2012 In Review

It was a marvelous year, seriously, I cannot complain. It was filled with family, friends, amazing golden retrievers, many new recipes, lots of miles run, I earned several new medals, work was wonderful, and I got engaged. Below is a picture (or two) from each month last year to give a few highlights from the year. While these are a lot of "big" things that happened this last year, I would also say that my year was marked by the every day things, my year was filled with fabulous ministry, a puppy who loves me, and not moving. I couldn't be more thankful for all that I have been given.

January:

Sarah, Vicki, & Stacy - Twins Tour comes to town

Marc, Dakota, & Sarah snow shoeing out on the lake

February:

Extravaganza 2012 - New Orleans LA
Gloria, Suzi, & Sarah

Beginning to repaint the kitchen cabinets

March:

Middle School Spring Break Lock -In
Amber, Vicki, Erika, & Sarah

Linnea is born

Best Friends sharing a stick
Dakota & Luther at Frtiz Loven State Park

April:

Mom & I travel to Florida to visit Grandma & Grandpa
and drive their car back to South Dakota

May:

Vicki, Sarah,  Stacy, & Linnea
Father Hennipen State Park

After the Fargo Half Marathon with my St-End

June:

Twins/Brewers Game
Hannemens, Bennetts, &Thomsons

Duluth Middle School Mission Trip
During the major flood in Duluth, Mn

July:

Maid of Honor in my best friend's wedding
Sarah & Hartj

National Youth Gathering - New Orleans, LA

August:

Boundary Waters - Rose Lake
Vicki, Stacy, Linnea, &Sarah

We're getting MARRIED!
Marc proposed at Fritz Loven Park

September:

Lovely weekend with family
Allison, Cubby, KT, JT, Marc, & Sarah

October:

Fargo meet up with WTS women and spouses and kid
Shera, Sarah, & Molita

Fargo Mini Marathoners
Runner Reformers
Bryant, Lindy, Sarah, & Suzi

November:

Carnival Fantasy - November 2012

More fun aboard the ship

December:

New Stained Glass at church
I feel like my December was consumed by work

What were some of the highlights from your last year?
Anything totally unexpected happen in 2012?
What are you most looking forward to in 2013?
Any major goals for 2013?

Crockpot Connoisseur - Beef Stroganoff Review

Beef Stroganoff (originally found here)

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds top round steak, cut into strips
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (8 ounce) can of canned mushrooms
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon dried chives
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cube beef bouillon
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 1/2 cup parsley

Directions:

1. Place the beef in the crock pot, add salt and pepper, onion, mushroom soup, canned mushrooms, water, chives, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and beef bouillon.
2. In a small bow, mix together the wine and flour. Pour over mixture.
3. Stir everything together
4. Cover, and sit and wait and smell the gloriousness for 6-7 hours as it cooks on low. Stir in the sour cream and parsley and cook for 1 more hour.
5. Serve over egg noodles and ENJOY!

Review:

• Delicious & SUPER EASY to make - [although we enjoyed it a day later than anticipated because I forgot to turn on the crock pot - note it is helpful to plug in the crock pot when you are cooking with it - I spaced out]
• Lots of leftovers - 2 adults were eating and we are still eating off of it - we both have eaten two meals of it so far - I need to pick up another bag of egg noodles to pour the sauce over
• I cut the onion just a little because Marc & I don't love onion - we love the flavor but not actually eating them - I used a 1/4 an onion chopped and added some onion powder

Confession:

• I LOVE LOVE LOVE cooking with a crock pot - there is something glorious about coming home or not having to worry about what is for dinner when the time comes but rather just know that something glorious has been cooking all day.
• I love love love leftovers as well. Seriously Marc and I love just being able to heat up something for meals rather than having to do all the cooking all of the time.