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“Elf on a Shelf” – A New Christmas Tradition
Thanksgiving is over, the boys will be heading back to school tomorrow, a sense of normalcy might actually overcome this house… or maybe not. To say my children have been rapscallions the past three-days is putting it mildly. They have been at each other’s throats, in each other’s way, beating on each other (known to some as wrestling … but when it ends in tears 9 out of 10 times I call it ‘beating on your brother’). I am ready for school to start again! Traditions are fun and so is starting new ones. This year we are trying something a friend shared with me last month called ‘Elf on…
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Turkey Rice Casserole a Great Leftover Option
Here is another option for using up the turkey that was leftover! Turkey and rice in a creamy dish are a combination that is hard to best. Friendly flavors on an almost winter night bring on the comfort food calm. Turkey Rice Casserole3 cups cut up cooked turkey (or Chicken)1 (10 1/2 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup1 1/4 c milk1 c celery, chopped1/2 c regular long grain rice1/4 cup dry white wine2 T chopped parsley2 T butter or margarine1/4 c dried bread crumbs About 1 1/2 hours before serving:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a casserole dish, stir turkey, undiluted soup, milk celery, rice wine and parsley. Cover…
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Turkey Leftover Time: Italian Turkey Casserole
I love Thanksgiving Dinner. A turkey, and the fixings does so much for the family! The aroma spreads throughout the house, the boiling pots heat up the kitchen. The windows steam. Warmth permeates the day… in so many ways. Then the dishes are cleaned, the turkey resurfaces for sandwiches on homemade bread and company leaves. However, the amount of turkey seems to grow in the refrigerator! Bring on the leftovers! For many, this is the favorite meal. There is little fuss involved, no silver to hand wash: just good food to savor.After the first night of leftovers, I liked to get creative. Italian Turkey Casserole has been a favorite for…
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Turkey Creole Time for Spice in Your Life!
Now that the turkey gravy is gone, and there is yet just one Ziploc bag left of turkey in the refrigerator: it is turkey creole time. This spicy dish is bright and colorful and full of flavor. It is a perfect change from the holiday turkey taste. Turkey Creole 2 T olive oil1/2 c chopped onion1 large green pepper, chopped1 t crushed, chopped garlic1 16 oz can tomatoes1 to 2 t chili powder (depending how close to Texas you live!)1 1/2 t salt1 t sugar3/4 t oregano leaves1/8 t pepper1 c regular long grain rice3 c cut up cooked turkey (or chicken) About 50 minutes before serving; In a large…
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Praline Topped Yams
Our refrigerator is stocked… the shelves are over flowing… my mother-in-law is in the kitchen and flour is a flying! It is time to feed the forces, or family and or any folks who show up at the door! Shirley is the baker, so she is mixing up some gingerbread houses. These will be the amusement for kids to decorate while the football games are running.I hold it a sacred duty to bring jar after jar out of the larder and prepare it for our table spread. So much fun! One vegetable that we require at Thanksgiving that does not grow in our area are the yams. The recipe that…
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Free Music from AAFES – For the Troops II
Have you downloaded your free music from AAFES? Did I just say FREE?! I saved all of the free music (14 tracks in total, in MP3 format) to my computer and am looking very forward to listening to it in the future. Thanks to all of the artists that so generously donated to this project. I know there will be MANY service members and their families tuning into your music. Here is AAFES Press Release for more information: From the brass bands of the civil war to blaring music from a loudspeaker before a battalion run, American troops “move out” to a soundtrack that is all their own. Recognizing that…
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A Minute Out of the Norm: Christmas Craft Idea for the kids
I struggle with Christmas ideas for my deployed husband. The deadline for getting packages in the mail is quickly approaching and I know I need to get everything wrapped up and mailed. But it is hard to wrap ‘nothing’. Hubby says that he doesn’t need anything. Hubby tends to get his boxers in a tizzy if I spend too much money. [He’s the financial conservative in the family… I’m all about keeping the economy going ;)] So when Hubby says he doesn’t need anything and doesn’t want me to spend money … makes it hard to send a Christmas package. So I was walking the crafts section of our local…
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Russian Blintzes: Birthday Traditional Favorite
As the children grew, so did their tastes and desires. Birthdays celebrate that growth and add a personal touch to the day. One birthday tradition was the ability to pick the dinner of their choice. Our son Dan was our breakfast boy… that was his favorite meal of the day. For him, the joy of his birthday started the first thing of the day with energy which fueled him. So, bring on the Russians… blintzes that is and let the celebration start. Russian Blinchiky with Cream Cheese1 c flour3 T sugar divided1/2 t salt2 eggs, slightly beaten1 c milk1 (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature1/4 c sour cream1/8 t cinnamon1…
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Military Humor is Good for You
One of the best medicines for our well being is to laugh! Different medical studies have proven the benefits of a good laugh for your blood pressure, heart and mental health! But GIs knew that a long time ago before any high cost study! As they prepared for missions, became involved in humanitarian relief efforts, fought wars around the globe there has always been a special “military humor” that helped us cope. It has even spread to the family members who lived the lifestyle as well. Just listen to a group of spouses sharing their life events and you will hear humor that is unique and most civilians would never…
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Following Up: MilitaryAvenue.com on AWTR
In case you missed the live interview on Army Wife Talk Radio you can still tune-in: Army Wife Talk Radio – November 17 It was an exciting show and I was honored to be asked back to talk to the Army wives out there in cyberspace! The show started with June Wahlberg of USAA. June, Star and Tara talked about ideas to cut back on Christmas Spending this year. Something that is pertinent in today’s volatile economy. Homemade gifts seemed to be a big hit. Even something as ‘simple’ as from the kitchen; homemade pesto sauce, a plate of cookies, a collection of your favorite recipes. You don’t need to…
