The Atwater Family: Christmas Spirit

Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmas Spirit

I love Christmas time! I love the holiday spirit, putting up our Christmas decorations, Christmas music/carols, cookies, hot chocolate, sledding, building snowmen, the birth of our Savior, Santa Clause, Watching Christmas movies and having popcorn and julius, seeing lights, traditions, and so much more.

Here are some pictures of us putting up our tree. I think it is about time to invest in a new pre-lit tree. Our tree is gorgeous but you have to put each individual branch together and then string on all the lights....it takes us a couple hours to put up completely.

This last weekend we had our Ward Christmas party. It feels good to have it over with...Jon and I are on the activity's committee and put alot of our time into the preparation. We had great food, great decorations, a great program, a huge turnout, and a visit from Santa himself. We ended up trying to make it a service project as well...we had a food drive. I couldn't believe how much food our ward members donated. We had over 4 heaping shopping carts full that we delivered to the food bank.
Cameron asked for ice skates (?)..not sure where that came from. At least it is easier then his request of a camper trailer/toy hauler last year. lol.
Wesley talked about how much he loves Santa and that he was going to hug him...well that is exactly what he did. He ran up to Santa so he was the first one on his lap he gave him hugs and asked him for candy for Christmas. We did not have time to get out camera ready so there is no picture of Wesley.
Brooklyn just cried and was happy once she was off Santa's lap and a candy bag in hand. Maybe next year!

1 comment:

Ashley said...: Alicia we used to have a tree that you had to put each individual branch in and light it...this year we bought a prelit 3 section tree at Tai Pan and I LOVE IT!!; December 7, 2009 at 2:10 PM

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Salsa Recipe

Salsa Recipe--by Alicia Atwater

3-4 (14.5 ounce) cans of stewed/or diced tomatoes.
1/4 onion (I like to use red onion).
1 green bell pepper
1 lime, juiced (or you can use 1Tbsp lime/or lemon juice from concentrate).
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic salt (or one fresh garlic clove minced).
2 Tbsp white vinegar
sliced jalepenos from a jar to taste (I use about 10-15 slices...this will be pretty hot). (I also make sure I buy the hot jalepenos in a jar not the tamed ones).
3 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (or you can use dried cilantro same amount).

Mix all ingredients into blender or food processor. Blend on low to desired smoothness. Best if you refrigerate for a couple of hours before eating.

Eclair Recipe----by Stephanie Stephens

Elair Recipe

Filling
1-5 ounce instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cup. milk
1 sm. container cool whip
4 ounces cream cheese--softened

Mix pudding, milk and cream cheese with an electric mixer at least 2 minutes and until smooth. Fold in cool whip. Refrigerate 2 hours. (For smoothest results--without lumps--mix milk and pudding together, in seperate bowl mix softened cream cheese, then mix the pudding milk mixture with the mixed cream cheese)

Shells:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sifted flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat water, butter and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat to a full rolling boil. Add sifted flour all at once and stir until a dough forms and pulls away from the pan. Remove from heat and transfer dough to a mixing bowl. Allow to cool slightly. Then add eggs 1 at a time mixing until well combined after each addition. Spoon dough into 16 strips on an ungreased cookie sheet (I will grease cookie sheet slightly). Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Satiny Chocolate Glaze (from allrecipes.com)
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

In a double boiler combine chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, then add vanilla. (I don't have a double boiler so I just microwave all ingredients in a glass container for about 1 and 1/2 minutes).

Assembly: Fill shells by either cutting tops off of shells and filling with a spoon or making a hole in top or side of shell and fill with a pastry bag. Then dip tops of eclairs into warm chocolate glaze. Refrigerate until chocolate is set (about 30 minutes). Cover and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. (also good out of the freezer).