Christopher's Last Year of Home Education

I am new to using a DSLR camera... and have been learning some fun angles and color compliments... and Christopher was eager (as ANY teen boy would be) to be my "subject for the day. THEN... wait for this... I found picmonkey online. I only made a collage with the pictures I was able to capture... without editing them... but if you saw my Vespa at the cemetery yesterday that was one of the "tools" they offer. FREE.... check it out!

Memorial Day as a Chaplain's Wife

My Chaplain is in Afghanistan, and our Brigade had a lot of losses this weekend... and it is memorial day. I drove to the cemetery and had a few moments of quiet time in honor and respect for these men, in prayer for their families and friends. Would you join me?

Refreshing Cucumber Summer Sandwiches

This week in Memorial Day. Let us remember.

It is appropriate that today we as a group of Christian Army Wives will serve a fellow sister as we remember her husband who will not return to her arms from Afghanistan.

Cinnamon Crumb Cake and Cucumber Sandwiches are the items that I will take to the small reception following.

Refreshing Cucumber Sandwiches

Instructions:

Mix 1 package Cream Cheese with 1/4 cup mayonaise until creamy. Slice 1/2 cucumber and chop finely the other 1/2. Add the copped half to the creamed mixture, and season with salt and pepper. (I also add lemon pepper) Layer white bread with the creamed cucumber mixture, slices of cucumbers and another piece of bread. Trim crusts and cut into triangles. Dip the edges of two sides into a herb (parsley is pictured). Serve in cupcake liners.

Photography in the Desert

I was blessed with a new "hobby" of sorts... yeah, I joined the group of mommies who take their cameras out and shoot constantly. Now, I am really trying not to see and live my world through a tiny hole... but, I AM looking at the world in a new way. I am still dependent on my automatic mode, but spent an afternoon with our Post's Navigators Group (a Bible Study geared for soldiers) at a local park discussing photography. .

There is not a lot of green, or trees in El Paso, Texas, so getting pictures with trees in the background is a big deal. AND looking UP into the trees is very rare. Thanks for the day out, and camera tips!

Coming Home and Holy Joe's Cafe

This is one of the loveliest sites for family members after months of being apart. I had the honor to be a witness to the welcome home for the first group of soldiers that are returning from Afghanistan, what a proud moment to be part of this awesome family we call Army. Prayerful that my soldier will be in my arms safe and sound in the near future. Yes, I am ready. Also, during this time reflecting on the dear families that will not have this reunion on earth, this is indeed a bittersweet time.

This week my man was part of a Grand Opening of Holy Joe's Cafe, attached to the chapel he serves. A special thanks to all who donate to this cause, what a respite in the dessert to have a great cup of coffee and wonderful fellowship in the name of the Lord. The chaplain's assistants did a fantastic job getting this set up and running. We are a blessed nation.

I can't believe this blog has sat for an entire year.  Even though I still get people emailing me and commenting, it has been missed.  So I have to recap what has been going on for so long...

1. My man (pictured above while home from war on R&R)... if you remember he is an Army Chaplain...

2. I was Blessed with a Vespa!  

2. A friend took some great pre-deployment pictures of our family.

3.  We visited White Sands with friends on Spring Break.

4. Fun Crafting time with friends.

5. White Ink Tattoo... yes  I did. :)

We are still at WONDERFUL Fort Bliss Texas and are hopeful for PCS orders this summer sometime. Our daughter is pretty serious with a young airman living in Hawaii and we have one getting ready to graduate high school next month, while another is finishing his Sophomore year.  Hug your children, they grow up so fast!

I also am learning photography, so hopefully this blog will not sit for days without attention.  (the last time I said that it sat an entire year!)  God Bless you!

I LOVE reading Blogs... I really do...

So why in the world is it so hard to keep up my own? I am going to commit to blogging as a positive journal experience. I am going to commit to posting creativity. I am going to commit to taking more pictures of people, not just food. I am going to commit to write the scripture of the day. I am not afraid of commitment. So, I hope you will "see" me around here more often, and thank you for your patience.

Has Facebook replaced Blogging?

New Hair

New Hobby: Running! But then I was down with the flu and haven't ran in a week. The best part is my man is a runner already and he is my motivation. Thankful for a sweet marriage! Thankful for God's plan in marriage, Gen 2:24.

New Pains: Okay, after a few months of running I thought I'd give the torture chamber a chance (Oh, did I say that out loud) I mean the GRAVITY class at our post gym. OUCH!

New in the Kitchen: Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. Yum, easy, better with time.

Not so New: Still crushing on a Vespa. My husband even took me to the local Harley Davidson shop to test drive one. Tip, it really isn't cool for a guy to test drive a Vespa at a Harley shop, so wow, thank you to my man for that afternoon! One day, hopefully when we are stationed in Italy I will be traveling to the bakery to pick up our baguettes on this sweet scooter.

I have struggled with this in my life. Busy-ness, blogging, facebook, creativity, Bible study, face-to-face socializing. Who else has this battle. I know I love to read blogs, so I am sure others do as well. I am an Army Wife now and my life is so busy. The connections with others are so abundant, and for that I am thankful, yet it all takes time. I still want to "journal" here... so today I am updating basic pictures from the past few months (really for my own good, to get me back on track).

I have an issue...

This is really a confession. You see I have an issue. Food. Creating. Good. Food.

Mostly fatty and rich foods. To bring JOY. What?!? JOY?

Twisted. I know. So I am in a battle to let this go. For the JOY I desire should not come from foods, sugar and fat. This JOY should come from the SWEETNESS only CHRIST JESUS can deliver. Yet I seek out that validation when I deliver such delights and gain the JOY and glory from others enjoying these creations.

Nehemiah 8:10

Nehemiah said,

“Go and enjoy

choice food and sweet drinks,

and send some to those

who have nothing prepared.

This day is holy to our Lord.

Do not grieve,

for the joy of the

LORD

is your strength.”

So I "enjoy choice food and sweet drinks" and I love to share these creations, yet the JOY I receive is from the sharing and creating this is what I desire. I should be in desire for the JOY of the LORD for HE is my strength.

I am torn. It is Christmas season. I LOVE baking. I went to culinary school for goodness sake! Yet, I am being called out. Called to a bigger JOY. A higher SWEETNESS. So although my family will not go without culinary delights, I will moderate this year. Christ will be my JOY. Christ will be the SWEET celebration of this season.

Advent Celebrations

The origins of the Advent calendar come from German Lutherans who, at least as early as the beginning of the 19th century, would count down the 24 days of Advent physically.

This Hunfeld, Germany City Hall building is turned into an Advent Calendar.

These are the traditional Advent Calendars that are filled with fine German Chocolates that I grew up with...well, there were four children in our family, so we took turns opening the doors. I have three children and every year we purchase a calendar from our Military Commissary for each of our children (the Commissary is like a grocery store, and because we have such a diverse community in the Army they provide many favorites from worldwide locations.)

Tonight I am working on cutting out this Advent Calendar with my Cricut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1clkv6XVm4&feature=player_embedded

Smores Cupcakes

I made a tutorial a while ago with this wonderful creation:

SMORES CUPCAKES

Start by mixing a graham cracker crumb crust

(the typical butter graham crumbs and a bit of sugar).

After it is pressed into your lined muffing tins tip with your favorite chocolate cake recipe.

Bake as you would a cupcake, and top with large marshmallows.

Place under broiler until toasty and golden brown.

Swirl a large amount of Chocolate Buttercream around the toasted marshmallow.

Enjoy!

Side view and with a bit removed. (Thanks to one of my teens!)

Cafe' Haute Couture (Clothing for your Coffee)

I have been working on some gifts, and it was a sweet friends birthday... so I put together some supplies and created

Cafe' Haute Couture line of Clothing for your Coffee

Kinda corny name?! LOL, I'm into cute!

I used an old felted wool blanket that I had dyed for the lining and super cute fabrics for the outer coat.

Printed matching labels.

Used a Starbucks sleeve for the pattern, and Velcro as the closure...

Packaged in a treat bag with matching papers and shreds.

Hoping she LOVED it!

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes

God has blessed me indeed! I have a life full of friends, facebook, homeschooling, crafting projects and a most incredible husband! So I have seemed to forget about blogging, yet I LOVE to read other's blogs. So I am going to try to continue to blog~ mostly because it is a journal of sorts, one that focuses on positive things, thoughts, and projects throughout my days.

PWOC... another military acronym, for Protestant Women of the Chapel. What a huge blessing God has given me in the study and fellowship with other Christ centered women. If you are a military wife, please, please consider going to a PWOC on your base/post. You will connect easily and find quick friendships. No matter where you are in your faith, you will be welcomed!

I found some pictures that I had taken last week or so when I made a breakfast of Cinnamon Bun Pancakes for my family.

Just use your favorite pancake recipe and separate out 1 cup of the batter. To that batter add cinnamon blend and some brown sugar (I love the Pampered Chef Blend), place into a squeeze bottle or a pastry bag and swirl onto the batter. Looks fantastic and tastes wonderful, not to mention the yummy smell!

Another Knock Off: At Home Cold Stone

My Take on Cold Stone:

AT HOME COLD STONE

Really, a cold surface, some of your favorite ice cream and two paddles to smash it all together...

WoNDerfUL!!!

Supplies:

Lowes Blossom Pink Marble Slab

Lowes No slide adhesive backed grippers

Candies and toppings and zipper top baggies

Two Ice Cream Paddles

Labels from your computer

Scrapbooking Papers

Ribbon
I LOVE the veining in the pink marble...
Here is the set all packaged together.

Having two paddles is a must when smashing in your treats!
This is my gift for BUNCO tomorrow night! LOVE it!

Popcorn Crazy

My sister gave me this awesome set of popcorn bowls, and even my husband is LOVING our popcorn habit. We enjoy this treat 3-4 times a week, which goes along well with my husband's hobby of collecting dvds. So, my "regular" popcorn recipe is to put 3 TBS oil, 2/3 cup yellow popcorn, and 2 tsp of Jolly Time butter salt into my old fashioned stove top popper on medium/high heat. Pop and turn until there is not more popping. Eat in the WONDERFUL popcorn bowls while watching a great movie on the Clear Play DVD player. LOVE it!