Merry Christmas!

This year I only mailed Christmas cards to family members but I thought some of my friends would like seeing it too. You can read my letter and see the card below:

Merry Christmas!

This year has passed so quickly! During the year I enjoyed a road trip to Boise to see the musical Wicked, the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU, a day trip to Sanpete county, a weekend trip to St George, the Stadium of Fire, Mary Poppins the musical at the Capitol Theatre, volunteering at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, and so much more! I also loved my vacation to Niagara Falls and Palmyra, New York with mom and dad in the fall. The biggest adventure of the year though was my Mediterranean cruise in November where I toured Rome, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. I went with two of my friends and we had a lot of fun!

I also spent most of the year doing a different kind of travel, commuting to Salt Lake a few days a week for my job with the Utah State Health Department. I’m happy we finally hired someone to help me so now I work at the office closer to home full time. I’m grateful for a good job.

This year I had a big change when I sold my condo and moved in with mom and dad. I’ve also had to deal with some health problems this year but life is good. I feel so blessed! I enjoy my new calling as an organist at the Timpanogos Temple too. It’s a great way to relax and get away from the stress of life even if it is for only a few hours a month.

Have a Merry Christmas
and
a Happy New Year!

Rachel
December 2011

Peppermint Bark

I decided to try making new Christmas candy this year. I love peppermint bark so I decided to try making it. The first attempt tasted yummy but I think the second attempt tastes good and looks great!

It was so easy to make! Crush 6 or 8 candy canes (I put them it a ziplock and hit them with a meat tenderizer mallet, it worked great!) Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper. Melt some milk or dark chocolate and spread it thinly on the pan. Put it in the freezer to set while you melt some white chocolate. Stir most of the candy canes in the white chocolate and spread over your other chocolate as the second layer of yumminess. Sprinkle the rest of your candy canes over the top and press in slightly so it sticks (this also makes it look nicer).

My lucky coworkers get to sample this tomorrow!