My Creation

On Sunday we had our traditional "Sunday night Birthday Celebration" with our friends, this time celebrating Carissa's 10th birthday. I would have taken pictures of all the fun, but I was a little occupied making pasta dinner for 24 people (yes- 24 people in our tiny house), and I didn't get the camera out until dessert. However, I am extremely pleased with myself and the cake I made. I tried to re-create the Cheesecake Factory's Red Velvet cheesecake. For a first try, I thought it came out really well. It was especially good for breakfast the next morning.

And yes, that is a shoe on the counter next to the cake, placed by Grayson a split second before taking the picture. ( He wanted to go outside, apparently and needed help with his shoes.)

Two layers of homemade form scratch red velvet cake, with a homemade cheesecake in the middle, covered with cream cheese frosting and topped with shaved white chocolate. Delicious!

Christmas Flashback

I waited to post these pictures from Chistmas until sufficient time had passed. I like to look back at the event and savor the memory. Here is "Uncle Wesowy" with his big cousins in the 2010 PJ's

This crew held still just long enough to pose for a quick shot.

The cast and crew of our Christmas Story - Shepherds, wiseguys, various animals, angels not to mention Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

The Family Party with Clyde and Marion's family - now that was a crowd of kids!

There is nothing like a hot cup of Cocoa as you sit in your snow chair.

What a perfect day for snow play. I am convinced that snow shoeing is the way to see the countryside. Everybody had a good time on this outing.

On the top ten list of things that can't work. #3 Any actual sleeping when this group "sleeps under the Christmas Tree."

It is so quiet around here. We miss all of you. We had a most enjoyable and memorable Christmas. It has never rained so much. We got to help Kirk and Carrie move in to their new house. We set a new league record for consecutive meals with 23 eaters. Believe it or not we have left over bacon!

Mom and Dad