Hi All,

The Dixon Family Christmas party has been changed to 3 PM on Saturday at OMA and OPA's church building on 800 North next to Lakeside Elementary.

We are having a potato bar.  If you wish to bring something for it, call Oma to see what is needed.

We just plan on eating and visiting.  Grandpa Dixon will be there.  He has new hearing aids and can understand most things you say  if you speak clearly.

See you there!

Opa.

Les Miserables

Hey Everyone,
UPDATE: We looked at the parental advisory for this movie on IMDB (see here) and found that this movie might not be worth it. We won't be seeing it as a family anymore. See you all on Saturday afternoon.

THANKSGIVING DINNER

It's only TWO weeks until

THANKSGIVING DAY!

I think everyone will be coming to our house this year. 

let me know if this isn't so! 

This morning I realized that it's only 14 days until Thanksgiving dinner.  Everyone has been asking me what they can bring and it has seemed like a long way off.......until I looked at the calendar this morning. Where does the time go?

So, I thought I'd let people sign up for what they'd like to bring. I will do the turkey and ham, and then work around whatever else needs to be done.

Suggestions are 

potatoes

gravy

veggies

salads

rolls

dressing

 (we've had several people request Faunice, but no pressure Faunice)

drink

pies

(can you ever have enough pie?)

yams

Anything you don't see here that should be here! 

decorating the table

We are open to any and all suggestions!

If you could let us know what you'd like to bring by November 17th

then we will know how to plan.

Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!

  

 

  

 

Dixon Christmas Gift Exchange with ALL the Names! (oops! hee hee)

The Christmas Family Name Exchange!

Dad---Millie

Mom---Anna T

Heather---Xander

Missy---Christopher

Sarah D.---Grant

Lilli---Ellie

Emily---Mary Kate

Adam---Becca

Katie---Lilli

Robert---Emily

Christopher---Peter

Mary Kate---Missy

Millie---Dad (Opa)

Josh---Tommy

Anna T---Steven

Sarah T.---Mimi

Mary W---Erin

Scott---Kristy

Steven---Brevan

Anna W---Heather
Becca---Sarah D

Ellie---Robert

Tommy---Mom (Oma)

Mimi---Adam

Peter---Sarah T

Faunice---Scott

Owen---Mary W

Tom---Faunice

Kristy---Katie

Xander---Anna W

Brevan---Jim

Isabelle---Owen

Grant---Josh

Jim---Tom

Erin---Isabelle         

 

     In the past we've had a limit of about $25. Does everyone want to keep it about that same amount?

Also, it would help if everyone could put some hints on the blog of things that they may like for Christmas!

CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! 

Halloween 2012

Thank you all for coming!

HALLOWEEN

 

HALLOWEEN!

When I wrote the last post I realized I had forgotten about HALLOWEEN!

How I could do that I just can imagine!!

Of course, we are doing the annual HALLOWEEN party here. Although it's on a Wednesday, we don't know how many will be able to make it. Please don't feel like you have to come if you just don't have the time, BUT we would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, it if anyone who felt like they could come would like to come and spook Oma and Opa with their costumes!

We will have a light supper at about 5-ish (or whenever you can make it)

and then trick or treating for the younger ones about 5:30, before it gets too cold.

For the older goblins, there will be lots of movies to choose from with PLENTY of Halloween goodies to snack on while you watch.

(You don't even need to go begging for them!)

CAN'T WAIT, CAN'T WAIT, CAN'T WAIT!

Also, just as a side note, on the first Sunday in November we will be drawing names for Christmas. So if everyone can be there that would be nice. If not we will be happy to draw names for you. Bobo gets to do it for you if your not there, (just so you know!).       

 

Chocolate Orange Cake

Mary requested I post the recipe I used for Jim's cake on the blog, so here it is. I must include a disclaimer, however. The filling and frosting recipes were more or less thrown together with reference to the recipes, so I will let you know where I am unsure about quantities of ingredients.

Chocolate Cake: This recipe makes one 9" layer. Double for two layers. I am including the weights of the measurements as well if you would rather use a scale than a measuring cup.

Unsweetened (alkalized) cocoa powder - 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon (sifted before measuring) = 1.5 oz (42 grams)

Boiling water - 1/2 cup = 4 fluid oz/ 4.2 oz (118 g)

2 large eggs, at room temperature - 1/4 c plus 2 Tbl = 3.5 oz (100 g)

Water - 3 Tbl = 1.5 fluid oz/1.5 oz (44 g)

Pure Vanilla Extract - 1 1/2 teaspoon

Cake Flour (or bleached all-purpose flour) - 1 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbl (or 1 1/3 cup), sifted into the cup and leveled off = 5.5 oz (156 g)

Superfine sugar - 1 cup = 7 oz (200 g)

Baking Powder - 2 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Unsalted butter, room temperature - 8 Tbl (2 sticks) = 4 oz (113 g)

Canola or safflower oil, at room temperature - 2 Tbl = 1 oz (28 g)

Twenty minutes or more before baking, set an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, whisk the cocoa and boiling water until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. To speed cooling, place it in the refrigerator . Bring it to room temperature before proceeding.

In another bowl, whisk the eggs, the 3 Tbl of water and the vanilla just until lightly combined.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt on low speed for 30 seconds. Add the butter, oil and cocoa mixture. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Raise the speed to medium and beat for 1 1/2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Starting on medium-low speed, gradually add the egg mixture in two parts, beating on medium speed for 30 seconds after each addition to incorporate the ingredients and strengthen the structure. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Using a silicone spatula, scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface evenly with a small offset spatula. 

Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a wire cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean the cake springs back when pressed lightly in the center. The cake should start to shrink from the sides of the pan only after removal from the oven.

Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a small metal spatula between the sides of the pan and the cake, pressing firmly against the pan, and invert the cake onto a wire rack that has been coated lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Tor prevent splitting, re invert the cake so that the top side is up. Cool completely. 

Orange Cream Filling: Disclaimer, the consistency of what was done, was less fluffy than I desired, so I suggest making the orange sauce and slowly adding it to the whipped cream until it is how you want it to be.

1 1/2 c powdered sugar (granulated sugar will make it grainy!)

3/4 Tbsp flour

Grated rind of 3/4 orange (for zest)

1 1/4 Tbsp lemon juice

1/8 cup orange juice

1 egg, beaten

1/2 Tbsp butter

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Melt together the powdered sugar, flour, orange zest, lemon juice, orange juice and egg over a double boiler, stirring frequently. When thickened, remove from heat and add butter. Cool completely (refrigeration can speed the process) Whip the cream until stiff. Fold cooled orange filling into cream. Best if done day previous.

Whipped Chocolate Orange Butter Cream Frosting:

6 Tbl flour

1 cup milk

1 cup unsalted butter (no substitutes)

1 cup granulated sugar

About 1/4-1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 tsp orange juice

Grated rind of 1 orange (for zest)

Whisk together the flour and the milk in a small saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat until it starts to thicken. It should look like pudding--you should be able to see the bottom of the pan when you stir (this happens quickly, and don't worry if it get really thick and lumpy). Press the mixture through a mesh strainer and let it cool completely at room temperature or chill it in the fridge. It need to be cooled completely or it will melt the butter and you'll have runny frosting. 

In an stand mixer, beat the butter, cocoa powder (add until you have the chocolate flavor you want. If the frosting becomes too stiff, add more orange juice, 1/8 tsp at a time) and the sugar with the whisk attachment until they are well combined and fluffy. 

While the mixer is running, add the milk mixture, flavoring and zest. Beat for 7 minutes on high. It may look curdled at first, and it may take up to 12 minutes. Beat until frosting is velvety smooth and fluffy.

Hayride Pics - Wolfords

With some Facebook cover photo crops if anyone is interested

Thanks Oma and Opa - we had a great time!

Chocolate fundraiser!!!!!

Hey guys!
The Thompson kids are doing a fundraiser for school. We are selling World's Finest Chocolates. They are $1.00 each and the flavors and Milk chocolate with almonds, Milk chocolate with caramel, and W. F. Crisp rice bars!!! If you want to make a donation, Tell mary, Mille, or Josh and give us the money and we will give you your chocolate as soon as we can!!!:)

No pressure, but chocolate is YUMMY!!!!!

Hayride and Pumpkins!

 

It's Pumpkin Time again!

Dad and Mom would like to invited one and all 

 on a pumpkin hayride!

When.........October 20th

Time..............4:00 p.m.

Where.....At Day's Farm in Layton

Let us know if this works for you. If it doesn't let know.

This has always been so much fun! We hope everyone can come!

Come and get a pumpkin!!  

IT'S CONFERENCE TIME AGAIN!

That's right! It our favorite time of the year! 

 

Everyone is invited to come to Mom and Dad's

to enjoy Conference on Sunday!

Between sessions we will have a soup bonanza!

With different kinds of breads on the side.

The eating will start right after the morning session 

is over with on Sunday.

We look forward to seeing anyone who would 

like to come join us.

There will be things for the younger children to do during conference

(paper, crayons, bingo, etc)

And of course the traditional apples!

We hope you can all come!

Xander's fundraiser

 Xander is very excited to sell cookie dough. He is sure everyone will want it.:) I know people are not overly excited about fundraisers so I thought I would put it on here so that no one feels the pressure of little eyes staring hopefully up at them. If you would like to buy any just let me know by the end of the month either on the blog or you can call. It is $13.00 for the easy scoop tub and $15.00 for the preportioned cookies. There are chocolate chunk, peanut butter, M & M's, triple chocolate, sugar, peanut butter cup, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle, white chocolate macadamia nut, and walnut chocolate chunk.

MOVING DAY THIS SATURDAY

!!!!

Mustaches

Father like son....

Like daughter.

Labor Day Picnic

I did a lousy job taking pictures. It was more fun to visit with all of you.

Good job picnic organizers!