A Bit of Randomness

Well, it's almost a new year and my blog is sorely lacking in updates. It kind of went to the wayside (along with house cleaning) after Robert came home. It seems like I have more time to do things when he's gone (or working) than when he's home all the time!

I am finally back into meal planning -- and hoping/praying that we can finally stick to our budget this year so we can save more money. Saving has (sadly) been a lower priority lately with all our eating out, buying Robert some new clothes, and purchasing our lovely piano (more about that below)!

It's amazing how much money you can save when you go into the grocery store with a plan and a list instead of just thinking of "meals" (if you can call them that) as you go. Our first planned meal was last night - homemade ham and bean soup (using dry beans). Very delicious. Robert loved it. I made homemade corn muffins to go along with it, which was a nice compliment.

I made some sandwich bread yesterday as well - but I think I took it out of the oven too soon, so I'll have to try again next time. I want to start making all of our bread again. I bought some wheat gluten, hoping that will help the bread become less "crumb-y" ... hoping anyway. I might try a small amount of bread flour if that doesn't work, because my italian bread recipe turns out so nicely.

I would also like to start making all of our desserts from scratch. I made some wonderful butter toffee, caramels, and candy bar treats with the help of my mom when my parents were visiting earlier this month. We still have some toffee left over but everything else has been eaten. The candy was so rich and so delicious. I can't wait to make the caramels again to try to improve on them. (They were a bit hard, probably from boiling too long.)

And I've even started making cinnamon rolls from scratch. I've made two batches now (the second was much better), but they are delightful! And they are made with baking powder, so they're fast and easy. The link is on my recipe page.

And last but not least, my new piano! Well, I should say our piano. Robert and I have been eyeing pianos since before Benedict was born (maybe for almost a year now). We considered one, but they were a little out of our price range. I was set on buying a full sized keyboard if we were going to spend the money. There's no use buying one (in my opinion) if I can't even play all my favorite songs on it! So we finally broke down and bought one as our Christmas present to each other this year. It came with an attached stand, pedals, weighted keys, and a bench. I'm so thrilled with the purchase!

Well, if you're still with me, I'm going to try to update once every week or two from now on so that I have a little motivation to stay on track, but also to share with you what I've been up to in the kitchen as well as any new updates with Benedict.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. Robert's and mine was very special. We had a guest from Robert's shop over for the day.

We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast when they got home. Then opened presents, played two games of Scrabble while eating cheese, crackers, and summer sausage. Then about 6:30 I started making dinner. We ate ham, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, spinach and artichoke casserole, homemade noodles, crescent rolls, homemade pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream.

This morning we played another game of Scrabble and ate brunch at Ihop. All in all, it was a great Christmas at home!

Here's some pictures of the presents -

For baby: (from K&J, C, my mom & dad, and Robert and I) - When we opened the army jacket from C, Robert said "he must know it's gonna be a boy!" lol

For me: (from Robert, my mom & dad, and K&J)
We also got a lovely throw from Robert's mom and a few gift cards. Robert got some coffee and a good bottle of wine. And Angel got a new little box, new scratching post, kitty milk, treats, and cat grass.

I'm so happy that everything went smoothly, we had enough food, and "L" felt at home. He was so greatful that we got him a couple gifts, too!

More Christmas

I finally got a picture of our nativity. You'll notice it's a little bare. Everyone is hiding until it's their "time" to come out! ;-) I wanted to put something on either side of the nativity because it seemed a little bare, but nothing look right since the other decorations are so secular.


I also got all the presents wrapped and under the tree. And everything you see is either for the baby or Angel except one gift for me. Robert's is hiding in the back - you can't see it! (Note: the tins are not gifts, just decorations - Robert wanted something under the tree before we had gifts under there and I just never took them out!)

It's Christmas Time

We set up our Christmas decorations Saturday! It's so wonderful to have help (Robert). I've always had to put them up myself. But it goes so much faster and easier with two people. Angel's enjoying having a tree to chew on. (Why she likes to chew on a plastic tree, I'll never understand.) But the house looks festive and sure gets me in the mood for Christmas!


You can't tell very well from the picture, but I love snowmen and light blue and white decorations! My nativity scene wasn't photographing well due to the light, so I will try to take a picture of it soon.

Thanksgiving and an Update

Well, I've missed two of my usual post times already. This pregnancy is frying my creativity (or something ...)! I never feel like I have anything to write about. Maybe that's because I never do anything. I've had so little energy and nausea that I haven't even been able to keep up with the housework lately.

I haven't been cooking much (if at all) because nothing sounds appetizing to me and sometimes I can't even look at food. I don't want to cook a big meal for Robert and then not eat it with him. So everything's just been grab and go or fast food (really healthy, I know). Hopefully, I'll start feeling better soon -- with LOTS more energy.

Tomorrow is Robert's birthday and we're going out to eat. Then Thursday, Robert has duty - so he's eating the Thanksgiving meal on the ship and I'm having Thanksgiving dinner with a woman (and her family) from church. We will have our traditional Thanksgiving meal Friday with:

Turkey (I just got another little breast this year)
Green bean casserole
Mashed potatoes
Turkey gravy
Homemade noodles (leftover from our last chicken and noodles)
Crescent Rolls
Pumpkin Pie
Homemade whipped cream

Looking at it in black and white - there's a lot of starch in that menu! Oh, well. It's only one day of the year, right?!

Seeing how I can never come up with anything to write about lately, I think I'll probably take the rest of the week off (but don't worry, if something does come to mind, I'll post it). I'm almost out of my first trimester (10 weeks last Sunday) so hopefully things will pick up soon.

Veteran's Day

Today is the day we remember to say thank you to all of our past and present military men and women. Sometimes, it's easy to forget this any other time of the year. It's good to have a day that reminds us.

There are plenty of restaurants and stores giving free meals or discounts to active duty and veterans today. There are quite a few listed here. But there's definitely more available. Call around if there's something specific you're looking for!

To all the men and women who have served their country honorably, I thank you for your time, talent, and especially your sacrifice.

Navy	Army	Marines	Coast Guard	Air Force

And a special Thank You to:

Eric B.	U.S. Army
Dawn B.	U.S. Army
Jeremy D.	U.S. Marines
Ben A.	U.S. Navy, Retired
Matt D.	U.S. Army
Jason R.	U.S. Army
Colin K.	U.S. Army
William R.	U.S. Army
James S. Jr.	Merchant Marines, WWII
Daniel O'K.	U.S. Air Force, WWII
my husband Robert	U.S. Navy, Active Duty

I Remember

Do you remember where you were on this day eight years ago?

I do. I was sitting in my high school classroom taking a sociology course from the local community college. I will never forget the shock I felt or how scared I was of what would happen next. I will never forget how angry I was that my college professor was the only teacher that day (all the rest were high school classes) that allowed us to watch the news. I didn't get to see the Pentagon crash or the Pennsylvania crash. I remember one girl was hysterical because she had family that worked in the WTC.

I remember how it united Americans together. And people weren't afraid or ashamed to put "God Bless America" on their business signs. I will remember how it's now been tearing us apart. The signs are gone. People want the troops out of the Middle East.

We all want the troops home, but they're fighting an important mission. I remember why we still have men and women fighting and dying over in Iraq. - We don't want this to happen again.

I will always remember.

Independence Day

Robert's home today (national holiday) so this post is short ...

Have a beautiful, happy, and safe Fourth! Go have fun and make sure to watch FIREWORKS!!!!! The fireworks have always been my favorite part!

Most importantly - don't forget what this day is all about!


I love God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be living here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up, next to you
and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA

Remember the Fallen

Take a moment today to pray for all the men and women who have died to keep us free. Also remember to thank the veterans and those still serving for their sacrifice.

To all the members of the military (past and present): Thank you, for everything you've done for your country.

Navy	Army	Marines	Coast Guard	Air Force

Holy Thursday

I've often wondered why the Easter Triduum were not holy days of obligation for the Church. Jesus' death and Resurrection is of utmost importance in the Church and for being a Christian. I also heard that a Christian church in the area is not doing anything for Easter Sunday. It's just going to be a regular Sunday service. -- Isn't this the reason that we're Christian?!

I've learned so much this Lent about traditions and the story. Most of it I was taught growing up but apparently it never sank in until now - like that Jesus was betrayed with a kiss. Something so simple yet unknown to me until this year.

I'm also trying to find ways to start traditions in my own family (of course we'll have to wait til next year for us to be together). I want to do a Seder Meal on Holy Thursday, go to mass every day throughout the Triduum, and fast from Thursday night until Easter morning. (The last one I read in my Daily Roman Missal today.) I would also like to go to Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent. We tried to do that this year, but we only ended up going one time because of Robert's work hours.

I also read somewhere today that you should try to stay up all night tonight (Holy Thursday) to represent being with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. I'm going to do that tonight and also watch The Passion of the Christ. It will be very difficult for me (to watch the movie) but I think it's important.