Gerlt House: December 2007

Mmmm...mmm...mmm!

We found out last night that Jake likes Cheesy Meat. I mean really likes Cheesy Meat. Cheesy Meat (a.k.a. Alta's Creamy Tacos) is one of our family's favorite meals. It's a cheesy dip that you eat with chips. As you can tell from the pictures, Jake loves it just as much as the rest of us. He fits right in. However, he found the chip dipping part a bit frustrating...so he just ate it by face diving. Here's the recipe. Hope you enjoy it as much as Jake did. Oh, and it's really healthy (she said sarcastically).

Cheesy Meat

1 pound velveeta
1 can chili
1 can ranch-style beans
2 pounds ground beef
1 can Rotel
1 cup whipping cream (small carton)
tortilla chips

Brown ground beef. Drain.
Add chili, velveeta, Rotel and beans. Stir well.
Add cream and stir. Serve with toritlla chips.

Christmas Eve Gift

It's a tradition in our house, passed down from my Grandmother, to try to be the first one to say "Christmas Eve Gift!" on Christmas Eve.
Even though it's late we'll say it anyway! Christmas Eve Gift!!

Merry Christmas from the Gerlt House!

Christmas Cheer From the Great State of Texas

This marks our first Christmas to be completely on our own as a family, with out a visit to family or friends. We are actually looking forward to the simplicity of it all but, if I think about it too long, I get to feeling pretty homesick.
This morning a package arrived from Scott and Dede, my brother and sister-in-law, that cheered us up! A Texas-shaped basket full of Texas goodies from Susie's South 40 Confections in Midland, Texas. Yummmm! You better believe it made our day and made them feel not so far away. Thank you!

And a few days ago, we got a box from Adam and Mandy Barker, our dear friends since college. Mandy is so creative and this ornament shows it! Isn't it cute? What love, friends. Thanks-

What a difference a year makes--

I was thinking earlier today about this time last year. Jake was tiny-tiny and would lay on a blanket quietly and look at the lights on our tree. Not so this year! He is up and at 'em all the time, constantly on go.
Here's a little glimpse into the past:

And here he is in his Santa hat this year, ready for action:

Handmade Christmas

The kids have worked hard decorating our home for Christmas. We have had so much fun! Here are are few pictures of their handi-work...

Here's our little tree-

We made paper lanterns and dough ornaments-

Stockings made from thrifted corduroy and wool coats-

Our Nativity made from a clementine box and a popsicle stick manger. Yes, there are four Baby Jesus babies in there. And that's Mary in the green. Our neighbors, Kayla and Chloe came over and helped. They plan is to make each baby Jesus a manger of his own-

And finally, Max's interpretation of Santa. Medium: Poster paint on typing paper-

It's the most wonderful tiiiiiiiiime of the yeeeeeeeeeeeeear!

For Papa, so you don't starve while Momma D is away

Momma D is on a fun trip this weekend with Teresia and Landry. They are doing some Christmas shopping in Dallas. How I wish I could be there, too! Have fun, you three!

Now, when Momma D goes away, Papa is left to find his own food. Momma D always leaves stuff in the fridge, but often he just snacks on little things around the house and supplements with burritos from Juan's (yum!). While Momma D was here visiting us, he survived on Tootsie Rolls and animal crackers. When she met the Momma Yaya's for a weekend, he shared his recipe for hot dogs that he developed. It's tasty, for sure!

Anna Kate wanted to share her recipe for tiny pizzas so that Papa would have something new to add to his repoitoire. Papa, this tutorial is for you with love from Anna Kate.

First, assemble your fine ingredients:

Biscuits, cheese, pizza sauce and pepperonis