Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Queen Mother Visits Our Home

I met with three lovely young mothers this a.m. They always bless me; I hope I bless them.  I think we have another five times to meet together.  I'll never be able to see a bag of M&Ms again without thinking of them and our times together this year. ::grin::

We were graced with the presence of the Queen Mother Joy for lunch and the afternoon.

If there is one regret I have about the past year, it is not spending enough time with Rachel and family. I knew the schedule would get busy when the PWOC year began...I didn't realize how crazy the rest of life would get at the same time.

We enjoyed an afternoon of reconnecting and I know the kids enjoyed playing.

So happy we're going to be here when Eliana is born....I didn't take a lot of photos but I couldn't resist this get up. She told us she was an old queen.



Every queen needs some minions


Monday, June 01, 2015

Lightening up

We are doing some school - finishing up some lose ends.

My big project for the day involved paperwork.....I threw away two bags of paper.....

I pulled receipts together to close out the final PWOC purchase requests....

I printed out things I thought would be helpful for next year's PWOC president and program chairs...

I assembled continuity notebooks.....

My desk is much clearer.....

I feel free - er.

It's a good day.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Volunter Appreciation "Banquet"

Once a year the chapel has a Parish Appreciation "banquet."  It was suggested something more "personal" be done this year and it ended up being a BBQ at our home.  It is always fun to open your home to friends. Today was no exception. I was far too busy to take photos but here are a few that were captured.
Ron is a jewel!


 
Margaret is asking for us to settle in the area when we retire.
 
Too sweet!
Desiree and Quentin

Landon and Stefan


When all the food was put away, the dishes cleaned, the last counter wiped....I looked at Cynthia and she looked at me.....and we KNEW it was our turn to bounce....Ashely was sucked right into the excitement.

Best Deployment Coping Device EVER

Found the safe spot.




 
This was a totally fun way to end a great day! 

Vanilla Ice Cream - Vegan (Chocolate Covered Katie)

INGREDIENTS: makes 3 - 4 servings
2 C milk of choice (see note)
1/8 heaping tsp of stevia or 1/3 C sweetener of choice
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the ingredients.  Choose one of the options below (we chose ice cream maker):

Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

Vitamix method - freeze in ice cube trays until solid. Pop frozen cubes into Vitamix. Bled using the tamper until completely smooth with a soft-serve texture. Serve immediately as soft serve, or transfer to a covered container and freeze up to an hour for firmer texture.

Food Processor method: freeze in ice cube trays until solid. Pop cubes into food processor. Allow to thaw just long enough for your processor to be able to handle the ice cubes without overheating. Process on high, stopping to scrape down the sides. Scoop into individual bowls. Serve immediately, or freeze each bowl up to an hour for a thicker consistency and texture.  A food processor will yield more of a soft-serve consistency than the other methods.

Ice Cream Maker Method: Pour the mixture into a large container. Freeze for 30 min or refrigerate for at least 4 hours (this was our option). Pour chilled mixture into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Once a smooth texture has been reached, scoop into bowls - serve immediately or freeze each bowl up to an hour for thicker consistency and texture.

Notes: For the best ice cream - like taste and texture use either Cashew Cream or full fat canned coconut milk as your milk of choice. It will be fine with others but the texture will be less creamy. We used two cans of coconut milk and one can of coconut cream and were happy.

We froze what we didn't eat and just let it thaw a bit before eating. Arielle and I like this. I do find it rich and don't eat much at a time.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

WhatEVER

I noticed cobwebs up  high... since Michael had all the kids asking me what I needed done.... I mentioned it to the boys. I did NOT expect to find this! Personally, I'm not sure a guy with arthritis should be at the top of this thing.

After Arielle and I kept yammering about "safety first.....

Cleaning Windows - they really didn't want Mike
on the ladder or she never would have been up there
 
Everyone seemed to like setting up the backyard for tomorrow's BBQ better. LOL
 
Then there was THIS.  I believe I'll go talk with doctor at the next appointment and see if ladders are really a great idea! ::snort::
 


Friday, May 29, 2015

Hugs of All Kinds

This has been a fantastically busy week. It's a week of endings - and we are just back from a 2 week road trip.   It's a week of new stress and continued stress, dentists, high emotion and well....today IS Friday!

Thank God.

A good friend is one who knows you can't talk and simply comes over and sits on the porch and rocks with you for an hour while discussing distracting topics and then tours your trailer and listens to the improvements you hope to make. That's a good friend. Cynthia, what a blessing you were today. Thanks for the gift of presence...without any pressure to talk.  You were a heavenly hug - a God sighting even.

We got quite a few earthly hugs today from the Campbell crew too!
Nolan & Elise
 
Arielle & Stacia

Clara

Even Yuuki needed a drink

Cole
AND....Stephanie brought a big, pink box of sugary hugs with the kids. ::snort:: It's been a good day. This may be our last all day with the kids. Steph and the kids are flying home to be with her parents while Brenner finishes his special duty overseas.  They'll get back right before retirement.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Sweet Closure

God surrounded me with such a sweet group of women here at Beale AFB. Many of them belong to the PWOC (women's ministry at Chapel) and last night the leadership team (minus Mindee and Desiree who were missed) went to Roseville. They selected a vegan restaurant - is that cool or what? We all enjoyed our new taste sensations. ::wink::

The laughter was best of all - but the gift card to Kobe Japanese restaurant and the sweet card is wonderful as well.
This was the best photo - and I guess I just keep my mouth open a lt. LOL
Now that I know exactly where Bagan's is I can stop and get a vegan sandwich before the rest stop at Chick Fil A.

The evening was a wonderful closure to the year we've spent together.

Today also included a dental appointment for Nolan - not such sweet closure. ::snort::