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Spring has more promise than a PCS move has boxes!
Spring New beginnings.New promises of hope.New joys to be seen every morning. We just returned from a fabulous vacation. Fabulous is putting it lightly. It was an escape from the winter’s cloudy skies, dirty snow and icy roads. We chose to escape as far as we could manage – just north of the equator: meaning the Caribbean. Ahhhhhhhhhh doesn’t that even sound good. We were pampered to put it mildly. I was Madame for 10 days. I had coffee and croissants brought to the room each morning. ‘Wake up’ called just prior to sunrise so that we could go to the veranda, sit in luxurious bathrobes, feel the sea breeze…
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Spring Has Sprung
My Crocuses are in bloom. My Tulips are peaking out of the ground. My Daffodils are waking up from a long winter’s nap. The Hyacinth is getting ready to let out a giant stretch and a yawn of color. I love this weather! I have trimmed (aka whacked down) butter-fly bushes. I have cut dead flowers & branches off of last years plants. I have pulled plants I just don’t want anymore. I have thought through what flowers I want to plant this year. I started seeds inside. Life is a ray of sunshine right now! Last year it snowed in April. I hate to be the pessimist. But if…
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Mrs Obama’s Visit to Fort Bragg
I realize I’m preaching to the choir on this one … but I was reading an article this morning about Michelle Obamas visit to Fort Bragg and it struck a chord with me. “I encourage everyone out there, within the sound of my voice, to reach out on your own — through schools, PTA, Little Leagues, churches, workplaces — and find out if there’s a soldier or a soldier’s family right there in the community who needs a little extra support,” Mrs. Obama said in her speech. “They’re there. Something as simple as offering help with car pool duty can make the world of difference to a parent who’s trying…
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Finding Support: Growing Together
A dear friend of mine sent this my way and I wanted to share it with all the military-families out there. I hope it gives a little reminder of what “support” can do for you! Not only can it help you flourish but it can help you learn how to support others when they most need it! Once upon a time, there was a little grape stem. She was so glad to be alive. She drank water and minerals from the soil, and grew and grew. She was young and strong and could manage quite well, all by herself. But the wind was cruel, the rain was harsh, and the…
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Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
It is time for leisurely breakfasts, family gatherings and a sweet tooth to be satisfied at sunrise. Our sunrise here in Michigan is bright and white with silver and gold accents. The landscape is snow covered. The tree branches are white lined: winter! The railings are even decorated with brilliant red male and female cardinals flitting in; black and white junco; green/brown siskins; and boisterous blue jays.Now, as we sit and watch all of this move across the deck and sky… a hot cup of coffee and apiece of warm cinnamon scented coffee cake fit the bill! Cream Cheese Coffee CakeBaking time 35 minutes1/2 c butter1 (8 oz) pkg. cream…
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What are your Holiday Traditions?
The Holidays are upon us! There is a chill in the air, the leaves have fallen from the trees and for those of us a bit north we have already seen our first snow. What comes to my mind this time of year but “Traditions”. What are your favorite Holiday Traditions? What are some new traditions that you have made in light of being a military-family? What are some traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation? Enjoy the comments we have already & then add your own. Then come back again and see what others have added. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Military Family Newsletter! Create…
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What Fun!
As a military family we found ourselves in many different parts of the world! Adapting to the environment we were in was always a challenge we took on with an almost eager glee! What can we do here that we couldn’t in the last place? We went “spranging” in Iceland, rode the transcontinental railroad in Panama and went to a secluded beach after a walk through the jungle, snow skied in New Mexico, hiked Mt Rainier in Washington, rode the surf in Florida, built an igloo in Illinois during a major blizzard and a host of other family events that were just fun and helped us enjoy the transitions in…
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A Minute out of the Norm: Plant Some Seeds
It is still pretty cold here in the Midwest, the danger of frost certainly has not passed. In fact, I wouldn’t be totally surprised if we got more snow (aghast) between now and the end of the month. However, my boys and I have started our summer garden. Before I dive into the topic of our garden I have to share a ‘funny’ story about miscommunication. My husband was going birthday shopping with the boys last Saturday for me. I asked him while he was out to please pick out some seeds for our annual vegetable-garden. He won’t be around this year for our vegetable & herb garden so I…
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A Minute out of the Norm: Go For a Walk
Today is a much coveted day in March in the Midwest. It is mostly sunny. Don’t get me wrong. It’s cold. There are still snow-piles throughout the neighborhood from the last snowstorm… but hey, at least we have our sidewalks back! The boys and I were inside feeling rather gloomy. There was a little bit more arguing then usual between the two brothers, a little bit more yelling on my part. So this afternoon for a change of pace we put on our jackets and shoes. My boys grabbed their new rain-boots from the Easter Bunny and we headed outdoors for a walk. I walked and they scooted on their…
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It is wonderful to be able to say “Thank You”
Ohio got walloped this weekend. The snow started on Friday morning and didn’t let up until Saturday night. There were moments when I could not see across the street & it brought back fond (or maybe not-so-fond) memories of our time at Keflavik NAS, Iceland as most of the snow fell ‘sideways’. I would have loved this storm if it was January, but snow storms that hit us in March just try my patience. What I least looked forward to as I watched the weather forecast was keeping the driveway shoveled. That is Paul’s job when he is home. I do love getting outside & I am no weakling. I…
