Catch Up

Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is gearing up to have a fantastic Christmas! We went to our neighbors' house for Thanksgiving dinner and took some food as well. Some of their family was there too. I don't know our neighbors all that well so it was nice to have a chance to get to know them a little bit better. However, I felt out of my element, as I usually do when it comes to meeting new people, and didn't really relax. My husband had a good time though. I am also like 9 yrs. older than they are so I really didn't know how to relate. Oh well. The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went over to another neighbors' house and celebrated Thanksgiving with them. I was quite a bit more relaxed there since we know them better.

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My first Black Friday purchase was online...hassle and stress free is the way to go! After that experience I was ready to brave Walmart & Target. We went late in the afternoon and it wasn't busy at all. (I figure all the crazy early morning shoppers were home getting some much needed rest!) I still managed to find some good deals. My favorite Black Friday deal at Walmart (every year) is their $2 DVDs! I also found a few DVD seasons at Target for a great deal. This past weekend I finally bought my last gift. Now I need to wrap everything! Ahhhh! It seems overwhelming, but I really don't mind wrapping gifts. However, this year I have to make sure to wrap them well enough to travel 1200 miles back to KS. Good thing I found several rolls of heavy duty paper on an after Christmas sale one year!

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In about a week we are heading "home." (Even though we live in Maryland, Kansas is still our home state...perks of being in the military. Hahaha!) I'm so excited. I hope I have time for all the things I want to do while we're back. I already have one day set aside to bake cookies etc.with my Grandma. I am very excited! Last year she was in the hospital having back surgery. =( I haven't baked with her for several yrs. so this is extra special! I also have plans to meet a fellow military spouse/blogger and her new baby! I'm kinda nervous, but I really hope that all works out! Of course both my family and my husband's family will be vying for our attention as well. I'm hoping that this will be our best Christmas yet!

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I think I'm pretty much done decorating for Christmas. I just need to take lots of pictures so next year I'll know where I want everything and it won't take me as long to get it all done! I'll post pictures later too...I just need to take some first! Haha! =)

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Happy 10th Birthday to my "teddy bear," my nephew Mason. He is one of the sweetest kids and he's always willing to give me a hug! I love you, Mason Wayne and miss you so much!

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Lastly...thank you to all those who gave their lives December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. After 69 years you still haven't been forgotten.

Happy December!

MY 5 TOP 5s of Christmas...

Favorite Christmas movies:

1. Home Alone 1
2. Home Alone 2
3. The Santa Clause 1
4. The Santa Clause 2
5. The Santa Clause 3

Favorite things about Christmas:

1. Decorations
2. Shopping
3. Gift giving
4. Excitement in the air
5. Family time

Favorite Christmas dinner items:

1. Ham
2. Mashed potatoes/gravy
3. Fried apples
4. Homemade rolls
5. Deviled eggs

Favorite Christmas desserts:

1. Cherry Cream Pie
2. Press cookies (spritz cookies)
3. Blueberry filled cookies
4. Toffee
5. Jen’s apple pie

Favorite Christmastime traditions:

1. Campout by the tree with my husband
2. Making candy and other treats
3. Going stocking stuffer shopping with my husband
4. Christmas brunch with my family
5. Reading the Christmas story before opening gifts.

                  Christmas tree 2010          

*Yes. This is what happens when I'm bored. I make random lists! Hahaha!

To those that have served...

Veteran's Day has always had a special place in my heart. Both of my grandpas served in the military; one in the Army and one in the Navy. I have always thought the military was so "cool" and now I am a military wife. I consider it an honor to be the wife of an Airman! I am so proud of him! I think it's great that there is a day set aside to honor past and present veterans. (Also thanks to Chili's for a free meal for my husband for Veteran's Day!)

6 yrs.

I LOVE being married to my best friend!

6 reasons we've made it 6 years:

• We love each other unconditionally (and we actually like each other!)
• We communicate.
• We take our vows seriously.
• We like spending as much time as we can together (which can be a challenge with the military ruling his life!)
• We function as a team.
• We are best friends.

6 things I've learned/realized in 6 yrs. of marriage:

• Just because we're married and now live under the same roof doesn't mean I'll see him any more than when we were dating. =(
• Communication is key (as it is any any relationship)
• He loves when I cook for him!
• It's ok to have some "me" time.
• Marriage is hard work, but it's fun!
• I married the right one! =)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

My favorite trick-or-treater!

(Well, we didn't actually go trick-or-treating, but I made him wear a costume for some pictures anyway!)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Since October is breast cancer awareness month, I thought I'd post a picture of my Grandma. I think it was about 24 years ago that she had surgery to remove her breast cancer and I believe that she has been cancer free since then! I was very young at the time and don't remember much about it except she showed my cousin and me her scar at some point. I am so thankful that her cancer was caught in time and was operable! I love my grandma so much and don't know what I'd do without her!

It's true

I have no life. Now you know my secret. I have changed my blog name yet again because I get bored with it after awhile. Oh well. Now I am going to go to bed since it's nearly 5am here. I am truly a night owl. =)

P.S. 28 days til my 6th anniversary!

P.P. S. 43 days til my birthday! (and NO, I'm not telling my age! Hahaha!)

Ahhh! I LOVE fall!

I am absolutely enjoying the fall weather we are getting here rain and all! I've been able to have the windows open too. I heard that the reason we got so much rain was because of a tropical storm. Whatever the reason I sure enjoyed the looong rain storm! I have yet to see any leaves change. =( I'm breaking out my boots, sweaters, and flannel sheets. I looove flannel sheets...on the other hand my husband can live without them. He indulges me once in awhile though! =) Anyway. I have plans to make caramel apples and more pumpkin bread! I may also make cake balls too. We'll see how motivated I am! Right now I'm watching season 4 of CSI and Zeus is curled up in part of my blanket and 2 other blankets. He's a blanket hog!

Question

Question someone posted on Facebook: If you are pro-death penalty and pro-war, you aren't really pro-life then, are you?

My response: The difference between being pro-death penalty/pro-war and being pro-life is innocence. Some times war needs to happen. While I'm not always pro-death penalty/pro-war (each situation is unique), I am ALWAYS pro-life.
What would your answer be?

What I've been up to this week...

I picked out this fabulous bed set while back in Kansas. I've been looking for the perfect set for a couple years now and I finally found something I love! My mom decided to buy it for Trav & me for our anniversary. Our anniversary isn't til November, but she let me have it early. =) Anyway. I decided that I needed to put this on the bed....now to get some curtains put up. That might have to wait til next week though!



In celebration of fall I made pumpkin bread. I think I'm addicted! I've never made pumpkin bread before, but it wasn't too hard. And just because I'm nice, I'm including the recipe below! Enjoy!!! =)

 Pumpkin Bread
(I found this on the internet...I don't remember what website.)

1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 c. vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
2/3 c. water
3 c. white sugar
3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt (I only used 1 tsp.)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans. (I used 3 mini loaf pans plus a regular size loaf pan. I recommend using smaller loaf pans than the average size loaf pan. My reg. size loaf took quite awhile longer to bake. If you do use reg. size pans I'd reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees or so so it won't burn.)

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water, & sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, & ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 50 minutes. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. =)

I'm not a Tweeter or whatever it's called, but I thought it was funny anyway! =)

Kansas

I'm currently in the car on my way back to MD. Sigh. Why can't vacation last longer?

I'm so excited....

and I just can't hide it....
In a week we're heading to Kansas!!! I can't wait to see my family and get away from here for awhile. =) Don't get me wrong, Maryland is alright, but it's no Kansas! Also, I plan to take a lot of pictures and will be able to update my photo slideshow! I'm getting tired of seeing Christmas pictures up there! =)

friday the 13th

I didn't realize it was Friday the 13th til I read someone's post on Facebook. Up til then I was having a great day and continued to til it took my husband & I 3 hrs. to get to the mall when it should've taken only and hr.!!! Traffic was so backed up. (On the way home-around 11pm-traffic was still backed up on the highway leading to the mall etc.) I think a horse and buggy would've gotten there faster! I'm not superstitious, but I'm still blaming it on the 13th anyway! Fortunately the trip wasn't wasted and I found lots of good deals. I spent most of the time in Marshall's! When I was checking out I happened to see a computer keyboard in one of the bins-I guess someone else didn't want it-so I bought that to. I was needing a new keyboard seeing as how I dumped my iced tea all over the other one. It was never the same & is now in the trash! I only paid $10 for the new keyboard too-I was expecting to pay 3-4 times that much. This one suits my needs and I am soo excited! I guess my "13th" wasn't all bad!



19 days til stress-free driving in KS! (Well, stress-free to me anyway!)

(This picture is a few yrs. old.)

Just sitting here thinking about my wonderful Grandpa (aka: Gramps!). He suffered a stroke and is currently in the hospital and has been there for about a month. I really, really wish I could go see him, but he's in Florida and I'm in Maryland. Plus plane tickets are rather expensive. =( Unless something miraculous happens he won't be going home. I never expected my Grandpa to be the 1st of my grandparents to go down so fast physically. He always tried to stay active and healthy. Even though it doesn't look promising, it can't hurt to pray for a miracle so that is what I'm gonna be doing.

Take a guess!

Betcha can't guess where I'm headed in 4 weeks!

One of my favorite deals this week....

$3.51 at your local Sam's Club (Well, here in Maryland anyway!)

They are reeeeally good-better than a candy bar, in my opinion, and better for you! =)

     This past week, I've been doing some Christmas shopping! I'm very excited about all the awesome deals I've found. Can I just say that Marshall's is the place to find great deals?!! I may actually save money instead of overspending on Christmas this year! Woohoo!!!

No survivors of Elmendorf C-17 crash

No survivors of Elmendorf C-17 crash: "No survivors of Elmendorf C-17 crash

7/29/2010 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- Four Airmen were killed when a C-17 Globemaster III crashed here July 28. Three were members of the Alaska Air National Guard and the other was an active duty servicemember here.

'Our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of those Airmen killed in this crash. Yesterday, we lost four members of our Arctic Warrior family, and it's a loss felt across our entire joint installation,' said Col. John McMullen, the 3rd Wing commander. 'Right now, our immediate focus is on providing all possible support to the loved ones of our fallen aviators. We are also engaged in a deliberate investigative process.'

The names of the Airmen are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A board of officers will investigate the accident.

More information will be released as it becomes available."

*I found the story here.

I am such a bad wife...

I failed to acknowledge my husband's birthday on my blog! We have been pretty busy for the past few weeks. My parents came for a visit! It was great having them here. Travis's birthday was July 6th. He cooked his own birthday dinner. (Well, I helped a smidge!) I am glad my husband is such a good cook and he didn't mind cooking his own dinner. Here are a few pics from the celebration!

The birthday boy!

pre-cooked food

skewers

on the grill

The best dinner ever!

Plank grilled peaches and cream.

I'm not big on seafood, but the grilled salmon was sooo good! I have such an amazing husband!

CINNABON ROLLS

1/2 c. warm water 2 pkgs. dry yeast
1/3 c. sugar
1 pkg. (4 serving size) vanilla pudding mix
1/2 c. margarine, melted
2 eggs
1tsp. salt
7 c. flour
1 c. margarine, softened
4 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. brown sugar

In a bowl, combine water, yeast, and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside. In a large bowl, prepare pudding mix according to pkg. directions. Add 1/2 c. melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well. Add yeast mixture. Blend. Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise til doubled. Punch down the dough and let it rise again. Then roll out on a floured board. to 34" by 21". Take 1 c. soft margarine and spread over surface. In a bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top. Roll up very tightly. With a knife, put a notch every 2". Cut with a thread or knife. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 2" apart. Take your hand and lightly press down on each roll. Cover and let rise double again. Bake 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden. DO NOT OVER BAKE! Frost with cream cheese frosting. Makes 20 very large rolls.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
1 Tb. milk

Mix all ingredients together until smooth.

Extra Tips (stuff I discovered when making these)
-It took a long time for the dough to rise both times. It can take up to several hours.
-The dough will be very sticky!
-Make sure your board or countertop is adequately covered with flour. If not, the dough will stick to the counter and you will go mad trying to roll it all up!
-You will need several cookie sheets. I ran out and had to use pie plates! (I used 5 cookie sheets and 2 pie plates.)
-I used bread flour, but I'm sure all purpose flour would work too.

Click here for Cinnabon Roll pictures!!! =)

HAPPY 4TH!!!

WHY I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NOVEMBER (aside from my anniversary & birthday!)

Soooooo excited!!!! =)

RANDOM FACTS & FAVORITES

FACTS:
eye color: BLUE
hair color: BROWN
glasses or contacts: GLASSES (one day I'd like to try contacts though)
bed size: QUEEN
something to try one day: ROCK CLIMBING
pets: A MIN-PIN NAMED ZEUS
yrs. married: 6 IN NOVEMBER
nieces/nephews: 4 OF EACH
hobby/hobbies: BAKING, SCRAPBOOKING, COMPUTER GAMING, SEARCHING FOR FREEBIES ONLINE

FAVORITES:
tissues: PUFFS
toilet paper: CHARMIN
nail polish: DARK RED
perfume: LIVE LUXE (JENNIFER LOPEZ)
clothes to wear: PJS =)
color: BLUE (I LIKE BLACK & RED TOO!)
sports team: ROCK CHALK! (KU JAYHAWKS)sport to play: VOLLEYBALL
tv show(s): JAG, NCIS, CRIMINAL MINDS, STARGATE, STARGATE ATLANTIS, CSI (to name a few!)
book(s): HARRY POTTER SERIES (I read mainly fiction when I take the time to read.)
movie(s): HARRY POTTER, PRIDE & PREJUDICE (the really long one!), ETC.
drink: ICED TEA
fruit: BANANAS, STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, APPLES, ORANGES, PEACHES, BLUEBERRIES, WATERMELON (Can you tell I like fruit?!!)
food: MEXICAN AND HOME COOKED FOOD (I am related to some pretty amazing cooks!)
cookies: CHOCOLATE CHIP
pie: CHERRY CREAM PIE (It's a Christmas tradition!)
silver or gold: SILVER
holiday: CHRISTMAS
day of the week: ANY DAY MY HUSBAND HAS OFF & CAN BE WITH ME
ice cream flavor: DEPENDS ON WHAT MOOD I'M IN (There are sooo many to choose from!)
store(s): MARSHALL'S (& many more...I love to shop!)
computer game(s): COUNTER STRIKE & COUNTER STRIKE SOURCE (Although I'm loving my new Harry Potter computer game!)
season: AUTUMN (With it comes the anticipation of the holidays!)
style of music: BIG BAND, COUNTRY, OLDIES, ETC. (I can handle about any kind of music.)

Well, I guess that's it for now. Any more questions? There's a link to ask on my blog or you can ask in a comment. =)

PICTURES FROM LAST WEEK

My husband being goofy while putting my new book case together!

Finished product....I love it!!!

The other side of the room.

Cinnabon roll dough.

Dough with filling.

Rolled up and ready to be cut.

Ready to be baked.

Fresh out of the oven!

Mmmmm!!!

Dave & Jen

Ben, Dean, & Gabe

Gabriel, Mason, Emma, & Dean

Arlington National Cemetery-Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

National Air and Space Museum

Trav

Me and "my girl"...Emma Renee! =)