Winter Fun at the Farm

Another Crazy Benrud Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed a nice, but quiet Christmas celebration. We had Sunday brunch at Auntie Ann's and then Christmas Eve in Moose Lake. However, we were missing part of the family due to distance and weather. Cheers!

SweetFest 2007!

Sophie and I started our first annual Pastry Tour of the Twin Cities. We collected the Twin Cities' best pastries from:

A Piece of Cake
Wuollets
May Day Cafe
Rustica
La Patisserie
A Baker's Wife
Turtle Bread Bakery

busy building bridges

in my class i have been working on this brdge for awhile and today we tested them mine held the most wieght it held 60 pounds and yes that little thing it took me a long time to make but it got me an "A" it looks better in real life

A Little Grandma Jan Sweetness During the Holidays

Almond Butter Crunch

Ingredients

l cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp light corn syrup

Line sides of 8 or 9 inch pan with aluminum foil. Put butter on the aluminum foil: set aside. Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil until mixture turns golden brown, about 5 or 6 minutes: until it reaches the hard crack stage on candy thermometer. Work quickly and spread candy in pan. Cool and break into pieces. Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS EVE: 15 days away!

Christmas Eve is just 7 days away. Here's what I've heard on the street:
• Maya wants pots and pans and other household delights. She also mentioned something about a Santa Clause dress? Ask her more about this one.
• Sophie wants a car and lip gloss and specific perfumes and underground clothes
• Saman wants art books -- contemporary art books
• Ann wants a watch and a Neil Young CD
• Gracie asked Santa for a laptop, cell phone and car (This is scarey)

And what do the rest of you want?
• David/Greg: see David's list in the Comments section
• Eli/Asia/Brenden: see Asia/Eli list in the Comments section
• Grandpa/Grandma
• Mary/Cameron/Taos

Loose and Funky -- That's us!

Are these moves legal??

The Shaker's Attention To Details

Canterbury Shaker Village

A Funky and Loose Thanksgiving!

David, Greg and I spent a wonderful couple days in Manchester, New Hamspshire with Elijah, Asia and Brenden. We had a super spectacular Thanksgiving with all the fixings. In addition, we had a chance to watch movies, go for walks, visit a Shaker village, go to the most famous diner in New Hampshire, visit historic Portsmouth, walk on the beach, eat pizza and talk politics and envision our futures. It was a spectacular visit.

sophie wish list !!!

Well, Sophie...don't keep us all waiting...let us know whatcha want!

The results are in....

Sophie (who claims exemption) has drawn this year's Christmas exchange list. Elijah and Asia have also asked for exemption due to the fact that they will not be home for the holiday. Boo hoo! But don't forget all the other kiddies on the exemption list: Brenden, Cameron, Taos and Gracie.

maya has greg
greg has grandpa
grandpa has auntie ann
auntie ann has yarrow
grandma has uncle david
uncle david has mary
mary has saman
saman has maya
yarrow has grandma

This is your dog on Lefse

I spent 5 hours last Saturday at the 2nd Annual Lefse Fest. And I rolled around 100 pieces of lefse. My neck and arms were sore all week. The lefse had been packaged in large baggies and I left mine on the counter. I came home one day this week, looked on the counter and there was no lefse bag! I walked into the livingroom, heart racing, and see a lone piece of lefse in the middle of the floor. Then, out of the corner of my eye I see a quick-moving and guilty looking Portugese Water Dog with a full sheet of lefse hanging from her mouth!! All my labor, all my efforts, all my desires, hanging from the mouth of a lefse-loving Portugese dog. Life is not easy.

Maya at work and at play!

Is this the new blog ??????

Thanksgiving in New Hampshire

Thanksgiving Menu per Elijah:
* Toasty golden butter buns
* Lefse
* Parmiaggiano garlic broccoli
* Aged gouda and vermont cheddar mac and cheese
* Brussel sprouts with maple bacon
* Cranberry pumkin sauce with spiced pumkin seeds
* Pierogies
* Wild rice salad
* Green bean casserole
* Curry roasted cauliflower
* Yukon gold saffron mashed potatoes
* Brined turkey with real gravy
* Cornbread stuffin with carmalized onions
* Pumkin cranberry pie
* Caramel apple crisp
* Pumpkin cookies

November 14, 2007 4:40 PM

Benrud Tree Farm

Each year, at Thanksgiving time, we all go out to the property to chop down our little Charlie Brown-like Christmas trees. We cut them from the area under the power lines. A lot of those trees get cut down anyway if they grow too large. So, we pack up the kids, the grandparents, the dogs and we hit the trail. Benruds believe that that best Christmas trees are the ones you pick yourself. They aren't perfectly shaped, they don't have full, even branches, but they are real. And they represent the hope the perseveres--it's the green hope in the middle of a gray winter.

Here's some background from the National Christmas tree society. We're cutting edge!

(Q) I can't seem to find the tree that I want. It is often referred to as a Charlie Brown Tree because of its sparse look with short needles. I love these trees and don't know what they are or who might have one for sale.

(A) The sparse look is dependent somewhat upon the genetics of the tree, but mostly through the shearing practices of the grower. The more open, less dense look is starting to become more popular among consumers, so the Christmas Tree farmers will be working to meet that demand; however, the average tree takes 7 to 10 years to get to 6 or 7 feet high and the majority of consumers still want a full, thick tree. Check with farms in your area and ask them if they have a "less sheared" tree or one that "would be graded a cull". The grower will understand what you are looking for.

Welcome to the new Benrud Family blog

I decided to "dress us up" a bit. So, we now have a new format and a new blog for the Benrud family. This is a picture of Uncle David and Asia on the annual Christmas tree chopping trip to the property. I think this picture is from 2005 or 2006.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Love,
Auntie A.