Our e-card from Arbree

Your Ecard:  http://www.ecardfunny.com/html/Christmas-Wish-Ecard.html  Arbree also included this message:  We love you!  Erin and Donovin  Trauntvein  ecardfunny.com Funniest Greeting Cards On The Internet.

December newsletter add on‏ from Kimberly

Early December

Oh, how I thought I was prepared for Christmas this year.  I had Sorina shopped and wrapped in October.  The rest of the kids were all pretty much pre-planned, not done, but knowing what I was getting. Easy, piece of cake, really.  Our tree was up the Friday after Thanksgiving.  We had a nice snow storm and nativity and light sighting drive.  Everything was on track for a nice and relaxing holiday.  (Sigh.)  Well, it’s now December 9^th.   Most of my Christmas Village people are headless.  I’m missing a few Santas and Snowmen ($1 Store purchases, mostly) from my collection.  Three of the four new ornaments that were bought for this year were broke before they made it to the tree.  I honestly do not know what happened to the tree, it’s looking pretty sad.  A partial string of lights on the house has gone out.  My Christmas cards are not done.  Sorina has opened three of her presents to date.  One on her own, under my not so watchful eye.  Two with a cousin under Dad’s supervision.  The good thing is that she likes the presents, and will hopefully still like them in a few weeks when she gets to open them again. Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

Hailey Maxine

Disneyland--Shawn Trauntvein Family

If you can't print it let me know. Otherwise, I will just >assume it is OK.

Al wrote: I was unable to open this document. I really enjoy these letters/photo's from you. If you have any suggestions for opening the document I could use them now

Al Pitts

Myrna wrote: My sons, the computer geniuses, tell me that we have to convert it to text.
You lose the type-setting and headings, but it is OK. I'll get back with you when I figure out what they are talking about. Love, M

Todd wrote: What kind of word program do you have on your PC? Word Perfect, MS Office, MS Works?

Todd

Myrna wrote: The photos, once again, are on a CD that I will be mailing with the December newsletter. I am putting both together. Love, M

Christmas Jokes

Christmas joke

Q: Why does Santa Claus go down the chimney on Christmas Eve?

A: Because it " soots " him!

Star Wars Christmas

Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker were having one of their little father and son chats... lightsabers drawn and sparks flying. Vader pinned Luke against a bulkhead and glared into his face, "I know what you're getting for Christmas, Luke," he said, "Ohhh, yes! I know!"

Luke fought himself free and jumped to a higher platform just out of Vader's reach, "How do you know!?" Luke yelled at him, "How do you know what I'm getting for Christmas!?"

Darth Vader shot Luke an icy glare, "The force iswith me... I felt your presents."

Funny Poem for Parents

A parent's night before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house

I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.

Instructions were studied and we were inspired,

In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."

The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,

While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:

A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!

And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!

We opened the boxes; my heart skipped a beat....

Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!

Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;

If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!

When what to my worrying eyes should appear,

But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,

With each part numbered and every slot named,

So if we failed, only we could be blamed.

More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,

All over the carpet they were scattered about.

"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!

Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!

Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."

"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact

That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact

To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night

With "assembly required" till morning's first light.

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,

Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.

The hot chocolate went cold and the night, it wore thin

Before we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest,

We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.

But I said to my husband just before I passed out,

"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,

And not have to run to the store for a thing!

We did it! We did it! The toys are all set

For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,

Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded...

I'd forgotten that batteries are never included!

Favorite Quote for December

"It has always been hard to recognize in fallible human beings the authorized servants of God. Paul must have seemed an ordinary man to many. Joseph Smith's cheerful disposition was seen by some as not fitting their expectations for a prophet of God.

"Satan will always work on the Saints of God to undermine their faith in priesthood keys. One way he does it is to point out the humanity of those who hold them. He can in that way weaken our testimony and so cut us loose from the line of keys by which the Lord ties us to Him." --

Elder Henry B. Eyring,

Story from the Past

When Grandma Smith was a little girl, they used to look forward to an Orange, some peaked chocolates and some hard tack in their Christmas sock each year. Great Great-Grandma Wilson (She was a Pritchett and was Great-Grandpa’s mother. Her first husband was murdered for his money, kept in a wall safe and she remarried.), ran a boarding house and was famed for her cooking. She would usually have the family at her home for Christmas dinner, which Great-Grandmother Mina would help fix. She worked for her mother-in-law in the boarding house.

There were aunts, uncles and cousins at the dinners and there was always a lot of fun and teasing. Grandma Smith had an Aunt Afton, about her age, who was G-G-Grandma Wilson’s youngest child. G-G-Grandma Wilson would always ask Grandma Smith what she wanted for Christmas and then she would get the same thing for both girls. It was, quite often, a doll but could

be something else like a dress or shoes.Whatever, there were always two. They would be different colors, usually, but were always the same gift.

When Grandma Smith was teaching in Idaho those first couple of years, she would remember winters as fun times with fellow teachers. All were single. There were a couple of single guys who liked to come to enjoy desserts at the women’s dorm or apartment. One of the things they liked, when it snowed, was fresh snow which was scooped into a clean dishpan, then served covered with cream, vanilla and sugar. Another favorite was Grandma’s divinity. I have included that recipe this month. Think of how much I loved her when you make it! They also made panache and fudge. Those girls could not have visits beyond a certain time of the night and they must always be all together. Remember, she graduated from Brigham Young Academy in 1910. Times were much different then.

She was a talented dancer as well as a basketball player and track team member. She lettered at BYA and received one of the first block Y’s given to a woman. When she was dancing ballet, she was selected to be one of two girls to dance with the famous Pavlova when she appeared in Provo. She and the other girl were both offered jobs as back-up dancers. The other girl accepted

but G-Grandpa Pritchett would not let her take the offer. The other girl danced for years and then taught ballet in New York City. Grandma Smith went on to graduate and became a teacher. She would wonder, from time to time, what would have happened had she been allowed to

accept. She always ended up saying she wouldn’t change anything so it must have been for the best.

December Candy Recipes

Favorite Caramels (Mrs. Menlove)

4 c sugar

2 c white corn syrup 1/2 tsp salt

1 large can evaporated milk 3 Tbsp vanilla

1 c walnuts, broken into pieces

1 qt whipping cream

Mix sugar, syrup, salt and 2 c cream together. Boil on medium heat and when mixture cooks down, gradually add the rest of the cream. Stir constantly. After mixture cooks down a second time, add a can of milk slowly, while stirring. Cook to a firm ball or 232. Remove from heat, add vanilla and nuts. Pour into greased 1OX14 pan. Let stand 24 hrs and cut into squares. **For chocolate caramels: Add 1 sq baking chocolate when caramels reach 220 or add 4 Tbsp chocolate syrup at the beginning.

Grandma Smith's Foolproof Divinity

3 c granulated sugar

1/2 c light corn syrup

3/4 c water

1/4 c egg whites (or whites of 2 average eggs)

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 c chopped walnuts

Measure carefully and combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan. Cook over low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat and bring to a boiling point. Cover and boil without stirring 3 mins. This avoids crystallization of sugar. Uncover and put the candy thermometer into the mixture. Cook evenly until candy reaches 265 or until a small amount dropped in cold water forms a ball (firm ball stage). Remove from heat. Add salt and vanilla to egg whites. Beat at very high speed until stiff moist peaks form when beater is withdrawn. (Don't over beat--egg whites should not be dry.) Beat in syrup slowly, pouring a thin stream from a height of 1 2-inches. Continue beating (high speed again) until mixture will almost hold its shape but is still glossy. This stage can be tested by allowing a small amount

to run from a spoon into the bowl. Stir in nuts and pour into a pan (7-inches square) lined with wax paper. Or drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. **Chocolate divinity is made by adding 3

squares baking chocolate.

HERSHEY'S COCOA FUDGE (LIKE DAD MAKES)

2/3 c. Hershey's cocoa

3 c. sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. milk

1/4 c. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine cocoa, sugar and salt in a large saucepan (3 quart size). Add milk, gradually mix thoroughly, bring mixture to a "bubbly" boil. On high heat, stirring continuously. Turn control to medium heat and continue to boil this mixture, without stirring, until it reaches a temperature of 236 degrees F. (soft ball stage). Remove saucepan from heat; add butter and vanilla to mixture. DO NOT STIR. Cool at room

temperature to 110 degrees. Set saucepan in cold water to hasten cooling. Beat until fudge thickens and loses some gloss. Pour into greased dish.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth 13-Minute Chocolate Fudge

This is melt-in-your-mouth "hard" fudge - easy enough for kids to make (with appropriate supervision).

2 cups sugar

1/2-cup milk

1-tablespoon golden syrup

1-tablespoon cocoa

1-teaspoon butter

Makes 20 squares

Before beginning get everything ready. This is a time sensitive recipe. Grease or line with foil a cake pan or deep biscuit tray for the finished product to set. Clear the sink and get a handbeater ready. Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan and place over a low-medium heat. Stir until boiling. Boil for 6 minutes - reduce heat to ensure it doesn't boil over, but is still at a rolling boil. Take off heat and place saucepan in sink (the lower height helps). Beat until it starts to thicken - a hand beater helps here as you can feel it thickening. This fudge goes from thickening to too far very quickly. The more beating it gets the better it is. Pour or scoop the almost set fudge into the tray. When set, cut into squares. A hot knife helps. Options: Push (or stir in before pouring into pan) nuts into almost set fudge. Add a flavoring before beating. If hand-beating, you can add a little water to the bottom of the sink to help the saucepan cool - the fudge thickens quicker - but isn't quite as good. Use an electric hand mixer to make the process painless - but watch the thickening.

Melanie’s Creamy Chocolate Fudge

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2/3-cup evaporated milk

1/4-cup butter

1/4-teaspoon salt

2 cups milk chocolate chips

1-cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1-teaspoon vanilla extract

Line an 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil. Set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt. Bring to a full boil, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour in semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours, or until firm.

Ella Dean Hunter’s Mystery Toffee Bars

Blend together with mixer: 1 stick butter. (Not margarine. butter should be at room temp) 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar. Mix together really well, then add 1-cup flour. Mix this really well and put in pan 9x9 and bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle 1 pack of chocolate chips (or vanilla chips can be used) over top. Set in oven for about 2 min so they can be spread with spoon. Sprinkle chopped nuts over top and let cool.

For Mystery Bar Topping:

1-cup brown sugar

3 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

2-T flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2-cup coconut

2/3 cup chopped nuts

Pour over crust from above and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cut while rather warm, about 20 minutes from oven, they cut much better then. ENJOY