Worcester (like the sauce)

We decided Friday evening after watching a programme that took place in Worcester, that we'd drive up there for lunch and a walk around the cathedral on Saturday. Worcester is only about a 30-minute drive north from Gloucester, but we hadn't visited there yet.

We ate lunch at a small cafe with a very cute name, "Little Ginger Pig". Jeff can't wait to go back to have another portion of the almost roast potato like chips there. (website)

Then we had a walk around the cathedral, which "rises majestically above the River Severn", after lunch. (website)

My artsy shot trying to capture the crucifix in the background through the multitude of arches.

Valentine's Day

Since Jeff is away during the week, I made our Valentine's Day dinner a day early. Just a simple meal of stuffed turkey breast (already prepared), mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts was all that was required to win my hubby's heart. Well, that and ginger and mascarpone crème brûlée.

Yes, we had a glass of wine with dinner.

This was the first time I got to use the torch we received as a wedding gift.

They didn't look quite this burnt in person.

If you look closely, you can just make out the vanilla in the custard. So special!

Blueberries and Mascarpone

I LOVE sweet and salty food combinations, so it's no wonder that I love fruit and cheese. Grapes with brie, apples with cheddar, pears with Stilton... tonight I expanded this list to include blueberries and mascarpone.

After making the first part of my Valentine's Day dessert, I had some cream and mascarpone leftover... and blueberries in the fridge. So I created this...
Blueberries drizzled with a bit of cream and topped with a dollop of mascapone and a broken rich tea biscuit. So simple and so good.

Ironbridge and Telford

A couple weeks ago Jeff and I got to go up to Telford, our soon-to-be home (or at least nearby), together. Though Jeff worked during the week, my task was to scout out the area and just get a feel for where we might want to live.

We drove part of the way "cross-country" on the way up, taking us to a village called Ironbridge, which is just outside Telford. Ironbridge is not only known for having the first-ever bridge made of iron (go figure), but it is also where the Industrial Revolution started...pretty amazing!

The bridge

At the small museum

On the Sunday we were there, we went to a church in Wem, north of Shrewsbury and met some lovely people, including an American family - Dan and Amber Shockley and their son, Ethan. They invited us to their home for lunch after the service and I went back again on Thursday and went to the coffee morning at the church. We don't know if we'll go to Wem Baptist Church or not, but we'll have to decide that once we move up that direction.

There are so many unknowns, but we trust in the Lord's plan for us.

Thoughts on a New Year

Welcome to the year MMXI! Some people view a new year as a new beginning, a chance to start over or make a change. Others go into a new year with feelings of hopelessness and dread. As Pastor Phil preached last night, there is no reason to feel anxious about starting a new year, "their hearts will be steadfast, trusting in the Lord" (Psalm 112:7). And that promise is what Jeff and I are holding onto this year.

We have much to look forward to: a visit to Ohio in the Spring and being a part of Colleen and Luke's wedding; a trip to Colombia for my brother, Jason, and his fiance's, Angela, wedding in October; AND... drum roll... another move... this time to Telford in Shropshire. We don't know when we'll be leaving Gloucester exactly, but we think we will be moved by June. There are many unknowns, like the date of Colleen and Luke's wedding, when we'll be moving, and whether or not we'll be parents in the next year or so. We're leaving it to the Lord to guide us and trust in His plan for our life together.

We have been very blessed in 2010. Each day is another day to sing His praises. Another point Pastor Phil pointed out last night is that everything that happens, happens for good, even if at the time we don't see how something will work out. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).

We don't know if this year will bring us happiness, prosperity, sickness or even death, but what we do know is that if you put your trust in the Lord, all things will work for good.

May the Lord richly bless you and your family in 2o11. Much love, Jeff and Lauren

Christmas in Gloucester

Jeff and I had a nice, quiet Christmas in Gloucester. We would have preferred to have had family visit, but it wasn't possible this year.

On Christmas Eve, we drove down to Selsley Hill just outside Stroud to have a walk in the frosty air. And boy was it cold! About -7.0 °C (19 °F). It was so cold that we couldn't even make a snowball... believe me, I tried... Jeff sure was lucky! But the view was beautiful and the sunset helped to create a romantic mood (awww!).

I just had to make a snow angel!
Our very long shadows - hmm... what are we doing?!

Jeff enjoying a quick run

Christmas Day was busy, but relaxing. Our morning started out with a cinnamon-themed breakfast: cinnamon coffee and cinnamon pancakes spread with cinnamon-honey butter. Then it was time to see what Santa brought us! Just after 10:00 we walked over to Quedgeley Baptist Church for the 10:30 service, which lasted an hour.

My favourite Christmas decorations - all from Germany

Our pressies under the tree - thanks Mom, Norm, Dad, Grandma, Robert, Beverly and Sharon!

Once we got home, I prepared our Christmas lunch: brown sugar-mustard glazed ham, roast potatoes, cranberry-orange stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots. For pud we had individual Christmas cracker-shaped Christmas cake drizzled with cream. It was delish!
At 3:00pm we watched the Queen on the telly. This year's theme was about the importance of sports.
After the Queen was finished, we drove over to Jon and Claire's, but Claire was sick in bed. Jon's brother, Tim, was also there. We took turns playing with Eve and holding Isiah. In the evening, we played a round of Scrabble, but I have to admit, it wasn't one of my best games.

Jeff with 13 day old Isiah

All in all it was a nice Christmas - nothing too exciting, just nice.

Thanksgiving with Friends

We invited our friends Jon and Claire and their daughter, Eve, Phil and Kate Jones and their son, Daniel, to our house for Thanksgiving dinner.

We feasted on herbed turkey, my mashed potatoes, mushroom stuffing, green bean casserole, corn bread muffins with honey-cinnamon butter.
Later we enjoyed a ginger streusel pumpkin pie. It was delish!
After we were quite stuffed, we enjoyed talking and playing with the kids.

We had such a lovely time with our friends that day.

My frost-covered pumpkins glistening in the light.