1) Hosting. In the past two week's we've had three CouchSurfers stay with us. Adam and Corrie from Kansas City brought their one year old daughter, Acadia, and a stack of cards to keep us entertained that evening. So nice open our homes to believers for a change as well! I don't know what will bring us to KC, but we have great people to stay with if end up that way. Two German students followed them, but we didn't hit it off as much. Oh well. Last night we rounded it off with a couple from Barcelona. We had a lively conversation and made us bump up Spain on our "Places to Visit" list. Right after Costa Rica. Or Ireland. Depending on if you ask Zach or me ;) My mom visited for a few days as well, and it was great to have some laid back Girl Time. We baked cookies, took Bella to the dog park, and spent a day driving up the coast. Here we are at Hearst Castle!
2) Kitchen experiments. It started with my bread machine cookbook and an Apple Challah recipe. Then it was the Chocolate Challah recipe a few pages later. "Ooh! A recipe for English muffins!" (Half were burnt, but that's why we experiment, right?). What goes with breads? Jams! So last week I spent every day going to the grocery store for "Just one more thing" and ended up with Peach Chutney, Pear Ginger preserves, Peach Ginger preserves, Pumpkin Apple Butter, and Strawberry Jam. Canning is addicting. These are your Christmas presents, people, so just wait a few more months to taste!
3. Dogs. We thought about getting another poodle. Adopted a second poodle. Lost the second poodle. Found the second poodle. Nearly strangled the second poodle because he was so crazy. Realized I was too allergic to him. Returned second poodle. I guess we're a one-dog family, but that's ok.
Au Revoir, Braxton.
It looks like we're having a lot of fun, but we could also use your prayers. Zach's sister was riding her bike to church last Sunday and was hit by a car. Amazingly, she is doing ok, but has a concussion, some bruising of the brain, and is pretty shaken up by the whole thing. She's going to need a lot of rest, a lot of recovery, and is not allowed to exercise to do sports for six months. Keep her in your prayers as she goes through this whole process of recuperation. Thanks everyone!
We love you Danica!!
