world's largest molecule

Scientists for Better PCR

Who's the Daddy? was my favorite line of many favorite lines. this is classic. beyond classic. thanks to my friend Heidi for sending the link:

http://bio-rad.cnpg.com/lsca/videos/ScientistsForBetterPCR/

loved it, wanted to do it, blogged it

Klingler Lights

If you are ever in Iona around Christmas time, you need to check out the Klingler family lights. My brother took us when we went to their house over New Year's. It was a lot of fun. Much better than seeing shows on YouTube. We need to take my dad next year.

funny

a classic case of miscommunication. or something. :)

Christmas goodies

Don't you wish you were our neighbor?

we, of course, filled it out a little more than that.

I got the recipe for these holly wreath cookies from my neighbor growing up. She would make them every Christmas for our neighborhood caroling party, and they were always my favorite.

Holly Wreath Cookies

30-40 lg Marshmallows
1 cube margarine
1 t. vanilla
2 t. green food coloring
4 1/2 c. corn flakes
Red cinnamon candies

Melt marshmallows and margarine in a large saucepan. Add vanilla and food coloring. Remove from heat and add corn flakes. Blend well. Drop by teaspoonfulls on waxed paper. Dot with red cinnamon candies.

This recipe is from a friend from when we lived in Pendleton, Or

Gingerbread Boys

mix thoroughly:

1/3 c. soft shortening
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. dark molasses

stir in:

2/3 c. cold water

sift together and stir in:

4 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 t. salt
1 t. ginger
1 t. cinnamon
2 t. soda
1 t. all spice
1 t. cloves

Chill dough, roll out very thick (1/2 in)
Place apart on lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees until no imprint remains when touched lightly with finger.

Sugar cookies:

recipe from grandma in law. very very very good.

Toffee:

also from in laws, and also very very good. however, i recommend personal instruction in order to make it. doug is the toffee maker in our house.


Mallory helping make said goodies:

helping and eating

Christmas Decorations

our nativity scene:

it is actually alone on the piano. usually our piano is overflowing with trinkets and junk mail.

On our Christmas tree (left in our house by the previous owners. very fortuitous, since last year our lot bought tree never drank a drop of water. I think next year i might try to talk doug into going to cut a tree down in the South Hills.)

we have:

a ladybug from China from when my mom and Stacey went to pick up Erin Joy

a dried out protein gel from my days as a mad scientist. ok, well, from my days working in a molecular biology lab.


a woven star from the Marshall Islands, a present from my parents.

more woven fish, turtle, and a flower from the Marshall Islands that we got on our birthdays. (these aren't really Christmas decorations, per se, since I am going to keep them up year round, but since I got them up at Christmas time, there you have it.)

our stockings that i made from the same pattern my family has (yes they are big. the better to fit presents in); Isaac's is not quite finished, since Doug was waffling on whether or not he wanted paisley.

and finally, we have mallory... who loves to look at the star.

Susie's Sweet Potato Casserole

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

2 lbs sweet potatoes (4-6 potatoes, peeled, cut in 1" cubes)

1/2 C brown sugar

1/2 C butter

2 eggs

1/3 C milk or cream

1 tsp vanilla

Put potatoes in cold water and cook high to boiling; reduce and simmer until cooked; drain and mash with remaining ingredients. Preheat oven to 350

PECAN STRUDEL TOPPING

1 C pecans (coarsely chopped)

2/3 C brown sugar

1/2 C flour

1/3 C butter, melted

combine the first three, then add butter to the crumbs.

Bake for 40 mins.

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

thought this was a cool version of the song

Christmas Letter

Here is our Christmas Letter for 2007. Merry Christmas one and all!