Soup AND Snow

We finally got snow that "stuck." It started around 10:30 (while I was at yoga) and went 'til mid-afternoon. It was probably 1 1/2" +/- and it was NOT accompanied by ice (as usually happens here). So it was perfect. {I'll elaborate on how perfect things started off for the day: at yoga, my teacher was playing some GREAT chill / ambient music.... and I had a spot near the window, so I got to lay there & look up at snowflakes above me. How Awesome!}

We had soup night again, but it was a smaller crowd than we expected -- largely b/c the temps were dropping throughout the day and after the sun went down, folks were predicting all of the wet stuff on the roads would ice up.... but I don't know that they did. We had some folks coming from across town & would definitely have to go over bridges, so I'm glad they didn't chance it b/c if it turned to ice -- that would be the place for it. We had 12 neighbors and a few people who we used to work with who live somewhat close by show up. There was only 1 child at this one (there were supposed to be 7 more if it hadn't snowed & at least 6 more adults!).... so we felt kinda bad for her. Most of the adults took turns playing with her. She does really well with strangers, so it was all good (but you could tell she was bummed she was the only kid.) I made an Italian Tomato Bread soup which was inspired by a meal our friends Mike & Sara made on our trip to Italy last year.... and also made our "award winning" Chicken & Black Bean soup. Yum. Oh yeah -- we had someone from Mississippi drive all the way here for Soup Night. (ok, not entirely true... our friends Scott & Shelli who still have a house here on our street for sale came to take care of a few things & joined us at soup night while in town.)

We've been in our pj's all day. We never changed. We never went outside, but the majority of snow has melted. We have been doing more "homework" for the adoption home study. Organizing papers & filling out a few more forms, etc. We're getting very close to finishing. At this point, we're mainly waiting for certificates and documents to come back from other organizations and people. We're 95% done with the work that we have to do. We found out, too, that this has to be re-done every 6 months now (b/c of the new laws here). Hopefully something would happen before then so we don't have to repeat these efforts, but we'll see.

Here's a pic of the pond & stream. A nice winter shot for ya. Man - the fish must be COLD!

Time to go warm up some soup for dinner. Later, C