First Time EVER

We have a Costco membership.  We do most of our grocery shopping there for basics...or what are basics for us.  Diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, beans, cranberry juice, frozen chicken breasts, frozen hamburgers, bacon, butter, eggs, cheese...you get the picture.  We go about once a month.  We (I) always make a list and we usually do a good job sticking to it.  These trips are NOT fun.

Costco is always busy.  It doesn't matter what time of day you go, it's always a madhouse.  The problems start when I become indecisive.  I ask The Man a question, he could care less, I hem and haw, he gets frustrated so I get frustrated and by the time we leave we're both cranky.  Thankfully we know this and we plan for it.

However on our last trip a few days ago we managed to get in, get our list, get out and we were still happy people!  It was amazing.  I asked my questions, The Man answered and we went on our merry way.  I did ask less questions and didn't hem and haw and The Man didn't get upset by my random ones so it all worked out. It was great!  Hopefully we can do this again in the future!

On a completely different note, does anyone else go to Costco for free snacks?  We ate PB&J sandwiches for lunch before heading out.  Once we got there we were able to get samples of lots of yummy things...beef broth, veggies, egg rolls, bagels with cheese, bagels with ham, steamed buns with pork, chicken breasts, orange chicken...that's just what I remember!  We were stuffed by the time we left.  We don't usually buy what we sample...though we did buy the beef broth.  It was super yummy.

Do you enjoy Costco/Sam's Club/BJ trips?  Do you fill up on samples?

Psalm 19:1

I found a very cool and inspiring Sunday link up through a new blog I'm following, Drinking from My Saucer ('cause my cup has overflowed!)  For the link up you have a picture that you have taken and pair it with a scripture verse...some of these ladies are seriously talented!  Be sure to head over and check them out, especially if you are in need of some encouragement!

Q & A

My humble little blog now has 200+ followers.  I'm shocked that so many of you want to read what I write.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to spend time with me!    I've been thinking that some of you might has some things that you'd like to know.  I'd love to do a Question and Answer post...but to do that, I need your questions!  So send me your questions, by either leaving a comment or emailing me at thoughtsfrompoekitten (at) gmail (dot) com.  Once I have some questions I'll post the answers.

Thanks!

Land vs. World

Disney, that is.  Growing up, my family always went to Disney World.  We didn't go every year, but I've been several times.  I LOVE Disney.  When I lived in Asia I told my parents they could travel where ever they wanted but there was one place they couldn't go without me.  Disney World.  My favorite park is Epcot.  I don't know what it is, but I love the innovation and imagination that is there.  I also really enjoy the country showcase.  Don't get me wrong, I love all the parks and each has something special. I haven't been since 2005...I'm in need of some time in Disney!

The Man has never been to Disney World.  Growing up on the West Coast, his family would go to Disney Land.  He had great memories from going there as a kid.  He hasn't been since California Adventure opened.

So, we're looking at heading to Disney Land this year.  Thank you tax return!  We haven't definitely decided yet but we keep talking about it and I'm keep excited.  We've watched a documentary on Disney Land Behind the Scenes and I really, really want to go.  A lot.  I feel like a little kid who can't wait to go.  I'm excited to go and see how different it is from Disney World.  It's Disney, so I know we'll have a great time!

Which park have you been to? 

What is your favorite part of Disney?

If you've been to both, which park is your favorite and why? 

God's Gifts

Several years ago I read a book titled Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge.  To be honest, I don't remember most of it.  One part that has stuck with me is when Stasi mentioned how her husband went to have some alone time at the beach and he saw a bunch of dolphins.  He saw them as a gift from God, to encourage him and give him joy.  Stasi was a little upset because God never sent her dolphins.  She went to the beach for some alone time, hoping to see dolphins.  God didn't give her dolphins.  Instead, He gave her a beach full of starfish.  She writes that she felt incredibly loved (I may be paraphrasing here!) by the creator of the universe.

I remember not being sure how I felt about that.  Since then, I have had my own experiences.  There have been times when I've been struggling or unsure and there is something in creation, usually in the sky (for me) that reminds me of God, of His majesty, and that God is control. With it comes a sense of peace in my spirit.  Unexplainable, out of nowhere peace.  Peace that is beyond my understanding.

I remember driving to work one morning, wrestling with something I was going to have to deal with later that day and as I drove around a wide corner, a gorgeous sunrise was spread out before me.  Glorious pinks and purples.  It hadn't been there before and then suddenly it was.  I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation but I knew, without a doubt, that God put it there for me.  My spirit quieted and rejoiced and there was peace.

Or just a few months ago, I was freaking out about driving over the mountains.  It was overcast and I was so worried about snow.  I had been praying about this leg of the cross country trip for WEEKS.  It started to rain and even thought it was raining and overcast, there was a little patch blue with sunshine streaming through.  As we drove up and up and around curves, there was always a patch of blue.  I knew we were going to make it safely to the other side.  God held my hand as I drove over that mountain.  Once we were safely on the other side, the blue patch vanished.

Last night as I was hopping around the web I looked out over the sound and saw some very light pink patches from the setting sun.  We often get pretty sunsets and this one wasn't very distinctive.  I have a thing about the curtains being closed when it gets dark out (thanks mom) so I headed into our bedroom to close the curtains over our sliding door.  As I walked in the room, my breath was taken away by the incredible sunset that was taking place behind some towering pine trees.  The entire sky was lit up with radiant pinks and purples.  My spirit quieted and the anxious thoughts I've been wrestling with faded.  My God is in control.  He knows, better than I do, what I need and when I need it.  His timing is perfect.  He brought a pieces of my SSMT memory verse to mind...The Lord in the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth...his understanding no one can fathom.  Isaiah 40:28  I feasted my eyes for a little longer and then was distracted by the laundry that needed to go downstairs.  I switched out a load and when I came upstairs and looked out the window again, the sunset was gone.  The peace remained.

There are things that I want.  I kind of want them RIGHT NOW.  Last night God gently and lovingly reminded me that He is in control and that his timing is perfect.  My spirit is at peace.

What gifts has God given you that remind you of His Glory?

Blizzard Blog Hop...Welcome!

I don't know about you, but I like a good blog hop.  I enjoy finding new blogs to add to my growing reading list.  So I'm linking up to the Blizzard Blog Hop hosted by Ann Marie at  Household 6 Diva .

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm Poekitten.  I'm in my early 30's and I've been married to my sailor husband for a year and a half.  We don't have any children yet but we do have 3 furbabies that get mentioned often.  I have my own at home business that keeps me busy yet allows me to spend time with The Man despite is crazy work schedule.  We recently purchased a house and are loving being homeowners.  We're active in our church and are thankful for the amazing people who have become our friends.

I've been blogging for about 9 months and I'm lovin' it!  I started as a way to keep family & friends on the East Coast updated on how and what we're doing on the West Coast.  I share about life...the crafts I'm working on, what's cooking in the kitchen, recent projects on our house, progress on my 101 list and random thoughts that are in my head.  I love the community of bloggers I've met and become friends with.  I love meeting new people.

Please let me know you stopped by.  I hope you have a wonderful day and look forward to seeing you again soon!

70%

Source

I heard an interesting statistic on the radio last week.  It said that 70% of women ENJOY cleaning their house.  I was surprised that the number was so high.  I know that I don't enjoy/like/want to clean my house.  I like having a clean house and I feel great when it's clean but I HATE doing it.  I don't find it enjoyable/fun/thrilling/exciting in any way, shape or form.

I was wondering what my friends thought so I put the following status on Facebook:  Poekitten heard on the radio that 70% of women enjoy cleaning their house. Are you one of them? I'm not!  I got some interesting responses.  It turns out that most of my friend DO NOT enjoy cleaning their house.  I was happy to see this...it means I'm normal.  So I think that 70% that enjoy cleaning are abnormal!  There was a sentiment that we all like have clean houses.  A few of my friends dislike cleaning so much that they have someone clean for them...I wish we could afford that!  A few friends do like to clean when they get to use fun "toys" like a steamer (cause it's playing with steam fun?!) and a good vacuum.  Having good tools is always a good thing.  My favorite cleaning tool is Comet.  I LOVE Comet.  I'm not sure why I love it so much, but I love having a clean sink.  It makes me happy to know that I have a clean sink!

Do you enjoy cleaning?  What's your favorite tool or supply?

Forced Family Fun

One of the ways The Man shows his love is by harassment.  I'm super ticklish so The Man tickles me...a lot.  He harasses Molly by hiding her ball and making her bark.  His harasses the boys by giving them baths and tormenting them with their toys.  Another way is by forcing Molly & one of the boys to lay together.  He likes to take Molly's paw and put it over the kitty.  This happens on an almost daily basis.

Please dad, not again

Sibling love

Please mom, save me.  Please!

Don't think that Alley Cat is left out.  No siree.  In face, it's normally Alley Cat that gets bonding time with Molly.

Miss Molly sniffing Alley Cat

Alley Cat pillow

Hummus

I realize I've been on recipe overload lately.  Not much has been going on here, besides what I'm cooking.  So until more interesting things happen, you're stuck with recipes.  If you try any of them, let me know how they come out!

The $1 pretzel chips

I love hummus.  The Man does not.  So I usually only make it when he's not around.  I went by the dollar store the other day looking for crafty stuff.  Nothing stuck me until I was heading out.  I saw a bag of pretzel chips.  Pretzel chips, in my opinion, cry for hummus.  I have a few cans of garbanzo beans in the pantry, so making hummus is pretty easy (The Man laughs at me because we bought them on our first trip to Costco.  I insisted on having them and about a year and a half later i still have 2 cans left...and I've even given some to the local food pantry.  Don't worry, they're good till the end of this year.)

Before

If you've never made hummus before, it's easy.  You need a food processor, garbanzo beans, olive oil and whatever you want to put in it.  I usually always put in garlic.  This time I added some green onion, dried parsley and some spinach and smokey pepper seasoning.  Delish.  I wish I could tell you how much olive oil I used but I just keep adding it until it looks right.  I just keep the food processor going until it's smooth and everything has been chopped up.  It makes about two cups.  Two cups of goodness to enjoy...all by myself cause The Man turns up his nose at it.  I don't mind because it's more for me.

Do you make hummus?  What do you put in it?

The finished product

Bruschetta

I love bruschetta.  It's an item that I usually make when The Man isn't around.  I just happened to have everything I needed on his last duty day...what better to make for dinner?  Mine is not very authentic but I like it anyway.  It's easy and yummy!

You're wondering how I make it?  Here ya go, complete with pictures:

In a bowl I mix tomato, onion, basil (fresh when I have it) and olive oil.  

 While the flavors are mingling, I toast the bread.  I like to put a little olive oil on the bread and then let the oven do the work. 

 Once the bread is toasted, I top the bread with the tomato mixture and if I have it I like to top it with cheese.

 

  Then I put it back in the oven till the cheese is melted.  Once you take it out, Enjoy! 

What do you like on your bruschetta? 

I linked to:

I Have a Button!

YAY!  I'm super excited!  I have a button and I made it myself!  I know that's not a big deal for some of you but I have no clue when it comes to HTML.  I'm clueless and I'm ok with it.  Thanks to Vic at For The Love of Blogs, I have a button.  She posted a very simple, easy to follow tutorial on how to make a button!  I've tried other tutorials and always ended up frustrated. 

Here it is:

 It's not the best, but it's my first one and I MADE IT!  Yup, just a little excited about that fact.  Actually, that was my first one...it was on my blog for maybe an hour.  I now have a new one....it's on the side---->

If you've never visited For The Love of Blogs, you should.  It's a great blog.  It's all about finding new blogs and getting followers in a non-creepy, non-stalkerish type of way.  They host a bunch of blog hops and ask that you don't do the copy and paste comment of I'm following you, can you follow me?  They are my kind of hops!  They have several other features as well.  I've found some great blogs and gotten some great follower too.  Check them out...and don't forget to grab my button before you leave!

Disclaimer:

 *If the code doesn't work for some reason, I have no idea why...so...help?!?!

Ok....question...When I click the button it takes me to my photobucket account...how do I make it take me to my blog instead?  Please help:)  Thanks so much!!!  Thank you Cat from The C.W. for your help!  I think I have it this time....

Scraps

 When my mom first got me interesting in sewing in 05, I was skeptical.  She had tried to get me into it when I was a kid but I could barely sew a straight line.  I think what got me hooked was the amazing material.  There are some incredible materials out there...just go into any quilt shop and you'll fall in love with a few (Quilt stores have better quality materials than JoAnn's.  Promise!).  You may want to buy half the store.  I'm drawn to batiks and Asian's.  I can't get enough.  The tubs of fabric in my sewing room with testify to this.

As much as I love buying fabric, I love scraps just a little but more.  I have an obsession with scrappy quilts (I'm sure my mom will comment and agree with me!) .  I save as much fabric as I can...I cut them into 2" squares and 2" strips.  I have quite the collection.  I've been working on one scrap quilt for about 3 years...I'm collecting more fabric for it.  I'm a bit picky about my scraps...I only like to use scraps from my projects, my scraps.  I've tried using other people's scraps but I couldn't do it.  I like looking at the scraps and remembering how I used them.  The material in my Dresden Plate table topper AND pillow are scraps.

I have my eye on a few more projects....like this and this.  I do have a bunch of projects that are started...I should probably finish a few of them before I start a new one...right?  Or maybe you should keep an eye out for what I've been working on!

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Beef Stew

Cooking in the crock pot

I made beef stew last weekend and it was the best I've ever made.  I was so excited!  I think it had something to do with the fact that I finally used beef broth instead of chicken.  We keep chicken broth on hand and I usually don't remember to buy beef broth for beef stew...but this time I did.  The result was amazing.  So my advice is that you shouldn't make beef stew with chicken broth.  It's just not the same.

Poekitten's Beef Stew

3 cans beef broth
1 can diced tomato
a handful of baby carrots, cut in thirds
1/2 large potato, diced
small onion, diced
Garlic, diced (to taste)
Dried parsley
Beef, cubed
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
salt
pepper
Greek Seasoning (I prefer Cavendar's)

1.  Combine the flour, salt, pepper & greek seasoning in a shallow bowl or plate.  Dredge the beef in the flour mixture.  Heat some olive oil in a skillet; when it's hot, brown the beef.

2.  In your crockpot, add the beef broth, diced tomato, carrots, potato, onion, garlic, parsley and beef.  I cooked it on high for about 6 hours and it was perfect.

Note:  I made a roux of the flour mixture and butter to hopefully thicken the stew but it didn't really work.  It did add some nice flavor to the broth.  This part is optional.

The finished soup

Milspouse Friday Fill In

It's that time of the week again...time for the Milspouse Friday Fill In.  YAY!  Head over to Wife of a Sailor to get the questions and link up.

1.  What do you usually want to know about someone when meeting them for the first time?

What they look like.  Otherwise how do I know who I'm looking for?

2.  Would you rather know everything about your spouse, or be regularly surprised?

I like to know the important stuff and  be surprised by the unimportant stuff.  I get to decide what the important stuff is...so before we were married I asked questions about the stuff I wanted to know. 


3.  If you could live in one city for the rest of your life, where would you live?

Ho Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

That's a hard one.  There are places that I'd love to live again.  One of them would be right here, where we live right now.  I enjoy living here a lot more than I thought I would.  I also would love to live in Ha Noi, Viet Nam again.  It's one of my favorite cities of all time.  

4.  When you go out of town, what one material thing do you ALWAYS take?

My iPod.  I like music.



5.  Using no more than 10 nouns, and ONLY nouns, describe yourself.

So, I read that question to mean that I should describe myself using labels.  I often try to avoid that but in the spirit of the Friday fill in, here I go...

Woman

Believer

Daughter

Only Child

Wife

Former Teacher

Milspouse

Animal lover

Traveler

Quilter/Crafter

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Do you have anything fun planned?

Copycat

I can be crafty and make cool things.  The problem I have is coming up with these cool ideas.  One of the things I love about the internet is that you can find these cool ideas to make without leaving home.  I'm a really good copycat.  I saw this, realized how easy it would be to make and decided that I had to have one.  It didn't cost me anything as I had everything on hand.

I had a picture frame that I keep moving with me that I haven't used in years, so I decided to use that.  I painted it black.  I used some craft pain that I had but spray paint would work too.

Painted frame

 Once the paint was dry I hot glued the lace on.  The lace was from an old curtain that I got from my mom when I was there in November.  It was really easy to put together.  I think it looks great hanging in the bathroom!

The Earring Holder

Earrings close up

Now I'll be able to see my earrings choices.  Maybe I'll stop wearing the same ones all the time.  Well...maybe not cause I have my favorites!


Linked to:

Spoiled Take 2

So not only am I spoiled, we have a very spoiled puppy.

What other puppy gets to nap using a pillow?!?

Do you spoil your pets? 


If you're looking for fun blog hop, try this one:

New Computer

I got a new computer!  I'm enjoying it so far.  The only thing is that I now have to transfer everything from my old one to he new one.  It's going to take a little bit of time.  Now I'll have my old one at my desk and I can use my new one...everywhere else!  I'm loving the fact that I don't have to worry about the screen falling back...or off.

I will say that I was surprised at how much the prices of computers have come down.  Some of you are probably thinking I'm crazy, but since I bought my last laptop 4 years ago, it's been awhile since I last looked at them.  The last time I got a computer, it was hard to find a laptop that was around a thousand dollars.  Today I only saw a few that were that expensive...most were in the six to eight hundred dollar range.  I saw several that were five hundred or less as well.  I think it's great that they are less expensive so more people can have access to them. 

Anyway, just sharing my excitement and hopefully I'll be back soon with more interesting posts!

Day 15

I didn't think that reading the bible in 90 days was going to be easy.  I've fallen behind a few times.  This past week I got 3 days behind.  Thankfully I was able to catch up today!  I was able to read this morning when I got up before The Man.  My problem is not that I have so much to do that I don't have time.  I have the opposite problem.  I have the time to read...maybe too much time because I fill it with other things, like Zuma Blitz, blogging, sewing...you get the picture.  I need to make sure that I'm getting it done.  I'm going to try to make it part of my morning routine.

I'm not going to lie, I didn't enjoy reading Leviticus.  It's repetitive.  I am thankful that we no longer have to offer animal sacrifices.  I'm looking forward to the coming books...we start in Joshua tomorrow!

Dying...

My laptop that is.  It's dying.  It's been a slow death.  It all started when the right hinge started coming apart.  The corner has broken off.  Yesterday afternoon the other hinge came apart.  The screen no longer stays up on it's own.

I'm very sad.  I'm going to be getting one of the small netbooks to replace it.  Since the laptop is still working as long as the screen is propped up, I'll leave the laptop on my desk.  I don't think I'll be able to handle Zuma blitz on such a small screen.  I'm looking forward to the smaller computer to bring to shows with me.  It will make my bag a little lighter which is nice.

Good-bye my faithful laptop.  I'm sorry there will be no more traveling for you.  Thank you for accompaning me to so many places...you came with me to school, countless shows, coffee shops and three cross country drives.  You've had a long, useful life.  I hope you enjoy your retirement years!

Homemade Pizza

We like pizza.  A lot.  We tend to make it cause I can be cheap.  I don't mind buying pizza but homemade is just as good...and often better.  It's easy since we tend to have all the ingredients on hand.  Here's how I do it:

Step 1:  Have The Man make the pizza dough

Step 2: Roll the dough out

Step 3.  Brush the dough with garlic & olive oil.  I also sprinkled basil on top.

Step 4:  Spread the sauce  (I had homemade in the fridge that I used.  You can use the jar stuff if you don't have any homemade.)

Step 5:  Add cheese

Step 6:  Add any other topping you want

Step 7:  Feed the dog

Is it weird that she sits to eat?

Step 8. Bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes...or until done.  I think.  The Man usually takes care of this part!

Step 9:  Slice and enjoy!

Hello? Are You Out There?

I know you are!  Yes, I'm talking to you.  You visit my blog, read it and leave.  I never know you're here (except from my stats page that shows someone visited).  That makes me sad.  I love interacting with my followers.  I often respond to comments by email.  If you don't comment then I can't comment and we can't get to know each other.  Well, you get to know me but I don't get to know you.  That's sad on my part.

So in honor of delurking day, I'd love for you to leave a comment and say hi.  You don't have to be witty or deep...just let me know you're out there.  Please?  Pretty please?  With a cherry on top?

Milspouse Friday Fill In....2011

It's the first Milspouse Friday Fill in of 2011.  It's been nice to have a break but I'm glad it's back!  If you're a Milspouse, head on over to Wife of a Sailor to get the questions and link up.

1.  What are you looking forward to most in 2011?

One of them has already happened...we got the news we were waiting for.  Thankfully it was good news!


I'm really looking forward to getting our tax return!  We have lots of plans for the money.  What we end up doing depends on how much we get back but some of our options are to pay off debt, take a Disneyland vacation and replace the 1940's original to our house sliding door in our bedroom (it's very drafty).  Adding to our savings account is another option!


2.  What is something random you do on a boring night when your significant other is away?

I'm not sure I do anything really random.  I'll eat food that The Man doesn't like and often stay up late reading.  Not earth shattering fun but something I enjoy.

3.  What has been your greatest adventure as a MilSpouse?

The whole thing has been an adventure, especially in waiting.  Being impatient and being a milspouse doesn't go together well, kinds like water and oil.

But for ACTUAL adventure, it would have to be the three cross country drives I've taken in a year and a half.  I've done a northern route, a central route and a southern route.  Fun times people, fun times!

4.  What is the ugliest fashion trend you ever bought into

Back in the early 90's, stretch pants were acceptable (as were stirrup pants, the nasty things).  I used to wear stretch pants with a sweatshirt to school.  I had a pair of shiny, black Lycra stretch pants that I would wear with a white sweatshirt.  The best ones were the fluorescent green ones I owned.  In 5th grade I was on the fluorescent green team and there were days where we were supposed to wear our team colors.  I would wear those fluorescent green stretch pants with a florescent green sweatshirt.  I was so fashionable I tell you.  Thankfully there are no pictures of this hideousness. 

On a less hideous note,  I did peg my pants when that was in.  What was I thinking?

5.  What was the high point of last month?

Having The Man come home in time for Christmas!  It was amazing to have him home after being apart for two months.  I know it's not very long, but it's the longest we're been apart since we got married (we did do a six month deployment right before we got married, so we have been separated longer than 2 months)

While you're here, go enter my first giveaway!  Please?  Thank you!

A New Pillow

So after making my Dresden Plate table topper, I decided to make a pillow with the Dresden Plate pattern.  I enjoy this pattern a lot.  I think I may be making a few more of these in the future.

Here's what I ended up with:

The front

The back....already covered in dog hair.

I made it as a pillow cover so I could wash it.  I'm not always the best with measurements.  I'm not a perfectionist by any stretch of the imagination so little things like measurements being the same isn't always high on my list.  I'm pretty excited that the cover fits the pillow I wanted it to perfectly.  Go me!

Have you made anything crafty this week?

I'm linking up at: