YAY for Friday!

I haven't done a Milspouse Friday Fill in for awhile/  I was thinking that it would be a great way say goodbye to April.  You can head over to Wife of a Sailor to link up and read more answers.  I hope you have a great weekend!


1. Have you and your spouse agreed to live in separate locations (a geographical bachelor tour) knowing that the short-term inconvenience would have long-term benefits for your family? How did it work for you?

We did.  It was before we were married.  We met while he was at sub school and when it ended he got orders for the other side of the country.  We were SO CLOSE to getting married before he left (so I could be put on his orders and have the Navy move us, plus get BAH and all that) because we knew he was deploying when he got to his boat.  I was talked out of it by family.  Either way, I was going to stay in MA.  There are times that I wish had gotten married before he left but most times I'm ok that we waited.  If we had gotten married sooner I would have moved to WA sooner and I definitely would have been there when they came home from their 6 month deployment.


2. What is your favorite thing about being a MilSpouse?

That is moved me to WA.  I LOVE it here but wouldn't have moved here just because I wanted to (I didn't know I wanted too!) 

3.  If you could still have your spouse/significant other and your family, but take the military life out of it…would you?

That's an interesting question.  The Man joined later in life (late 20's) and I met him about 9 months after he joined so it's not like this is the only adult life he's known.  Of course it's influenced him and at this point...I don't think so.  Some of the things that have happened, like his sobriety, have been helped and influenced from his being in the Navy.  I think the Navy help speed up the sobriety timeline!

4. What have your homecoming experiences been like after a year long tour of separation?

Like other sub wives (see Wifey & Sespi) have said, we don't have year long separations.  There are two kinds of submarines though and they each have different kinds of deployment schedules.  One kind (boomer) has two crews and they do patrols for 2-3 months then come home, switch crews and when the sub comes back, they go back out again for 2-3 months.  My understanding is that they go out in the ocean and do circles.  The other kind, a fast attack,  has 1 crew.  They can deploy for 6+ months as well as for shorter periods of time.  They too, can be gone ALL. THE. TIME.While they are deployed that may make port calls, so they get to go places and see things.

When a submariner is gone communication is limited.  During our 6 month deployment I was lucky to get an email once or twice a month.  The nice thing was that I could count on a phone call whenever they were in port.  It wasn't much but it was nice!  I wasn't there when he pulled in cause I was teaching and school wasn't out yet.  I was happy to be getting a phone call every day..and skype too!  I came out the day school got out and I gave him the biggest hug in the airport...I didn't want to let go!

5. If you have a child(ren) why you chose their name(s)? If not, why you would name your child something?

We have out kids names picked out and a very few people know what they are.  I don't want to share them online...or with anyone else cause I don't someone to take them (not that they would).  Both are biblical and the girl's name is not common.  So, I guess you'll have to wait until we have kids!

 Don't forget to head over to The Tervo Times and link up the Milspouse Weekly Round-up.  Say hi to Sierra while you're there!

Happy Birthday MOM!

Big Day

So it seems like people are going crazy today because of the royal wedding.  Sure, it's an important day.  For me, something really big happened 50+ years ago.  I'm really glad it did, otherwise I might not be here!  Wondering what happened?  My mom was born!  That's right, today is my mom's birthday. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I hope you have a wonderful day!  Enjoy Maine and getting away.  You'll get a card & present from me soon (hopefully by the end of May!)

Free Falling

The sun is shining and I'm in the mood for some Tom Petty...so here ya go. Free Falling...I love singing along in the car with the volume up and the windows down. Hopefully it will be warm enough to do that soon!



You can head over to Goodnight Moon to link up and listen to other people's songs.

Crazy

I think most of the country is having crazy weather.  I say this based on my friend's facebook statuses...that makes it a fact, right?  Well, western WA is any different.  It was raining/hailing when I got up at 8 and was finished by 8:45ish.  The sun came out and it looked glorious out.  Perfect day for a walk, which is what I had planned.  I got the phone call from the fearless leader of the mom's group I attend (I know I don't have kids but they let me go anyway!) to let me know that the walk was still planned.  Perfect!

On the way back

Miss Molly & I are ready to go so we head to Clear Creek, where we're meeting our friends.  On the way it starts to rain.  We don't live that far away...only about 10 miles?  And between my house the Clear Creek we lost the sun and gained rain.  When I arrived some of us were already there, bundled up with umbrellas and raincoats.  We weren't going to let a little rain stop us!  We got on our way once everyone was there.  It was raining a little but nothing that would make us all melt.   We walked along the road part and Miss Molly was loving it.  Since there was no one else around I let her off her leash.  She loved chasing after her tennis ball!  As we got to the trail part the skies opened up.  We decided to turn around and thankfully a friend let me borrow an umbrella since I didn't bring one (or my raincoat!)  We're getting soaked and decide to go to McDonald to play there.  By the time we get to the cars and some of us have left, the rain has stopped and the sun is starting to come out.  Really?  By the time I got to Micky D's it was sunny. I think that if we kept walking it would have kept raining but since we turned back it decided to stop.  

All that running and rain must have worn Molly out...she's currently sleeping on the sofa snoring.  Snoring=Happy puppy!

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

PS.  I didn't take that photo...my friend Joycers did...gotta love cell phone pictures!

Thoughts for Today

FOR TODAY. April 25, 2011

Outside my window...it's a gray, overcast PNW day.  It's raining at the moment and is slightly chilly (for me, that means it's in the 50's)

I am thinking...about how much I miss being able to smell.  I still can't smell due to this cold that's taken over my body.

I am thankful for...Easter and Jesus and knowing that I'm redeemed.

From the kitchen...dinner is going to be scalloped potatoes with ham and maybe peas on the side. 

I am wearing...yoga pants, t-shirt and a hoodie.  I'll shower when I'm done cleaning.

I am creating...The Man would like to take the quilt I'm making him on his TDY.  I started it last year and haven't finished it yet.  I need to wash & dry the backing material so I can get this thing quilted!

I am going...no where today.  I like having days at home!

I am reading...a book on my kindle.  I don't remember the name and don't want to get up to get it.  It's about a NCIS team investigating arms sales.  It's ok for a free book.

I am hoping...that this cold will go away soon and that The Man doesn't have to work late today.

I am hearing...a Numb3rs episode in the background and Molly making noises while she's dreaming.

Around the house...I need to clean!  I haven't been since I've been feeling sick.  I'm also rearranging the living room.

One of my favorite things...time with The Man.  Dying Easter Eggs.  Sunshine. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: I'm babysitting and I have a few shows this week.  I also

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Many thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for the outline and a place to link up.

Happy Easter!

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?  

He is not here; he has risen!

~Luke 24:5b, 6a

Source

I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the rising of our Savior!

Why

I was planning on writing a post for Good Friday on what it means to me. I find myself unable to write coherently due to the gremlin that's taken up residence in my head (in the form of an awful cold). So instead I'll leave you with this song...Why by Nichole Nordeman.

Thank you Jesus. 

Thank you for leaving heaven, for me. 

Thank you for dying, for me. 

Thank you for loving me just the way I am.

Milspouse Weekly Round Up

 

Welcome to the Milspouse Weekly Roundup!

Thanks to Wife on the Rollar Coaster for this great idea!
We're all so busy, so every Friday we link up our favorite post of the week.
Then we can catch up with all our favorite bloggers!

I'm Poekitten and welcome to Many Waters, my little slice of the internet.

The Man & I were married in August 2009.

The Navy said "We need you in the Pacific Northwest."
So we moved and here we are.  

I'll tell you a secret, if you promise you won't tell.

Promise?

Pinky Swear?

You can't tell the Navy!

Ok, Ok, if you promise you won't tell...

We love it here.

We love it so much that we bought a house here.

Our three furbabies love it here too.

Aren't they cute?

We're hoping they won't find out how much we like it here.

If they know we like it, they'll make us leave.

BUT if they think we hate it here, they'll let us stay.

Great logic, right?

So you can't tell!

I write about my life.   

Please take a look around if you've never visited before.

There's an about me page there are the top.

The most popular posts are there on the right.

The things I blog about are on the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by!

Don't forget to link up next week too! 

My bloggy friend Sierra at The Tervo Times is hosting.

I've met her in person and she's great.

So make sure you stop by and say hi!

After you link up of course!

Sorry about the late opening...I've fixed it!  You can now enter your links.  I thought I had set it for midnight...Oops!

Secrets, Part I

Ever since Jessica's blog post I've been thinking about secrets.  We all have them.  Things that we don't talk about or share for various reasons.  Maybe we're shameful or afraid of how people will react or treat us if they knew. We often feel alone or think that no one would understand.  We look at the people around us and see perfect lives.  They have it all together.  On the flip side of that I think we like to have others think well of us so we share the things that will help them to like us.  Things that show people that we have it together.  When people look at us or read what we have written they think nothing can possible be wrong in our lives!  Oh, of course they have stress from moving or not having hubby around but other than that, life is great for them.  Maybe instead of saying we I should have said I.  What do you think?  Have you ever felt this way?

I'm writing this because it may seem like we have it all together.  Well, we don't.  We're a work in progress.  I'm going to share a secret of ours with you  (not to worry, I have permission from The Man!)  I have a few reasons for doing this.  One is so that others in the similar situation will know that they are not the only ones dealing with this.  Another reason is that God has been working in each of us and our family and I would like Him to receive the honor for that.  We have not worked through this alone.

Ok, deep breath.  It's harder to write than I thought it would be.  Once it's published and out there I can't get it back.  I have no control over who reads it...but here it goes...

Hi, I'm Poekitten.  I'm married to an alcoholic.

3 month coin

I've written and rewritten this part of the post several times.  I'm not sure where to go from here.  Start from the beginning?  Tell you about when he admitted he was a alcoholic?  Talk about the crisis it started?  I think I'll leave it at this for now and start the story of our journey in another post.

I'm happy to tell you that The Man has been sober for 5 months now.  I am so proud of him.  I watched him struggle and it was hard knowing that there was nothing I could do.  Nothing I could do but pray for him and support him.  I had to allow him to fail and that was hard for me.  I had to allow him to work through his treatment and hit his bottom before he was willing to be sober.  Even now it's one day at a time.  It will always be one day at a time.

Happy Patriots' Day!

I hope you all have a happy Patriots' Day!

Paul Reveres Ride (Source)

You may be wondering what this holiday is.  It's celebrated in MA & ME...and WI.  Not sure why kids in WI get it off, unless they're just looking for reasons to not have school.  And I'm not sure it's true...I got it from Wikipedia and you can never be sure.  So anyone out there in WI?  Do the kids have school today?

And what is Patriots' Day you ask?  (I know because I grew up in MA!)  It's a holiday to observe the first battles of the Revolutionary War- The Battles of Concord & Lexington.  You know, the ones with Paul Reveres night ride?  In MA it's also known as Marathon Monday.  The Boston Marathon is being run today.  There's no school today...mostly because many kids have April Vacation this week.  Many universities have the day off as well.  I think banks might be closed too... I don't remember!

I also think the Sox have a game today...Go Sox!

How are you spending Patriots' Day?

Thanks For The Reminder...

There are days, weeks even, that it can seem like The Man works a normal job.  He usually wears civvies to & from work.  Yes there are duty days in there but him being gone for 24 hours seems normal now.  I get to eat whatever I want when I want and I get the bed to myself.  As long as it's only for one night it's "nice."  Then the Navy has to throw a wrench in things.

The Man is going to be doing  TDY soon.  For you non-military folk...he's going to have a temporary assignment.  I've known it was coming but haven't really thought much about it.  So The Man makes a comment this week about this being the last duty free weekend (they're precious because they aren't all that common) before he leaves.  That comment brought me up short.  When you start saying "This is the last..." the countdown is on.  Even if it is still far away (or just seems far away) a countdown has a way of making things real.  This TDY is going to happen.  Sooner than I would like.  So that was my reminder.  He also wore his NWU's (new working uniform) home on night this week.  I like seeing The Man in uniform but it was another reminder. 

And to make the weekend even better The Man has to work today.  On the day he was supposed to have off on the last three full day free weekend.  Thank You Navy.  I don't like you very much at the moment!  So I guess that means I'm working in the garden alone...anyone want to come help me pick out rocks?  And since he's busy Saturday night and Sunday afternoon...I have limited Man time this weekend.  I'm praying that they don't have to work next weekend too!

Soup Suppers

I know I'm a little late with my Lent post, but better late than never, right?  I'm not sure where time has gone!  I've been meaning to write this post for weeks...enjoy!

I love what our church does for Lent.  Our church has a mid-week Lenten service on Wednesdays.  I love the services as they help me focus on what's coming...Easter.  This year we've been focusing on different people who take a part in the passion story.  With a sharper focus I am able to appreciate what Jesus did for me. He didn't have to leave heaven...he did it voluntarily.  For me.  For you.  Incredible love...sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my head around it.  It doesn't matter what I do...or don't do...Jesus love me.  Just as I am. 

In addition to the services, the church hosts a soup supper before hand.  It's great!  Church members sign up to bring food....soup, veggie or fruit trays, bread, dessert, milk...you get the picture.  Different groups within the church are responsible for set up.tear down and serving for the 6 weeks.  I love it because it's a great time of fellowship.  Plus, you don't have to worry about dinner.  It's great!

We had our last soup supper last night and I wanted to share the soup that I brought: Chicken Tortilla Chili.  It's really good...and even better the next day. 

Ingredients:

4 yellow corn tortillas
1 large onion
1 medium zucchini (I didn't have any so I used carrots...still yummy!)
Veggie Oil
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
4 garlic cloves
1 tbsp ground cumin
3 cups chicken stock
2 cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes (I used regular ones...still good)
1 can pinto beans (I used kidney...still good)
3-31/2 cups shredded chicken
1 tsp salt

1.  Stack tortillas and cut into 1 inch pieces.  Place in food processor and pulse until crumbs form.  Set aside.

2.  Dice onion and zucchini (or carrots).  Place oil & onion into stock pot; cook and stir over medium heat until onion is tender.  Add cilantro, pressed garlic, and cumin; cook about 30 seconds or until fragrant.  Stir in tortilla crumbs, stock, tomatoes and beans.  Bring to a gentle simmer; reduce heat to medium low and  or until chili is thickened, stirring frequently and scrapping the bottom.

3.  Stir in zucchini (or carrots), chicken and salt.  Cook 3-4 minutes or until veggie in tender and chicken is hot.  You can serve with diced avocado, lime wedges, fresh cilantro and tortilla crisps.  Shredded cheese on top is good too!

Song Link Up...Glorious Day

With Easter a little over a week away, this is a great song by Casting Crowns to help prepare my heart for celebrating. I love the chorus:

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

Sadly this was the only video I could find...the punctuation is bad and was driving me crazy but I couldn't find anything else. Sorry!

Don't forget to head over to Goodnight Moon to link up & listen to more songs!

More Facts About Me

Aren't you excited?  You get to learn more about me.  I know you've been waiting on the edge of your seat waiting for this.  I don't want to keep you in suspense anymore so here we go....

He's the best!

1.  I have the best husband EVER.  Hands down, no contest.  Sorry ladies!  (Though I'm sure you all think the same thing!)
2.  I love sewing. 
3.  I don't do clothes.  Only quilts and things like that.
4.  I used to wear heels to teach.  I taught middle school and needed to be a little taller than the kids.
5.  I love to wear ballet flats.

6.  I finally found a doctor at the Navy hospital that I like!  Hopefully they don't leave soon.
7.  I don't mind waiting for prescriptions at the pharmacy.  I enjoy the people watching!
8.  The Man is a movie buff.  I just watch them with him.  Most of the time!
9.  I don't like scary movies. 
10.  I'm afraid of being afraid.

11. I just started watching Army Wives.  I've been sucked in. 
12.  The Man doesn't want me to watch it cause he says it will make me cry.  It did.  Once.
13.  I prefer being hot to being cold.
14.  Low 80's with low-mid humidity would be perfect for me.
15.  I'm slightly addicted to Bejeweled Blitz.

16.  I have out of control allergies.  They suck!
17.  Said allergies are not helping my asthma.  It's anything but under control.
18. My beverage of choice is water.
19.  Or tea
20.  Or cranberry juice

21.  I love cheese.  It's yummy and makes my tummy happy.
22.  I was very lactose intolerant when I was a kid.  I used to eat my Cheerios with orange juice instead of milk.
23.  I don't enjoy baking very much.  It's too precise!
24.  I enjoy camping a lot.  Rain is not an excuse to go home!
25.  I currently have the munchies.  I've had a banana, green beans and a piece of cake.  I think I'm hitting the GS cookies next!

26.  My favorite GS cookie is Samoas. 
27.  My second favorite are Tagalongs. 
28.  I'm tone deaf.  Can't hear the tones in music or in languages.
29.  It's really hard to learn Chinese when you can't here the tones.
30.  I love my camera.  It's a Canon digital Rebel and I've had it since 04.

Source

31.  The older I get, the more I appreciate Easter.
32.  I've started reading the Percy Jackson series.  It's good!
33.  I didn't eat any kind of beef other than hamburger for 10 years.
34.  I didn't like the texture.
35.  I now LOVE steak.

36.  I didn't eat sour cream for years either.  I tried it cause some got on a potato skin. YUM!
37.  I now LOVE sour cream.  There are times I order Mexican just so I can have sour cream.
38.  I don't like to be cold.
39.  I went on two mission trips to Haiti while in high school.  I helped build a school (same one both years)
40.  I also went on two trips to Mexico.  I helped build a house.

41.  My favorite part to work on when building the house?  Putting the shingles on. 
42.  I like lemon in my water.
43.  Orange in water is good too.
44.  My favorite fruit is blueberries.  I do not like blueberry flavored things.
45.  I like to eat grapes but don't like grape flavored things.

46.  I don't really like grape jelly.  Raspberry jelly is my favorite.
47.  I don't have a smart phone and don't have a data plan...and I like it that way.
48.  I'm looking forward to planting our garden.  Hopefully this weekend!
49.  I'm really bad at getting to the post office.  It takes me awhile to packages mailed.
50.  I took too long to finish my list and the linky @ Megan Writes is closed.  Oh well!

There ya go.  100 things about me.  The last few were hard to come up with.

Unhappy Campers

The furbabies are slightly very unhappy with me.  Since seeing my doctor and talking about my asthma and how it's related to my allergies, I've had to think about our furbabies.  I'm allergic to them.  There is no way we will get rid of them...they are part of our family!  So we've started keeping them out of our bedroom.  This is the cause of the unhappiness since our bed is their favorite place to sleep.  They don't seem to realize that it's OUR bed.  They think it's THEIRS.  They keep sitting outside the door looking at it.  They are just confused and don't understand.  Since I removed a big comfy bed I decided that I would make on for them.  Pretty easy, right?  Right.  It's kinda small cause I was using leftover minky fabric along with some random cat fabric I won years ago in a raffle.  Iggymans helped...he tried eating the stuffing:

He needs more fiber in his diet!

Alley Cat fell in love with the pillow right away but it's taken Iggy a little longer.  Iggymans is now used to it and they both sleep on it sometimes.
 

Alley pouting on his new bed

Brotherly love

 Don't feel too bad for them.  We let them in the bedroom with us at night.  They've slept with me since I got them 4 years ago....to just kick them out seems mean.  So yes they're still on the bed but for a lot less time.  Less time=less cat hair on the bed.  Less cat hair=better sleep for me.

One Of Our Own

One of our own was not OK last night (or many nights before that).  As many of you know, Jessica from {Mis}Adventures of An Army Wife posted late last night that she had taken her life.  My heart was heavy after reading what she has been going through.  Many bloggy & facebook friends contacted the police to find out if she as OK.  According to an anonymous commenter she is and I'm praying that they are right.  It's my understanding that she is getting treatment.  Please keep Jessica in your prayers.

Since the post went up last night support has been pouring out of support for her.  The blog world really is an amazing place.  We let people have glimpses into our lives and we get to peek into theirs.  In the process we become friends.  We may not know their real names or recognize them if we passed them on the street but they are our friends.  They are a support as we struggle with living the life of a military wife.  Ladies, thank you.  Thank you for being there, for reading, commenting and sharing the joy the pain.  Not only mine, but of all of us.  Reading the comments on Jessica's post are encouraging.  If you're in a dark place right now, please go read them.  There are several ladies who have commented that they have been in similar situations... please reach out to them.  I know that they are willing to listen.  I am willing to listen.  There are people who are willing to help you.  Please, please, PLEASE realize you are not alone! 

Some other resources include:

1-800-SUICIDE or www.hopeline.com
1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673): Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233): National Domestic Violence Hotline
 
USA Bulimia and Self-Help 24-hour Crisis Hotline
Phone number: 1-314-588-1683
 
USA Self-Injury Help by S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends)
Phone number: 1-800-DONT-CUT (1-800-366-8288)
 
National Eating Disorders Association (International treatment referrals and info)
Phone number: 1-800-931-2237


I got these numbers from the PostSecret Wellness Resources.  If you are outside of the US there are numbers listed for several other countries.  Please remember that even if you feel alone, you are not.  We are here to support and love you!

I also want to add that Military One Source is a great resource too. I saw it one another blog (I forget which one!  If it's you, let me know so I can give you credit) and they can provide you with counseling and other resources.  If you've never visited the site go check it out so you know what's available in case you do ever need it.

Tabby Blanket

On Friday I posted about applique...I put an M on a piece of material.  Fun, right?  Well, I took that material and turned it into a tabby blanket for one of the many baby boys in my life.  You can check out the tutorial at Preparing to Surface.  Jenn's enjoying family time with her newly returned home hubby and let me take over her blog for a day.  Being a fellow sub & mil spouse I was happy to help out!

Please head over and check it out! 

Brothers

The kitties curled up together this afternoon.  I love it when they do this.  

Like most brothers they fight with each other.

They love on each other.

There are more Scripture & Snapshots on Katie's blog...go check them out!

A Day Late

I should have posted this yesterday but...

I wanted to say Happy Anniversary to my parents.  As of yesterday they have been married for 33 years.  I love you both VERY MUCH and am so blessed to have you guys as parents!

Mom & Dad

And Happy Birthday to my Father-in-Law!  I hope you had a wonderful day.  I"m so glad you guys were able to come up for the weekend.

The Man's parents

 I'm off to spend the day with The Man and his parents.  What are you doing this weekend?

Applique

When I first started quilting I saw all sort of awesome applique quilts.  They looked like they were so hard to do and I kept thinking that someday I would take a class on how to applique.  I took a few different classes and got to the point where I could more often then not look at a quilt and figure out how it was made....or at least one way to make it!  I never took that applique class.  My mom took a hand turn applique class and I tried it and did not find it fun.  At all.  I much prefer redwork to hand applique. 

I still saw those awesome quilts.  So I decided to teach myself machine applique.  I'm going to show you how I do it.  I'm not sure if it's the "right" way but it works for me!

Materials:

Material for applique

Material for background

Heat N' Bond Lite adhesive transfer

Sewing Machine

Thread

Scissors

Marker/pencil to trace

Step 1.  Figure out what you want to applique.  In this case, I'm adding the letter M to what will eventually be a blanket.  Most people would probably draw the M but I'm really bad at bubble letters and The Man wasn't home to do it for me so I Googled it.  Once it's printed & cut out....the perfect stencil!

Step 2.  Trace the design on the fabric and cut out.  I often trace the shape using a thin sharpie but it will depend on the fabric.  If it's light enough I'll use one of my air/water soluble markers.  I'm not concerned about seeing the sharpie after I cut it out because the sewing will hid most of it.

I know it's hard to see...sorry!

I use my fabric only scissors to cut out the design.  The Man learned early on in our marriage that these scissors are not for any other use.  He looked at me like I had 10 head when I freaked out when I saw him cutting paper with them.  He doesn't use them to keep the peace, not because he agrees with me that using them on other things will dull the scissors.  I don't care why he doesn't use them!

Step 3.  Trace the design on the Heat N Bond Lite...on the paper side.  Some people don't cut it out but I like to do it this way.  I cut it out using a different pair of scissors.

Step 4.  Iron the non-paper side to the wrong side of the fabric, making sure to line up the design.  Follow the instructions on the package for the ironing

Step 5.  Once it cools, peel the paper off the fabric.  It should leave behind the clean adhesive that was on it.  If it didn't try ironing it again.

Step 6.  Place the design where you want.  Make sure you put the wrong side of the design to the right side of the fabric.  Once you have it where you want it, iron it on.

Step 7.  Now comes the fun part of sewing it on!  Choose the blanket stitch on your machine.  Sew along the edges, all the way around the design.  I'm still finding curves, mostly smaller or sharp ones, are less fun to do.  I should practice more!

Finished M with blanket stitch

Once you're back where you started you're done.  Easy, right!?

If you'd like to see the blanket I made out of this, head on over to Preparing To Surface to see my guest post tutorial on Monday (April 11, 2011).  Make sure you say Hi to Jenn while you're there!

How do you applique?

The Best Day- Song Link Up

I'm going to admit it...I enjoy Taylor Swift. There's just something about her songs that I just can't help but sing along. The lyrics just get stuck in my head and some days they just won't leave. This is one of my favorites...




Don't forget to head over to Goodnight Moon to link up!

Do you have any favorite Taylor Swift songs?

Wordless Wednesday

Just wanted to share some cuteness...

This is linked to:

Popcorn Chicken

One of my family's favorite recipes is popcorn chicken.  It's easy to make and so good!  I used to just fry it on the stove in a frying pan but we recently purchased a deep fryer so I made it to try out our new "toy."  It's going to take some practice to get it perfect but it will make it so much easier!

Our new toy

Popcorn Chicken

Chicken Breast
Eggs, beaten
Flour
Seasoning
Oil

1.  Cut the chicken into bit size pieces.  Mix flour & seasoning.  I use Cavender's Greek Seasoning.  Sorry I don't have measurements but the amount I use depends on how much chicken I'm cooking.  Don't be skimpy with the seasoning...you want there to be enough that you can taste it!

The ingredients

2.  Dredge the chicken in the egg.  Place chicken in the flour and cover completely.
3.  Fry until golden brown and the internal temp of the chicken is 165.

Finished!

4.  Enjoy!

The chicken is yummy hot or cold.  I love adding leftover popcorn chicken to salad.  Not that there are usually leftovers!

What's your favorite way to eat chicken?



Linky Parties:

 

What Military Life Means to Me from Alpha to Zulu

Riding the Roller Coaster came up with an idea to have a link up describing what military life means to us using the military alphabet.  Some letters were much easier than others.  I did ask The Man for help but I came up with most of it on my own.   I even managed to come with something for every letter.   It's heavily influenced by our sub life.  If you don't know what something is, please ask.  Enjoy!

Alpha
Aircraft Carrier (less parking on base when they're in!), Authorization, ANAV (Assistant Navigator), Allotments, A-School, Amine, Anchors  Bravo
Base, Berth, Base Pay, Boomer, BAH, Bridge, Ball (Navy, Sub)

At the Navy Birthday Ball 2009

Charlie
Command, Commissary, CDC, Chit, Cover, CO, COB (Chief of the Boat), C-School, Colors, Career Pay, Constitution, Compass

Delta
Deployment, Dress Blues, Dive, Duty Day (who doesn't love working 24 hours a day?!), Duty Section, Dependent, Digit, Dry dock, Dolphins 

Dress blues and Dolphins

Echo
Electronic Technician (ET), Enlisted, Exams, Eye Candy, Eternal Patrol
Foxtrot
FRG, Friends (or lack of), FSA, Fleet & Family, Fundraising, Fish (short for Dolphins), Flexibility, Frustration, Fast Attack 

Golf
Grumpy, Grumbling, Galley, Golf (The Man played a lot when he was at school), Global War on Terror

Hotel
Homecoming, Housing, Hatch, Haircuts (The Man gets more in one year than I've had in a lifetime!)

The Man cooking in Base Housing

India
ITT, ID (Don't leave home without it!)

Juliet
JO

Kilo
Knots, Knowledge, Khakis

Lima
Long hours, Leave, Last 4, Loneliness, LPO (Leading Petty Officer), LES, Love (that's why we all live this crazy life, right?!)

Mike
Mail Drop, Moving, MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation), Mast, Murphy, Missiles, Milspouse
November
Navy, NEX, NWU's (New Working Uniforms), Nuclear Power, Nuke, Need To Know Basis,  NMCRS (Navy Marine Core Relief Society), Navigation, NUB (New Useless Body)

Oscar
OSPEC, Ombudsman, Officer

Papa
PCS, Pier side, Periscope depth (they can transmit email!), Patrol, Port Call, Phone Tree, Petty Officer, Poopie Suit, PRT, Promotion, Prototype 
Quebec
Quartermaster, Queen (as in drama...you run into these in some of the wives), Quals

Romeo
Rack, Roll with the changes (or you'll go crazy!), Random Changes, Rudder

Sierra
Submarine, SARP (Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program), Sailor Mail, School, Shipyard, Sponsor, Sail, Sonar Tech, Silent Service, Skype, Sea Tour, Shore Tour

Tango
TriCare, Three Section (for duty), TDY, Tags, Torpedo 

Uniform
Undisclosed Location, USO, Uncertainty

Victor
Volunteer

Whiskey
Work Center Supervisor, Ward Room, Warrant Officer, Written in Warm Jello (anything schedule related!)

X-Ray
XO (Executive Officer)

Yankee
Yeoman

ZuluZero Tolerance
What would you add to describe military life?

New Door Part II

After lunch we decided that we needed to get back to work (if you missed what we did before lunch, be sure to go back and catch up).  Since the frame was out we were now able to put in the frames that The Man made for the glass bricks.

It turns out the the door wasn't perfect so one side was a little smaller than the other.  Fun times for The Man.  I was just there to take pictures.  Once both sides were in, we signed them.  We signed the one the left with our real names and the one on the right with our bloggy names.  We're cool like that.

Once that important business was taken care off, I helped The Man carry the French doors over.  There aren't any pictures since I was busy helping.  The door was a little heavy but I managed.  Once we got it almost in place The Man did his magic and got it in.

Miss Molly supervised

Once the door was in place we were super excited.  We LOVED the way it looked.  We were very excited to get the glass blocks in.  The rest of the day had a high level of excitement because the project was taking shape before our eyes and we were LOVING it!  The Man had to run out to get a few things so we could continue.  Once he returns, project glass block commenced.

 I helped cut out the blue insulation thingies while The Man put the blocks in place and sealed them on the outside with clear silicone.  Iggy Mans was intrigued by the changes and kept sticking his head out when the lower blocks were missing.  I tried to get a picture but wasn't fast enough.  Alley Cats kept sniffing around the door...he was trying to figure out how to stage a jail break.  He hasn't been successful yet.  Give him time though.  Dad's in cahoots with him!

The door isn't finished but there is no draft and we can already tell a difference.  Our bedroom is so much warmer!  We love the way it looks!  We just have some finished touches to do...paint the frame around the glass blocks and put molding around it.  Here's what it looks like at the moment:

From the inside

From the outside

 The Man thinks I'm mean that I made you guys wait to see the finished project.  I apologize for it being so long!  I didn't mean to make you wait so long.  Thanks for being patient!