A Random Sampling...

Do you ever get to that point where you have all these ideas for blog posts rattling around in your head, and you know none of them will ever see the light of day?

Well, it's time for me to empty the inbox of my brain.

First of all, let me get this off of my chest: 

When did "Happy Holidays" become akin to blasphemy? I've always said Happy Holidays. People have always said it back to me. I also say Merry Christmas. I try to respond to both greetings with gratitude. I don't boycott stores that wish me Happy Holidays, I don't over patronize the ones that wish me a Merry Christmas. 

If you want to keep Christ in Christmas, start by trying to be Christlike. I don't know everything, but I feel that hypocrisy, self righteousness, contention, offense and vindictiveness are not in keeping with the Spirit of Christmas. 

This should be the time of the year, when we all cut each other a little slack.

There, I feel better. 

Second: A couple of Emma conversations

#1

Someone drew squiggles on the T.V. 

Dad: Emma, did you draw on the T.V. screen with a crayon?

Emma: No

Dad: Well, what happened to the screen?

Emma: The candle did it. (We had gotten a Countdown to Christmas candle from the neighbors)

Dad: The candle? Not you?

Emma: Yep. 

Dad: Was the candle in your hand, and were you doing this (makes circular, drawing motion with his hand) 

Emma: Yep.

Dad: But it was the candle's fault?

Emma: Right.

#2

Emma: Dad, I'm ready for my bath!

Dad (sitting at the computer): I know honey I'll be right there.

Minutes go by...

Emma: Dad! It's time for my bath!

Dad (still at the computer): I know, I'm almost done, hang on...

Still more minutes...

Emma: Can I take my bath NOW?!?!

Dad (you guessed it, still at the computer): I'll be done, here in just a second...

Emma (in her most helpful voice): Dad, did you know that if you clicked on that little red circle up there, you could be done right now?

And lastly, for all those who inquired, here's a recipe for funeral potatoes:

I should start with a little background -- I wrote this to Alexandria at I'm The Mom, already, but it was too long of an explanation to keep trying to type on my phone.

In Utah, where the population is about seventy percent LDS, you not only have the Mormon religion, you also get a big dose of the Mormon culture. Over the years, we've developed a few quirks, one of which is calling a certain casserole type dish --  made of some combination of potatoes, cheese, sour cream, and a few other things -- funeral potatoes. 

It's certainly not exclusive to Mormons, but here, whenever there is a big family event (wedding, funeral etc...) everyone brings food, and someone always brings this dish -- it's VERY good, especially with ham! 

We also have the reputation of eating a LOT of Jell-O (most consumed per capita in the U.S.), particularly green Jell-O, with stuff in it (shredded carrots, marshmallows, raisins etc). But I'll stick with the potatoes. 

There are many, MANY variations on this theme, but here's a basic recipe. It's from the cookbook "The Essential Mormon Cookbook: Green Jell-O, Funeral Potatoes, and other Secret Combinations." The title is very funny if you're a Mormon, a little baffling if you're not. 

12 large potatoes or one (32 oz) bag of frozen hash browns

2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of chicken soup

2 cups sour cream

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/3 chopped onion (I'd leave the onion out personally) 

2 cups crushed corn flakes

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Peel potatoes, and boil for 30 minutes, until just tender. Cool and grate into greased 9" x 13" baking dish. Combine soup concentrate, sour cream, cheese, the 1/2 cup melted butter, and onions (if you must). Gently blend into potatoes. Combine crushed corn flakes and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes. Makes twelve servings. 

ENJOY WITH HAM AND GREEN JELL-O!!