Next Friday: Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Friday May 7th, 2010.
Did you know... we have a day for ourselves?!
Yeah, I didn't know either, it's not very advertised.

Needless to say, it's a really cool idea!
A few links on the subject:

1. Article on MilSpouse.com
2. Cool Video from Army Family Covenant
3. Info from the USO about sending virtual flowers to mil-spouses
4. Operation Military Family's actual Petal Power Page (from #3)
5. Military Avenue lists freebies, events, discounts, & giveaways!
6. Ft. Meade event flyer.
7. Any ladies at Camp Pendleton... tell your husband (even if deployed) to enter this essay contest!
8. Anyone in Minnesota?? Just found out you can get a FREE strand of pearls- Click here for all the info!
   

Know of an event/giveaway/discount not on this list (or military avenue's) let me know and I will update this list until May 7th! *try your MWR/MCCS



Because I am a consultant... I will highlight the Jane Wayne Gear giveaway here! CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE RULES. The prize pack will include: An H2O Tactical Tote (value: $45) and Flip Flops (value: $16.99). Enter soon, contest ends at 11:59pm EST.

Sad Day to be a Zonie...

[I bet 99.5% of you thought this was going to be about the SB1070... well it's not.]

Oh my boys, did you forget how to skate. How to shoot. How to score. How to play the game you get paid for every day of your life? Where was the team that played their hearts out on Sunday? I know Doaner is hurt and not on the ice, but still, I wanted to cry... 6 to 1? It was game seven, did you just crack under the pressure? (insert memories from the Cardinals losing the Superbowl...) The price I pay being a loyal sports fan to my home state...

This man deserves an award though. He was the ONLY one who came out to play. Facing 50+ shots!Thank you Bryzgalov.

Normally you root for the team that beat you... proving they deserved to win the entire playoffs. However, rooting for the Red Wings. NEVER GONNA HAPPEN! That's like a mortal sin for a true Yotes Fan. I guess I will go back to my Cali days (pre-hockey in AZ), lets go SHARKS!

Monday: Pick-Me-Up

These beauties have been gracing our house for the past week...


...and nope, they are not from my husband!

Who are they from then? They are from my LLT (Long Lost Twin), aka my best friend from home. Last Saturday the UPS guy knocked on the door and left a box outside. I brought in the Pro Flowers Box, and looked at hubs chilling on the couch:

Me- "Did you buy me flowers?"
Q- "No, did they deliver them to the right house?" (legitimate question, the neighbors have gotten our packages before and vice versa)
Me- [check the label] "Nope, it says my name and our address."

Anyway, my best friend decided that she needed to send some sunshine and happiness my way! I thank her so very much, it is absolutely amazing to get something in the mail completely unexpected!

So ladies- my question for you today... what special surprise (no matter how small or big) have you received lately?

6mo♥

I can't believe this......was six months ago!

I know in a lifetime perspective six months isn't ALL that long... but, when you throw the military in the mix and you never know if we'll get to actually celebrate our anniversary together... it's fun to recognize halfiversary's [haha I like my made up word!].



Speaking of weddings... I'm in a contest throwing mood... (I also just noticed I topped 30 followers... crazy) so I'm trying to cook something fun up. Stay tuned!

Monday: Pick-Me-Up

By popular demand, I have decided to share the recipe for the Orange Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies.

My disclaimer:

1. These were made around 9pm, so I was looking for something quick & easy
2. I NEVER follow a recipe fully... I love playing around with them, so... I will write out the recipe exactly as it is on the recipe card and will add my modifications in bold. Got it? Good =)

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Orange Cream Cookies

• 1 pouch (1lb 1.5oz) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix (+the ingredients called for on the package)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted [margarine]
• 1 teaspoon orange extract [3 teaspoons orange zest]
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 bag (12oz/2cups) white chocolate chips [1.5cups chocolate chunks]
• 5 drops yellow food coloring & 2 drops of red food coloring [did not use]

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350*
   
2. Makie cookie dough as directed on the package, stirring in all additional ingredients except white chocolate chips. When well blended, stir in the chips. [used hand mixer, even with chocolate chunks]
3. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfull onto ungreased cookie sheet. [used my cookie scoop]
   
4. Bake for 9-10min.
5. Cool on cookie rack.

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I hope you enjoy! These cookies are super soft and tasty, they were real winners in our house. Let me know what you think,
-Tay

Piggie Baths!

So Q is out for the day, he and the guys (and some women who weren't suppose to tag along - ugh - can you tell I just found out?) are watching the Nationals play the Brewers this afternoon. Which leaves me home with the piglets for the morning, then I am headed to my friend's "Welcome Home" party for her baby girl! The precious little Leah was born 8wks early and only ended up having to spend 4 day in the NICU... the doctor's estimated the 2mo until her due date. She's been home for 2wks now and we're all (I'm lucky and already did) finally going to get to see her and celebrate her special life!

*Note- I'd love to go to the baseball game, but this is way more important than some stupid women tagging along guys day.

[Beans post-bath, pre-blowdrying : my little tail-less squirrel!]

So, once a week (or once every 1.5wks) the piglets get their nails trimmed and a bath. For those of you who didn't know or would never have guessed, guinea pigs are actually excellent swimmers! Maybe when it gets warm enough outside I'll video them for you...

Beans tends to be the adventurous one, not to mention the dominant one! We tend to say he has "little-man syndrome," because despite the fact he's easily a pound lighter than Twix he bullies him around like no other. Beans also likes his bath time, as opposed to Twix, who wouldn't even let me get a decent picture.

[Twix post-bath, about to shake: chubby angry man]

It's so funny how they are brothers, have lived together their entire lives yet are so different. Anyone who thinks animals lack personality has obviously never owned one!

My ring...

I love my wedding ring, I mean what girl doesn't? My engagement band has a very special meaning since he picked it out and incorporated a family heirloom and the wedding band he chose to compliment it is absolutely beautiful.

BUT, that is not what this post is about...

I take my ring off for three reasons:

1. Doing the dishes
2. Taking a shower (dang thing gets super slippery with the shampoo/conditioner).
3. Exercising

and those three reasons only!

Today after I did my workout I realized I had forgotten to take some important documents to the post office, so in my still sweaty attire I grabbed the envelope and rushed out the door. As I got in the car my finger felt funny, I hadn't put my ring back on, the post office is literally 4mi away so I decided to just wait until I got back.

On the return trip I rounded the corner entering our circle and noticed Q's car in his parking spot, I was excited he NEVER gets home early. I walked in to find him talking on the phone with his Mom, but more importantly- MY RING WAS MISSING!

I checked the spot I left it while working out- not there.
I checked the spot I leave it while taking a shower- not there!
I checked the spot I leave it while doing dishes... NOT THERE!

What the heck? Suddenly... amongst the beginning of tears (I don't know why, reaction I assume) it clicked in my head. HE TOOK MY RING. What a sick joke.

He finally said goodbye to his Mom and then because my eyes were wet, asked me what was wrong (as if he hadn't noticed me frantically running around our tiny house....)

Me- My ring, I can't find it, what did you do with it?
Q- Me? I didn't do anything. You lost your ring?!
Me- Yes, I mean no... you took it, give it back!
Q- I didn't take it, lets look together.
Me- I already did!
Q- Come on, let's look.
[looked by coasters in living room- working out place, looked by ceramic dish- washing dishes place, looked by decorative pineapple- shower place* where we found it]
Me- I just looked here, you saw me look here!
Q- No, no I didn't.
Me- Yes you did! Why are you lying?
Q- I'm not lying...
Me- Promise?
Q- Promise.
Me- ...promise on the Bible?
Q- *silence*
Me- I knew you took it, I knew I left it by the coasters!!!! You're so mean.
Q- *smirks*

Gahhhhh!
I love him, but seriously.
Mean.

(he probably wouldn't be happy I posted this, haha!)

i♥faces - I Heart Desserts Challenge

Oh my gosh... if you are on a diet, be prepared to be in full lusting mode while viewing the entries this week. AND, if you are a food blogger lover, you might die (not literally!) when you find out that this week's judge is the one and only... Bakerella!


Now...on to my entry:
I made these cookies last night, they are absolutely delicious and with the fresh orange zest your house smells amazing during baking and even after you've cleaned up the kitchen.

Orange Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies[please click on the photo to view in higher resolution!]

Now...about the editing:
I took this photo with natural light. Using the flash caused too many noticable shadows and changed the colors too much. I did end up adding a little more contrast with photoshop, but I like my photos in their natural setting.

My husband is in LOVE with these cookies... and I am having a VERY hard time keeping myself away from them. I especially enjoy the fresh citrusy (yes I know that isn't a word) taste they have, combined with a super moist cookie and chocolate chunks... who could resist?

So... to share the recipe, or to not share the recipe. That is the question... you'll all have to let me know =)

Now...be sure to check out the other entries!

Hackers.

I'm experiencing technical difficulties...
[if this posts that will be an improvement]


Thankfully hubby restored my computer to a prior date (sometime in March... good thing I backed up my photos!), so glad he is computer savvy.

I am a creature of habit, I check my e-mail, my blogs, my facebook, research for my new consultant business (excited to share that with you soon), and occasionally surf craigslist for any cool free stuff/part time job. Nothing weird, nothing exciting.

Yet, I... yes me... got a virus! Luckily my scanner caught the stupid hack while it was happening and I disconnected from the internet as fast as a drunk guy getting thrown from a mechanical bull in a country bar.

Sadly the damage was done. I ran two full scans and they both found multiple items laced throughout my system. A trojan had attached itself to my system32 (evidently the whole processing unit for programs on your computer) and ran with it.

I'm just lucky I reacted so quickly and disconnected from the internet so who ever this douche, excuse me, is couldn't steal anything (I pray).

Seriously though... why do there have to be people like that?! Why can't I just go through a daily routine without having to worry that there is some nasty piece of crap lurking in cyberspace just waiting to infiltrate my online/computer life....


I'm so extremely PISSED about this. Ugh.
Whoever you are. GET A LIFE.
Stealing isn't one.

[fyi- I use avast4.8 anti-virus & ad-aware, if anyone wants to install a virus scanner/spam-malware scanner. They caught my virus.]

Easter Cherry Blossoms

Hubs and I went down to DC this Saturday... beautiful blossoms, weather, artists, fireworks. Some favorite pictures:



Evidently this coming Saturday is the final weekend, complete with a parade and Japanese street festival. Maybe we can go next year...?

Easter was fun, being in the military we are all away from home so we made the best of it! We enjoyed church service then had friends over for Easter brunch on the back patio... Q made the best seasoned red russet potatoes and I attempted a combination of three recipes to make a baked apple pancake. Success! There were NO leftovers what-so-ever. A much needed afternoon nap was taken, then we had even more friends come over. Tamera has a 3yr old son so we hid 30ish eggs in the backyard and let him go for it, he had a blast. The boys then played football and the girls relaxed and did what women "do best" talked. We were all to lazy to cook dinner, so we ordered pizza and just enjoyed the beautiful weather.

It was a good day, then I talked to my best friend from home and my family... making it great.

I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend.
-Tay

Pardon me Easter bunny...

Excuse me Easter bunny, but move over. There are far more important things than a fictitious bunny bringing children baskets full of goodies...

[please- click on image to view in higher resolution]

This photo was taken on my cross-country trip with my father this past September (moving from home to MD). This is at the Stations of the Cross in Groom, TX. Trust me, you can't miss it... the verse is Isaiah 53:3-6

Good Friday- Remember today someone gave the ultimate sacrifice, for you.