So what am I up to ??

I’ve been getting several emails about what I’m up to so I thought I’d better address it before you guys flood my inbox!

Over on Twitter and Facebook , I’ve been hinting for the last several weeks about my super secret project with my friend, Becky and its almost time to announce it. I can’t wait.

For those that know me well, I’m not usually good about keeping BIG secrets. I’ve been dying to share it with the world and it has been killing me.

Thank goodness Dan knew about it (and has been a huge help to Becky and I )  so I could at least talk to him about …even though he almost let the cat out of the bag too.

I finally get to show a sneak peek bright and early TOMORROW morning. Have I said how excited I am about it? I’ll be announcing it over on my Facebook Fan Page.

So what can I tell you today?? Well — there are a couple of things:

1. Military families and troop supporters will love it
2. It is fashionable and FUN
3. I’m proud to be a part of it

Any guesses ? Leave a comment below and if you guess accurately , you’ll win a prize!

 

It’s not just about BBQ’s and beer…

Memorial Day is on Monday and I keep seeing things in the media about Memorial Day and thanking the troops. Many people seem to think that Memorial Day and Veterans day to be the same thing.   It is most certainly NOT the same thing. One holiday remembers our war dead and the other for their service.

For most Americans, on Monday, they  will break out the barbeque grills, beer, chocolate cake, etc., and gather with family and friends to celebrate the holiday weekend.

Memorial Day is so much more than that… Just ask any Gold Star Family Member!  It is a day to pause with solemn gratitude and deep respect for all our fallen service members, POWs, and MIAs who have given their lives for our country and our freedom.

Memorial Day originated in 1868, when Union General John A. Logan designated a day in which the graves of Civil War soldiers would be decorated. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday was changed to Memorial Day in 1888, becoming a holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead.

So this Memorial Day while you’re celebrating ,  let’s take some time to remember those that gave all.

Another Last Day Done…

Yesterday was the girls’ last day of school for the year. It’s hard to believe that I am now the mother of a 4th grader and an 8th grader. (sigh) Where did the time go ?

We got Beck’s report card yesterday and she rocked it again. She’s such a smart cookie. I’m proud to say that she is reading a full grade level ahead of the rest of her classmates. We are still waiting on K’s since they generally mail hers. I’m expecting good things and I’m sure K won’t disappoint.

This school year’s theme was change and adjustment. We started off the school year adjusting to Dan being home from deployment in Colorado, and ended up in small town Iowa adjusting to new school and new community.  It’s been great and as usual the girls came through with flying colors.

The girls both blossomed so much this year . We were blessed to see them both do so well this year. Kiersten really made tremendous strides this year in school, academically and socially, and Beck continued to do well like she has every year.

This upcoming year will be the last year of middle school for K which makes my heart hurt. It seems just yesterday that she was starting elementary school. The even more nerve-wracking thing is that due to construction at the middle school , the 8th graders will be at the high school. My baby will be with all those much bigger kids. (Our town is so small the only high school and only middle school are located right next to each other ) Sigh….

But for now .. its time to enjoy the summer with the girls and all North Iowa has to offer.

Recipe Tuesday : Fra Diavolo Sauce With Pasta

Dressed Up Bacon Mac & Cheese

Lately I’ve been getting back to my Italian roots and cooking like they did back in the “Old Country. “  Yesterday, when I searching for a recipe to post, I came across this one and it had my mouth-watering just reading about it. Seafood , lots of garlic AND pasta — what more could you ask for ?
Buon Appetito!

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 3 cups whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 (16 ounce) package linguine pasta
  • 8 ounces small shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces bay scallops
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil with the garlic over medium heat. When the garlic starts to sizzle, pour in the tomatoes. Season with salt and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat. Add the shrimp and scallops. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the shrimp turn pink. Add shrimp and scallops to the tomato mixture, and stir in the parsley. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the sauce just begins to bubble. Serve sauce over pasta.

Recipe courtesy of Marblet

Backyard Checklist

Summer is always a fun time for our family, whether it is camping, going to the local aquatic center to swim or even to the beach. We usually have a blast.

We also spend a lot of time at home just hanging out in our back yard. We grill a lot and love to have a bonfires where just sit around and talk. It’s really a great way to connect with our growing-way-too-fast kids.

One of the things that bugs me (no pun intended ) is that our lawn furniture takes such a beating from the sun. Strong winds, “gifts” from the birds, and many other outdoor factors make our lawn furniture look just awful by the time September rolls around. Who has money to keep replacing their lawn furniture year after year?

Here are 5 tips to keep your outdoor accessories looking fresh and new:

  • Choose low maintenance – Generally speaking, the easier your furniture is to maintain, the longer it will last. (Maybe because you’re more likely to actually maintain it)
  • Stay away from trees – While trees make wonderful natural shade they also significantly shorten your furniture’s life span with damage from sap and debris. If you need shade, purchase a large umbrella to go over your furniture.
  • Use the right products – While you might be tempted to reach for anything from your cleaning supply stash to clean your lawn furniture, make sure to use a cleaning product safe for your furniture.
  • Clean all the pieces – make sure to not just clean the base and body but the cushions and other accessories that come with your set.
  • Store for the Winter - at the end of the “backyard season “ and before the hard weather that Winter brings, make sure to store your furniture in your garage or shed. If you don’t have one of those, at least cover with a tarp or canvas to protect it.

By following these tips and performing regular maintenance, you’ll find that your lawn furniture is an investment that can last for years!

Photo Credit Joyweesemoll

Recipe Tuesday : Dressed Up Bacon Mac & Cheese

Yes — I realize today is Wednesday. With our absolute crazy schedules and kid-related activities , I completely forgot to post about Recipe Tuesday yesterday.  My apologies

Dressed Up Bacon Mac & Cheese

April and May have always been notoriously busy for our family. With Spring Break, holidays, birthdays and just regular “life” , these two months always manage to fly by. Being so busy certainly makes it a challenge to come up with dinners that don’t take a lot of time and preparation from the Chef. (usually that is me but sometimes my husband or the kids )

So this week , I thought why not share a recipe that is quick, easy , definitely comfort food and delicious!

It’s got BACON — who doesn’t like BACON?

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter, for greasing
  • 8 ounces macaroni
  • 2 1/2 cups cold milk
  • 4 ounces provolone cheese, coarsely grated
  • 4 ounces aged Asiago cheese, coarsely grated
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
  • 3 slices white sandwich bread, torn into small pieces
  • 3 strips bacon (or more if you like a LOT of Bacon like me )
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1-2 clove garlic, minced or grated
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart shallow casserole dish. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the macaroni until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain; transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish along with 1/4 cup of the cold milk. (This will cool the pasta and prevent it from becoming gummy.)

Meanwhile, mix the cheeses together in a small bowl. Beat the eggs with 1/4 cup of the milk in a medium bowl. Add the scallions, bread and half of the cheese to the egg mixture; set aside.

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain. Discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings from the pan. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until just brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the flour, cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon salt; cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add the remaining 1 3/4 cups milk and 3/4 cup water to the skillet. Bring to a boil, whisking until thick. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk to cool slightly. Whisk in the remaining cheese. Add the sauce to the macaroni; stir to combine.

Crumble up the bacon and add it to the egg/bread mixture. Spread evenly over the pasta. Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven; let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Food Network.com

My Mother’s Day …

… was AWESOME!

On Friday ,  a package arrived right before Kiersten’s birthday Party (post on that coming soon ) and the girls and Dan decided to give it me right awy.

On the top of the circle , it has an inscripton that says ” Mothers and Daughters are joined in the heart ” .

I just absolutely love it. Apparently, this was all my kids’ idea and they ” stole Daddy’s credit card ” to buy it. (well according to Dan ) To me, its simply the thought that counts right ?

Speakng of Dan , he truly made my day very special. I got a hand written letter from him which of course made me cry . (yes ok I’m sappy alright?!) and then he made sure I didn’t have to do anything that was “mom -realated )

I certainly took advantage of it …. i watched tv, veged out on the sofa and did some shopping too!  I didn’t even have to cook.The kids even got along and played nicely together.

It was one of the best mother’s day I’ve had in a long time as opposed to a Mother’s Day Gone Wrong .

Thanks Dan, KK and Beck — it was just simply an amazing day.

How was your mother’s day? Let me know in the comments below

 

 

Don’t fret the sweat

No, I’m not talking about the weather getting warmer or even hot flashes!

I’m talking about the “stink” coming from your adorable, sweet, loving child.

Being the mom of a teenager and tween ,  this is a subject that we’ve become quite familiar with it.  When our oldest started with body odor, I didn’t really think it was here. I thought it was some sort of smell coming from food that was left out, or even the dogs. I certainly didn’t think it was coming from  “my baby” ! Alas, it was and it was something pretty fierce. I knew this was heading our way but wasn’t quite ready for it so soon.

Don’t Fret the Sweat

Research shows that kids are entering puberty and experiencing biological milestones, including producing body odor, at an earlier age.But there’s no need to “fret the sweat” Unilever offers a variety of products that can help tweens and teens stay cool, calm and confident throughout the day.

Check out the video below as well as their facebook page :

 

Disclosure : I am participating in a One2One Network campaign and I am  eligible to win cool prizes.

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!

Let’s not forget the Mommies-to-be and the Dads that the job of “MOM” !  Hope everyone has a great day and you get want you want today!

 

 

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Yesterday  was a  very special day for military spouses. It was  Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Back in 1984, President Ronald Reagan created this special holiday just for us military spouses in recognition of the sacrifice that we make.  I think military spouses should be thanked everyday because for without our “service” the United States Armed Forces wouldn’t be able to do what they do.

These men and women are just exceptional. Yes— as in everything else, there are some spouses that are the bad apples in the bunch but those are far and few between . The majority of our military spouses’ are amazing at the level of things that they can deal with.

I’m honored to have been part of this group for the last 6 years of my life. I loved our active duty military life. (and some days I do miss it )

However,  I’ll be the first to admit,this life is  hard and not meant for everyone . We endure a lot of sacrifice for supporting our spouses so they can serve their country. Yes, we do get nice benefits and military discounts but I guarantee it’s not as nice as one might think or as TV may portray.

The worse part of our life is deployments. For most, we don’t get the luxury of knowing where our spouse is, how they are doing, and if they are ok or not. I hear all the time from wives whose husbands travel that they know how I feel. On some level, I’m sure that they do know what it is like to be the only parent in the home for a while. Although, their husband is safe and sound in a hotel somewhere and will not be shot at, blown up, etc.

Even though we don’t wear a uniform, military spouses serve as well. We serve our fellow military spouses in times of need, participate in the Family Readiness groups, and engage the local military community. We are sometimes both mom and dad to our children; pick up the slack in our homes while our spouse is away and making sure that ALL of our soldiers have what they need.

So go out and thank a military spouse today ! Also,  don’t forget that Military Spouses are not just wives! There are a lot of military husbands out there too and they deserve thanks just as much! Do something nice for them, whether their husband/wife is deployed or not.

For ideas and more information on supporting military families , check out Joining Forces

 

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