4th Day of Xmas MTLGTM-4 Schools, Elementary

Who can identify these four schools family members go to or attended? I have vivid memories of both yours and my elementary schools, teachers, friends and the things that happened there. I will cherish them always.
Some were good, others I want to forget. Jenn getting on the bus the first day of school & not knowing where she was. Mauri being chosen as the best student in sixth grade. Just days before Christmas was when the call came about the lice incident for Alicia & Breann. Yuck! Jory tired of school by first grade & wondering how soon until he graduated.

3rd Day MTLGTM - 3 Goodies With the Recipe

Marion’s Caramels
2 Cups Cream
2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Karo Syrup. Put into heavy pan (reserve 1 C cream) & stir cooking on med-low heat. Add remaining cream after mix has boiled down. When it reaches 230 degrees (watch it closely), remove from heat. Add 1t vanilla & 1 cube butter, that you have greased cookie sheet with. Stir until butter is melted & well mixed in. Pour onto cookie sheet so it will be about 1/8 thick if you are doing pretzels & turtles. For caramels pour into an 8x8 pan. Let cool.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels: Buy 4” or 8” pretzels. Cut caramel into 1 ½ x 3 “lengths with pizza cutter. With buttered fingers, take piece of caramel & wrap around each pretzel. Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips or shaved dipping chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute in a glass bowl. Check to see if will stir with a spoon. If not, do it another minute, then stir until smooth. Dip each pretzel & roll until covered w/chocolate. Place on greased cookie sheet. While chocolate is still soft shake sprinkles or nuts on top.

Turtles: 1 lb pecans. Cut caramel into 1x2’ pieces. With 2 pecan or 3 pieces wrap caramel around them & set onto greased cookie sheet. Spoon about 1 T of melted chocolate (see pretzels) onto each turtle letting it ooze down around it. Let set then eat.

2nd Day of Christmas MTLGTM-2 Young Adults, with 1 Being Your Brother, Jory

Well, here they are 'the Sargent & the School Teacher'. Her name is Sarah Sargent, also known as Jory's 4th grade aide since November 1st. They began dating about two weeks ago. He has already met her parents, siblings & grandparents. She has four brothers and is the oldest. He is pretty smitten with her, but have they kissed?

Twelve Days of Christmas To You

Even though I am starting a day late, here are twelve memories or things to share with you this year. "On the first year of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a Sewing Machine in a Cabinet."

Dad bought this sewing machine on our first Christmas. It was expensive for 1973 about $600. It was something I missed and wanted badly. Grandma Schmidt went with him to pick it out. I used it so much that it wore out years ago. It made bed spreads, curtains, dust ruffles, prom dresses, PJ's and so much more.

Many times as I sat sewing you played at my feet and probably wished that I would stop. I finally did and now it sits ignored, having done its job. Hopefully along the way you all learned to sew and enjoyed the things you created from this machine. I was taught from my mother & she from hers. It is an important skill to have, even though not needed ss much now as in the past. Brayle is now interested in sewing. Yeah!!

On the Chopping Block

When Breann suggested that I sell the French Provincial bedroom set, I said, "Sure, great idea." It would give me extra money for Christmas gifts, improvements to the apartment or I could put it toward central air. I took the pictures and Dad down loaded them, but I just couldn't do it.

Growing up I had hand-me-down furniture, ugly. After I started working and had the money to get this set, it was really for me. I fell in love with it at the store and would do anything to buy it. So we did, for $1400. I was in heaven. Although it probably wasn't what you gals wanted, it was still very classy and made it all worth it.

To part with it is hard, but I know another little set of sisters can enjoy it for their mother, too. I keep thinking in five years your little girls will come stay overnight with us and I can say, "Your moms slept in these very beds." It's okay, we will have them sleep in our room on the old ugly twin matching pads instead, with fancy blankets. It will be just as fun because we are together, which is most important.

A Schmidt Christmas

I'm thinking of a Schmidt Christmas.
Just like the ones at Grandma's house.
Where the gifts were money,
and Santa funny. With her homemade toffee in our mouths.

I thought you would like to see what Dad's home looks like now that it's a gift shop called, The Lavender House. Black awnings, a new door and porch, rockwork and a nice parking lot where the old horse chestnut tree used to be. We'll have to go inside someday to see what they have done. I will take pictures if possible and post them.

Do you remember the Christmas dinners when the table was extended to the max, about 16 feet. Those lacy table cloths, the wall to wall cousins and the generous gifts they gave. Grandma was a great cook & made the same kind of gravy that Dad now does. Every year Marion would get her busy making chocolates and share a box with each of us. Eventually the gang became so large, we moved to the church for our party. They aren't the same, but it is good to get together to see everyone.

gift ideas for the Vawdreys

I thought I would post a few quick links of things we might like to have to help any of you out there who might need/want to send us a gift.

Sarah:
Lego Pink Brick Box
Enchanted Princess Reusable Sticker Book
Barbie Fairytopia
Barbie Mermaidia

Zach:
Stacking Emergency Vehicles
Wooden Tool Kit
Wooden Construction Vehicles Set
Wooden Rescue Vehicles Set

Alicia:
see my Amazon wishlist
Thanksgiving countdown calendar
jacket at Costco--call me if you want details
fleece hat, gloves, and scarf in warm strip (Old Navy)
gift card--GAP, Old Navy, Michaels, Target, etc.

David:
Lands End dress shirt (I'm still trying to figure out which one as there are about a million of them and he likes a specific one that I bought like three years ago at Sears.)
and I'll keep thinking