Streusel Coffee Cake for Breakfast

Moist, buttery, and packed inside and out with brown sugar streusel, this coffee cake is as versatile as it is delicious. You can keep individually wrapped slices in the freezer ready to pop in a brown bag lunch for school, a hike, or a holiday road trip. The recipe itself is short and sweet, but it's still a great one for aspiring bakers, with lots of measuring, mixing, and other fun cooking jobs.

Cinnamon Crunch Topping

1 1/2 cups pecans or walnuts

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Sour Cream Cake

2 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 3/4 cups sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

Sweet Glaze

1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons milk

Method:

Butter a 9- by 13-inch cake pan. Dust the pan with flour and remove the excess by turning the pan upside down and tapping the bottom. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. To prepare the Cinnamon Crunch Topping, first coarsely chop the nuts, or have your child put them in a rsealable plastic bag and lightly tap them with a rolling pin to break them into pieces. Then combine the nuts, brown sugar, flour, and until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. To make the Sour Cream Cake, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set it aside. Using an electric mixer, preferably a large stand mixer, cream the butter on medium-high speed, gradually adding the sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract and blend briefly. Whisk together the sour cream and milk. Mix about a third of the mixture into the creamed ingredients until smooth. Then blend in about a third of the flour mixture. Continue alternately beating in the liquid and dry ingredients by thirds. Spread half the batter in the prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle half the topping on it, pressing it lightly into the batter. Spread the remaining batter evenly over the topping. Then cover that layer with the remaining topping. Bake the coffee cake on the center oven rack for about 40 minutes, until nicely browned. A toothpick inserted at the center should come out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool completely. For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and milk in a large bowl and whisk until smooth and suitable to drizzle. If needed, you can make the glaze thinner or thicker by adding a little more milk or sugar, respectively. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze on the cooled coffee cake. Makes 12 or more servings.

The Fantastic Five

Holiday Greetings to the family from David, Bree, Erin and Donovin. 

We are planning on spending Christmas up in Nephi and the kids are really looking forward to seeing Grandma and Grandpa so soon again. 

The Family had a wonderful time Thanksgiving and really enjoyed seeing everyone they did and missed every one who was not there.

David is doing very well at his new job, and is now working a regular Monday through Friday week so he has his weekends with the kids. 

Bree is progressing well in treatment and is planning on staying as long as it takes. AnnMarie is familiar with the program she is in and says it is really one of the best in the State. They use a cognitive approach, changing how people think, instead of trying to just change their behavior. 

The kids are really missing mom, but she talks to them every day, so they know she is still there for them. David has made a heroic effort in filling up the void not having mom here has left. He loves being a dad and is very good at it. Lucky for us all, change is a constant state in the universe, and, every now and then in even goes in the right direction. Right now it is going in the right direction for the St. George Four.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Scandinavian Christmas Cake

(This was a favorite when I used to make desserts from other countries for Cultural Refinement lessons in Relief Society. Julie says it is like a cake that she had in Russia.)

Scandinavian Christmas Cake (Iceland/Denmark/Sweden)
Ingredients for Cake:
1 c butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla flavorings
4 c shifted flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c milk
Cream butter until soft; gradually add sugar. Continue mixing until very creamy. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Sift flour with baking powder and salt; add alternately with milk to butter mixture. The dough should be firm but not stiff; it can be chilled for easy handling. Divide dough into seven equal portions. Roll each portion out thinly (about 1/4-Inch) on upside-down pan; trim edges. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly brown at the edges. Remove from oven; slide cake off bottom of pan. Cool on wire rack. Repeat until all seven layers are baked. The layers can be baked on parchment or waxed paper which has been placed on a cookie sheer. Layers will be hard like a butter cookie. Spread a generous amount of filling between layers. If desired, drizzle glaze on top and let run over the edges. Yield: 14 servings.

Filling:
Use apricot, raspberry or plum jam
Glaze (Glaze is optional):
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
Place powdered sugar in a bowl. Melt the butter. Pour into sugar. Add other ingredients and mix until smooth. Drizzle over top of layered cake.

OR may make the filling as follows:
2 lb dried prunes
1 c sugar
1/2 tsp cardamom seed (optional)
1 tsp vanilla flavoring
1/4 tsp salt
Cover prunes with water. Cook until tender; drain, reserving 1/2-cup liquid. Remove pits; put prunes through grinder or cut into fine pieces. Add prune liquid, sugar and cardamom seed to prunes. Cook until filling is as thick as jam. Cool; add vanilla and salt.

The Old Folks At Home

Thanksgiving was quite wonderful. It was filled with my favorite things: food and family. And yes, I do like the noise of family talking all at once and of kids playing. We had visits from David, Bree, Barbara, Erin and Donovin. Eric, Amy and family, AnnMarie, Brandon and family, Julie, Jim and girls, Siovhan and Amy J’s parents. It was a good time.

Usually Jim and Julie spend that holiday in Idaho so it was nice that they were here. It was nice to have some in-law folks to enjoy. That made the day even brighter. Of course, when you eat at my house you work yourself to death. Barbara made the pumpkin pies and

worked all day helping Dad and I get things ready. Amy made fruit salad, her mom made the yams (and helped clean up afterward), AnnMarie made the rolls, and Julie made apple and chocolate pies. YUM! It was all good.

Just before Thanksgiving, Howard and Siovhan drove down to Nephi for a short visit. We really enjoyed the visit and were glad to see Howard again. It was so nice that he could fly here to Utah to spend time with Siovhan.

We also had a great time at Toren’s baptism. Gramps and Grammy had the privilege of giving baptism talks. It was great to see Toren take the step of choosing baptism. He was happy about it but had become sick with a sore throat just that day. Shawn and LHT gave him a blessing prior to leaving for church. It worked and he felt better so he could enjoy his special day. The Howard’s, Joneses, Siovhan and LHT and Myrna Rae all gathered and had turkey at Shawn’s and Kimberly’s afterward.

I have always loved Christmas! It seems like the perfect way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ—in the dead of winter when there is little else to be joyous about. We have been told that the Savior was actually born in April, the same month (33-years later) that he died. But the dead of winter is when some of us need something to celebrate and something to look forward to. It isn’t just because I was born in December, it is because of the Christmas Spirit that fills the hearts of all Christians (and some who are not). The reason that I think the month needs a celebration is because it is always so very cold and, unlike the Trauntvein family, I have never liked being cold and would never, on purpose, choose to be outside on a chilly day. I have, from time to time, been persuaded by one of you to indulge in a winter activity. I enjoy being with the family but I am always glad to be back indoors where it is warm. I have no idea where I got this dislike of being cold from because I don’t remember any relatives who complained about being outside making snowmen and throwing snowballs and having a great time. I didn’t like getting on a hay wagon to go caroling either. I was always just persuaded by peer pressure to participate. No one else minds the cold. Just me. Maybe I am really an alien. Maybe my story about my guardian angel getting directions mixed up and eaving me in Utah instead of Hawaii is really true.

I wonder if Garth remembers the time when Santa came to the community center in Price in the evening. It was dark but was probably just 6 or 7 p.m. Anyway, we stood in a long line and I complained all the way there. Garth was happy with the candy, a bag full, and an orange and peanuts, but I was COLD and I did not want to do the Santa wait the next year. “Please don’t make me go!” I preferred the Christmas

community carol sing. It was indoors. So I haven’t changed, have I? By the way, this year, in Nephi, the kids got oranges and fruit roll-ups. Somebody was more interested in health than in fun.

Dad, however, is a snowperson in clothes. When we first moved to Nephi, our neighbor, Joey Olpin, came to our house and brought a jacket of her husband’s to give to Dad. I told her that he had a jacket, he just didn’t wear it. I actually had to show her the jackets in the hall closet. “Then tell him to wear one for me,” she said. She said that watching him shovel snow in his shirtsleeves was too much to expect of anyone. It made her cold just to watch him. He didn’t repent, however, now he wears a coat but he didn’t back then and he really did have three or four.

Dad remembers sledding, throwing snowballs and playing outdoors for hours. I guess that is why he always talked me into the tubing excursion every year. That and the fact that I wanted all of you kids to be normal and not like me. The best part was watching you all have fun in the snow. The very best part was having hot chili and hot chocolate afterwards. Oh, and you can all tell stories about going to cut down our very own tree. Let’s see, there was the time one of you fell down the mountain with the tree. Wait, that was Dad. I know there were other misadventures. Now my joy is my fake tree. Dad just gets it out of the box and puts it back in the box. No cold, no sneezing (from fir-fever), just green tree today and boxed tomorrow. I did do the tree thing all by myself one year. That was the year that Dad was in the hospital after having his gallbladder removed. I did the whole thing. I even got it in the stand. Of course, I remember that Shawn, Melanie, Todd and Eric were helpers also. AnnMarie was just a baby. She had been born in May and it was December. That would have made her 8-months old. Aunt Renee and Uncle Max came up to Provo and watched you kids during the surgery. They took you to Richard’s apartment. Grandpa Trauntvein sat with me at the hospital. Grandma Trauntvein was sick herself and had her gallbladder removed a short time later. Dad did get to be home for Christmas but he was still not feeling well.

I have always, at least since I was a girl, loved the carol/poem below. In those days of girlhood when I had hoped to be a poet/artist/dancer, I learned to enjoy the work of Longfellow. Grandmother Smith, Aunt Renee, Dad and Mom Edna had all learned works of his in school in the “old days” when people actually had to memorize poems. I did not know, however, that there was a bit about the Civil War included in the poem. Remember when we visited Longfellow’s home when we were on our 1976 trip? It was a U.S.D.A. property. I was in awe then—I was actually in the same place one of my writing heroes had lived. It is across the street from the LDS chapel. In fact, the church is built on property that once belonged to Longfellow when he was alive.

Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The Carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;

‘For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’_

Then pealed the bells more loud and

deep:

‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Henry Wardsworth Longfellow

The Magnificent Seven

This is a very busy time of year for the Howards (as well as everyone else). We are preparing for a violin concert, a band concert, two choir concerts, a dance recital, scout activities (cub and new scouts), a YW activity, two ward parties (we have been invited to the old ward as "special guests" for an award of some sort), work parties, ward choir concert, and I am one of the Christmas talks on the 24th. We are all still involved in all of the regular things such as school, piano, violin, dance, scouts, etc. So far we are all healthy and mostly sane. We will see many of you during the holidays.

Christmas Card Game to Make and Play

 A Go fish game using pictures from the nativity including the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the angel, shepherds, wise-men, and more.

Object of the Game: Get the most sets of four to win.

Preparation: You will need eight sets of four cards each for a total of 32 nativity cards. If you have a large family/group print/make two sets and combine them into a larger deck. Christmas items, such as toys, trees and ornaments could be copied from coloring books or from coloring pages to print from an online source. A religious set could be made using drawings of the baby Jesus, wise men and etc.

Deal each player four cards and place the remaining cards face down. Each player takes a turn asking another player for a specific card. (Players can only ask for cards from a set that they already have a card of.) If the person has any cards of that set they must give up all of them to the person who asked for them. If the person doesn't have the card they're being asked for they say, "Keep Trying" and the player then draws a card from the stack and their turn is over. When a player has a complete set of four cards they show the rest of the group and place them in front of them on the table or floor. Play continues until all the cards have been placed down. If a player has no more cards they draw one from the deck. If the deck is gone the person must wait until the game is over. Example: There are three players. Player one has a card with the baby Jesus and asks player three if they have any cards with the baby Jesus. Player three doesn't have any and says, "Keep Trying" player one draws a card. Player two (who also has a card with the baby Jesus) asks player one if they have any, which player one gives to player two. Player two's turn is over. Play continues until all the sets of cards have been placed down. The player with the most sets wins. Notes: You can print the cards on card stock, cut them out, and then laminate them so they will last longer. They're also easier to play with when they're not rough.

For younger children you can remove half the cards (in sets) from the deck and only deal two cards per player.

Christmas Workshop

Star of David

To make a star to hang in a window or on a Christmas tree, you will need: newspapers, acrylic paint, old plastic lid, paintbrush, 6 craft or ice-cream sticks, glue, and string. Cover the workplace with newspapers. Pour some paint into the plastic lid. Paint one side of each stick; let dry. Then paint the remaining sides; let dry. Glue three sticks together to form a triangle; let dry. Repeat with the remaining three sticks. Lay one triangle down. Place the other one, facing in the opposite direction, on top of it, forming a six-pointed star. Glue the two triangles together where they touch; let dry. Attach a piece of string for hanging.

Sandpaper Gingerbread People

To make gingerbread people to decorate packages, cards, or a Christmas tree, you will need: gingerbread people cookie cutters, medium sandpaper, pencil, crayons, a cookie sheet, an oven (use with an adult’s help), and a hole punch and string for hanging (optional). Place the cookie cutter on the back of the sandpaper and trace around it. Repeat until the paper is filled with traced figures, then cut them out. Pushing down hard with the crayons, color the details and decorations on the gingerbread people until the sandpaper barely shows through (see illustration). Place them right side up on the cookie sheet. Ask an older person to heat the oven to 250° F (120° C). When it is heated, place the cookie sheet on the center rack. Keep the oven door open and watch for a few seconds as the crayon melts. Have the older person remove the cookie sheet from the oven, then let your gingerbread people cool. If you are going to hang them, punch a hole near the top of each head and attach a piece of string.

The Runnin’ Utes

Sorina quote, “holy smoke this is good!” In reference to a cherry cordial chocolate she ate this past month. She was helping her mom put together neighbor treats for Christmas and we had a few extra cherry cordial chocolates. She asked to eat one and it must have been her first ever because she really enjoyed it.

Toren quote, “Dane is the one who usually hurts me.” In reference to the Holy Ghost talk Grandpa Trauntvein gave at his baptism. Grandpa had asked him who he went to ask for help when he got hurt. He answered first dad, then mom. Grandpa asked him if went to Brigitta or Dane and he shook his head no and muttered to his dad the above quote.

Dane quote,” I’m as tall as my mom!” Yes, it’s official. When I took him into the doctor, we were both measured and we’re the same height. That means he’ll probably be taller than me by his birthday, because he’s been growing fast.

Brigitta: quote “The soon coming Christmas Picture titled Harmony is not published with the consent of the actress, Brigitta. She is n no way responsible for the outcome. The blame is issued to the photographer and other participants.” That quote was expressed with sincerity from the renowned actress. Please keep this picture out of public view, as the issued photo is a direct assault and should not be tolerated. This month Brigitta has “no comment”, but as her conscience I know the story. On November 22, 2006 she was……NOT GOING TO LET ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THEN!!! MUWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Good luck! Have a nice day!

Kimberly quote, “I am glad to have December 2nd over.” It was a very busy day with a Ward Breakfast, Sorina’s Tea Party and Toren’s Baptism. Toren was sick on his baptism day and he struggled through the day. Grandpa Trauntvein and Dad gave him a blessing just before his baptism and he did really well. It was a wonderful event for him and for the rest of us to attend. We enjoyed the company of the Howard’s, Jones’, Grandparent Trauntvein’s, Siovhan and the Caldwell’s, Wilson’s, Grandma Nonie and many friends. Shawn, well he’s been a little busy trying to get some work done on his class. So, maybe more from him next month.

The Boston Baked Boltons

Okay, so the months don't have any shorter days this year than they did last year, where do those days seem to have disappeared to?

Siovhan spent some fun days with her Dad the week before Thanksgiving. When Howard’s dad, Ken, came over to visit, he would drag Howard to all of Ken’s friend’s homes and Howard would be at the mercy of his dad and his dad’s time. I teased Howard about being just like his father. He kind of got the message and he and Siovhan did a few fun things together, as well as seeing many different people that we have met over the years. Siovhan is gearing up for finals. We hope she does well. Siovhan will be home for a very brief visit this year. She arrives late at night on the 22nd of December and will be arriving in Salt Lake on the evening of the 2nd of January. We will take all the time we are given!

Braden spent several hours with the band at our High School’s Super Bowl. He wasn’t thrilled to spend eight hours (four traveling, four practicing and playing) with the band. He had a good time and was happy that Milford High School’s football team won our Region’s State Football Super Bowl. It was a bright, sunny, but very cold day. He was glad to come home to a warm bed.

Ben is still Ben (aren’t you glad?). He is at times an enigma. He likes to be at school. He loves to ride the bus. He even likes to do school. He still doesn’t understand why they have to have teachers. He and his friends could learn so much more, at their level, if they didn’t have teachers. He is Mr. Social and has many friends.

Mikaela is doing well. She is reaching out to a girl a year older than her and trying to get her to come to church activities with her. It is good to have missionary minded children. It teaches me to come out of my shell. Mikaela spoke in Primary again. She ends up speaking every few weeks. I wondered why that was, and found out that she volunteers. What a good girl!

Howard is on an extensive trip. He has been in Brazil and Chile. He is on his way to Australia, then Shanghai, China. He will be home in time to rest to gear up for the Christmas vacation. Tyco is going through a lot of changes. They are selling off some of their company and will be downsizing. We are awaiting word to find out what will be done with Howard’s job. They are taking one of his employees and moving them to Florida, so Howard will need to hire another person to take that place in the IS department. He looks forward to the changes, where as I am nervous about them..

We hope that you all have a wonderful month and will take the time each day to read some of the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection. Draw close to Him this holiday season and you will be blessed beyond what you can imagine.

Love, The Boston Baked Boltons

Rocky Mountain “Hi!”

November and December were/are great months.

Ryan is recovering well. When we get more than two minutes, we'll upload some pictures and send them to you all.

Kirsten is having a minor surgery on Wednesday, Dec. 7 for scar revisions. Minor deal.

Work is going well for Jared. November and December are always crazy because people are trying to use up what's left of their insurance.

Whitney gets to play Mary in church (her class is doing the nativity for the rest of primary) on Sunday. She is very excited. She also has her first school program on Friday.

Emma is very much looking forward to becoming a Sunbeam. Her class has been able to sit in singing time the past couple weeks.

Tennessee was a lot of fun during Thanksgiving break. Great weather. Pretty trees. We even got to see the Rockettes perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

Oh, by the way, Jared was just made Elder's Quorum President. He's sick and nervous every morning. He's the type that loves one-on-one attention, not oneon-dozens/crowd attention.

So life is good, fun, crazy and stressful.

Happy HOLIDAYS!