The Last few Months....

These last few months have just flown by. In that time, we have lost a beloved pet, packed up over 10,000 pounds worth of our belongings, drove 400+ miles to our new duty station, unpacked nearly 10,000 pounds of said belongings, celebrated our 14th Anniversary, celebrated our son's 13th birthday, and begun to settle into our new home located in a beautiful area that reminds us of Germany. I have not had much time to dedicate to my blog. I have many things on which to blog! Several pictures to post! A few new recipes to tempt your tastebuds! So, check back often because...I'm back in the saddle again.

As always, thank you for joining me

as I blog along!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

So, it has cooled off a little here in Southern Oklahoma. We have had temperatures ranging from the cool high 60's to the warmer high 90's. That's Oklahoma for ya. Don't like the weather....wait a few minutes! This time of year brings some of our favorite family things to do 'round here. Although it starts a little bit before Fall, we still love to watch our favorite football team throughout the season...OU SOONERS, baby! Of course, we like OSU...but, only if they're playing teams we don't like AND they're not outranking us! lol We have the Oklahoma State Fair happening in September. We went on the 15th and had a blast! In October, we have the Pumpkin Patch in Cyril at the Jahn's Farm and the Corn Maze in Weatherford. I can hardly wait to go this year. We have not been since we moved back from Germany. Now that my son is older, he'll get to enjoy the Haunted Maze and Laser Tag with his friends instead of Dear Old Mom and Dad. :) Although my son will not be trick-or-treating this year, we will still take part in some of the festivities. Maybe this year, he is old enough to walk WITH DAD (:oP) through the Trail Of Fear. Then, we'll make our way into November where our family will gather around a monumental smorgasbord of good-ole-down-home-cooking! Yup, I'm talkin' 'bout Thanksgivin'!! I make my same specialties every year. Every now and then I'll venture out and try something new, but I have been cooking these dishes for so long that my family expects these favorites to be on the TG menu. The Big Hungry Bear, aka The Husband, starts asking if I'm making the Potato Casserole days in advance. He knows I make it every year, but he just has to ask to make sure that "I" haven't forgotten about it. I am getting up in age ya know! ;)



Jahn's Pumpkin Patch

I hope each of you have a wonderful time outdoors as you get this much needed break from the heat. In Oklahoma, it doesn't last that long so we'll take it when we get it!! It's the perfect time to for you to: ride your horse(s) more often, knock some of those "honey-dos" off the list, rotate your wardrobe, plant some mums, paint some pumpkins, go on a photography road trip, pick some apples and plan more family outtings. The third season of the year makes it more pleasurable to do more of these things.

In addition to the changing landscape and getting to sport our favorite hoodies, there is another seasonal transformation that takes place...IN THE KITCHEN! With cooler weather comes our cravings for comfort foods. You know the ones.....all savory and hearty, cheesy and rich. Throw in a few Autumn-spiced sweets and you'll have a well- rounded Fall feast.

 

I have been cooking like a champ for the last few weeks. I've doled out some delicious Mini Apple Pies, Shrimp Stuffed Poblanos, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and Lobster Ravioli with Tomato Cream Sauce to name a few. I'll start posting some of these delicious recipes along with a few others soon. If  a particular recipe looks good, like the post . If you have a question, ask. Critique or advice, drop a line in the comment section. I would love to hear from you!

 

And now....here are a few pictures from the past for you to enjoy.

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A FEW COSTUMES

A Truck Driver (complete with Preperation H)

As Daddy



A Black Eyed "P"

George Washington

 

iPhone

Soldiers Dressed Up For A Fall FRG Party

 

A Little Fall Fun

Decorating Your Yard

Smores And Roasted Marshmallows Around The Firepit



Yes, in the military life...sometimes you gotta combine Thanksgiving AND Christmas!



Getting Stuffed!

With Your Beloved Animals

Taking A Few Family Pics






Enjoying A Nice Ride In The Cool Weather



 

      Again, thank you for joining me as I blog along

and I wish you all a....

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

 



Memory Strasse

Here's a bit of eye candy and a few fun

facts to wrap up the "german" week.

 

Thank you for joining me as I blog along!

 

 

The Imperial Baths (Kaiserthermen) were built in the 4th century
by Roman Emperor Constantine.
Trier
also known as Roma Secunda or Second Rome
 



Schloss Linderhof was built from 1870 to 1878.
It was one of the smallest of King Ludwig's castles.
Ettal

 



Driving on snow laden, mountainous roads in Germany
is not for the faint of heart!
Near Austrian border
 



View of the snow covered German-Austrian Alps.
Near Germany-Austria border

 



Luftlmalerei is the name of the typical
painted architecture in Bavaria.
Schwangau
 



Built in the 19th century, Schloss Neuschwanstein
sits perched on the side of a mountain.
Schwangau

 



Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg is the oldest in Germany.
This Christmas market dates back to the 15th century.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber

 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Porta Nigra (Black Gate)
was built around 180 AD by the Romans.
Trier

 

Liebfrauenkirche or The Church of Our Lady was completed in 1260 AD.
It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trier

Christmas lights add ambience
to a foggy winter's night.
Kusel

 

Burg Lichtenberg was built around 1200 AD.
Illuminated every night, it could be seen from our third
floor bedroom window.
Kusel

My beloved Rheinland-Pfalz blanketed in white.
Blaubach, near Kusel

 

Stone with city crest upon entering the community.
Blaubach, near Kusel
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Felsenkirche is uniquely built in a natural niche of the rock formation overlooking the city.
There is an interesting legend surrounding the construction of the church.
Idar-Oberstein

 

Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Construction began in 1248, but was not completed until 1880.
It is the tallest Gothic church in Northern Europe. It also has
the second tallest spires and largest facade of any church
in the world. This photograph does not truly capture its impressive
size.
Cologne

 

Kaiserdom zu Speyer (Imperial Cathedral of Speyer) is a major monument
of Romanesque art in the German Empire. It is also listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. It was commissioned to be built in 1024 AD.
Speyer

 



View of the Rhineland wine region.
Rhineland-Pfalz

 

The Romerbrucke's (Roman bridge) stone pilings date back to 144-152 AD
making it the oldest bridge in Germany.
Fascinating to see that it is still IN USE today.
Trier

 

*all pictures were taken by me and may not be used without permission*

From Facebook To Blogging: Making the Transition

I recently decided to attempt blogging. I figured since I was pretty much already doing it via facebook on a much...MUCH...smaller scale, why not make the transition into writing something more in depth than statuses and comments. It seemed to be the next logical step for me. I have a great many passions: 

                       My Army Husband

My Pre-Teen Son

   Cooking

Photography

 Traveling

 reading, crafts, shopping, decorating, horses, etc, etc. I figured that I could scrounge up enough subject matter from which to pluck a blog post or two. As never having done this before and not being the tech-savvy person I think I am (according to the aforementioned pre-teen), I ask for your patience until I get my bearings. Thank you and many blessings!