A Holiday Tradition and A Christmas Miracle

My Dad's family is Swedish. Well, really my grandpa was Swedish and he liked to coerce everyone into believing that we were all 100% from the Swed-land. Despite being English, my grandma played the part of a Swedish homemaker quite well. This included the making of the traditional meals and sweets.

When my grandmother died, I took it upon myself to take her recipe (and her famous yellow bread bowl) to recreate my favorite sweet each year for my family. I mean black labs. I mean I eat it all myself, don't judge it's tradition.

I'm not going to give you the recipe because it's a family secret. Really it's not, I'm just too lazy to go and get it right now. So just behold my photos and try and figure out the recipe yourself from the pics, it's a fun game!

Swedish Coffee Bread:

So, start with these ingredients. It requires many bowls. In one there are some eggs, in the second there 

is some rapid rise yeast yeasting away and in the third there is some scalded milk (whatever that means) and a lot of butter. 

Then mix up the dry stuff, you know, flour and sugar and the like. 

This is the secret ingredient. Mmmm cardamom, smell the Swedish culture. 

Mix it all together in your grandmothers yellow bowl. Yes, this is a key ingredient. 

Flour a bread board and knead dough. This is the most fun part. Caution, flour your hands

or they will stick. 

Put kneaded dough back in greased bowl. 

Cover with towel and let sit until it rises to double its size. 

Voila!

Split into three pieces, and then those into three pieces and make little rolls for braiding. 

Braid into loaves with love.

Bake and then brush with butter. 

When cool, drizzle with powder sugar/milk mixture and decorate with cherries. I'm pretty sure that's how they did it back in the old country. 

Don't worry, I didn't eat all three loaves myself. I gifted two. Nothing says Merry Christmas like fresh bread baked with love. 

I worked on the 23rd and the 24th and when I got home on Christmas Eve a Christmas Miracle happened! My mom! She drove all the way from Chicago to spend Christmas at my house while I worked. I love her so much. We had a great time. The best Christmas gift ever. 

Happy New Years Eve! I will be breaking my tradition of going to bed at 9pm in order to feast with family. And I'm also planning on winning the power ball. A few hours of lost sleep is worth a million bucks. 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Christmas time is here.... where did it come from? In fact, it's nearly come and gone already. This will be perhaps the strangest Christmas I have yet to experience. The first ever Christmas I have spent without my sweet sister.

See, we've been together every year since the beginning....

My family and I will all be alone this year, well not alone but alone from each other. Separated by states and work obligations. Yes, the joys of being a nurse mean spending Christmas at the hospital every three years. 

Christmas time means getting out my favorite holiday movies, Love Actually, A Christmas Story and of course Charlie Brown (see bottom of blog for your viewing pleasure).

Charlie Brown and I bare (is that the right bear?) remarkable similarities. Both sarcastic and often times pessimistic/glass half empty are Chuck and I. It's especially true at Christmas when you're feeling a little bit lonely at the thought of spending it without your mother or some handsome swain. 

I really don't like receiving gifts. I think it has to do with me having to be center of attention while everyone watches for your expression when you open (thanks to a long family tradition of each opening one gift at a time while all others watch.) The thought of going to the mall this time of year makes me break out in hives. I can't handle the black Friday crazy shoppers and the "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" carols. Ba humbug? No, I don't think so. For every year I am reminded right along with Charlie Brown that the true meaning of Christmas is not the "commercialism" of it, but little baby Jesus. 

When you remember that, it's easier feel joy, even at the thought of being alone this weekend. I'm saddened that I will be unable to attend the Christmas Eve service at my new church this year, one of my favorite things to do is sing Christmas Caroles. Don't worry tiny premature babies, you'll be getting an earful of baby Jesus cheer from your favorite nurse.

Adventures in Dating: The Blind Date

Dating is perhaps the most torturous right of passage into adulthood. It's awkward, it's embarrassing and it's painful. I think I'd rather be squeezed through the birth canal again twice over to get out of going through it. Oh, was that an awkward and inappropriate analogy? Everyone at work keeps telling me to suck it up and enjoy the free meals. But you know what, that's only because they are all either married or have been dating the same guy since they were five. Single people back me up on this, dating is miserable.

The only thing worse than dating is blind dating. I've been on more than a handful of these over the last year and several more recently and it's gotten to the point that I'm not even nervous anymore. It is what it is and that's all I can do. I still struggle with how much of myself to reveal on a blind date, it's a fine line. It's not like you can say, "Oh hey, I got to bed a nine pm and sweat pants are my favorite variety of pants." You have to leave some of those secrets for later, if you want a second date.

First comes the praying, "Please let him be at least as tall as me, please let him have all his teeth." Then there comes a lot of smiling, a lot of pretending to smile, awkward laughter and ever more awkward silences. Then at the end it's like, oh let me split the check, oh okay if you insist. Ugh....

Perhaps my problem is my pessimistic attitude towards it. Or perhaps the problem is that I haven't found the right one. Maybe then the silence will be comfortable instead of awkward and the laughter will be genuine. Only one way to find out, keep going. Either that or face the reality and truly become an awkward dog lady. And so the adventures continue......

New Year, New Name

I've been getting some complaints about the title of my blog. I'll admit, I stole it from The Natos when I was just a young blogger. Jami Nato is my blogging idol. But now we are coming into a new year and so yes, I too have decided it is time to steal someone else's name.

Anyways, I've been trying to brainstorm some clever new titles and one night as I was drifting to sleep it came to me. Awhile back my sister sent me a card addressed to "The Lady and Her Tramps....". Now I know what you're thinking, it sounds like I run a prostitute house. I have a feeling there is a name for such a house but as I am still so young and naieve I can't think of it right now.

Think Disney, cute puppies eating spaghetti and so on. I don't think I've actually ever seen this movie and I have no idea why it's named that. Anyways, I am a lady as accurately portrayed in the small cartoon I found on google, and I have two tramps. Thus my new title. Don't sue me Disney. It was my sister's idea.

Now if I could only figure out how to center it on the blog. Apparently in order to format your blog you must speak a strange language called HTML. Anyone who can offer assistance with this would be greatly appreciated...Ahem Jami, I know you know how to do this as your title is so perfectly centered :)

Euns Turns "Two"

The thing about rescuing dogs is that you never really know how old they are. When I adopted Eunice they told me she had been a stray and was somewhere between 5-8 years old. She must have been a stray for like five minutes because she can't stand to be away from human touch for two seconds while I go pee.

Anyways, two years ago yesterday Scout and I made one of the best decisions of our lives. Scout begged and begged for a sister. Actually, I had no intention of acutally adopting another dog, I just went to fill out a "foster a dog for the holidays" application. They really lay the guilt on you at those shelters. Poor sad doggies alone in a cage for Christmas...... Welp when I got there it was dark and cold and Eunice was sitting and shaking alone in an outdoor run. She was the only dog not barking at me when I pulled up. The rest was history.

Birthday Bone

When I went to pick her up the following week she tried to sit on my lap on the way home. It was the first night in our new house and our first night with our Eunice. Her name at the shelter was Eunice and she knew it because she'd been there so long. It suits her perfectly so we didn't change it.

Scout giving Eunice her birthday lovin

So yesterday she turned somewhere between 7-10. She's still got a lot of pep in her step and hairs to turn grey and we hope she will be around for many more years to come. We love you Big Mamma.

Celebrating Sally

I know what you're thinking, two posts in one day. I have a lot to say okay? I've been busy. Just a mere three days after returning from my Thanksgiving adventure I traveled back to Big Sky Country to say goodbye and celebrate the life of my dear Grandma Sally.

This was a momentous event, the first time (ever??) that the entire family was together in the same room, almost all on speaking terms.

The weather was a tad chilly but it couldn't have been more beautiful. 

And so we gathered from all corners of the country to reflect, reminisce, laugh and cry together as we remember the legacy that Sally has left for all those who knew her. It was a time I will cherish for years to come. 

Unsure on this one....

We also had the opportunity to celebrate my grandpa Wally's 80th birthday. I sure hope I've inherited this man's ability to age gracefully. I swear, he looks the same as he did when I met him twenty years ago. 

And last but not least, behold Clark, the newest addition to our family. Pure mush. 

My mom's desperate expression as she repeatedly demanded from my sister and I, 

"Get me one of these!" Whoa grandma, un-bug your eyes and settle down. 

When I do have a child, I will do my best to raise it as Sally raised her six children, bug eyes and all. I'll be seeing you. 

Giving Thanks

I have recently been informed that my fan base has expanded across time zones. I was also informed that I'm way overdue for an update. Who knew so many were fascinated by my boring life and endless sarcasm?!

So I apologize for the delay, the last several weeks have been a whirlwind. Week before last I traveled home to Chicago for thanksgiving. I took the doggies and drove for a much needed visit with my mommy.

Copilot Euns. Isn't in dangerous to take pictures while driving, you say? Cruise control only requires one hand. Okay I promise to never do it again. 

We ate some turkey, laid around and had a photo shoot. Behold my mother, unable to take a normal photo. Were we drinking you ask? Nope, completely sober. Also behold my new hair. I'm in love. There is a reason I only get my haircut in Chicago. 

Sorry mom, it's my blog and I'll post what I want to. Besides, you're endearing and you make me laugh. 

There we go. Oh wait, I had to copy and paste your normal eyes from another photo using my mad photoshop skills. 

"Oh, hey!" Look who I found. Why are you so tan? Freak... JK, I'm the freak who's skin does not know the meaning of tan. Jealous. 

I'm thankful for my mother and my sister, that after 25 years they are still the ones who make me laugh the most. 

I'm also thankful for these labbies, for Scoutie's smile and the grey hair on Euns' chinny chin chin. 

Church it Is

My fate came down to a coin toss. I tied for the weekend position at work with one of my favorite coworkers and apparently the most professional way to decide was to flip a coin. Coins hate me, so of course I lost. Congratulations to Therese though!

Everyone keeps telling me that it's meant to be, that I'm going to meet someone and require my weekends to be available for courting. Ha. Well until that happens, I will be attending church. It's all apart of God's plan.

We will still be eating Ramen black labbies. And I most likely will not be able to go to Africa like I had hoped this spring. (for a nursing mission type thing with some ladies at work.) But, it's all apart of God's plan.

In the meantime, work has gotten a little hairy. Our census is unseasonably low and falling swiftly. No more sick babies = good for the babies but bad for the nurses who's livelihoods depend on them. Everyone is applying for other jobs just in case we don't come out of the slump. Myself included in this, I'll keep you posted on my progress.....

Thanksgiving is next week and soon winter will be here. The trees are bare and the house is cold. Normally I would be looking forward to the holidays but as I have to work Christmas this year, it just doesn't feel the same. In a blink it will be over and we will be staring at March...watching a waiting for the first sign of my spring tulips.

So here is to worship, may it bring to me these next six months all that I seek in community, companionship and direction.

Peanut Turns One

When you work in the NICU you get to make life long friends. Not just with the fabulous women you work with but with the patients and their families who's lives you get to change. 

We see a lot of struggle, a lot of tears and a lot of sadness. So when we get the opportunity to celebrate we go all out! One of my favorite NICU grads is turning one this week. When his mommy said she wanted to have a celebration with his hospital friends, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to put my party planning skills to work. 

This birthday is a big deal. When peanut was born almost 15 weeks early he weighed only 1 pound and was 12 inches long. He went through more in his first week of life, including losing his sweet brother, than I have in all of my 25 years. He is truly a miracle. 

Theme: Dogs. Duh, what did you expect? 

These cupcakes were adorable and delicious!

Birthday boy, not so thrilled with the hat that I hand crafted for him :/ 

Not too sure about the cupcake either....

"Mom, where'd the frosting go?!?"

Peanut and some of his favorite NICU nurses :)

Happy Birthday Peanut, you've touched my life more than I ever could have imagined. I look forward to watching you grow for many years to come. 

To Church or Not to Church

I've been church shopping. "But Rachel," you say, "You've lived here for 2 years, what is taking you so long to find a church?" Okay peeps, I'm a slacker. I've been unmotivated and plus I slept the first year I was here. No joke. But now it's time. I've decided I need a spiritual family. And somewhere other to go than work and the dog park.

So I've been searching for the right fit. It's taking forever because I only have like one free weekend a month lately. Alas, just when I feel I may have found one I can call home, dilemma comes calling.

They've opened a premium position at work that would require me to work every Saturday and Sunday for the next six months. In return I get a boatload more money. I need the money. I'm tired of eating Ramen and my dog's ribs are showing. JK, don't call animal cruelty on me.

So the decision I have to make is, do I put my church family on hold for six more months to earn some extra money? This is the audience participation portion of the show, leave your comments below.

I'm stumped. Please help me unstump myself.

Tricks, Tees and Tiles

H-A-Double L-O-W-Double E-N Spells HALLOWEEN!! I so remember this song from the costume parade in the second grade when I dressed as a baby. Oh what's that you say? Visual please? Well ok!

This was a big improvement from kindergarten Halloween....all I remember is being dressed as a princess and being late for school, not sure if I missed the bus or what. But my Dad dropped me off and I was just sobbing because I was late, pounding on the class room door for them to let me in. Funny how it's the trauma we remember so many years later.....

Anyways....time for DIY Kitchen Floor Update. ATTENTION other DIY's thinking about attempting this project. TURN BACK NOW! I will never tile anything again. Period. I just hope the next time I feel crafty I will be able to return to this moment in which my body is in agony from the physical labor. I've never worked so hard in my life.

Here is the before shot:

Doesn't look so bad you say? Well I hate it. And it's gone now so keep it to yourself.

DAY 1: DEMO=A Biotch

I started using an ax until the tiles on the ceiling in the basement below the kitchen began to shake. For fear of having to retile the basement shower I quickly switched over to hammer and crow bar. This took twice as long, was twice as painful and half as gratifying.

Total time to demo floor: 5 hours

Total time to remove fridge from Kitchen through tiny doorway so that demo could begin: 4 hours

After demo I couldn't feel my body. So I went to bed a 7:30pm. Crying myself to sleep from the pain. 

Day 2: Wonderboard

What is wonderboard you ask? It's a cement board that you're supposed to lay under tile to keep the tile from moving and cracking from the changes in weather. In other words....it's a pain in the rear end. It is definitely NOT wonderful. False claim. It's heavy and bulky and it shreds your hands and safety gloves to pieces. But being the amazing DIY'er I am, I got it done. 

Day 3: TILE

I got the day off work so I could lay tile. Of course after day 2 I was too exhausted to lay tile and again went to bed far too early. And apparently I was so excited to be making progress I forgot to take pictures of the tile laying process. Things got a little tricky around the edges. Nothing a power tile saw rental from the Home Depot couldn't fix though. So here is the tile all laid. 

Day 4: Grout

Grouting was the most fun. Maybe it's because it was the last thing?? I mixed the grout in the dark in my driveway with all the neighbors watching me with my safety glasses and gas mask. Yes, grout powder causes cancer. Here we are post grout. 

It's a little dirty still, final pictures to come in future post. I think I'll just go lay on my new, clean tile. And maybe lick it. JK, or am I? 

And here is a little Halloween Treat from my black labbies "happily" sporting their Halloween Tees. 

In honor of Halloween, do us all a favor and go out and adopt a BLACK dog or cat. They are the last to go at the shelter as I'm learning in my first week of volunteering. If you can look past the black dog hair they make an excellent family. 

What will we be doing tonight? Hiding inside pretending we aren't home because post tile project I have $12.00 in my bank account. Sorry kids, candy just wasn't in the budget this year. 

Happy Halloween!