of baptism and basketball

These past two weeks have been pretty relaxing. I'm free to take care of things at home without the worry of finding a job. We've been keeping busy - it's nice to feel like we're getting settled and making lives here.

Last week, we had the privilege of attending Reunion's baptism service, and Ian was honored to baptize Fox. It was a great celebration.

We spent Saturday with K-State basketball. We went to Fox's apartment to catch College GameDay on ESPN, which was at the Octagon of Doom (ESPN has picked up on the nickname).

That night we went to a restaurant for a joint watch party with both K-State and KU alumni. The game was fantastic, with the lead going back and forth and an overtime finish. We lost, but it feels more like a real rivalry now. We also were impressed at how much respect both teams had after the game was over - a tribute to both coaches in instilling values and not just skills in their players.

After the game, we walked past Fenway Park. It was my first time up close with the Green Monster. We're excited to go to a game or two in the spring!

This past week, I went to my first ever book club meeting! It may seem surprising that as an English major and avid reader, I've never been part of a book club. Kristin, a new friend from Reunion, invited me to join, so I read Vanity Fair and showed up. It's a great group of ladies and I'm really excited for next month and the chance to get to know the others better.

Boston is starting to feel like home - we're building relationships, getting out, and getting involved. When I start work on Monday, I think it will be even better. I'm so excited to meet everyone at work, and put my skills to use. God is so faithful, and it's so wonderful to see how He's taking care everything for us!

Anna has a job!

I haven't been posting updates on my job search because it's been a challenge. It was hard not to worry about it - how long should I hold out for a job I want before settling for something else so we wouldn't have to resort to ramen for every meal? I knew God would put me in the right place, but there's often a difference between knowing and getting your emotions to function on that knowledge.

I'd get my hopes up, only to see God close the door - I was thankful he made it obvious where I wasn't supposed to be, but more confused at where I should look next. I applied at a local bookstore and after a few visits and e-mails with no response, I gave up. I met one of Fox's friends who works at Google and she suggested I look there (I love Google!). I saw a listing for a job I'd enjoy, only to find out the position had just been filled. I started combing newspapers, government job listings, nearby colleges... but I wasn't finding anything for which I was qualified and/or interested.

A couple weeks ago, Ian got an e-mail Sasaki sent out to all employees asking for references to fill in for the receptionist during her maternity leave. Ian sent in my name, and I interviewed last Wednesday. During the interview, I learned an administrative assistant is retiring soon. So instead of getting the temporary receptionist job, Sasaki offered me a 6-8 week temporary job as an administrative assistant in training. If everything goes well (i.e. I like the job and I'm good at it) I'll become a permanent employee taking the place of the admin who is retiring.

Looking back, it's amazing how God closed the other doors in order to get me to this one, which I think is a job I'll love and will be able to do well. I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited. I start February 8... stay tuned!

football stew & buttermilk biscuits

This recipe is a favorite of my mom's because it's so easy and tasty. It's one of my favorite meals as well, especially when the weather is dark and rainy, like today. I'm adding a few modifications to the recipe, because my slow cooker is smaller than my mom's. I didn't take that into account and the broth overflowed a bit. I have a 4-quart slow cooker. I'm listing amounts for my size (the lower amount) as well as the exact recipe from my mom (the higher amount). If your slow cooker is even smaller, adjust accordingly.

football stew
makes 10-12 servings (great as leftovers!)

2 lbs. beef, cubed (any sort of roast/hunk of beef will work in the slow cooker!)
4-5 medium potatoes, chunk
5-6 celery stalks, thick sliced
5-6 carrots, thick sliced
2-3 onions, chunk
approximately 20 oz. of tomato juice (2 inches deep in slow cooker)
3 tbsp. minute tapioca (to thicken)
3 tsp. salt
3-4 tbsp. sugar (go higher if you use more tomato juice)

Mix the meat and vegetables together in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the top. Pour enough tomato juice to fill the slow cooker at least 2 inches deep. (Mom uses a full 20 oz. can which is more than 2 inches in her slow cooker. I couldn't find so I used a larger can and guessed the amount. When I make it again, I'll probably use a little less so it doesn't overflow in my smaller slow cooker.)

Cook on low for 8 hours.

Football stew goes great with my mom's super easy buttermilk biscuits!

buttermilk biscuits
makes a dozen

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. (1 stick) margarine
3/4 c. buttermilk

In a bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. Cut in margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk all at once. Stir the dough with a fork until it clings together.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10 to 12 strokes - DON'T OVER KNEAD or your biscuits will be tough! Roll or pat the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter (or anything that will work similarly), dipping the cutter into flour between cuts to prevent sticking.

Transfer biscuits to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 400F degree oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Some notes...

• If you don't have buttermilk, measure 2 1/4 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and add enough milk to make 3/4 c. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. The biscuits won't turn out any different than if you used buttermilk!
• For sour cream biscuits, replace the buttermilk with 1/2 c. sour cream and 1/4 c. milk.
• For plain biscuits, replace buttermilk with 2/3 c. milk.

This is the first of four soup recipes I'm attempting as part of my concrete aspirations for this year. I originally planned to start with French Onion but decided that would be an invite-friends-over sort of meal. Because who wants to spend hours making a meal and then not share it? (Apparently it's time consuming but not too difficult). So I'm waiting until we can do just that.

Menu Plan Monday: January 25-31

It's Menu Plan Monday, hosted by "I'm an Organizing Junkie."

Monday: leftover soup with biscuits

Tuesday: quesadillas (which I can pack and we can eat on the way to community group)

Wednesday: cheeseburger soup, my first attempt at Jenni's recipe

Thursday: mashed potatoes and bbq meatballs

Friday: bratwursts

Saturday: baked macaroni and cheese and homemade chicken nuggets

Sunday: raid the fridge (i.e. leftovers)

breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal

lunches: leftovers, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, chips