>>>>> About the Blog
How long have you been blogging?
I initially started a "home page" back around 1998 or 1999. I would share stories and recipes on "pages" of it, and update it periodically. Back when a page had to be written in HTML. I was first introduced to the concept of blogging by a wonderful lady who had one on xanga. That is where I then started my first real blog in 2006. A few years ago I moved it to blogger, and created the MrsMamaHen domain.
Why "MrsMamaHen"?
Well, several years ago, we lived in a beautiful farm house in rural North Carolina. We also had our first bunch of laying hens. I let the hens run around the property loose. Over time, I developed a little "call" that I would call the girls with when I had treats for them, and they would come running. After a while, they started to learn that all the "goodies" came from me. So...whenever they would see me outside, they would follow me around. The kids joked that it was like I was their "mama hen" - and the name stuck.
Also - a side note about give-aways. Any give away posted here on MMH will be clearly marked as to who the sponsor is. When the winner is announced, the prize must be claimed within 7 days, or the prize will be offered to another person.
>>>>> Questions About Cooking
What kind of mixer do you have?
I actually have two mixers. I have a Bosch Universal mixer, as well as a Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer. I love them both for different reasons. The Bosch is my work horse for tough jobs, like kneading multiple loaves of bread dough. The Kitchen-Aid is my all-purpose mixer for everything else. See my blog post "A Tale of Two Mixers."
What kind of sugar do you use? It isn't white.
I use organic sugar. Because it is unbleached, it is an off-white color. I promise it just regular sugar though!
Why are there specs in your salt?
I use Redmond Real Salt. It is a natural sea salt, that still contains many trace minerals. But you can use any salt in the recipes, unless I specify a particular salt.
Where do you get your wheat?
The wheat I have right now, I shipped with me from North Carolina. It was purchased through one of two local co-ops: Wheat Montana or Bread Beckers.
Is that really your kitchen?
I promise it is. The scenery may change from time to time, because we are military and we are prone to moving - but it is always "my" kitchen.
What kind of cooking oil do you use?
I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil for everything. Honestly. The only exception to that, is if I am deep-frying something, which I rarely do. In that case I will use canola or regular vegetable oil, because you are basically wasting a whole bottle at a time. But I use EVOO for all of my baking and normal cooking needs.
In regards to cooking with Wine and other alcoholic items.
I occasionally receive questions or comments about cooking with wine or other alcoholic ingredients. First, yes I am a Christian, but I am not a teetotaler. I do not believe that alcohol is sinful. I believe that excess and drunkenness is sinful. However, you should of course, do things according to your own beliefs and convictions. Here are a couple resources for making substitutions. Gourmet Sleuth and at About.com
>>>>> Questions About Military Life
How many times has your husband deployed?
That is a slightly complicated question. If you are only asking about Iraq and Afghanistan, he has thankfully been deployed only 6 times. But he was also deployed to Bosnia pre-9/11. And though not a "deployment," he did do a "hardship tour" of a year in Korea.
Will he have to deploy again?"
Whether he goes again will be determined by the needs of the country, or by whether or not he decides to "drop" retirement papers.How many places have you been stationed?"
We have been stationed in Virginia, Texas, Korea (I stayed in TN), Texas again, Germany, North Carolina and now Alaska....not including training.
>>>>> Questions About Alaska
Is it really 6 months of day, and 6 months of darkness?
No. Like living in the lower 48, the days gradually get shorter in the fall, until the shortest day in December. And in the Spring, it gradually gets lighter and lighter until the longest day in June. The only difference is that it gets MUCH longer and MUCH shorter. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st, sunrise is at 11 am, and sunset is around 2:45 PM. The longest day has sunrise at 2:58am, and set at 12:48am...then next day.
Have you seen moose?
Yes. We have seen many moose so far. Even in our back yard!How big is Alaska?
See this post for a good idea...."Land Mass"
>>>>> Questions About Homeschooling
What kind of curriculum do you use?
We are eclectic homeschoolers--we do not use a "kit" from one particular company. Depending on the subject and the student, I use all sorts. Some of the most used are: Apologia Science, Teaching Textbooks (Math), Systematic Mathematics, A Beka, Christian Liberty Press, Streams of Civilzation (world history), Rosetta Stone (Homeschool Edition) and many more.
What do you do for testing?
For annual standardized testing, we have used 2 different tests for the most part. One is the P.A.S.S. test through Hewitt Testing, and the other is the CAT5 through FamilyLearning.org
We are also utilizing the ACT for the older ones.
>>>>> Questions About Anything Else
What kind of Camera do you have?
Until recently (3/11/11) I have used a Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 It is not a fancy camera, and is not a DSLR. It is a fairly reasonably priced camera, has a great zoom and tons of settings that are user-friendly. I just recently received a Nikon D3100 as a 20th anniverary gift from my husband....and I'm still learning my way around it.
Have a question? Shoot me an e-mail at Info@MrsMamaHen.com
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OPSEC
"OPSEC" is a term that means "Operational Security." It means, being careful what you say, where you say it and to whom you say it.
For me, it means, I will never post any specifics about military operations on my blog. You might have an idea of what country my husband is in at any given point, but you will NOT know anything beyond that. If you couldn't find the information in a basic newspaper article (information approved by the Public Affairs Office of the Army) then you won't find it on here. You will not find specifics, and you will not find details.
These are some examples of what you will not see:
Source and for more information: OPSEC: A Guide for Family and Friends
• Detailed information about the mission of
assigned units.
• Details on locations and times of unit
deployments.
• Personnel transactions that occur in large
numbers (Example: pay information, powers of
attorney, wills, deployment information).
• References to trends in unit morale or
personnel problems.
• Details concerning security procedures.
