Merry Christmas 2010!

Chistmas Eve - we went to Pazzaluna











Christmas Morning:






Christmas Day with my family at our house:

















Merry Christmas and Happy New year! I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!

Is thankful....

So Wednesday started out to be a hectic day. Mira has been battling a little sore throat and cold the last few days. I decided to keep her home and get her into the DR later that afternoon. Of course I had a million things to get done at work. We were having our Holiday Open house on Thursday at the salon! So the plan was to run a ton of errands drop them off at the salon and get back home so Mira could rest.
We are in Target getting a few things - i hear my phone. It is my work asking me if school has called there was an accident! I'm like what are you talking about? Tyler's teacher has been trying to get hold of me there has been an accident. I finally realize that i have about 2 missed phone calls from his teacher. I call his teacher and she states that Tyler was on the swing in his classroom and it came out of the ceiling - he fell 5 feet onto the floor on his back!!! The paramedics are there and are going to transport him to Children's! I grab Mira, leave my cart in the middle of Target and drive like a manic to his school. Of course I call Ron and have a freak out on the phone.
We get to school there are 2 ambulance's, a firetruck and the cops out front!! His teacher meets me at the front door and brings me to his class room. There is Tyler laying on his back crying and not moving! In my head I'm like great I have an autistic son who is now paralyzed!!!
The paramedics assure me that he is going to be OK - they need to bring him to Children's for xrays. He is moving his toes but we need to be cautious. They put a neck brace on him and put him on the stretcher. I call my dad knowing that my mom is working at United that day and asking if she can met us at the ER.
We get to the ER - he goes through numerous Xrays. He is fine - only has bruising and soreness!!! THANK GOD!!! He does need to do a follow up with his DR next week.
We are so thankful that he walked away from this situation with just a sore back, so far!!!
His teachers and para's have been so comforting and concerned for him - they did a great job with handling the situation and the other kids in his classroom.
As of yet I have not received a phone call from the principle or the school district!!! Which is abit concerning!
All in all we are so thankful that the outcome was what it was. There have been lots of extra hugs in our household this week!

Curried Butternut Squash and Pear soup

I found this recipe on All Recipes.com. It was pretty good - the pear incorporated was a little different.

1 (2 pound) butternut squash
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 firm ripe Bartlett pears, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 inch dice
1/2 cup half and half
Directions

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membrane. Place squash halves, cut sides down, on the prepared baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven until very soft, about 45 minutes. Scoop the pulp from the peel, and reserve.
Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, and salt. Cook and stir until the onion is soft, about 10 minutes. Pour the chicken broth into the pot, and bring to a boil. Stir in the pears and the reserved squash, and simmer until the pears are very soft, about 30 minutes.
Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender. Puree in batches until smooth. Return the soup to the pot, stir in the half and half, and reheat.