Nina beana's (real) 7th birthday!

I remember Nina's birth well. She was my tiniest baby and though she has grown in height this year, she is still as light as a feather. She must have hollow bones. We were talking about how dogs resemble owners the other day...why does this topic always come up at our house? Nina's favorite dog is a chihuahua. She got one for Christmas. It wags its tail and barks and was her second favorite Christmas gift after her locket with Zig and I inside. Chi Chi wore one of the American girl doll's dresses to church with us on Sunday. Nina loves this dog already. And really, a chihuahua is so Nina. It's wiry, spunky, quick, jumpy, and a ball of nervous and excited energy. Chihuahuas are often seen with sparkly accessories, rhinestone dog tags, and fancy little sweaters. Nina is all that and some more. I also think of chihuahuas as a little self-interested, and I mean that in the kindest way. Nina is often worried about getting her fair share of time, love, special outings, gifts, chocolate, etc. She is a middle child for sure.She is the spark and twinkle in our family. We love you, Nina! Life would be dull without you!


Nina and ChiChi


7 years old!! She rushed to put on her dangle earrings when she heard we were going out to dinner.

Wait, is this ALL for ME?
 
Would you kiss that face??

Nina had lots of loves for everyone.

Zig's mom, Tina.

Happy Birthday, little bean!

Christmas Eve

We had a quiet little Christmas this year. Zig's mom was visiting which was a wonderful treat, but we missed seeing the rest of our families. We really missed the cousins this year.The girls and I delivered the last of the neighbor gifts which  left us feeling even more of the Christmas spirit, if that is even possible on Christmas Eve. We have several older couples on our road whom we very much look forward to visiting at Christmastime. The girls sang  to everyone who was home and my favorite was our visit to Judy. She is a widow who lives a few houses down. I'm guessing she's at least 75. Her house, lawn, barns are always immaculate. She has a cute little farm house and some beautiful horses. As we were walking toward her house in the pitch black night, we saw her walking across the lawn to her barn. I stood back and the girls went on down there a few minutes later. I heard them start singing and then she came and brought them into the barn. They said she was first startled and then said to her horses "look we have some visitors!" The girls went inside to see the horses and to give her her goodies. They were very excited when they rejoined me at the road. We headed back home to finish our Christmas Eve dinner.

I think I've mentioned before how much I love pumpkins and gourds. When it came time to bid farewell to the fall decorations, I just couldn't get rid of a few of my favorites....so I spray painted them a muted gold and barn red so they could stick around for Christmas. Kind of silly, I know.

On the menu for Christmas Eve was rosemary red beet soup  (made by Sela), Parmesan crostini, golden crusted brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes, pomegranate citrus salad, grilled salmon, breaded sole and  garlic roasted mushrooms. 


A very pretty soup. I love beets!


A Polish Christmas Eve tradition is the Oplatek, or Christmas wafer. The wafer is just wheat and water and has a Christmas scene embossed on it. Everyone gets their own and then family members break off a small piece of the opłatek wafer and give it to one another along with a blessing. I love this tradition for its simplicity and sweetness. We all enjoyed exchanging wishes and hopes for health and happiness with each other.














Then the girls sang and Rollin put on a  show.








Evan was with us in spirit. He went to bed before we were finished preparing dinner. 

Later in the evening the kids opened their Christmas ornaments for 2010. Rollin's was a shark because he has been absolutely mad about sharks this entire year. He's seen every shark documentary out there and loves Jaws. It was not easy finding a shark ornament but I finally located one 2 days before Christmas. It was super cute and had big teeth (important). It also a purse (wierd) but I removed it. Sela received this ornament for trying so many new and unfamiliar things this year. Nina received this ornament for becoming such a wonderful and dedicated little reader. And Evan received this one, because this is exactly how he snuggles.

I started wrapping gifts and preparing for Christmas Day at midnight and closed up shop at 2:45am. Luckily Zig's younger brother, Martin, overnighted us some delicious sticky buns from Williams Sonoma which took care of a festive Christmas Breakfast and allowed me to sleep in just a bit the next morning. The kids woke up around 8. Thank you, children!

rockin' the double chin

ooh, evie, I want a dozen of you (don't tell Daddy I said that...heart attacks do run in his family!)

to the carousel we go

We headed to downtown Seattle early this week to ride the carousel and do a few other holiday activities. Zig's mom is here for the week and we've had a great time enjoying the kids and their excitement as each day leaves us one day closer to Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year!


Outside the EMP.
















Pretty window displays

One of these two children, and not the one you would expect, was embracing her inner two-year old at one point during the day. She even tried to bite Zig when he picked her up, but bummer, she has no teeth. This frustrated her even more. Oh Nina, we love you!


Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont


Nina thought it would be pretty dreamy to reside in the Teddy Bear Suite.I was just waiting for the "Mom, I wish we didn't give away all our teddy bear stuffed animals!"

an early breakfast

goodies

Lots of baking going on around here this week. Want a cookie?


Glitter Balls with Ginger Butter Cream Filling


Triple Ginger Cookies


Peppermint Bark


Lemon Glazed Candied Ginger Cookies

Spiced Candied Nuts and more Peppermint Bark

There are still tons more I'm dying to try in the Martha Stewart Cookies Magazine. I don't bake typical treats for the most part during the year, but in December I unleash the beast throw caution to the wind. This is only a sampling of what we've made! My body has been craving kale for the past few days. Time to come down from the sugar cloud.

The Best Candied Nuts!

Sugar-and-Spice Candied Nuts

Adapted from Elizabeth Karmel of Hill Country
1/3 cup dark-brown sugar
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt (I might up this by a 1/2 tsp. next time for more of a sweet/salty balance)
1/4 teaspoon of hot smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon of chipotle powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pound walnut or pecan halves or whole peeled hazelnuts
1 egg white, room temperature
1 tablespoon water
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix sugars, salt, cayenne, and cinnamon, making sure there are no lumps; set aside. Beat egg white and water until frothy but not stiff. Add walnuts, and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated. Spread sugared nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven, and separate nuts as they cool. When completely cool, pour the nuts into a bowl, breaking up any that stick together.

Nina's Littlest Bakeshop Party

We had Nina's birthday party early this year because December 28th is a tough time to find friends in town. Last year Sela had a big birthday bash and this year was Nina's turn to celebrate with lots of friends. We all decided that alternating years on the friend parties would allow for other fun adventures with family or a friend or two on the "off" years. Last year I had planned to do a baking party for Nina but it kept getting pushed back because of Christmas and other things. She ended up having a small surprise dinner and movie with our good friends and I shelved the idea for a future date. Anyway, there was no stopping the Littlest Bakeshop this year! Nina loves a party and to be surrounded by friends...and treats, of course. Sela was a huge help setting things up and assisting the little bakers. We had a great time and it was so fun celebrating Nina style!



Finally, my party is here!


Sela painted the cupcake sign for the door. It later became a "pin the cherry on the cupcake" game.


After getting suited up in their darling aprons made by my Mom (thank you a hundred times, Mom!!), the bakers decorated chef's hats.




Sam wasn't too crazy about a flower hat so we scrambled for the owl stamps and just look at how color-coordinated he is!


Crowd surfing


Sela kept everyone entertained with games while we set up for the next treat.


my sweet boy
Sela keeping an eye on the chocolate


the job has its benefits




It was so fun to have Lisa there to help me. 

cupcakes





The mini- pie station. I was so excited to find some of these recipes on a party planning site a couple weeks before the party. This pie idea was my favorite!


cranberry-apple pies


Happy Birthday dear Nina!


Nina wanted Sela to sing a solo. She sang a very silly version of Happy Birthday. Wish I would have videoed it!




the goodie box before we packaged them all up


Nina and Cuppy


Nina and Carly

Nina and Micah

Sela got a new haircut (and highlights :O) for her birthday. She was extra happy about her new do.


Happy Birthday Nina!