A 1,000 Piece Obsession

The other day Miss Sofi Bug suggested we put together a 1,000 piece puzzle.

It's been a really long time since we last put a puzzle together.


I jumped on the idea eagerly thinking that working on a puzzle together would create a perfect opportunity for 1,000 little conversations, that would of course lead to 1,000 giggles and laughs, and certainly 1,000 precious memories of bonding with our teenager. It's just plain painful to say that word...teenager...I shudder!


The first evening we pulled out the puzzle, Miss Sofi Bug, the Husband, and I sat around a little card table, working together to find all of the edge pieces. It was delightful.

Miss Emma Bean was busy. She wasn't there to help. That was okay. A 1,000 piece puzzle? There would be plenty of time for her to join in the fun! Yay!


Or not so much!


Miss Sofi Bug lost interest in the puzzle after that first evening.


Miss Emma Bean never acquired an interest in working on the puzzle.


The Husband only helped that first night because he was being a good sport.


They all ditched me!


It would be fine except, I can't stop!


Instead of 1,000 little conversations with my family, I hear 1,000 puzzle pieces calling my name, telling me to keep working!

Instead of 1,000 giggles and laughs, I have 1,000 reasons not to go to bed at a sensible hour!

Instead of precious memories of bonding with my family, I see only visions of a finished puzzle!

I now have 1,000 reason why laundry isn't getting done and the house isn't getting cleaned!


Now I remember why it's been so long since we've worked on a puzzle! UGH!


Christine

Tendermaid

My Great Grandpa took my Dad when he was young. 


My Dad took me when I was young. 


And now my Dad and I, with the Husband and my Mom in tow, have taken my girls for a Tendermaid.


Ah Tendermaid!

One tiny little building in Austin Minnesota, that seats only 14 people, where the most delicious burgers have been served for over 70 years.

Not just any ol' burger mind you. A loose meat burger!


A loose meat burger is something like a sloppy Joe without the sauce. 


There are several specialty burgers to choose from or one may pick their own toppings!

We opted for our own choice of toppings!


I like my burger pretty simple. A little ketchup, mustard and onion. Perfect!

Every Tendermaid burger is served with a spoon.

So that every bit of burger may be scooped up and devoured!

No loose meat gets left behind! Not on my watch anyway!!


It was so fun to share the tradition of Tendermaid burgers with my girls! 


Tendermaid's loose meat burgers get a unanimous thumbs up!

Christine

More Goal Than Resolution

I'm not much for making New Year's resolutions.


There are two things that I have determined I want to do this year though. Two goals that I have set.


One of the goals, actually I should call it a deep desire, or maybe even a longing. I long to learn the art of bread making!


I have tried to make bread in the past.


It has not turned out well!


Before I go any further, I'm just going to say that anyone who is gluten intolerant, or is a strict carb counter, may want to skip this blog post. I won't be offended, but I am going to talk about bread. Bread, bread and more bread. I'm just sayin'!


Like I said, I've tried making bread in the past. It has not turned out well.


I am not an Iron Chef mind you, but cooking I can do. I can follow a recipe, have a meal turn out well and feel satisfied with my efforts.

Delish!


I'm also no pastry chef, but I can follow a recipe, have it turn out well and again feel satisfied with my efforts!

Yum!!


But the wonderful art of bread making eludes me. My bread never turns out quite the way I think it should. It's density is off. The flavor is never quite what I hope for. It makes me want to cry a little. Because I love fresh baked bread!


I love a crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside French baguette, with chocolate mousse!


I love a soft and airy Italian loaf with a wonderful olive oil for dipping.


I love a big ol' loaf of rye bread, like my friend makes, that melts in the mouth.


I LOVE BREAD!!!


Eh hem.


My hope is to learn the art of bread making this year!


I began with English Muffin bread. I have a friend who made a loaf of English Muffin bread for me once and it was very good. I decided to give it a try because my friend said it was easy to make. 


I thought it was a good idea to start with easy! Plus I had tried to make this bread right after my friend made it for me and it actually turned out well. I thought starting with a success would be a good idea. A little encouragement to keep trying!


Start by greasing two 8x4x2 inch loaf pans and lightly sprinkle with cornmeal to coat pans.

Combine 3 cups of flour, 2 packages of yeast, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a large bowl. Set aside.

In a saucepan heat, while stirring, 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until warm. (120˚ F)

Add warm milk mixture to flour mixture stirring with a wooden spoon.

Stir in 3 more cups of flour. Divide dough in half. Place dough in pans. Sprinkle tops of bread dough with cornmeal.

Cover bread and let rise to about double in size. About 45 minutes.

I placed my loaves in the oven with the light on for warmth. Yep, that's my dirty oven. Sorry!


Once dough has risen, (Oh that looks nice!)

bake at 400˚ for 25 minutes. 


Remove bread from pans immediately and cool on a wire rack.

Lookin' good!


Slice, toast, (you'll want to toast English Muffin bread!) and top with yummy jam or jelly. Or honey! 

Woohoo, success! I'm off to a good start! 


The bread is excellent. The Family likes it, always a good sign, now I just have to get over the urge to quit while I'm ahead and have learned to make one kind of bread well!


Kidding!


Kind of.


Mostly.


I'll keep you posted!


Christine

A Chilling Tale

Once upon a time, Friday, December 9th, a beautiful young maiden opened her freezer to take a quick inventory of items she may need to purchase from the market.


The charming young maiden was shocked and dismayed to discover that the items in the freezer were no longer frozen. Ice cream had turned to melted slop! Frozen bread dough had thawed and was begging to rise! Chicken was completely thawed and ready to be roasted!


The lovely young maiden's countenance fell. Her refrigerator was no longer working. It needed to be replaced!


The young maiden, with a heart full of gratitude that it was cold outside, removed all of the items from her fridge that were still good and stored them in her winter chilled garage. Yay for a cold garage!!


The delightfully witty young maiden then purchased a new refrigerator, gladly paying the extra delivery fee to have the new fridge delivered with haste! Sunday, December 11th.


The young maiden was giddy when the delivery truck arrived!

Though grateful for a cold garage to store her food, the maiden did not relish running out in the cold to get her food.


The glad hearted young maiden was so pleased to restock her new refrigerator, but was a bit bothered that her new fridge had a scuff in it's finish. The young maiden was even more bothered by the very loud rattling noise the new refrigerator made. It sounded like a diesel truck!!


The positive young maiden wedged a piece of styrofoam into place to make the new fridge be quiet, and called the store asking for a new, new fridge to replace the diesel fridge!

A new delivery date was set! Wednesday December 14th!


On the day of the planned delivery the happy young maiden emptied the diesel fridge in anticipation of the new, new fridge only to receive a call from the delivery company saying the delivery would be delayed.


The chipper young maiden asked what time would the delivery be made. The delivery company said, "Friday?"


The less than chipper young maiden said, "Friday does not work! How about next Monday?"


The maiden returned all of the food back to the diesel fridge. The young maiden was a bit crabby about this turn of events.


On the day of the rescheduled delivery, Monday, December 19th, the trying to remain positive in attitude young maiden emptied the diesel fridge in preparation of the installation of the new, new fridge!


The young maiden was once again excited and hopeful when the delivery truck arrived.


The young maidens hopes were dashed when the delivery man proclaimed, "Oh, $#!&!!" When he discovered that the front of the new, new fridge was significantly damaged!!


The very frustrated, crabby and ticked young maiden wanted to scream as she refilled the diesel fridge with food yet again!


Due to the quickly approaching Christmas weekend the very upset young maiden postponed another new, new fridge delivery date until life was less hectic. January 4th.


With dread and complete lack of confidence in getting an undamaged, successfully delivered next new, new fridge, the young maiden once again emptied diesel fridge of food on Wednesday, January 4th in preparation for, she knew not what!


The ready to be disappointed again young maiden looked over the next new, new fridge before it entered the house. It was slightly scuffed, but not too bad. The young maiden gave permission for the fridge to be installed in the house.


The young maiden was thrilled when the next new, new fridge was plugged in and did not sound like diesel fridge.


The happy young maiden wanted to dance and sing when she realized next new, new fridge was a keeper and she would not have to empty and fill diesel fridge again!


The young maiden filled next new, new fridge with food and her heart was full of joy!

The young maiden is happy to report that the store that sold her the fridge gave her an extra 10% discount for all of her troubles and they gave the young maiden her delivery fee back!


The blissful young maiden is going to try to ignore the fact that once next new, new fridge was installed, the delivery man told her that the reason she had trouble with diesel fridge being so loud was because the first delivery man did not balance the diesel fridge properly and that if he had she probably could have avoided all this trouble.


Yep, the young maiden is just going to pretend he never said that!


And the new, new fridge chilled happily ever after! We hope!


Christine

And Then...Taps

It was a difficult Christmas.


We were informed on December 23rd that Papa Wayne, my Father-in-law, would likely not be with us much longer.


Though we tried to keep our calls to a minimum the next few days (we wanted to call every hour) because the Husband and I knew that as difficult as is was for us here, far away in Minnesota, it was far more difficult for the Husband's Mom and sisters who were in South Dakota, sitting at Papa's bedside, loving and caring for him during his last hours, we hoped when we called there might be good news of improvement in Papa's health and we wanted them to know that we were praying for them and we needed them to tell Papa once again and again that we loved him. He knew that of course, but we can never tell a person too often that they are loved!


We received word Monday, December 26th that Papa Wayne passed away. 


The Family packed up and headed for South Dakota.


We spent time with the Husband's family going through old photo albums and telling stories about Papa Wayne, remembering how much he liked to laugh and make others laugh as well.

The Husband and I, weird as it may sound, wanted to just sit in Papa Wayne's large walk-in closet. It's where Papa liked to work. Where he liked to paint and draw. Papa Wayne was an amazing artist! The closet smelled like him. It was a very comforting place to be!

I was able to get a very nice photo of the Husband with his Mom and sisters before the funeral service. However, it is the photo of them that I took when the Mother-in-law's brother got all of them laughing that I love the most!

The funeral service was beautiful. My Father-in-law and Mother-in-law had chosen wonderful scripture passages for the service that brought great comfort, reminding us all that Papa Wayne is with our Lord and he is well and rejoicing and praising God!

The Husband's Sister shared stories about Papa Wayne that brought smiles and tears.


And then the honor guard approached the front of the chapel. Their faces somber. Their shoes tapping.


The honor guard folded the American flag with great precision and care. I don't know what it is...the honor guard's presence watching over the grieving...their remaining strong so that those who mourn feel safe to show weakness...the finality carried in the tune of the music, but the playing of Taps pierced our souls and allowed grief and tears to flow freely. 

We ended our day with glasses raised in a toast to our beloved Papa Wayne, filled with his beverage of choice...Scotch.

Our hearts ache with missing Papa! Our hearts are full of wonderful memories of Papa! One day we will be with Papa again!


Christine

Goodbye Papa

On December 26th Papa Wayne was led home to Heaven by the Holy Spirit, to the healing hands of Almighty God and the loving embrace of our Savior Jesus Christ.


Papa Wayne remained here on earth long enough to celebrate 25 years of marriage with his loving wife, my Mother-in-law Marlene.

The Family is so thankful he was also here for Christmas! 


Our hearts now carry a heavy sadness for our loss, yet we rejoice at Papa's and Heaven's gain! 


The memory of Papa will remain in our hearts until we are reunited with him in Heaven!


We love you Papa Wayne!


Christine 

A Few of My Favorite Things About Christmas

1. Gingerbread cookies as far as the eye can see!

I only ate two...every two hours!


2. Snack food for dinner!

Since we don't have a real meal for Christmas, we just eat snack food, the calories don't really count! I'm sure each of us lost at least 5 pounds over Christmas!


3. Santa hats and silly hats.

My Dad

I don't know what it is about Christmas,

but no one cares if you take their picture while they're wearing silly hats.

I love it!


4. Getting photos of the girls with some of their cousins.

Miss Sofi Bug, Miss Emma Bean, and my very handsome nephews

And taking photos of my Grandma with some of her great grandchildren.

5. And last but for sure not least, laughing, smiling faces!

My Sister

Miss Sofi Bug and my Mom

Hope each of you enjoyed many of your favorite things for Christmas too!


Christine