Happy Birthday Karen!

We're so blessed to have such a loving and kind-hearted mother and mother-in-law!
Happy Birthday to you, Karen. We love you!

Oh baby

I couldn't be more excited about what I'm going to share. Every time I think about this, a huge smile comes across my face and I feel all giddy.

My cousin Maggie and her hubby Drew are having a baby!! Maggie and I are the same age and have always had a lovely friendship...a relationship similar to what I hear some describe as the relationship between sisters (we wouldn't know because we're both the only girls in our families), which I'm sure adds to the level of excitement I've experienced in the wake of the baby news.

Meet the parents: Maggie and Drew!

I'm over the moon with excitement for Maggie and Drew and have already asked permission to visit in Chicago after their little bebe makes his/her appearance...which is slated for late July.

Bring on the baby!

You know you live in Silicon Valley when...

You know you live in Silicon Valley when...

Friend: Do you need any moving boxes?

Me: No, we're covered. I picked up a lot of apple boxes at work.

Friend: Oh yeah? What do you do for Apple?

Me: Ha...I mean apple the fruit...I work for a grocery store.

PS -- Yes, Team Thompson is moving. We're moving down to San Jose into a duplex. More news on that later. We're living in a fort of apple boxes -- the ones that are used to pack the fruit -- and are busy packing up to prep for the move!

Welcome, Emmalyn!

I woke today to some fantastic news!! My friend Erin, with whom I’ve been friends since we were babies, now has a little baby girl of her very own! Proud parents Mike and Erin welcomed little Miss Emmalyn to their family in the wee hours of the morning, and mom and baby are doing great.

We’re so happy for the new trio and can’t wait to meet Emmalyn. Congrats, Mike & Erin!

Emmalyn and her Daddy-o!

The Emersons know the way to San Jose

As luck would have it, Dad was approached and recruited by a new bank in early December, providing him with a lovely Christmas holiday vacation between jobs! Having found themselves with heaps of unexpected vacation time on their hands, mom and dad booked themselves a quick trip down to see Team Thompson!

They arrived the Tuesday after Christmas. That evening, we went to dinner at Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi, too in Mountain View. In case you were wondering, I had the Mostacioli di Bari, Justin had the Spaghetti with meatballs and mushrooms, mom had Fettuccine Prawns Portofino and dad had a what is now listed on the menu as Tortellini & Scallops alla Vodka, though his dish was spaghetti and shrimp alla vodka.

While Justin and I were working Wednesday, mom and dad prepared a second Christmas dinner for us to come home to, complete with filet mignon and crab cocktail, a mandated Evans family Christmas meal component. After dinner we opened a few gifts, ate more fudge and enjoyed each others company.

Justin unfortunately had to work Thursday while mom, dad and I took a drive down the coast to Monterey, with a goal to see the RCI/Worldmark timeshare resort. We'll save you the time of checking it out for yourselves...it's nothing to write home about, at least compared to the Eagle Crest resort near Bend, Ore. That one holds a special place in the Emerson family's hearts.

While in the Monterey area, we sought out the Giant Artichoke at the Giant Artichoke Restaurant in Castroville, attempted to drive through Cannery Row in Monterey while every school-aged child and their parent were walking through Cannery Row, and also decided to see what the famed 17-Mile Drive scenic route was all about.

Yep, I bought a shirt to prove I've been to the Giant Artichoke!

As it turns out, the 17-Mile Drive was the definite highlight of our drive. The trail, which requires a $9.50 entry fee, weaves along the coastline to the Pebble Beach Resort, home of the Pebble Beach Golf Links. Along the route are scenic markers and points of interest, as well as beautiful, outrageous and ludicrously humongous homes. Here's a description of the drive from the Pebble Beach Resorts site:

17-Mile Drive is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The famous coastal landmark runs through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the dramatic Pacific coastline to the majestic Del Monte Forest. The awe-inspiring vistas and legendary sites can easily fill an entire day with exploration and discovery, although visitors with less time should not miss the opportunity to experience this wondrous journey as well.

Marvel at some of nature’s treasures found along 17-Mile Drive including The Lone Cypress – one of California’s best-known landmarks – Spanish Bay, Cypress Point Lookout and Carmel Bay. You can also see the emerald fairways of The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Despite the wind, it was a gorgeous day on the coast, making for many Kodak moments. We finished the drive with lunch at a resort cafe and a quick walk through the grounds, fancy shops and the Lodge. Mom and dad even got a picture on one of course holes, right where many famous golfers and celebrities have stood themselves.

Look closely for the sunbathing seals!

Just one of the many mansions overlooking Pebble Beach.

The "Lone Cypress" is the official logo/icon of Pebble Beach.

Thursday night we ate at home and watched the Stanford Cardinal women's basketball team beat UConn, the first game the UConn team has lost in more than 90 games. We also ate more fudge and watched those darn Huskies win against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.

We met mom and dad at their hotel for breakfast Friday before they left for the airport. Saying goodbye to our guests is never easy, especially when it's parents. It's so great to see both mom and dad in great shape after their surgeries -- it's amazing to think of what they've both been through in just the last year and to then watch them power-walking the Pebble Beach Golf Links like spring chickens.

It was especially wonderful to see dad because the last time I saw him, I was taking his temperature, administering a 1/2 cup of pills at regular intervals, and making sure he practiced his respiratory/breathing machine between pain-pill-induced napping episodes. Both mom and dad had their own struggles during recovery, from poor appetites to severe heartburn and leg infections, but their recoveries have been a success and they're here today with spanking new pipes in their tickers. We are so blessed!

Our Crabby Christmas

Team Thompson spent another cozy Christmas in California, nestled by the crackling Yule log, compliments of our cable provider, and dazzled by the festive lights adorning the pool/courtyard area in our complex, compliments of the apartment managers.
Justin and I both worked Christmas Eve day, but hurried home after we put in our time to start our Christmas celebration. Growing up, my mom would always make clam chowder and a special spinach salad and a red wine vinaigrette for Christmas Eve dinner, so I've started doing the same. I use a recipe from our friend Eric Hensley, who also grew up in Aberdeen, because Justin had mentioned once that he remembered Eric's mom making a great clam chowder. I asked Eric last year if he could get the recipe from his mom. Eric was conveniently at his parents' house when we asked, so he took a picture of her handwritten recipe, which is now part of our Christmas Eve tradition.

Team Thompson's Christmas Eve Dinner (we should have moved the chair...)

After dinner we each opened one gift before the Christmas Eve church service, and boy am I glad I opened what I did! I got The Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook from Maggie! I'd planned on making twice baked potatoes Christmas Day, though I hadn't yet decided on a recipe. Lo and behold...the Pioneer Woman has one in her cookbook! I highly, highly recommend her twice baked potato recipe, and I highly, highly recommend you follow her blog & website.

We went to the 11 p.m. candlelight service at church to sing praises in celebrate the birth of Jesus, the true reason for Christmas. We've never done a midnight service before, but I've always loved the candlelight services because the taking of our candles out into the night after the service is a good reminder that we are to always -- not just at Christmastime -- shine our little lights share the love of Christ.

On Christmas morning we had "hockey pucks" -- ooey, gooey bread rolls baked in a sinfully delicious combination of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and butterscotch pudding powder. We always have hockey pucks for breakfast on a holiday, BUT...this year we switched it up, and here's the tale of how a different type of hockey puck came to be:

"Can you use another type of pudding mix in hockey pucks, like banana?" asked Justin, a newbie to the longstanding Evans family tradition of butterscotch holiday hockey pucks, just after Christine pulled the deliciously gooey and fresh-baked butterscotch hockey pucks out of the oven on Thanksgiving morning.

"How dare you suggest something so absurd!" answered Christine. "Butterscotch is what has been used for centuries, man, centuries! I can't even imagine changing something so sacred!"

Editor's note: Ok, actually I didn't say that. I thought it for a split second, but my real answer definitely does not have the same dramatic impact on this story, and since it's a story, it needs to be dramatic and engaging. The true story continues...now...

"Maybe...humm...we'll have to try it sometime," said Christine, even though she was really thinking at the time there is no way anything but butterscotch could taste as good. Little did she know what the insanely deliciousness the banana hockey pucks had in store.

Listen to me when I say this, peeps. You must try the banana hockey pucks immediately. Just look at this:
I sliced real banana in there, too. I'm not a fan of anything flavored with banana, like popsicles, unless it's a real banana, but these were simply delightful. Stay tuned for the recipe.

During breakfast we opened presents, celebrated my brother's engagement, emptied stockings, gazed into the wonders of the digital Yule log and enjoyed each others company. The rest of the day was spent snacking on too much veggie pizza, cheese ball, fudge and mandarin oranges until it was time for Christmas dinner.

We treated ourselves to new kitchen table chairs this Christmas, so now if you come to visit, you won't have to worry about your chair breaking. Woo!
We also finally got a headboard for our bed! And the bear? His name is Duffel. It's best if you keep your "aren't you too old for a bear, Christine" comments to yourself.
My parents always try to get an ornament for the kids that represents the past year. This year, my parents made us ornaments of wrecked cars to help us remember September. They even painted the "Tribute" to be a tan color like our tribute! Dad worked carefully to crunch the cars in all the right places. We think these are so clever!

With both of us working up to and on Christmas Eve, there wasn't much time for planning Christmas day festivities and food. I thought of turkey, I thought of prime rib, but I had a hard time deciding what would be the star of our Christmas Day dinner table. Then, it hit me. It's crab season in California...there are signs for fresh crab on nearly every corner in Palo Alto, so thanks to the pesky advertisers, it was decided we'd have crab for dinner.
We may have found our new Christmas Day dinner tradition...the crab was so good! Plus, I got to use the cute butter warmers my mom gave me when I lived in Seattle because I was much closer to fish market at Pike Place! To accompany dinner, we had twice baked potatoes, corn (for Justin) and an artichoke (for Christine). My oh my...you should probably consider inviting Mr. Crab over for dinner next Christmas.

We're so thankful for the gifts we received, the calls and texts that were made, and the cards that came in the mail from all our friends and loved ones this Christmas. We miss you all, even more so around the holidays, but hearing from you reminds us that no matter the distance, we're blessed to know, love and be loved by all of you.

A few highly, highly recommended Team Thompson favorites:

Hockey Pucks
Originally from Virginia (Nanny) Evans/Kathy Rabe. Note that these must sit out OVERNIGHT.

• 1 pkg. of 12 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls (or other similar frozen roll) {{in CA I can only find Bridgford brand...in a red bag with yellow font}}
  
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 pkg. instant butterscotch pudding
  
• chopped walnuts and/or raisins (optional) {{I do not use any}}

Variations:
Substitute banana pudding for butterscotch. Slice one (1) medium banana and spread half of the slices on the bottom of the bundt pan and the rest on top of the rolls and pudding mix.

Directions: Melt butter and add brown sugar and cinnamon. Grease an angel food or bundt cake pan. In the bottom of the pan put in chopped nuts or raisins (optional) [[or bananas]]. Place the frozen rolls around the inside of the pan and sprinkle 1/2 pkg. of pudding mix. Pour melted goods over this. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and set aside overnight on the counter. In the morning, bake in a 350F oven for 20 minutes. Let cool for five minutes then flip over onto a large place and serve.


Ginger Emerson's Curry Chicken Cheeseball
Great for holiday parties

• 2 pkgs (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 TBL Heintz 57 steak sauce
• 1/4 tsp. curry powder

Beat together, then add:

• 1 1/2 c. minced, cooked chicken (1 can, drained)
• 1/2 c. minced celery

Mix well, shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 4 hours or over night. Before serving mix together:

• 1/4 c. toasted, sliced almonds, chopped
• 1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped

Roll cheese ball in mixture above, coating evenly. Cheeseball will be ok for up to 4 hours after being coated...eventually the almonds get a bit chewy. Serve with Wheat Thins, Triscuits or Ritz crackers. Also will work with veggies.


Ginger Emerson's Spinach Salad and Red Wine Vinaigrette
We always serve this alongside clam chowder for Christmas Eve dinner. My mom begged a restaurant in Spokane for the dressing and they finally caved!
Dressing

• 1/3 c. Red wine vinegar
• 2/3 c. powdered sugar
• A shake of dry dill
• A shake of garlic powder

Shake the above together in a dressing bottle then add:

• 1/2 c. vegetable oil

Chill before serving.

Salad

• baby spinach
• hard boiled egg, sliced
• bacon bits
• sliced almonds, toasted
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• sliced mushrooms

Mrs. Hensley's Clam Chowder
Serves 5 for dinner

Brown about 6 slices of bacon. Drain fat. Add 2 stalks celery and 1 onion chopped and simmer on low with bacon in the same pan.

Add 10 peeled and diced potatoes into the same pot. Add water to almost cover the potatoes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon basil, and a few shakes of pepper. Add 1-2 cans clams, drained (I use two) and then simmer 25 minutes.

Mash the potatoes a few times to thicken. Add 1 can preheated evaporated milk (open the can and put in a pot with a little water). Salt and pepper to taste.

Alcatrazal Dazzle

Our friend, Cory, and his girlfriend Nicole ventured down to San Francisco in early December so we met up with them for a day of playing tourist.

Cory and Justin met at WSU and became fast friends. They were roommates in Stimson Hall, Cougar Crest apartments and in the Halfway House on California Street near Greek row, and have been buddies ever since. The three of us actually spent a lot of time together back in the day at WSU and it's fun to get together and talk about old times every now and again.

We met Cory and Nicole at their hotel and then made our way down to the piers to catch a ride to Alcatraz on Alcatraz Cruises. We've viewed Alcatraz from afar, from the piers and from the telescopes before...we've even been within a stone's throw from it on a different boat tour, but we've never been on The Rock. Here are some pics to enjoy:

Cory and Nicole on The Rock

The cell block upon The Rock

Yours Truly

So many cells

Not a lot of space in the wee cells

Nicole and Cory take in the commentary
Don't drop the soap!
The former warden's pad.
The dude in the middle on the bottom row was so excited to have presumably escaped Alcatraz, he couldn't keep his eyes open!
Cory standing out in what was the inmate's privileged outdoor recreation area...playground, if you will.
It's singalong time, folks: "This used to be my playground..."

The inmates said the worst thing was being able to hear the noises of the city, especially on New Year's Eve because the wind would carry the sounds of the parties right to their cells. San Fran is less than a mile from Alcatraz.

After Alcatraz we ventured down past Pier 39 to the Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe for bread bowls of clam chowder before we walked over to The Buena Vista Cafe for Irish coffees. It was a blustery, chilly day (when isn't it??!) so we were very thankful for the Irish coffees!
The Buena Vista is always crowded -- so crowded that you often share a table with strangers. The strangers we shared a table with suggested we drive up to Christmas Tree Point at Twin Peaks to see the lights. Because it was close to Christmas and this point just happens to be referred to as Christmas Tree Point, we figured we'd find streets of homes decorated with Christmas lights.

I was testing out some different photo options on my phone...thus the funky borders on some pics.

Nope! Instead Christmas Tree Point provides interested persons with a magnificent view of the entire city of San Francisco!

We had a fun day with Cory and Nicole. We hope to see you two again soon!