Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Still Waiting
There is a saying in army life, "Hurry up and wait."
Ain't that the truth?
Today was to be the day we got our orders. TOMORROW is the day we were to notify housing of our move, so that we had the 30 days required notice.
Late this afternoon, Jeff got a phone call that they were trying to cut our orders, but there was a problem. They have him listed as going to a school, that he isn't supposed to go to until January. The school date is August. Until we can get ahold of all the appropriate people, and have that school taken off, we can't get the orders.
Commence melt down.
No, not really. There comes a point in my stress level, where I hit max capacity, and I simply have to do a "dump."
I shake my head at the "stupid army!" yet again, and adapt.
Even if by some miracle, we can get our orders tomorrow, we still have to go into transportation, get the "magic web code," then come home, and get online and go through the process of creating a moving inventory with tentative dates. Then go back to post and verify the transportation dates. Once we do that, then we can notify housing that for sure we are leaving by such and such date.
This would all be assuming that everyone actually answers their phones or e-mails in a timely manner. When does that ever happen in dealing with the army? Yeah, I know. But I can wish, right?
Right?
Hello?
Ummm.......
So now we are looking at not clearing before the end of July, which means the housing office will take our entire housing allowance for the month of August, and then pay us back when they process it in September. That is money that we really need for getting started up there in Alaska. The army gives you a "dislocation allowance" that is supposed to help you when you move, but it is a set amount, and is always the same no matter WHERE you move. You could move to somewhere in Alabama with a low cost of living, and you are going to get the same amount of money if you are stationed someplace like Hawaii or Alaska, with a much higher cost of living. It is up to you to come up with the difference.
So when you have a dislocation allowance that will probably only cover the first month's rent and a little left over, but you still have to pay the deposit (another month's rent) and utility deposits that you can't even budget for until you are there.....the housing office "reimbursing" you is almost like the army post's last laugh at you.
There is another well-known thing in the army. That the army is like molasses in winter when they owe you money, but if you owe them, they snatch it like lightning.
So I have reached that "dump" stress level. Max capacity.
How much longer until we retire?
Ain't that the truth?
Today was to be the day we got our orders. TOMORROW is the day we were to notify housing of our move, so that we had the 30 days required notice.
Late this afternoon, Jeff got a phone call that they were trying to cut our orders, but there was a problem. They have him listed as going to a school, that he isn't supposed to go to until January. The school date is August. Until we can get ahold of all the appropriate people, and have that school taken off, we can't get the orders.
Commence melt down.
No, not really. There comes a point in my stress level, where I hit max capacity, and I simply have to do a "dump."
I shake my head at the "stupid army!" yet again, and adapt.
Even if by some miracle, we can get our orders tomorrow, we still have to go into transportation, get the "magic web code," then come home, and get online and go through the process of creating a moving inventory with tentative dates. Then go back to post and verify the transportation dates. Once we do that, then we can notify housing that for sure we are leaving by such and such date.
This would all be assuming that everyone actually answers their phones or e-mails in a timely manner. When does that ever happen in dealing with the army? Yeah, I know. But I can wish, right?
Right?
Hello?
Ummm.......
So now we are looking at not clearing before the end of July, which means the housing office will take our entire housing allowance for the month of August, and then pay us back when they process it in September. That is money that we really need for getting started up there in Alaska. The army gives you a "dislocation allowance" that is supposed to help you when you move, but it is a set amount, and is always the same no matter WHERE you move. You could move to somewhere in Alabama with a low cost of living, and you are going to get the same amount of money if you are stationed someplace like Hawaii or Alaska, with a much higher cost of living. It is up to you to come up with the difference.
So when you have a dislocation allowance that will probably only cover the first month's rent and a little left over, but you still have to pay the deposit (another month's rent) and utility deposits that you can't even budget for until you are there.....the housing office "reimbursing" you is almost like the army post's last laugh at you.
There is another well-known thing in the army. That the army is like molasses in winter when they owe you money, but if you owe them, they snatch it like lightning.
So I have reached that "dump" stress level. Max capacity.
How much longer until we retire?
Orders
Well, today is THE day we are supposed to have orders in hand.
So I will be spending much of the day working on inventories, and transportation things. We will begin scheduling appointments for our household goods to be shipped, for our truck to be shipped, and lots more.
Now the real work begins.
So I will be spending much of the day working on inventories, and transportation things. We will begin scheduling appointments for our household goods to be shipped, for our truck to be shipped, and lots more.
Now the real work begins.
In the Garden
Yesterday, I got up and started working on my garden. I dug out potatoes, emptied bins, pulled out plants that were no longer producing well, and harvested tons of herbs.
This is a big bunch of Cinnamon Basil
So yesterday's haul, was cinnamon basil, purple basil, genovese basil, chamomile, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, some potatoes, banana peppers, cubanella peppers, another cucumber, and then some more tomatoes and the first radish...that weren't in the picture.
This is a big bunch of Cinnamon Basil
So yesterday's haul, was cinnamon basil, purple basil, genovese basil, chamomile, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, some potatoes, banana peppers, cubanella peppers, another cucumber, and then some more tomatoes and the first radish...that weren't in the picture.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Garden-Style Pasta Sauce
With the abundance of tomatoes coming from my garden, I thought I would take a bunch of these...
And turn them into pasta sauce.
First you need to de-skin and de-seed a bunch of tomatoes. I used about 14 medium-sized tomatoes. Use less if you have big ones. I didn't think to document the process, but it is very simple. You need a pot of boiling water, a large bowl of ice water, another bowl with a sieve (fine metal strainer), and a slotted spoon.
Drop the tomatoes into the rapidly-boiling water for 1 minute, and then remove with the slotted spoon, placing them directly into the ice water. Some of the tomatoes may have the skin split, that is good. Originally, I read to wait until that happens, but if your tomatoes have tough skins, you may cook your tomatoes to mush long before that happens.
When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, cut one in half, and slide the skin right off.
Then place the sieve over a bowl, and squeeze the tomato. The seeds will come right out. Use your finger to "scoop" if you need to. Put the tomato in another bowl. Repeat with all. Discard the skins & seeds.
When you are done, add the tomato juice from the bowl under the sieve, to the bowl of tomatoes. So now you will have a bowl of tomatoes and their juice, with no skins or seeds.
Now, your first step... chop up 1 onion, 2 carrots, 1 bell pepper, and finely mince 6 cloves of garlic.
In a dutch oven, or large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil.
You are also going to add 2 tablespoons of butter....and then the veggies.
This is me almost forgetting to add the butter.
Cook the veggies until the onions soften.
Meanwhile, take about 3/4 of the tomatoes, and give them a wizz in a blender.
Add them to the pot.
Add two stalks of celery, simply cut in half.
Coursely chop the remaining tomatoes, and add them to the sauce.
You are going to add about 2 Tb dry basil, or 1/4 c fresh. I have TONS of basil dried and still growing in my garden. After I dry the plants, I simply pull off all the leaves, and toss them in a jar. When I need the basil, I just grab some leaves, rub them between the palms of my hands, and instant "chopped" dry basil.
Add 1 tsp dry oregano leaves (or 1 Tb fresh)
1 Bay leaf.
2 Tb tomato paste.
And something else that I add, but with the red-on-red the picture just wouldn't turn out.....1/2 cup red wine (burgundy or cooking)
Then bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to VERY low, and put a lid on it. Simmer for 4 hours. Once in a while, give it a stir. Afterwards, discard the bay leaf and celery, and you are done.
Beautiful spaghetti sauce is what is left.
To finish, I simply stirred in some cooked ground beef, and served on cooked pasta.
(My menfolk are carnivores....Must. Have. Meat.)
Enjoy!
Printable Version: Garde-Style Pasta Sauce
And turn them into pasta sauce.
First you need to de-skin and de-seed a bunch of tomatoes. I used about 14 medium-sized tomatoes. Use less if you have big ones. I didn't think to document the process, but it is very simple. You need a pot of boiling water, a large bowl of ice water, another bowl with a sieve (fine metal strainer), and a slotted spoon.
Drop the tomatoes into the rapidly-boiling water for 1 minute, and then remove with the slotted spoon, placing them directly into the ice water. Some of the tomatoes may have the skin split, that is good. Originally, I read to wait until that happens, but if your tomatoes have tough skins, you may cook your tomatoes to mush long before that happens.
When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, cut one in half, and slide the skin right off.
Then place the sieve over a bowl, and squeeze the tomato. The seeds will come right out. Use your finger to "scoop" if you need to. Put the tomato in another bowl. Repeat with all. Discard the skins & seeds.
When you are done, add the tomato juice from the bowl under the sieve, to the bowl of tomatoes. So now you will have a bowl of tomatoes and their juice, with no skins or seeds.
Now, your first step... chop up 1 onion, 2 carrots, 1 bell pepper, and finely mince 6 cloves of garlic.
In a dutch oven, or large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil.
You are also going to add 2 tablespoons of butter....and then the veggies.
This is me almost forgetting to add the butter.
Cook the veggies until the onions soften.
Meanwhile, take about 3/4 of the tomatoes, and give them a wizz in a blender.
Add them to the pot.
Add two stalks of celery, simply cut in half.
Coursely chop the remaining tomatoes, and add them to the sauce.
You are going to add about 2 Tb dry basil, or 1/4 c fresh. I have TONS of basil dried and still growing in my garden. After I dry the plants, I simply pull off all the leaves, and toss them in a jar. When I need the basil, I just grab some leaves, rub them between the palms of my hands, and instant "chopped" dry basil.
Add 1 tsp dry oregano leaves (or 1 Tb fresh)
1 Bay leaf.
2 Tb tomato paste.
And something else that I add, but with the red-on-red the picture just wouldn't turn out.....1/2 cup red wine (burgundy or cooking)
Then bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to VERY low, and put a lid on it. Simmer for 4 hours. Once in a while, give it a stir. Afterwards, discard the bay leaf and celery, and you are done.
Beautiful spaghetti sauce is what is left.
To finish, I simply stirred in some cooked ground beef, and served on cooked pasta.
(My menfolk are carnivores....Must. Have. Meat.)
Enjoy!
Printable Version: Garde-Style Pasta Sauce
Friday, June 25, 2010
PCS Update & a Roadtrip Tool
Well, yesterday Jeff called up the Wainwright to touch base with the lady up there again. GOOD NEWS! The paperwork had already cleared all of the places it needed to clear, and all that was left, was for her to do the memorandum to send back here. She had many to do, so she said she would get it done either yesterday or today. So with the time difference, that means the office here at Bragg would have it either today or Monday.
I can breathe again! We know that the orders are getting closer to being in our hands.
On another note, I found something really neat!
You know how all over the country, there are funny things to see and quirky museums? Did you know that Austin, Minnesota has a SPAM museum???? Seriously!
Ever wonder how you would be able to find them and incorporate them into a roadtrip?
Well I found a great website, RoadsideAmerica.com You can bring up lists by state, or even look at maps, and click on the icons to find interesting things to see along the way. Then there is even a tool to save all the stops you want to see, using the "My Sights" feature. Then it creates a printable list with addresses and directions to each place.
I can't wait to get started on this trip!
I can breathe again! We know that the orders are getting closer to being in our hands.
On another note, I found something really neat!
You know how all over the country, there are funny things to see and quirky museums? Did you know that Austin, Minnesota has a SPAM museum???? Seriously!
Ever wonder how you would be able to find them and incorporate them into a roadtrip?
Well I found a great website, RoadsideAmerica.com You can bring up lists by state, or even look at maps, and click on the icons to find interesting things to see along the way. Then there is even a tool to save all the stops you want to see, using the "My Sights" feature. Then it creates a printable list with addresses and directions to each place.
I can't wait to get started on this trip!
Mowing the Lawn
Yep, that's me.
An old neighbor once teased me that they actually make these new-fangled grass-cutter things with motors. Wow!
An old neighbor once teased me that they actually make these new-fangled grass-cutter things with motors. Wow!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Re-Usable Shopping Bags
The other day one of my children had a dentist appointment. I also needed to get gas, and make my weekly Harris Teeter run. (Harris Teeter is a local grocery store chain that has a very good selction of organics...things I can't get at the commissary. Like organic tomato sauce, refried beans, etc.)
So I went over and asked my neighbor if she needed anything from the store, then we headed out for our appointment. Afterwards we hit Panera Bread Co. and then Harris Teeter, and finally the gas station on the way home. (We love Panera Bread Co. but they don't have one nearby. So we only treat ourselves when we are already going to be in the area to begin with.)
Any time I go to the store, the first thing I do, is reach in the back of my van and grab one of the re-usable grocery bags that I store in there. I have several that I bought from the commissary (a couple insulated ones for the cold things) but my favorites are these. I have had them for about 4 years now. I ordered them online from Lehmans.com and have used them and used them and used them. I love that they clip right on your cart and stay open. They are also very strong and hold a lot. Then they fold up neatly and velcro shut for storage. Nearly every time I go to the store, someone asks me where I got them.
On the way out with my goodies. The milk and ricotta cheese are in the insulated bags, and everything else in the blue one.
When we got home, I put away the groceries, folded up the bags, and put them bag in the van for the next time I need them.
Disclaimer....Lehman's doesn't know me. But I always say I should get paid for all the advertising I do for them. I am constantly writing "Lehmans.com" on store receipts, the backs of business cards, or gum wrappers because someone in the store stops me to ask, "Where did you get those bags!?"
So I went over and asked my neighbor if she needed anything from the store, then we headed out for our appointment. Afterwards we hit Panera Bread Co. and then Harris Teeter, and finally the gas station on the way home. (We love Panera Bread Co. but they don't have one nearby. So we only treat ourselves when we are already going to be in the area to begin with.)
Any time I go to the store, the first thing I do, is reach in the back of my van and grab one of the re-usable grocery bags that I store in there. I have several that I bought from the commissary (a couple insulated ones for the cold things) but my favorites are these. I have had them for about 4 years now. I ordered them online from Lehmans.com and have used them and used them and used them. I love that they clip right on your cart and stay open. They are also very strong and hold a lot. Then they fold up neatly and velcro shut for storage. Nearly every time I go to the store, someone asks me where I got them.
On the way out with my goodies. The milk and ricotta cheese are in the insulated bags, and everything else in the blue one.
When we got home, I put away the groceries, folded up the bags, and put them bag in the van for the next time I need them.
Disclaimer....Lehman's doesn't know me. But I always say I should get paid for all the advertising I do for them. I am constantly writing "Lehmans.com" on store receipts, the backs of business cards, or gum wrappers because someone in the store stops me to ask, "Where did you get those bags!?"
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
In the Garden
On Friday, we went in the back yard and picked a few more tomatoes.
Aren't they lovely?
The next morning, we hit the mother-load.
Joshua & Jeff checking out the garden. Look how tall the sunflowers are!
They are called "Skyscraper" sunflowers.
The banana peppers are going crazy.
More Cubanellas.
And Jalapenos.
How about this Purple Tiger?
And talk about going crazy. This is the motherload I was talking about.
And the pick of the day.
Tomorrow I am going to make some homemade tomato sauce.
Aren't they lovely?
The next morning, we hit the mother-load.
Joshua & Jeff checking out the garden. Look how tall the sunflowers are!
They are called "Skyscraper" sunflowers.
The banana peppers are going crazy.
More Cubanellas.
And Jalapenos.
How about this Purple Tiger?
And talk about going crazy. This is the motherload I was talking about.
And the pick of the day.
Tomorrow I am going to make some homemade tomato sauce.
The Saga Continues
Well, the short version of the story, is that when my hubby called up to Ft. Wainwright, the first lady he spoke to had no record of any of our information ever even being up there. The process that was begun a MONTH ago, hadn't even been started. A little while later, he spoke to another lady who said that yes, she had received it.....Monday. That is a suspicious coincidence in my book. The day we start bushwacking the status of our orders, the information suddenly appears in the inbox of the lady who should have had it May 20th.
So we now have the possibility of "hearing something" on Friday. Tomorrow, Jeff will call back up there to touch base with the lady to see where we stand. It has to go through EFMP, Housing and Transportation, then back to her so she can send it back to Bragg.
In dealing with PCSes, there are two things you never want to happen. The first is having your orders rejected, the second is having your paperwork going MIA.
Today is done for, so now we have 5 business days left to notify the housing office here of our move.
"I love army life. I love army life. I love army life. I love...."
So we now have the possibility of "hearing something" on Friday. Tomorrow, Jeff will call back up there to touch base with the lady to see where we stand. It has to go through EFMP, Housing and Transportation, then back to her so she can send it back to Bragg.
In dealing with PCSes, there are two things you never want to happen. The first is having your orders rejected, the second is having your paperwork going MIA.
Today is done for, so now we have 5 business days left to notify the housing office here of our move.
"I love army life. I love army life. I love army life. I love...."
Monday, June 21, 2010
The word of the day: B U R E A U C R A C Y
So, my stress level just shot up about 275%. My husband came home from the LEVY office, and the first thing out of his mouth was, "Don't shoot the messenger."
Oh no.
A month ago we had our EFMP appointment --- they go through your medical records, make sure everything is current, and if you have a family member with special needs, they make sure that your next duty station will have what you need. Now my daughter is newly enrolled in EFMP, something we didn't even know we had to do, until we went in for her last physical. She has scoliosis, spent several years dealing with TSLO brace and all that fun stuff. However, she requires no further care, other than her normal physicals like every other kid. She has no special needs. The army doesn't care, she had to be enrolled.
(Insert major eye-rolling here.)
"Honey, this is how we spell B U R E A U C R A C Y"
So last week hubby went into the office to see about our orders, and we were told that all was good, just waiting on the travel information. We should have the orders by Friday or Monday at the latest.
He goes in this morning, only to find out that the EFMP office at Ft. Wainwright still hasn't even approved us to come!!!!!!!! WHAT!?!?! It has been a month. We were told all was good to go. Only now we aren't. We are still sitting in a holding pattern.
We have 8 days left before we MUST notify housing that we are moving, and then get to scheduling all of our transportation appointments.
EIGHT DAYS.
And NO orders yet.
It is 12:15pm here, and with the time difference, the offices up there at Wainwright still aren't even open. I can't even call and say, "HELP ME!"
So I prayed, and then I decided to post.
This is army life. Doesn't it sound like FUN?
Oh no.
A month ago we had our EFMP appointment --- they go through your medical records, make sure everything is current, and if you have a family member with special needs, they make sure that your next duty station will have what you need. Now my daughter is newly enrolled in EFMP, something we didn't even know we had to do, until we went in for her last physical. She has scoliosis, spent several years dealing with TSLO brace and all that fun stuff. However, she requires no further care, other than her normal physicals like every other kid. She has no special needs. The army doesn't care, she had to be enrolled.
(Insert major eye-rolling here.)
"Honey, this is how we spell B U R E A U C R A C Y"
So last week hubby went into the office to see about our orders, and we were told that all was good, just waiting on the travel information. We should have the orders by Friday or Monday at the latest.
He goes in this morning, only to find out that the EFMP office at Ft. Wainwright still hasn't even approved us to come!!!!!!!! WHAT!?!?! It has been a month. We were told all was good to go. Only now we aren't. We are still sitting in a holding pattern.
We have 8 days left before we MUST notify housing that we are moving, and then get to scheduling all of our transportation appointments.
EIGHT DAYS.
And NO orders yet.
It is 12:15pm here, and with the time difference, the offices up there at Wainwright still aren't even open. I can't even call and say, "HELP ME!"
So I prayed, and then I decided to post.
This is army life. Doesn't it sound like FUN?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
PCS Progress (Permanent Change of Station)
Well, we have been getting some progress done on our move preparations. I've been continuing to go through our belongings, wittling down items that we don't need or just can't take.
You may remember the table that I re-finished last summer....for the second time. Well, seeing that the houses tend to be smaller in Alaska, we really didn't think we would have room for two tables. So we made the hard decision, and the newly re-finished table needed to go. It was large, and very heavy....and yet again, "Weight restrictions, weight restrictions."
So a couple days ago, I sold it to another homeschool family for $200. I think they will really enjoy it.
Another thing I have been doing is going around and documenting the condition of every belonging we have.
I take pictures of each side, close ups of detail, if there are any pre-existing marks or damage, I document that as well. Movers are famous for marking brand-new furniture as "scratched, stained, torn, etc" - so if they damage it themselves, they don't have to pay for it. And if you don't catch it on the inventory, you can't do anything about it. So years ago I started photographing EVERYTHING prior to a move. This proved to be very beneficial when we moved to Germany, and my 5 month old sofa was marked "scratched, stained, torn" - and when it arrived, it was damaged. A hole in the side, the arm knocked loose, and a board broken in the back. When I went to the claims office, and showed them the pictures, they knew that the movers were "full of it."
A couple months ago, I went through all of our books, sorted out the ones to sell or donate, and then created an inventory list of every book we have. Just in case. If a box goes missing, I want to be able to state exactly which books are missing. My database has the title, author, even the ISBN numbers.
Then yesterday I said goodbye to my lovely green kitchen.
In military housing here, we are allowed to paint the walls, but they have to be primered or re-painted before we leave. The painters will put on one coat of paint after we clear. If it takes 2 coats, you are charged a painting fee. So I went to the paint store with my neighbor Mrs. Q, and we split a 5 gallon bucket of paint...the only size this housing paint comes in. So rather than primering it, I am painting it back to the original color. No one will even know this kitchen was ever green. Now it is back to the boring beige.
And finally, yesterday my hubby made a run to post on his last day of leave, to get some things taken care of.
First on the list, was heading to finance, because the army is still paying us the combat pay from when he was in Afghanistan. The military is famous for messing up your pay....and REAL quick about taking it back. So we have been putting all the money into savings, because generally they will take it back all at once, and you might not get a paycheck that payday. It has happened to us in the past.
So he fixed that, then did his leave form for our move. All approved!
August 1st - September 10th!
Then he went to the LEVY office to see where our orders were. They did an inquiry, and we were told that we should hear something by Friday, but if not, Monday at the latest. If for some reason we don't have them by Monday, then he will go back in, and will not leave until they are in hand.
Then the real fun will begin.....all of the scheduling, transportation, truck shipments, etc., etc.
You may remember the table that I re-finished last summer....for the second time. Well, seeing that the houses tend to be smaller in Alaska, we really didn't think we would have room for two tables. So we made the hard decision, and the newly re-finished table needed to go. It was large, and very heavy....and yet again, "Weight restrictions, weight restrictions."
So a couple days ago, I sold it to another homeschool family for $200. I think they will really enjoy it.
Another thing I have been doing is going around and documenting the condition of every belonging we have.
I take pictures of each side, close ups of detail, if there are any pre-existing marks or damage, I document that as well. Movers are famous for marking brand-new furniture as "scratched, stained, torn, etc" - so if they damage it themselves, they don't have to pay for it. And if you don't catch it on the inventory, you can't do anything about it. So years ago I started photographing EVERYTHING prior to a move. This proved to be very beneficial when we moved to Germany, and my 5 month old sofa was marked "scratched, stained, torn" - and when it arrived, it was damaged. A hole in the side, the arm knocked loose, and a board broken in the back. When I went to the claims office, and showed them the pictures, they knew that the movers were "full of it."
A couple months ago, I went through all of our books, sorted out the ones to sell or donate, and then created an inventory list of every book we have. Just in case. If a box goes missing, I want to be able to state exactly which books are missing. My database has the title, author, even the ISBN numbers.
Then yesterday I said goodbye to my lovely green kitchen.
In military housing here, we are allowed to paint the walls, but they have to be primered or re-painted before we leave. The painters will put on one coat of paint after we clear. If it takes 2 coats, you are charged a painting fee. So I went to the paint store with my neighbor Mrs. Q, and we split a 5 gallon bucket of paint...the only size this housing paint comes in. So rather than primering it, I am painting it back to the original color. No one will even know this kitchen was ever green. Now it is back to the boring beige.
And finally, yesterday my hubby made a run to post on his last day of leave, to get some things taken care of.
First on the list, was heading to finance, because the army is still paying us the combat pay from when he was in Afghanistan. The military is famous for messing up your pay....and REAL quick about taking it back. So we have been putting all the money into savings, because generally they will take it back all at once, and you might not get a paycheck that payday. It has happened to us in the past.
So he fixed that, then did his leave form for our move. All approved!
August 1st - September 10th!
Then he went to the LEVY office to see where our orders were. They did an inquiry, and we were told that we should hear something by Friday, but if not, Monday at the latest. If for some reason we don't have them by Monday, then he will go back in, and will not leave until they are in hand.
Then the real fun will begin.....all of the scheduling, transportation, truck shipments, etc., etc.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Blackberry Cobbler
This is a staple around our house as far as desserts go. It is VERY simple, and uses very few ingredients.
I have to apologize for the quality of these photos....I had a setting off in my camera, so they were not very clear, but I didn't know it until I looked at the pictures on the computer.
First, butter a small baking dish, about 9x9 or similar. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Now, in a bowl, place about 2 1/2 cup blackberries. These can be fresh or frozen. Mine were some wild blackberries I picked and froze.
Sprinkle about 1/2 cup sugar all over them, and let them sit.
In another bowl, put 1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder...and stir it together.
Now pour in 1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
And 1 cup milk.
Stir it together with a fork until well-mixed. Batter will still be a little lumpy.
Spread it into the baking pan.
Now sprinkle the sugar-coated blackberries all over the top.
And bake it for 45-55 minutes, or until the cake part is golden brown, and done in the center.
Serve with ice cream.
Enjoy!
PRINTABLE VERSION: Blackberry Cobbler
I have to apologize for the quality of these photos....I had a setting off in my camera, so they were not very clear, but I didn't know it until I looked at the pictures on the computer.
First, butter a small baking dish, about 9x9 or similar. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Now, in a bowl, place about 2 1/2 cup blackberries. These can be fresh or frozen. Mine were some wild blackberries I picked and froze.
Sprinkle about 1/2 cup sugar all over them, and let them sit.
In another bowl, put 1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder...and stir it together.
Now pour in 1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
And 1 cup milk.
Stir it together with a fork until well-mixed. Batter will still be a little lumpy.
Spread it into the baking pan.
Now sprinkle the sugar-coated blackberries all over the top.
And bake it for 45-55 minutes, or until the cake part is golden brown, and done in the center.
Serve with ice cream.
Enjoy!
PRINTABLE VERSION: Blackberry Cobbler
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The Camper
So I thought I would go ahead and post a couple pics of our camper that we will be call "home" for a month or so when we move to Alaska.
We headed up to Tennessee last week, to visit Jeff's parents for a while, and to pick up our camper from the family there in Bristol. (The family was very nice by the way!)
Here's the picture I took that evening with my phone:
Yesterday, we pulled it out of the garage, and opened it up. I took the measuring tape and measured all of the storage & open areas so I could figure out EXACTLY how much space we have for our camping equipment, sleeping bags, etc....for planning the trip.
The sink, stove & cabinets.
One side.... double bed, and the table which converts into another bed. The boys will be on the end, and Jen on the table-bed.
There are privacy curtains everywhere, that look like they have never even been opened.
And of course the bed on the other end, which is where Jeff and I will sleep.
Doesn't it look cozy???
Imagine, 5 people, 2 dogs and a cat. For a MONTH.
I can't wait!!!
And before I go....I had to share this funny with you.
Remember when I was posting about the PCS plans, and that we had decided to buy a camper? Well, I had simply gone online and pulled up a random picture of a pop-up camper off the internet. Here's the picture:
(internet photo)
Here's our camper:
How wild is that? They are almost the same thing...only the random pic one is a touch bigger. Our camper even has the awning, and that little table that hooks to the outside, just not an additional portable stove....of course we are actually thinking of getting one before we go, so we can cook outside, and not heat up the inside of the camper.
We headed up to Tennessee last week, to visit Jeff's parents for a while, and to pick up our camper from the family there in Bristol. (The family was very nice by the way!)
Here's the picture I took that evening with my phone:
Yesterday, we pulled it out of the garage, and opened it up. I took the measuring tape and measured all of the storage & open areas so I could figure out EXACTLY how much space we have for our camping equipment, sleeping bags, etc....for planning the trip.
The sink, stove & cabinets.
One side.... double bed, and the table which converts into another bed. The boys will be on the end, and Jen on the table-bed.
There are privacy curtains everywhere, that look like they have never even been opened.
And of course the bed on the other end, which is where Jeff and I will sleep.
Doesn't it look cozy???
Imagine, 5 people, 2 dogs and a cat. For a MONTH.
I can't wait!!!
And before I go....I had to share this funny with you.
Remember when I was posting about the PCS plans, and that we had decided to buy a camper? Well, I had simply gone online and pulled up a random picture of a pop-up camper off the internet. Here's the picture:
(internet photo)
Here's our camper:
How wild is that? They are almost the same thing...only the random pic one is a touch bigger. Our camper even has the awning, and that little table that hooks to the outside, just not an additional portable stove....of course we are actually thinking of getting one before we go, so we can cook outside, and not heat up the inside of the camper.
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