Video Needed

Hi fam! Another successful Thanksgiving - so much fun!

I am searching for a video that was made of my dad and Will playing the bongos with noise makers. It was fabulous and I'd like to use it for a school project. Maybe Aunt Barbara took it?

I will be forever indebted it if I could get that video sometime this week - I'll owe the cinematographer a big, big favor :)

Thanks - it was so great to see everyone!

Love,
Sarah

A recent Sunday walk

Hi all--can't wait until Thanksgiving. Bob and I recently went on a beautiful walk one Sunday--thought you might like to see where we went.

Halloween with Pooh

Anders had a great first Halloween! Stuy Town really took the holiday up a notch this year - with horse- drawn carriages, a corn maze, hundreds of costumed kiddies, apple cider stands, etc. It was a great day and night and we were glad to be joined by Grandma and "Pops," as always. Hope you all had fun this Halloween, too. Love, Kirsten

WAIT A SECOND WITH THE GO SOX THING! DIDN'T YOU MEAN GO ROX?

ORIGINAL UB

The Kid's Got Rythym (Sort Of - Okay, Not Really?)!

Visiting Aunt Mimi :)

WILL & THERESA & ANDERS - 10-21-07

Peter's First Trail Ride!

Hey all! Kathryn's home for the weekend, and she and Mo took Dad on his first trail ride today. The weather could have been better, but they had much fun. Then we came home and carved pumpkins. Ty took the PSAT this morning. It was a good day.

Writer's Block and Yummy Tofu Salad

Hi All--

I've been trying to come up with something interesting to post for some time and alas I have nothing. . . But I did throw together this left-over-based salad for lunch and it ended up being really tasty so I wrote a recipe for it and am sharing it with you all. Enjoy! Much love, Amy P.S. I forgot to take a picture of the salad before I ate it, but for your reference I've included a picture of myself right after I ate it. :-)

Amy's Warm Tofu Salad


1 cup baby field greens
¼ cup canned black beans, rinsed
¼ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
¼ cup sliced, pitted black olives
6 oz. extra firm tofu (I used Silken Tofu by Mori-Nu)
¼ cup minced red bell pepper
1 plum tomato, diced
2 TBS low-salt soy sauce
1 TBS olive oil
1 TSP (or more to taste) sesame seeds

Heat olive oil and soy sauce in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Drain tofu by patting lightly with paper towel, then cube. Add tofu to skillet and cook, turning often, allowing each piece to brown lightly. Meanwhile tear lettuce into bite-size pieces and place in a medium size bowl. Add to lettuce: beans, tomatoes, olives, red bell peppers, and cheese. Allow tofu to cool slightly and sprinkle with salt and pepper. (Most of the liquid in pan should have been absorbed by tofu. If not, continue to cook at low temp but be careful when stirring.) Use a rubber spatula to lift tofu off pan and add to salad. Sprinkle tofu with sesame seeds. Toss salad well and serve.

The Book Shop, Ltd.

I was just informed, it's official. The new company (The Book Shop, Ltd) was incorporated on October 10, 2007. Now we just need some contracts!

Thanks to everyone for your various name suggestions. The name of a new corporation can't be anything already incorporated in NY. I was shot down for lots of other names, but strangely enough, there is no Book Shop! So, it's a wrap.

XOXO
Nancy

Greetings from the Midwest

Obviously we are bit late to this blog, but better late than never? We are enjoying life in "corn country" aka Champaign , IL. James is doing well in his classes but seems to be getting busier by the minute. I am working in a special ed classroom at a local high school and am really enjoying it. As you heard from Anne, my fabulous bridesmaid, James and I are engaged! We do not have any plans as of yet, but hope to have the date and location set by Thanksgiving. We can't wait to see everyone then!

This picture is of James and me at a Red Sox/White Sox game in Chicago in August. Sorry about the Yanks Uncle Joe, but Go Sox!

snow boarding

OK HERE'S THE DEAL...THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING (FRIDAY, DUH...) I AM SPEARHEADING A TRIP TO KILLINGTON TO TAKE A SNOWBOARDING LESSON WITH MY GIRLFRIEND DANA WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT HER FIRST TRIP TO THE MANSION. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN HEADING TO THE SNOWY MOUNTAIN (AMATEURS, EXPERTS, LODGE DWELLERS, WHATEVER...) LET ME KNOW. I REALIZE THAT THE NOTION OF LEAVING THE MANSION IS A BIT PIONEERING BUT THAT'S MY PLAN.
WHO ELSE WANTS IN??? (NOTE: PIC AT RIGHT IS NOT ME)

Biggest News to Hit TrunkBigEars Yet...

Welllllll since my good brother James is technologically/blogologically challenged I have to do his announcing for him soooo,

JAMES AND LAUREN are ENGAGED!!

As of this past weekend my brother and Lauren are engaged! The ring is just gorge and that's about all the info I know as of now, but feel free to harass them at Thanksgiving for more details. It's all very exciting!

Anyhooo, nothing too new and excting from my end, but we did beat the number two team in the nation on Saturday! Go Dips! Check out the NCAA news link.. http://www.ncaasports.com/fieldhockey/womens/story/10398491. Annddd feel free to check the Diplomats website for some sweet pics of my roommates being amazing at field hockey and me cheering them on from the sideline! I do have 2 goals on the season though (worst 2 teams we play, but minor details.. minor details). Ok, that might be all for now. Hope all is well with the fam fam and I'll post something soon when I do something cool.

Love to all!

Anne

New England recap

Had a great week and a half up north...a night in Providence with family friends, a night in Marblehead Mass visiting a close college friend, and then 9 days in a cool loft apartment in Newport. A highlight was brunch at Castle Hill. Haven't been back in a while - and it was fun bringing Anders for his first visit. Hope everyone is well. Love, Kirsten

You Don't Know Jack

Some of you might already know about this website, but I didn't (youdontknowjack.com). A couple of weeks ago, Aunt Madge, the UJs and I went to a B&B upstate, where we were introduced to this on-line game. It's pretty amusing, if anyone is bored and wants to play. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

Okay, guys, let's get a head count going. I spoke to Peter last night, and the Snoqualmie gang will not be joining us this year. Full house for the Halls and Broges. Who else is definitely in?

XOXO
Nancy

Hilarious

An ad from Craig's List follows. Tom's co-workers were enjoying it on Friday. :)

http://www.yelp.com/topic/san-jose-this-appeared-on-craig-slist-your-friday-funny-thread-topic-the-gold-digger-and-her-answer

The Thought Project

So so cool:

http://www.simonhoegsberg.com/thethoughtproject.html

Things about Sarah

1. I'm going to be the maid of honor in my friend Kelly's wedding! Yay! Andrew and I are going back for an engagement party November 8-12 and he will finally meet my parents. Everyone's excited.
2. I, like Anne, forgot how hard school is. I am getting served. Ser-ved. But it's pretty fun!
3. Job's OK... no real complaints, but no passionate stirrings either.
4. There were some mosquitos in my house last night and I must have been bit - I woke up and felt like I had botox done in the right half of my lower lip (my right). It was the only time I'd ever wished for another mosquito bite - just to even out my new look!
5. I'm going to the Bloc Party concert tomorrow night.
6. I'm doing an awesome research project centered around the TV show 30 Rock. Does anyone want to be part of my research? You just need to watch online and then tell me how you liked it! Episode 105 Jack-Tor - available on the NBC web site.
7. I have no idea what my thesis topic will be... send me links! I need inspiration!

Love,

Sarah

Hello Christensens! (and Halls)

Hi family!

I know I've been a horrible contributor (if I can even be called that) to the TrunkBigEars blog, but I am now officially able to post and I will make a real post by the end of the week. Sorry, school and field hockey have been pretty hectic - I forgot what real academics were like in this fine country after my semester abroad. Hope all is well!

Love, Anne

Kir's world

Hey, guys!

I'm in agreement with Katrina - not enough posts lately. So I'm here to add my own dose of funk.

I'm heading out of town for a little over a week and am very excited. Tom & Anders and I are leaving Saturday morning and heading up north. I'll spend a night in Providence, a night in Marblehead Mass, and then a full week in Newport (with Tom coming back to the city for the work week and re-joining me for the following weekend).

Anders is doing well. Still no teeth, though! He took several steps behind his toy car / walker today which was very exciting. He also spent many hours playing with his grandpa who tired him out to the point he couldn't even make it to his bedtime - not to mention his room was trashed. (Possibly Grandpa's revenge on Anders's Mommy for all those high school parties?) ;)

Hope everyone is doing well. Let's get some new updates from others, too, eh?

Love, Kirsten

Thrasher!!!!

It has been FAR too quiet on this blog.. c'mon SHAKE IT UP PEOPLE!!

Tell me NOTHING interesting has happened to Sarah in the last 2 weeks.. I do NOT believe it. Or is everyone just saving it for Thankshizzle in Vertizzle??!!

Either way, pre-tty lame-0 Folks!!

Interesting in my world - I saw a double rainbow yesterday over my house, I overcame a Huge fear of public speaking last week and shared my experience, strength and hope with a huge room full of people, I'm finally getting to read "Funny Boy" and I love it so far, I've applied for a part time job at Starbucks because I don't get to drink enough coffee throughout the day! and last but not least "Sweet Thang" (my car) got 4 new tires last week!

That's all from so flo yo - keep it real ma famille!

Will's Glasses

here are my glasses check they are green on the in side&black on the outside POWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SHOKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Week in Wisconsin

Tom, Anders & I just returned from a week in Wisconsin. We spent most of the time in Madison but also went to Tom's parents' cottage for a couple of days. It was pretty cold out there, but we managed to get in some nice runs, a trip to the zoo, a boat ride, and Anders even rode his first John Deere. Hope everyone else is doing well. Love, Kirsten

Katrizzle's Pad in So Florida yo

Hey Guys, this is our new patio - I think Amy's the only person who's ever seen the before, but I thought I'd copy Sarah and showcase my house a bit - the Top left picture is our Water Heater Post inferno! Mom - check out our new plants outside!

Trouble with a capital "T"

FL update.. Sophie and Noodle are causing trouble on my bed. Everyone meet Sophie my Bichon who also doubles as my best friend, and Noodle the raucous black/white kitten.

So..... earlier today my roommates and I smelled smoke in our condo.... we opened the door under our stairs that leads to our electrical box and hot water heater only to meet billows of smoke. We called 911 and some very friendly, cute and helpful fire fighters came immediately - apparently our hot water heater caught on fire (or something like that.. I was on animal patrol so I was a bit preoccupied in our front lawn..). We had already turned off the power before they got there, but they turned it back on and unplugged our h2O heater - then they fanned out the place and hung around for about 45 minutes asking us how we all knew eachother, etc. It was kinda scary but we're all ok. Now i'm hanging with the babies on my bed and thought i'd share some cute wwf type photos.

And yes, Sophie is sporting her favorite Polo tee. She loves that thing!

Over and out from South of the border!

Photo download Lesson (thanks K)

Katrina & Leah ------>

This is Prince Ton

<-------

Amy and Lucy ^

5 Day Pea Detox Diet

What do you think, Kirsten?

Pea Detox Diet

I like peas...

Finally! Madge finds the Magic.....

Finally! And I did it all by myself! It's been great reading the blog and I especially love all the photos. What a great idea!
Greewood Lake News- We have a new cat that sleeps at our door (he is NOT coming in) and has adopted us. His/her name is Prince Ton as he/she is black and orange. He looks abused and is very scrawny and actually not handsome at all. Poor thing.
Nephew Jason arrives this weekend and we will no longer be empty nesters. He will be residing in our guest room for a while as JDC has gotten him a job with Plaza. He's very nervous and has never been away from home before so this is a real ordeal for him.
Monet's Garden is starting to fade....so sad! We got a lot of gardening projects done this summer and JDC is still splitting the fallen huge Pin Oak that will eventually get us three cords of wood, he thinks.
Katrina's visit here with Leah in August was too fast but we loved seeing them! Amy got here last month, too, for a nice overnight visit with Lucy. It was supposed to be a sewing lesson but we only got to the part about buying LOTS of fabric! :-)

piano man

We celebrated Tom's birthday (a day early) tonight at 9th street. Also, Grandpa gave Anders his first baby grand piano, and it was very well-received!

Need a Name!

Okay, everyone. We're starting a new company, and we're looking for ideas for a name. Having put down Nancy Hall, Inc. and Hall Associates, we don't want anything with Hall in it. (And, alas, Hallmark, is already taken!) We don't want anything cutesy (since we're too old!) Book Studio is already taken, but that's the kind of name we're looking for. Right now we're thinking about The Book Shop. Anyone have any better ideas? XOXO Aunt Nancy

My apartment

For my parents, and anyone else who has not yet seen my apartment...

This is my air conditioner:



This is my living room and deer decor:



My bedroom:

Big Boy

I finally met a dog I wasn't scared of today.
See? :)
Love, Anders

News from Colorado

Hi everybody! I LOVE reading all about everyone's life--so here's what's happening in Colorado:
School started two weeks ago, and it has been HOPPING! Lots of very weird kindergarteners--Kirsten, please make sure you prepare your child adequately for the kindergarten experience well in advance. Actually, Anders is probably more ready now than some of these kids. The first day, we had a child who broke his arm so badly it was actually bent in half. An ugly sight. And at the other school, a child was hit in the head by a golf ball flying over from the adjacent golf course. An auspiscious beginning...but things are beginning to settle down a little.

It's been very hot and pretty dry (not unusual) and I really enjoy going out to the garden for some quiet time after all the school shenanigans. Bob and I went on a little trip to southern Colorado last weekend, and we saw a very strange rock castle built entirely by hand by one man over a 38 year period. The man's name is Jim Bishop and he is even stranger than the castle. Look it up on the web--I couldn't access the official website (www.BishopCastle.org) but there are others that showcase it. Bob and I climbed way, way up but we still didn't reach the top.

I am getting a new camera very soon and I will be posting pictures. When I learn how. I've been told it's ridiculously easy.

Saturday night

Hi all, We've been trying to hunt down the mouse running around the house that Angel and Teddie are playing with. Angel (the cat) loves to bring in the little critters through Teddie's (the dog) doggie door and then they play like little children. It (the mouse) is now hiding in the piano and we are thinking it's time to watch a Star Trek and just let it be. Perhaps tomorrow we (humans or animals) will capture the little guy and we'll bring him down the road to freedom as we did the last one...
Tyler's computer is water cooled with a radiator! It looks alive with blue colored tubes and red wrapped wiring. So cool.
Mo (the horse) really misses Kathryn, and so do we (the rest of us).
Have a good night all -
The NW Christensen's

Such as...

Miss Teen USA - at least she's pretty...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

This is the first of my birthday celebrations. It occurred Sunday, August 26. Heidi, Christy, Henry, Haley, me and Andrew. Weirdly and a little embarrassingly, I'm wearing the exact same outfit as in the pictures from Kirsten's last night. Just thought I'd point that out...

Anyway, we got together at Whole Foods, picked out some great food, and then went across the street to the Liz Christy community garden - http://www.lizchristygarden.org/ - it was so much fun and a beautiful way to spend a Sunday.

Join Us

Okay, for any of you voyeurs out there who are reading the posts, but still struggling with how to post your own, go to:

http://www.blogger.com/i.g?inviteID=7153062868489990336&blogID=5675287770014247211

If you still can't get on the blog, just respond to this entry, and I'm sure you'll get help from one of the techies.

Then save this address in your favorites for future reference!Highland Mills, Greenwood Lake, and Snoqualmie are MIA!

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

We had a great time pre-partying for Sarah's birthday here at 14th Street tonight. Lots of dis-FUNK-tion as always! :)