Christmas Baking 2008

I've been baking for over a week now: Dried Fruit Macadamia Nut Fruitcake--23 small loaves plus 15 minis for Clifford. He eats them like a cookie. One a day. He can't have the small loaves, they're for giving away (but he had one anyway); Ginger Crinkles--4 batches; Christmas Icebox Cookies--a double batch; a pan of The Best Date Bars--from Waioli Tea Room (Mom's favorite). I still will make Oatmeal Toffee Cookies (from the Heath Toffee Bits Bag) to take over to Matt & Clarissa's on Christmas eve (a tradition--4th year?) & Chip Dreams--a recipe from Carlie Sever. It's a good way to use the egg whites I have left over when I make my Chantilly Frosting. Picture to follow on another posting.

CHIP DREAMS

2 egg whites

1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat until peaks form. Add:

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Bake on brown paper sack (or parchment) on cooky sheet in 280 degree oven for 25 minutes. Cool & remove. Light & yummy. Melts in your mouth.

As I spend many hours in the kitchen baking, washing the dishes, I have a lot of time to ponder & savor the memories of mom as she gave of herself in everything she did. I am only now realizing that was her gift to us. The love & prayers that accompanied her cooking, sewing of quilts--every day joys that come back to bless me again & again.

This year, I chose to make capes for the kiddies. Each is in various stages of completion. It's the 21st. As I sew I think of each child & pray that my love will come through; they'd enjoy playing for many hours.

We went to MMC today for the Christmas Program & it was great to have all seven of the kiddies there. Keoki came over with the boys yesterday & I invited them to come. Ashley was to come home on Monday from the Big Island, but she came home this afternoon. Yay! Matthew quickly recruited him to shoot video on one of his two cameras. Clarissa was on the other. The children did well. Logan & Mason sat with us & I held Kwyn so Alisa could do her photography. Nysa & Avery danced Jingle Bell Rock Hula with bells on their wrists. Austin was a Wise Man who brought Myrrh & Ayva went from seat to seat. Tony's Dad & Ron came. It was great to see everyone.

I'm still learning

I really wish I could delete the picture of the mushrooms but I don't know how. That was taken with my old Sony Cybershot but the flash was wrong.

If pictures turn out for me, they're usually an accident. My daddy was a photographer a long time ago but I did not inherit any natural ability in being able to shoot good pictures. I know what I like but now how to get what I want. My techniques are: automatic. I've gone through many cameras.

I really miss my Sony M-1. The camera that swiveled & I took our pictures with--I could see the subjects--sometimes I wish my arm was longer. I wore that camera out on our trip to Maui last year & the swivel--well, unraveled. (This picture of the sistas, or Higa Girls, was taken at the airport, waiting for our flight to Maui & wonderful Makawao.) I liked it because it had the date feature & also a movie feature. My new Sony camera purchased last Christmas can hold 40,000 pictures (at low res) also takes movies. I've used it a lot for my Smilebox creations. I'm glad I got a subscription for the year & can save photo layouts in jpg & print at Costco or WalMart.

Learning is a good thing & challenges test & help you learn. I enjoyed reviewing alisa's personal website algreig.blogspot.com & loved her picture angles & shots. She understands the functions of her camera & knows how to make it do what she wants. I love this shot of the first sweetie & the newest sweetie. I'm blessed & grateful.

I really hated English in high school. Having to write & understand the mechanics of good sentence structure, etc. was such a drag. I even usually dread to this day having to put things down on paper--needing to capture all these thoughts into a cohesive collection of words that made sense. It's hard enough to express verbally. Having said that, it's so satisfying to spend the time to make myself actually do it. It's... well... liberating, theraputic, long overdue. Did you know I am a procrastinator? Maybe I'm getting a little better. I keep praying that I'll improve. That's also one thing I'm learning. Keep praying. Not just once, but until He answers. It's the process as much as the answer.

Tomorrow, December 4, 2008 will mark one year since we all learned that Ashley had Hodgkins Lymphoma. WOW! Where did 365 days go? What a journey she traveled & look at her today. I'm so grateful that God was with us each day, each chemo & radiation & everything in between. She's a fighter & I'm so proud of who she has become. Praise God!