Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Jiffy-Pop Pie!
It has been a busy week here. Brian's Mom is visiting for the week and I have had my hands full! Brianne came over Monday to visit with her while I went to some of my appointments and then we did some baking. I have a recipe for Applescotch Pie that we were making and it didn't turn out quite the way it should have. We used some Macintosh apples with the Granny smith and they got a bit too mushy. Add to that the fact we had more apple than we needed. So when the pie was filled it was a bit fuller than usual. We cut out a cute turkey on the top pie shell then baked it in the oven.
As it baked, the pie got bigger and bigger, kind of like the old Jiffy-Pop popcorn you could cook on the stove and the foil would puff up as it cooked. The poor turkey was stretched beyond it's limits and then it happened.. the pie cracked open in 3 places and oozed pie filling all over the place. Thank goodness we put a cookie sheet underneath it! What was left was good with vanilla ice cream and we made sure the second pie wasn't as full.
Bri also made some Orange Blossom mini cakes that were really yummy looking. I am looking forward to trying it when she makes it for Turkey Day. It was great to have time with her even if it was a bit hectic, and we will always remember the Jiffy-Pop Pie!
As it baked, the pie got bigger and bigger, kind of like the old Jiffy-Pop popcorn you could cook on the stove and the foil would puff up as it cooked. The poor turkey was stretched beyond it's limits and then it happened.. the pie cracked open in 3 places and oozed pie filling all over the place. Thank goodness we put a cookie sheet underneath it! What was left was good with vanilla ice cream and we made sure the second pie wasn't as full.
Bri also made some Orange Blossom mini cakes that were really yummy looking. I am looking forward to trying it when she makes it for Turkey Day. It was great to have time with her even if it was a bit hectic, and we will always remember the Jiffy-Pop Pie!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
764
That is what number this post is! Cricket texted me yesterday that she knew this was a hard time for me, but after going back and reading the first page of my blog, she could see how far I've come. So I have been going back and reading my blog from the beginning. Some of the blogs are hard to read, they still make me cry, but many make me smile & laugh too. It is good to see how far we have all come, how much we have grown. I had lost track of how many posts I have done. It suprised me when I looked it up. Thanks for sticking with me and reading so many!
Turkey Trivia
I have been cooking stuffing for a meal exchange group I am in and am about to make some apple pies, applescotch pies to be exact. So with the pre-turkey day mood I am posting a Turkey Trivia test that was sent to me.. have some fun and see how you do! Being from Plymouth, Massachusetts I should have done better than I did, but there is always room to learn! Love Ya'll
http://home.aristotle.net/Thanksgiving/trivia.asp
http://home.aristotle.net/Thanksgiving/trivia.asp
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Blank Check
"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it."
That statement was at the end of an email story I received. I felt compelled to share it. Chad leaves for basic training January 6th for basic training with the Army. He will be there 9-10 weeks then go to Arizona for a year for Tech school. It is strange to have him going away. It is time I know, I just never thought of him as the military type. He continues to suprise me! In researching info for Chad, Brian came accross some info about age reduction for years served, so he has been looking into info for the Air Force Reserve or Gaurd, I am not sure how I feel about that. I have always, and will support him in whatever he decides, but I am not sure I am willing to make the sacrifices as easily as he is. It is alot to think about and this is already an emotional time for us. We will see what happens in the days & weeks to come. I am not sure I can handle my son & my husband writing that blank check!
That statement was at the end of an email story I received. I felt compelled to share it. Chad leaves for basic training January 6th for basic training with the Army. He will be there 9-10 weeks then go to Arizona for a year for Tech school. It is strange to have him going away. It is time I know, I just never thought of him as the military type. He continues to suprise me! In researching info for Chad, Brian came accross some info about age reduction for years served, so he has been looking into info for the Air Force Reserve or Gaurd, I am not sure how I feel about that. I have always, and will support him in whatever he decides, but I am not sure I am willing to make the sacrifices as easily as he is. It is alot to think about and this is already an emotional time for us. We will see what happens in the days & weeks to come. I am not sure I can handle my son & my husband writing that blank check!
Send just one more card..
Update.. Walter Reed may not accept cards that are not screened and have no system set up to do that, so here is better info on how to get your cards out to the soildiers..
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
You can also:
Download and print a free card.
Card Guidelines
Please follow these guidelines when mailing a card to ensure that your card will quickly reach service members, veterans and their families. Every card received will first be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working in one of 16 sorting stations around the country.
*All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.
*Please ensure that all cards are signed.
*Please use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
*Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.
*Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
*Please do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
*Participants are encouraged to limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a larger quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope.
*All cards received may be used in program publicity efforts, including appearing in broadcast, print or online mediums.
Where to Send Phone Cards, Gift Cards and Care Packages:
Phone cards or gift cards will not be accepted with the holiday cards. Those wishing to send calling cards or gift cards/certificates should go to www.aafes.com, scroll down to "AAFES Community Connection" and click on "Help Our Troops Call Home" or "Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops" in order to send such items.
No 'Care Packages' will be accepted at this address. Those wishing to send care packages should go to www.AmericaSupportsYou.com and click under "Homefront Groups" to find out how to send care packages.
When mailing your Christmas cards this year,take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful, special people who have sacrificed so much would get! When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
* A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001 *
I got this in an email from my sister-in-law, Leslie. What a great idea! How simple and how thoughtful. I hope you take the chance to do this and not only help someone in need, but get to feel the true meaning of giving for yourself! I am sending out several Thanksgiving cards to them today as well! MJ
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
You can also:
Download and print a free card.
Card Guidelines
Please follow these guidelines when mailing a card to ensure that your card will quickly reach service members, veterans and their families. Every card received will first be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working in one of 16 sorting stations around the country.
*All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.
*Please ensure that all cards are signed.
*Please use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
*Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.
*Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
*Please do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
*Participants are encouraged to limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a larger quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope.
*All cards received may be used in program publicity efforts, including appearing in broadcast, print or online mediums.
Where to Send Phone Cards, Gift Cards and Care Packages:
Phone cards or gift cards will not be accepted with the holiday cards. Those wishing to send calling cards or gift cards/certificates should go to www.aafes.com, scroll down to "AAFES Community Connection" and click on "Help Our Troops Call Home" or "Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops" in order to send such items.
No 'Care Packages' will be accepted at this address. Those wishing to send care packages should go to www.AmericaSupportsYou.com and click under "Homefront Groups" to find out how to send care packages.
When mailing your Christmas cards this year,take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful, special people who have sacrificed so much would get! When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
* A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001 *
I got this in an email from my sister-in-law, Leslie. What a great idea! How simple and how thoughtful. I hope you take the chance to do this and not only help someone in need, but get to feel the true meaning of giving for yourself! I am sending out several Thanksgiving cards to them today as well! MJ
Moments & Memories
Sorry I went incommunicato for a few days.. thanks for all your support and understanding. I can't explain in words how uncontrollable my emotions can be. Even after 3 years it can hit me like it is that moment again. The pain is just as sharp, the loss just as gut wrenching as it was when she was taken from us. The idea that time makes it easier hasn't happened for me yet. I don't think it does get easier, we just learn to cope with it better. I did do better than last year, but I think I also have gotten better at blocking it out when I need to. I still get really angry and I still feel so devestated at times. It is what it is. We move forward regardless and time still goes by. I think of all the good times and try to replace the image of her death with the images of her laughing and living her life to the fullest. That is the best I can do.
We received a video in the mail from the mother of an old boyfriend of hers. It was of her and him in the slingshot ride at Oldetown in Orlando. She loved it and I couldn't help but laugh as I cried watching her beautiful young face on the screen before me, so alive. So we will cherish those moments, those memories, and keep going. That is what we do everyday. Thank you for your love, support and understanding. We couldn't get through it all without you!
We received a video in the mail from the mother of an old boyfriend of hers. It was of her and him in the slingshot ride at Oldetown in Orlando. She loved it and I couldn't help but laugh as I cried watching her beautiful young face on the screen before me, so alive. So we will cherish those moments, those memories, and keep going. That is what we do everyday. Thank you for your love, support and understanding. We couldn't get through it all without you!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
I miss my laptop!
Okay.. I know this is highly unusual, but I have gone out of town .. and forgot my laptop! Bri & I have gone up to the horse ranch in GA for a couple days with friends and I was so busy getting things organized for everyone else before I left that my laptop is MIA. I am on a hotel computer where we stayed last night. There is a computer at the ranch where we will be the next couple days, but it is very slow and if they are busy it is usually already taken! I will be on when I can or I will be back on Tues. night.. Take care & stay warm.. it is cold here!!
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