hubs is a genius.

do you have bread with every meal?
we don't either.
but, if it were up to hubs we would.

seriously, my wasteline just can't afford all that white flour and sugar that is bread.
i try to avoid it if not for a sandwich...
i use the word try loosely.
i do love me some bread.
of all kinds.

back to my original thought.

it was spaghetti night the other night and i forgot, possibly conveniently, to buy the garlic bread. {remember, i'm thinking of the waistline}
out of the corner of hubs' eye he sees some hotdog buns on the counter that are waiting for hotdog night.
why not make garlic bread out of them??


open 'em up, slather on the butter {only real butter will do...not margarine}, and sprinkle on the garlic salt.

voila!
garlic bread.

mighty tasty garlic bread.

we may never buy frozen garlic bread again.



the end.
*******************************

what tasty dinner secret do you have???


i'm linking up with kristen over at wearethatfamily for "works for me wednesday."

hello, nashville.

today marked a pretty big event in our family.
the first time we've sent our firstborn boys off on an airplane BY THEMSELVES.
but, for good reason...
they went to ganny and poppy's house.




the boys were so excited to be going to florida!
there is so much to do and people to see and summer camp to go to....








boarding happened so fast.
we didn't have time to cry...even if we wanted to.


and they're off.
one hour and fifteen minutes later they are more than 500 miles away from us.
sad day.

**********************
once the boys were off to vacation in florida what were we to do?
my dad was at our house with the little kids and hubs and i were alone.

i don't even remember the last time we were faced with this dilemma.




mini golf sounds like the perfect activity for two parents who are without child for a few hours.




and go-karts!!!!!!

even though i lost at mini golf, two games of air hockey, and go-karts i had a great day with my love.

****************************
what did you do today?
do you have big memorial day weekend plans?

mason jars and weeds and air assault.

i have loved mason jars for years.
only recently have i brought them out to use as drinking glasses, pencil holders, and vases.


my family loves them too.
jake austin's favorites are the ones with handles.


notice my antique shop tray that i've been holding on to for months?
i had an "ah-ha moment" the other day and decided to use it as table decor.
i'm wishing now i would have also taken a picture of the legs folded out...

added to my mental list of things to keep an eye out for at the thrift store...a super cute pair of vintage salt and pepper shakers!
{even though we don't use salt or pepper after our meal is on the table}

***********************************************************************************
here's a picture of hubs after his air assault graduation.

it's the one he let me take.
he said, "come on, babe! i don't wanna be one of those guys."
whatever! i will take your picture! now SMILE!
that's what i said.
:0)

random.

i have no clear thoughts these days.
every day seems to run together.
it's sometimes hard to remember what i did yesterday.

but, i'm having a great time!
{i think, ha!}
i mean, if i'm remembering correctly, i'm having a fabulous time!

hubs and i went on a coffee date the other night.


there's this little restaurant in jacksonville that is hubs' absolute favorite.
one of the must-do's while we are block leave is eat at marco polo chinese.
and eat we did.
it's a mongolian bbq style eatery with a buffet.
yum-o!


this is not such a good time...
gas prices are off the chiz-ain!

boo!

fun times with my girl.


a much needed pedi.


do you see why it all seems to run together??
we've had so many fabulous activities this past week.
i never want it to end.

unfortunately, hubs says NO MORE PICTURES today.


the end.

welcome home.

are you ready to see a bunch of pictures?
a bunch.
i mean, a bunch!

i probably could put just one or two and you'd get the jist but, i want to remember these forever!

ready?
let the picture show begin.

the story...
we were the first bus full of family members to arrive around 1215 to the hangar.
when we arrived the ETA had been changed to 1450. (2:50pm, for you civilians)
i was told 1400...no surprise that the time was changed.
hurry up and wait, as the army says.


*us on the bus
*mckinley wasting time playing on the bleachers
*momma and kiddos
*it was getting to be mckinley's naptime
*jake was bored
*jett and mckinley decide now is as good as time as any for a piece of cake
*jake found a friend to play DS with

more waiting...this time on the flight line.



welcome home 101st rakkasans.








the end.


a huge, huge, HUGE thank you to jamie for coming with me and taking all of these fabulous pictures.
thank you, jamie.
without you these would not have been possible.
you rak!

how was your turkey day?

ours started out with this...

it stormed all day.

a little relaxation was in order...


of course, every thanksgiving table needs a turkey...

even as a new vegetarian, i did sneak a bite.

but, my plate was filled with more of this...


and this...


and washed down with this...


and we all followed dinner with a lot of this...




aunt kel couldn't even wait to leave the table...


how on earth was i even sleeping??


dad and jett cleaned the kitchen...

the girls cooked and the boys cleaned up!
that was a great plan!

we were SO surprised to look outside at 11:30pm and see SNOW!!!




the kids enjoyed what was left the next morning!


SNOW much fun!!!

how was your turkey day???
mine will be even more amazing next year when my hubs is home.
i miss you, babe!