Day 2

::::  Being goofballs

::::  Skype time with daddy

::::  Homemade Mac and Cheese

Thank you is not enough

Image Credit:  Deborah Elmquist

The love and support that you have all showered me with, is more than I ever could ask for.

I have felt a true sense of friendship, of love, of compassion from family and friends and there really is nothing like that feeling.

So I spent a very restless night.  Truth is, I don't like sleeping alone, never have and it's one of the worst parts of the separation.  Reaching over in the middle of the night and not feeling his body there, it hurts.

It is like being stabbed in the heart.  The saying "love hurts" really does do it justice, doesn't it?

The kids are missing him like crazy, they're teary eyed, they keep saying they just want this to be over with, and we're only on the first day.  *sigh*

I think it's going to be a long next few weeks.

I have tried to visit you all and thank you and say hi, but some of you don't have blogs, so I'm thanking you here, please know that I read every single comment on the previous post and appreciate every kind word, every prayer and every thought.  :)

But now, I must put on the armor and push through.  I have things to do, errands to run, kids to run after, dogs to play with and the usual housework laying about.

There's no time for thinking, or wishing things to be different.  It is what it is.

I hope you all enjoyed this mornings Slow Cooking Post, I won't lie and say that it didn't take me a long time to compile it....because it did, it took me 3 hours last night plus another hour this morning, but I think it's well worth it, not just to do it for you all, but even for me, to have a list of all the recipes at hand.

Next menu plan is going to come from there, for sure.   Oh and I also added the whole list to the linkbar up above, so you can get to it easily :)

And speaking of menu plans, it's been forever, like years, since I joined in with Laura over at Orgjunkie, but I'm going to start doing that as well, I miss joining in.  I actually stopped because there were SO many links it was just overwhelming.

Anyway, I have heard from my hubby this morning, he has made it safe and sound to the Academy and now for the next 6 weeks he'll be completely immersed in books, studying, tests and some quality family time with his mom, brother, uncles and aunts, friends etc who are all in the area.  I only wish that the kids and I were able to make it as well, would have loved to have seen everyone, but another time right???

Speaking of kiddos, I couldn't live without these two joys in my life, they keep me on my toes, and boy do they keep me on.my.toes being that little Jasmine is now 13 and little Nicholas is now 9.  Smart mouthed little brats at times  HA!   But I love them to death.

I sent them to clean their bedrooms this morning and next thing I know they are walking into the kitchen looking like this.  LOL  And yes, those are shorts on their heads.

This one they asked to take and to share with daddy because they miss him so much :)

So my sweet friends, again thank you for the support.  I know the next few weeks won't be easy for me, or these two sweet beings, but we'll make it :)

Hope you have a blessed day!

Slow Cooking and Cooking Thursday

As I was making the decision to return to my old self and to my wonderful blog, looking back through the posts from 2007, I stumbled upon the very first Slow Cooking Thursday.

Boy it seems like forever ago.

I'm so glad I started it though because over the years I've gathered and tried quite a few wonderful recipes submitted by my amazing blog readers.  :)

I want to apologize as well for not being the best at returning your visits in the past few months, but it's all changed.  I'm loving blogging again, visiting everyone, saying hi and just checking in, so please, feel free to share your recipes and I promise to come by and check it out :)

If you want to use the picture, just click here for the original.

Today I thought I would do something different, instead of giving you ONE recipe, I'm actually going to give you ALL of the Slow Cooking and Cooking Thursday recipes that I've shared over the years.

I hope you brought enough coffee and a pen and pencil, or are ready to bookmark to your hearts content....it's a long list folks.

I just know that you'll find at least one you'll want to try :)


September 2006

Chuck Wagon Chili
Slow Cooker Enchiladas
Smoky Flavored Barbecue Ribs

October 2006
Beer Brisket
Stuffed Peppers
Chicken and Mushroom Stew
Beef and Chipotle Burritos

November 2006
Chicken Parisienne
Peach Cobbler
Smothered Steak
Classic Beef Barley Soup

December 2006
Crockpot Stuffed Chicken Rolls
English Bread Pudding

January 2007
Peppered Meatballs
Ham Tetrazzini
Meaty Spaghetti
Beef in Mushroom Gravy

February 2007
Sauce Scalloped Potatoes
Bachelors Beef and Beer

March 2007
Crockpot Morning Casserole
Creamy Ham and Broccoli
Banana Nut Bread
Crockpot Jambalaya

April 2007
Fisherman's Catch Chowder
Roast Slow Cooker Chicken
Slow Cooker Swiss Steak Supper
Six Can slow cooked chili

May 2007
The best oatmeal
Crockpot Garlic Beef
Lazy Day Crockpot Brunch
Chicken and Sausage Paella
Beer Beef Stew with Dumplings

June 2007
Crockpot Fish Chowder
Betsy's Hungarian Goulash
Slow cooker split pea soup with chorizo
Slow Cooker chicken noodle soup

July 2007
Hot Crab Dip
Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken with Sesame Seeds
Rigatoni and Sausage

August 2007
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Orange Thyme crockpot chicken
Pulled Jerk Pork Sandwiches
Estofado
Ham, Eggs and Hashbrowns

September 2007
Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme chicken with potatoes and mushrooms
Crockpot Western Omelet Casserole
Honey Mustard Short Ribs,  Easy Peasy Berry Cobbler
Burgundy Meatloaf

October 2007
New England Clam Chowder
Greek Chicken Pitas,Spiced Chocolate Coffee
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Cube Steaks with Gravy

November 2007
7 spice sticky chicken
Smokehouse Chicken
Peppery Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Spicy Chocolate Truffles

December 2007
Mixed up Stew
Crockpot Brunch
Tipsy Dogs, Family Favorite Party Mix
Slow Simmered Chipotle Rib Sandwiches

January 2008
Chicken Tortilla soup
Szechuan Ribs
Triple Delicious Hot Chocolate
Saucy Hamburgers

February 2008
Slow cooked cabbage rolls
Easy and Elegant Ham
Chinese Style Barbecue Pork
Deviled Swiss Steak

March 2008
Apple Granola Dessert
Lemon Pudding Cake (plus a whole list of the recipes shared by the participants)
Slow Cooked Ham
Cheesy Italian Tortellini

April 2008
Mixed Berry Crumble
Finger Lickin' Ribs
Chicken Stew
German Potato Salad

May 2008
Moo Shu Pork
Hearty Beef Stew
Southwest Breakfast

June 2008
Crockpot Chicken Tortillas

July 2008
Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas
Crockpot Pizza Rigatoni
Slow Cooked Steak Rolls
Egg Rolls, Gingersnap Cookies, Chicken Tetrazzini (not a crockpot recipe)

August 2008
Honey Wheat Bread (not a crockpot recipe)
Crockpot Apple Cobbler
Snappy Meatball Heroes
Pumpkin Bread in Jars

September 2008
Beer Braised Chicken
Open faced pizza joes
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Parmesan Chicken and Rice

October 2008
Impossible Apple Pie
Snowy Day Beef Stew
Ham Tetrazzini
Beef Stew with Potato Dumplings
Green Chile Stuffed Chicken Breast

November 2008
Breakfast Quesadillas
Creamy Leek and Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes

December 2008
Mocha Cocoa
Breakfast Potatoes
Smashed Potato Soup

January 2009
Mexican Red Chili
Mexican Beef Stew
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Slow Cooker Easy Chow Mein
Bacon Wrapped Hotdogs

February 2009
Chicken Parmigiana
Crockpot Hamburger Steak
Brown Sugar Chicken
Crockpot Caramel Rice Pudding

March 2009
Georgia Corn Pudding
Meatballs in Mushroom Gravy
Chinese Chicken Curry
Mustard Glazed Ham

April 2009
World's Best chili verde
Crockpot Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff
Gayle's Honey Orange Chicken
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

May 2009
Chicken Soup
Red wine and rosemary pot roast
Honey Mustard Beer Brats
Crockpot Chocolate Kahlua Cake

June 2009
Asian Spiced Chicken Wings
Habanero Pork Sandwiches
Crockpot Chicken
Slow Cooker Potatoes with Country Ham

July 2009
Camp Stew Recipe
Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Green Chili Stew
The Great Goulash with Potato Dumplings

August 2009
Seven Vegetable Soup
Melt in your mouth Sausages

September 2009
Carolina Pot Roast with Ginger Snap Gravy
Slow Cooker Carrot Cake

October 2009
Indonesian Chicken in Peanut Sauce
Mexican Goulash
No Name Chili
Suzie's Sloppy Joes
Slow Berry Cobbler

November 2010
Brisket in Ale
Santa Fe Beef and Beans
Creamy Garlic Broccoli Soup

December 2010
Quick Chicken in Honey Mustard
Crockpot Honey Mustard ham
Crockpot Holiday Wassail Punch
Portuguese Skillet Chicken (Start of Cooking Thursday)

January 2011
Samburger
White Castle sliders
Chicken Poulet
Cream Scones

February 2011
Pork Sandwiches
Portuguese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Oven Chicken and Rice
Butterscotch Bites

March 2011
Creamy Homestyle Tuna Melts
Chicken Rissoles
Garlic Sauced Chicken
Fluffer Bunnies

April 2011
Steak Pizza
Ham, Cheese and Sausage Rolls
Pork in a creamy wine sauce
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Bacon, Honey Mustard Chicken

May 2011
Mushroom Swiss Burgers
Beer Batter Onion Rings
Crunchy Onion Barbecue Chicken
Homemade Pop Tarts

June 2011
BLT Pasta salad
Smothered Pork Chops

July 2011
Pizza Cheese Breadsticks
Sourdough Starter
Mini Tacos
Pepperoni Pizza monkey bread

August 2011
Harvest Apple Ice Cream
Chicken Pepper Pasta
Creamy Cappucino Mix
Tuna Chickpea Salad

September 2011
Stuffed Steak
General Tso's Chicken
Crockpot Grinders
Honey Chipotle Slow Cooker Ribs

October 2011
Brown Sugar Barbecue Sandwiches
Root Beer Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Giuseppes
Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

November 2011
Slow Cooked Sirloin
Slow Cooked Chicken and Biscuits
Slow Cooked Cornbread Dressing

December 2011
Chicken and Bean Chili
Oniony Meatloaf
Quick French Dip Sandwiches
Jalapeno Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

January 2012
Creamy Chocolate Mousse
Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme
Roast Beef, Caramelized Onions and Horseradish sliders
Homemade Bread Bowls

February 2012
Cream Cheese Danish
Long Boy Burgers
Portuguese Milk Rolls
Sausages in Tomato Sauce

March 2012
Tortilla and Black Bean Stack
Poor Man's Steak
Makeover rigatoni with bacon and asparagus

April 2012
Bacon and Chive Potato Salad
Multigrain Bread
Grilled Bacon Burgers
Iced Mint Tea

May 2012
Homemade Cheese Crackers
Corn Dog Tots, Nutter Butters
Easy Cheesy Manicotti
Lemon and Orange Bars

Day 1

While hubby is away, I'll be making a daily post with some pictures of our day. :)

::::  Saying goodbye

::::  spending time in the kitchen

::::  fresh batch of  Herb Mayonnaise

And my heart breaks.....

 As a military wife, you get conditioned to a lot of things.  You learn to make do.  You learn to accept the fact that the mission will always come before the family.

But there's one thing that you never quite get used to and it hurts just as much every single time, no matter if they're gone for a day, a month, or a year.

My husband just walked out of the door.

And just like every other time before it, my heart broke.

I try so hard to be strong, I put on a brave face, I tell the kids that it's ok, time will fly, and then my hubby will come to me and put his arms around me and tell me he loves me and I cry.  Every.single.time.

With.out.fail!

Because it hurts.  Because no matter how many times I've been through this in the past 15 years, it just never gets easier.

So here I am.  A cup of cold coffee, crying children, and my own tears sliding down my face.

See the thing is, with all the previous times he has had to leave, the kids were never old enough to remember or to really understand.  Yes at the time they cried for him, yes at the time they asked why, but they don't remember any of that.

Now they're older, they KNOW.  They get it, and they don't like it.

But it's part of the military life, and it's something that we couldn't shelter them from forever.  I hate seeing them this upset, when your children cry and when they hurt, you hurt too.  I wish that I could somehow save them from this hurt, but they are military children.  They are brave, they are strong and they love their father with all their hearts.

We'll stay busy and we'll cross out the days on the calendar every night.

They'll snuggle into bed with their daddy shirts.  Everytime daddy leaves, they pick one of his shirts and he sprays his cologne all over them.  They sleep with those tight in their arms until daddy returns.

As for me.  Half of my heart walked out the door this morning, and I have to allow myself to cry, to feel, but then I have to put myself back together, put on a brave face, and tackle the next few days, weeks, months. 

Because I'm strong.  Because I'm a military wife and because my husband needs me to keep the candle burning until he walks back through that door.

I ask for prayers for safe travels for him, for his coworkers and for the rest of the airmen from our base who are also leaving today. 


On this day:

In 2006:  Treasure Tuesday
In 2007:  When is school starting again?
In 2008: 
In 2009:  Five Senses Saturday
In 2010:  All gave some.....and some gave all
In 2011:  Happy Memorial Day

Quick heads up on the comments section......

I was using Disqus for the comments but all of a sudden it went beserk and I couldn't see anything, it was also leaving out some of the comments, so I've decided to just remove it altogether and stick with the old Blogger comments platform.

Those of you who have left comments through Disqus the last two days or so will no longer have the comments showing up. So sorry!

Everything should be working fine now, so no fear of losing comments anymore.

When the going gets tough............

 
the tough wants to run away.


*sigh*

I consider myself a pretty tough cookie, as far as tough cookies go, whatever that means.   And as much as I've grown used to this military life, I think that there are things that as a military wife you never quite get a grasp on.

Or maybe that's not the right choice of words.  It's more that even though you go through these deployments/TDY's/separations and it becomes par for the course, you just never learn to accept them and be fine with them.  You understand, you make it through, but it's not something anyone ever looks forward to.

I saw my hubby off to work this morning and I immediately got that feeling in the pit of my stomach. 

I wanted to grab him back from his truck, bring him inside and just wrap my arms around him because I know that today is the last day I can do that before he leaves for a TDY.

In a sense, I've already switched into single parent mode.  Because I have to, because the littles depend on me to take care of them. 

So today, I'm doing the usual housework, but I'm also making sure that he has everything he needs to take with him, making sure his stuff is all packed, making sure I remind him to take his cellphone charger and the laptop and bank card.   I'll never let him live that one down LOL

The washer is running, the dryer is running, there's clothes hanging out on the clothesline.

Yep, it's wash day here at the household, tomorrow will be ironing day.

I have to sit down for a few minutes later this afternoon and get the menu plan and the grocery list organized, I already have all the meals planned for when hubby is gone but still need to make the list from it.

I have to tell you yet again that I'm SO loving reconnecting with my old blog and with old friends.  I've noticed some of my first readers are still blogging and that thrills me.  By the way, if you used to blog back in the day and still have yours running, do let me know, I would love to come by and say hi :)

For now, I'm going to grab my coffee, hop into the blog mobile and go visit some of you.

Homestead Blessings - You all know the West Ladies from the Homestead Blessings DVD's right?  Well if you don't follow their blog, you really should, they are such an inspiration.

Home Joys - such a sweet, inspiring blog.

Coco Rose Diaries - Love this blog.  I think she loves Cath Kidston just as much as I do and I love seeing her crafts and knick knacks around the house.





For lunch we'll be having leftover Turkey Sliders on Jalapeno Cheddar Buns.  For dinner, it will be Portuguese Chicken and Rice.




It's Tuesday, which means my DVR has tons of goodies to record and I'll be sitting down tonight with hubby and the kids and enjoying all of them :)


General Hospital on ABC
Hatfields and McCoys on the History Channel -  Part 2 tonight.

Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel
Fact or Faked Paranormal Files on the SyFy Channel
Amish out of Order on the National Geographic Channel
An American Colony:  Meet the Hutterites (premiering tonight) on the National Geographic Channel


 


All the laundry
Menu planning and grocery list making
Getting some reviews ready for the blog
Get a package ready to mail
Sweeping and vacuuming



On this day:

In 2006:  Toys, Toys, Toys
In 2007: 
In 2008:  Good evening from the Kruger National Park
In 2009:  Go Go Pets Giveaway
In 2010: 
In 2011:  Ministry of Motherhood Book Study

Happy Memorial Day

 My wonderful father in law.....we miss you dad!

I want to give a big thank you to the men and women who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice in order to bring us freedom and to keep us safe.



A special thank you to my father in law who is no longer with us, and to my husband who is currently serving and has been for the past almost 21 years. 

Let us not forget the real reason for this day. 

It's not just about barbecues, drinks and hanging out with friends.  For us, it's the daily reminder as we watch our husbands put on the uniform and head out the door, or say goodbye as they travel across the world to fight for our children, for our rights, for our freedom.

Please take a moment today to think about and to say a prayer for not only the troops that have passed on, but for the Veterans and for the Armed Forces who are currently serving.

 

Happy Homemaker Monday #20

What a beautiful morning.  Yet again, I am up early instead of sleeping in  Hahahah

Anyway, come on in, I have cinnamon coffee, it's hot, it's yummy and it will start your day off right.

I wasn't sure if I was going to put up the Happy Homemaker Monday post today being that it's Memorial Day, but I figured I would anyway :)

If you want to save and use the new button, just click here.

The weather:::

Hasn't been as hot the past few days but by Wednesday we are back up to the triple digits.  Oh boy!
It's nice right now, only 60 degrees outside so it feels wonderful.  .

 
On my reading pile:::  

Lots of books, if you want a detailed list check out my Spring Reading Thing 2012.  I am actually adding one more book to the list, which I bought yesterday while at the Base BX.  It's the new Sophie Kinsella "Mini Shopaholic".  I LOVE her books and have all of them, so this was a cute surprise to find on the shelf. 
 

On my TV:::

- Watching the third episode of  "Starlings".

- Tonight on the History Channel, I'll be watching "Hatfields & McCoys".  It is a 3 part special about the true American story of a legendary family feud that nearly launched a war between Kentucky and West Virginia.   Click here to watch a preview.

-  Tomorrow my DVR is working overtime, there are so many shows on that I want to watch.
Heads up on a new one on the National Geographic Channel, it's called "American Colony:  Meet the Hutterites".  Looks very interesting.
This weekend, the hubster and I also watched "Jericho".  It's a series that used to be on TV, and we're really enjoying it, so much so that I finished my ripply pillow during our little marathon of the first season :) 

On the menu for this week:::

My husband is going to be on a TDY, which means that I won't be cooking big meals like I usually do.  One way of making the kids feel better and helping them through this time where they miss daddy, is to let them pick the meals they're going to have.  We end up just eating really simple things, and though I'll still cook, the meals are all kid friendly, picked BY them :) 

 Monday -   Zucchini Casserole (recipe will be up on the blog later)
Tuesday -   Portuguese Chicken and Rice
Wednesday -  Zippy Hotdogs
Thursday -   Grilled Cheese and Ham, Veggies
Friday -  Homemade Mac and Cheese
Saturday -   Tuna Salad
Sunday -   Beef pot pies, yogurt, fruit
 

On my to do list:::

Laundry as usual
Last minute stuff that needs to be done before hubby leaves

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Working on a project that I set aside a long time ago, just want to get it finished now.  It's my African Flowers Lap Blanket.

Summer Fun::: (this one will take over for the homeschooling until school starts up again.  You can share an activity, or a recipe, or a photo, or anything you wish to show us what your family is doing for summer)

Hubby is going to be gone for most of the summer and the kids are not happy about it at all.  So to keep them entertained in order for the time to pass faster, we picked up the Dangerous Book for Boys for Nicholas, and for Jasmine, I already had the Double Daring Book for Girls which I received for a review back in 2009.  
They've been going through the books and have found so many interesting things to do while daddy is gone, it's fun seeing them so excited :)

Looking around the house:::

I'm at the kitchen table typing this entry.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, including the pugs, is still in bed asleep.
I have two loaves of Artisan Bread rising on the counter right now, so we'll have some fresh hot bread for breakfast.
The house is actually clean, I did that yesterday so there's nothing to pick up or straighten up right now :)

From the camera:::

Getting the artisan bread dough ready last night.  It has to sit on the counter for 12 hours :)  

Something fun to share:::

I guess the fact that I'm back to blogging and back to my old self is something fun to share, right???  
I've also returned to my old food blog, or rather, my real food blog, the Wordpress one never really felt like home to me.  
I'm trying to turn my blog into a book and though there are several websites out there who will do it, it's actually quite expensive.  The mere size of my blog means that I have to split it not only into years, but months.  I was only able to fit 3 months of 2006 into one book and it would cost me $89 for the color, or $49 for black and white.  Yikes.  
So I'm trying to go a different route with a real homemade book.  I'm setting up the pages as I want, copying the posts one by one etc.  Then I'll print them out and bind them by hand and also make a leather cover for it.  It's going to take me a very long time, but I think it's a project well worth undertaking :)

On my prayer list:::

My husband as he prepares for the TDY, I pray for a safe trip.  Please keep him and the rest of the guys going with, in your prayers. 
Praying for you all out there, whatever it may be that you need prayers for, that the Lord comfort you and Bless you.

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:21-24

Sunday thoughts!

Good morning everyone, I'm up bright and early again.  Come on in and sit with me a little, I have some Chocolate Velvet Coffee that is divine and I don't mind sharing :)

About 5 minutes ago I would have said that it's nice and quiet, but since then, little feet have hit the floor running, pugs have woken up and are walking around looking for a treat, and hubby is up as well checking his facebook.  Quiet no more, but then again, I wouldn't trade this for anything.

So, let's chat.  I've been really good with my Bible Reading everyday and my devotionals, they have certainly given me a lot to think about and some of those thoughts need to be shared.

Do you sometimes feel like you are just a face in a crowd or a number in a system?

One of the devotionals I read is from Joseph Prince.  I love it.  My friend Natalie from school actually told me about him and said that she thought I would really enjoy him, and boy was she right.

One of the very first passages I read was about feeling depersonalized and dehumanized in this day and age.  How we are identified by a social security number, when we see a doctor, when we are called by customer service etc.

It actually made me think of my friend Sarah's post the other day about gender neutralization.  You should go over and read, it's really a great post and makes you think.

But back to the devotional.

I think as a mother I have felt that dehumanization many times and I'm not saying that it's an awful thing, or that it's really how my family sees me, as just a mom, as just a wife, as just the homemaker, the person who cooks and cleans and nurses you when you're sick.  But, even though, it's very easy to feel that you're just invisible and not your own person anymore.

Raise your hand if you've ever felt this way, cause I'm raising mine way way way up there!

The devil relishes in these thoughts and he will fill our heads with constant doubt about who we are and what we are and who loves us.  He will make us think that we don't matter much to anyone, especially to God.

What I do need to remember, actually what we all need to remember, is that God loves us, we matter to Him, He calls us by name.  He knows exactly what we're going through and where we're hurting, He sees us and cares for us.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  -  John 10:10

Reading these words was an eye opener for me, it's something I desperately needed to hear.  I do hope that if one of you out there reading is feeling the exact same way, that my post today will bring you some peace.

I feel compelled to share my thoughts on the devotionals I'm reading, maybe it will help someone, maybe not, but for whatever reason God has pointed me back in the direction of my blog and I'm going to follow His lead because only good things can come from it right???

So every Sunday, I'll be here, talking, sharing, venting, whatever I feel led to do.  I hope you'll come sit and chat with me so I won't feel so alone :)


On this day:

In 2006:  Uncluttered Faith
In 2007:  There should be a law against waking up early
In 2008:
In 2009:  Summer List
In 2010:  The Hot Mom to be handbook giveaway
In 2011:

Excuse the dust

I am currently in the process of getting this blog back on track.


--  Added a new comment platform, so you'll notice that all the posts will be showing 0 comments until it syncs with the old comments on the blog.  Should only take 24 hours tops, but with this long weekend, who knows.  

--  Added my reading list on the sidebar, you can see what I'm reading for the Spring Challenge.  I'll update the books as I finish them or add more if need be.


--  Added a new blog roll with my favorite reads.  If you don't see your blog link on the list, please let me know and I'll add it :)


If you see anything out of place, don't panic, it will all be back to the old blog very soon :)

A little windy

but I'm not going to complain.

It actually brings down our horrid high temperatures and makes you not want to run away to an igloo after being in the back yard for 5 minutes.

I was up bright and early this morning, like early on a weekend for me, 6:30am.  I know, I know, I look forward to the weekends so I can sleep in and not get up at 5am with the hubby.

And before you ask, I don't HAVE to get up with him,I choose to do so, so I can fix him some coffee and enjoy a cup with him while the house is still quiet and the base residents are half asleep.

So yesterday afternoon, while watering my vegetable garden, I almost stepped on a dead baby bird.  I disposed of it and then ran into another little one, but this one was alive and hopping around.

We've had pretty strong winds lately and I think he may have been thrown from his nest, poor thing.

You can tell he's a little one, look at he tuft of feathers on his head.

As I got closer to try and get a picture, he hopped right through the chain link fence to the other side.

I snapped my pics and quickly retreated to the back door, I don't want to scare him. Momma Bird was not far the whole time, she made sure to fly over my head a few times, perched herself on the closest branch and chirped up a storm.

As soon as I came inside, he hopped back through the fence and into the yard. I did go back and check on him a little while later and couldn't find him anywhere. I just hope no animal got him.

It's been really quiet here today.  Aside from the laundry which is an everyday task around here, I have emptied out, hosed down and cleaned out the kid's pool, watered the garden and made lunch.  That's it.

I almost feel like a cheater, like I'm betraying housework LOL

But as much as I don't mind it, I do sometimes want to take at least a Saturday off and do what the rest of the family does, which is lay around, relax, read, watch movies, play on the computer, play outside etc.  Oh and wait for me to fix their food....really,  I mean, I want to sometimes just not fix anything and see if they even remember to eat.  What do you think, think they'll remember or just go hungry and then ask me where's lunch and dinner?  LOL

My crochet project has to be set aside yet again, I ran out of the white yarn and I got some in the mail the other day from hubby's wonderful Aunt, and I thought it would work, but it's not.  I really don't want to have to run to Joann's or Walmart today, so I think I'll just leave it for now, work on something else and then get to it when I get a chance, whenever that may be.

For the rest of the day, I don't know if I want to crochet or sew.  I may just catch up on my reading, I have the Spring Reading Thing 2012 to get through so it might be a good idea :)

I hope you're all having a fantastic long weekend.

Please remember that the real reason for these 4 days is not to barbecue, have a big shindig and party. 

It IS to celebrate, to remember and to thank all the Veterans of this wonderful Nation.

I'll leave you with something that I haven't done in such a long time :) 

On my bedside table:
Little Blog on the Prairie by Mary Balogh
The Bible on my Kindle
Her Restless Heart by Barbara Cameron
A Man of his word by Kathleen Fuller

Playing on the TV:
The Universe
Vanishing on 7th Street

Latest interests:
Needle felting
Creating the perfect home baked bread
Self sustained living

On my mind:
My husband's TDY
Lots of sniffles and random coughs around here, hoping there's no colds in our future

Learning:
To be worry free
To go with the flow
To switch to mostly homemade products

Making:
Crochet African Flower lap blanket
Spring Quilt

Memories

Looking forward to:
The time flying during the TDY
Some new shows coming up
More veggies from my garden

Enjoying:
Reconnecting with my blog
Reminiscing
Time spent with my children

On this day:

In 2006:  Honey I'm Home!
In 2007:  There should be a law against waking up early
In 2008:  Good evening from the Kruger National Park
In 2009:  Did you know?
In 2010:  Cooking Thursday
In 2011:  Cooking Thursday

Counting the minutes and hours.....

 

and not in that good way that you do when you have something exciting happening.

I mean more in the sense of cherishing every second of every day until hubby leaves for his TDY.  Ugh, I think it's one part, or THE part of military life that you never quite get used to.

It's pretty quiet here today, would you believe me if I told you I forgot it was a long weekend?  Ha!

Until last night, that is.  We were sitting on the couch getting ready to watch Jericho (hubby and I found it on Netflix and have been enjoying it), and hubby turned to me and said "we could stay up all night and watch all the seasons".

I turned to him with this look on my face and asked if he wasn't working today and he just shook his head and laughed.  "Remember it's Memorial Day Weekend?"  LOL

So yeah, I felt like a doofus.

Now let me tell you what I've been doing.  I am wanting to turn my blog into a book, I have been to a few websites online and they are quite pricey and for the size of my blog, it's going to take a lot of books to get it all on paper.  But it's something I'm determined to do nonetheless, I think it would be an amazing memento to have.  To be able to sit down and read through all my entries from the very first post. 

Yesterday, I spent almost every spare moment I had, in between housework, cooking etc...going through my blog from that very first post I mentioned above.

What a journey.

I will say that I feel like the Lord did this knowing full well that I needed it.  Really needed it at this point in my life.

I have said many times on my blog that I apologize for not posting more.  I have also stated just as many times that I would change it, that I would try really hard to go back to the way I used to blog, but the problem is that I didn't do it, and I think the reason being that I wasn't ready to, my heart wasn't there.

It's easy to have your mind state something, but quite different to have it in sync with your heart.

Yesterday, was an eye opener for me.

It started as simply a plan to go through each post quickly and fix any broken links or missing images that may have disappeared after all these years.  I didn't want broken pictures showing up in the Blog Book.  But as I started bringing up each post, I found myself reading every single word, following along, and literally watching myself grow in the pages before me.

I cried, I laughed and I yearned for what I had.

The truth is that I had completely forgotten who I was.  In this attempt to keep up with the times, to become like everyone else, to fit into what is deemed the *right way to blog*, I found myself losing who I was, and I think the Lord saw that I needed to be reminded of it all and led me to what I did yesterday.

I only got through the year of 2006, but what a joy.

My children, so little.....
My posts, so full of faith.....
My struggles through the first few years of marriage......
My role as a mother, as a wife, as a homemaker.......

I blogged with so much happiness, so much determination.  I shared myself freely, and talked about everything and anything, oh I remember posts like The Designated Willy Shaker, 100 Things About Me,  Uncluttered Faith and Guilty as Charged.

I want THAT Sandra back.  That was my first thought after reading some of these posts.  I honestly got to a point where I had to step away from the laptop and gather myself.  It touched me and affected me that much.  But I got it.

Thank you Lord.  I finally GOT.IT!

That Sandra didn't disappear, she's right here, she's been here all along, but she's been somewhat masked, somewhat absent.

I think she's been hiding for far too long, I shouldn't change who I am as I get older, I should just learn to add more layers to what already exists.  I consider myself a pot of clay in the making, I'm not quite there yet, I'm simply in the potter's wheel, being molded, being worked, being strengthened.

I want all my posts to continue reflecting who I am, who my family is, I want to share my children's going ons, what I'm doing, where I went, what I am eating, watching, enjoying etc.

For a while I started thinking that I needed to change that about my posts because no one would want to read it.  And there in itself was my biggest mistake.  I write for me.  I write to have a record of our lives, of everything we've done and where we've been, where we're going.

I want to be able to sit down one day and open up a book and read about our family.

Yes, that's what I'm going to do.  Sandra is back in the house and I have missed her like crazy :)

And now that I've babbled on for so long, I'm going to end this post with something I used to do many years ago, and something which I'll be doing again at the end of every post from today onward.  I'm sure some of my old blog readers will remember it :)





We went out to breakfast this morning and it was packed, so we headed to Sam's Club first for a few things, then by the time we made it back to the Black Bear Diner for breakfast it was closer to lunch.  We had really yummy stuff but I'm so full that I couldn't think of eating until much much later, so for tonight, I'm making some sandwiches, just keeping it simple :)




General Hospital on ABC

Jericho Season 2 on Netflix
The Dead Files on the Travel Channel

 


Two loads of laundry
Watering the veggie garden
Emptying the pool and cleaning it out, going to put it away for now

Everyday Contentment - #1

Take a moment to embrace contentment, to learn to love the everyday things that we tend to overlook or take for granted. 

I'm not referring to big things, or expensive things.

I'm talking about the nitty gritty, those everyday tasks, objects, thoughts that make our lives what they are.

So every Friday I'm going to be talking about my Everyday Contentment.

You are more than welcome to join me, to take a step back and to appreciate the small things.



Fresh Homemade Bread.  You may find it a daunting task but it really is an everyday contentment for me.  

Something as simple as dough rising on the counter

Or the aroma of fresh rolls straight out of the oven

So, take a moment, remember the small things around you, the memories it conjures up, and embrace it.

If anyone wants to join up let me know and I'll put up a Mr Linky :)

Spring Reading Thing 2012

So, the last time I participated in Katrina's reading challenges was back in 2006.  Wow, long long time ago.

But I have never stopped reading and right now I have a huge pile of books from the library as well as for reviews, and sitting in my Kindle.

I think it's time to join back in with Katrina at Callapidder Days for the Spring Reading Thing 2012.

If you want to join in as well, just go here and add your own link :)

I'm going to try and narrow it down to the books that I absolutely would love to finish in the next month, though it will be hard because there are so many good ones.


Kindle:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Tuppence to Tooley Street by Harry Bowling
Ironmonger's Daughter by Harry Bowling
Her restless heart by Barbara Cameron (almost finished)


Fiction:

Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Davitt Bell (almost finished)
A man of his word by Kathleen Fuller
I still dream about you by Fannie Flagg
London 1945 by Maureen Waller



Non-Fiction:

The Amish Cook's Baking Book by Lovina Eicher
A woman who trusts God by Debbie Alsdorf




For reviews:

An unmarked grave by Charles Todd
A bitter truth by Charles Todd


And there you have it.  Looking at the book list I actually have a lot of interesting books to go through, I like that it's not just all fiction or non, there seem to be quite a bit of differing genres to entertain me.

If you do decide to join in as well, let me know so I can come and look at your book list, I would love to see what others are reading :)