One Down

With 2012 about to make it's arrival, as well as our little bun in the oven I'm feeling the pressure to accomplish my list of 12 things before the year runs out. If you haven't seen the 12 by 2012 post you can read about it here. I'm happy to say that I have crossed off TWO things on my list! The first thing I finished was my office space. I found a desk at the thrift store that was just the type I was looking for, cheap and ready for some paint! It took a couple of baby's nap times to get it finished but it turned out perfectly. I can't make a decision on how I want to paint or change to drawer pulls so for now I'm going to leave them as bronze. (My apologies for not having a finished photo yet!)



Before (minus the drawers)



After the 1st coat of paint.



The second thing I have crossed off my list is the new nursery....well, for the most part. I'm going to pull the pregnancy card and say I win this one. I have the bedding, the lamps and wall accessories. I have the Pottery Barn rocking chair (thank you Craigslist!). I have her clothes hung in the closet. What's missing? The crib and dresser, but since they are being delivered on Tuesday and set for me I'm going to call this one done. The only thing I'll need to do is move the diapers from the closet to the dresser and make the crib and it's done.

I've even started on the freezer meals, but as I've only made one and would like to have about a week or two's worth in the freezer I won't count this off my list yet. Have you joined in on this challenge? I hope you guys are feeling as accomplished as I am!

12 by 2012

 

  I have been following The Small Things Blog for a little while now. If you haven't seen it yet, you need to check her out! Amazing hair ideas and tutorials, cute outfits, and generally crafty awesomeness. She posted about 12 by 2012 and as a list-a-holic I'm in! I think this is a fantastic idea and hope you find some inspiration to do this as well. So here is my list:

1. Finish Isabelle's nursery.

2. Make a homecoming sign/banner for my husband.

3. Decorate for Christmas...and not just a tree this year.

4. Finish the pantry makeover.

5. Create a new office/sewing space.

6. Submit my USMC trademark applications.

7. Knit a throw.

8. Make freezer meals for after baby Isabelle arrives.

9. Detail my car!

10. Finish Christmas shopping.

11. Take a hospital tour.

12. Have a baby!!!

Ok, so maybe they won't ALL get finished 100% but I really hope so. Number 12 may be done and maybe she'll hold out for her due date (January 3rd), but I've got a feeling she'll be early like her sister was. Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend!

Shop Vacation

  It feels like not too long ago that we announced Baby Battle Rattle was going to be a big sister. The time has come to put the shop on vacation until after this little bun in the oven makes her debut. This fall is going to be busy for us! From now until my due date we have Halloween, my HS reunion, Thanksgiving, Christmas and my husbands homecoming (thrown somewhere in the mix). No, don't fret I am not posting when in that mix he'll be coming home, heck, we don't even have the date...but AFTER he is back on U.S. soil I will let you all know.

  The shop will be closed today, Friday October 14th. I don't have an exact date when the shop will reopen, but it will be some time around early spring. Right now I'm thinking March. I will still be updating the blog, Facebook page and update on Twitter. In more exciting news, have you seen the new logo for Baby Battle Rattle?! I LOVE it! (NOTE...blogger is being uncooperative and won't show the picture...I'll work on this more later. But if you can't wait and want to see the logo now, it's on the Facebook page.)

ME and Moose

  A few weeks ago Baby and I were able to fly to Maine to visit some great friends from back when we were all stationed in North Carolina together. What a trip!!! The last time I had Baby on an airplane she was 9m old and did great; however she wasn't a 20m old then and not interested in sitting in my lap but instead running all over the place. I prepared for the worst and prayed to God for the best!

  Earlier in the week we had an Earthquake here in Virginia. It was quite the event for most people here, but having lived on a military base for more than half my life I initially thought "Ugh, why are they shooting artillery during nap time!?" Then quickly the Californian in me kicked in and I realized it was an earthquake. Did I jump up and run for the baby and cover? Heck no, this IS Virginia we're talking about. I figured it wasn't going to be much so I sat on the couch for a few seconds longer until things really got moving and a picture flew off the wall. Okay, now this is real! I ran up to Baby's room and yanked the poor sleeping kid from her crib and we got in the doorway to ride out the 'quake. All in all I was impressed for an East coast earthquake, a 5.8 not too shabby! We're all fine and Baby went right back down for her nap and I toured the house to make sure there was no damage to be found.



The only picture that didn't fall off the wall...and the only one that is irreplaceable.



  The day finally arrived for us to fly out. It figures that common sense would fly out the window when it comes to air travel. We flew from DC to Chicago to Boston. Of course because I had Baby with me we were delayed in Chicago for a few hours and missed nap time. We finally arrived in Boston at 8:30pm...only 13 hours after we left home! Yes, it was at this point I realized that I could have driven faster but we all know what they say about hindsight. We spent a wonderful weekend with our friends and got the grand tour of Maine, had both styles of lobster rolls (butter & mayo) and enjoyed a whoopie pie!



Baby in her very own big girl seat (thankful the flight wasn't fully booked!)




Baby & I found the monster of all whoopie pies!



My 1st Lobster Roll...delicious!





Checking out a lighthouse, how do you not go to Maine and see one?!





Baby's first whoopie pie!



  Then hurricane Irene came to town. I got a call from the airline on Saturday that my Monday flight had already been canceled. The nice woman who was rescheduling our trip home for us gave us a few different options and I asked her if any of them were a direct flight? She told me that they all were! Woohooo, our flight home was only 56 minutes in the air for a total of about 1 hour and 15 minutes from when we stepped into the plane until we stepped off. What's better than a short flight? A sleeping baby the whole way! We had a WONDERFUL time visiting our friends and can't wait for Mr. Battle Rattle to be home to make another trip up with him. Enjoy the pictures!

Growing a Business

  Two years ago (almost to the day) I cut up one of my husbands old unserviceable blouses. For those of you who read this and are not affiliated with the military just read that as I tore apart his uniform! I was about 20 weeks pregnant with Baby Battle Rattle and my husband was on his second deployment to Iraq. I had looked for baby items at the PX on base and all over the internet, but there was nothing to be found. Nothing that was cute enough to spend money on anyway! I got to work cutting out squares and made a simple quilt out of the old blouse. It was adorable!!! I was so proud of my handy work I posted a picture of it on Facebook so others could see it too. Little did I know that this was the beginning of Baby Battle Rattle. I was overwhelmed with how many people loved it and asked "Where did you buy that?" "Do you sell these?" and "Where can I get one!?"

The 1st ever Baby Battle Rattle blanket, August 20th 2009.

  Today I took the next step in building my brand. I have decided to work with LaunchHer. They had an amazing promotion going on this month and it is the right time to Trademark my business to protect my products and myself. I have also been working with an amazingly talented graphic artist who has designed a new logo for me. It's just about finished and I'm having a hard time deciding which one to go with because they are all so fabulous! There is so much going on and in the year that I've had my Etsy shop open I've added a lot of new items. It has been such a fun learning experience so far and I really enjoy creating these things for all the other military babies out there!



The new improved style & the most popular item in the shop!
Baby Battle Rattle blanket



It's A...

   A few weeks ago I had an ultrasound to determine the gender of our little bun in the oven. Grandpa took the afternoon off to hang out with Baby Battle Rattle and I headed out for my appointment. I went to a 3D/4D elective office for what was supposed to be a quick 15 minute peek at the baby. The woman who did the scan was so sweet and I told her when we went back to the room that I actually don't want to know what we're having. I asked her if she could put in into an envelope for me so that when Mr. Battle Rattle had a chance to call we could open the envelope and find out together. When I was pregnant with Baby Battle Rattle we were able to Skype a TON during that deployment, but no luck this go around. With Baby Battle Rattle I made a little onesie that said "I LOVE DADDY" in cammie letters and a pink bow on it to tell him we were having a girl.

   I told her that I really couldn't watch the ultrasound because I would know what baby was if I saw. She laughed and we got going to see what we were having...well 10 minutes went by and baby was NOT being as forthcoming as their older sister was. So I got up and went to the bathroom and ate a little candy to see if we could get baby moving. Laid back down and it took another 35 minutes to find out what baby was! The lady was so sweet and wouldn't let me go until she could find out. She went and put all the photos and a note card with the sex into an envelope for me and I anxiously awaited Mr. Battle Rattle's phone call. The day seemed to drag on forever. He didn't call so I went to bed fingers crossed that he'd be able to call tomorrow. Just after Baby Battle Rattle went down for a nap the next afternoon my cell phone rang...it was Mr. Battle Rattle! I answered and ran to get the envelope. Without further delay.......

Baby 2 is a GIRL! We are both so excited to be having another little girl. I was so surprised, I was sure it was a boy. The best part is that Baby Battle Rattle was born in December and this little one will be born in December/January so all those clothes I saved will fit perfectly in the same seasons! It's hard to believe that in just 2 days this pregnancy will be half way over!

Kindness of Strangers

With our prior deployments getting care packages together and mailed off was such a breeze. The task has become much more involved now that Baby Battle Rattle is a toddler. This morning we ate breakfast, got dressed and made it out the door with our box for Daddy. With my pregnancy brain set in I didn't even realize that the box I used was not a flat rate box, so when the Postal worker told me my total was going to be $46.72 my jaw dropped and I looked at her like she was crazy. Being quite a regular at the post office nowadays she smiled and said "it's not a flat rate box, hun". I looked at it and said, "Oh my gosh, sorry! Let me swap it quick." 

Toddler in arm I took the box to the packaging counter behind me, taped up a new box and started to repackage the care package all while trying to keep a hand on my curious toddler. A woman had walked into the Post Office while I was finishing taping the new box and filling out a new address label. She was filling out a customs form herself and asked me how I had filled out my customs form. She herself was sending a package to an APO. I showed her my form and how I fill in the APO/FPO since there isn't a box for those. I went and placed my package on the counter and answered the usual "is this hazardous, fragile, blah blah blah" when the women behind me asked if my husband was deploying. I told her that yes, he had already left. She then came up to the counter and placed her package on top of mine and said, "This one's on me, you girls have a great day!" I stood there surprised for a moment and told her, "No, you don't have to but thank you!" She insisted and said that her husband just retired after 26yrs just a few months ago.

I left the Post Office thinking about how I could pay it forward to another. I decided that I would donate what I would have spent on that package to OperationShower.org. They are a wonderful organization that throws baby showers for military wives who are currently going through a deployment or have just finished one. So I leave you with one small question, How will you make someones day today? What small gesture can you do for a stranger that will make their day wonderful?

A Bicycle Built for Two

Our newest baby/toddler purchase came today! It is the Phil & Ted's Vibe 2....and it is amazing. With another little bundle on the way we needed to upgrade our single stroller into a double. I wanted something that would be versatile. Something that would last for a long time. For us, it came down to two strollers: The BOB Revolution and the Phil & Ted's Vibe. I love the fact that the Phil & Ted's is an in-line. It's not any wider than a normal single stroller. What's better than finding what you've been looking for? Getting it for a great deal!

When I started my search last week I noticed that there was a new version of the Vibe, the Vibe 2. The Vibe 2 has some updates from it's predecessor. The most notable is the change to the break and the fact that it can be folded with the second seat attached (to the front OR back) as well as the sunshade for the doubles seat. I had intentions of purchasing the Vibe and then came across the Vibe 2 + doubles seat for almost $300 off the retail! It was also LESS than the original Vibe. SOLD! The wonderful FedEx man brought it to me today and it was perfect timing as baby battle rattle was just put down for her nap. I opened the box and set out to assemble my new toy. It was pretty easy and now I am just waiting for the little one to wake up so we can go for a test ride. I hope she loves it as much as I do so far!

Should I Stay or Should I Go

 I know many wives have a lot of back and forth about going "home" over deployment. The thought of going home never made much sense to me though. I am home. We were stationed here, we've made a home here, our life is here. Why would I leave just because my husband is deployed?




With a few friends in NC during our 1st deployment.


During our first deployment I had a job, friends, and responsibilities. I wasn't about to quit my job or leave some great friends (some of whom were also going through a deployment). For me, there was no question of going "home" or staying put. Our second deployment we were stationed in California, 2,989 miles from our hometowns. I kept busy volunteering with Young Life and friends and a trip to Europe. Now we're on deployment number three and we're stationed at Quantico and this is actually where I grew up. I went to high school in Northern Virginia and have old high school friends here, but I've also got a lot of Marine Corps friends who are stationed here from our past bases. Whatever your situation, make the most of it! Life is life and it will be what it is. You can't change everything so you need to find a way to make it work if you stay or if you go home. Best of luck for those of you making this decision!

Happy Birthday America

It is a day for celebrating! I hope you all take a moment today to think about those who fought to make this wonderful country we live in possible; our Founding Fathers, our millions of military Veterans and those who are currently serving in our Armed Forces.

My patriotic baby in her Daddy's blouse. (Photo by the very talented Tyler Plank)

BIG Announcement

I have a very BIG, very exciting announcement for you all. I know, I know...you're thinking "Oh my gosh, Mr. Battle Rattle is coming home (early)" since our President was just on television last night talking about the draw down. This is not our big exciting announcement......Mr. Battle Rattle and I are expecting our next little Battle Rattle baby!!!


Baby #2

 I guess this is becoming our new deployment tradition! My poor husband missed all but the last 5 weeks of my first pregnancy and this time he should be home just a few weeks before I'm due. We can add a pregnancy countdown and OB/GYN appointments to my list of things keeping me busy over this deployment! Surprise!!!

Filling the Calendar

For those of you on your first deployment you'll quickly learn that the more scribbled on days in your calendar the faster the deployment will fly by. With our first deployment I filled my days working and hanging out with friends as much as possible. Our second deployment I filled with the task of growing a baby, OB/GYN appointments and of course Young Life. (If you have a middle school or high schooler and haven't heard of YL, look them up ASAP, it's amazing!) Now with this deployment I'm filling my time with our toddler, building my business more and redecorating our house.

  I like to split up our deployments into smaller chunks. For me it makes it seem like the time goes by quicker. For instance, I'm currently counting down to the 4th of July. There are only 11 days to go!!! Then I'll count down to Halloween...and so on and so forth until I have nothing major left between me and our homecoming. Makes it so much better and lets me look forward to something each month...and sometimes each week!



Baby Battle Rattle at the pumpkin patch last year.



 Another thing we're doing is we joined a farm co-op. It's fantastic! We've been out to the farm twice so far this season. The first time was to check things out and pet the animals. Then we went out for the Strawberry Festival. It was such a fantastic day! We got out there in the morning and it was crowded. We headed over to the animals first since my daughter loves them. Then we made our way through the rope maze and the toddler playground. We ate an amazing lunch there (cheeseburgers made from cows on the farm!). If you've never had FRESH beef, it's a must try!!! Then we made our way out to the field to pick some strawberries.



Baby Battle Rattle & I at the toddler playground on the farm.

 It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel at the start. Once you find the things you love to stay busy with the time will go by faster. I hope you are all keeping busy and seeing your countdown shrink quickly as well! 

Luckett's and the End of the World

 It has been a very hectic few weeks in our house! Getting my husband ready for deployment, saying a very tear full goodbye at the very public National Airport, my daughter getting molars in, a trip to visit my parents in Charleston, SC and a drive out to Luckett's for their spring fair. Wheeew, I'm tired just typing it all out. I suppose I should start at the beginning, but since that's what you'd expect lets mix it up and start from the end!

Luckett's is an amazing antique store. It's a mix of classic antiques with a new twist on antiques. It's antiques meets cottage chic meets french country meets awesomeness! They have things your grandmother, mother, sister and daughter would love. My friend Runs (yes, I'm going to use her nickname) and I set out for the annual Luckett's Fair yesterday. We figured that if the world was ending we might as well have one last great adventure on Earth and get some sun while we were at it. In my determination to redecorate the house I thought this would be a fantastic event to find some new treasures for our home. I had the great privilege to meet Marian...you know, Miss Mustard Seed. Her booth was amazing and if you've seen her blog those gorgeous pictures she posts of her creations don't do her work HALF the justice it deserves. She had some stunningly beautiful things. I was so lucky to snag a few of them! I could go on for a very long time about Luckett's and Miss Mustard Seed, but I'll save you and you can check them out for yourselves.

Before Luckett's we were in the good 'ol South visiting Grandma and Grandpa. My little bug had a wonderful time down there. She got to go swimming and run amuck on Grandma and Grandpa's land while I got to spend the day/night in downtown Charleston with an old friend having some girl time. My baby girl has been getting more and more teeth and she is turning into the "puppy" that chews on everything! I don't mind until she decides that my fingers look like good teething rings...OUCH!

The most unfun of all was deployment day. It was a little unconventional from our past send offs as he left in civilian clothes from a regular airport. We were running on time and had planned on the little bug and I going to the gate with my husband to spend a little more time with him and say our goodbyes there. Thanks to traffic...and my husband thinking he knew better than I did (as all married men do) we were late and had to drop him at the curb. Which I was not prepared for. I was trying my best to blink away the tears and pretend they weren't there, which worked until we were tugging his bags and gear out of the car. He got our little girl out of the car to give her a hug and a kiss, at which point I lost it because she started to cry. We stood there on the curb of the airport in a family group hug, tears streaming down my face. At which point I see a couple of people unloading their bags from cars behind us get out their camera and start to take pictures of us. Who does that!?! They didn't know us and they were taking pictures like we were on display at the American History Museum. Note to those of you out there reading this: It's not appropriate to snap shots of strangers, it's stalker-ish. The first day of deployment is always the hardest. You'll get into your routine and then before you know it you'll be getting ready to go to the airport to welcome them home again.

(I'd post our goodbye pictures, but I don't know the strangers who took them...I'm sure they've posted them to Facebook though.)

End Table Makeover

While my husband is deployed my biggest project is to redecorate the house. Yes, the WHOLE house. Little by little I've been finding things here and there, gathering new furniture and painting. If you don't know, I have a secret love for paint. I found this amazing end table a few weeks ago at the thrift store! I saw it and ran over with excitement and my friend Renee was looking at me like I had just told her "I have three boobs!"

Here is my beautiful new table (the before). It was baby powder blue(ish) on the bottom and a honey stain on the top. So I set to work sanding the ugliness off to turn those beautiful turned legs into something amazing.

It took 3 coats to cover this up in Churchill Hotel by Valspar (spray paint) but it was finally done. I found new hardware for the drawer at Lowes and HAD to have it. How cute is this?!

There is my beautiful new end table, bee and all! I love the way it turned out, I was so anxious to get it up in my living room I didn't even take time to distress it  make it looked well loved! I have a new dining room table and chairs that I'm working on next. They were great Craigslist finds! The table was all of $25 and the chairs (Queen Anne's) were $80 for all SIX of them!!! I can't wait to share them with you all!

Lucketts & Leesburg

When you're from northern Virginia and you hear Leesburg, you think of one thing: Outlets! It's not a terribley far drive and you can find some great deals out there. I have found another hidden treasure out in Leesburg! The Old Lucketts Store. It's not your momma's antique store. It's old meets revamped, classics with a modern twist and just flat out amazing. I could spend a fortune in that store...if only my husband wouldn't care. The best thing is that they are antiques at reasonable prices. They are holding their annual fair coming up in May. If you will be in the area make sure to check it out! I know I will be there!!! We're going to make a girls day of it! You can find all the details at The Old Lucketts Store blog.

Ball Jars and Betty Crocker

Ball Jars and Betty Crocker = A cake in a jar! I don't know who first thought of this fabulous idea, but I'm going to share it with you all because it is one of the best things to throw into a care package. I mean, who doesn't love cake and mail?!? Here is what you'll need:

 * Ball canning jars
 * Your favorite cake mix
 * Boiling water

1. Make the cake batter according to the instructions/recipe (***note*** I only used one box and it made 5 jars)

2. Grease the inside of the jar by spraying with cooking spray
3. Fill jar no more than 1/2 way with batter (about 1 cup)

4. Place jars on cookie sheet on rack in the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean @ 400 degrees

5. While baking, boil jar lids in a pan of water (make sure lids are dry when placed on jars)

6. When cake is done, take one jar out at a time and cover with hot lid and ring.

7. The lid will seal as it cools. Listen to hear the "ping" as they seal. The center of the lid won't make a "pop" noise when pressed if it has sealed properly.

 Voilà!!!! You have made a delicious Cake-in-a-Jar. When you put them in your care packages make sure you pack them in bubble wrap. Don't forget to send along a fork or two and some frosting. I like sending the funfetti frosting because it has the frosting AND sprinkles in one package.  PLUS...they come in just about EVERY occasion! Perfect for any care package theme!

Hello Murphy...

  You know you're starting a deployment when Mr. Murphy's Law shows up. He's an old friend to us all. You know what I'm talking about, right? Your husband leaves for the field, training school or deployment and something breaks, your basement floods, you lose your cell phone and you have to take your child to the Emergency room all in the same day. We've all got those stories! As my husband has just left we had our own clandestine meeting with Murphy. After we dropped my husband off and said our goodbyes we started for home. My daughter didn't eat that morning and when we got home I made her favorite for lunch, mac n' cheese. She wouldn't eat it and ended up throwing it at the dog. I spent the next 20 minutes trying to pick mac n' cheese out of the poor ol' dogs fur. 

  Finally we reached nap time! She played for a little while and drifted off for a lovely 3 hour nap. I was emotionally drained and took a nap with her thinking the day would be better when we woke up. Silly me! I knew better than that, but alas it was not to be. When my baby girl woke up we were playing and she ran to her favorite spot in the house; the front window. (Enter Murphy) I hear the kind of thud that mommies know ice, band-aids or a trip to the ER are about to follow. I dart over and pick up my poor baby who has a geyser of blood pouring out of her mouth. My heart breaks for the second time today as my poor little angle is screaming. When the dust settled it wasn't as bad as all the blood made it seem, just a little cut on the inside of her lip. At dinner time the little princess decided she would not eat again.

  The day ended with one wore out fat-lipped baby, a frazzled Mommy who was covered in tears, blood and chocolate. We kicked Murphy's Law in the bum and wrapped up the day with a glass of wine and a phone call from the husband.

Half Full or Half Empty

  I am starting to notice a new trend with Military wives. I've posted about this a few weeks ago but have started to notice it more and more in the past few days. I am so disappointed in my fellow Military wives! Are there that many of you out there that are viewing the glass half empty? Perhaps I am just running into a lot of angry wives lately. I don't know.

  Why do we feel like we can bash people because they haven't experienced a deployment or being away from a loved one? How can you say "Well he's only going to be gone for X amount of days/weeks! You can't compair that to a deployment or a Field exercises!" I'm sorry to say this, but YES they are allowed to miss their husbands too. Just because our husbands are in (sometimes) dangerous situations doesn't make their time away from home better or worse than another situation. I feel like this can be said for some Military vs. Military wives too. A deployment on the ground can be just the same as a deployment on a ship. What's the difference, really? 

  I'm sad that you wouldn't offer support to your civilian counterpart. I know that when my husbands is deployed I can count on BOTH my Military wife friends and my Civilian wife friends. There's one thing that remains the same, we are all WIVES. We go through some of the same struggles; communication, conflicting schedules, kids, in-laws and I'm sure other things I'm leaving out. Sure there are differences, I'm not saying that there aren't...BUT I am saying, why sing the "Poor me" anthem? We all have our different struggles in life, but I would hope that you can look past the Military vs. Civilian thing, put your big girl panties on, grab your old friends and enjoy the company of Jack, Jim, Jose, Johnnie, and the Captain (because these are the only acceptable men to hang out with when your husbands are gone) and enjoy your half full drinks with all the wives (military or not).

CHEERS!

Deployments and Power Tools

 Every time my husband deploys I find new ways to fill up my days until he returns home. Our first deployment years ago I poured myself into work. I was working 60+ hours a week, volunteering and doing the Sea Turtle walk once a week with one of the other wives. My days were FULL, and it was fabulous to have my days going by so fast with some great distractions! Our next deployment was going to be filled with traveling. We had just gotten to our new duty station a few months before my husband left and my parents had just gotten stationed in Europe. While my husband went on his dessert "vacation" I went on my European getaway. I was gone for 3 1/2 weeks and it was wonderful to explore new cities (and some I'd already fallen in love with). Then when I'd gotten home I realized that "hmm, I was gone a few weeks...and I'm late..." I took a pregnancy test the morning after I got home...positive! My time was now filled with OB/GYN appointments a little bed rest and a lot of trips to Babies 'R Us.

  Now we get to this deployment. I now have a business that I'm growing, a one year old to run after and my newest love...building furniture. I am in love with it and I'm saving so much money by building it myself! How am I doing this you wonder? Ana White...and she is amazing! My first project is the 6 Cube Cubby. I was so happy to find these plans to make it myself and save $200. I like to keep busy when my husband is away and what a better way to do so than to work with my hands and create something fabulous for our home? With the wood, paint, nails and new drill bits my total cost to make this was $52.13! When I first found Ana's website I had a hard time choosing where I wanted to start. There were so many fantastic plans. I hope you have found things you love to keep busy with while your spouse is in the field, TDY or deployed. It really does make the time go by faster and before you know it you'll be showing off your fabulous talents and fun adventures when they get home!

Just about half way here.

Building complete...time to paint!

FINISHED!!!

 

Cabernet and KitchenAid

  I confess, I am in love with with baking. My newest undertaking is ice cream. I recently got the ice cream maker attachment for my KitchenAid mixer. I couldn't wait to get it in the freezer and start making some frozen treats! When we lived in Carmel, CA there was a fabulous French restaurant called Le Normandie; a husband/wife run establishment. If you are ever in the area you should stop in, the food is cooked by Francois and the tables are waited by Christine (both from Normandy, FR). Christine often made a blackberry Cabernet sorbet to go with some of the desserts. As we are sadly no longer on the West coast and able to enjoy Le Normandie I decided I'd try to make my own blackberry Cabernet sorbet. I was so happy with the way it turned out! So here it is for you to try!

You'll need:

2 cups blackberries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon
2 tsp lemon juice
1 egg white, whipped

Directions:

Make sure your ice cream maker and/or attachments have been properly frozen.

Whip the egg white until stiff peaks form.

In a blender combine blackberries, water, sugar, wine and lemon juice until smooth.

 Transfer to a bowl and stir in the egg whites; cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Run the mixture in your ice cream maker (check your manual for your models suggested times.) I ran my KitchenAid Ice cream attachment for about 35 minutes.

Transfer your sorbet to a container and place in the freezer to reach your desired consistency and ENJOY!

***I found the recipe at Erika's Sweet Tooth.***

The Military Wife vs The Civilian Wife

   There has been a lot of talk about military wives and civilian wives lately. Personally I think there is a difference between today's military families and civilian families. I however have a different take on the debate over the challenges the wives face. Yes, it's hard to go through a deployment not knowing when your next phone call or letter will arrive. It's hard having our spouses gone (what's seemingly) all the time. It is even harder playing both Mommy and Daddy. Do I think that puts me above my civilian friends who's husbands are gone for business trips and boys weekends? Absolutely not! Of course they miss their husbands when they're gone too. Civilian wives get to see their husbands every night, so when that business trip does come up it's not the norm for them. Just because they have the "9 to 5" job doesn't mean they can't miss them when they're gone and we should support them, because who knows better than a military wife what it's like to spend a Friday night alone and missing your other half?!?

   I know a lot of military wives are thinking "who is this jack wagon" right about now. Some of you are thinking that there is no comparing a field exercise or deployment to a business trip or guys weekend. For the most part the civilian wives aren't trying to offend you by saying, "I know what you're going through." They're trying to show you support, trying to relate as best they can. Of course there are days that you don't want to hear a one week business trip compared to a 7 or 12 month deployment. Before you strangle these women remember that they are just like you. They love their husbands, they miss their husbands too. If you say you don't miss your husband when he's in the field for a week then you are in denial.

   Then there are the civilian wives that make comments to you such as "you should have known what you were getting into." How many of you honestly knew what you'd be getting into? With all the curve balls the military throws, I don't know that anyone can say they knew 100% what they were getting into! Some of the people making comments like this are more out of ignorance and youth than to inflict hurt on you. Try to be nice to them and just let them know that not everything in life can be planned out 100% of the time. While you can't change the situation, you do the best you can given what you have to work with.

   I hope the next time one of the civilian wives makes a comment about being away from loved ones you'll take a step back, resist the urge to punch her in the face and just try to remember we're all on the same side.

Love and War and Pre-Deployment

  Deployments are a time when emotions are running high. No matter what branch your spouse is in it's always the same. Your husband comes home, looks at you and says, "I'm deploying." At first you are sad; sad that he's going to be gone, sad you won't get to see him, sad that he'll miss ___________ (fill in holidays, birthdays, anniversary, births here). Then you are terrified of the possibilities deployments bring. Then you are happy knowing that you have the power to watch the Bachelor or Grey's Anatomy or any other show without hearing, "Do we REALLY have to watch this crap?" for the next xxx months. You'll have about 15 other emotions as well and it's all in the span of 60 seconds.

  For those of you who have been through a deployment already you know exactly what I am talking about. For those who have yet to have their 1st deployment under their belt, you'll learn quickly what I'm talking about! Then comes the work-ups. All the field exercises they do before they go, all the late nights he's at work and ALL the gear they bring home. It's amazing how much there is to pack...and then re-pack...and re-pack until it all fits. Then there is the fighting. Yes, it is a universal thing. No, you are not the only one who is fighting with your spouse. It is totally normal. It doesn't matter if you are Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps. It's a stressful time and it's easier to say goodbye when you're huffy and distant. For you ladies who are going through this for the first time, don't worry about it. It's not the end of your marriage and you're not going to get a divorce because you're fighting before he leaves. As for going to bed mad...do it! Get some sleep and talk about it in the morning.

Thoughts, Fears & Pre-Deployment

 Just before my husband leaves for deployment is the worst. I hate having down time. To me, it gives my mind too much time to race around and settle on thoughts I don't want to think about. There is so much stress, but I think the most stressful part is before they go. The 'what if's' and all the unknowns. You never know when you'll get that first phone call from them after you see the bus or plane leave with your heart on board. Your phone becomes a part of you. Now you're the crazy girl who eats, sleeps, showers and pees with a cell phone attached to your side; but it's better than the alternative of missing that call. Then there's sleeping while they're gone. Sleep becomes that elusive animal that you only hear about in storybooks and fairy tails.

Helping pack the gear to keep them safe, the photos to make their tent a home away from home and the little notes you hide among the gear and uniforms to lift their spirits at unexpected times. There's also the other side to the pre-deployment craziness. I love sending my husband care packages! When else do you have an excuse to buy so many cards, jerky, miniature Christmas trees or an Easter basket for a grown man a Marine? I start my care packages before my husband even leaves. That way I can start sending them almost the day he leaves. While he's away doing pre-deployment training, I'm at Target and the like finding little things that will make the time go by faster (for us both). Need care package boxes and supplies? You can call 1-800-ASK-USPS and they will bring everything you need right to your doorstep. Does it get more convenient?!

So, here is to care packages, Hershey's kiss countdowns and a safe and fast deployment!

Gotta-Love-A-Give-A-Way!

@paperandcake is giving away an HP Photosmart Printer! Go enter to win! http://www.paperandcake.blogspot.com

  The link above is to a birthday giveaway from Paper and Cake. I just found her blog today and LOVE it. What is better than cute paper and photo crafts? Oh yeah, a printer that helps you do it! Even better, a FREE printer to help you craft. Enjoy!

Chi Town Here I Come!

  Another week closer to our upcoming deployment. I always have mixed feelings around this time. As we get closer I just want it to be here and have him gone, then when the day gets here I wish for more time. This will be our 3rd deployment, so it's not like we haven't done this dance before but it never gets easier.

  I will be flying out to Chicago tomorrow for a meeting with the Battalion and some of the other wives. I don't know how I always end up working with my husbands Battalion, but I do. Oh wait, I get voluntold, I remember now! I'm happy to help so don't get me wrong but if it's anything like this last deployment there will be some unhappy wives/girlfriends/family members. During our last deployment I was pregnant and had 200+ family members to keep up to date and answer their questions. I have higher hopes for this go around though, we're with a new Battalion. Time will tell though!

  I know one thing is for sure, this won't be like our last two deployments. One thing the Marine Corps is good for is keeping you on your toes. It is an ever changing beast that takes no prisoners. How you ask? My husband had just gotten home from the field, we were driving to San Diego from Monterey when we got a call from the Colonel. A few 'Yes Sirs' and 'Will do Sirs' later my husband got off the phone and says, "I'm going to be deploying." WHHHAAA??? Turns out my husband impressed the Colonel and he wants him to deploy with the company that's going out next. I find it ironic and a little funny though. You do a good job at work and you're supposed to get a raise or a silly plaque. In the Marine Corps, you do a good job and you get sent to a war zone. I know the year just started, but I am ready for 2012 to get here soon and have this all behind us. Who's with me?

Easy as Chicken Potpie

This is one of my favorite go-to easy dinners! You can make this with lots of short cuts too; you know, for those days when the kids are running around like wild children and your husband is in the field or deployed. With my husband actually home I took the long road and roasted the chicken myself (as opposed to the usual store bought rotisserie chicken). Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!

Here is everything you'll need for your potpie.

Which will be made into....

First, melt 5tbl butter in a medium pot. Once melted add in 5tbl flour.

Whisk butter and flour together for 3 minutes.

Slowly add in the chicken stock, continue to whisk until mixture becomes thick (about 5 minutes)
 Remove from heat and set aside to be used later.

In a large skillet melt 2tbl of butter and saute onions until soft.
Add in carrots and thyme and cook 5 minutes more. Mmmm, starting to smell AMAZING!

In an 8x8 baking dish place one of the pie crusts and add in the onion & carrot mixture.In the same skillet melt the remaining butter and saute the mushrooms. Put in the salt & pepper and cook until the moisture has evaporated. Add to the potpie.Next put the chicken and sauce mixture into your potpie and mix it all up. Lay the other crust on the top and fold the edges under.Cut two 2" slits in the top of your crust.Place your beautiful Chicken Potpie in the oven and set the timer.Dish up a serving..... grab a glass of your favorite wine and the kids sippy cups and enjoy!


Full Recipe:

Ingredients...

1 stick unsalted butter

5 tablespoons all-purpose flout, plus more for rolling the crust

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons dried thyme

4 carrots, chopped

1 10-oz package button mushrooms, steams trimmed and caps quartered

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 store bought rotisserie chicken (or your own roaster chicken), meat shredded

1 10oz package frozen peas

1 store bought pie crust  

Directions:

Heat oven to 425F. Melt 5 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisking constantly, slowly add the flour and cook for 3-5 minutes. Still whisking, slowly add the broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the thyme and carrots and cook 5 more minutes. Transfer to your baking dish. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook about 2 minutes then reduce the heat and add the salt and pepper, simmer until the liquid evaporates. Add the mushrooms to the dish along with the chicken, peas and the reserved sauce. Toss it all together. Roll out the pie crust on a floured surface until it is slightly larger than the baking dish. Lay the crust over the top and fold edges under. Cut two 2" slits in the top and bake about 20 minutes or until the crust is golden. Reduce the heat to 350F and bake until the filling starts to bubble, about 25 minutes.

 

 

 

EXTRA TIP.........you can put it all together early in the day (read this as NAP TIME) and store in the fridge until dinner time.