I did a little Christmas baking today

And my house smelled wonderful, the cookie trays at church were filled and I tormented my brother by telling him I was baking his favorite cookies and he was too far away to get any. I told him not to worry, I would make a fresh batch of molasses cookies and bring them on Christmas day but I just couldn't help but torment him just a little bit. After all, he is my brother and I'm sure he needed a payback for something from my childhood. Right?? And I told him that the house smelled really, really good. So I'd say my day was productive.

Here's the recipe if you'd like to torment your very own brother:

Soft Molasses Cookies

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening (Crisco)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup molasses

2 eggs

4 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/4 tsp baking soda

2 1/4 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cream together the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and eggs. Add salt, baking soda, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Add flour.

Roll scooped cookie dough in granulated sugar and bake at 350 for 11 minutes. Don't over bake or they won't stay soft. Store in tightly covered container if you don't eat them right away out of the oven because they smell so wonderful. Beware - neighbors may even stop over for a cookie because the incredible cinnamon, molasses, clover and ginger smell has permeated the neighborhood. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Christmas Band Concert

Mrs. Lahti let the percussionists do an ensemble this year and they played a portion of the Nutcracker Suite and it sounded beautiful!

Very cool to hear all the bells being played and because of where I was sitting I couldn't get a good picture of Macy but got a neat picture of her mallets.

Macy, Logan and Matt in the back ready to play.

Christmas Program

Daniel was narrator #3 in the Christmas program at church and did a great job with his lines. He had them memorized but we put them on index cards anyway just in case there was some stage fright.
There were lots of farm animals and great costumes for the program.

Daniel saying his lines along with other narrators.

Christmas Concert

Monday evening was Macy's Christmas concert and it was beautiful! Macy played the sleigh bells for one piece and did a great job! I especially like the last song "I need a silent night". Cool song, neat lyrics, makes you think about the crazy hustle and bustle of the season. Is it all necessary?

WARNING!!!

Boredom is a dangerous thing especially when it's a snow day and you have no one to play with except your brother. Then you may actually play with him. Nicely. Way to go guys!

SNOW DAY!!!!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful and we got a snow day!! Naturally my mixer came out of the cupboard and the oven was turned on so the house smelled good and felt toasty.
After lunch the sky cleared a bit and John got out the tractor and started the long process of cleaning out the yard and driveway. Boy am I glad he can drive a tractor!

I took this picture around 11:00 in the morning. Notice how gloomy it looks. Not much going on outside - no traffic on the road - nobody going anywhere!

Early this morning I kept looking out the windows to see what was going on out there. It was hard see because some of the windows were frosted over because it was so cold out, some were plastered full of snow and it was blowing so hard outside there was very little to see except white stuff. Everywhere.

A frosty view of zero visibility from the back door.

The Renaissance Festival

Teri suggested that we take Emma, Macy, Logan and Cory to the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee this year so on Sunday, September 20th we headed up there. We had a great time. The magician used Emma in his act - had her lay on the platform and suggested that he was going to pour water on her. Very funny to watch her reaction as no water came out!
We took in many shows and had to watch the fire eaters. They are fantastic!

Kids, don't try this at home! Frat boys - have at it!

The food is infamously good. This is an frozen orange thing, they also had frozen red things. The turkey legs are great, the cream puffs to die for - you could eat yourself to death at that place.

A couple of wenches singled Logan out of the crowd and put him in the stockade and humilitated him. It was great fun. They sprayed him with water - everywhere - and released him to walk around wet in embarrassing places.

Logan, Cory and Emma also tried to walk along "Jacob's Ladder" which is made of rope. The guy there made it look pretty easy but of course nobody made it to the top. I was hopeful for Emma the gymnast but she fell as well. Thanks, Teri, for suggesting it. It was a great time!

My brothers turn 50!

October 17 was the big day for my brothers. They turned 50. Technically, Curt turned 50 and then 18 minutes later, Keith turned 50. Or that's what Mom says. And she would know.
Wendy did the cakes for us. I had to do a nice cake.....

and a naughty cake. When I called Wendy and told her I needed a cake for my brothers' 50th, she suggested the "toilet" cake and after we giggled about the Baby Ruth candy bar surrounded by a mysterious yellow corn syrup mixture I enthusiastically said, 'yes, let's do it!" I Facebooked both brothers to see if it would be ok and they both said they could take whatever I could dish out. So there it is. The cake says "Turning 50....It's the shits". I wouldn't know but that's what they tell me. It was a big hit at the party as well. Everyone saw the humor!

The "I'm with stupid" picture.

Keith, Mom, Dad, Curt

Macy's first job

Macy applied for a couple of jobs this summer and Mark from Superfair called in September to see if she was still interested in working there. Of course she said yes. What teenager doesn't want their own money to spend? She started in October and has really liked it so far. She's a cashier - Emily worked in the deli and still does when she's home on break. It makes Grandpa Ratzlaff proud to see his granddaughters working in the same store he managed for 30 years.
No, she really didn't want to smile and look at the camera but she knows I won't leave her alone until she does. See? That's wasn't so painful, was it!

First Communion

On Sunday, October 25, 2009, Daniel took communion for the first time. We held classes the previous 5 weeks in the Library meeting room and the classes were taught by Pastor Johnson and Pastor Lanholz. They did a great job of teaching the fifth graders about the sacrament of communion and I think the parent's learned some things as well!

School Pictures

Macy - 11th Grade
Daniel - 5th Grade

We were blessed with a great turn-out of people considering it was a holiday weekend. Some families incorporated it into their own Thanksgiving celebration and came together. We saw some families that we haven't seen together for lots of years!
Mary, Curt and Jennie

Cousin Gerianne came from St. Paul as did niece and nephew-in-law Chris. Wonderful surprises and we were so grateful they were willing to drive the distance to join us!

Alicia and Sheila

Me and Dad

Dad's 80th Birthday

My dad turned 80 on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and since I was hosting the event for my family I suggested that we do an open house at their church.

Waiting for the guests to arrive - Macy, Grandma and Keith

Mike, Emily and Curt

Amanda and Megan

Jackson Square is along the Mississippi River offering beautiful views of river boats and barges.
There were also several street performers in the area. Even pigeons put on a show!

Horse-drawn carriages are lined up awaiting tourists in the square.
In the background is the cathedral and to the left is the "Cabildo" or the old city hall. It was also where the finalization of the Louisiana purchase was signed.

Breakfast, Cafe du Monde style! Three beignets, coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice.
Beignets drowned in powdered sugar.

Macy and Emma enjoying breakfast.

Powdered sugar everywhere!