Dutch Blitz: A Tabletop Tales Review

On May 24, 2024June 8, 2024 By MitchenersIn Angela, Board Games2 Comments

It would make sense that the first installment of “Tabletop Tales with the Mitcheners” would be a review of Dutch Blitz. This classic, fast-paced card game holds so many fond memories for me. My Grandma Vi introduced it to me when I was younger, and my brother and I quickly became obsessed. When we moved overseas, I was so happy to find that several of my fellow co-workers here in the DR also enjoyed it!

October 2015 – You know it’s a heated game when you have to stand instead of sit

While it’s not a hard game to pick up, Dutch Blitz is definitely one where speed, dexterity, and careful attention to what’s coming next are necessary. If you’re a beginner, you may want to start by playing with a partner: one person watches the “Post” and “Blitz” pile while the other person flips the cards 3 at a time that are in hand.

I like Dutch Blitz because it’s easy to play across language barriers. There’s not a lot of talking required (other than the competitive banter that WILL ensue if someone steals your play). Dutch Blitz simply requires a basic understanding of the rules. We got Yuleisy hooked on it and have had many a loud evening laughing together.

Number of Players: 2-4 (Buy the “Expansion Pack” to up the maximum number of players to 8)

Age: 8+

Playing Time: 5ish minutes per round / Usually people want to move on after 30-45 minutes of play, but I’ve spent hours at a time playing tournaments

Object: Be the first to empty your personal pile of 10 “Dutch” cards by playing on ascending number piles in the middle of the table. Oh, and score the most points.

Rules Rundown: Whenever possible, I’ll link the rules to the original game. But I also understand that learning new games can be overwhelming. I’ll do my best to explain the gist of each game as simply as possible.

The yellow 2, blue 5, and yellow 7 make up my “Post”. My “Dutch” pile sits to the right of my “Post,” and the goal is to get rid of those 10 “Dutch” cards. The cards in the foreground are the first 3 cards in my hand. I continue to flip cards over 3 at a time, looking for anything I can play into the center “Blitz” piles to accumulate more points.

Each player has 2 main “piles”: 3 cards in the “Post” and a 10-card “Dutch” pile. The middle of the table will hold multiple “Blitz” piles that are shared by the entire group. When play starts, anyone can begin or play on an existing “Blitz” pile using the top card in his hand, the cards in his “Dutch” pile, or the cards in his “Post” pile. Simply play the next number in the sequence that matches that “Blitz” pile’s color! The round ends when someone exhausts his “Dutch” pile. Each player then counts the number of cards in his or her “Dutch” pile and subtracts 2 from the score for each remaining card; however, each card played into the “Blitz” piles in the middle counts as 1 point. First player to 75 points wins!

Ratings:
Perhaps it’s simply for nostalgia’s sake, but I give this a solid 8/10. I really could play this any time – except when super tired. Heh. I’ll be honest – Scott and the kiddos are not huge fans of it. I don’t think they love the fast-paced chaos. To each his own, I guess.

Buy Dutch Blitz

Buy the Expansion

The only remaining question: which deck of cards will you choose? Team “Red Wagons” forever!

The #goodbye series

On May 21, 2024May 21, 2024 By MitchenersIn Angela, Dominican Republic10 Comments

When I left Queen’s my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes–what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows–what new landscapes–what new beauties–what curves and hills and valleys further on.

We’re leaving. Leaving the place we’ve called home for the past 12 years. It feels as if a “super stuck” band-aid is painfully being ripped off, taking with it a layer of skin that wasn’t quite ready to be removed.

Hmm. That started off as a good analogy, but now I’m not sure that curvy paths and band-aids really have all that much in common.

Back to the fact that we’re leaving the Dominican Republic. It was 12 years ago today that we boarded a plane with a 22-month old, a 4-month old, and way more suitcases than we could physically carry. A whole lot of life has been lived since that bittersweet day. But if there’s something I’ve learned, stepping out in faith is always worth it – as long as God is leading the way.

Here we are again–at another crossroads. This time, too, the path ahead is uncertain. But as Anne says, this new road “has a fascination of its own” as well. I’m nervously excited to see what the future holds in store!

We all process a little differently. It’s going to take me a long time (or maybe forever) to get accustomed to life back in the good ol’ US of A. And that’s OK. But saying words to my journal has always helped me make sense of my little corner of the world. So, here I am, starting this #goodbye series on the blog.

There is sadness that things are changing, but there’s thankfulness wrapped up in this move too. How grateful I am that I was given the opportunity to love this country, this ministry, and the precious people that were placed in my path.

Follow along as I walk down memory lane in the coming weeks and recognize many of the wonderful ways that God blessed me in this season.

“Take Heart…”

On October 26, 2023May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Angela, Family6 Comments

Three weeks ago today, our family boarded a plane to head back to the States unexpectedly. My life had just changed in a way that I never imagined possible.

The night before, Wednesday, October 4th, my amazing father-in-law went to be with Jesus after suffering a heart attack. He was only 58.

It’s tempting to ask God questions, many of which I won’t get answers to this side of heaven. Why, Lord? Why did You allow this to happen? Did it have to be right now? Couldn’t we have had a little more time? How does this make sense? What are you trying to do in our lives?

It’s hard to explain how “final” this feels. Ted was just here, and now he’s not.

It’s as if time has frozen.

And yet… time marches on.

We’ve already experienced a few of those dreaded “firsts”: the first Sunday Ted didn’t walk up on stage to play bass at church. The first airport drop-off without him in the driver’s seat. The first time that someone else mowed his lawn. The first pumpkin patch adventure as a family of 10 instead of a family of 11.

Sadly, there will be more “firsts” without him. The first Christmas. All of those first birthday celebrations. The first family reunion. Celebrating the first grandchild graduating from high school.

There’s that temptation again – to face heaven and ask, “Why, God?”

This grief process hasn’t been very linear. I’ve had tough mornings. Mornings where I’m floating in between sleep and consciousness, and my chest just feels so tight. Yet on other days, I look back on precious memories with smiles and fondness. I suppose that’s how it works, though. Beauty and pain, love and loss, joy and sorrow, all intertwined together.

When things like this happen, I assume it’s natural to think about last interactions. And I’m unbelievably thankful! Not only do I vividly remember Ted’s last words to me, but I can also say that they were the perfect bit of encouragement for me right when I needed it.

In September, we were back in the States for a board meeting. I had been worrying a bit that trip – experiencing some anxiety thinking about the future. Ted knew it. When that short time in Indiana ended, Ted and Val dropped us off at the airport where we said our goodbyes. Ted gave me a hug, and he whispered in my ear, “Ang, we’re so proud of you guys. I know there’s uncertainty at times, but God’s got Freedom in His hands.”

At the funeral service on October 10th, Ted’s pastor referenced a verse that is so dear to my heart. It has become “mine” – a tangible piece of hope that I’ve come to hold on to these last 11 years we’ve spent in the DR. Hearing those words again, in this new and painful context, brought some fresh confidence to my weak heart.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Jesus doesn’t beat around the bush. He calls things the way they are. He states the obvious. Yes, there is trouble in the world. Yes, life is hard. So unbelievably hard.

But – praise the Lord – that’s not all.

“Take heart…”

The night is dark, yet there’s a light that shines bright. Christ has overcome, and death will not have the ultimate victory.

No, I don’t have to gloss over the sadness and the suffering. But I don’t have to camp there either. Both pain and peace can coexist – with my Savior prevailing in the end.

Certainly, if I were the author of this story, I would’ve written this chapter a bit differently from where I sit. But I’ve not been handed the pen. Moreover, I wholly trust the One who’s writing the book. Yes, these pages are peppered with pain – but they’re being perfectly crafted nonetheless.

So while losing Ted may feel final in the moment, how thankful I am that it’s not really “The end.”

The encore is coming. And it’s going to be glorious.

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5

Happy Fall, Y’all!

On October 2, 2023May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Angela, FamilyLeave a comment

It’s October 1st! Yes, fall has technically already “arrived” (according to whoever made that thing we call a calender), but weather here in the DR doesn’t feel very… autumn-esque. One thing I miss about living in the Midwest is watching the trees change out their summery, green clothes for the beautiful hues of orange and red before they enter into their season of slumber. They put on quite the show before they fall asleep, don’t they?

Today, even without the cool temperatures, Cal and I decided to have a Sunday afternoon full of fall fun! Life has been awfully busy recently, and it felt so good to just slow down a little bit and spend some time with my growing babe. Enjoy this photo chronicle of our “autumn” day!

I’m gonna take selfies with this gal until she won’t let me anymore. 🙂

Cal would paint all day every day if she were allowed.

Concentrating hard on that color mixing.

So glad God made a world full of color!

Mix it up!

The finished project

We moved on to baking after the painting session. My recipe card is… erm… well-loved! 🙂

Cal thought the pumpkin looked nasty when we were mixing it all together, but then she tasted it and changed her mind on whether she would partake.

Nothing quite like pumpkin layer cheesecake!

Thankful for today! Trying hard to savor every moment. Time is a thief, but memories are a gift.

March ’23 in Pictures

On April 1, 2023July 14, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

March in the Dominican was both full and fun!

See you in April for another round of pictures!

February ’23 in Pictures

On March 1, 2023July 11, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

Here are 28 photos from our February in the DR!

On to March!

January ’23 in Pictures

On February 1, 2023March 12, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the Month1 Comment

Here’s our first month of 2023 in photo form!

Happy January!

“Though it linger, wait for it…”

On January 22, 2023October 28, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela2 Comments

Rome wasn’t built in a day. A watched pot never boils. We must learn to walk before we can run.

These well-known sayings hint at something – a virtue that we’d all say we aspire to have. And yet, the practical outworking of this character trait in our lives is definitely “easier said than done.”

I have two sons. One of my boys is working on developing some patience in his life. He has recently grown to love sports – particularly the Purdue Boilermakers. (Sorry, Dad. I tried my hardest to make him a Buckeye.) Any chance he gets to watch a basketball game, his face lights up. He has memorized players’ names and positions, and he loves cheering his team on to victory. Yet because of the busy schedule our family runs, there are times that we tell him that he’s got to wait to catch a recording of a game.

I tell ya – the moments we ask our son to be patient… those can be a bit trying for all of us in the Mitchener household. You see, my son wants instant gratification. He wants to experience the game as soon as possible. And the questions that ensue during these little seasons of waiting are… welll… incessant.

“Dad, when? When exactly can we turn on the game? Mom, are you going to watch with us? Can my friends come over? Are you finished with your work yet? It feels like it’s taking forever! Will we ever be able to start? What snacks can we have while we watch? Are you sure you can’t skip that meeting? I just don’t want to wait anymore!”

As a mother, I do my best to put myself in my son’s shoes – to understand that he is genuinely excited to share a fun experience with his friends and family. But after his third question, I’m sure that my son can often sense my own patience wearing thin. I wish that he would really hear me: we will indeed get to find out what happened in the basketball game. It’s simply a matter of waiting.

But waiting is so very hard, isn’t it?

In my own life, I’m noticing how I’ve recently been acting like my precious boy. Right now, I’m experiencing some situations that are downright painful, and I don’t know what the future holds. I’m confused and scared about the timing of things – of when and how exactly God is going to move. While I have been taking my concerns to the Lord, I think that I’ve been approaching my problems a bit like my son has been processing through his desire to watch his games.

“Father, when? When exactly are you going to answer my prayers? Are you even listening? Do you want to work in this circumstance? It feels like You’re taking forever. Are you going to come through? To be honest, Lord, I just don’t want to wait anymore!”

I believe that God is pleased when I take my burdens to Him. And yet, I also think that there are moments where He’s trying to talk to me, to comfort me, to teach me, but His gentle attempts of assurance are drowned out by my whining and impatient cries for help.

I recently started a devotional study by Dannah Gresh called Habakkuk: Remembering God’s Faithfulness when He Seems Silent. It has been an incredible reminder that I am not alone. Others have wrestled with these same feelings. With not having answers quickly.

Habakkuk was struggling. God didn’t seem to be dealing with the injustice and evil in his corner of the world. So Habakkuk opened up his book by crying out to the Lord. And God, in His patience and grace, answered His prophet:

For the revelation waits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Habbakkuk 2:3

This wonderful verse tucked away in this tiny Old Testament book has been my lifeline these past few weeks – a precious reminder to my restless heart.

God gently reminded Habakkuk that He was, indeed, in control. He had a plan that would be brought to fruition at the perfect moment.

It was just a matter of waiting.

December ’22 in Pictures

On December 31, 2022January 22, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the Month2 Comments

Busy school days, birthday fun, Christmas program, spending time with family – all wrapped up in one month! Thankful for some time to relax and reflect on Jesus’ birth!