Christmas Eve

Last week was a busy, but fun filled week. What a blessing to spend time with family and friends celebrating our Savior's birth!


The fun just keeps on going this week. Katie and are going to Haleigh's (Jen's daughter) slumber party today. She is turning 13...I can hardly believe it! Tomorrow we drop off my Mom at the airport. Then New Year's eve and most of New Year's day will be spent with the Buckman's at their home.


This week will be a recap of last weeks festivities. I hope to post lots of photos and recipes as well.





Christmas eve was a nice relaxing day for us. We were hoping to go to the Christmas eve service, but with all of the snow we got and the weather conditions we decided not to. I was a little disappointed. I love the singing and the scripture reading. The church is always decorated so beautifully. The service always ends with a candle light ceremony...it is so beautiful! It always focuses me. But alas it was not meant to be this year, and I wasn't going to let it get me down. So instead I focused on the blessing of my sweet family and how much I love them.

We sent the kids outside to play. Our intentions were not so innocent...we wrapped their gifts.

We made gift tags for all of our gifts.

For dinner we had sparkling cranberry juice, potstickers, Brian made Kung Pao chicken, and for dessert we had gingerbread cookies that we had made the day before.

Brian read to us from the book of Luke.

We give the children three gifts...like the Wise men brought to Jesus. The gifts fall under these categories: fun, practical, and spiritual. The fun gift this year will be our family vacation.

Ian's spiritual gift, a snow globe with a nativity scene.

Katie's spiritual gift, a wild olive tee.

Ian's practical, Alvin and the chipmunk's tee.

Katie's practical, fashion boots.

Don't forget the stockings! Ornaments, little toys, games, socks.

Brian got a 6-inch Wustoff chef's knife, to add to his collection

I didn't take any photos of myself opening gifts. I did get some fun Nick and Nora jammies, Origins ginger perfume, and a fun Christmas CD. We had a really great day, just the four of us!

Kung Pao Chicken

Brian got this recipe off the internet a few years ago. We are unsure what site it was.

1 lb. Boneless, skinless, chicken breast cubed

2 tsps. cornstarch

3 tbs. soy sauce

salt

1 egg white lightly beaten

1 tbs. ginger root minced

3 dried red Chile peppers

1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch squares

1 small onion cut into 1-inch squares

1 cup celery chopped into 1 inch pieces

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbs Chinese rice wine

2 tsps. sugar

1 tsp vinegar

3 tbs. peanuts (we omit these if we are making it for the kids)

In a small bowl, combine cubed chicken, 1 tsp. cornstarch, 1 tbs. soy sauce, 1/2 tsp. salt, egg white, and ginger. Set aside for 20-30 minutes. On a platter arrange chilies, red pepper, onion, and garlic. Set aside. In a bowl, combine 1 tsp. cornstarch, wine, 2 tbs. soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar. Set aside. Have peanuts, salt, water and oil at hand. Heat pan and add 1 tbs. oil. Swirl the oil around to coat sides of pan and heat until oil just begins to smoke. Add garlic and stir-fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add the red bell pepper, and a pinch of salt; stir -fry for about 1 minute. Add onion, another pinch of salt and sprinkle with 1 tbs. water. Continue to stir-fry until crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. To the pan add 3 tbs. oil and heat until the oil begins to smoke. Add the dried chilies and stir-fry until they turn dark brown. Remove chilies from oil and discard. Add chicken to the pan, spreading it in a single layer, and stir-fry until all pink color disappears, about 2-3 minutes. Return vegetables to wok and stir-fry to combine. Make a well and add wine mixture, stir-frying to combine. Remove to serving platter and garnish with peanuts. Serve immediately with rice.

xoxo

Rach