December

December 1 - Dad's Christmas Cactus

I love the bright pink blooms on dad's Christmas cactus. It's a most pleasant sight to see in December. Today was the first day it bloomed.

December 3 - Decorating the fun tree

I had some helpers today! Audrey's kiddos came up and helped me decorate the fun tree. It has big round colorful light bulbs on heavily flocked branches. The balls we bought for the tree are just as colorful and fun. Alia said the crazy, colorful balls and ornaments reminded her of Whoville on the Grinch. I handed the balls and ornaments to the kids, and they decorated it. I love Emilee's collection of balls on one branch. And I left the decorating mostly where it was put! That was even more fun... especially for the kids. 

December 4 - Random Act of Kindness

Audrey's family and Dave and I went out for dinner. We ate at the Pizza Pie Cafe. The kids best thing about Pizza Pie Cafe... the bouncy balls they get out of the candy dispenser after we eat. Today we added something to it. We put a note, with a quarter taped to it, on the dispenser with "you've been RAK'ed!"  Then we watched.

A mother and her children came through the front door. The little girl had a very sad look on her face. It looked as though they had just come from a Karate Meet. Upon finding the note and attached quarter... this little girl's frown quickly turned into a great big smile! I hope the kiddos will always remember how good it feels to show kindness to others.

December 8 -  Black Forest Cheesecake

On Facebook, Leslie posted a meal she had made for Family Home Evening. An English meal. It looked scrumptious, especially the strawberry filled bread roll. Dave jokingly said he wanted her to come up and fix a meal for him... hint, hint! Well... if she could do it, I could too! Right? 

I committed to making one European meal every Monday night for Family Night until Christmas. Tonight I made a traditional German meal. Pork chops. That sounded easy enough. But they had to be breaded and seasoned  just right. Potatoes that required several steps to make. Cooked cabbage that ended up taking an hour or so to cook. It all seemed simple enough when I found the recipes. But it was anything but that! It took me a few hours to make this meal. It was painful. It didn't taste good. I thought the Black Forest Cheesecake would make up for it. Wrong! Oh... so not good. I hope next week will be better than this one.

 December 9 - Countdown to Christmas

Audrey's doctor appointment was today so I was able to watch Ben and Emilee. I had the Countdown to Christmas fabric pockets hanging on the balcony overlooking the front entrance and had the kiddos count the day to today's date to find a treat and surprise inside. A candy cane and a note to read Christmas stories with grandma! 

They each picked a book, sat down on either side of me on the couch in the library, and slowly sucked on their candy canes while I read them Christmas stories. I hope they enjoyed it as much as grandma did!

December 11 - Outside

This is crazy. Green grass in December! Blooming flowers! Where, or where is winter?

December 11 - Treat Exchange

This year I decided to go to the Bywater treat exchange. Mainly to get some goodies for Audrey's family. But then I saw this really neat treat idea on Pinterest. Flavored butters! So different from the expected sweets. I just had to do this!

I made Cranberry, Orange Marmalade, Garlic Herb, and Roasted Pepper. I bought some bread... a small baguette, that proved to be perfect for spreading a sampling of butter on it. 

Before the actual treat exchange we enjoy a half hour of eating appetizers and visiting. My flavored butters were in small, clear sampling cups. The bread was cut in bite size pieces and that made it easy for sampling. The flavored butters were a big hit with the ladies. Roasted Pepper seemed to be a consensual favorite. Mine, personally, was the Garlic Herb. Packaging the flavored butters for the exchange was a different story. I wrapped a sampling of butters in wax paper, tied the ends with twine and sealed it with Washi tape. It turned out cute and nice, but next time I wouldn't go to all that work. I would just buy those small clear cups with lids (sample size) and put some butter in them. They would hold up better and be much easier to serve up once they got them home. Packaging isn't everything! Sensibility will rule next time around.

December 13 - Pancakes

Love, love Saturday mornings at my house! What was a tradition growing up, has carried over to my house. Now... many years in the making. Pancakes, bacon, eggs and orange juice. Pancakes are always made from Bisquick. Bacon grease adds to the flavor and texture of the pancakes. Just like mom's! I love to smother my pancakes in butter. They are topped with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh peaches... when in season. I must have these in heaven! I hope your'e ready mom!

December 15 - Croatia Green Beans

Another week of cooking an European meal. I made Cabbage Rolls, that took forever to cook. I added a green bean dish... Croatia with American, my style! I sauteed fresh green beans, mushrooms, and onions in some Smart Balance spread. Delicious!

December 16 - Candy Land

I went to Audrey's this afternoon. Ben really wanted to play a game and so we played Candy Land. I learned something very important that day. 

Audrey quietly busied herself in another room while we played. Afterwards, she told me how much it meant to her, and obviously to Ben, that I took time to play a game with a little boy that had been sad, just minutes before. He needed the time. He needed the attention. He needed some love. Just for a few minutes. That's all it took! Audrey's heart was filled with joy as she listened to her little boy laugh and laugh and laugh today. My heart swelled up with gratitude and joy, as well. Taking the time to cheer up a grandson, not even knowing, helped me to remember what is most important in life. Playing with the grandkids should never be a chore.. but a pleasure!

When Alia got home, she took my place and I was able to get some pictures.

December 18 - Orchestra Concert

We went to Makaela's Christmas Orchestra Concert tonight. She constantly strives to be her best in all that she does. She is so mini Kelsey! She sat second chair and played in a quartet tonight. Makaela is such a delightful young lady. She is beautiful, intelligent, confident, and plain just makes me proud and happy to be her grandmother.

December 22 - A trip to England

One of my favorite countries in Europe was England. For our last European meal I chose England. I loved their fish and chips! But I was not about to slave in the kitchen, although this would have been a much easier meal than Germany or Croatia. 

Instead... we went to RED LOBSTER! So over the top delicious! Eat your hearts out! Sorry... no pictures here.

December 23 - A visit with St. Nick

It's close to Christmas with no time to spare. It was freezing bitter cold today, but that did not deter the Mecham kids from standing in the frigid air for an hour or so to sit on Santa's lap. We stood in line outside the Christmas hut located at the edge of Lee's Market in North Ogden. Well.. Mike and the kids did. Audrey and I sat in the heated car!

Once we got inside it only took a few minutes for Alia and Ben to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Emilee had fallen asleep by then. The kiddos visit with St. Nick was a treat... to the ears. 

Listen to the conversations... Priceless.

Santa: What do you want for Christmas?

Alia: A knitting kit.

Santa: What would you do with a knitting kit?

Alia: Knit like my mom! 

(She had every intention of knitting her daddy a scarf for his birthday coming up on Dec. 31). I don't think she told Santa that... her dad was standing right there! Such a thoughtful girl!

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Santa: What do you want for Christmas?

Ben: A popcorn popper.

Santa: What would you do with a popcorn popper?

 Ben: Make popcorn.

Santa: Would you eat it?

Ben: No, just make it. 

The best part was watching their faces and expressions and inflections in their voices. Children are so sweet and innocent and full of wonder and joy. I just love my little ones!

December 24 - Christmas Eve

Just Kelsey's family came up this year. Audrey just wasn't feeling up to it. Poor thing! It's just too close to having the baby.

I fixed our traditional Christmas Eve meal - Ham, funeral potatoes, cooked carrots, green salad, mom's Christmas jello, and clam chowder. Kelsey brought rolls (with mold on them, might I add!) That was a new one! And she made the most delicious home made cranberry sprite drink.

We hadn't done Elf, a traditional gift exchange activity, in a number of years but thought it would be fun now that Makaela and Brayden were in their teens. Shopko, our store of choice, was out this year. They closed at 4:00 p.m. and we were no where ready to go by that time. So, Walmart it was. The prices were cheaper, but there was way too much space for shopping. It took some of the element of surprise and fun out of the activity. But, it was good enough. Not sure if we will do it again. We might have to come up with another tradition. 

When we got home we opened gifts as we tried to make a guess who our Elf was. Chad built us a fire and we read the Christmas story. The end!

December 25 - A Christmas Gift

Ben wished and wished for snow on Christmas.. and he knew it would. And... it did! What a beautiful gift to wake up to. A White Christmas!

Mecham Family Christmas

Christmas day at the Mecham house was full of fun, laughter, and making things... lots of things. It was mostly a homemade Christmas. A large house (made from pvc pipe and muslin... cute!), homemade aprons... cute, cute! Add a cookie kit complete with colorful jars of cookie mix, rolling pins for each, cookie cutters, spoons, measuring utensils, and more... and it was the best Christmas day ever! Alia got her knitting kit, and Ben got a letter from Santa with some popcorn in a jar so he could pop some popcorn. 

I got Alia a Fisher Price Sewing Machine for beginners, which she loved and couldn't wait to start sewing. For Ben, a scooter. When he opened his present up, he said in his wonderfully surprised cute boy voice, "a scooter!!" He was thrilled. When Emilee saw it she threw her arms up in the air and said "where's Emmy's scooter!" So cute! She got a tricycle and was just as thrilled. She and Ben made some trails through the house. It was so much fun watching the kids play, and knit, and cook... all the day long! 

Dave and I stayed and ate lunch. We had sandwiches, fresh fruit and dip, and fresh vegetables and dip. Yummy!

Dave and I ended our day at the theater. We watched "Into the Woods". I gave it a thumbs down. 

December 31 - A New Year's Eve Surprise!

This sweet little baby boy decided he was going to come into the world before the end of the year. What perfect timing! A tax deduction! 

James Michael Mecham was born at 7:36 a.m., was 9 lbs. 6 oz. and was 20 inches long. He is so beautiful! Healthy, chubby cheeks, lots of reddish, blond, light brown hair. James carries his great-grandfather's name. Audrey's grandfather. My dad. We couldn't be happier to welcome the newest member into our ever growing family. He's already so loved. He's a precious bundle of joy!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.... includes....

A Christmas Tradition

Dave and I read a scripture(s) every night at dinner time that had to do with the birth and life of the Savior. We lit a candle as we read. I enjoyed it and look forward to doing this every year.

Warm feet

I wore my warm wooly handmade socks from Germany. So comfy!

Hand knitted Beanies for Baby

Audrey's been busy knitting beanies for the new baby. So cute!

Decorating 

Decorating the house took a day or two. Thanks to Amie! It took much longer to take it down. Oh... so much work, but oh so pretty! I got a few new ornaments for the fun white tree. One was a nurse glass ornament I bought in remembrance of Shaniel. 

Month in Review

December Birthdays

Daddy and son now share the same birthday. What a surprise and what a coincidence. Boy... are they ever going to have fun together! The end of every year will surely go out with a Big Bang!