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Home for the Holidays #HickoryTradition
Home for the Holidays. It can mean so much to the mobile, military family. Sometimes it means having your spouse beside you as you celebrate a quiet Christmas, just the two of you. It can mean jumping in the car and travelling thousands of miles to be home with Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters. Then there are the holidays when your kids surround you as the anticipation mounts for such a fun day all the while talking with their mom or dad on Skype while they serve over seas and in foreign lands.Pin this image for an additional chance to win a Gift Basketfrom Hickory Farms. Further details belowSo tell us: What does…
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A simple compliment and my heart smiles
Have you ever thought about how far a compliment can take someone? A couple of weeks ago my parents were visiting when one of them made the simple but genuine statement, “Leanne, your house is always so clean.”, and the other was quick to agree. Now let’s take a step back. From my perspective, my house is not clean. There are four boys (five including hubs). Weekends and evenings involve soccer, homework, Legos, Hot Wheels, running, jumping, playing. Although all of us are involved in one shape or form in keeping the house tidy (to the extent it can be) I am the cleaner. and cleaning is just not my thing. I love a clean…
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Taking Life by the Reins
It was going to be a long week without my main squeeze. Hubs had JAG training at Fort Belvoir for a week and I knew for sure we would miss him. Truth is, it’s hard when your best friend leaves, even if only for a week. (And yes, I have done the year long deployment… but that’s not my point. Sometimes, I miss him when he is only sitting in the other room. Get it?) When he proposed that we tag along I admit I was a bit nervous at first. Tag along? Hang out in a hotel with the kids all week? Hit DC with just me and the kids, tackling…
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Tasty Tuesday: Shrimp on the Grill
The weather has been beautiful in Ohio and what better way to enjoy the spring-weather but by pulling out the grill for dinner. If your family enjoys seafood like mine does you will love this perfect, simple, summer shrimp recipe. Continue Reading Join Us byUnknownonTuesday, June 04, 2013Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMilitary Life:grill,Leanne,Recipe,Shrimp,Tasty Tuesday
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Simple Homemade Valentines
Just a quick post to give you two easy ideas for Homemade Valentine’s Day cards. Supplies needed: Card Stock Hole Punch (for the helicopter themed card) Tape Some colorful markers Parachute men, Propeller type toys, other small toy that comes in bulk that you can make a fun spin with words. (Army men = marching in to wish you a Happy Valentines Day; small toy boats = Swam from shore to shore to wish you a Happy Valentines Day. This is a great time to use your imagination to make it personal.) How about you, do you make your own cards? Have you seen a card you loved? Post a link…
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Apple-Oatmeal Yeast Bread
Thanksgiving is zooming at us with rocket speed. Today might be Monday… but watch out! Thursday is coming into focus. Slow down and make some yeast bread. This recipe calls for apple cider which is prominent in the aroma. Welcome Thanksgiving week with a fresh loaf of bread. I think we all need something ‘to hold us up’ for the hard work of eatting a fantastic meal later! Oh yes, bring it on. Simple to make and bake, and totally wonderful to relax and taste the wholesome goodness of oats and apples. Yeast BreadApple-Oatmeal Bread1 c quick cooking rolled oats (not instant)¼ c packed brown sugar1 T butter 1 ½…
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Grandma’s Pot
This is my Grandma’s Pot. I like to imagine all the food she cooked in it. Soups for her family, pasta for guests, maybe mashed potatoes for a big family gathering or just a small brisket for herself and Pop. Continue Reading about my favorite pot, Grandma’s Pot My mom gave it to me a few years ago after Gram passed away and I have to admit it is my favorite pot. (Who knew anyone could love an ‘ordinary’ pot?) This summer alone I have made quarts of pasta sauce with tomatoes from my garden. I have cooked salsa to last all winter long. I have enjoyed simmering, sauteing, boiling and glazing, all…
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T-Shirt to Beach Bag
Over the years I have accumulated a few t-shirts. They are an easy souvenir, a great way to remember a great time. However, over the past 20 something years I have accumulated a drawer full of shirts I never wear. I hate the thought of parting with them. I refuse to throw them away. I know if I gave them away they would /never/ be appreciated like I appreciate them ;). So my interest was piqued when I saw this simple-idea on Pinterest, where by turning t shirts into shopping bags (great for the environment!). This is not hard and it a great re-use of shirts I never wear. I was really happy with the results and…
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The Cost of the “Five Finger Discount”
It was a simple project: put on the new grill flame covers purchased at a big box store. The old ones had rusted and worn out and these replacements would “take a sec to put on ” and including time to wash and clean the grill … 15-20 minutes in a busy schedule. Sounded simple! Flame covers that were maximum protectedThen came the packaging material on each of the four flame covers – very tough garage scissors were required to cut through the plastic on each one. It was not a simple process and each one seemed to take an hour to open to just remove the product. Then the…
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Craft Stick Fun
A simple art project. Simple smiles. Simply fun! As my boys are getting older projects at school have grown more and more complex. In the process I have picked up a few art-project supplies kept tucked away for a rainy day. Popsicle sticks were needed for a diorama of Iceland. Pipe cleaners were needed for a science experiment involving borax. Markers are kept out of reach of a toddler. Glue, scissors and paper all quickly rounded up. All this is the the perfect making for a morning of fun. My friend, *L*, 4 years old, checked out a book from the library last week, “Craft Stick Mania”. Today we set ourselves up at…