Inclusion or PC?

I don't usually use my blog to theorize or to wonder - mostly I like to journal with pictures. However - something has been bugging me lately.

On Facebook and in emails - I've been getting forwards and invites about people feeling jilted (?? is that what they're feeling??) about not feeling like they can say "Merry Christmas."

I'm not sure where this is really coming from. Are they upset because their kids' school calendar says Holiday Break? Do they feel slighted because on some sign somewhere it says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?" I don't get it. I don't feel slighted - so I'm seriously not sure what the point is - except that some extremists might be trying to rally people - and get them fired up about any cause (and this cause will do for now).

Why does my saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” . . .or schools having “Winter Break” instead of “Christmas Break” - take anything away from the good Christians? (yes, I'm not talking about the "bad" Christians right now :) tee hee

I mean - I truly think that people who like to bitch about just about everything are missing the true point - and that's not being "Politically Correct" (in fact - I've come to loathe that phrase) - but in being INCLUSIVE. As in - INCLUDING all people - not leaving people out.

I guess that's the way I am. It's who I am now, it's who I've always been, and who I will be when I "grow up." I fight for the little guy - the woman with no voice - the kid who can't fight for himself. Because of this - I will always try to be as inclusive as possible - and in my life right now - that includes many people who are not Christians. They attend and work at my school - live in my neighborhood - and pay the same taxes I pay.

I say “Happy Holidays” at the end of my CHRISTMAS letter – because I have many non-Christian friends who are not celebrating Christmas, but I still want to be included in my sentiment of love and peace during this special time of my year. (which, by the way, you don't have to be Christian to acknowledge/celebrate)

What I'm trying to say is - CELEBRATE your holiday! - shout your praises! - smile and wish people MERRY CHRISTMAS! Just don't be so self-centered that yours is the only religion in the room - and that the words "Happy Holidays" VERY MUCH ALSO mean "Merry Christmas" to you, "Joyous Hanukkah" to your co-worker, "Allah's Blessings" to your Muslim friends, and "Happy New Year" to your Hmong neighbors.

Thank GOD we live in a country where we can ALL be included and ALL celebrate our love for each other, and our desire for peace and joy.

With my sincere love, Merry Christmas. Peace On Earth. Happy Holidays.

Hanukkah Party

My friend and co-worker, Joe, invited me to his family's Hanukkah party this evening. I had never been to one - so really didn't know what to expect. Pretty much - it was Christmas with less presents. (of course - they have 8 nights of Hanukkah) :) Joe's mom was there, Shelley's sister and her family, me, and Joe's friend Mark and his girlfriend.

After the prayer and lighting of the menorahs (yes - there were 6 menorahs - a fancy one - one for each kid - and a spare) - Joe and Shelley put on a great spread of the yummiest pot roast, Parmesan broccoli, latkes, and blintzes.

latkes with sour cream and applesauce


blintzes with fruit topping

The kids were playing - but finally Elizabeth got anxious about me finishing (as they were waiting for dinner to be over so they could open presents (sound familiar??) :)


After presents for the kids (and gelt - chocolate coins) we had yummy desserts and then hugs and kisses all around to head out into the cold night!

Pretty fun time for my first ever Hanukkah Party! :) I feel very honored that Joe included me on this special evening. I'm truly glad I got to go. :) Happy Hanukkah everybody!

Mini Christmas

So Mini Christmas is officially a new Jerome tradition. It's kind of cool to have an early celebration with Mom and Dad. We started the day with lunch at Bob and Sue's. (Lon and Jaime did their own things - 2nd Bday of Who Made Who too) Mom, Dad, Alice, L3, and I got to meet Leah Grace for the first time . . which was awesome. (She's a cutie!) Matt and the girls also stopped by. We had yummy homemade soup for lunch and spent some time visiting.

(Please note the sisters wearing matching outfits for Christmas . . just like the "old days.")





After leaving Bob and Sue's - we ran back to my place. Lonny took Alice and the puppies out to play in the snow - and I ran out without a jacket to snap these photos. . .(and finally ran back in after Alice kept asking "Why don't you have a jacket on? Why? But why don't you have a jacket on?")




A perfect MN winter day - kids and dogs playing, dads acting like kids, and moms cooking Christmas dinner. Mom totally outdid herself AGAIN! She made our pierogi and cabbage rolls, country style ribs (DELISH!!), Polish sausage, and wah wah . . broccoli. While Mom cooked, I watched L3, and Dad and Alice made the best "Gingerman" House EVER!








We also accidentally left L3's hat in Blaine - so Bob and Sue dropped it off - and I made them join us for dinner - YAY!

After dinner - we opened presents - Alice took a little while to really get into it - but once she started playing with her new goods - she had a blast!





Alice even got us all into a game of "Toss the Dog" where she stood on the chair with her new microphone - and shouted out someone's name ("Bob!" - and whomever had the stuffed dog tossed it to Bob. etc.. you get the idea of the game) :)


Even Lonny was totally into his new Jumperoo from Grandma and Grandpa! (Now he can play just like Penelope!!)


And to top it all off - yummy rice pudding for dessert!

Merry Mini Christmas to All . . and to All a Good Night!

2009 Pierogi/Cabbage Roll Making

Alice went a little nuts with the flour . . .

Another great evening with my Polish Cousins! Mom and Dad flew in late Wednesday night - so we planned our annual cooking event for Friday. Most people came - but Uncle Jim couldn't make it, and cousin Jamie was very much missed - however - food needed making. I made sloppy joes to keep our energy up - every Nordin brought a veggie tray :) :) - and Jill. . . . yum. . . I'm still loving your Harry and David dip you brought!! I'm totally addicted! :) I love this event every year - and love hanging out with some of my best friends. . my cousins and my brother! :)

And here's who came to hang out:

Jon, Gen, Pen


Dad & his big sister :)


Uncle Greg and Auntie Mary Joy


Penelope (aka Randy from A Christmas Story) ready to go home


Cousins (plus a cranky L3)


Miss Alice - showing off her flour-covered sleeves


2nd Cousins (minus Penelope - who had to get home early)


The (original) Little Red Hens (god, I hate this picture)

Birthday Left-Overs

So, we missed Uncle Carl's 70th Birthday party - but were lucky enough to get the invite to help finish off some of the left-overs at Jon & Genevieve's house! Lonny3, Alice, Lonny & I loved hanging out with our Nordin Cousins!

Craft-O-Rama 2009

Another successful craft fair for Lon and Jaime. . . and for me. I got my sweet potato fries and Jamaican meat pie (twice!) . . .and got a great purse for Julie from Christopher Straub - who was a sweetie to SIGN it and pose for a quick pic!!! :)

Smilin' Lonny3

I had to post this picture of Lonny3 and Icky. I got the kids ready to go up to Sue and Bob's while Lon and Jaime were at the Craft Fair - and found the boys hanging out on the couch while Alice was getting dressed. :)

Cracker "Toffee" Cookies

Ok - I need to respond better when people ask for recipes (sorry Tracy!!) Here is how I make this treat:


Ingredients

* bar pan lined with saltine crackers
* 1 cup butter
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 2 cups milk chocolate chips (or peanut butter chips!)
* optional - sprinkles or chopped nuts for topping



Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Line cookie sheet with saltine crackers in single layer. (I also line the cookie sheet with tin foil first.)

3. In a saucepan combine the sugar and the butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour over saltines and spread to cover crackers completely.

4. Bake at 400 degrees F for 5 to 6 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes.

6. Spread melted chocolate and (optional) top with chopped nuts.

7. Cool completely and break into pieces. (I keep these refrigerated to keep them "crisp")

Happy Thanksgiving

Another great Thanksgiving! I hung out with the Nordins again this year. We had lots of yummy food, we mapped out our shopping schedule for tomorrow, watched Elf, played Taboo, and then after everyone else left - Julie, Heidi, and I watched a movie. I am thankful for cousins who are also friends. :)

The Benicks


Greg & Mary Joy


Kelsey & Abby

One Fall Day

We have the greatest neighbor guy - who used his riding vacuum thingy to pick up most of our leaves - but there was still some to be cleaned up. I mowed and mulched whilst Lonny and Alice raked. And after we were done - we enjoyed the beautiful day!

I love this photo!





Jaime & Lonny3

Cutest Family Ever Enjoys Fall


Alice & Lonny3