Scripture Advent

I've had my eye on a little advent calendar for several weeks but couldn't wait for it to go on sale because it was the only one and I was afraid it would get grabbed so I grabbed it first. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it - put a scripture reference in each little drawer - one to read each day of the month. I found this list on an LDS website, but you can choose your own favorites as well.

Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
Micah 5:2
Matthew 1:23
Matthew 2:1-6
Matthew 2:7-12
Luke 1:27 & 28
Luke 1:30 & 31
1 Nephi 10:4
1 Nephi 19:8
1 Nephi 11:13 - 20
2 Nephi 17:14
2 Nephi 19:6
2 Nephi 25:19
2 Nephi 26:3
Alma 7:10
Helaman 14:4
3 Nephi 1:12 - 15
3 Nephi 1:16 - 21
Luke 2:1 - 5
Luke 2:6 - 7
Luke 2:8 - 12
Luke 2: 13 - 16
Luke 2: 17 - 20

Writing vs Cooking

Cooking will win out every time! I am supposed to be writing a talk to give in the Dutch Harbor branch tomorrow on The Sacrament, but I had this butternut squash that was just screaming to be made into a wonderful soup. Actually it's more of a bisque. Anyway, I have tried at least half a dozen recipes and this is my all time favorite. It's from the Vitamix cookbook but I think you could adapt it to a regular blender if it's a decent one. Enjoy!

Apple Butternut Squash Soup

3 cups cooked squash

1 large apple, microwaved until tender

1/4 of a small onion + 1/2 clove garlic, sauteed in 1 t. butter or margarine til tender

In the Vitamix:

Put 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 t. thyme, 1/8 t. salt, and 12 oz. boiling chicken broth, mix for 3 mins. until thick and add squash, apple, onion and garlic and mix for an additional 30 seconds until smooth. If it's too thick you can add a bit of water, milk or cream. I used cream.

Delish!

Morning Snow Update

This is day three of the snow. It's interesting that is it a light snow, but it's persistent. We have over a foot of fresh white and still coming down. I ordered this especial for Mike and Aubrey so they could truly have a white Alaska Christmas.

My New Jewelry Friend

Last week at our ward Relief Society Christmas social a friend brought another friend who makes really pretty vintage style brass jewelry. Here are a few samples of her earrings, which I lovingly support. These are glowing a bit due to the flash, but they are a nice smooth while stone of unknown origin. Pretty brass filigree.

And the last two are colored pearls. She sell them for $10. I hope my ears don't react adversely.

If all goes well, this pair may make it to "The Wedding" event, or one of the events, due to the nice blueish color.

She also makes necklaces as well.

Christmas is Next Week!

Oh My Gosh! Holidays are so funny. You wait forever and then there they are and then you wait forever again! We were just blest with about 6-8 inches of new snow in the last 36 hours or so. The drive to Anchorage and back was very scarey, and the way home was one accident after the next. But the snow is beautiful and we are looking forward to a very fun ward Christmas party on Saturday. Then a week of bliss before the arrival of the lovely Aubrey and the dashing Michael. So much fun...so little time. Have a great week.

Congrats to Cortney for his recent success!