I’ve learned over the last few months to not have such a squeamish stomach. Not that unslightly displays ever made me too sick, but I wasn’t about to hang around and learn more about the situation.

Enter my husband. A former journalist, who is now studying to be a nurse. He’s also a hospital employee who works in the operating room. Five days a week he transports patients, get instruments, cleans up the OR and watches some pretty amazing stuff. I’ve already heard stories about how hammers are used in orthopedic surgeries and the process involving the removal of a gallbladder, which is pretty fascinating since I’ve also had gallbladder issues. The opportunities he’s already seen in the OR will surely help him be a better nurse.

At home, I’ve seen him put in hours of studying, staying up way past my bedtime. The piles of books in the office and on his desk - including the Pathophysiology one next to me! – remind me of his passion and desire to travel down a new career path. Growing up, he spent many summers as a camp counsel which allowed him to care for children. His desire to help those kids conquer their fears by climbing ropes and paddling a canoe is much like his passion to help a patient through an illness.

While the next two years will continue to be filled with textbooks, late night tests, clinicals and hospital stories, I know he’s heading down the right path. From his expressions and excitement, he knows too that he’s doing what he loves.

For me, I’ll be the faithful wife who takes care of the house, cleans the laundry and keeps our lives moving forward. After all, there’s exciting times ahead! I’m proud of you hubby!

There is nothing better than filling a house with wonderful smells from the kitchen. So today, as I enjoyed a holiday off (which I must admit is great since my last job never allowed me that luxury), I whipped up several batches of banana and zucchini bread that made my house smell splendid!

I think the desire to bake today came from the fact that my freezer was overflowing with bananas that had seen their better day, and zucchini that had overgrown my garden this past summer. Last summer’s bounty ended up netting me about 52 cups of zucchini – diced and grated in the freezer for future use. And that was on top of the zucchini we had already cooked, grilled and given away to the neighbors! The poor kids next door didn’t know what they had gotten themselves into when they started accepting the zucchini over the fence. I planted two zucchini plants last year, which started off slow and then spiraled out of control. They soon wiggled their way through the fence that I had placed around the box, and then spilled over the top. Needless to say, next year, the zucchini gets its own box. When my hubby got tired of me picking zucchini from the garden, I came home one day last fall to see my beloved plants gone. Interesting enough to note, all of my zucchini had come from one plant. Maybe I will only plant one next year.

In addition to my love of growing zucchini, I also love bananas. But if they get to the point of turning completely yellow, and even further a bit of brown, I won’t touch them! The crunchy texture to green/yellow bananas is when they are best. So if the hubby doesn’t eat them in time and they turn completely brown, into the freezer they go – minus the peel.

Then comes days like today, when frozen bananas and grated zucchini get mixed together with flour, sugar, eggs and spices to create tasty breads that fill our house with scents of cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s the kind of smell you want to last, but always fades. But for that time when it wafts through the house, you feel comfortable and happy.

What I have found to be a successful breakfast for me, is to combine two or three food groups.
- bread and grain (cereal, muffin or toast)
- dairy (fat-free yogurt or reduced-fat cheese)
- fruit or vegetable (banana, apple, carrots)

My mom has made these Bran Muffins for years, not only because they’re quick to grab, but they taste great. And the best part is, you can make the batter and keep it in your fridge for up to six weeks. Combine one of these muffins with yogurt and an apple and I’m set for the day!

6 Week Bran Muffins

1 17-ounce bran flakes (I used raisin bran)
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil (I substitute half of this with applesauce)
5 teaspoons baking soda
5 cups flour (whole wheat flour gives it a great nutty texture)
1 quart reduced fat buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
Dried cranberries and chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix all the ingredients together and drop into pre-lined muffin pans. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Keep the rest of the batter in an air tight container in your fridge and bake as you need. They also freeze great!

Rocky Mountain National Park

Ever since my husband took me on our first date to Estes Park, this quaint mountain town nestled in the Rocky Mountains has had a special place in my heart. Once you add snow to the mix, this beautiful backdrop becomes a majestic destination we love to escape to for the day.

With our recent snowstorm, Estes Park was covered in a fresh layer of white fluffy snow. But before we hit Rocky Mountain National Park, we stopped at our favorite restaurant in town – Ed’s Cantina. If you haven’t eaten there, YOU HAVE TO TRY IT! In the winter, the Buffalo Stew is a must! But if it’s summertime that’s calling, I suggest the Chicken Lime Tacos or a burger piled high with tons of pickles – it’s the only way to have it!

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

Inside the park we headed to Bear Lake, which is one of our favorite spots at any time of year. With all the fresh snow, the lake was completely covered in a fresh blanket of powder. The silence that echoed throughout the area almost allowed you to hear the creaking of the tree bark as it struggled to hold the snow among its bounty. And even with the ice warnings clearly marked, people had braved the frozen cover and walked across this open canvas.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park

Alluvial Fan, Rocky Mountain National Park

Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

On the way home, we took an alternative route down the Big Thompson Canyon and were guided down by the moon.

Big Thompson Canyon

Double Irish Chain quilt I made at age 13

As a little girl, I’d watch my mom sew for hours at her machine making new clothes, dolls and quilts for our home. Often, it was new matching dresses for my sister and me to wear for an upcoming holiday that would allow family members to comment at “how cute” we looked in our matching attire. Mom careful picked out the perfect pattern for every dress she made and then measured each of us to make sure she’d get just the right amount of fabric. We’d gather at the kitchen counter and watch her cut out the pieces, and then became models as she’d fit us throughout the process making sure each step was just right.

One Easter, I remember mom using peach-colored fabric for our new dresses. The dresses came right below our knees and were edged with white eyelet around the wrists and neck. A pretty sash at the waist completed the look as we twirled in our new dresses, showing them off for everyone who glanced in our direction.

Mom’s handy sewing skills came from her mother, who taught her at a young age the importance of learning to sew. Combine that with my other grandma’s sewing skills and I was destined to become a sewer for life.

I learned at a young age how to sew a button and stitch a hem. As I grew older, my projects got more advanced, starting with a pillow, then a shirt and finally my own dresses. By the time I was about 13, I started quilting and first making traditional block quilts out of leftover fabric from other sewing projects. As I got more confident I tackled my first big quilt – a Double Irish Chain, following the book Irish Chain in a Day. It was a twin-sized quilt in pastel pink and aqua tones – the color of my room at the time. I was so excited about that quilt that I entered it in the county fair that summer through my 4-H club and earned a grand champion ribbon. I earned another grand champion ribbon for a pillow that I sewed. That first quilt encouraged me to make others throughout the years with some large enough to cover a bed, but most perfect for wall hangings and table runners.

A favorite columnist of mine who writes for the local newspaper wrote a column last November entitled “The quilter who dies with the most fabric wins.” I had to chuckle reading her words, because every quilter I know has their own stash of fabric leftover from projects. In my recent quilting project, I looked through the dresser now houses all of my own stash and I couldn’t help but remember each project that brought that piece of fabric into my collection. There are pieces from the quilt I made my nephew, the patriotic wall hanging for my mother and the bright shining star that graces a table runner for my in-laws.

My in-laws were here to visit this holiday season and like to settle in like they’re at home, which is the way we like it since we only see them a couple of times a year. The first evening they got here I heard my father-in-law say, “I tried to put some clothes in the dresser we usually use, but it’s full of fabric.” All I could do was laugh and defend the importance of my stash as a key to the memories from the projects I’ve made.

I’ve already started coming up with new sewing projects that involve fabric from my stash. Now I just have to pull out the machine and grab some thread.

A new year feels like a clean slate, much like the feeling when you clear an Etch-a-Sketch and the screen is a blank canvas waiting for your next creation. It’s a time when people can start fresh and embark on new adventures in the lives. Some set resolutions (which have never worked for me!), while others look toward a new year to gain perspective on life.

2011 was an exciting year for me, with a new job that has offered endless incredible opportunities. I know 2012 will only get better as my goals will allow me to grow further and take on fun, new challenges. The hubby also had an exciting 2011, as he transitioned into a new industry and continues on his path through school. I’m excited for what the future will present to both of us.

At home, I’ve been able to reclaim my free time, and get back to the things I love to do. And 2012 will be no different, with a multitude of projects awaiting me, including painting the trim throughout the house, finishing a cross-stitch I started so long ago, getting to those photo albums and planting an even larger garden! (Shhhh, don’t tell the hubby! He already thinks I grew way too much zucchini.) Of course there will be many other projects that make their way across my to-do list in the coming year, but I’ll ready to tackle each one with energy and contentment. What does your to-do list hold for 2012?

Cheers to a new year!

There is nothing more magical to me during the Christmas season then to look at twinkling lights that shine brightly. I can spend hours driving throughout neighborhoods taking in the brilliant light displays. So in keeping with our annual tradition (that we only started last year!), we attended the Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Lights the night after Christmas. To tell you that this light display is something you must see is an understatement! I tell all my friends that it’s a holiday tradition that must be experienced. (Even my friend Melanie would agree!)

The Blossoms of Lights run nightly from December 2 through January 1, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the York Street location in Denver. They also have Trails of Lights at the Chatfield location. This urban winter wonderland is a feast for the eyes. Bundled up in layers of clothing, scarves and mittens, we wandered through the Botanic Gardens taking in the multitude of colors that shine from the trees, plants and sculptures. And with this year’s Christmas-time snow, the glow of the lights from under the blanket of snow was just breathtaking.

To keep you toasty, grab a cup of hot cocoa or cider to warm your inner soul. And for me, the experience isn’t quite complete without hot roasted almonds that fill the air with a cinnamon aroma. Enjoy!

The Ritters

Ice Carving

Japanese Gardens

After the Blossoms of Light, we drove by the Denver City & County Building on the way home. What a magical feast for the eyes!

One of my favorite Christmas treasures growing up were the angel chimes that filled the room with tinkling sounds from the tiny bells. I was mesmerized by the chimes as the heat from the candles made the angels twirl in circles blowing their trumpets, ringing the bells with each pass.

The angel chimes became a centerpiece for the holiday season, as I helped my mother set them up each Christmas. But it wasn’t until later in my life that I learned the angel chimes carried a rich family history.

According to my mother, my great-grandmother Myrtle Agnes (Gessner) Wolters sold these chimes to earn money. In fact, the set my mother owns is one my great-grandmother sold in the early 1900s. And even though they’re a little worn and have trouble standing upright (Mom says a little putty sometimes help!), these angel chimes are still a part of our holiday scene.

Angel chimes have a pretty unique history, growing in popularity throughout Europe before coming to North America. According to Wikipedia, the pre-World War II German-made chimes were made of tin and featured lithography. The original chimes were patent in Germany in 1905, but were discontinued in the late 1930s.

After the war, Swedish chimes made of brass became more popular. According to Angelchimes.com (which has all kinds of information about the chimes), Swedish production started in 1948 in Gefle, Sweden. For more than 60 years, Anderson & Boberg produced these tiny chimes until Asian markets started manufacturing smaller sets for a fraction of the price, pushing Anderson & Boberg to close. In 2010, a Turkish metal firm bought the Swedish factory equipment and trademark and resumed production of the angel chimes.

Today, you can still find angel chimes to purchase in the store, or online at AngelChimes.com. Years ago, my mother purchased me a set, which has now become a favorite among my Christmas treasures to share with future generations. There is just something magical about the tinkling sounds of those tiny bells that make you think of Christmas.

When I set out to find an idea for this year’s ornament (read my journey), I came across several that made me giggle with delight! And while I won’t reveal any of them (because you’ll see them in future years!), I was completely charmed when my husband discovered this year’s ornament idea.

I subscribe to the Lowe’s Creative Ideas magazine – a free publication that comes every few months. With each arrival, I sit down and read it cover to cover, taking in the creative ideas I might be able to try in my own home.

You can only imagine my excitement when the Holiday 2011 magazine came a few months back. My husband had gotten the mail that day and when I got home from work that evening, he had already opened the page to the tiny tree ornament. “I think you should make this ornament this year,” he said with excitement. (I think he’s grown just as excited every year to see what creation I’ll come up with!)

This fun little tree is made from wood joining biscuits used in wood working projects. (However, my local Lowes store didn’t have the small ones. I found them at Home Depot.) I had so much fun making the ornaments this year because they were something different and so unique.

Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas! May your trees be decorated with all kinds of fun creations this year!

Day 14: 2011 Christmas Tree

Materials:

• Wood joining biscuit
• Wooden dowels
• Screw eyes
• Orange peel texture (spray can)
• Hot glue
• Twine
• Ribbon of your choice
• Tagboard

Instructions: From the tagboard, cut a 4.5-inch circle and cut in half. Make a cone from each piece and glue the edges together, leaving a small hole at the top. For the branches, glue biscuits to the one, working from the base up and overlapping. The first row along the bottom should hang off the end of the cone about half way. The top two layers should overlap slightly. Paint the tree. Spray the texture on the biscuits for snow. Cut the dowel to hang out slightly from the bottom. Attach a screw eye to the top of the dowel pin for the trunk. Thread the twine for the hanger. I glued the dowel into the top of the cone to hold it in place. Add a ribbon bow.

The journey continues on revealing an ornament from my collection (see related post).

Day 13: 2010 Santa Clothespin

Materials:

• Wooden clothespin
• Felt: red and white
• 2.5-inch screw eyes
• Paints: red, black
• Hot glue
• Black ribbon for belt and hanger
• Black button
• Santa template

Instructions: Start by painting the clothespin from the top all the way down to leave ½-inch at the bottom. Paint the remaining ½-inch with black. Paint the top of the head white, but leave the face part the color of the clothespin.

Carefully screw in the screw eyes to the top of the clothespin.

Download the Santa template. Trace the templates onto the red felt and cut out the shapes. Use hot glug to put the clothes on Santa. After it’s dry, add Santa’s belt and button. Trace the arms from the given templates and cot out four arms for each Santa. To make the arms thicker than the clothing, glue two of the felt arms together and let dry. Attach the arms to each doll with a dab of glue.

Cut out Santa’s hat, beard and mustache from the white felt and attach to the head.

Once done, thread the ribbon through the screw eye and hang on the tree.