Friday's FIVE!

The Magic Elf!!!

First Christmas Shoes

Baby's First Christmas

From my childhood Christmas Tree

Bruce's First ornaments

Katie, Phil, Tyler and Trevor... and Betsy and Debbie gathered with Bruce and I this weekend... for an evening of laughing and Holiday cheer. We had a wonderful time together eating snacks and drinking Asti and Beer... and decorating the tree together. It is the first time since Christmas of 2001 that the girls have helped decorate the tree - and we had so much fun looking at all of the ornaments and remembering the special events or memory that each ornament holds. Our tree is full of memento's - items from vacations and special events. The tree has Baby shoes, the pin to my first sailboat, handmade ornaments and school and sunday school projects, items from vacations and travels ... if it is a trinket - and it is special to me....it usually goes on our Christmas tree. This weeks Friday FIVE! is a tribute to five of my FAVORITE ornaments that are on the tree -

~~~~~~~~~

1. The Magic Elf - This was on my mothers Christmas Tree when she was a child. It is kept in a special glass case when it is not on the tree. It is a magic elf...that watches all children and reports to Santa Claus... the elf comes to life when he is placed on the tree... "tinkle, tinkle, tinkle ...IT's MAGIC".... The elf is always the last ornament to be placed on the tree...and the story is told while sitting around the tree every year. My adult daughters humored me... with their spouses this weekend...and let me tell the story the of the 'Magic Elf' once again. We laughed and laughed and they told stories of the times that they would be arguing in the living room - in front of the Christmas tree... and they would suddenly stop and say... "Wait, we better take this argument to the dining room because we don't want the magic elf to 'see' us fight"... It's a fun tradition...

~~~~~~~~~

2. Baby's First Christmas Shoes - I have both of the girls first Christmas Shoes tied with red ribbons on the tree. Katie's are white patent leather and Betsy's are black patent leather and they were both bought at 'Resnecks' in downtown Marion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. Baby's First Christmas - that carefully hold newborn photos of the girls. Tyler was especially tickled to look at those photos and compare them to his new brother. He laughed and teased his mother and his aunt about their 'chubby' cheeks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. Glitter Bird - This is an ornment that was on my childhood Christmas tree - we had several of them and they were purchased at the 'Ayres Glittershop' in Downtown Indianapolis. I loved these birds when I was a little a girl - and I love that I still have one on my tree.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. Bruce's First Ornament - The first Christmas Bruce and I spent together was 2001 - it was the Christmas we became engaged. It was an exciting Christmas - but the transitions were difficult for all of us. I felt bad for Bruce because the Christmas tree was full of memories... of our family....he didn't have any ornaments on the tree. We remedied that by getting him a 'personalized' snowman and bicycle ornament for the tree. Eight Christmases later, and now he also has eight years of memories on the tree ... including a Hilly Hundred wristband, paper umbrellas from our wedding in Key West, a Fishing boat from Matlacha - and many other mementos from our travels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Honorable Mention -

"The Heavenly Host' ... the top of our tree doesn't have a single angel ... there are many angels on our tree and they all gather at the top ... the last three angels to go on the tree belong to Katie, Betsy and me. Katie's is a handmade angel ornament from a Church Bazaar, Betsy's is from her babyshower flower arrangement and mine is another ornament that was on my childhood tree - it is a little angel with a wax head that was 'my' angel as a child - and it was also an Ayres Glittershop purchase.

Our Christmas tree holds many, many memories...and many, many ornaments... and while it isn't a 'designer' tree or a 'theme' tree... and the ornaments aren't all perfect, store bought treasures....but home-made items, mementos and trinkets that mean something to all of us. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful tree in the whole world!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL!!!!

Trimming the Tree!

Reading a Christmas tag with childhood writing ... that stays on my tree

Hanging the magic elf

Telling the story of the magic elf... 'tinkle, tinkle, tinkle....IT'S MAGIC!

Friday's FIVE!

Its Thanksgiving week! This week I'll focus on five of my favorite things about Thanksgiving ... Over the years - I've celebrated Thanksgiving in many different ways and many different places. This year -the girls are going to their in-laws.., and my brother lives in San Antonio - so Bruce and I are going to pick up dinner at Meshingomesia Country Club and take it to Moms. Bruce and Mom and I will gather together and give thanks for all the wonderful things in our life!

Bruce and I will then travel to Carmel to gather with his family in the late afternoon. While I keep a gratitude journal - and I do try to focus on gratitude ... I also enjoy the tradition of the holiday!!! Five of my Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions...

1.PUMPKIN PIE!!! My Mom's Pumpkin Mom is the best Pumpkin Pie in the world - and I LOVE Pumkin Pie!!!!

2. I can still hear my Daddy saying... "My, my, my, my, my" ... and that means "OH MAN...this is really good food and I'm so full I can't hardly stand it..." I miss my Daddy.

3. Bruce is one of 7 siblings... and getting a word (or an elbow) in edgewise is always challenge. The excitement - and the closeness of his large family is a lot of fun. A large family is something I always wanted to be a part of...and now, I am!

4. I love doing the cooking - and hosting the dinner. When the kids were young - we would alternate years with George and Dubie and Mom and Dad.... and when it was the Fennimore year, I would often cook. I have hosted once since Bruce and I have married - and I'm looking forward to many more! I love to get out my china and my crytal ... I love to cook the traditional turkey and the trimmings...and I love to see my kids satisfied faces at the end of the meal!

5. What would Thanksgiving be without .... The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!! I love it...

The bands - the floats... the Broadway musicals, the Rockettes and SANTA CLAUS!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU!!!

Winter on the way...

Fall migration brought a flock of chubby Bufflehead to enjoy the foggy quiet of the lake this morning. The stillness of the lake after a new fallen snow is such a peaceful place! This week, we had our first snow... and this morning the snow on the adirondacks and the paddle boat are reminders of the season ahead of us...with memories of the seaon behind us. I do enjoy the snow... and the season that it brings. I love the holidays and the time spent with family and friends at warm winter gatherings. It won't be long, and we'll be trimming the tree!!!

Batten Down the Hatches!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.... and I do enjoy a cozy winter evening with a fire in the fireplace...wearing sweaters and fuzzy slippers - but it is the warm weather and summer fun that warms my veins - the season I truly look forward to during the entire cold winter months. Today we put the mast down on the Hobie and Bruce put it on the trailer for winter. Sail on Sailor - Summer will be back soon!

Friday's FIVE!

Job's Daughters is an organization of young women between the ages of 10 and 20 who are related to a Master Mason - My mother was a past Honored Queen for Jobs Daughters - and her father was Master Mason, so it was only natural for me to consider Jobs Daughters as a pre-teen. It was customary for an officer of Jobs Daughters and a Guardian to visit your home when you expressed an interest in joining the Bethel. It was Nicki Ball and her mother that visted my house that day. Nicki was a pretty, popular high school cheerleader - and I wanted to be just like her. Little did I know at that time, that Nicki would be one of the closest friends I have ever had - my 'Best Bud' , my "BB" as we have referred to each other.

Nicki and I have kids close to the same age - and we were involved in several organizations together, it was only natural that we would be connected. We became very close though when we also became neighbors - we were neighbors in Marion and neighbors at the lake. My kids call her "Aunt Nicki" - Our families spent a lot of time together.., and Nicki and I shared recipes and entertaining ideas ... and Saturday afternoons. When my 25 year marriage ended, Nicki was my true, unconditional... stand beside me...listen to me cry, hold my hand friend. When I moved from my family home - she understood my grief... When I married Bruce, she shared my happiness...and when I moved from Marion - other than my family, it was Nicki I missed the most.

Today - Nicki still lives in Marion ... but we have remained BB's in spite of the distance.... Nicki and I spend hours painting or working glass at the Pottery Bayou - we email ... we talk... we text... We share laughs...we share tears ... and we share joy...Nicki is my forever friend!

This week on November 12th, Nicki celebrated her birthday...it was also Kent, her husbands birthday...and their wedding anniversary - So - in honor of my BB, who is also an amazing cook -

This weeks Friday FIVE! is five of "Aunt Nicki's" recipes that have become family favorites!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. AUNT NICKI'S PASTA SALAD

12-16 Oz cooked and drained Pasta

1 8oz bottle Italian Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing

3 oz pkg. sliced Pepperoni

1 1/4 C Sliced black olives

1 small sliced red onion

1C chopped green, red and yellow pepper

1/4C chopped fresh parsley

1/2 - 3/4 C shredded parmesan cheese

Combine ingredients and refrigerate

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2.HOT ARTICHOKE DIP

A Family Holiday Favorite!

1C grated fresh parmesan cheese

3/4 C Mayonnaise

1 C Chopped/Drained Artichoke Hearts

Bake in a shallow pan - 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ROLLS

2 Loaves frozen bread, slightly thawed

Chopped Pecans

1 Pkg instant Butterscotch Pudding

1 C Melted Butter

1 C Brown Sugar

Slice bread into 1" thick rounds. Sprinkle pecans into a lightly greased 13X9 pan

Place bread on top of Pecans

Stir melted butter and brown sugar over low heat until sugar melts

Pour over bread and cover with wax paper and towel over night

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool 15 minutes and invert on platter to serve

Sprinkle with dry pudding over bread

(Bruce LOVES this recipe!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. NICKI'S SUMMER SALAD

Known to us now as (Katie's Wedding Salad)

1-2 Bunches Romaine

1 pt. sliced strawberries

1/2 med sweet onion, thinly sliced rings

1/2 c slivered almonds

1/3 C Sugar

1 T Butter

Melt Sugar and butter until carmelized over med heat, stir in almonds until coated.

Pour onto wax paper and crush when cooled

DRESSING

3/4 C Hellmans Mayo

1/4 C Milk

2 T poppy seed

1/3 C white sugar

2T Raspberry Vinegar

Combine Romaine, strawberries & onions. Top with crushed almond candy and toss with dressing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. CHRISTMAS MORNING HASHBROWN CASSEROLE

Combine 1 C Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/2 tsp salt

Cook 1/4 finely chopped onion in 1 T butter until translucent

Add to cheese mixture

Fold in 1/2 C Sour Cream and 1 Can Cream of Chicken soup

Combine mixture with 4 1/2 C frozen O'Brien Potatoes with red and green pepper

Top with 3 C crushed potatoe chips tossed in 1/4C butter

Place into 9X13 pan and bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 50-55minutes

(I had to call Katie for this recipe, and she said to me "This recipe is on one of my most treasured pieces of paper - Aunt Nicki gave me this paper with her handwritten Christmas morning recipes and a Christmas morning timeline...I truly cherish it")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Honorable Mention -

GRADUATION APRICOT SALAD

2 3oz pkg Orange Jello

1 C boiling water

1 16 oz can apricots, peeled, drained and mashed

2 jars baby food apricots

1 pint sour cream

Disolve jello in boiling water, add baby food and apricots to jello.

Whip sourcream until smooth, spray mold with PAM. Pour into mold and chill overnight.

Nicki made this for Katie's High School graduation open-house and Katie wanted to make sure this recipe was included, as it is one of her very favorites!

Friday's FIVE!

President-elect, Barack Obama - November 4, 2008

Grant Park - Chicago ... very near Betsy's neighborhood

Barack Obama Rally in Marion, IN April 2008 -

(Mike Morgan on the bottom left, Katie's father-in-law. Katie's head in the left bottom corner....)

Katie clapping just under Barack Obama's right hand at the Barack Obama rally in Marion, IN

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week, in a historic election.... Barack Obama, Senator from Illinois - is the first African American to be elected President of our nation. It was a fierce battle from the Primary election - as Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton for the democrat nomination - and then on to the general election where Barack Obama/Joe Biden beat the John McCain/Sara Palin Republican ticket with 365 electoral votes. It was an exciting election with a strong focus on 'Change'...

Below are 5 other significant Presidential elections in my lifetime...

~~~~~~~~~~

1960 - I was only 2 years old and I don't remember the election - however, it was the election of John F. Kennedy (D) against Richard Kennedy (R) It was significant because I do remember vividly where I was when the beloved "camelot" president was assissinated in Dallas, TX on Nov. 22, 1963. I was in my family room just home from Kindergarten - playing with Kim Blaugher - my lifetime friend and schoolmate...when the Special News Bulletin came on the TV. I remember my Mom crying... I knew it was significant... and it remains one of the pivotal historical events that Baby Boomers still remember and discuss... along with the first man on the moon, the space shuttle disaster and 9/11.

~~~~~~~~~~

1968 - I was 10 years old... and the 1968 Presidential election included the assissination of demoncratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy - the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Demonstrations against the Vietnam War and race riots across the nation - that hit home when our family lumber business burned to the ground as a result of racial tension and arsonists.

Richard Nixon (R) won over Hubert H. Humprey (D) and Gov. George Wallace (I).

~~~~~~~~~~

1976 -The United States presidential election of 1976 followed the resignation of President Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate Scandal. Gerald Ford, the republican candidate -was appointed Vice President in 1973 when Vice President Spiro Agnew was forced to resign following conspiracy charges. Vice President Ford became President in 1974 when Richard Nixon resigned after the Watergate Scandal. It was my first election - I was 18 and I voted for Gerald Ford to be elected president - however, he remains the only president to serve without ever being elected. Jimmy Carter won the election over Gerald Ford by a narrow margin.

~~~~~~~~~~

1984 - Incumbent President Ronald Reagan/Vice President George Bush won with 525 electoral votes, the highest ever recieved by a presidential candidate, following a strong economic recovery from the recession of the early 80's. The election is memorable for me though, because Walter Mondale the democrate nominee appointed the first female Vice Presidential nominee - Geraldine Ferrara. As a young adult woman, I was baby boomer raised in a home with a stay at home mother... with most of my friends working full time - it was truly a time when it seemed equality for women was making strides!

~~~~~~~~~~

2000 - Vice-President Al Gore (D) vs. George W. Bush, son of the former president George H.W.Bush. This is memorable for all of us because of the now famous 'hanging chads'...

Chad were made infamous in the highly contentious during this election where a majority of Florida votes used punch card ballots. Incompletely-punched holes resulted in partially-punched chad, where all corners were still attached, but an indentation appears to have been made. These votes were not counted by the tabulating machines, resulting in a Florida recount.

The outcome of the election was not known for more than a month after the balloting ended because of the extended process of counting and then recounting Florida's presidential ballots.

On January 6, 2001 - George Bush was declared the narrow winner of the electoral vote - although Al Gore carried the popular vote.

Happy Birthday, Charmayne!

I believe it was the summer of 1973...Epworth Forest, North Webster ... Senior High Institute -
I was a member of First United Methodist Church, but I attended New Hope United Methodist Youth Group with my neighbor and my friend, Teena... New Hope was a small Methodist Church, so we had to share our camp cabin with kids from another small church. Charmayne Lankenau was a member of Hanfield youth group. We became fast friends that week - and embarked on a friendship that would last a lifetime.
Fast forward to December of 1974 - Charmayne and I had gone to a favorite gathering place for teens/young adults. She introduced me to her brother, Bruce. Bruce and I were both very attracted to each other - and less than a week later, on Christmas night... we went out on our first date. We dated on and off for almost a year... and then we each went our own directions - but my friendship with Charn didn't waiver. We remained very close friends....
Charmayne was in my wedding party when I married Steve. When Charmayne began her career as a Realtor - her first home sale was to Steve to I... our house on Koldyke Drive.
Life went forward... we both had children...busy careers... grandchildren.... etc. etc. etc.
Charmayne was always one of my dearest friends... a confidant that I trust completely....
I always knew she would be a friend for life - but at that time, I never dreamed that we would also one day become family. Today Charmayne is still one of my dearest - closest friends....my lifetime friend....and now she is also my sister-in-law!
I'm so thankful for her - and the entire Lankenau family...
My family, the Lankenau family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARMAYNE!
I love you!