Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are a lost art these days. I grew up with the Christmas season not being complete without my mom taking the time to buy the cards, sign them, address them and mail them out all before Christmas. It was wonderful when I was little to see the Christmas cards arrive at our home. My mom had and still does have the tradition of hanging the cards on a wall in the house that would make a card Christmas tree. It would be filled from floor to ceiling. Now, I am all grown up and from the moment I left on my own I have continued to send out Christmas cards every year. I feel that it is an extension of our family to others. We don't have the money to buy all our family and friends Christmas gifts but we certainly can take the time to send out a Christmas wish to let them know that we are thinking of them. That's how I view the sending of our Christmas card. In return, I love getting cards in the mail with the same thought that our family was on their mind when they sent it to us.

So, with that, thank you to all who are reading this blog that sent us a Christmas card this year. We want you to know that we read everyone of them and they are hung with great pride in our kitchen on the cabinets for all to see. At the end of the season, when we take down our decorations, I carefully place all the cards in a large ziploc bag and it is placed in the boxes with the decorations so that I find them next year and read them again. Thank you for taking the time to think of us this holiday season.

Mark celebrates his 40th Birthday!

Mark making a birthday wish on Christmas day!

Been Busy....

It's been awhile since I blogged something. The kids got out of school on Friday the 21st and we haven't stopped to take a breath. After the kids had a half day of school and all the sugar they could eat we headed to my parents house for Christmas dinner and gift exchange with them. It was a wonderful evening! The kids enjoyed spending time with their grandparents and opening presents. The weekend before Christmas was filled with last minute shopping. Mark and I just had a few more things to get before the big day. Monday was a day of finalizing the gift wrapping and making sure we had everything set for Santa's arrival. Monday night was a late night for Mark and I....staying up to let Santa in. Tuesday, Christmas arrived and we were off. All 8 kids were up at 4am looking at their stockings. Mark and I rolled out of bed around 6am. I made breakfast for everyone and then it was time to unwrap the presents. Let's see.....8 kids....a huge pile of presents....and three hours later!!! Yes, it took 3 hours to open our presents. My big challenge of the day was preparing Mark's birthday dinner. Mark is a Christmas baby and in our house you get to pick what you want for dinner on your birthday! Mark picked Prime Rib. OMGosh! I have never made prime rib! When I went to get it out of the garage fridge. It was frozen. It has been so cold here that the fridge in the garage is freezing all the food. Let's just say we didn't eat until about 730p that evening. Would you believe it actually was pretty good. It must be because Mark is still eating it in a sandwich. :) After dinner, we celebrated Mark's birthday with a song and a cake. The day after Christmas, the girls had gift cards and money to burn so I took them to Target. We spent about 2 hours there. Today, Thursday, I again took the girls out to the mall to finish off their Christmas money. I am just thankful that is out of the way! I won't be hearing the girls bugging me about going shopping. It is complete! Anyway, that is what has been happening around here. I will try to blog as much as possible. But, bare with me. I hope all our friends and family had a wonderful Christmas day! Looking forward to the new year......

Happy 10th Birthday, MEGAN!

STEPPING UP ON MY SOAP BOX!

So tell me, is it me or have the retail businesses really have gone cheap! Customer Service has gone out the window! How many of you reading this actually got FREE gift boxes with your purchases this Christmas season. NONE? I wouldn't be surprised! This has turned out to be one of my top 10 pet peeves in life. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away....oh, wait, that's another subject....I'll keep on track. A long time ago, I worked in retail. Actually, I was the Executive Secretary to the General Manager at May Company Department Stores. I know what I am talking about regarding customer service. Anyway, I am out shopping this holiday season and buying clothes is on my list. When I get to the register, pay for them, I ask for boxes for the clothes that I just bought at their store and they tell me we SELL them for "yada yada" a box! WHAT?????!?!?!? Are you kidding me? After spending my time and money in your store you are going to expect me to BUY boxes. This just gets under my skin. There was a time where every store you went into and bought something they would actually PUT them into your bag WITHOUT asking! Can you believe that? Now you have to buy them. Boxes, stupid cardboard boxes! And to top it all off, the price for the boxes is outrageous! When I worked in retail, it was mandatory that ALL registers in the store had PLENTY of boxes to give out to the customers. If you couldn't find the size you needed at the register, you could go to the GIFT WRAP department (which, by the way, don't exist anymore either!) and find the size box you are looking for. What great customer service! SIDE NOTE: In the stores that had a gift wrapping department, they would offer FREE gift wrapping with purchases over say $50.00. What about that people? Shop, and get all your presents gift wrap for FREE!

Now, I have to say, there is one store that I came across this holiday season that DID have boxes for FREE!! It was KOHL'S! I don't know what their parent company is or where they are located but we have one here in town. I love KOHL's. I shop there a lot! But, they especially have my business after the GREAT customer service they showed a few weeks ago. As I was checking out, I asked for boxes, they said turn around and help yourself. Oh My Gosh! There standing in back of me were HUGE boxes of boxes in every size imaginable. They said, help yourself! Help yourself? Are you kidding me? I was estatic! I helped myself to boxes and left a very happy woman! What ever happened to customer service!

SHARING THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Do you know someone that needs a little lift during the holidays? Have you spread some holiday spirit this year? Yesterday, I did. Mark and I know a couple that are struggling to put their lives back together after struggling and losing everything to drugs. After learning the hard way, they realized that drugs were not the answer to their problems. They live in a very small space with very little money. The wife shared a special Christmas cookie recipe with me last week and wanted me to try it with the kids. I invited her over to our house on Sunday to use my kitchen and I supplied all the materials so that she could make the cookies this year. She cannot make the cookies at their place because they have no oven. The girls really enjoyed making the cookies and she shared stories of her and her mom making them while growing up. She constantly told me that it really feels like Christmas to her today. She says she dreads the holidays and wishes that she could just just sleep right through them without celebrating. That really makes you think about how lucky I am to live where I live, have the children that I have, the husband, the Christmas presents, etc. She really tugged at my heart and I asked that her husband and her stay for dinner last night. They were thrilled. I made a huge pot roast with potatoes and carrots. Who knows when the last time they had a home-cooked meal. My heart was filled with the holiday spirit after they thanked me over and over again for their special day. It made me realize, it's not just presents for the holidays but putting a smile and warmth into somebody elses heart. What a great time of year to share in the holiday spirit!

THE POLAR EXPRESS by Chris Van Allsberg

Do you have a special Christmas book? Most people pick "Twas the Night Before Christmas!", but my favorite Christmas book is THE POLAR EXPRESS. It isn't a very long book but it has a wonderful message. The book has been out quite awhile and has now been turned into a movie. But like all books, the movie isn't as good as the book. If you don't have this book, get it from the library, borrow it or go buy it.

The book is set on Christmas Eve after the town has gone to sleep, a little boy boards a train bound for the North Pole. When he arrives there, Santa picks him to receive the first gift of Christmas and he can pick anything he desires. The simple request from the boy is a silver bell from one of Santa's reindeer harnesses. Santa grants his wish. On the way home from the North Pole the bell is lost. The boy is so sad. On Christmas morning the boy finds the bell under the tree with a note from Santa. The parents admire the bell and how beautiful it is but discuss how it doesn't work. Only people who believe in the magic of Christmas can hear the bell.

Do you believe in the Magic of Christmas? Do you hear the bells on Christmas Eve? I do. The magic of the holiday season is one that delights me every year. Take the time to listen for the bells. It will warm your heart. Take time to enjoy this time of year....it comes and goes so fast.

FOOLPROOF FUDGE

3 cups (18oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
dash salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt. Place in microwave for 1 minute, take out, stir until chocolate chips are melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Spread evenly into wax paper lined 8 or 9 inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board, peel off wax paper and cut into squares. Store leftovers covered in fridge.

ENJOY!

REALLY RIPE BANANAS

Do you ever find yourself with a bunch of REALLY RIPE BANANAS and the kids look at them and make that face that says "YUCK....I"m not going to eat those?" You know as a mom they are still good. What do you do so you don't waste the bananas? With the size of my family, wasting food is NOT an option. I try to use everything as much as I can. Bananas is one thing that I had to come up with something to do with the REALLY RIPE ones. The following is a great recipe just for those bananas. I will make these muffins and they won't stay in the house very long. Andrew will grab them for a quick breakfast as he heads out the door. It makes a healthy after school snack. Please take time to make this quick recipe.....

BANANA MUFFINS
1 1/2 c. All Purpose Flour
1 c. sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas
1 egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil OR 1/3 cup unsalted butter **NOTE: If you want to use 1/3 regular butter omit the salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, mash the bananas; add egg, oil or butter and vanilla. Mix well. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

YIELD: 1 dozen

My Letter To Santa

Dear Santa:
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, listened, and cuddled my eight children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, took some to sporting events, gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, etc. I have made enought lunches through the year to serve an army. I have made my share of class projects. I have cooked many dinners which are more like a nightly dinner party. I have washed one too many dishes. I have washed and folded many pieces of clothing. I have officially helped with homework too!

I was hoping you could spread my list out over many Christmases, since I had to write this letter on the back of a receipt I found in my husband's pant pocket while doing the laundry, who knows when I will find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids and arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you are hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music and a built in car cleaner that cleans the inside of my car while we sleep at night so the car is sparkling clean in the morning. I would like a television in the house that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy!" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a tape recorder that plays "Don't eat in the game room!" and "Keep your hands to yourself!" and "Finish all your food!" and "Wash your hands" and "Close the door!" because my voice seeems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it is too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth, take a shower, get dressed, style my hair all in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature or to have more quality/quiet time with my husband and maybe I could have a uninterrupted time in the bathroom doing "you know what".

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten my holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children into helping around the house without asking them to do so; or if my toddler didn't look so cute when he called me mommy while getting into something he shouldn't be.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on my dryer is ringing and my son heard me in the laundry room talking to myself. I think he wants to ask me another question.

Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the front door and come in and dry off so you don't catch a cold. Help yourself to some cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the floor.

Yours Always,
Mom

P.S.
One more thing.....you can cancel all my requests (except the time with my husband) if you can keep my children young enough to believe in you.

The Mendenhall Elves

Please take a moment and click on the following sites.....have a laugh on us. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE MENDENHALLS!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1230256214 Mary and Mark

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1230404780 Nettie, Andrew, Ryan and Tasha

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1230885426 Megan, Bud, Jade and Briggor

"SHINE THE LIGHT" Chorus Concert

Last night, the family headed to Tasha's school for her chorus performance of "SHINE THE LIGHT". It was incredible. Tasha did a great job! The chorus opened and closed with beautiful candles lit in the dark. It was a really memorable scene. After the concert, we went out for Cold Stone Ice Cream. Yes, even in cold weather you can't keep the kids away from ice cream.

A Poem By My Dad

Dust

I'm a little speck of dust floating thru the air,

And I'm gonna land soon, but I don't know where.

They say that dust is good for us it keeps the sun at bay,

It filters out each hot and sunny ray.

So, next time dust you must, keep me in mind,

I'm a little speck of dust, the best of any kind!

by Joe Thomas, my dad

Skyler "BUD" earns his YELLOW belt!

Bud started Tae-Kwon-Do in September for the very first time. He absolutely loves it! He started out as a 'white' belt and now has been awarded his 'yellow' belt! Congratulations BUD! We are proud of you!

HOLIDAY FAMILY TRADITIONS

Holiday Family traditions....when you sit back and think about it. What do you recall as family traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. I bet if we all think hard enough we can remember quite a few. Well, for those of you who don't know, I am 100% Hungarian. Yes, both sides of my family are hungarian. But, we will get into that on another blog. While growing up, my mom used to make these traditional hungarian cookies at Christmas time. (I"m sure my grandmother made them also - my mom will probably confirm that). In the Hungarian cookbook that I have the Hungarian name for the cookies is Kifli tur`obo`l or Cream Cheese Cresents. I used to watch my mom make the dough. It took so much time to roll that dough out just right, add the right amount of Prune Lekvar (hungarian for prune butter), bake them and add the powdered sugar when they cooled. Side note here - there is a Hungarian Store in Burbank, California that sells this Lekvar which is imported from Hungary. Not cheap! If my mom couldn't find Lekvar she would use a knock off version from the grocery store. Still hard to find but works just as well. I couldn't keep my hands out of the bowl. Every Christmas, my mom would make these cookies. They didn't last very long. So, here I am married with a copy of the same Hungarian cookbook that has been past down in the family. How many recipes do you think I have done out of that book? Not many. :) But, the recipe for this cookie is in it. I tried making them a few years ago with instructions from my mom. Didn't do so well! Got frustrated, the cookies turned out all wrong. Tasted ok but not like mom's. You think after watching her all those years, I could do this with my eyes closed. Yea, right! It's a craft, it's an art. It takes time and patience. The only other person in the family that I know of that has tried making these cookies is my niece, Kim. She will atest to the fact that they are NOT easy to make. Well, this morning I decided to give it another try. I have a jar of the Lekvar in my pantry. I took my time. Turned on the Christmas music, floured up the cutting board, grabbed my rolling pin and dug in and they came out just like mom used to make. I called my mom this morning practically screaming my head off that "I did it!" The trick is you have to get the dough see-through thin WITHOUT breaking itand use the right amout of Lekvar. Again, I couldn't stop eating them this morning. I had to push myself away from the bowl. After making the cookies for 3 hours this morning, I am final done and have a bowl full of my Family's Traditional Holiday Cookie, just like mom used to make. The final test will have to be made by my mom and dad because she requested that I save some for her so they can taste it. **WORRIED** LOL - So after I get some of these cookies to my parents. I will pass on the verdict! Crossing fingers, saying a prayer. I just would like to accomplish ONE family tradition.

Boys and dirt.....

Boys are attracted to dirt like magnets are attracted to iron. Briggor couldn't stay away from this HUGE hole the dog dug in our backyard a few days ago. First, he just stood there and looked at it. Then he started to play with his cars in it. Finally, he just jumped right in. He played out in the backyard for over an hour. He was covered in dirt from head to toe. As a mom, I totally believe in letting kids get dirty. That's why we have bath tubs! Getting down and dirty lets him explore and use his imagination. I loved watching Briggor just smile as he got dirtier and dirtier!

So I cheated a little.....

Ok...so I will admit it. I cheated a little on the Sugar Cookie dough today. I have to plug this product. I found this kit at Target. It is KRUSTEAZ SUGAR COOKIE kit. Now listen, even with 8 kids running around a girl has to make some short cuts some where. :) The kit comes with sugar cookie mix that you only have to mix with water. The icing packet which also mixes with water, sugar crystals, food coloring and cookie cutters. Now, I did buy extra decorating stuff and I already had some cookie cutters. But this mix was great! The cookies tasted great and the icing tasted like homemade. If you are looking to make sugar cookies for the holidays I recommend this product.

Our Annual Christmas Cookie Decorating

Today was our annual family holiday cookie decorating day. While Mark was out with some of the kids Christmas shopping, Megan and I were busy baking sugar cookies in the kitchen. I believe we baked about 70 sugar cookies, all waiting to be decorated. The kids arrived home with excitement knowing that they were going to decorate cookies. The kids really get into this activity. They are NEVER too old for it. It makes me really happy to see the kids taking their time to decorate their cookies. Briggor enjoyed eating them! The cookie to the right was done by Nettie. She did a great job! Besides our kids, we had two additional guests here to decorate. Brandon and David joined the group (Andrew and Ryan's buddies). These boys are always at our house. It wasn't as messy as I thought it was going to be. The kids decorated and listened to Christmas music. It really was a nice start to December and the fast approaching Christmas Holiday.