Wisconsin!!!

Our new exciting life is to be in Green Bay, WI!  Paul was asked to come be the associate pastor at New Hope OPC.   We are thrilled to be part of what God is and will be doing here at New Hope.

Since getting here last week, we've been house hunting and more house hunting!   And we found what we think is just the right house for our family and ministry.  We put in an offer on it last Wednesday expecting a three day wait until we got an answer.   Instead it was only 3 hours!   The inspection is Monday and our prayer is that if God does NOT want us to have this house that something would show up in the inspection.

Already I am in love with Wisconsin.  It is such a beautiful state!   I think my view of the midwest has been skewed most of my life due to my limited experience.   I can see myself here for a long time.

Sweet and Sour Meatloaf

This is not your mama's meatloaf.  This is definitely a comfort food for me.....try it, you'll love it.

Sweet and Sour Meatloaf

¾ to 1 lb ground beef

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/8 tsp pepper

¼ cup finely chopped fresh mushrooms (I use a food processor to get them really small)

2/3 c. oatmeal or bread crumbs

½ tsp salt

½ cup chopped onion

1 T soy sauce

Sauce:

½ c. brown sugar

2 T worcestershire sauce

¼ c white wine (or apple cider vinegar)

1 T. mustard

Combine and shape into a bread pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins. covered. Mix sauce and pour over meat loaf and bake 30 more minutes uncovered.

Exciting Adventure

Tomorrow, we begin on a new adventure in our lives.  I can't yet tell you all of it but the pieces will be coming together in the next few days.

A bit of background though - Paul finished his internships in the Phoenix area and we are in Tucson visiting family and friends.   Tomorrow we leave for Albuqueque and will be spending time with my aunt and uncle and their girls.   (And no, I don't worry about telling the "whole world" that I am leaving because I don't have a home for you to even rob.)  

Stay tuned for exciting developments in the Mourreale household.

Cousins

We had such fun yesterday with cousins!   Here are the two little ones - 5 months and 10 months

Then all five Mourreales on the couch!

10 Months Old

At 10 months...
*eating everything in sight
*playing peek a boo with his blanket
*trying to pull himself up on furniture
*still no teeth
*still not crawling
*charming, full of laughter

Random Dozen

Wow, it's been awhile since I last posted.  Moving will do that to you.  To get me back into the groove, I am participating in this week's Random Dozen.



1. Describe the best sandwich in the world, according to you.
A toasted bagel with peppered turkey, bacon, avocado and cheese

2. Which inspires you more: a good conversation, a song, a book or movie?
Definitely a good conversation - as I talk and listen, ideas seem to grow and take on life.  I'm ready for action.

3. What is your favorite board game?
Settlers of Catan

4. As you grow older, are you more or less patient with small children?
I am actually becoming more patient.   I think back to my first year of teaching and I was pretty hard-nosed and rigid.  Now with my own two little ones, I feel that I have more grace towards other little ones.

5. Name one item you never let yourself run out of.
Toilet Paper

6. Do you agree with Tennyson's assertion, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?"
I think so but I often live my life as if I didn't believe it.  I don't always take chances on loving people because I am afraid to get hurt.

7. Name one national treasure or monument that you have visited.
Lincoln's Tomb

8. Which is more painful, to be disappointed in someone else or to be disappointed in yourself?
Ugh...both are so hard but to be honest I think it's more painful for me to be disappointed in someone else.  With myself, even though I am upset, I easily excuse myself and talk myself out of the pain.   With others, I can't understand why they 'failed' me.

9. What makes your kitchen uniquely yours?
My hotpot ready for tea at any moment.

10. Are you a crafty person?
I would like to be!   I dabble a bit in sewing and quilting.  I love looking at crafting projects at Michaels and JoAnns but actually doing them is another story.

11. What is your favorite traditional picnic or bbq (cookout) food?
Pulled pork sandwiches

12. Name one leisurely activity you enjoyed over Labor Day Weekend.
Swimming with friends

Splash Pad

Recently we went to the local splash pad and had a play date with some friends.   What a HOT day!   Abby had a blast playing in the water.   Are splash pads just an Arizonan thing or are they around the country in your area too?