It's All About the Dough

Thanksgiving is coming, and I've had some people ask how we make our pie dough, flute it, and also for some recipes.

We just made our first pie a year ago, and have picked up so many tips and tricks along the way. Some do all this differently, some do it just about the same, but this is what we have found works and tastes best to us : ) 

I decided that a video would be best, but my gosh...I didn't realize what an adventure that would be! I ended up having to split it into three, and then edit them down as YouTube couldn't handle how much Amy and I yap our gaps. So a big, warm, kudos to YouTube for editing our non-stop Chatty Cathy mouths.

Let me know if any of this doesn't make sense, or if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them : )

Recipes to follow, but not for the one you see in the last video. This was a first time pie, and is in need of perfection...or we just need to find another recipe...I'm going to decide here and say the latter. We tried to spruce it up, as we usually always do, but still didn't care much for it!

Making the Dough

Rolling the Dough

Fluting the Dough

~ Recipes to come ~

Ron & Rollergirl

Dave and I decided to travel back in time this year. We were really feeling the 70's, so we took a pause in that decade. 

I decided on Rollergirl, and Dave chose Ron Burgundy, as one of our favorite movies is Anchorman. For one brief moment, I almost changed my costume to Veronica Corningstone, but I decided I just had to try my feet on roller skates again!

http://youtu.be/0AUvtLZQyDE

I captured this picture at my cousin's party and I'm so happy I did, because it is my absolute favorite, maybe ever!

The Girls

The Guys

Dave just kills me in this picture.

I wish you could have heard him, he knows just about every line in the movie and can pull Ron Burgundy off like no one I've ever seen!!

This is what happens when my cousin and I get together...we get cross-eyed, bowlegged, and all googley!

Gotta get a close up of the psychedelic earrings...and there's nothing quite as sweet as being fed a cookie by The Hulk.

Ron Burgundy...the womanizer that he is.

He was using some of his best lines from the movie here. 

If you know the flick, you know which ones I'm talking about when I say the word - hiney.

Ron saying...

"Wait, wait, wait...I wanna be on you!" 

These crack me up. He was in character all night long.

See.

***

I got my skates on Ebay. They are awesome! They are 1979 Vintage Sunrunner Mighty Lights. I had so much fun with them. I even skated through Walgreens with a 6 pack of beer. I instantly flashed back, and felt exactly like this....

 http://youtu.be/6HxnYXS1w_4

I haven't skated in about 25 years, and everyone including myself thought it was going to be awful. We all based it on my track history of just about every time I wear heels, and well...normal life knicks, bruises and falls...but for some reason, I rocked the skates?!? Elementary school all came back to me. The Golden Skate, couples skate, skating backwards, in circles, rexing, even doing the splits, it all came back!! So, I have to say...as Karen Carpenter once sang, well not exactly, but you'll catch my drift, my skating days...have only just begun. I just need someone to come skate with me.

Any takers?

If not, it's ok. I'll go it alone.

I'm totally cool with that.

Here's my plan...

I want to skate all through Costco, okay?

With my own music blasting.

Bat Dog

I waited until the very last second before going trick or treating to put Rainey's costume on. I thought she was going to pull it off instantly, especially the ears. She absolutely loved it. Can you imagine, Rainey and I share a love of  Halloween too!! Who knew?!? She wore it through giving out all the candy at the door (the kids loved her), through going door to door to all the neighbors, and even kept it on after we got home. She never wanted to take it off. I think she thought she could fly!

At the end of the night, she even wanted to wear it to go to the bathroom, I had to finally draw the line somewhere!! 

She's the most amazing dog. Not that I didn't think so already, but I couldn't believe she wore her costume all night, even with ears that didn't fit her tiny little head, and that had to be jimmy rigged with a chip clip!!

And Dave thought he had a collar problem...

Our Little Pink Lady

As you can see...

she's got the attitude down well.

But underneath the rhinestone cat eye sunglasses, she's still sweet as can be.

But once again...

She says, 

"I'm a Pink Lady and I'm Gonna Rule the School!!"

The costume was complete with her A for Aviana.

Halloween Day

Off to school in what I could dress her up in  : )

The Good, The Bad, and The Ucky

I am so behind on my blog posts for so many reasons, some good, some bad, and some beyond sad. Things have been a little crazy busy on this side lately. So I thought I would give you a quick run down before I unload an unreal amount of posts on you ; )

Good ~ My absolute very favorite holiday is Halloween and we had a couple parties to go to this year. Unfortunately I had a headache for the first, but I decided at the very last minute to say eff it and go anyway, as I am sick and tired of missing out on things because of the noggin! So we went to that one, and another a few weeks later. I am new to the school thing, so I was not aware that you are not allowed to dress your kid up, so we made do in another way for school and then took her trick or treating later. We also dressed a certain little mutski up too : ) So I hope you don't mind, but because it's my favorite holiday, and I live for it...an obnoxious amount of pictures to follow on that front : ) : ) 

Sad - One of my really good friends...the one I was supposed to go to Guatemala with, told me last Friday that he has cancer and is going to die as he is not going to have surgery or go through chemo. He works in Oncology (amongst other departments) at Kaiser and he has decided he would rather not go through what he sees. He is never far from my mind, for so many reasons. I suppose I will leave it at that. 

Good - My dad saved a dog that was on death row in New York. Her name is Chelsea and she is a pit bull mix. Now his current dog Snoozer has a little sister. He picked her up at the San Francisco airport on Monday and they spent the night. She is a sweetheart, and while it was absolute mayhem with three dogs running wild getting to know each other, it was so nice spending time with her : ) I should actually say two dogs running crazy, as Rainey and Chelsea left poor Snoozy out of all the Reindeer Games, it was really sad : (  

Bad - Avi and I were taking Dave's costume back to the rental shop this past Monday. I was on the freeway in the fast lane and slightly veered into the lane to my right, and side swiped the car next to me : / My first accident ever! I am usually always SO careful, especially after what happened to Aviana!!! I felt so bad!! Luckily everyone was ok. 

Good - Amy and I were up until 5:15 am making pie a couple nights ago, we decided to make videos for the people who had asked questions in the past about how we make and flute our pie dough. I spent majority of last night, and this morning editing them (with the help of The Guy too) and will have them up soon, along with some of the recipes I promised : )

Good - We have been receiving donations (thank you!) for Aviana's Elves! So we have been organizing and also working on letters to try and raise donations with businesses again, etc. If you would like to join in, we would love and appreciate your help!

Ucky ~ The back blocking on blogger that I can't seem to get rid of no matter how hard I try. Where's the transparent option when you need it? And then I realize...I should be spending my time doing all the other things I need to be doing...

Good, Ucky ~ The writing and sharing of our story over on This Little Miggy Stayed Home. With all this other stuff happening, I was crunched for time, and then realized, oh my gosh!! Well, I'm sure you have maybe thought it too, we don't have one single family picture!! So we asked Dave's sister if she might be able to take some of us. She's the best. Boy did she have her work cut out for her, one dog, one child with no neck control, or body control for that matter, and two goofballs...sheesh, we're lucky we got one picture that day! It was crazy, and now I know exactly why we have zero pictures and why we probably won't again for another 6 years ; ) I'll have to tell you about it sometime! Thank you Dinah! 

Good ~ I saw The Perks of Being a Wallfower for the second time. I do think it just might be one of my all time favorite movies. Yeah, that great!!

So thankfully mostly all good, with a sprinkling of some not so good...to very, very sad. But all makes up to some very busy days, which caused me to be away from here, of which I love to be here...writing. I feel absent when I am not writing. Absent in so many ways. But I wanted to warn you, because I'm about to catch up ; )

I hope you are well.

Are you?

Special Needs Spotlight

A number of weeks ago, a person named Julie commented that she had found our blog and really thought I should consider sharing our story on another blog. So I wandered over to This Little Miggy Stayed Home and looked around to see if this was something I would want to do.

I have to say, it didn't take too long to fall for this family, especially their little one named Lamp. If you're in the mood for some inspiration, their story is full of it, so you might want to click on over their way. 

I didn't fall just for this family though, I really admired Miggy for possessing one of the characteristics I look for most in the sharing of her story, and that is a genuine authenticity. If you are a reader of blogs, you know what I mean. When you finally stumble upon it, you know. It's something you can actually  feel. 

I felt blessed to be a part of Miggy's Special Needs Spotlight. If you would like to see our story, you can find it here....

http://www.thislittlemiggy.com/2012/11/special-needs-spotlight-aviana.html

Thank you Julie for telling me about it, and thank you Miggy for the opportunity!

This is Your Life

This is your life.

You only have one.

You survived.

But since you are unable.

We are able.

All of us who love you,

Help make your life the best we can.

Every chance he gets,

Daddy snuggles you close.

He loves being with you.

He has this habit.

He stops mid-whatever to say, "Look, isn't she beautiful?"

Honey, I could't have dreamed a better dad for you.

I'm not sure how we got so lucky, but I'm thankful we did.

I do wish,

Oh how I wish,

You could speak up to set him straight on who your real favorite...

Basketball team,

And football team are.

And what your political views really are!

And Nana,

Oh that Nana.

How she loves singing to you,

Making up the words as she goes.

No honey,

I don't know what she's saying either.

We'll just go with it,

Because it's adorable.

She's adorable.

And although she sweetly begs and pleads for you to do this or that,

We all know she above everyone else,

Loves you just the way you are.

And do we ever tire of hearing her tell you just how beautiful you are?

No.

Because I have never heard it done with that much enthusiasm,

Have you?

Yes, maybe from Papa.

You're right.

They tie for the,

Scream it from the rooftops,

"Avi, you're so beautiful!" competition.

Now Papa.

He's just straight up, and flat out crazy cakes.

And you,

You just love pushing his buttons,

Until they break.

All the while,

Driving him fruit.

But you know why he goes out of his mind

Don't you?

Because he loves you from the deepest place,

A place he never knew existed.

That is...

Until you came along.

And that place scares him to the core.

You do that baby.

And every single week,

Your Uncle Roger.

The love he feels for you.

The love he's always felt for you.

The purest, warmest, and most genuine.

A reciprocal, indescribable, love.

You melt with your Uncle Roger.

Not only does he take the time to love,

But to read,

To go to the park,

To go on walks,

To get you out, and about!

And we can never forget your Rainey Day.

The girl who jumps at the chance to...

Get her sissy pants ready for the day,

And 'help' her eat,

And walk her to the bus,

And greet her home from the bus,

And give her love, hugs, and kisses throughout the day,

And who loyally lays by her side....always!

There are a million other people who love and adore you,

I could go on forever,

All our family and friends...

Who help with your therapy,

Your doctors,

Your teachers,

The list goes on,

But I will end with me ~

Your Momma.

We took you on a date yesterday,

To the movies and lunch.

I'm happy we did.

You sat on my lap through the whole movie.

And in those moments,

There's nowhere else I'd rather been.

I breathed the smell of your hair,

I played with each, and every, of your ten tiny fingers.

I felt the air rising and falling from your lungs.

Breaths we lost on the street that day,

Only to be found again.

And in those moments,

As the movie rolled,

I held you tight,

And all was right.

For in that dark theater,

With tears streaming down my face,

I hugged you close,

And thought...

My sweet girl ~

This is your life,

You only have one.

You survived.

And just because you can't,

We can.

Without a word,

We all help to make yours,

The best,

Most loving,

Life you have.

My Love

You were my brightest bright on my best of days

and 

My lightest light when I couldn't find my way through my darkest days.

I miss you.

I love you.

Give The Love Around

I know this year may have been difficult for some, but if you are able to donate and would like to join us in our efforts this year, here are some ways in which you can help....

Mustard Seed School

You can donate Christmas gift items to these children, which range in age between 0-18 years old. These items include; a toy, a blanket, a book, a pair of gloves, a hat, and a sweat suit. If you choose to help in this way, I hope you don't mind me asking that all of these items are new.

✻

Christmas Stocking Giveaway

Each year as part of the holiday meal, Loaves and Fishes offers each guest a Christmas stocking. To do this, they ask the community to participate by providing a stocking including the following items: McDonald's $5 gift certificate books, one pair of new socks, one pair stretch knit hat and gloves, a disposable razor, a pair of shoelaces, chapstick, toothbrush and toothpaste, travel size toiletry items including lotion, vaseline, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand sanitizer.

✻

Anneke's Haven Animal Kennel

I carry dog treats in my car in the event I ever see a homeless person with a dog. So when I actually saw these dogs in the kennel and realized they feed and care for them while their owners were eating and such...my heart went instant puddle on me. Dave and my Mom had to literally peel me away from them. If you choose to donate in this way, they are always in need of canned food, large dry food, pet carriers, leashes and collars. 

✻

Ongoing Needs List

They have a running list on their website and if you so choose, you can send me any, and I will be happy to deliver them. You can also make a cash donation and I will put it towards the purchase of the above items. 

If you include a cash donation, you can make the check payable to David or Jennifer Hodder. You can also send any, and all items to:

Aviana's Elves

c/o David Hodder

10308 Placer Lane Ste. 100

Sacramento, Ca 95827

If you have any questions or would like to donate through PayPal, you can contact us directly, our e-mail address is ~

forthehodders@yahoo.com

  I really do appreciate you for considering helping us again! We have been shown so much kindness and to me, there is no better feeling than to extend some back out into the world. We are so excited to be doing this again, as this is such a gratifying way to give back to other families who are probably going through such an exceptionally trying time.

Here's to the happiest, yet most humbling way to spend the holidays. 

❤ ❤ ❤

I'll leave you with one of my favorite new feel good songs! I absolutely love the message within, but caution you if you're sensitive to a few bad words ; )