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Tap, tap. Hello?
Sorry I disappeared for so long. Actually, I’m not. Sorry I lied. I can’t believe there are still people out there reading this blog, waiting for an update from this chick who, without shame or remorse, deserted you for so long.
I don’t have a reason to have maintained radio silence for as long as I did, other than I was tired. Tired of putting on a happy face in the midst of the hell my husband and I were experiencing. Tired of not having anything nice to say. Tired of being disappointed by the Air Force when we’d sacrificed so much. Tired of not being myself. Those were some dark days, I tell ya.
Somewhere along the line I stopped writing about the things that mattered to me, I shushed my voice so that I no longer sounded anything like the girl I truly am. That’s over.
In the middle of the storm, I kept my eyes on Christ. I knew there was a divine plan for everything that was going on and I had to remind myself of that, sometimes 100 times a day.
We moved across the United States, taking a 6 month pit-stop in my boss’s basement. Those 6 months were the best 6 months we spent in the Kansas City area. The Husband and I were forced to spend time with the people we love, then we spent almost every weekend at my grandmother’s house visiting with she and my parents who live 11 blocks away. We spent more time with my family in our last 6 months in Kansas City than we did the entire 4 1/2 years we were there. The love we felt for my bosses grew so much that my heart literally hurt when I left their house for the last time on a cold, rainy Kansas day. Excuse me while I go brush away some tears. On the other hand, I had the best time with my family and smiled at all the memories I’d collected for my jar as The Husband drove away.
We’ve moved to Florida and The Husband has returned to active duty. We’re in the honeymoon stage of this career field… actually… we’re in the “blind date stage” of this career. Right now his days are spent working on online classes, then he’ll go to some training and sometime in the next 6 months… he might start flying. God has great plans, doesn’t He? Yesterday he participated in his very first “big boy” conversation with the other engineers. It was truly awesome to see him when he came home from work with a smile on his face.
Christ’s birthday was pretty low-key around this joint. Having moved into our house just 5 days before Christmas, we set up a little pink Christmas tree my mom had bought for my kitchen and adorned it with some silver and teal bulbs as well as a beautiful hand-painted ornament we opened from my uncle on Christmas morn. It could not have been more perfect. Just The Husband, Radar the cat and me.
Nine years ago today, I woke up and put on a beautiful handmade (by mom mom the designer!) white dress and pledged my undying love until the end of time to The Husband. For Better. For Worse. We’ve had a lot of worse. Two and half years of worse. God knows what He’s doing though… the worse makes the better so much better. Today my heart overflows with love for this blond haired, blue eyed man who will soon be celebrating his 30th birthday. We married so young, so quick… that we’ve grown up together. I couldn’t be more proud of the man he is today.
Last week I made an off-hand comment about “the big one” (anniversary) is next year, but I still wanted to celebrate 9 years. The Husband grabbed my face and passionately told me how much this anniversary means to him… because I’m still here, after all we’ve been through. Of course I am. Happy Anniversary, my love.
I’ve just taken a gluten-free cream caramel cake (4 layers!) out of the oven and the house smells amazing. Tonight we’re having his favorite spaghetti dinner, his mom’s cheesy spaghetti recipe. Maybe tomorrow we’ll go out… who knows? who cares? All I know is that I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such an amazing man.
**Contest Closed**
Winner Selected: Rita
Enjoy your milkshakes Rita!!!!!
The weeks before Christmas, my good blogger friend, Rebecca hosted a giveaway for the WEBstaurant Store, the #1 online source of restaurant supplies. I entered, hoping to purchase a new waffle iron that Rebecca had featured some time ago. What better place to get a new waffle iron that the leading online Restaurant Supply Store? You see, in July when I was diagnosed with Celiac I had to get rid of a lot of my kitchen supplies, including the waffle iron my mom gave me shortly after I was married. I was also hoping to get a cream whipper since The Husband has an unreal addiction to real whipped cream, which isn’t a big deal to make, but how convenient to have it all ready in the refrigerator when he wants to top off his ice cream, brownie, spaghetti, olives… I kid, I kid! (sort of).
Fortunately, I won a $200 gift to the WEBstaurant Store on December 23rd and was over the moon excited. Gluten-free waffles… coming right up! Unfortunately, in my absolute excitement I told everyone in my family and informed them that I’d be ordering a waffle iron and a cream whipper… whoops. Christmas presents spoiled! Those things were already sitting under the tree! I ended up ordering two huge boxes of items to fill every nook and cranny of my kitchen, now it’s your opportunity to win $200 from the WEBstaurant Store!
All you have to do is go to the WEBstaurant Store, shop around for a bit and tell me what you’d buy with $200! Earn an extra entry by “liking” WEBstaurant on Facebook (but you have to come back here and tell me that you liked them)!
Might I recommend a few of the items I purchased?
Rectangle Tart/Quiche Pan with Removable Bottom (used to make the Nutella Tart shown above!)
72 Piece Tartlet Set
11″ Crystal Presence Bowl
8 oz Round Au Gratin Dish (I got 12 and cannot WAIT to make individual Pot Pies!)
Ice Cream Spade, Just like my Grandpapa’s!
Precut Parchment Paper, Seriously… has become my BEST tool in Gluten-Free baking!
Canoli Forms, trying to nail down a fool-proof gluten-free recipe before sharing with y’all
I ordered so many more items, but these have quickly become major players in the Whiskey kitchen. Tell me what you’d buy… I feel like shopping again!
*Giveaway sponsored by WEBstaurant Store, but the opinions are truly my own. I LOVE the stuff I bought!
 Capone’s Bolognese Sauce
The additional step of cooking the garlic separately from the sauce makes ahuge difference, this sauce is beyond compare.
*Served with gluten-free spaghetti
A few months ago, my mom and I attended the CSA Conference in Kansas City. To say I learned a wealth of knowledge during the conference would be an understatement. At the end of the second day, the gluten-free exhibit opened for a private viewing for those of us who attended the conference. The next day the exhibit would be open to the public and a general free-for-all. Continue reading Bella Gluten Free – A Giveaway
So, it’s the New Year… and the “New You”, right? Last year I didn’t make New Year’s Resolutions and I decided that was a really excellent way to start the new year, no goals… just expectations to concentrate on what I already am good at and try to be even better. Continue reading Stir Fry Salad
I’m thinking it might be absurd that the last thing I shared with everyone are some really fabulous pumpkin scones. Where did the year go? How did Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years pass me by so quickly, to leave me waking today to discover that it’s my anniversary? Eight years ago today I made the best decision I’ve ever made, I married my best friend. Continue reading Gluten Free Italian Cream Cake
 Originally posted at Wives of Faith
Each year I look forward to the pumpkin scones at Starbucks. The cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg warming the pumpkin to form a triangle of perfection, then lightly coated with a sweet vanilla sugar glaze. There’s just something so magnificent about them, lightly dunked in a steaming hot latte to give a little moisture to the mass-produced scone. Continue reading Gluten Free Pumpkin Scones
We know the drill. It’s flu season. Active duty personnel get their shots/mist first… then… if there is time/supplies left, the remaining retirees, then dependents get their shots. Take control of your own flu shot this year and head to the nearest CVS Pharmacy. Continue reading Flu- Shot Week and a Great Deal for MilFamilies
I just spent the most fabulous weekend with my mom. You see, my life is so hectic and packed right now that I actually had to schedule time to spend with her. Seriously. I had a calendar reminder and everything! We shopped until we dropped, barely making it home before the frigid temperatures nipped our backsides. Most everyone on my list is taken care of now… except my mom! How did that happen? Continue reading Mom’s Chili
Originally posted at Wives of Faith.
There are few things in life that elicit memories as much as taste.
When my husband and I met, he was stationed in South Korea, living the single life, his first duty station after Tech School. Life was good. As soon as he washed up from being on the flight-line all day, he’d head into town where he’d feast on Chicken on a Stick, Chicken Bulgogi, Beef Bulgogi, Kimchee and countless other things that he can no longer pronounce. The flavors were incomparable to anything he’d ever had stateside. Continue reading Gluten Free (or not!) Chicken Bulgogi
A week ago when you sat down next to me at breakfast, then clasped hands and prayed over your food… I knew I’d come to love you. The fact that you’re an Air Force family just solidified it.
Bev, you are the epitome of grace, even with the broken ankle. After all you’ve been through in life, you raise the standards for the rest of us. You walk with God, breath His word with every breath… you praise Him for the blessings you’ve been given… even the hardest of blessings.
Bill, you are what the pastors talk about. You lead your family spiritually and love with all of your heart. Hearing the love in your voice as you explained Bev’s illness before celiac diagnosis, the cancer treatments and then the onset of crohn’s disease was an inspiration.
I learned so much from you both. I talked about you for at least an hour with The Husband when I got home, regaling stories of lost children, eternal and unconditional love.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed your company throughout the day. I looked for you before mom and I took off. I wanted to wrap my arms around you, giving you a good hug and tell you how great it was to meet you. I hope we’ll meet again someday. I’d love it.
After all, we’re family now. The big ‘ol Air Force says so.
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As a proud Air Force wife I live my life supporting a "mission first" mentality. Take an inside look at my life inside the silent ranks, the ups and downs of loving a military man and putting our country first. Plus... come along for a sneak peek as the camouflage comes off and I share my love of healthy cooking, photography and kicking butt at Kick-boxing.
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