Thanksgiving

How does your Thanksgiving look this year? What this means to me is taking the time to express my gratitude for my familily. I love to get together and eat, play games and just to be with family on Thanksgiving. I have never been a football fan so that doesn't much appeal to me.This year Mom and Dad, and Nick and Scott will be coming. We will all sit around out table and most likely overeat and enjoy the dinner. I always like to play some games with who ever is here (Scrabble of Phase 10 would be good). Later we'll just have more food-I believe Scott is making a Pumpkin Cheesecake. In the evening or maybe the morning we'll call our missing daughter Miranda(some of you may remember her) and tell her we wished she would have been able to be with us again-I miss her!

Pumpkin Lefse Recipe

Thanks to Mom (Hildur) for sending us the instant potato lefse recipe she sent to us many years ago while we were stationed in Hawaii!


We made our Pumpkin Lefse Vegan because Nick and Scott are coming home...let me tell you...they are good. We spread butter on them and sprinkled sugar and pumpkin spice and they we great!
We made 16, ten inch rounds.
We also made some traditional ones as well.
Below is the recipe we used. We had to mix in a bit more flour than we expected because pumpkin is quite a more moist than potatoes.
Enjoy this Pumpkin Lefse!




4 cups instant mashed potatoes


1-16 Oz Can Pumpkin Puree


2 teaspoon salt


1/2 Cup Butter (or Earth Balance Spread for Vegan)


2 cup milk(or Soy Milk for Vegan)


2,5 cup flour


2-Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice





Melt butter and salt in 1.5 cup boiling water. Pour mixture over instant potatoes and stir . Add 2 cup milk and 2.5 cup flour; stir together, then cool in refrigerator. Roll into golf ball size balls, about 1/4 cup, then roll out thin. Cook in hot griddle (475). Brown lightly on both sides.

Lefse, Pumpkin

Vegan, PUMPKIN LEFSE

A Vegan Thanksgiving

We have invited Mom and Dad and Nick and Scott to our home for Thanksgiving. The only challange is Nick and Scott are vegans-(no animal products). I told Mom this and she said," thats okay" and Dad said," good". So below is our menu. The only thing that is not Vegan is the Honeycomb-It's made by Bees...

Our Guests of Honor Include
Bryce and Hildur
Nick and Scott


Light Appetizers
Mixed Nuts
Crusty Bread with
Balsamic Vinegar and Oils
Soy Eggnog and Brandy

Entrees
Nick’s Mock Toferky & Stuffing
Fancy Nancy’s
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Baked Sweet Pumpkin
With Maple Syrup
Hildur’s Own Onion Breadsticks
(if they turn out-(her words)
Whole Wheat Rolls with Fresh Honeycomb
Gary's Pumpkin Lefse (if it turns out-if not Lena's store bought)

Scott’s Dessert
Scott’s Surprisingly Good
Surprise Desert

Beverages
“Not to Strong” Coffee
Nature’s Own Iced Tap Water
Farm Fresh Soy Milk
Forest Edge Wine

Pumpkin Lefse

We going to try to make Pumpkin Lefse (hold the Ish-Da) this weekend and I am looking for any ideas that might be interesting.

Of course I will be using the quick method !

(instand potatoes are really quick)

I thought I would just replace 1/3 of the potatoes with canned pumpkin and add some pumpkin pie spice.

Then I got to thinking-what about replacing the milk with egg-nog on a different batch? (ish da)

Any ideas?

mrs. senior

no- i don`t know her but i am proud of the way she put bemidji on the map.another lady who does is the one who enters cooking contests and very often wins. i can`t thik of her name now.

MS Senior America

This lady has beed crowned Ms. Senior America recently and guess what? She is from Bemidji! Does anyone know her? She is with her husband and daughter.

hi

grandma says-- good job on the pictures girls

thanks for the veterans day message, gary

Remember Those Who Served

Veteran's Day for me means remembering and honoring the service of those that served.

The old guys-Bryce and his brothers- The Gregerson Boys (whom I will not name)-when they went to war it was "for the duration" and they did not know when they would see home next-Many were gone 3-6 years straight and knew that they were in for the long haul! Most all able bodied men and women either went to war or were somehow supporting the war-

Dad, Thank you for your service!

Cedric-Was also in the "big one". I am remembering you today!

Al Lamon-(Dad's Brother) was in for over 15 years-Thank you Al-for your service!

Scott Saunders, (Viet Nam Era)Thank you Scott, for your service!

Russel Lamon- Russel was in for over 15 years-I saw him while we Germany-Thank you, Russel for your service!

Matt Saunders-Thank you Matt, for your service-If my memory is correct-Matt served for 3-4 years

and our most recent vet...

Mike Lamon. As most of you know Mike has recently returned from Combat operations in Iraq-He was injured and received the purple heart-I am really happy he came back from this one alive. Mike-Thank you for your service!

I am VERY PROUD of all of our families vets!

I may have missed someone but I hope not- If so let me know. (the memory is the first to go).

I'm Chuckling & That Is Good!!

I am eating lunch & just catching up on the blog and really enjoying it.

On November 7th...Grandma says "Hell to Everyone!" (we do know she meant to say, "hello!") However, her next blog says that she is proud of all her kids/grandkids & feels wonderful to have us all in her life (Lois is paraphrasing here!) I just laughed out loud because it caught me as being funny. And, for those of you that read or listen to Dr. Oz...well, we know that laughing is good.



I read (again with interest) Gary's comment about our blog & all of us being the blog! I'd like to 2nd that motion. When I think about how often I see some of my nieces/nephews...well, it is not often enough. This really keeps us connected in a very unique way & I have discovered that we have some very good photographers (thanks, Emma & Morgan & others for posting pics) and writers, too.



I also love clicking on Nancy's & Pete's "other blog" and reading what they are up to, too! And, Nancy, your pictures are wonderful! (no need to click on Lois' cooking blog...she is a slacker in that area...08 could use some improvement there!!)



So, please if you read this...& don't post...consider posting. It does bridge a gap when we are apart & I know that it keeps Mom & Dad up to date, too.

Kids take the most unflattering pictures

We turned Emma and Morgan loose with the digital camera a week or two ago. How do they manage to catch everybody looking their worst??

congratulations

grandma says--congratulations are in order for aaron--nick and randee for their new jobs. it is probably kind of a challenge as well as a little scary to begin with. i am sure you are up to it. we are proud of you as well as all our grandchildren and kids. we feel very very lucky to have all of you.
as for us -- old fogies--we are doing well for a couple of 86 year olds. we have had check ups and things are pretty good. hope everything is well with all of you

Our Family History

I was just looking at some of the old blog entries-we go back about three years-Where else can you find pictures of kids that are not even born yet? Or Santa Kane? It was fun to review some of the posts and comments.
I really wish that everyone would update us every so often-not just read the blog but help BE the blog. This website could go on forever! Once we are dead and gone people may get to know us a bit better just by reading and seeing what we said and hae done. When Pete's grandkids check out his blog-they may be thinking...Grandpa really was nuts riding his bike in the city in the winter. Or I did not know that Grandpa liked beer! Or that Anna was a free spirit.
If you need a new log in you can let me know and I will reissue you an invite. ( or Pete, Nick and Anna can also).

My first video upload

I wanted to try the video upload on Blogger-It was as easy as putting a picture on-get out your Digital Video camera and give it a try. I got this video from an e-mail that Nancy recieved.

Who are you voting for?

Very, very interesting. Not a joke. Try it!
Thinking about next year's election .. already made up your mind? still deciding? try this fascinating website!
Takes about 1-2 minutes.Having trouble deciding who to vote for in 2008?
This will compare your answers with ALL candidates. I found this to be of interest .... It did not select the candidate I had expected! Of even more interest was which were way down the list - and why..
Click on the website below http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460

If you can read this whole story without laughing then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end.

Note: Please take time to read this slowly.If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas Oklahoma or Lousiania, you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Thanksgiving comes around.

Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Northern Minnesota.

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the beer truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted". Here are the scorecard notes from the event: CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI

Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.

Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.Judge

# 3 (Frank) -- Holy sh--, what the h--- is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN'S AFTERBURNER CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- Smokey, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure whatI'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when theysaw the look on my face.

CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.

Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feelslike I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone isin the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer.

CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC...

Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish orother mild foods, not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid,was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

CHILI # 5 LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER...

Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lipsoff. It really p----- me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY...

Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance ofspices and peppers.

Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, andgarlic. Superb.

Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I s--- on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snowcone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worriedabout Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inchhole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?

Judge # 3 No Report

hi

Grandma says hell to everyone

Hello

Testing the blog

More From Aaron

Hey, I read the blog, thanks for posting that there. I can expand on the job and you could cut and paste this to another entry:

The Minnesota Bound Show is just a small part of the new job. I start on the bottom rung which means alot of different things but mostly it means I have to pick up some pieces of a show that was started but not finished because the first 6 epiodes were not shot up to standards (a different company shot these). I have to shoot 6 new episodes and edit all 12. The first six months is a freelance period and after that I could go full time. The show is a big game hunting show with 6 week-long shoots in places like Colorado, Montana and other western states. I'm not exactly sure where the finished products will air, but I think it will only be in the Denver area.

The outdoor shows are just part of the company, they do alot of work for the Discovery Channel and History Channel. Right now The History Channel is airing a series called "Monster Quest" that was most recently shot by the company I am going to. So there are some wonderful network and travel opportunities that I am looking forward to. Most importantly I am looking forward to be able to live in Minnesota again. Florida is truly dreadful.

-Aaron

Some GREAT News

Aaron gave me permission to post his news...! We are excited because he is returning to Minnesota around Thanksgiving time. YEAH!

His home/job base will be in Minneapolis, but will involve traveling and shooting his camera for Ron Schara Productions. If you don't know who Ron (and his dog, Raven) is here is a link: www.mnbound.com - we are excited to say the least.

Welcome Home, Aaron!