Images of Christmas

Christmas Eve...

Mike and I invited my parents to our home for dinner, our annual 'Christmas Concert' (singing of Christmas carols) and then opened our gifts. We had a wonderful evening and felt of the spirit of our Savior as we sung hymns of praise unto him. (We had some 'fun' songs as well!)

Steve 'scored' with Jazz Tickets

Mom, opening her gift from Dave, Chan, Garrett & Madison

Mike with his Christmas Stash...

Christmas Day...

We spent Christmas afternoon over at my parents. We had a delicious dinner and sat around a talked, then grew quiet as the need for sleep overtook most of the family! It was fun to be with my family and I enjoyed visiting with them. While Dave's family is in Hawaii this year, I am very glad that they were hear at Thanksgiving and we had time with them. It has been a good holiday season!

Steve, Alishea, and Bryan

Ryan and Jannica

Lori and Roger

Phayvanh

The best looking man around!

Grandpa and Dylan.

I had to do a double take when Dylan walked in.

He and cousin Garrett sport the same hairstyle... long, curly, and a little bushy!

Gotta love the two cousins!!!

Garrett, in November 2009

Dylan and Phayvanh

Bryan (I think someone else was taking pictures for a while!)

Alishea

Alexis - Gotta love the hat!

MERRY CHRISTENSEN

In case I missed you, here's our Christmas letter...

Merry Christmas!

The year 2009 has been one of many blessings. Much of our life has remained constant, with very little change.

Mike continues to work as a security guard at the Triad Center. Earlier this year, he was called to serve in the High Priest group leadership. Mike is starting to think about working on his next novel. The rough draft is done, now it is a matter of getting it typed out, etc. Hopefully next year, we’ll have more to share on his latest novel. I am always excited about Mike’s writing. Writing is Mike’s first love, after me of course!

I continue to serve as Ward Relief Society President. This is my fourth Christmas season serving as Relief Society President and gratefully, the year of 2009 has been drama free. After all of the ward changes in 2008, this year has seemed like a breeze! I continue to enjoy quilting, watching Survivor (yes, I am a fan!), and managing our rental properties. I am also singing the Messiah with a community choir this holiday season. I haven’t sung in a choir for several years and I am enjoying singing again!

In April of this year, we vacationed in Nauvoo, Illinois. After nine years, Sidney was able to keep a promise made to niece Alexis and take her to Nauvoo. We tried a new travel method, Amtrak. Let’s just say that we probably won’t travel by train again, but it worked for our schedule this trip. We enjoyed our time in Nauvoo and the surrounding area. For details of our trip, check out our blog at http://www.mikesidney.blogspot.com/.

We continue to travel to Blanding on a regular basis. As Mike’s parents health continues to decline, we feel the need to be down there more often. We are very grateful for his sister Suzanne, who has sacrificed some time in her life and move to Blanding to care for them.

Mike and I have a new goal for 2010, we are going to begin biking. Hopefully next year we will be able to share some of our bicycling travels. We will be starting with flat, paved trails. If you have any suggestions, let us know!!!

As always, at this Christmas season, we remember the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We are so grateful for our Savior, for the restored gospel and our testimonies. We wish you and your family a joyous holiday season as you celebrate the birth and life of our Savior!

With love, Mike and Sidney Christensen

Just Stuff

Myself and Julie Sorenson

Just prior to our Messiah performance last Sunday evening.

(I confess, it was odd to be back into the choir room that served as our 'life' during our senior year of high school. Next year, I don't think it will feel so odd!)


Scrap quilt that I made for my brother, Steve, for Christmas this year. I'm posting it early because I'm 99% sure he doesn't read the blog. Until this picture, I truly thought it looked scrappy, with no design, but now, I see that there is a little 'design' to the quilt.


Hopefully, this quilt will warm Steve up! Steve has been living with Mike and I for the past eight months. He thinks our home is cold. (Everyone seems to think that!) But Mike and I both like a cooler home, especially at night when the furnace is turned off! (Steve & I have negotiated a peaceful temperature!)

Food Storage Challenge - Day 25 thru 30

Well, the food storage challenge is done. Other than purchasing milk, hamburger, hamburger buns, oranges and bananas. I think we did pretty well! I don't think we cleared out the freezer or back closet much, but I'm going to be more aware of what we have in the back closet and use it more often. Who knows, after the holidays, I may try this again, but I'll spare ya'll the details!

Monday
Pizza (an old standby)
Smoothies

Tuesday
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Tomato Soup

Wednesday
Zucchini Quiche
Orange Juice

Thursday
Baked Potato Soup

Friday
Clam Chowder
Orange Julius
(I made this for Alishea!!!)

Saturday
Kung Po Chicken
Rice
Smoothies

Fudge Season's Official End

This afternoon , Tuesday, December 15th at 1:24pm, the annual Christensen Fudge Season officially ended. After 18 batches of fudge, it is now ready for delivery. I can't wait!!!

I know that in our area, some people are donating food to the food bank instead of delivering neighbor gifts, but frankly, for me, part of the Christmas season is FUDGE and delivering it to neighbors and friends.

So let it be written.

So let it be done.

De Ja Vu...

This morning I drove into the parking lot of my former alma mater - Hillcrest High - for a dress rehearsal of tomorrow evening's performance of the Messiah. I don't think I've been back in the school for over 20 years. It was a little nostalgic sitting in the auditorium, looking for the CLOCK that use to hang on the wall, remembering all the Chamber Choir performances we did in the high school auditorium, and thinking about Mr. Dean or this link, our great high school music teacher. Julie and I reminisced about what he taught us. He taught us so many different varieties of choral music. We had no idea the depth and breath until after we left high school.


Enough reminiscing...

Now, if any of you are interested, you are invited to attend the Midvale Community Choir performance of the Handel's Messiah tomorrow evening, Sunday, December 13th.

Hillcrest High School Auditorium

7350 So. 900 E.

7:00 pm

Performance should last about 1.5 hours.

(We are only doing selected pieces.)

A final thought...

In the early 1990's I attend the Murray City Community performance of Handel's Messiah. It was a very sacred experience for me. I felt more during that performance than I have hearing the Tabernacle Choir or singing at the Messiah Sing-In. So, while the talent may be amateur, there is a feeling when signing the work. Come and enjoy!

Food Storage Challenge - Day 21-24

Wow, these days are going by quickly! We are back from Blanding the challenge has renewed itself.

Thursday's Menu

Turkey & Broccoli Casserole

Corn (I was craving corn!)

Oranges

Friday's Menu

Chili

Leftover Turkey & Broccoli Casserole

Orange Julius

Saturday's Menu

Ward Party... No need to cook!

Cookies from the Cookie exchange

(I admit, this isn't a healthy item.)

Sunday's Menu

Hamburgers (I had to by buns)

Shrimp Pasta Salad

Oranges & Bananas

I may just keep this up during the holidays. I can't believe how much food we still have. It is nice to know my efforts of purchasing items for our food storage have not been in vain. I guess we need to plan a garden next year to have the fresh vegetables when the next challenge occurs.

Blanding Visit...

The forecast called for snow, and it snowed! It snowed all day Monday and frankly, I liked it! The snow was light and crystally, peaceful and white. It was beautiful. (For once I was glad to be inside the WARM, 80 degree, Green House!!! Just kidding!!!) I know there was at least a foot of snow in Blanding when we arose Tuesday morning. And for the record, when we drove home Wednesday, there was more snow in Blanding than any other town we drove through, (except for Monticello). The Four Corners area scored with this storm. Our home in Salt Lake only had 3-4 inches. Thanks to the road crews who keep the roads cleared!

The Green House Tuesday morning

Notice the nicely shoveled walks? Bro. Flannery, Caroline's home teacher, showed up bright and early Tuesday morning to shovel the snow. (I guess it pays to stay in bed until 10:00am and let someone else do the 'work'!) Seriously, we were all very grateful for the service he rendered. How thoughtful!

Suzanne's Car covered in snow

Suzanne & I started to dig out her car Tuesday evening (Truthfully, Suzanne did most of it, I joined in later). The sun was going down. The plows had kindly 'plowed her in'. Three girls came by and started digging and then a guy in town, just driving by, - Zac Drake - asked if Suzanne would like to be towed out. (Zac is our new best friend!) We took him up on it. Then, just as he was getting things hooked up, another guy was driving around town with a plow on the front of his truck came by and said that he would plow out in front of the house, once the car was move. I was just amazed by people's generousity. I LOVE SMALL TOWNS!!!

Mike, standing between the Buick with snow and our car,

which had been cleaned off by Caroline's home teachers.

Highlights from this Trip

1. Our 'Concert' on Sunday afternoon singing our favorite hymns and Christmas carols.
2. Suzanne's delicious dinner on Sunday - Chicken enchilada's, orange jello salad, yellow squash, etc.
3. Julene's delicious taco soup on Monday evening. There were leftovers so I made taco salad for lunch on Tuesday.
4. Putting up the Christmas Decorations, listening to Christmas music
5. Sleeping with Mike... Don't get the wrong idea. Remember, he works nights!!!
6. A game of Trivial Pursuit!
7. Oh, and one more thing... In Blanding, you don't need Temple Square, we have the home of Stan and Angela Hurst decorated with lots and lots of lights. Luckily, Stan and Angela live directly across the street from Mike's parents. So, we had a great light display each evening!!! (I tried to take a picture, but it just didn't turn out.)

Food Storage Challenge - Day 18-20

A quick post...

Day 18 Menu

Pumpkin Soup
Pizza
Apples & Bananas dipped in Caramel

Day 19 Menu

Leftovers

Day 20 Menu

Turkey Pot Pie

Salad

Orange Juice

Oreos (Okay, I bought these!)

Day 21 Menu (Saturday)

Leftovers again.

We are heading to Blanding for a few days. So the challenge will continue when we return!

Fudge Season

Today is the official start of Fudge Season at the Christensen home. Some people like Deer Season, or as Grandpa Lyman said, 'Dear' Season, and some people like the Harvest season, or the birthing season. I like Fudge Season! I am so excited to begin!

Food Storage Challenge - Day 16 & 17

Yesterdays menu was delicious...

Shrimp Fried Rice

Spring Rolls

Oranges

Graham Cracker Cookies

Today was another 'date' with Mike. We first talked about going to the Bountiful Temple, but then decided on Jordan River, only to find that was closed for its semi-annual two week cleaning. We finally ended up at the Draper Temple. Afterwards, we went out for a late afternoon lunch at Hires B H in Midvale. Did we ever have a great lunch.

Our dinner Menu this evening, IF we are hungry will include the following:

Pumpkin Soup

Tuna Sandwiches

Apples & Bananas dipped in Caramel

Food Storage Challenge - Day 15

With the Thanksgiving Holiday, I decided not to include Thanksgiving and the last couple of days of leftovers in this food storage challenge. (Aren't turkey sandwiches the best!) Today, we are now back to eating from our food storage. Day 15 report...

Menu

Tuna Sandwiches
Cream of Mushroom Soup
(For Mike, he loves it. Doesn't sound too good to me, though!)
Mashed Potatoes
(Final leftovers)
Apples

And, a photo... A friend, Deeann, told me that she'll put all her dry ingredients into containers and create several containers of the same meal. Then, when she cooks, all they needs to do is dump in the dry ingredients, and add any liquid ingredients. It has made cooking so much simpler for me. I've done this for my spaghetti sauce, pumpkin soup (stored in freezer), spanish rice, and many other. Anything I can do to simplify cooking is a bonus for me!

Images From Our Thanksgiving

The Christensen Family hosted Thanksgiving Dinner this year in our home. Here are a few pictures from the day...

Turkey Brine

Playing card after dinner (Sidney, Alexis, Mom)

Mike, listening to conversation.

Madison's Clarinet Concert

Dave and his Kiss imitation/shirt.

Dinner guests, Dad, Steve, Mike, Alishea, Mom, and Alexis

Dinner guests - Mom, Alexis, Chantelle, Dave, Madison, Dad, and Steve

"Normal" Dave

In conversation, Alexis, Chantelle, and Steve

Alishea and Mom

After dinner... The girls playing cards, the guys watching football

Seven Layer Dip

(I didn't take this photo. I suspect it was Alishea, proof that we did have this on Thanksgiving.)

Food Storage Challenge - Day 12-14

I was thinking last evening that I'm not sure if this test is working or not. I feel like our freezer is just as full as it was when I began and our shelves look just as stocked. Oh well, it is a good test to see what we have.

A quick story... I was making the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving last evening and it called for one apple. Well, the apple I had been going to use was eaten a couple of day ago, so I thought for a few moments and came up with the idea to use the dried apples I have in my food storage. They worked great! Can't wait to eat the sauce with our Thanksgiving meal...

Day 12 Menu

Hamburger/Rice Casserole

(I substituted my last zucchini for the celery, which I didn't have!)

Peaches

Day 13 Menu

Spaghetti

Corn

Bread

Oranges

Day 14 Menu

Leftover Spaghetti

Fried Rice

Smoothies

Purchased: Oranges, bread. (I guess I could have made homemade bread but I wasn't in the mood. There are too many other things to make in conjunction with Thanksgiving!)

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving... I'm brining our turkey and quite excited about this. We are also having Seven Layer Dip - not the traditional Thanksgiving food, BUT a request from my niece Alishea!

Food Storage Challenge - Day 11

This morning during our Relief Society Presidency meeting, one of my counselors suggested I list the blogs I subscribe to for deals, etc., on my blog. So, this post is for you, Annette!

On the side bar is a Provident Living section and links to the sites I subscribe to via google reader. (I LOVE google reader, except for those blogs which require a password, causing me to access those blogs manually. Thanks to those of you who don't require passwords, and thus I just receive your feed!)

Okay, back to the business at hand... See the sidebar for the links. And here is today's menu post...

Menu for Day 11

Enchiladas (leftover)

Meatloaf & Baked Potatoes (leftover)

Baked Potato Soup (leftover)

Pizza (for my brother Steve, who doesn't eat 'leftovers')

Smoothies (My answer to when we don't have fresh fruit, but need fruit to balance out the meal)

Learnings, con't.

1. Always have Pizza in the freezer because 1) it is easy to cook; 2) it doesn't qualify as a leftover; 3) and everyone seems to like pizza

2. I need a freezer. While I've been using items out of the freezer, I still don't have much room for when I make a dinner that I can freeze 1/2 of it and use at a later date.

3. I need to have a year supply of tinfoil pans that I can make dinners and freeze them in.

Other items I have purchased (that we used) during this experiment

1. Milk - I know that Mike would drink powdered milk, but I'm not sure Steve will. So, milk was a necessary purchase.

2. Items for Thanksgiving dinner. Since I'm hosting this year, I feel obligated to provide the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Food Storage Challenge - Day 10

For the record... we are also eating our breakfast and lunch from our food storage as well. But, I don't post what we have for these meals because we usually fend for ourselves. I have items like cold cereal, oatmal, etc., in our food storage. (I loved Kellogg's promo a few months ago when I bought cereal for almost nothing (25 to 50 cents each) and then ended up with a $10.00 rebate!)

My latest fun rebate is with Nabisco. All of their crackers are on sale this week and what better time to stock up and then receive a $10.00 rebate in the mail as well. (Click the coupon link and you'll see the rebate info, too.) I really enjoy having the food companies contribute to our food budget via great deals and rebates!

Menu

Baked Potato Soup

Smoothies

Banana Bread

Food Storage Challenge - Days 8 & 9

In some ways, this is easier than I expected. Make dinner one day, eat leftovers and a pizza the next. I grew up in a family of seven and so when I cook, I make enough for seven. I have never seemed to be able to cut back to make dinner for just two (or three, since my brother is living with us for a while).

Day 8

Menu

Leftover enchiladas

Green beans

Pizza

Tangerines

Day 9

Menu

Meat Loaf (Chan's Recipe!!!)

Baked Potatoes

Green beans, yes again
Peaches

Banana Bread (If I get it made)

Okay, I confess, I have bought hamburger so we could have some meat variety, but that's about it. Not bad for nine days and no planning!

My Latest Quilt...

I'm pretty sure that my friend Mari doesn't read my blog, so I'm posting my latest quilt, which is to be her Christmas present, up on the blog early. Last Christmas I realized that I should have made Mari a quilt and shortly have the holiday season ended, I pieced together this quilt. I recently completed the machine quilting and binding.

I named this quilt Serenity. The quilt measures 87" x 60"

(I don't think this photo does the quilt justice)

This quilt pattern is one of my favorites. This is the third quilt I've made from this pattern and I think I'll be making another one shortly.

I'm actually quite excited about Christmas this year. I have bought some fun gifts at some very good deals. I have many of my gifts purchased and they just need to be wrapped. I'm seriously thinking about bringing out the wrapping paper SOON to wrap and then leave the gifts outs for the entire month of December. I guess the good news is that I buy all of my own gifts, except for one (it is easier on Mike!), so the anticipation of what is inside the package doesn't get to me, because I already know!

Food Storage Challenge - Days 5-7

Well, I have already begun making a list of things I am learning from this challenge...

1. I am craving fresh food, vegetables in particular. I thought that having canned vegetables and frozen vegetables would help, but it really doesn't. Note to self: I better make sure I have enough seeds for a BIG garden!

2. I make a lot of 'creamed' dinners. I don't want to eat creamed dinners night after night. I need to make sure I have items that will balance this out.

3. Next time I do this, I need to have some beef on hand. (I did go to the grocery store yesterday to purchase hamburger to provide us with variety.)

Day 5 Menu

Mike and I went on a date = we went out to dinner!

Day 6 Menu

Sausage

Eggs

Toast

Orange Juice

Day 7 Menu

Bean, cheese, and green chili burritos with enchilada sauce,

(Because I had a can of sauce and wanted to use it. I even made fresh tortillas!)

Corn

Tangerines

(I confess, this isn't going to be a colorful meal this evening, just orange and yellows. Sometimes, it just happens.)

Lake Powell - 1964 or 1965

Mike has often told me about going to Lake Powell when he would come to Blanding and spend the summers with his grandparents. Halls Crossing is 90 minutes from Blanding. These trips occurred in the early days of Lake Powell, just after the dam was completed and the lake was filling.

Another shot of the gang

(Calvin Butt to Mike's left and again, possibly, Dennis Guymon, in hat to the far right of the photograph.)

Lake Powell Ferry Service

Bryce Redd and Mike Christensen

(This is Mike's "cig" photograph, although it is actually a sandwich and NOT a Marlboro. Mike had orders from Dr. Libbey to cut back on his use of 'cigs'.)

Mike, ?, and Huck Finn (is this Jim Redd?)


The Gang (Mike in blue shirt and red swim trunks)
Calvin Butt, to the left of Mike while Dennis Guymon- possibly is at the far right.

Thanks to Uncle Joe for emailing these photos!

Food Storage Challenge - Day 4

My mom asked me a couple of days ago if I had gone to the store just prior to starting this challenge (you know, to stock up on items!) The answer is NO. We don't have some items and honestly, I haven't decided what I will do when they are needed, if they are needed. This 'challenge' wasn't pre-conceived, just a random, on the fly, quick decision!


Today was easy...

Menu

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Green Salad

Spanish Rice (leftover from last evening)

No fruit what-so-ever... thus not a balanced meal

Food Storage Challenge - Day 3

I know, I know, most of you probably don't care about how I am using my food storage. But, I have determined that having to post each day is actually an incentive for me to keep up with this challenge. Plus, I have a record of what we eat each day. I have also realized that if I am going to post a menu, that it should have the appearance of being balanced and colorful! Sometimes that is a challenge for me...

Tonight's Menu

Homemade Refried Beans

Spanish Rice

Green Chili Salsa

Tortilla Chips

Green Peas

Grape Juice

The green chili salsa was available the last time I went to the cannery and so I shared a case with friend Annette. Since the cannery had no red salsa, which is the best, I decided the green would be the next best thing. I'll let you know what I think.

Food Storage Challenge - Day 2

Hey, this may be easier than I think! Cook one day, eat leftovers the next! I definitely think I have 15 days worth of meals in my repertoire!

Tonight's meal...

Tombstone Pizza

Leftover Clam Chowder

Fruit

I'm going to play cards this evening and I am taking Rice Krispie Squares. Of course, everything has come from our food storage. Yea!!!

The Food Storage Challenge

I've always worked on having food storage, but the past year or so, I have been very diligent about buying items on sale, watching blogs about free stuff, and of course, collecting my 'beer money' refunds. (It isn't what you might think!) The Result, a LOT of food building up in our year supply of food storage.

So, the time has come for the Christensen Family to see if we can live on the food storage we have in 'stock' for one month. I honestly don't know how we'll do, but I will let you know. Maybe this will turn into a Julie & Julia type of posting! Who knows! But, I am grateful to the several blogs I follow that help me with purchasing a lot of good deals on foods that I have purchased.

One of our many storage areas in the back room.

What you don't see is 15 Tombstone Pizza's hiding behind all the food in the freezer! Mike's excited to have them in our Year Supply! (Just ask me about how I bought 17 Tombstone Pizza's for $15.00. Yes, that's right, $15.00!)

More Food... Plus, I still don't have room for a lot of can goods that are on the floor!

I don't usually cook breakfast and lunch, the Christensen family just fends for themselves. But, I do make sure we have cereal and bread, and of course, there are usually leftovers in the fridge which always make a good lunch meal. So, I'll just be posting our dinner menu. Wish me luck!

Day 1 Dinner Menu

Clam Chowder

Cornbread

Black Grapes & Tangerines

Chocolate Chips...

I've been waiting for a great Chocolate Chip deal like the one I found last year... 12 oz bag for 70 cents each. I ended up with 40 bags last year and just ran out recently. Christmas is coming and fudge making is just around the corner... Oh, I hope a good deal is just around the corner as well!

Where did we go this morning?

That's right, the Jordan River Temple.

I am so grateful that I have a husband who loves to be in the temple and who will take me there!

I'm Singing Again!

I just went to my first Messiah practice this morning at 8:00am. I am so excited! Julie, a friend from high school, invited me to sing in their community choir and I accepted. For a few months I've been thinking I would like to begin taking time in my life to sing. I almost joined a community choir a couple of months ago, but then Mike wisely counseled, "Sidney, you seem to have too many irons in the fire." He was right!

Yes, I copied the photo from Amazon.com

But this short-lived experience will be perfect. Nine practices and one performance to which you are all invited.

Sunday Evening, December 13th

7:00pm

Hillcrest High School Auditorium (my alma mater!)

7350 So. 900 E.

Midvale, Utah

Biking 101

Mike and I made a decision a couple of months ago. We are going to purchase bikes for both of us.

Here is the bike I'm going to receive as a Christmas Present...

http://www.target.com/Ladies%E2%80%99-Schwinn-26-Roxie-Cruiser/dp/B000KZ4MUY/ref=sc_qi_detaillink?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1PDKZHYVZ190PQ6F4EC5&pf_rd_p=436115101&pf_rd_i=B000KZ4MUY&pf_rd_s=right-1&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=5101



Yes, it is pink and I don't really like pink, but for some reason, I WANT this pink bike! I am also going to buy a basket.


Here's Mike's bike...

Yes, Mike wants to restore the bike he had as a child...

An original Schwinn Cruiser.

A one speed with breaks that stop when you push the peddles backwards.

The big question is whether or not he can obtain 28" tires.

The Cat...

Each morning around 7:30am, this cat appears in our yard and makes himself comfortable underneath our patio furniture.

Why???

Yes, the bird feeder...

This cat seems to think that the birds will come to the bird feeder while he 'hiding' under the chairs. But, the birds are smarter than this black cat. They never appear.

I noticed this morning that this black cat will close its eyes, to appear asleep. I guess this tactic is supposed to let the birds know that it isn't aware of them... but notice his ears, all perked up, just waiting for a bird to land.

I'm not sure why this cat performs this ritual every morning, but he does. Mike and I watch and observe him and just laugh. After 30-45 minutes with no success, he departs. One thing we can count on, he'll be back tomorrow!