan's name. Every Christmas Eve, Logan will get to measure his height on the hanging burlap strip and record it on a pinned tag. Everything easily folds up, stored in the box until the next year. The trickiest part was finding the right wide burlap strip (ultimately found at Walmart) and hot-gluing the yarn. (Thanks, hubby!) A little birdie told me that my sister is making a blog, so hopefully she will share photos of Logan's first measurement!!

Project #2: Mixed CDs

Easy and fun gifts to make! We pulled together 10 different playlists in itunes for family and friends--taking pride in our ability to combine all genres on one disc! They also gained sophistication with the use of a silver pen and labels I ordered from Chronicle.

Project #3: Gingerbread Cookies

I baked gingerbread cookies tonight, making the mistake of letting Dan help:

I'm too pooped to type out the recipe and add the photos of the final gift (it involves a lovely little box with ribbon...) So I'll post again later. Gifts are also wrapped and ready to be shipped tomorrow. Yippee! Merry Almost Christmas!

Dec 12, 2008

A One-Way Ticket to Nowhere

Baby Lennon Jeffrey















Say hello to Lennon Jeffrey, son of my second cousin, Dirk Trotter, and his wife Piper. Lennon was born Tuesday, November 25th, at 1:45 in the afternoon. He weighed 8 lbs., 10.7 oz. and was 21 inches long.

Look at that blond hair!!!! Too cute.















Just like Chris, Dirk is in love, and both mom and baby are doing great. More photos are on Dirk & Piper's web site, Meet the Trotters. I couldn't help but notice Lennon's hip little Tea clothing, so I have to send some more from Henny Penny.

Love and blessings to their new family....!

Dec 11, 2008

Grief

Betty Trotter
Elsie Hodel
Marjorie Porter


Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break." -William Shakespeare. I can only speak names. I find comfort in winter, the ever-growing family, familiar hymns from childhood. I particularly love Sufjan Steven's renditions of "Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming," "Holy, Holy, Holy," and "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Such a strange feeling they bring...

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.

O Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human woe,
O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know;
Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven,
And to the endless day!







Dec 10, 2008

Artist: Robert A. Nelson

[The Milk Train Arrives for Loading
Mixed media on paper 30 x 42 inches.]
I wish this image was larger, but this size was all I could find! I was thrilled to see Nelson exhibiting another show in the Pearl at Beppa Wiarda gallery this month. This image just does not do him justice, but I wanted to give you an idea. They are quite large pieces, on paper, usually depicted with mixed media or pencil. With the most fantastic intricate detail, I am always moved by the way his images address humanity, myth, industry, and animal...Often it is violent or disturbing but it still rings true--Humanity, myth, and nature is indeed partially composed of the bizzare, grotesque, and brutal. Anyway, much love for his artwork...If I am ever able to purchase original art for my home, his would be the first I would acquire! See more of his work on the Beppu Wiarda gallery web site.

Dec 9, 2008

Remember the NEF?

I just got a new photo!
He's growing as fast as a Thunbergia battiscombei!
(How do you like that, hubby?)

[Logan & Porter, his first cousin once removed (wow!) at the Hodel Thanksgiving.]

I love that face, that hair, and those chubby legs! I miss him...!
See other recent photos here.

Dec 8, 2008

Oh My God: Hello Kitty Maternity Hospital


It truly exists. I have to have future-baby there.

Monday Bullets

To do:
  • Send Christmas cards....Find addresses!!!
  • Clean out jam-packed extra room
  • Wrap gifts
  • Dust
  • Revise household budget
Contemplating:
  • MA in Theology/Religious Studies/Christian History
  • How much I love my husband
  • Moral relativism
  • How to continue to buy organic food with a tight budget?
  • If Rocco will marry the heater in the living room
Eating:
  • Mini frosted wheats
  • Popcorn
  • Pomegranate 7Up
  • Spinach pizza
  • Organic apple strudel made by Lorri....Mmmmmmmmm.
Listening to:
Wearing:
  • Embroidered hoody
  • Sweater boots
  • Belts, belts, belts
Addictions:
Missing:
  • Chicago
  • Goshen
  • Washington
  • San Fran
  • Everyone there
Making:
  • Gifts
  • Embroidered things
  • Christmas cards
  • Grilled peanut butters
  • Secret plans
New favorite names for future baby:
  • Ava
  • Emelie
  • Iver (Boy)
Winter wish list:

Dec 3, 2008

(Belated) Grateful


{For hubby, blankets, shelter, libraries, coffee, ma & pa, sis & lo lo, fingerless mittens, paint, chocolate, hobbes, blake, rocco, water, jaccuzies, trees and the birds trapsing about singing, all of my friends that make me laugh and give good hugs; ali, allie, allyson, amy, april, carmen, corey, dan johnson, gayle, hattie, jess, jim, john, josh, kate, lorri, matt, megan, meghan, melissa, nick, pax, sarah, & tina!}
See all of our Thanksgiving day photos here.

Dec 2, 2008

Pasta in Creamy Red Pepper Sauce

[Din-din & my hand-embroidered doily!]

When you only get about three hours together every night before falling asleep (maybe 4 on the weekends), you learn to power-pair-bond. One of the ways we do this is cook together. Despite the small kitchen, it works, and it's just as good a time as any for talking or kissing. We made this a few weeks back, but it was so tasty, we took a pic. Here's the recipe:

Pasta in Creamy Red Pepper Sauce

2 onions, chopped
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 small red chile, chopped
2 tblsp olive oil
13 oz can peeled tomatoes
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
2 tblsp chopped fresh basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp white pepper
8 oz pasta (recipe calls for fettucine but we used what we had on hand)
5 fl oz cream

1. In a medium-sized, heavy-based saucepan, cook the onions, garlic and chile in the olive oil over low heat until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the tomatoes, bell pepper and other ingredients except for the pasta and cream. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thickened.

2. Put a large pan of lightly salted water on to boil for cooking the pasta. A small splash of oil in the water prevents boiling over. Boil the pasta while sauce is cooking, and when tender but still firm to the bite, pour cold water into the pan to stop the cooking. Drain noodles in a colander.

3. Add cream to sauce, stir and heat through without boiling. Taste and adjust seasoning. Toss the pasta in the sauce and serve at once.