Grandma's German Cookies

I'd like to think that I'm a good writer, and actually when I phrase things in my head, they sound really good.  Then I go to put them down and my fingers just aren't able to keep up with the thoughts, so they seem to come out very rushed and probably don't make a lot of sense.  With that in mind, I'm going to try to explain something that I hold very dear to me.

My grandmother died when I was about 13 or so.  She lived in California for a while when I was little.  I have pictures from when we lived down there too, so I know that I had a relationship with her.  We moved to Portland when I was 4 1/2.  She went on to move to Oklahoma.  I'm sure that she would come and visit, but I don't really have memories of her until she came to live with my family when I was about 12.

Unfortunately, when you're 12 life isn't always (well, is very rarely) sunshine and roses.  I'm sure that I wasn't the easiest kid to be around.  It was very easy to resent having Grandma live with us.  She took up a whole room (all to herself, that used to be OUR room!), she could be very harsh and she made stinky cabbage.  Thing were much better once she moved into her own place that was still pretty close to us, just not in our house.  I really enjoyed getting to know her when I didn't feel like the relationship was an inconvenience to me.

So, that's the background.

Anyway, Grandma used to make these cookies.  I'm sure they actually have a name, but to us they are just Grandma's German Cookies (sometimes Grandma's German CHRISTMAS Cookies).  I think the recipe was actually my great grandma Sattler's, but I maybe mistaken on that.  Anyway, There is something about the smell of those cookies that bring all good things to mind.

I decided today that I would make up some.  Now, I HATE rolling out cookies.  Seriously, I don't think there is anything WORSE that I can do in a kitchen with my kids.  Hate it!  But I was going to make German Cookies.  I missed making them last year, and I think that because I won't be around that side of my family this year for Christmas, I needed that link to MY childhood.

I put all the ingredients into the KitchenAid (I know, I'm supposed to hand mix, blah blah blah, time constraints!!!) and as everything was mixing, I just rested my  head on the mixer and inhaled the scents of MY Christmas.  It was so calming and joyful to smell the lemon and cinnamon.  I must have stayed like that for about 5 minutes.  But let me tell you, it totally felt like a connection to my past and to my ancestors.  So, thanks Grandma.  I know that the relationship that we had was a little rocky, but I want you to know that you did good!  All of your sacrifices were for a good cause.  You have a legacy that you can be very proud of!  Love you!!!

Ahh, so much to do

So, today I've started feeling the crunch of things to be done before the big trip.  It seems that we spend an eternity waiting for the big day to get here, and then panic the week before.  Crazy.  Anyway, we have my friend coming to dinner tonight, so I need to clean up the house and go shopping.  Plus my teenage friend is coming over after school to bake cookies with the kids.

So on the list is:

*make the cookie dough (mmmm, Grandma's German Cookies!)

*clean the house for vacation. 

*Make sure all the clothes are cleaned and then pack for 5 kids and myself (plus double check to make sure Mike has everything HE needs!)

*Pack all gifts still needing to travel

*Grocery shop

*Last minute gifts for people we didn't think we would see before the holiday, but now we are...

*Oh and I need to get my house ready for a "house sitter".  UGH!  Wash sheets, make sure basic food is on hand. 

And I'm going to try REALLY hard to NOT forget that I'm supposed to watch my friend's kids on Monday (like I forgot last week) and to get Conner to scouts on Friday.

Ya, something's gonna slip.  I just hope that whatever it is isn't too important!

On a fun note, Mike and I went to dinner last night at Huber's in downtown Portland.  We carpooled with Mike's buddy Chris and his wife Shelley.  We had a really good time.  We sat with another couple that I had met once before and another of Mike's work friends.  We had a great time.  It was fun to feel kinda grown up.  I also love to watch Mike interact with others.  I don't see that as often as I like.  He's a great guy and everyone loves him.

Ok, off to get ready to go to the store.

Again, nothing...

Same old, same old.

I haven't blogged in a while because it seems that life is just the same.  Other than a few dental appointments and a baby with a cough, life is just life.

We are getting ready to head out for our big Christmas vacation.  I'm looking forward to that.  It will be nice to fly this time instead of spending hours and hours and hours in a car.  I shipped the gifts down yesterday, so I don't have to worry about trying to pack all of that on top of the clothes that we need for our 2 week trip.  I keep checking

 the weather reports and I'm SO looking forward to 75 degree weather.  Who doesn't love opening gifts and then jumping in the pool on Christmas morning?  Although, all the locals think it's WAY to cold to swim in that weather, we're not picky...

I do have a couple pictures of the kids "playing" with our friend Steve.  His family came for dinner and while Mike and his wife were talking computers, he entertained the kids (all 5!).  The kids totally loved it and I think he was having some flashbacks of when his 5 girls were little.  Great people and great times.

Oh, and last night was our Enrichment Christmas Dinner.  I am on the Enrichment committee at church as I was able to go and help.  My friend Mary did an amazing job and it was a great success.  I love visiting with all of my friends and catching up.  I was also able to sit and visit with my new friend Rebecca.  She is a hoot!  Oh my goodness.  She is a riot.  Love her!

Tonight is a dinner for Mike's work.  It's not a Christmas dinner, but still...  It will be fun to visit with old friends and make some new ones.  Oh and I love the outfit that I bought for it.  I'll fill you in tomorrow if anything exciting happens!

Oh, and here's a picture of the turkey made for school.  The kids had to cover the turkey in any way they wanted, but not with "typical" art supplies.  Alia used a little yarn, beans, feathers, rice, pasta, split peas, almonds and a penny.  Too cute.  We did it together and had a blast!

I believe in miracles!

I have a wonderful friend who was divorced about a year and a half ago.  She has 2 young children.  She has a jerk of an ex.  She has gone through hell and back in the past 6 months.  Without going into detail, I have been able to sit through a few court dates with her.  Yesterday was the latest.  She has really been given the run around.  Her ex is a smooth talker.  She is emotional.  However, yesterday the judge was able to see through all the "stuff" that the ex was slinging (in a very eloquent way) to the heart of my friend and actually see what was really going on.  Now, as I was sitting there, I was NOT objective.  I wanted her to see justice, but after listening to him talk, I didn't know how that would be possible.  He made his case sound sooo good.  Luckily, through answered prayers and nothing short of a miracle, she was able to walk away with more than she could hope for (for now).  I know that the judge was inspired to rule the way she did and am so grateful that my friend finally can see things move in her direction.  Her situation is far from settled, but for now, it's more than she could hope for!  As we walked out to the car, both of us with tears in our eyes, we knew that we had just witnessed a miracle!