The Christmas Call

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For the mushy hearted missionary mom with a baby boy in far, far away Lithuania–Christmas day is a fabulous thing. Because Christmas, my lovelies, is one of the four days in two WHOLE years that I get to talk to my boy on the phone.

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So, at 12 noon, our time—which was 9 pm Lithuanian time—we called our Daney boy. Ohhhh…he sounded wonderful–just like he was sitting right next to me. He said he loved the pictures of the babies…

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and of course his BYU loot.

I had no idea that he took that football with him. What a crack up!

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He told us about the place that he lives now called Sialulia–pronounced Show-lay. It’s really quite beautiful–cobblestones and snow everywhere.

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He said he spends most of his days knocking on apartment doors. Most often, no one is home or they don’t open the door.

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He told us that he loves to entertain the kids at an orphanage by talking like Donald Duck. Imagine speaking Lithuanian and Duck at the same time. It makes his nose itch.

Makes my head hurt.

Lily and Beckham sang ABCs and Twinkle, Twinkle. Baby Chompy said, “Oh, wow!” right into the phone.

He read us the Christmas story in Luke–but in Lithuanian. It’s a very curious thing to hear your own child speaking a language that you didn’t teach him. He has worked so hard since last year at this time.

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The best part about this phone call was that this was the last Christmas day call and then in June….

ahhhhh, then my boy comes home. I’ll try to contain myself.

That day will be Christmas.

Cracker Barrel Holiday

 

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Ooohhh…I love this place! Incredible food, retro candy and toys and games that just can’t be found anymore. Here’s the good part…

If you are and avid “after Christmas Special” shopper–you won’t want to miss this!  After Christmas–Cracker Barrel puts all their Christmas everything–on sale for 70% off.  This is big news since the prices are already low enough to start with.

 

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This little blown glass snowman was 97 cents–before the sale.

I’m only letting you in on this well guarded secret because…

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people keep asking me where we get such pretty ornaments every year.

It’s getting to where–if I didn’t get it as a child, or make it myself…

then it’s a pretty good guess…

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that it came from Cracker Barrel. No, this is not a paid announcement. I just love this place.

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Some of these guys are even cute enough–or hairless enough–for the Bald Kid–which is saying something. His tastes in Christmas ornaments usually look something like…

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this.

Yeah, it’s Squidward…in a Santa hat and beard.

Definately NOT from Cracker Barrel.

I probably didn’t need to tell you that last bit. I’m just saying…

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So I’m doing you a big favor. Click here to see if there is a Cracker Barrel and all the Christmas stuff you’ll ever need for next year at 70% off–right by your house. If there is–go there. Go now.

You’ll thank me.

White Chocolate Popcorn

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All the rage–these days, and for good reason. Incredibly simple. Dang yummy. Perfect for your New Year celebration.

White Chocolate Popcorn

Ingredients:

4 c. popped popcorn

1 Tbsp. Crisco Shortening

1  11 oz. bag Ghirardelli Chocolate Classic White Chocolate Baking Chips

1 cup dry roasted peanuts, M&Ms, raisins, pecans, pretzels –or any combination you’d like

Directions:

Important Note:

You can pop the corn yourself or buy the bagged kind–either way is fine. However–please, please pour the popped corn in a large bowl and shake it around–to get the un-popped kernels and the “Old Maids” to sink to the bottom. Then, lift the whole, popped corn out and set in another big bowl. Throw away all the nasty little tooth breakers. Seriously, they don’t get to be part of our adventure. Now, then–with that said…

Melt the Crisco and white chocolate together. Pour the mixture over the popped corn mixture and thoroughly coat all the pieces. Spread on waxed papered cookie sheets to set. Store in tightly covered container.

Nibble until 2010…and beyond.

White Chocolate Popcorn
 
:
Ingredients
  • 4 c. popped popcorn
  • 1 Tbsp. Crisco Shortening
  • 1  11 oz. bag
  • Ghirardelli Chocolate Classic White Chocolate Baking Chips
  • 1 cup dry roasted peanuts, M&Ms, raisins, pecans, pretzels --or any combination you'd like
Instructions
  1. Important Note:
  2. You can pop the corn yourself or buy the bagged kind--either way is fine. However--please, please pour the popped corn in a large bowl and shake it around--to get the un-popped kernels and the "Old Maids" to sink to the bottom. Then, lift the whole, popped corn out and set in another big bowl. Throw away all the nasty little tooth breakers. Seriously, they don't get to be part of our adventure. Now, then--with that said...
  3. Melt the Crisco and white chocolate together. Pour the mixture over the popped corn mixture and thoroughly coat all the pieces. Spread on waxed papered cookie sheets to set. Store in tightly covered container.

~A New Blog Swap~

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A few weeks ago, I told you all about the Blog Swaps that are going around in the Blogging world–you know, where you send a fellow blogger a treat and they send you one in return. Some of you may remember that Lyndi and I participated in the “Blog or Treat” and earlier this month the “Santa Swap,” both set up by cute little Shannon over at the Mommy Files.

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Well, Shannon–who is incredibly on the ball–is already setting up the Valentine Blog Swap. If you’d like to be part of the fun–just click on over to her site and leave a comment saying that you’d like to be included. You don’t have to do anything right now, except say you’re interested and she will email you the details in a week or so. Trust me–this is a good way to get into the holiday spirit–no matter which holiday you choose!

You know how fun it is to get a surprise in the mail, right? Of course you do.

So, come on–join us.

Let’s SWAP!