Wow.  If you have a minute, pop over to Tasty Kitchen today.  My Banana Whoopie Pies are a featured recipe!

Thanks TK friends!

Because you’ve been waiting for over a month… without further adieu…

Third Place: Leteia wins a copy of the book!

Second Place: Karen wins a copy of the book!

FIRST PLACE: LACEY!  Wins [...]]]> Whew.  Finally, a few good things (more to come tomorrow! I have an update! On The Husband!)

Because you’ve been waiting for over a month… without further adieu…

Third Place: Leteia wins a copy of the book!

Second Place: Karen wins a copy of the book!

FIRST PLACE: LACEY!  Wins a copy of the book and a $50 VISA Giftcard!

Congratulations girls!  Email me your address at: Whiskey(at)DeltaWhiskey(dot)us and we’ll ship your prizes immediately!

Last year I had lofty expectations for New Year’s Resolutions.  It seems that as each year passes with breakneck speed, I’m contemplating what I don’t like about myself and making a resolution to change, change, change. This year, instead of focusing on the bad that I am, I’m focusing on the good in me and [...]]]>

Last year I had lofty expectations for New Year’s Resolutions.  It seems that as each year passes with breakneck speed, I’m contemplating what I don’t like about myself and making a resolution to change, change, change. This year, instead of focusing on the bad that I am, I’m focusing on the good in me and improving on that.  As self-centered as it may be, I think it’s important to recognize the good in me before I can change the bad.  Who can be positive when all they think about is negative?  Not me.

Things I did right in 2009 that I will continue to improve on…

• I learned to defend myself while gaining confidence and strength through kickboxing.  Of course, the 30+ pounds I lost through kickboxing was a welcome bonus.  This year, I intend to go to more classes, spend more time training and give my all each time I’m there.
• I am most always kind to strangers.  Sometimes my friends are annoyed while in public places with me because I’m the person with the sign on my forehead that says, “Please.  Tell me your problems.  I promise to listen carefully, understand with my heart and say something to sooth your worries.  I will help you. This year, I vow to not be annoyed (not even once) when confronted with a stranger who wants to tell me about the issues they are having.  I vow to help the handicapped couple get into their van even if I’m in the middle of a conversation at lunch and walk a little old lady across the ice.
• I volunteered for things that were bigger than me.  In 2010 I vow to do more charitable work, dedicating time and energy to things that help others.  There is nothing more rewarding than doing something wonderful for someone who will never know my name.
• I cooked at least 300 home cooked dinners last year and even managed to share a few with my lovely readers in 2009, this year, I vow to share more with you.  I’ll bring you the wonderful dishes that we have on a regular basis so they can become part of your own rotation.
• I kept a personal calendar for the first time in my life with regularity.  Through the wonderful world of Mac products, The Husband and I have synced everything together and we’ve managed to miss only a few events/appointments.  In 2010, I vow to continue with the calendar, checking it before I make any engagements so I’m not overbooked.
• In August, I did something spontaneous.  I got in the car with The Brother and The Dad on a whirlwind trip to Texas to see my dad’s hometown.  The trip was planned in a matter of 2 days and I packed my stuff and went.  I’m not too rigid, but I’m fanatical about being out of town when The Husband is not home.  I had the best time, no agenda… no requirements… just go. I vow to do more of that this year.
• I let go of a few friends this year, and as it may seem to be a bad thing I did in 2009, letting go of toxic people in my life has done more for my psyche than anything else.  Not allowing myself to be hindered by drama and pettiness of people that I’ve held on to because I didn’t want to hurt them… I let go of having more concern for their feelings and cared more about how I felt because of them.
• I loved my husband with all my heart.  I vow to continue to love him with everything I’ve got in 2010 and all the years to come.
• In my moments of weakness, fright and sadness, I called out to God and asked him to walk with me.  In my moments of victory, happiness and quiet, I thanked Him for being there as well.  I vow, this year… to love our God with every breath I take.  For in Him, I can do anything.

I hope with this new year, you find time to reflect on the positive things you did in 2009.  We’re not inherently bad, we’re always our own worst critic… I vow to be my own best cheerleader this year, and I’ll be your cheerleader too if you need me.

Happy New Year!

It’s Cyber Monday and that means… most of you while you should be working or cleaning the house from the weekend are going to spend time on the computer shopping online perveyors for the best deal you can find.  To help you along the way, I’ve put together a short list of things any service [...]]]>

It’s Cyber Monday and that means… most of you while you should be working or cleaning the house from the weekend are going to spend time on the computer shopping online perveyors for the best deal you can find.  To help you along the way, I’ve put together a short list of things any service member or military spouse would enjoy.  

For the military man (or woman) the best t-shirts, hoodies and everything else to outfit your service member…

Seriously, we own about 20 shirts from Ranger Up and they are a great quality, great price, even better message.  It just doesn’t come better than these guys (they’re pretty dang funny too!)

For the New or Soon-to-Be Military Wife

6th Edition

For any Military Wife (truly, this is on my Amazon Wish List)

For the MilWife who loves to cook

For the MilSpouse with Style…
seriously, there is something at Jane Wayne Gear you can find for any military spouse on your list!  This Air Force hoodie is on my hopeful list…

A Perfect Military Wife always needs the Perfect Accessories…

The Patriotic Wife offers customization of shirts and handbags, they also offer a great variety of patriotic bling.  I love this bag and have wanted it for a long, long time.

Of course, The Patriotic Wife also offers great stationery.  Check out their great Christmas cards (order now!) or gift these great cards to the Military Wife on your list.  She’ll “get it” even if you don’t.

For the Military Man in your life, Calendars are a great idea… to help keep track of just how many days they have left in the sandbox.

Of course, Military Calendars can be found most anywhere… but check out a few of these great ones.

For any military wife or service member.  These dog-tags are made of up-cycled military aircraft.  (Mine- which looks just like this one hangs on the strap of my handbag made of my husband’s uniform)

(This tag inspired by me… sorry, couldn’t resist tellin ya’ll) GREAT COMPANY!

For the Deployed Service Member

The Husband has his own little single-serve coffee pot for deployments.  Everyone should have one.

Another great idea for the Deployed Service Member

Make sure to load it up with photos of loved ones and home before sending it off!

Feel free to add to the list in the comments section or email me to add.

Thanks to the companies invovled for allowing me to use your images.  You have excellent products! (Talking to YOU RangerUp, PatrioticWife, Deploy Peace and Jane Wayne Gear)

A loving God. The freedom I have. The selfless dedication of our troops. The love of my husband. The healing of my  mother. My father’s sobriety. My brother being home. My grandmother’s smile. My in-laws coming to visit in a few weeks. That first sip of coffee. The sunshine. My friend Heidi’s husband returning from deployment today. Companies and people who dedicate their [...]]]> Today I am thankful for:

A loving God.
The freedom I have.
The selfless dedication of our troops.
The love of my husband.
The healing of my  mother.
My father’s sobriety.
My brother being home.
My grandmother’s smile.
My in-laws coming to visit in a few weeks.
That first sip of coffee.
The sunshine.
My friend Heidi’s husband returning from deployment today.
Companies and people who dedicate their time to our troop’s morale.
My girlfriend Lisa’s beautiful babies (our godson & his sister).
A beautiful home.
Our friends who hold us up.
The coming season.
Roasted turkey from grandmama.
A job with people I love.
A job. Plain and simple.
Money to keep us afloat.
A life that is worth living.
The laughter of children.
Ryan & Sarah and their ability to always ground me.

Most of all, I’m thankful for the wonderful God who has given me too many gifts to count.  Afterall, if it weren’t for Him, I wouldn’t be here.

I didn’t come close to naming all of the people who make a difference in my life, mostly because I could go on forever.  To those friends… you know who you are and I hope I tell you often that you mean the world to me. I wouldn’t spend time with you if you didn’t.

This past Sunday I woke early, made some coffee and opened up the calendar to see what was on the schedule.   What I found was almost too much to bear.  There, on my calendar was… absolutely nothing. I signed out, thinking I’d entered through the wrong email address.  Signing back in I kept thinking, [...]]]>

This past Sunday I woke early, made some coffee and opened up the calendar to see what was on the schedule.   What I found was almost too much to bear.  There, on my calendar was… absolutely nothing. I signed out, thinking I’d entered through the wrong email address.  Signing back in I kept thinking, ‘No way!’ Again, I was greeted with nothing, sweet, sweet nothing.

Faced with such a situation I was immediately filled with glee, I could spend an entire day doing whatever I wanted.  No appointments, no dinners, no coffees, no, no, no…  Wow.  I ran to the kitchen bookshelf and started grabbing cookbooks.  Over the years I’ve taken binders and organized our favorite recipes by category.  I decided once and for all, I was going to make these recipes and share them with all of you, no matter how ugly they may be.

Pulling out the binders I found loose pages, recipes I’d printed that had come through my email or blogs that I couldn’t live without making.  Tossed into the cabinet, neglected and forgotten these recipes waiting patiently until finally being discovered again.  As I sorted through the loose pages, one kept showing up.  Caramel Apple Cookies.  The first time I saw it my mouth watered, apples are in season and absolutely at their peak.  Turns out, the reason the recipe kept creeping in was because I had not one, not two, but three copies of this recipe printed out!  I pulled butter out of the fridge to soften and went about making a grocery list.

When The Husband woke up and stumbled downstairs I was already wrist deep in scone dough.  I glanced his way and said, “Oh honey, you aren’t going to believe this! I get to spend the entire day in the kitchen!”  He walked slowly toward me with a crazy look in his eye, swiped a kiss on my forehead and leaned down to look at my feet.  ”Yep. Barefoot.” His hand made it’s way to my stomach and he asked, “Is there anything else, or is this the best dream ever?”  I nervous giggle erupted from my lips and I said, “Just barefoot, not pregnant… in the kitchen.”

I have several recipes to share with you that I worked on over the weekend, but I got an unbelievable response on from my Lovelies on Twitter that the first recipe they wanted was Caramel Apple Cookies.

**not gluten free**

Caramel Apple Cookies
Adapted from Midwest Living

1/2 c butter, softened
1 c packed brown sugar
1/4 c packed dark brown sugar (you can use all light brown if you wish)
1 t baking soda
1 t apple pie spice (I actually used pumpkin pie spice)
1/4 t salt
1 egg
1/2 c apple cider
2 1/2 c unbleached flour (I use unbleached as my all purpose, so by all means, use a.p.)
1 large tart apple (Granny Smith), peeled, cored and shredded (I chopped mine)

For the Frosting:
1/2 c dark brown sugar
3 T butter
3 T apple cider
2 2/3 c powdered sugar
1/2 c toasted finely chopped walnuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat 1/2 c butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add brown sugars, baking soda, apple (or pumpkin) pie spice and salt.  Beat until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.  Beat in egg until well combined.  Add apple cider, beat until well combined (mixture will look curdled).  Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer; stir in any remaining flour.  Fold in apple.

Drop dough by slightly rounded teaspoons (or a 1″ cookie baller) onto a silpat lined baking sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes (mine took 12 minutes exactly) or until tops are lightly browned.  Let stand 2 minutes on cookie sheets then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

For the Frosting:
In a small saucepan, heat and stir 1/2 c dark brown sugar, butter and apple cider over medium heat until sugar dissolves.  I actually walked away and forgot about it, it was practically caramel by the time I remembered… only making it better.  Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar.  Spread frosting on cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with walnuts, if using.

If frosting begins to harden, stir in a small amount of apple juice to make spreading consistency.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Now.  I’m not believing these could possibly make it overseas because they are packed with moisture.  For home use, keep these in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Wow. I can’t believe I’m leaving for Las Vegas today!  It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that I was asked to join the group of MilSpouse bloggers who were doing a tract, The Also Serve: MilSpouse Bloggers.

If you’re in the Vegas area and are wanting to attend the Blog World Expo, [...]]]>

Wow. I can’t believe I’m leaving for Las Vegas today!  It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that I was asked to join the group of MilSpouse bloggers who were doing a tract, The Also Serve: MilSpouse Bloggers.

If you’re in the Vegas area and are wanting to attend the Blog World Expo, this is what you can expect…

Thursday, October 15th
0945  The Also Serve: Spouse Bloggers
Panelists include: Tammy Munson, BarmyMama, and myself  (Seriously, we’re going to tear the town up…)

1100 Best MilBlogs You’ve Never Read
Panelists include: Greyhawk (Moderator), Vampire06, Maj. Chuck Ziegenfuss, Kudzu630

1330 MilBlogs: Not Your Standard News Source
Panelists include: Cdr. Phibian Salamander, Old Blue

1600 Getting The Picture: What’s Next for MilBlogs?
Panelists include: Blackfive (Moderator), CJ Grisham, Bouhammer, Scott Kesterson

I’d love to meet as many of you as I can. I hope if you’re a long-time reader or a newbie to me, that you’ll take a minute and come visit us in the Army Lounge at the Expo.

For the rest of you… please say a prayer for me!  I spent last night cooking up a storm so The Husband doesn’t have to starve to death while I’m gone.  I’m also terrified a wee bit scared of flying (claustrophobia), something my pilot husband cannot understand.

Please, accept my sincere apologies for my unintended absence the past two (!?!) weeks.  I wish I had a good story to tell you, something wild and crazy that kept me away.  Alas, I have a whole pocket-full of nothings that have kept me from visiting with you (and all of my friends).  

One small thing I’ve [...]]]>

Please, accept my sincere apologies for my unintended absence the past two (!?!) weeks.  I wish I had a good story to tell you, something wild and crazy that kept me away.  Alas, I have a whole pocket-full of nothings that have kept me from visiting with you (and all of my friends).  

One small thing I’ve done over the past two weeks was pull out the Autumn decorations which adorn our mantel.  There isn’t another season that brings me such joy as Fall.  I seem to have the opposite feeling of many of my friends, while they look at Spring as the season of new life, I see Fall as a new beginning.

Perhaps the reason I feel that way is because Fall is the beginning of a new school year, which, ultimately is what life centers around as a child.  Does that mean I haven’t quite grown up yet?  Regardless of why I’m so polar-opposite of everyone else, seeing new life instead of the inevitable decaying of nature to make way for the coming of cold, I love Fall.  Besides Christmas, Fall is the only season I decorate for.

It never ceases to amaze me as I pull the Fall decorations out of the storage closet, trudge downstairs and tug the lid off.  It’s not much, a banner for the mantel, a few pumpkin baskets, a tealight holder, some glittery pumpkins covered in shiny beads… then, my breath catches as my hand caresses tissue and the memories come with a rush.

Our first Fall as a married couple, I bought a craft pumpkin and drew a little design on it then asked The Husband and my brother to punch holes where I’d drawn.  Of course, they went at it with an ice pick, barring their chests and roaring like lions only to grow frustrated a few minutes later and attack it with the power drill and treat it like a man.  They also cut a hand-sized hole in the top for me to work the insides.  Leaving all childhood pumpkin lessons behind, they wanted the hand hole to be even. They kept at it with sandpaper and a small carving knife… making the hole, of course, larger than the top so that it dropped down into the pumpkin.  Ahh!  Afterward, I poked Christmas lights through the holes in the cute swirly pattern.  Each year we’ve taken the pumpkin out and chuckled at the top that falls into the pumpkin and watched as the lights slowly stopped lighting.

The first year The Husband was deployed over Fall, I dashed out at the first sign of the craft pumpkins and bought a smaller pumpkin than the one with the sloppy top.  I, too, attacked the pumpkin with an ice pick only to swiftly give in to the drill.  I punched the holes, weaved in the lights and sent it in a box to The Husband.  I couldn’t let him not have Fall without a little bit of home with him.

Each year I pull out the decorations I get a little nostalgic.  I see the tissue paper guarding something special and my heart is flooded with memories without him.  Inevitably, The Husband will see the decorations, wrap his arms around me and kiss my cheek and forehead.  His eyes, which speak so many unspoken words bore into my heart and whisper, I’m home.

This year, the first pumpkin, the larger of the two, only made it a week before we had to give in and hand it over to the trash man.  Only half of the lights were working, a sad reflection of the time that has passed.  We’ll do another pumpkin this weekend for the homefront.

Product spotlights (do you care?) and a few more randoms: The jack-o-lantern tealight holder was a gift from my Uncle when we first moved to KS (you can get one here or here).  It is, in all honesty, the only piece of Halloween decoration I own.  I have an unreal distaste for Halloween.  The only thing I like about Halloween are the memories of trick-or-treating with my nephews along with the never-ending tradition of mom’s chili and warm apple cider simmering on the stove.  The chili and cider was a welcome treat after we returned from hours in the mist-soaked streets of Kansas City.  The banner is something I made a few years ago with scrapbook paper and mini laundry pins.  The candles, oh… the candles!  Thanks to my friend Sarah, I have a new candle obsession (don’t get me wrong, I still love Yankee, but seriously… you have to try them!).  The lit candle is Mulled Cider, the unlit jar candle is Mulled Harvest.  If you like good quality candles with maximum scent, these are the candles for you.

Come back tomorrow for a corn-chowder that will blow your socks off!

When I was young (and still today) my mom called me Paula Perfect.  The moniker refers to my never ending desire to do things right, no matter the cost… to make a pretty life.  I strive endlessly for the right attitude, the perfectly straight hair, the organization which would make a sane person itch, the [...]]]>

When I was young (and still today) my mom called me Paula Perfect.  The moniker refers to my never ending desire to do things right, no matter the cost… to make a pretty life.  I strive endlessly for the right attitude, the perfectly straight hair, the organization which would make a sane person itch, the perfectly cleaned home and ready to serve munchies for friends stopping by.  

As I get older I recognize the beauty in imperfection.  Don’t get me wrong, I still put forth the effort to create perfection, but I have my moments where I simply acknowledge that sometimes… perfection isn’t always best.  Sometimes, a chocolate cake is perfect just as it is.  Without the fancy adornments of piping, flowers and perfectly smooth frosting… slopped on frosting allows the people you love to dig into a piece of cake and simply… enjoy. This is the perfect cake for such a pay-no-attention-to-detail frosting job.  This cake… this cake is moist, delicious, full of flavor and… perfect.

**not gluten free**

Beatty’s Chocolate Cake
Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa

Butter, for greasing the pans
1 3/4 c flour, plus more for pans
2 c sugar
3/4 c good cocoa powder (I used dark chocolate cocoa)
2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 t kosher salt
1 c buttermilk, shaken
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 t pure vanilla extract
1 c freshly brewed hot coffee
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 c butter, at room temperature
1 t pure vanilla
4 c confectioner’s sugar (may need more depending on humidity)
1 -2 T heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Butter 2 (8″) round cake pans.  Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.  (I never use parchment… sorry!)

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined.  In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla.  With the mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.  Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal.  With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting.  Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

For the frosting:

With an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter together until well combined and fluffy.  Beat in vanilla and gradually add in confectioner’s sugar, adding heavy cream and  sugar until it reaches desired consistency.

PS: Is there anyone else that usually loathes chocolate, but loves chocolate cake?

I’m a little nervous about Blog World Expo 2009.  What if these people don’t like me?  What if I can’t answer their questions?  What if someone asks me questions I don’t want to answer?  What if…