Sweet Tea

Kinda funny that I am posting recipe fpr "sweet tea" in the middle of a snow storm, oh well. I stumbled upon this recipe the other day and decided to make it for Steve. He has always loved tea, and heard about the wonders of southern sweet tea and after our layover in Atlanta in Oct. he has been hooked. I had some Luzzianne tea bags that some friends had brought back from the south and it just made it that much more authentic.

For Simple Syrup:

4 cups sugar (Don't worry - not all of that goes in the tea!)

2 cups water

For Tea:

4 cups water

8-10 regular-sized or

3 "family sized" bags orange pekoe tea (preferably Lipton or Luzianne)

Pinch of baking soda

Additional water

Pour 2 cups of water and 4 cups of sugar into a saucepan and stir together. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and stir until thickened. Turn off heat, and set aside.

Strip tags from the tea bags, and tie strings to the handle of a wooden spoon, near the bowl. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Turn off the heat, and place the tea-tied wooden spoon in the pan with a pinch of baking soda (It smooths out the tea's tannins.). Once it's suitably darkened, and still hot, pull out the spoon. (Refrain from squeezing the teabags, as that clouds the tea.)

Stir 1 cup of the sugar syrup into the tea until it's thoroughly blended. Pour the mixture into a 1 gallon glass or metal pitcher, and fill to the top with water. Stir, and chill in the refrigerator. Pour the remaining sugar syrup into a glass jar, and cover. Once the tea has cooled, serve it in tall glasses 2/3 filled with ice, with sugar syrup on the side so that guests may sweeten according to their personal taste.

Unlike what the recipe says, I used almost half of the simple syurp :)

"The storm of the Decade"

Well at least that's what everyone is saying about this round of storms that is upon us. It has snowed about 2 1/2 feet since last night and is still coming down like you wouldn't believe. Cabin fever is starting for me already, so pray for me.Sammy also has a bit of cabin fever also, but Steve rescued him for a little adventure.

My sister is getting married!!

My little sister is getting hitched! We are so excited for them. Sammy and I are going to fly up to Washington for the wedding in a couple of weeks. I came as to quite a suprise, but I am so happy for them. Jonathan is such a great guy. He is currently serving in the Army, and just got back from Iraq last year. Congrats you guys!

Sledding is so much fun!

My friend Kelly and I were talking the other day about how we are getting a bit older and how your likes change with the years. We talked about when we were kids, nothing excited us more than playing in the snow for hours at a time, only to be called in the house soaking wet and super cold. Now, we both agreed that the snow is pretty to look at, but to play in it is not really like it once was. After our Sunday sledding with my brother's family, I feel like my eyes have been reopened to the joy of snow. Matt bought a sled for Sammy and Conner to use, and for him and Steve to destroy. It was great seeing the little boys run down the hill and flop on their bellies- I guess it's more fun that way! My brother almost got himself killed by accidentally jumping his saucer down a steep hill, but boy was it funny to watch.

Remember the movie "Christmas Story" where the little brother Randy gets bundled up for school and can't put his arms down?- poor Conner, he was just like Randy.

I think Conner's face sums up our day-so much fun!

So Much Snow

We got so much snow this past weekend. I truly think it has been years since we have gotten this much snow. I am always amazed at how beautiful the snow is, there is something so lovely about the glittering freezingness. I think I lost Sammy's snow boots, or maybe accidentally gave them away- either way on Sunday they were nonexistent. Me being the queen of improvisation, used some garden galoshes- whatever works right? We were also blessed by having our dear friend Kyle, his girlfriend Maria, and our friends Chris and Belinda stop by for the evening on Sunday. Kyle is currently serving in Viajta, Hungary as a missionary, and Maria is visiting from Finland. We had a blast catching up, playing phase 10, and learning much about Finland.

After they left Steve and I decided to brave the crazy winter storm and venture out to the gym. We bribed the boys next door with our TV and goodies to go with it, in return for making sure Sammy stayed asleep. We are crazy! The gym hadn't been plowed yet and we had to run through a foot and a half of snow to get in. On the way home we got stuck twice and even had to chain the four wheel drive up. It was madness, but it was definitely and adventure.

Family Get Together

On Saturday the three of us trekked down to Orange County to enjoy some wonderful visits with my family. It was so great to see everyone, most of whom we haven't seen for a year or so. We got to talk about and plan some details about the cruise we are all going on in Feb. My cousin Jessica and I taught my cousin Kim's daughter to give wet willies- Sorry Kim. I know that I am kinda setting myself up for people to teach Sammy some interesting things, but oh well. We did also teach her a good thing- to throw the ball overhand, as Jess would say "not like a girl." I really miss that side of my family and have really had a rough time over the past couple of years just being around them. I think it brought up lots of emotion of not having my Mom around, and I think I felt like an outcast because of it. I have done a lot of maturing over these past years and have finally come to the realization that I am not my Mom and her issues are hers, and I don't have to carry that burden with me- even though I do quite often, but I am getting better. I am so grateful for my family, and I am super excited to go on vacation with them- 7 weeksSammy and Brytani

Christmas

Merry Christmas!! This year was the most laid back Christmas we've ever had. On Christmas Eve my brothers and sisters came over and we just had a blast. This was the first time in 6 years that we have spent it together, and it was much needed. Dinner was a breeze. I felt like I should be running around stressed about everything getting done, but it all was very smooth. We fried a couple of turkeys, our third time- and we are 100% sold.

All of us

Matt, Janae, and Conner

Us

Danielle, Wade, and Chelsey

Wade and Chelsey got to spend the night at our house and got to experience the joy of having a little kid in the house. We woke up at 4:45 am and opened all of our presents. Wade and Chels helped Sam open his. My brother is so good with Sammy. He would call Sam over to him, open a corner of the wrapping and coerce him to keep going. He was so patient and kind with him. It was so amazing to see that side of Wade.