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 [...]]]> 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.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Big Honcho Media asking if I’d like to give away a copy of a newly released book, The Ocean Between Us along with a little extra somethin’, somethin’.  

Knowing how busy I am, I asked my sister-in-law to read the book and write a review for [...]]]>

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Big Honcho Media asking if I’d like to give away a copy of a newly released book, The Ocean Between Us along with a little extra somethin’, somethin’.  

Knowing how busy I am, I asked my sister-in-law to read the book and write a review for me (how lucky am I!?!?) because I didn’t want to give away a book I hadn’t read.  I am reading it now and it’s fantastic so far.  Susan Wiggs has stepped into the heart of the military family and actually learned the proper lingo.  Really, it’s fantastic!  Enough rambling from me though, I’ll let my sister-in-law take it away…

There are thousands of books depicting heroic deeds of the men and women in our military, The Ocean Between Us focuses instead on the trials and tribulations that the brave military wives and families endure while their husbands, boyfriends, fathers or sons are deployed for several months at a time.  It is not a book that paints the military family life as a fairytale, but rather a realistic depiction of life that goes on while their loved ones are away.  As someone who has been on the home-front as my brother deployed, the author’s vivid imagery brought me back to those moments and relating to the emotions of the characters.  The story follows three different military wives, whose lives cross when they are relocated to a Naval Air Station outside Seattle, Washington.  Each one of them is trying to define her role as a military wife, essential to the success of her husband’s career, yet having an innate desire to have an independent status of their own.  Through a tangled web of heartache, doubt, fear, devotion, rebellion and loyalty, the Bennett family manages to stay afloat while their father is at sea.

Excellent review, lil’sis.  Please visit the author’s website to learn more about her and how she came up with the idea for the book.

Now, on to the even better stuff. Big Honcho Media is offering 3 prizes:

First Place Winner will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card and a copy of the book, The Ocean Between Us.
Second and Third Place Winners will receive a copy of the book.

All you have to do to enter the contest is tell me the title of the last book you read and if you’d recommend it to others.  It can be a children’s book… a coffee table book, a romance, a thriller.  I’m a bookworm… I’m curious!

Full Disclosure: This giveaway is provided by Big Honcho Media.  Love ya’ll!

Frank Sinatra\’s I\’ll Be Home for Christmas

The first installment of the 12 Days of Christmas is My Favorite Christmas Song.  For someone who began listening to Christmas music on July 5th each year, there really aren’t that many Christmas Songs that I don’t like.  I’ve since limited my Christmas music to the weeks [...]]]>

Frank Sinatra\’s I\’ll Be Home for Christmas

The first installment of the 12 Days of Christmas is My Favorite Christmas Song.  For someone who began listening to Christmas music on July 5th each year, there really aren’t that many Christmas Songs that I don’t like.  I’ve since limited my Christmas music to the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years, with the occasional song thrown in for good measure.

I don’t remember what my favorite song was as a child, but as I grew into adolescence it became Amy Grant’s My Grown Up Christmas List.  There was something wonderful about the song, yearning for a better world, a peaceful gift, things that someone who grew up too quickly could relate to.  Lyrics don’t come better than:

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end

I still feel connected to the song, although my favorite song has since changed.

Military families spend so many days and years apart that often times, we find ourselves separated from our loved ones during Christmas.  As I’ve grown older, my favorite Christmas song has become Frank Sinatra’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Frank sings the song with the grace a man only from his era can do (but can I give a shout to Michael Buble and Josh Grobin!?!?).  I love the Rat Pack, finding comfort in their voices.  It’s who I grew up with, the ballads instantly draw me home.

Shortly after The Husband and I married, he began my growing collection of Rat Pack, Frankie, Dino and  Sammy, the men who actually used their voices to sing not yell words with a background of music which is so popular today.  The collection started as a way to take me home to Kansas City even though we were over a thousand miles away.  There is something about the Rat Pack that will always make my heart warm with thoughts of my mom and Uncle Brent.

I’ll never forget walking through World Market a few years ago when I’ll Be Home for Christmas came through the speakers.  My eyes instantly flooded with tears for all the men and women who would be separated from their loved ones as they served our great country.  I, of course, had a lonely Christmas.  This song was a comfort to me during those times, I knew The Husband would be home for Christmas… and I also knew that it would only be in our dreams.

Amy Grant\’s Grown Up Christmas List

Go check out what the other wives are saying over on Wives of Faith.

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)

General McChrystal requested an additional 40,000 troops to aid the fight in Afghanistan.  Only 13,000 are being sent.  To me, the numbers don’t compare.  If General McChrystal was appointed to be the commander of the war in [...]]]> I’ve tried to shy away from politics here and this isn’t really a political thing… simply a military thing.

General McChrystal requested an additional 40,000 troops to aid the fight in Afghanistan.  Only 13,000 are being sent.  To me, the numbers don’t compare.  If General McChrystal was appointed to be the commander of the war in Afghanistan, then why not take his suggestion?

The saddest part is this: the additional troops would save lives of our men and women.  Why is it such a hard decision when the simple fact remains: more troops equal saved lives.

My heart aches.

If you like to help, go visit Claire, she has information on how you can help a unit who was ambushed a few weeks ago.

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!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Wives of Faith, a great organization founded by Sara Horn provides support to military wives and families.  Various bloggers post throughout the week  and a monthly newsletter goes out focusing on family life in the military.  I encourage each of you who are military wives to sign up for the monthly newsletter (which includes articles [...]]]>

Wives of Faith, a great organization founded by Sara Horn provides support to military wives and families.  Various bloggers post throughout the week  and a monthly newsletter goes out focusing on family life in the military.  I encourage each of you who are military wives to sign up for the monthly newsletter (which includes articles written by yours truly).

Check out the website while you’re there, I’m sure you’ll find some useful information, not to mention a strong community of women waiting to support and pray for you.

I don’t know what it is about the spring, but I find myself wanting to be in New York: exploring the city, relaxing on Long Island or being a little farther north visiting The Husband’s family.  Alas, the opportunities to visit New York are growing fewer and farther between.  The In-Laws moved to [...]]]>

**not gluten free**

I don’t know what it is about the spring, but I find myself wanting to be in New York: exploring the city, relaxing on Long Island or being a little farther north visiting The Husband’s family.  Alas, the opportunities to visit New York are growing fewer and farther between.  The In-Laws moved to Montana a few years ago so the visits to New York have been nonexistent.

One of the fortunate things about living the military life is the culture that surrounds military communities.  Just like The Husband and I, there are thousands of people that have been transported and dropped in the middle of a town without having ties to their roots.  Thankfully for us, the locals (generally retired and separated military along with their families) set up shop throughout the town.

Though we may not be in Korea, just head down one of the main drags off base for a few minutes and you’ll bump into a hole-in-the-wall Korean BBQ joint.  One bite and instantly you’re transported to Korea. Hungry for German? Head off in another direction and soon after you’ll notice a German restaurant.  The same goes for all sorts of Nationalities and areas throughout America as well.  Southern food? Got it.  Philly steak sandwiches? You know it.  California fare? Done.  Most military bases are surrounded by eateries bringing a taste of home wherever we are.

In North Carolina I worked just down the street from a pizza joint that had New York City tap water shipped in to make the pizza dough.  There were actually two New York pizza joints in town that were incredible.  The only noticeable difference between the local pizzeria and the authentic New York pizza dive was the absence of Charlie Chest Hair* dishing out the slices.

One of my favorite New York treats is a Knish; usually served with spicy brown mustard and a hot dog. Since we don’t currently live in a military community brimming with New York delis or any other fabulous eateries, I have to come up with the dishes on my own.

Memories of New York Knish
Delta Whiskey Original

2-3 Russett potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 T butter
1/2 t thyme
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Buttermilk, about 1/4 c depending on consistency
2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted

Prepare the pastry by flouring a work surface and rolling pin.  Gently roll out the pastry to 10″x10″.  Cut each pastry sheet into 4 equal parts, once across, once down: making 4 squares.  Place on a silpat lined or greased cookie sheet.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Place the peeled and cubed potatoes in a pot, cover with water and bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat.  Cook until fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat butter and thyme over medium low heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until tender and slightly carmelized (alright, they should be carmelized but I was impatient).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Drain the potatoes and transfer to a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, begin whipping the potatoes to a smooth consistency.  Add just enough buttermilk to keep the potatoes bound together without becoming to runny.  The potatoes should be firm.  Gently fold in the onions and garlic along with any remaining juices in the pan.  Season with salt and pepper to taste (loads of pepper f0r me.)

In the center of each pastry square, drop about 2-3T of the potato mixture.  Begin in one corner of the pastry and gently fold in.  Work your way around the pastry until the potatoes are fully wrapped then gently poke your finger in the center where all points join to close it (makes a slight dimple).

Picture shows process clockwise starting top left corner.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.

Serve New York City style with a hot dog and spicy brown mustard… or serve it with Dijon and a Kielbasa because you’re married to a Polock.

Fly your flag high and proud.