Christmas Eve

Tonight is Christmas Eve, and I think of all the times to blog about the year- this day (for me atleast) is a given.

Wrap it up:

January 4th of 2008, I started back to school. 5 days a week. 6 hours minimum a day. Chopped off the tip of my thumb with a French knife, and got a 2nd degree burn on my pointer finger doing sugar work. At times it was trying, at times it was the best and funnest thing I have ever done. I learned a lot more than I ever thought I would and can pipe like you wouldnt believe!

Hy has been working his butt off all year. He has had to work out of town a few more times than he thought he would, but it is always great seeing him!

Lily got bigger, and then she got even bigger. She hasnt stopped growing and Hyrum hasnt stopped being excited! She is quite the good looking dog!

This year I lost two of my childhood friends. Seems far too early to be saying that already. Mandy was the first to go, August 22, 2008. That was pretty heartbreaking. No one should ever have to lose a family member in a plane crash. Its just so harsh and earth shattering. Cameron passed this week. I think that everyone who ever knew him will miss him forever. His heart was just too big for this world to hold him. I think about him everyday.

I thought after we lost Mandy, that the next time it wouldn't be as bad. That was pretty silly of me. It's not easy, it's never easy.

I'm done with school now. Will start my externship sometime in January and will Graduate in May. Life moves very quickly.

The last 5 days, Hyrum and I have been snowed in. It has snowed over a foot, a 40 year record. Its starting to snow again as I type.Not normal for Portland obviously. There is an inch on top of and below the snow. Makes driving absolutely insane. Stir crazy doesnt even scratch the surface.

0ther than that, life has continued on as normal....one year wedding anniversary. 3 years together. 4 years since meeting. Life has continued. I hope it stays that way.

Merry Christmas

So sorry to say...

Cameron Shaw - I will really miss your face- Sweet Man rest in peace

Snowed In

We got a ton of snow over the last 3 days, followed by freezing rain. Making it nearly impossible to go anywhere! So Hy and I have been holed up in front of the fire working on a 1,000 tiny pieced puzzle. We started doing the puzzle on our coffee table and soon realized that it wasnt nearly wide enough! We had to use a big plank of wood from our garage as a makeshift table top, just to fit it!

Sporting my favorite hoodie in the freezing weather:



We had so much snow!



Lily spent most of her time in 2 places either- in front of the fire....



...Or snuggled up in my blanket!



Needless to say the mailman is a little behind on his work!



So begins the puzzle picture! opening up the box....













After forever: finished!

Last Day of School...

We had a great big party and ate lots of food. We exchanged presents and took lots of pictures. What a blast. Here are a ton of pictures from our fun day.


My freaking out because it was actually my last day of school!!



My favorite chef, Chef Erica, and me.



Me, Steph, & Sarah-Beth



Chef Johnson



Our kitchen is now empty....sadness



Most of my class crammed into the only tiny elevator that goes to our kitchen.



Our entire class, next time I see them... It will be graduation day!



My sugar show piece (that we only had 2 short days to work on).


Today was my very last day of school.....done and done!

Beginning the Johnson Family Christmas

Today Hy brought home the Christmas tree and we had fun decorating it. Lily was totally lost and confused the entire time, so I was forced to make her all glittery from some of the ornaments...Hy was not pleased!

I got.....

1. I got.... a haircut...a big one...



2. I got.... a second degree burn from sugar blowing...



3. I got........a husband who likes to eat my chocolate show pieces...



4. I got.......a naught little puppy who looks so sweet...

Mahhh!

5 days left of school before I am done officially!! ALl that is left is a sugar show piece, that has to be blown, poured, rocked, all that good stuff. Crazy.

That time of year...

We had a gingerbread check off this last couple of days and mine was finished today.

The little school house is gingerbread.The 3 small windows on on the front of the house are poured sugar. The roof is tiled with tempered chocolate shingles. The tree is white and dark modeling chocolate. The swing is marzipan and royal icing. The little lovers are sitting on a gingerbread cut out of a snowflake. They are made of marzipan and fondant. The snowman behind them is made out of pastillage. The walkway is marzipan with lavender buds to look like gravel. The snow is royal icing and powdered sugar with silver luster dust. Wow that is a mouthful.

Johnsons and more...

I had a great time in Utah but it felt natural to sink back into my baking world. Been making candies and all sorts of goodies all week long. Next week?? I have a practical involving a tempered chocolate box, orange squares, and jellies. Followed by 5 whole days of structural gingerbread work, using atleast 10 other recipes(Fondant, Marzipan, gum paste,Pastillage, the works). I am really excited.

We hung our Christmas stockings above our fireplace and are just starting to get everything out of storage to go holiday crazy.

Picture Frenzy:

1.Some of my chocolates....filled with cinnamon white chocolate ganache....yum...



2.You are officially classy if you have a fireplace...



3.Our stockings...



4.My nephew Jax at Hy's family farm.....



5.Picture of Grandpa and Grandma on our way out of town...



6.My favorite Hulk....



7.The large ones are white chocolate peanutbutter filling...



8.Lily was passed out on the couch with Hy...



9.Filigree for class... assigned daily...