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Jolly Little Elves

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Black Forest Cake

This might very well be the first time I've made a layered cake, but I was thrilled with how it turned out. It's nice to know that it was worth the lost sleep when I stayed up late to watch Alton Brown demonstrate how to slice a cake in half for layers. I was pleased that it was even and not teetering on the brink of disaster. Even more so, I loved the taste. Will told me it was the best birthday cake he had ever had . . . until next year, I'll bet.

Ingredients

3 cans tart pitted cherries (20-oz cans)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 chocolate cake mix (I used the "super fudgy" yummy one)
3 cups whipping cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar

1. Drain cherries and keep about 1/2 cup of the juice. Combine juice, cherries, sugar, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until sauce is thick. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

2. Make two nine-inch cakes according to directions on box of cake mix. Split each of the two cake layers in half horizontally. Crumble one of the four layers and set aside.

3. Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar with electric mixer at high speed. Continue beating cream until still peaks form.

4. Set aside 1-2 cups of whipped cream for decorative edges. Place one cake layer on plate, spread with one cup of whipped cream, then top with 3/4 cup cherry topping. Top with second cake layer, one cup of whipped cream, 3/4 cup cherry topping. Top with third cake layer. Cover entire cake top and sides with whipped cream. Gently press cake crumbs into sides of iced cake.

5. Use star tipped pastry bag and pipe stars around base of cake and around the top. Spoon cherry filling onto top of cake. Decorate with chocolate chips if you feel like it.

6. I had lots of cake crumbs, cherries, and whipped cream left, so I layered it in bowls that were great for "sampling" [ahem.]

Bring out the Jolly!

It's almost getting to be too predictable -- I blog on Tuesdays. I drop Will off at school, the babies have an early lunch and nap, then I wake them up, change them and go get Will. I blog while the little ones sleep.

Last week, when I wasn't sick and in bed, I was preparing the house and food for the family party we had for Will on Saturday. When I was working on the icing for the cake, Will asked, "Mama, how do you know how to make so many tasty things to eat?" I took it as a compliment and promised myself I would write it down to remind myself on the days when everything is called "gross and disgusting!" Another random quote was when I was leaning over Will to zip his jacket and he said, "Mama, you smell so good. You smell like. . . like. . . well, like Mama." It wasn't anything amazing, but it was just one of those little moments I wanted to remember.

Friday, the church had parents night out. We originally thought it would be convenient to take the kids then come home to prepare for the party, but we changed our minds. Allen told me that morning that if I got all the food ready, the cake made and decorated, the house dusted and vacuumed and the rest decluttered, that he'd take me out for dinner. Feeling like a modern-day Cinderella, I scurried around getting all my chores done so I could go to the Prince's ball. Somehow it all did get done, and we tried a new restaurant then did some grocery and clothing shopping.

Saturday morning, Allen's parents and brother arrived and we all walked the kids to the Christmas parade. All four kids had a good time -- Will, of course, loved gathering the candy. When the Chick Fil-A cows drove by, Jon started running down the sidewalk pointing at the cows yelling, "Doggy! Doggy! Doggy! Doggy!" When we told him they were cows, he picked up where he left off, but this time saying "Cow! Cow! Cow!" Maddie quickly figured out the candy trick. Although all the kids were pretty good about picking up the candy and putting it in the bag that Uncle Jason carried, Maddie soon learned that if she pulled and tugged on the cellophane, she would soon be able to taste the sweet treats. When I took away the candy, she pouted. Ben got so excited with all the people in the parade tossing candy, that at the end he joined in the fun. He took his new pile (that hadn't made it to Jason's bag) and joyfully threw it at the parade. All of us adults chuckled about that one. After the parade we went back to the house, and Allen and I got lunch ready and Nana colored at the table with all the kids.

Just before lunch, my parents, brother, sis-in-law, and niece arrived. We all enjoyed lunch and cake, then Will opened his gifts. He had fun opening the gifts and he didn't seem too agitated that the triplets and my niece we enjoying pulling out all the tissue paper from unopened gifts. He got some new outfits, several books, a couple of games, and a fist full of $1 bills. In the end, the biggest hit was when he opened the biggest box, and started screaming "Oh YEAH!!! Oh YEAH!!" as his entire little body shivered with joy -- it was a radio controlled monster truck from Uncle Jason and Jenn.

So what was on the menu this time? I took Shelley's advice and made soup. We had a Wisconsin Cheese soup and a Butternut squash soup. Since there wasn't much that was healthy about the cheese soup, I made the squash soup for those of us watching what we eat. We also had fresh French and rye breads. For dessert, Will gleefully blew out the big "5" candle on a three-layer black forest cake, and we sipped mulled cider later in the afternoon. Mmmm. Now I am hungry all over again. I plan to share the recipes for the soups and cake sometime this week.

Sunday was a laid-back day, but we did manage to start Christmas in our home. While the kids watched the Rudolph movie, Allen hung valences in our living room and kitchen and I started decking the halls with greens and lights. Now, I just need to make time to put the rest of the holiday decor up. Will has been begging me to find the snowmen who sing "We wish you a Merry Christmas," so I guess Christmas for him can't start without the tunes. Maybe today . . .

High FIVE!

Happy birthday to Will, Happy birthday to Will, Happy birthday dear Will, Happy birthday to you! It is so hard to believe that Will has been part of our dreamy little world for FIVE years! Time really does fly and each birthday that passes reminds me of that.

It was a fairly low key birthday for a five year old, but we all had a good time. Monday I made cupcakes with sprinkles and Spiderman paper cups for him to take to preschool today. I had planned on him bringing one of his friends home after school but due to crises with that friend's family, it doesn't look like that will ever happen. I was a bit sad that that didn't work out, but super glad I hadn't told Will about the invitation. He didn't know enough to be disappointed.

This afternoon while all four kids played in the living room, I heard the dog barking like someone was at the door. When I looked out the window, I didn't see anyone, so I assumed the UPS guy left a package. When I opened the door to get the package, there was a little boy barely taller than the door knob asking, "Can Will play?" It was an answer to my prayers regardless of what the birthday boy wished for. Will and Charlie played outside until it was time for Charlie to go home -- they raced across the backyard seeing who could run faster, they scurried up the slide to see who could do that without falling, they tried to get the swings higher, and throw sticks further. The new friendship seems to be competitive, but each time I looked out at the boys, they were being boys, and laughing and having a wonderful time. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Charlie and his family moved into the house across the street from us. I am excited to have neighbors that I feel like aren't strangers. Charlie's dad is a home builder and he added the room on to our house before we moved in -- I've already trusted our new neighbor with a key to our home -- even if it was a year ago.

Back to the birthday celebrations -- Will was excited to get a phone call from his great-grandparents who insisted I not tell Will they were calling. Somehow Will guessed who it was pretty early into the conversation (which almost got me in trouble for spilling the beans), and he was so animated talking to his great-grandfather Ruffie and Grammie Vail. " . . . oh, Ruffie. You've got to be kidding me. Of course I go to school. You are just so silly. . . "Just a few minutes later, Great-grandma Ann called for him, too. And as we were leaving for dinner, Uncle Jason called, and after we got home he got to talk Nana, too.

Allen and I took the kids to Double Dave's for pizza and pepperoni rolls and met some friends there. It was the first time we gave Will quarters for the games, but we think Double Dave's tastes so much better than Chuck E. Cheese. Hey, if we are gonna fall off the diet-wagon, we might as well make it worth it, right? Will, Chloe, and Anden had fun playing, and after a bit we even let Ben, Maddie, and Jon join the fun, too. Just before we tucked Will into bed, he got to open one gift. He was thrilled to get a digital camera. "Mama and Daddy, this is what I always wanted and I didn't even tell you I wanted it! How did you know?"

The rest of the fun will happen when all the family joins us Saturday for a party for our big boy. And some news about Will, in his own words -- yes, he really told me all of this as I typed.

"My favorite color is orange, why do you ask? I like to play outside and I like to eat and I like to play with my friends and take pictures with my camera. I like to eat all kinds of food -- all the foods that Chinese people eat and the people in the world eat. I like all those foods. My favorite breakfast is oatmeal, hot with coffee cream. My favorite lunch is peanut butter and jelly and grapes. My favorite dinner is gravy with turkey and I like candy for dessert. My favorite book is my Bible stories, and my favorite toy is my new Mickey Mouse camera, but you already knew that. My life is great and my life is wonderful! . . . oh, and I like to be at Disney World."

Christmas Love

It seems so easy for me to get caught up in the hustle and bustle -- the cooking and cleaning as company is coming, the present making, buying, and wrapping, trying to make everything perfect. It is easy to get frustrated with the kids when they whine too much; claw each others' faces the day before we take our family photos; grab my leg and won't let go when the pot is boiling over; and take off thier shoes, socks, AND jackets just as we are getting ready to walk out the door. I get so busy making Christmas memorable for my kids, that sometimes I forget that it's the small moments that will linger longer -- the extra kiss on the head at breakfast, the smile and "Yay!" when they've done something new, the "one more" book at bedtime, the special-shaped sandwich on a normal day. This year I meant to have monthly resolutions to work on, and several months have passed that I didn't get those resolutions written. Now I have one for December. My goal is to strive daily to make the most of the little moments with my family.

This poem was shared with me last year and it's one I take to heart especially as the month of Christmas begins. It is called Christmas Love and is based on 1 Corinthians 13. I received it in an email and I only know to credit Anonymous with this message that speaks directly to me.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of LOVE will endure.

She's making a list and checking it twice. . .

She's making a list and checking it twice. . . . I already know who's naughty and nice. This isn't about my Christmas list. I got tagged again -- this time by Karen! Luckily I only have to come up with six random things this time. I decided to wrap all my "randoms" into one package, but also list a few more than six.

On July 1, 2002, I made a list of 101 Things I Want to Do in my Lifetime. Each year I try to accomplish at least one thing from that list. I read the list at the beginning of the year to set a goal, but I revisit it throughout the year and check off some that I've accomplished. It has been fun to check things off, but I haven't really felt the need to add to the list. Some of the things that I have done include:

#7 Scuba dive - 09/2002
#26 Learn to make soap - 9/2002
#70 Make a quilt - 12/2002, 2/2003, 12/2003, . . .
#3 Have a child - 12/2003, 10/2006 x 3
#55 Have someone call me Mom - 2004, 2007 x 3
#28 Finish a scrapbook - 01/2004, . . .
#1 Have a job I am passionate about - 10/2004
#22 Learn to cook at a cooking school - 12/2004
#33 Snorkel in Belize - 12/2004, 06/2005
#72 Read a book on Texas history - 12/2005
#80 Be a bridesmaid - 01/2006

Going through the list today, I got to check off four things I completed this year.

#91 Help a child learn to read - 2008
#83 Get a pedicure - 08/2008
#39 See New England in September - 09/2008
#38 Lose 20 pounds healthily - 11/2008

And what do I have my eyes on for the next year?

#36 Learn to tango
#68 Have a cozy porch
#76 Spend two weeks on the Mediterranean

Hmmm. . . it seems I may have to get my dance partner involved in all three of these. (hint, hint)