In Other News...

We had a good Christmas. Let's see...on Saturday (I think it was), Forrest and the boys went down to pick up Tim & Heidi and Elbereth and bring them up here for a few days. Sunday was a long day. Church in the morning was a joint 4th Sunday in Advent service, done with the three sister churches we normally do joint stuff with, but the location was the Museum of Arts & Culture Auditorium, which was different. The liturgy wasn't quite like normal--it was okay but lacking, and although I didn't notice this very much, I guess at least a couple of the messages were kinda trite. Oh well. Actually, I thought the best aspect of the service was that Carolyn, Rachel and I played the accompaniment as a string trio. I really enjoyed that.
After church we went home, had Sparky's subs for lunch (yum) and then got stuff ready for our additional company, Isaac & Heather and kids. They came over around 5, about the time our kids got up from their much-needed naps, and we had them open their presents from us and then during and after some madlibs, had appetizers, clam chowder, and a fish dinner. We had a ton of leftovers because by the time we got to the main course, everyone was already all but stuffed. Then Forrest and I with Noelle and Matthew, hurried down to the church to rehearse with the choir. Matthew played the tambourine for one of our choir pieces, and also used it on a couple of the congregational hymns; it really added a nice touch. The service was lovely and joyous, and it was nice to have it in a real church, in a real sanctuary. Salem's sanctuary is so beautiful anyway.
After the 10 PM service, we came back home and opened presents. Stayed up until about 12:30 or 1 AM. I got to give Forrest his family-group-effort gift. (My parents, Isaiah, and Matthew chipped in a great deal to it and Isaiah actually picked it out.) It's a Yamaha guitar, and it's black. He doesn't know how to play yet, but this was step one in him learning since he really wants to. I got some cool gifts--pretty earrings, hair jewelry, nail polishes, The Story We Find Ourselves In, the Zoo Tycoon (original version) complete collection. There's a gift for the boys that we ordered that hasn't come yet...but hey! Christmas isn't over yet. Maybe it'll get here before Epiphany.
Monday was spent first in raiding our stockings and in Forrest and me cleaning up from the night before, then in going to church, then in going out to my parents'. It felt really relaxing to me after all our responsibilities the day before.
Hilary is visiting now, which makes me want to wrap up this post (which really I've just been finishing a draft I started the other day) to spend more time with her as her visit won't be for long. Timothy is going to be four years old tomorrow. I can hardly believe it!! How did this happen?
Pictures eventually forthcoming. Happy New Year and Eighth day of Christmas!

My Baby is Growing Up!

Yesterday Forrest and I went out on a double date with Rick & Rachel. This was the first time we have ever had Noelle babysat, although when we first planned to go out, I was thinking we'd take her along. Forrest asked my mom if she could watch Noelle also and she said sure, so that was that. I was a little unsure about the whole thing, even up to the point of us leaving, because she was supposed to be having a nice long nap when we left, and just about when we were supposed to leave, she started crying. I went in to put her back to sleep, and thought it had worked until I laid her back in bed and she woke up. I thought she'd be too crabby if left with Grandma (no jab to my mom; it's just that Noelle is a big Mama's girl) but as it turns out, she did just fine. (Phew!)

It was really fun to go out. We went and saw "The Pursuit of Happyness" (with Will Smith and his son Jaden); it was a good movie. Rick laughed, saying he had never seen me in "date mode" before. I'm almost always in "mom mode!" So after the movie we went out to Chili's. It was yummy.

We got back and the kids had all been good. (It helps to have Aunt Esther there--she's a very good entertainer and big help with the kids.) My mom starts telling how things went, and gets this expression and tone like "why didn't you tell me?" as she says, "How many steps has Noelle taken in a row?" Well, Forrest and I both were like, "WHAT? None!" It turned out she took six steps in a row, and Grandma Lisa got to see these first steps! She felt very blessed to be the one to get to witness this. I was so surprised and excited that I started just laughing until I cried, and then when we tried to get her to take some steps for us, and she took three or four toward me, I laughed and cried at the same time. Six is still her record. I'm so proud of my baby girl for being so good for her first babysitting, and for learning how to walk!!

Cappucino-fudge cheesecake

I've never made this, but I used this recipe as part of my guide in making my mocha cheesecake. Here's the recipe for the mocha one:
(Questions marks denote that I don't remember if I actually put this in or not but it probably won't hurt to.)

Crust:
1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
6 T. cocoa powder
1/3 c. powdered sugar
1-2 T. medium-grind coffee grounds
6 T. melted butter

Filling:
2 lbs cream cheese
5 eggs
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 t. vanilla
2 shots espresso
12 T. cocoa powder
1-2 T. medium-grind coffee grounds
1/4 c. flour?
4 T. butter or oil?

Topping:
1 1/2 c. sour cream
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 T. espresso
1/2-1 t. vanilla

Mix crust together, press in bottom of 9" springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Mix filling very gently; mix until smooth but do not overbeat. Pour on top of crust. Bake in 325 degree oven, in water bath* for approx. 1 1/2 hours. Allow to cool until warm; mix topping together and spread evenly over cheesecake. Return to oven (turned up to 375-400 degrees) for 10 minutes. Cool completely, at least 4 hours.

*This is how I do a water bath for cheesecake: After baking crust, wrap tinfoil carefully & tightly around outside of springform pan, to ensure that water can't seep in. Pour in filling. Set springform pan in a large roasting pan (I use a disposable foil one) and carefully add water to roasting pan until it comes about halfway up outside of springform.

This recipe may require a bit of playing around with.

Well, I know I have not posted for a while...had too much going on! But it has been a good Advent season. MERRY CHRISTMAS! I am posting from Forrests phone...bye