As the weather gets colder, we are trying to squeeze in as many of our walks as we can before we are forced to cower indoors. We walk through rain these days, people. And tromp through mud. And, oh, it's wonderful. We have such long talks on these long walks. Ranging from food (if you could eat anything right now, what would it be?), to silliness (why so-and-so did such-and-such on Survivor that week, and why it cost him the million), to seriousness (what is God teaching us through this experience, and where could he be leading us?)*. We love our walks. And we refuse to surrender them to you, Winter!



Notice that our faces are frozen.



I typically take the camera on our walks. There is usually some sight I want to remember for always.



So. In my excitement for the Christmas season, we decided to host a gingerbread decorating party next Friday. Invites were proffered, people are getting pumped. I think they are all quite intrigued by these mysterious little cookie-houses that one decorates, but does not eat. I am excited too, but reality soon set in. We have to make a LOT of gingerbread houses! There are no cookie cutter kits here to make it easier, and my oven is the size of a microwave (actually it IS a microwave), meaning the process is going to take forever.

I started 2 days ago. It didn't go so well. The easiest recipe ingredient-wise called for molasses, which we don't have here, so I had to experiment with some substitutions, and then, just when I was on a roll, I hit the microwave button instead of the oven button, which stunk up our house, and ruined 1/3 of my dough. It was hysterical. In the true sense of the word. I went to bed shortly after.



Day 2. More gingerbread making, this time using a different molasses substitute, which I think will work much better. The kitchen didn't fare so well.



Ah, but this morning. I awoke to a clean kitchen and a fridge-full of ready-to-roll-out dough. Bring it on.



Today is baking day, and tomorrow is building day. Wish us luck.

* For those interested, the answers to the above questions are usually as follows:
1) What food would you eat right now if you could have anything? Typically ribs and chicken-fried steak at the Gristmill in Gruene make an appearance, along with Phil's steaks, pork chops, and sausage. Oh and Chuy's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom enchiladas.
2) Why so-and-so did such-and-such on Survivor that week, and why it cost him the million? Is anyone else watching it this season? We get it off of itunes each week and are loving it. And if anyone cares, the answer to the question is that Russell just burned Shambo, which we predict will begin his downfall. He is so out of there.... ;)
3) What is God teaching us through this experience, and where could he be leading us? He's teaching us about himself, which is pretty overwhelming. And that also brings out a lot about OURselves, which is pretty painful and uncomfortable at times. As far as where he could be leading us, we have no idea. Very few walks end with any resolutions or new ideas, but they do usually conclude with a peace that we are where he wants us for now and that is enough.