Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for December 22, 2014

Oh, Phil, you finally took some consideration from your girlfriend’s daughters and family AND your aunt?

Breathe, Phil, breathe! After all, you can always get Val a nice pair of diamond earrings mounted in white gold… ;)

Phil looks like he’s about to pass out!

Give Mom a pep talk, girls !!!

Val said “probably not” —this says that she’s not opposed to an engagement, but will be surprised when Phil pops the question.

Don;t do it Phil! Run away from the pressure. Listen to Val, she’s been through this once. You have a good thing going, don’t ruin it with a proposal that she doesn’t want. Marriage is a lot f work, and at your age the good years are past. You can stay friends and love each other. You’ve both been on your best behavior, That changes after marriage, look at her sister.

Oh, I give up ! ! ! !! ! !

Can anyone tell me why sometimes I can access the archives and at other time I can’t? This seems to coincide with the times that one cannot reply to a comment.

Even if he does “wuss” out and buy a ring she’ll say no not now, and hopefully we’ll get back to a humorous strip again – please! This story line is so tiresome and boring…we can only hope for a Christmas miracle here.

Call me new-fashioned but I think a couple should live together for a couple of years first before they consider marriage.

Loving the storyline! In response to some of the comments;, they have been together for quite a while now. Years. Also, love the Moody Blues quote! Days of Future passed? Also, for some of the guys, her first husband died when Alix was very young, so Alix does not remember him at all. Lastly, it has been a very entertaining strip, one of the best storylines around. Guys, if you do not like it, do not read it.

What’s everybody so excited about? Phil probably just needs a battery replaced in another watch.

I agree with “starcandles”. I’m loving the story. @ 9ChickLuannBean if the Stone family is wretched why on earth are you reading? Last I checked the strip was called Stone Soup about the Stone family. I think the plot is thickening. Will it be diamond stud earrings or a ring? Can’t wait for Christmas day!!

I thought it’s natural for a guy to hate shopping, especially in an expensive jewelry store. Taking long breaths, Phil.

They sell rings now called “commitment” or “promise” rings. I personally think the best engagement ring would be one with the couple’s birthstones. In this case, maybe a family ring with Phil, Val, Holly and Alix’s birthstones would be unique and thoughtful.

Me too!! me too :) It’s OK Phil, its only a ring.

I wonder if he’ll come out with an engagement ring or a promise ring? After all, they did promise to each other that if and when the time comes, each one with be the other’s “one.”

I love this strip. It is my favorite and the story lines are great! Keep up the good work! Jan Eliot. (Personally, I hope to see a wedding in the future!)

I am just loving this story arc, every bit of it. I love the fact that they’ve been a couple for so long and have gotten to know one another so well that the girls even felt they could intervene the way they have. I love the cold feet but warm hearts aspect of it in both adults. It just plays out so much like life does, only much more sweetly. Thank you for doing this right now.

DON’T DO IT!

Wanna bet?

You Go Phil!! They may even put you in a commercial!

Looks like Val spoke too soon and Phil finally got the hints.

Phil has pushed past his hang ups after the girls talked to him but Val haven’t…so this may blow up in the girls’s faces. Their mom will probably say no and they will spend Christmas crying about not getting a new dad.

Ugh… I hope he’s not doing it because he felt pressured. That’s a terrible reason.

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope he just gets her something like a necklace or earrings.

(humming Wedding March): “Dum, dum, dum, dum…. boy, are you dumb!”