The Stockings are Hung

And the Wiebes are nestled, all snug in our bed (well, most of them...)

 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!!!

Merry Christmas from The Wiebes!

Dear Friends and Family (and the rest of the online world!):

I had every intention this year of sending out, via good ol' Canada Post, Christmas cards.  But alas, I didn't get around to it, so my neglected blog gets to be the medium of our Christmas greetings this year.

We have had a challenging, hectic, busy year, but have been so blessed through it all. We started the year still living at my parent's home, where we had been since we finished school in May, 2010.  Since May 2011 we have moved four times, finally, just three weeks ago, ending up in a condo in Cougar Ridge, in Calgary, where we intend to stay for a while.

Since graduation Jared has been working to become accredited in Canada. In May we packed up and moved to Victoria for Jared to attend Spring term at the University of Victoria. We moved back to my parents in July, and waited for the results of his course work.  Jared successfully gained accreditation and in August he started his first legal job as a Student at Law at a small firm in down town Calgary.  He is enjoying his work and really happy to be putting all his hard work to use. In October we moved our whole family into the one bedroom basement suite of a home we own. At the beginning of December we finally emptied our storage unit, with boxes unopened for 2 years, and moved permanently into our current home. 

This year I also completed my training to become a Doula (a professional birth attendant).  I have been so blessed to be a part of so many births. The miracle of birth continues to amaze me, and working as a doula is a perfect way to put my passion for empowering birth to use.

I still have horses, which I try to ride as much as possible, but not nearly as much as I would like to.  They bring me a lot of joy, not to mention good exercise!

Both boys are growing far too fast.  Eli is as busy as can be, constantly on the move, gathering all sorts of treasures for "projects."  He is such a caring, loving boy, and a wonderful big brother.  He is so smart, always impressing adults around him at ability and willingness to share his knowledge. His favourite colour is "golden,"  he loves his mommy, daddy and Silas, LEGO, and his pony, Princess.

Silas is a constant joy in our little family.  Although he is the spiting image of his father, he seems to be developing the strong will of his mother!  He does exactly what he wants, when he wants, and refuses to be rushed into anything by anyone.  His language development continues to amuse the rest of us, with Eli being his greatest interpreter.  In the last three months he has potty trained, weaned, and begun sleeping in his own room, sharing a bed with his big brother. We can't believe how big our baby is getting.

Speaking of babies... we are expecting Wiebe #3 in the new year.   Due in April, we are especially glad to finally be settled in our own home, because we are planning to have a home water birth, attended by the wonderful midwife who was with us for Eli's birth. We are not finding out what we are having, and will be thrilled no matter what. (And yes, I'm still riding horses, even though I'm pregnant!)

We hope that everyone has been blessed as much as we have been this year.  Despite the craziness of our lives, we have been able to take a few minutes this season to contemplate just how blessed we are to have a loving Father in Heaven and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as Jared and I played Mary and Joseph in the Heritage Park Nativity Pageant this past week.  Tonight, as we act out a far less professional version of the same story, with Jared's extended family, we hope our children will also be able to feel the real spirit of Christmas, the spirit of Christ.

Blessings to you all,

Jared, Jenny, Eli and Silas

Candy Cane Cookies

Okay, one reason I haven't been blogging of late (other than the fact that I haven't had internet in my home for two months, I've moved twice since October, I'm 23 weeks pregnant, and it is the Christmas season, which means I'm ridiculously busy...) is because I have been cooking (and a little un-cooking) up a storm!  Believe me, the creations coming from my kitchen have been delectable.  For the first time in years I actually succeeded at whipped shortbread.  I don't think Michigan was meant for shortbread, but Calgary sure is. I've gotten most of my recipes from cookbooks, but I did want to share with you one little specialty that Eli and I created, straight from the kitchen of the Wiebes!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Candy Cane Cookies (ya, we're working on a more concise name)

Trust me, these are delicious!

So, here you have it, my none to brilliant, but totally addicting method.  First of all, pick your favourite oatmeal cookie recipe.  It really doesn't matter which one. If the recipe calls for raisins, nix them and add chocolate. Lots of chocolate.  And candy canes.  Who doesn't love candy canes?  I bough a pack of die and HFCS free ones, so I even feel like these cookies are healthy (ha!). Then, while the cookies are cooking, use a bit of the crushed candy canes you used in the cookies to make a glaze.  While they are still hot poor a little glaze on each cookie, wait for them to cool, and ENJOY!!! Seriously, you won't regret it.

So, while you probably can find a oatmeal cookie recipe all of your own, here's the one I used, with the Christmas modifications:

Cookies:
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups WW Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups rolled oats 
1 cup chocolate chips
6 crushed candy canes - divided

Glaze:
In blender mix - 
Remainder of your candy canes
1 1/2 cups of icing sugar
3-4 tbsp milk (you want it thin enough to drizzle)


Cream butter and brown sugar.  Mix in egg.  Sift together flour, BS and salt, and slowly add to mixture. Mix in oats.  Once well combined mix in chocolate chips and most of the candy canes (I pulsed mine in my blender until they were in small pieces.  Then I dumped most of them into the cookie mixture, leaving a little and all the powdered stuff in the blender to make the glaze.)   

Form into balls and flatten.  Cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and transfer to cooling rack.  While still warm, drizzle the glaze over each cookie.  Wait for it to cool and ENJOY!!!


I promise to update a little more on the Christmas happenings of the Wiebes.  Stay posted, and enjoy this last week before Christmas!