What's been distracting us since Christmas

This year my parents went to Prague on a mission trip, and to do Christmas shopping for the family... (grin). For Peter, they purchased this: a 2000 piece puzzle of the bridge and castle of Prague. We started the work on Christmas day.




Here's our progress as of January 7:



Here's our progress as of today: Just the sky is left. I'm hoping we can get it done before we need to use the table for our card club in April!




So if you're in the area and like to stare at puzzle pieces in various shades of sky blue, we could use your help!

Part I-1 no words

We're so proud of the talent God has given her!

Tagged? Twice? Where was I?

Oh, well, here's my "random, little known facts..."



1. Uh...(I think I've about blogged it all, and there is very little unknown stuff!) I've never broken a bone (although I have probably broken a toe or two without realizing it), but did have stitches when I was 2, I think, maybe I was younger. After that, all my stitches were "voluntary," as in needed post-op.

2. I've only gotten one speeding ticket, and I "took it like a big girl" until after the policeman pulled away, then I bawled like a baby--my brother mentioned that my timing was off... .

3. I taught myself to knit. And I wish I could afford all the yarn for all the projects I have instructions for downloaded on my computer.

4. My mom is the youngest of 9 children, my dad the oldest of 5, yet my mom is older than my dad.

5. I am a major klutz--okay maybe you already knew that--but because I was considered tall, I was recruited to the 7th grade basketball team, after that year they didn't want me to go out. It took being a cheerleader 2 years later to figure out the actual rules of the sport.

6. I regret dating all the guys I did before I met my husband. And if you're one of them, I'm sorry, but it's true.



Who to tag, who to tag--Jen? Cindy? Rachel (write a facebook note)? Who reads this blog anyway? Carey? Did you want to be tagged? ;-)

Today's Baby Blues Comic Strip - ArcaMax Publishing

Today's Baby Blues Comic Strip - ArcaMax Publishing

Too true-too true!

Groundhog Soup

Hah! Did I get your attention with that title? Tee-hee! Well the fact of the matter is that this is arguably one of my most favorite of all time soups. And yes, the first time I had it (I believe around the tender young age of 9 or 10) served up by my dear friends the Wilkeys, I was taken aback at the name. Are you kidding? Poor Mr. Punxsutawney Phil's cousin gave up his life for my bowl of soup?!?!!? I mean, those things are perhaps a bit obnoxious, but come on, must we make soup out of him? Then it was s-l-o-w-l-y explained to me--this is ground HOG soup, Miriam! Oh! Well I was still skeptical, because to date the only soup I'd encountered sported either chicken or beef as its main ingredient, not pork. Is pork even allowed to be in soup? Shouldn't it be cooked into submission and smothered in gravy or something? So I tasted it and I was hooked. Trust me, try it, you'll like it. A lot. Here it is.

Groundhog Soup

1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound pork sausage (breakfast type)
1 cup sliced celery (2 or so ribs)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons flour
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 medium potatoes
1 can "french cut" green beans
1 cup milk

Brown meat in medium stock pot. Remove from pan, reserving drippings. Add celery and onion to drippings and cook until tender. Add flour, cooking one minute. Gradually add broth, along with 1/2 cup water. Peel and chop the potatoes (bite sized pieces are good). Add to broth with thyme and salt, simmer until potatoes are tender. Add the undrained green beans and return the sausage back to the pan. Heat through. Add milk. Simmer. Do not boil once milk is added.

Reflecting

As I sit here on the last day of the year, looking back on the last 365 days is inevitable--what a year it has been for our family. One year ago, we were unknowingly days away from Mark losing his job. Although he had been casually looking for something else, we certainly weren't prepared for how things played out. God has "brought us a long way, baby" and we are thankful. But I know that the reason we have come where we are is from all the prayer support we receive from you, my blogland friends; from family; from church; and from our own face to the floor pleadings for his direction and guidance. Prayer is powerful, and if I've learned nothing else in the last year, learning and re-learning that will be enough.

New lyrics, old tune...

...ready? Here we go!!!!

Christmas is over,
this goose sure got fat!
Now it's time for dieting
and all of that

If I can't stick to a diet
I'll gain e'en more next year,
I should really try it,
and get the flab out of here!

Think that will motivate me? Nah, but who knows?