Military Monday's Thankfulness Edition

I am sure thankful that both of my "soldiers" are home this year. I know my husband is home potentially forever. But its not just the military I fear will take him back but thankful to know that my family is safe this year. A pretty healthy (we just got over fighting a bad cold) and happy family all stateside this year is a major milestone for me. Its the first time we are all on one continent at the same time. Even if there is miles apart between Alex, Mackenzie and the rest of us. I am truly grateful for the oceans that aren't! It also makes me appreciate all those who do have loved ones overseas. No matter the continent or country... Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany or Anywhere.

My family or Rick's family of origin may be away or on another continent. They are all close to my heart. I have faced some challenges dealing with my families and my beliefs. This year my mother was alone for the holidays perhaps I hope she was with friends that love her. I wish I could be there for her. In any case I hope she had the best possible holiday I wish her the best. This week she is also celebrating her 54th birthday. I hope she is blessed & has many many more. My heart is troubled with our families but it makes me hold my family of choice (Rick and the kids) closer.

I cherish my friends. Last year I spent my Thanksgiving with a complete feast with my neighbors. They are from Texas so they are away from family living here for the first time last year. We prepared a feast and shared it with this year. I told them this year I would dog sit for them so they could go home for the holiday. I told them we were perfectly happy eating at Ruby Tuesday for Thanksgiving due to the nearly month long Cold virus. They ordered us a feast and it was a total surprise! It was beautiful and yummy! I am grateful for the Culley family for taking care of us.

Bailey sulking he knew his mommy & daddy were leaving







William waiting on food



Skylar. I actually didn't dress them up this year. Skylar wanted to wear her dress from Valentines day and it was extra warm till actually the day after Thanksgiving the thermometer tanked by at least 20 degree's

James & the spread. So we ended up with Turkey, Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Dressing, Green Beans and Corn which were left over from Wednesday night at KFC lol., Biscuits and Skylar had Apple Juice Wine (100% juice), and I had Moscato. The boys had their wine coolers or soda. They bought it for us in return for baby sitting their two hermit crabs and Bailey. Of course you know how Hermit crabs are they cause all kinds of destruction and ruckus... What a pain! Just kidding!

William has found Skylar's headset from her visit to Libby Lu a few years ago and loves them lmao.



Sunday Scrappin

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I haven't scrapped (with my two hands and paper) in over a year. I have done some digital work but none the traditional way. I don't know why I guess I feel like my work isn't good enough because I can't put the money into it everyone else does. I can't justify buying the cricut everyone else has and I ask people to make me some die's but they never come through. So I just don't even bother touching my scrap book stuff. But why? I have my big project planned but have no motivation to do it. Its time to start developing pictures, going to crops and do this thing! I at least at the very least need to invest some time into digital scrapping. I can't let these millions of pictures sit around for nothing. Its so frustrating! Time to get cracking! Maybe someone will get a scrapbook project for a Christmas gift!



Scrapbooking and Creative To-Do List

1. I got my plan for a creative gift for family and friends and its 99% complete. I am so excited about it. I try to do something creative every year. Last year I made a popcorn care package with a movie or netflix gift certificate. Two pop corn cups, a bag of popcorn and candy. This year is something similar but useful... always useful and versitle.
2. Scrapbooking gift
3. Post this months tuts and creations

Scrapbooking and Creative Ta-Da List

• Skylar's time line and Hobbies (Ballet, Soccer, School, Girl Scouts, and more.) & Her Ballet book.
• Once Upon a Time books
• Story Book Pages
• Army Greeting Cards? Maybe on EBAY?
• Dora Paperbag Book
• Baby Book Scrapbook and William's first year
• Skylar & Her Friendship books
• How We Met
• Strawberry Shortcake Page
• Rick's Army Scrapbook
• Transparent Picture Christmas Ornaments
• Painted Christmas Ornaments
  

  
  

  Household Ta Da List

• Appointments for the cats and hopefully come up with a solution for Peanut
• Rearrange my consultation on Tuesday
• Plan Christmas pictures. Find a way to take the kids pictures for Christmas cards. Everywhere takes too long to get them back.
• Decorate for the Holidays.
• Skylar has girl scouts on Tuesday I think.
• 

  Blog More!

My favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

A cookie with a funny name from Europe,


My mom made these twice a year it can be very labor intensive. My grandfather was from Norway so it was a tradition

You will need to buy a Krumkake iron

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=Krumkake+Iron



Krumkake Recipe

http://scandinavianfood.about.com/od/cookierecipes/r/krumkake.htm

Difficulty: 2 (1=easiest :: hardest=5)

Serves/Makes: 4



Ingredients:

3 large sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup milk, cream, evaporated milk or coffeemate

1/2 cup butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup butter

1 cup pecans - chopped


Directions:

Combine first 7 ingredients and pour into greased casserole.

Mix brown sugar, flour, butter and pecans until crumbly and sprinkle on top.

Bake 30 - 40 minutes at 350degrees F.

Level:BeginnerPrep Time:20 MinutesNutrition Info

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/4 cups (2-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside.





2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.





3. Bake 8 to 9 minutes. (Do not overbake; cookies will be soft. They will puff while baking and flatten while cooling.) Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4-1/2 dozen cookies.



PAN RECIPE: Spread batter in greased 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350°F 20 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack; cut into bars. About 4 dozen bars.



ICE CREAM SANDWICHES: Prepare CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES as directed; cool. Press small scoop of vanilla ice cream between flat sides of cookies. Wrap and freeze.



HIGH ALTITUDE DIRECTIONS:

-- Increase flour to 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons.

-- Decrease baking soda to 3/4 teaspoon.

-- Decrease sugar to 1-2/3 cups.

-- Add 2 teaspoons water with flour mixture.

-- Bake at 350°F, 7 to 8 minutes. Yield increases to about 6 dozen

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 large eggs

3 ripe bananas

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing.

How to add more moist-ness to your Banana Bread

http://www.moist-banana-bread-recipes.com/2008/09/how-to-add-more-moist-ness-to-your-banana-bread/

ZUCCHINI BREAD

'

INGREDIENTS

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups white sugar

2 cups grated zucchini

2 teaspoons spiced rum

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans.

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done. .

Is it true when kids are quiet there is something wrong?

have been putting off dental surgery for years. When my dentist (who I just LOVE) told me to do it. My husband was deployed and I only had to wait a few months for him to get home. Well when he got home I got pregnant so I couldn't have any dental work done while I was pregnant. So it got put off. Finally I had to get a new referral and the surgeon went into retirement *ugh*... Then we retired and didn't have dental insurance... Now we have insurance so I made some calls... Actually only one to find the right place that took my insurance. GREAT! They didn't even need a referral from my dentist they will do all the leg work. How often do you get that?




So I made my long awaited appointment. Called my husband and decided to investigate why my 15 month old was so quiet...

I was looking everywhere for him. I am 99.9% sure that anything he can get into is mostly baby proof although he finds ways.... Like climbing on the dining room table and opening baby gates.... But the baby gate has a bungee cord. The other baby gate is just around the TV so I would have saw that... No baby... Anywhere. I freaked for a minute. Hung up on Husband and there William in his bouncy chair from his infant swing next to the couch, He was sound asleep.... When toddlers are quiet they aren't always in trouble. Sometimes they just pull off their PJ's and find a place to zonk out.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #22

http://wifeofasailor.com/

This week’s questions are:

1. If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island but all your human needs – such as food and water – were taken care of what two items would you want to have with you? Recharging Internet Connected Device to read email, cruise the net, get GPS, play music, watch TV on .... and maybe pictures unless those are on my internet connected device lol



2. If you were a salad what kind of dressing would you have? Cucumber Ranch :) IDK why thats just what came to mind and Cucumber is my favorite veggie lol.



3. If you had to live on a ranch what kind of animals would you raise/own? I am a farm girl. My mom and Grand Father have both owned farms. I don't like the clean up or I would own horses now. So I would say Horses, Birds, Ponies, Donkey's, Cows, Chickens, Maybe a few pigs... William loves piglets..., Dogs, Cats, and maybe a wild animal of some kind legally licensed of course.



4. If your life was was portrayed as a movie who would you choose to play you and your significant other? Christina Ricci would be me and my husband is... um sheesh I don't know maybe if you look at his picture

Look at his picture and leave your vote in the comments (he's the one holding the baby.)

5. What was the last thing you put a stamp on (envelope duh but what was in the envelope)? Greeting Card

I am still an Army Wife and Army Mom.

My husband retired in May from the Army after 24 years of service. I think he deserves a big Hooah for that sacrafice and dedication. Yet he had no retirement ceremony (partly his choice.) Hero's don't want pomp and cirumstance they are more humble. In all his deployments he never had a true homecoming. Again he liked it that way. Does that make him less deserving of one? Of course not! Would he put his ACU's on in a minute of the Army called him back... uh yeah faster than he could shake a stick at it. It was a family choice to retire... you just know when its time to hang the beret.

Because Rick and I were only married three years ago I wasn't looked at much as for an Army Wife. I wasn't the one who waited on him to come home from his first deployment during the first heat of the war in OIF. I wasn't the one writing letters while he was at boot camp. I was the one who waited on him from Korea and his second deployment. I was the one who's heart broke when he told me he was facing deployment and I hadn't even met him face to face yet. I may not have earned much rank in the silent ranks... but I earned enough in my opinion, I stayed faithful, loyal and worked hard. I didn't fall apart and I kept it together. I stayed strong for US.

Now I face life with the Army behind me. Is it really behind me? Rick has never fully come back home. Things are probably never going to be the way they were... maybe one day I have faith they will be better! I still cry during deployment songs, I still cry when one of our own fall, I still cry watching military salute videos, I still cry for homecomings (I never got), I am still very emotionally connected to the Military in my own weird way. Since he retired I bought an Army Wife hoodie and a t-shirts (maybe more)... I still dress the kids in Camo and carry my ACU purse with pride.. I am still an Army wife even if my husband is no longer active duty. Once a Soldier always a Soldier... Behind every good Soldier is a Loyal Army Wife! Hooah!

My son, my step son still serves... as we wait paitently for every phone call and visit.

Next time you see a wife of a Veteran just know a piece of her heart will always remember and be part of the Military just like her husband.

Quote from Legion

When God chose your kind as the object of His love, I was the first in all of heaven to bow down before you. My love, my hope for mankind was no less than His. But I have watched you trample that gift. I have watched you kill each other over race and greed... waging war over dust and rubble and the words in old books. And yet, in the midst of all this darkness, I see some people who will not be bowed. I see some people who will not give up, even when they know all hope is lost. Some people, who realize being lost is so close to being found. I see you, Jeep. Fifteen years old, your mother leaves. Your father withdraws from the world and you spend the next five years of your young life helping him find his way home. You love a woman who bears the child of another and you love her with no thought of yourself, even though you know she may never love you the way you love her. You, Jeep... you are the reason I still have faith.