Merry Christmas from the Space Needle.

Jolly Rancher Ornaments

I was really excited when I saw a craft in this months Better Homes and Gardens that I might actually be able to do and that would be fun to do with the kids - ornaments made out of Jolly Ranchers! (This would also be useful, seeing as how my children have managed to break quite a few glass balls over the past few years.) They made it sound soooo easy - just "spritz" a cookie cutter with cooking spray, fill half way with candy and bake at 350 for 7 minutes.


Well, two days, a ruined cookie cutter and a major laceration later I had successfully made ONE stinking star ornament (and a birdhouse). And even that one had to have a tip repaired. When jolly ranchers are melted then cooled in a shape with sharp points, it's like working with glass. Fragile and dangerous. And really kinda pretty. So we melted and remelted and twisted and shaped and came up with these abstract ornaments instead. And I can sleep easy at night knowing that no one is going to call me up to demonstrate this on national television.

Oh Victoria!

I had really been hoping to celebrate Thanksgiving in Peru this year, but I decided to do right by Cruz and opt out of the trip to go pick up our favorite manny-turned-missionary, McKay. But I still couldn't resist going on a trip so we hopped on the M.V. Coho and took a trip to visit our neighbors to the north.

Once we boarded, Ben assumed his usual posture for travel.

One of the best things about vacation, and I'm sure most will agree, is that you are pretty much required to eat out. So we did.

Avery got to experience a proper high tea.

Chinatown. Where this family of 5 shared take out noodles from one box, with one fork while standing on the sidewalk. We are a class act let me tell you.

The Empress.

Floating houses at Fishermans wharf.

Sealife.

Parliament building at night and harbor ferry waltz to Nutcracker Suite.

It's a good thing.

When I know of a video clip I will post it!