At Home In Georgia

I Am Addicted To Purses!

2012-02-13T19:27:00.007-05:00

This house we live in here in California has TWO walk-in closets in the master bedroom. It's a good thing because I have more purses than clothes. Before we ever got stationed in Korea I use to make my own purses...not anymore.
Not only do I have enough designer purses to go a month carrying a new purse each day, I have wallets...
...and designer sunglasses....
...and a drawer full of scarves. Korea was the bomb for fashion. These Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Gucci scarves were only $2-$5 each, so I bought one of each. :-)
Until I picked up my shiny red Louis Vuitton to use the other day I was using this plain grey and black Prada. Every few weeks I change my mind as to which one is my favorite.

A few weeks ago I was really down about my struggle with my weight. But since then I have been doing really well the last few weeks with making lots of healthier choices...I have lost almost 10 pounds. I am very excited but have a long hard road still. But when I get there I can't wait to go shopping for some super fun clothes to go with all the neat things I bought while living in Korea. When I get to a 25lb. weight loss one of my girlfriends still living in Korea is going to go purse shopping for me...I know I need another purse like I need a cookie. But ooooo I am already dreaming of what kind of purse I want later this year. My name is Jeni and I am a purseaholic!

Almost Ready For The Love Day

2012-02-12T01:05:00.010-05:00

I saw this idea online. These are for Ben and Madi to open on Valentine's Day. One gift for each of them to open on the 14th minute of each hour...they are going to dig this!

Summer of 2010 we took a vacation touring the WHOLE east coast...Washington DC, Boston, New York City AND PHILADELPHIA. In Philadelphia there is really a park named Love Park. The is the famous artwork...LOVE, that is how it got it's name. I never knew until we went there that this was a "real" thing. So I cross-stitched this LOVE in honor of Valentine's Day and in remembrance of going to LOVE Park in Philly. The fabric on the bottom is a map of Paris...another fun LOVE place we loved touring in.

These are just some cute red trees

displayed on my kitchen counter.

I made some LOVE cards.

This is one of the gifts I am giving Steve. It's a baby quilt...I saw the idea online. I sewed the blue lines and red line then stitched the words...fun

huh?

This is a super fun card I made for Steve. My kids cracked up...they were in my craft room when I was making this. Steve is going to get a good chuckle.

Since it's almost Valentine's I am carrying my lovely shiny red Louis Vuitton. And for extra fun I am using my shiny aqua Louis Vuitton zipper wallet...red and aqua...LOVE!

My First Afghan...

2012-02-07T13:24:00.004-05:00

Finally it's done...my first afghan. I have been crocheting this since Thanksgiving. Boy is it a lot of work! It's big, close to a single bed size but not quite. It's heavy. It's cream with a dark plum in colors. I am in love with it. I just finished it this morning but already to start another...hmm, what colors/pattern?

Hershey Kisses

2012-02-05T01:35:00.006-05:00

At Christmas I saw the idea of these Hershey Kisses but had already made other treats for the kids to hand out. So when they came around again for Valentines it was a done deal. Those are the cutest stickers to place on the bottoms of Hershey Kisses. I made tags that read "Happy Valentine's Day Kisses, Madi". To top off the cuteness I have "I heart chocolate" twisties I bought in Korea. I have found some of the most fun things when shopping in Korea. I just bought stuff knowing that one day I would find the perfect use for it all. Here is the link for the Kiss stickers if you want to make them. Ben is going to take a big red bowl of the these for his last class of the day. Middle schooler's don't want Valentines....just a big bowl of the candy.

These are the twisties...I only paid $1 for a pack. So of course I picked up a few packs and other kinds too. These were found at the outdoor Namdaemun Market.

Bring On The Hearts

2012-02-01T18:55:00.009-05:00

It's hard for me to believe it's already February. Usually January drags on. But I think because it's been in the 60's everyday here in California it seems like Spring instead of Winter.

Well I made another dishtowel...this one with a patchwork heart on it.

My kids this morning. They are funny. Madi wore her new heart shirt I made her. I love the colors.

I stitched the 'LOVE'.

Also for the kitchen I crocheted a couple of Valentine themed wash clothes. Madi picked the white one to use today...she likes it best.

A couple of weeks ago I went on an all day super fun shopping trip to San Francisco with other wives from the base. Oh my gosh are there some fun stores there! I love kitchen stores. In one of them I must have spent an hour. I did buy that fun Eiffel Tower cookie cutter there. Perfect huh?!?

This is what I made for dinner last night. YUMMY! Tonight we are having Double Mushroom Soup. I have been enjoying trying out some new recipes. If the soup is good I will share the recipe.

We're In Love With The Boy

2012-01-31T23:50:00.005-05:00

This past weekend we fell in love with my new little nephew. My sister-in-laws parents are staioned at Travis AFB, CA about 1 hour from my house so it worked out perfect. Man we couldn't get enough of this happy guy.

Only Jen and the baby and her parents came to visit us. But Danny and Bailey joined the party via video chat. Ben, Madi and Bailey played for a while over video. They were doing some funky dancing and cracking each other up.

The Lakers AND Harlem Globetrotters

2012-01-26T13:36:00.008-05:00

We loved living in Korea but are happy to be back to the USA...the land of sports. And boy are we glad the NBA finally stopped their strike and started playing!!! We live so very close to the Kings Arena that we want to take advantage of it. We made our way into that Kings/Lakers sellout. Steve took this picture. Look at Jimmer off the ground and being guarded by Kobe. Boy was it LOUD and full of electricity in there!

Kings did beat the Lakers.

Me and the kids...the only picture of us in the arena.

A few years ago I took the kids to see the Harlem Globetrotters when we were stationed in Atlanta but Steve was in Iraq and missed it. So when they came to Sacramento the kids begged to go. Well if you have ever seen them you know how fun it is, so we went again.

We had great seats...row F. Six rows up from the court. When the did they did the water throwing act we got wet.

This is me on the day we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters. I like to wear black...most days. I am not very good at fashion but that day I had on jeans with a black sweater and a necklace that was the same color blue as my jeans and I loved it. I like this picture...I look skinny don't I? I am so not skinny. I wish. It's so hard for me. But I have started working really hard on it. My goal this year is to work very hard on myself. In 2009 I ran in that half marathon. Now I don't know if I want to do that again...that was REALLY REALLY hard. But I want to get healthier which I hope will help me loose weight and I want to become more fashionable.

B is for baby, boy....

2012-01-25T16:16:00.004-05:00

My brother and his wife have a new baby boy so I thought he could use a set of cute bibs. Before becoming a full-time mother, my sister-in-law taught 1st grade, so I thought she would really enjoy the Dr. Seuss fabric.

I love Dr. Seuss!!! I have yards and yards of Dr. Seuss fabric too. I found this at the fabric market in Dongdaemun, Korea this past summer. It was so cheap, at least a quarter of the price it is in the quilting stores here in America, so when I saw it I knew it was a steal and bought TONS of it. Glad I did.

My Red And Aqua Bathroom

2012-01-23T18:00:00.004-05:00

Oh yea baby...my downstairs bathroom is RED AND AQUA! The main part of my house is very warm. It's painted a total California golden color and I like it very much. But red and aqua are my favorite. Remember my laundry room is painted a baby blue with beautiful red front loaders, but that wasn't enough so I did a blue/aqua in the bathroom with red accents downstairs.

I leave the door open and the little recessed light above the sink on because I love looking in there anytime I pass by. I am always keeping my out for some new red pretties to put in here.

crocheted IPhone cover

2012-01-22T22:26:00.004-05:00

I have been sitting here enjoying the night with my family. We had a delicious Korean dinner-bulgogi, broccoli and egg rolls. We are all sitting here in the family room watching the 49's/Giants. Since we now live in California we are rooting for the 49's...but will be okay if it's the Giants who win...we LOVE NYC. While sitting here this evening I crocheted myself this pretty iPhone cover. Check out my ruffly edge!!

OOOOO the game is in overtime!

Winter

2012-01-21T09:52:00.007-05:00

My WINTER dinning room. I love how simple and easy to keep clean it is.

Remember my big beautiful pine cones I picked up at Lake Tahoe over Thanksgiving. I love them so much I think they may stay out all year.

Steve got me this HUGE picture of New York City. NYC is our favorite city in the world...over Vancouver, Canada, Tokyo, Paris... I just love this picture of the city with the clouds and the colors. It's on the Brooklyn Bridge and you can see the Empire State....it was only 18 months ago when my family went to the top.

I moved my subway art into our family room. It's one of my favorite things too.

Another new kitchen towel. It's just a cheap flour sack towel with pretty fabric sewn to the end and I did a cute running stitch for extra cuteness. I started another on last night I hope to finish today. I want to make a pretty stack for my kitchen.

"My Room"

2012-01-17T00:18:00.008-05:00

Yes, I have my own room and I love it. It's full of all my favorite stuff and even complete with an HD flat screen...I can spend all day in here. My room is also home to the PS3 so often times the rest of the fam keeps me company. It's a regular thing to have the kids ask me to go in the craft room with them...they like me to craft and watch them play at the same time.

This fun print is what welcomes you when you enter my room.

We have only been stationed here 4 months but I sure feel like it's home sweet home.

My Polish Cheese Lady

2012-01-10T12:33:00.005-05:00

Isn't she a beauty? I absolutely love her to death. So when I found a stitchery pattern to make I thought it would be so fun to make a pretty towel for my kitchen.

I have TONS of polish pottery. It's all I bake in. It's the best and so beautiful.

My first trip to Poland: was back in April 2003. It was right after the Shock And Awe we had on Iraq. We were living in Germany. My husband was an Air Force Weather Forecaster attached to the Army's 1st Armored Division...who was among the first to drive from Kuwait to Baghdad. 1 week before Steve left he said if I wanted to go to Poland I better just go because the military had no idea how long they would be in Iraq. Steve was on a waiting list to ship to Kuwait...it took way over a week to to send everyone. So at lunch that day I mentioned I wanted to go to my neighbor and she said "lets go!" We made plans to leave that night or the next morning around 3 am. Well we were having so much fun that evening making our lists of what we wanted to get and picking up lists from a few of the girls around us that at 10 pm we were wound up and didn't think we could get to sleep. So we decided to shower and leave. OMG...my neighbor didn't want to drive but said we could take her van. I still laugh. I jumped in her Japanese made van with the steering wheel on the right. Now I lived in Japan and knew I could easily get back in the swing of driving like that but the kicker was the roads, German roads are like USA roads you drive on the right. So I drove around the block 3 times to get a feel for the crazy ride and then we hit the autobahn. So after being up all day taking care of my two babies all day I drive ALL the way to Poland in a Japanese van on the autobahn. We were so delirious by the time we got there. But boy did we shop!!!! We filled that van up! After shopping all day we started feeling sick. To top it off we got lost...they had closed the main road to get back to the border so we had to drive through neighborhoods. It is 3rd world and people were herding their goats. We were almost out of gas. We found a gas stationed with 10 or more cars in line. It was a gas station that looked like something in the ghetto in the 1950's with only 1 pump. The locals were starring at us. I remember I felt so sick and was so hungry. After crossing back into Germany we stopped in the town of Dresden to eat at McDonald's. We did make it home before dark that next night. Steve was so nice and had some food waiting for me so I could eat and he carried in all my boxes of pottery and tucked me into bed.

This little lady makes me happy so she is serving as my centerpiece.

Howard Dean's Scream

2012-01-03T19:40:00.000-05:00

My FAVORITE alltime political video! It was 8 years ago tonight in Iowa.

A Few Favorites From 2011

2012-01-01T19:40:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T14:44:00.003-05:00

We are excited for tonight! 2011 have been very exciting. We were on the go. We lived in 3 different houses...4 months in Megatrium, 4 months in Epyonghansasong and 4 months here in this house in CA. Hopefully we will only live in 1 house in 2012. Wishing for a GREAT 2012.

Merry Winter

2011-12-29T21:42:00.005-05:00

Yes, I have started switching over Christmas to Winter/Snowmen/January. Every year at this time I usually make tons of crafts...the kids are out of school and we spend a lot of time at home. This year is no different, I have been decorating and crafting and watching movies and having a great time with my family.

I made myself this new mitten...it's cutest ever.

Floating candles...my new FAVORITE. Every late afternoon I turn them on to make the house look and feel so pretty.

It's Been Wonderful

2011-12-26T13:35:00.004-05:00

Our whole weekend has been so nice. I made these festive Christmas pillowcases for the kids. I love how they enjoy things like this. The Christmas pillowcases made them sleep super good Christmas Eve.

We made peppermint bark, molasses/gingerbread boys and 2 other kinds of cookies but these M&M cookies were our favorite. I just used the recipe off the back of the bag of the mini M&M's.

Ben is one lucky little boy. He got his own laptop and NBA tickets for Christmas. It's the Kings opener tonight against the Lakers. Ben got 4 tickets...so look for us on TV.

Jelly Belly

2011-12-21T12:02:00.010-05:00

Yesterday Steve had the day off work so we took advantage of it and went on a California adventure...to the Jelly Belly factory. It was so cool. They have a free 40 minute tour of the entire factory. We actually were in the packaging department, saw them mixing the ingredients, saw all the robots stacking the bean filled trays, saw the workers adding the coloring and sugar to make the hard coating...I am telling you it was so neat. MMM it smelled so good in there. No cameras were allowed inside the factory so you'll have to take my word for how amazing seeing the fields of beans was.

It takes about a week to make a jelly bean. The top three flavors of Jelly Belly are 1- Cherry, 2- Buttered Popcorn and 3- black licorice...I would have never guessed those.

We learned it was Ronald Regan who made Jelly Belly's so famous. When he was Governor of California he tried to quit smoking and when the going got tough he reached for Jelly Belly's instead of a cigarette. The Jelly Belly company would send beans to the Governor for free. After a while they say every meeting at the Capitol here in Sacramento began with the Jelly Belly bowl being passed around. When Regan became President that is when the Jelly Belly company made the blue blueberry bean. At the inauguration there were jars of red, white and blue beans everywhere. Soon there were Jelly Belly's in the White House and even on Air Force One. On Air Force One they made a unique bowl to keep the beans from spilling in flight when they experienced turbulence. There are many portraits of famous people made out of Jelly Belly's but Ronald Regan's was the first.

So if you are ever in Northern California and have a craving for something sweet I would suggest stopping by One Jelly Belly Lane Fairfield, California.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Mid December and our temps on in the low 60's. I think California is so pretty. I love the palm trees and mountains and blue skies.

We LOVE Korea!

2011-12-20T00:14:00.006-05:00

My heart just stopped last night when I heard the news coming out of North Korea. I believe the world is a better place with a man like that gone. We love the country and people of Korea. I want all my friends still living there to be safe.

Look at this picture of Madi...when we first moved to Korea she could NOT eat with chopsticks. Now she is a pro!

As a mom I am thrilled my children lived in Korea and experienced so many wonderful things. I know they will forever love Korea and it's people. And speaking of Madi here is a funny story:

We lived off post in Seoul. So many of the kids friends were Korean kids that lived near us. Koreans love love love baseball. All the kids would spend hours playing baseball outside. The Korean kids spoke enough English to speak it while playing with Ben and Madi because you would hear "strike one, strike two..." Most of the Korean kids my kids would play with were boys. Well one day after school everyone was playing at the park. All of a sudden I started hearing "jdjfiowjejeijowj Madi." "sdfowjeijwjfe Madi." So I started paying closer attention to what was going on because the Korean boys that were saying this were not even playing with Madi at the time. Then one of the boys ran over to Madi and was saying "love Madi" and pointing at one of the other Korean boys. Then a different Korean boy came over to Madi and asked her if she liked Korea and she shook her head yes. I guess the kid was making sure Madi liked his homeland before he started making long term/marriage plans. It cracked me up...it still does.

So I am keeping a prayer in my heart that whatever happens just might be better than before. Also I will be thinking of my military friends who are still there. Many of the spouses will be working lots of overtime with all this uncertainty on the peninsula and it's the week of Christmas. Let's just hope for peace.

Ben's Christmas Concert

2011-12-16T22:23:00.004-05:00

Last night was Ben's first band concert. It was wonderful. They played 10 Christmas songs. It seemed extra special to me because it was December 15th...my grandpa moseley's birthday!

Yummy Frosty

2011-12-13T18:05:00.003-05:00

One pan down two to go. We are taking these to all our Christmas parties. I found the idea on Pinterest. Even the middle schoolers get a Christmas party on Friday...I am so excited. I was afraid when Ben started middle school this fun stuff might be over but his teachers said "Bring it on!"

Christmas Crafts

2011-12-11T22:17:00.007-05:00

I love sweetwater. They have a style that is me. Every year I order a few of their 12 Days of Christmas projects. I did order a couple this year and love them. The other day I made this sign with Harmon on it...I dig anything with and H or Harmon on it.

This weekend I made the most beautiful dishtowel. It has a Christmas theme so next on my list is one just like but one I can leave out throughout the year. The towel is so gorgeous I can only use for display.

I have the sweetest kids! They enjoy doing some of my craziest fun things with me. The other night we decorated some oranges with whole cloves and they loved it...both of the kids did. I use to make these as a kid.

My kitchen carried the smell of cloves this whole week. MMM!

I have never cared for the color purple very much. My daughter will choose the color purple for anything and everything. I am such a nice mom I agreed to let her pick the colors of paint she wanted in her bedroom and of course she chose 2 shades of purple. But when Steve's mom was here she got me started crocheting granny squares. On my own accord I fell for a perfect dark plum yarn and a cream to go with it. I am beginning to create quite a stack of squares.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

2011-12-09T16:13:00.011-05:00

My house feels so warm and cozy all dressed up for Christmas.

When we were over at Lake Tahoe over Thanksgiving the main thing I wanted to get was the beautiful HUGE pine cones they have all over the place. I put these in my German dough bowl but still have more...any ideas on what I could do or make with them? I LOVE them.

We have this balcony that over looks in to the living room, that is how I took the picture above this one.

Madi's Christmas shirt. I just cut 3 triangles and stacked them...EASY! Of course we got some red & aqua in there but check out the gingerbread trunk.

My favorite Christmas pillow I made all the way back in 1999...I dated it. I need to do that more often. I like looking at my things and remembering what was going on in my life then.

It's All In The Packaging!

2011-12-08T17:34:00.007-05:00

A few years ago my friend amber picked up these same cute bags from Target for $1. I loved what she did with them. So when I saw them after Christmas for 90% off I picked up 20 of them for $2! I made some little gift bags filled with divine smelling peppermint soap accompanied with one of my crocheted wash clothes.

For this years wrapping paper theme I picked out red, cream and grey. They look so pretty to me...

...but Madi has thrown a wrench in the whole thing. She found these hip Justin Bieber Christmas tags. She asked me to get them to use on her gifts. I did and I even got the purple wrapping paper to go with them. As long as she is happy it's okay.

Christmas Pictures...2011

2011-12-06T19:11:00.002-05:00

I LOVE them!!!! We went outside to the orchards behind my house. I took a chair, quilt, the numbers and my two little ones.

December 5, 1996

2011-12-05T13:56:00.005-05:00

Today is my 15th Wedding Anniversary. What a 15 years it has been. We have the 2 sweetest kids in the world. Our life is never boring....in the last 15 years we have lived in 9 different states/countries. It's been crazy fun.

My kids thoroughly enjoy the Christmas Countdown I made them. Today...December 5th...

We are going out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary and then from the countdown, it is our turn to go to Starbucks for the kids favorite...white hot chocolate to drink while we drive around town looking at Christmas lights. So I better hurry, I need to fold laundry, go run and then change before my kids get out of school at 1:30. I can't wait until tonight!!!

Grinch Pills

2011-12-03T23:11:00.002-05:00

Have you ever known anyone to spend over $30 on tic-tacs? If you are reading this you have now. But the second I saw these I knew Madi and I would love to make them. This is what Madi is giving her class for Christmas....I know, no reindeer poop?

Lake Tahoe

2011-12-01T13:43:00.012-05:00

A few weeks ago Steve was so excited when he told me he booked us a weekend in Tahoe. We are about to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I was giddy over the fact that Steve did all this...he always remembers our anniversary. Steve knew his mom was coming and could keep our kids while we were away, but the more I sat on it I thought we should take Teresa and the kids with us. I mentioned it to Steve. It wasn't that I was excited to have a romantic getaway but it's Tahoe how could I leave the others behind. So Steve booked a 2nd room and we all went.

It's a beautiful 2-2 1/2 hour drive from my house. This is the first view of the lake when you drive over Echo Summit.

We rode the gondola to the top. Us, at the observation deck. You can see the whole lake.

Nana and the kids.

They loved the ride on the gondola.

It's beautiful! This is the view from the hotel room.

I was content sitting in my room.

The kids enjoyed the winter activities but I think we need to go back in the summer too...there is a beach at the lake. The beauty of Tahoe was amazing and totally lived up to the hype.

Christmas From Around The World

2011-11-30T00:43:00.005-05:00

My favorite thing the military has given to us is the chance to live/travel the world. Steve's mom is still here and together we made this "forest". One tree has my old german ornaments I picked up at a flea market in Germany. The smallest tree shelters the most precious Korean ornaments I got on a fun shopping trip in Insadong, Korea. The big tree has lots of flags from countries we have visited. And I made the ornaments that say New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Paris, Prague...I just love it. Ben and Madi want me to make some that say Atlanta, Philadelphia, Orlando and something else but I don't remember; so I guess I can make a few more. Steve's mom leaves tomorrow. I love the way she cooks for us, cleans up after us, does the laundry for us....we can't wait until she can come back.

Dinning Room & Cranberry Sauce

2011-11-20T22:46:00.008-05:00

Finally, we hung something on the walls in our dinning room. The fact that my mother-in-law is coming for Thanksgiving was the push I needed to get things done. I love the peg rack look and it only cost $12. Now I can even change things out for holidays or seasons, fun!

For my centerpiece I have a small quilt I made with an antique dough bowl I got from a flea market in Germany. I remember the older women I bought it from said it belonged to her mother-in-law. After the Berlin Wall fell the family went over to the Dresden area to clean out the house and bring it all closer to Wiesbaden/Frankfurt. I have my German treasure filled with white pumpkins, crows and one of my stitcheries.

This is my first time ever making my own cranberry sauce. LOVE IT! Not only is it the prettiest thing I've seen jarred but it tastes so good.

Aunt Bonnie's Cranberry Sauce

Wash 3 cups fresh cranberries removing stems

Sir together 2 cups water and 2 cups sugar in deep saucepan

Heat to boiling; boil 5 minutes

Stir in cranberries

Bring to boil and boil rapidly 5 minutes.

Cool and place in jars-refrigerate 8 hours

The other day was my cousin Michelle's birthday. Bonnie sent out these fun throw backs to start the celebration that morning. Here I am with Michelle and our stunning Aunt Bonnie.

This was the same day. We were going to a wedding. This is my cousin Michelle and I with our Great Grandma. Ha I am the one with the hat and purse...oh my. Next I need to make some of my Grandma's mustard pickles!

Ben 1/112!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-18T01:23:00.004-05:00

I knew Ben was getting all A's. Almost everyday we look online at both kids graded work that the teacher's are constantly uploading. I also knew most of the A's Ben was getting were like 99% type A's. But I did not know until 2 days ago that Ben was ranked NUMBER ONE of the whole 6th grade. We are so proud.

Tomorrow is the last day of school before Thanksgiving. We are handing out these gobbley treats. I loved the M&M's this year with those beautiful fall colors.

Hats And More

2011-11-15T16:49:00.005-05:00

I finished my black hat. I love black.

Madi wanted a purple one -done. And now I am spoiling her with a red one. In a few weeks I think Madi and I both with have hats in every color imagine able.

I am also stitching names of a few of our favortie cities around the world we have been to for a project later.

I am in love with this HUGE black H. I added a few other H's in the mix too. I am getting really exctied about getting ready to decorate for Christmas.

Front And Center On ESPN

2011-11-12T21:40:00.003-05:00

My boys did good. This is at Stanford University; they hosted today's College Gameday for ESPN. Look at that Georgia flag waving front and center. They had a ball. Madi and I had fun sitting here in the family room watching our boys on TV.

Veteran's Day and College Game Day @ Stanford

2011-11-11T19:17:00.007-05:00

Well my boys left, headed west over to the Bay. Tomorrow is the Stanford vs. Oregon game and I believe they are both undefeated at the end of this football season. Should be very excited. Stanford is hosting College Game Day. Steve took our tall painting pole and Georgia Flag...so everybody look for the boys holding and waving the UGA flag. They are crazy fun aren't they.

Steve ironed the flag. Our house has 20 ft. ceilings so he was able to practice 'the wave of the flag'.

I crocheted myself a hat. I must admit this is seriously addicting. Madi is playing with her girlfriends, the boys headed over to Palo Alto/Stanford, and I am enjoying this Veteran's Day. I now just started myself a black hat and I am watching the UNC/Michigan State basketball game....it's being played on an aircraft carrier...how freaking awesome is that for those young men on the teams and the navy folks assigned to that ship. I never use to think much about Veteran's Day. I was active duty Air Force for 5 years and in the Air Force Reserves for two years and never during any of that time did I realize how special it was, not just a day off work. Now that I am older and a mom I am so glad about the decisions that I made. Ben and Madi have a pride for their mom and dad....when I was young I never thought about my children and what they would think of me. Never before did I worry about setting a good example for my kids. The time I spent in the Air Force are my glory days and that is how and when I met Steve. I hope my kids make decisions to go places and live a thrilling life. Especially Madi. Girls not just boys can do extraordinary things.
,
Happy Veteran's Day! And be sure to look for my boys with the UGA flag tomorrow on College Game Day. Now I am going to go work on my black hat and watch the basketball game. Check out the uniforms they are wearing in honor of Veteran's Day....camouflage in the school colors.

3 & 4

2011-11-09T14:36:00.007-05:00

Madi is home sick today. I hate when either of the kids are sick but love the chance it gives me to sit around with them and get caught up on stuff. This morning I finished my blocks 3 & 4 of the quilt-along. Boy were the 2 3/8 inch squares cut diagonal and subcut again tedious...but the blocks are gorgeous.

The other day I picked up Justin Bieber's newly released Christmas CD. I was saving it for a raining/sick day, so guess what we have been listening to the last 2-3 hours. Could be worse.

Madison looked like a cutie pie wearing the Turkey shirt I made her. Now I need to get started on a Christmas one...maybe today while she is around and we are jamming to Christmas tunes Bieber style.

Lewis Grizzard - Rivalry Jokes

2011-11-07T23:08:00.001-05:00

Us Harmon folk love to laugh, love football and are thankful for youtube!!!

Madi's Turkey

2011-11-04T19:34:00.002-04:00

I just finished making Madi a turkey shirt to strut around in this month. The pattern in over here, you can copy it right off your computer screen. To me, it's the cutest thing ever. I have it hanging by the TV in the family room so I can look at it. Now, I must go cook dinner because my own little turkey's are getting hungry.

Season Of Thankfulness

2011-11-03T22:50:00.008-04:00

Maybe it's because I am getting older but I enjoy everyday in November. Celebrating Thanksgiving was just on that day. Now I like having the whole month to contemplate on all the things I am thankful for. Today I had the chance to set some Thanksgiving decorations around the house. That tree on the bottom of the fireplace is our Thankful tree we made a few years ago. I love reading the ornaments: our cat, caprisuns, football, our dad being safe, soccer, food... I am thankful we made that a few years back.

I am thankful my dad was able to come spend Halloween with us.

I am thankful for good memories. Look at them, they are separating the candy. They made lines of twix, butterfinger... We had a great time trick-or-treating. All our neighbors went together so the kids were with all the friends. And holy cow our neighborhood was lite up in orange lights, so festive.

Steve had to work late Halloween, until after 8pm...he missed all the fun. But we are thakful he is here with us rather than being deployed.

The kids are thankful for their dodgeball teams, they have a lot of fun. I must say it's very entertaining to watch. There must be 50 boys and 5 girls and look at Madi, she is still in the game after that line of boys had already gotten out.

I am thankful for Madi and her new little boots too.

Papa Is Here

2011-10-31T00:09:00.013-04:00

Papa has been here for 3 days and we still have 2 left. Like always, we have been treated to dinner at some awesome restaurants and have had lots of fun playing.

Bishop's Pumpkin Farn is the neatest and prettiest pumpkin patch I have been to.

They make their own cider. They sell cider slushies.

Steve and the kids went through the corn maze.

This was such a neat place, I am already looking for forward to next year.

California Girls

2011-10-28T00:38:00.005-04:00

It's official! I have always wanted one of these. It's hard to believe we actually live in California.

Oh my goodness...we had been driving around with no license plate, just a big piece of paper taped to our back window that read: US Forces Korea - exp. 11/11. You would not believe how many CHP's road my butt trying to look at that paper. When we left Germany they at least let us keep the German plate. I don't know why Korea didn't.

New Laundry Can And A New Hat

2011-10-24T15:42:00.003-04:00

I needed a laundry basket. I have been looking. They are all so expensive and I never found one I liked either. My hair salon in Georgia had painted a metal trash can white for their trash inside and I thought it was the cutest idea. Then last week I saw the same idea online so I knew it was meant to be. The cans are $24 but I like it painted red in my laundry room. I am having so much fun decorating my new house.

For years I wanted to crochet a hat but I thought it was hard...NOT. Now I can't understand patterns well so I just started crocheting and it worked. I am so excited! I have already started another.

Zucchini Crisps/H4

2011-10-21T16:19:00.005-04:00

These zucchini crisps are soooo good I have made them as a part of our dinner the last two nights. I found the recipe here. You just slice your zucchini, toss it in olive oil, then toss in a mixture of 50/50 panko and parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Even Ben and Madi love them.

My friend Amber made the cutest trick or treat pillows the other day. Instead of holiday themed, I wanted to try something different...an 'H' and a '4'. I remember Pottery Barn selling these for more than I would pay...these were practically free.

Herman Cain's Ode to Pizza

2011-10-18T20:07:00.001-04:00

There is a debate tonight. I love all this stuff. I love America!

Hey GA people. Did you know he is from right by our house on Eagles Landing...just a fun FYI.

In The Kitchen

2011-10-17T23:06:00.005-04:00

Steve and I have lived in 10 different homes since we married almost 15 years ago and finally we moved into a house that has a kitchen I love. See that little desk way back there. I can keep my own laptop and other office type supplies I use daily.

Decorating the counter tops.

Some Halloween things in the kitchen. Look at that bowl of candy corn...remember I made that a few years back.

I had a friend who had framed bulletin board and thought it was a great idea. So glad I tried that. And my little, old, white mailbox I use for my bills...like an in/out box.

Sewing Hometown

2011-10-15T18:03:00.005-04:00

Another set of placemats. Last Christmas I made beautiful christmas placemats. It was also last winter when the ladies over at sweetwater debuted their Hometown line. Well this Hometown was not available for sale until July...right in the middle of my big move from Korea to California. So as soon as I got to California I had a one track mind to get some of this fabric. That fabric with all the names of cities on it is my FAVORITE. All along I knew I wanted to make placemats. So here I am, I made it to California, I have my new house and all my household goods, Hometown fabric and my placemats are finished. Phew I had looked forward to all this for a long time.

No pattern was needed. I just thought up four different designs and went for it.

I can not get enough of this Hometown so I also chose it for my quilt along. Block two came out this past Tuesday and I woke up that morning so excited.

These are two baby quilts I made in Korea for the Stork's Nest. So somewhere in Korea there are two babies snuggling with these. I miss that quilting club over there.

Jack

2011-10-12T16:05:00.008-04:00

My new "Jack".

The pattern was in the fall Create And Decorate. As soon as I saw Jack I new I had to make him.

Madi in her new spooky skirt. I got the fabric for 3,000 won in Korea, so about $2.75 a yard...my local quilt shop is selling this new Micheal Miller line for $10.50 a yard. I love when I score a good deal. I am glad I bought the 3 yards I did while I was in Korea.

Madi and her friends all stitching up some Halloween designs.

This week I have been diligently working on my Christmas cards. My goal is to be done by this weekend.

Family Room

2011-10-07T22:16:00.007-04:00

It was 11 days ago our household goods were delivered and I have been unpacking non-stop. I am not done but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our new house here in California has a living room and a family room...we have always just had one room not two but I think I like this. I LOVE our family room and the way it's connected to the kitchen.

I really like old wooden pieces and put a few in here...the table and pie-safe. I also love the look of crates so there are some holding magazines under the table.

And then these little French beauties. On one of our trips to France while living in Germany I snatched them up. I also really enjoy displaying all the many crafty things I have made over the years.

Of course Steve likes his big tv. I like looking at my quilts in the piece under the tv. This is the view sitting on the couch...you can see on the left out to the front door. Home sweet home!

Quilt Along Block One

2011-10-06T14:25:00.002-04:00

The Quilt Along over at mooseontheporch has me so excited. I finished my first block and can't wait until next Tuesday, when block two comes out.

The Crow

2011-10-03T00:26:00.003-04:00

I had the best time making some cards this weekend. Steve was so nice, he cooked dinner Saturday night for us....fish and chips. And frozen pizza for our late snack. Since I didn't have to cook I made a bunch of cards.

Fall/Autumn is my favorite time of year. I enjoy decorating for fall and Halloween more than any other. When I was in the Air Force and single I would decorate even then...before the hubby and kids came along. Check out my new centerpiece. Kinda spooky...I LOVE it!!!

Ha! Ladies and Gents I have a little crafter living in my house. I am so proud. Madi is a good little stitcher.

Pillowcases, Washclothes, Unpacking

2011-09-30T19:23:00.010-04:00

Madi went to a birthday party the other day. We made a pillowcase to give with a copy of the newest Dork Diaries...the little girl loved her gift. :-)

I had a friend in Korea who was Korean. Whenever I needed help finding something in Korea or needed anything she was there for me. And she showed me all kinds of yummy Korean foods to buy. She has a little girl named Olivia that is who this is for. I made the pillowcase and Ben and Madi found the Olivia bood to go with it...it's Halloween so I need to get this in the mail right away.

Festive homemade washclothes are my must have in my kitchen...my new ones for fall.

I have ben unpacking, unpacking, unpacking, unpacking.....and finally I unpacked something really fun. I bought these push and pull signs in Korea. This "pull" one is on my pantry door in the kitchen.

Where's the bathroom? Yep a "toilet" one too.

My kids have gotten out of school at noon everyday this week and today no school. I told them we could go out to lunch and go bowling or something, but they wanted to stay home and play in the hood. What the heck are they doing out there?

Yummy Mummies

2011-09-28T00:37:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I have some Halloween treats done before it's even October. Madi actually squealed over how much she loved these wrapped up Hershey Bars with wiggly eyes. It was over at skiptomylou.org that I first saw these cute treats.

Our household goods finally arrived yesterday. I am up to my eyeballs in boxes.

Gold Rush Country

2011-09-26T00:56:00.007-04:00

We went for a nice drive this afternoon up in the mountains and stopped in a small gold rush town.

We found the high school in Grass Valley. They have one of Northern California's good football teams. What a beautiful campus in the mountains they have.

We cracked up when we saw these.

Look at the food stand at the football field...we are are in gold rush country....they are the Nevada Union Miners.

We saw a stagecoach?!? Gold rush country.

A Good Day...

2011-09-21T22:48:00.008-04:00

This is where we live...our neighborhood. We totally love all the palm trees. Steve wants to plant one, two or three in our yard. California has lots of pretty trees, bushes and flowers. Landscaping around here is so pretty and neat. We are learning the terrain around here. It is very hot here. Today it was 101 AGAIN and tomorrow but Friday 99 and Sat. in the 80's but then it goes back up. It's a dry heat at least. Things are very dry (in the neighborhoods we have sprinkler systems in all the yards that's how they stay green) and we have seen a couple of fires out here. There is one closer to downtown Sacramento tonight. Still no rain; it's been sunny and hot every single day we have lived here. There were a few lighting strikes the other night which sent out warnings for fires but nothing.

Not only do we have palm tress but we have mountains...welcome to California. I just love it I'm telling ya. I took this picture out the window this morning. Those are the Sierra Nevada out there.

My world! They had school pictures today.

Even though it's 101 degrees summer is almost over. My perfume this summer was Nina Ricci. Love the clean scent. But now that it's almost fall I want this by Dior. Last month when I was in Georgia; Steve's mom and I were at Sephora smelling some scents and I got a sample of this and now it's calling my name.

I will get some pictures to share soon but let me tell you I really love my new kitchen. I have been cooking everyday. Tonight I tried a new recipe. No leftovers...we ate it ALL.

Chicken Parmesan

Take thinly sliced chicken breasts, dip in egg and then dredge in Panko-Japanese breadcrumbs. Fry in oil on stove.

In a crock pot, pour 1 jar tomoato-basil pasta sauce. Arrange chicken on top of sauce. Cook on high 3 1/2 hours. Sprinkle 8oz mozzarella cheese and 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese and cook 10 more minutes. Serve over noodles. It's so yummy....taste like fine Italian food and it was so easy.

Brussels Sprouts And Apple Cider

2011-09-19T21:50:00.007-04:00

These were out of this world good! I got the recipe out of a magazine. I LOVE brussles sprouts. My grandpa use to grow them in his garden and when my mom was pregnant with me she would eat tons of them....this is where we think my love of brussles sprouts came from.

Garlic-Roasted Brussles Sprouts with Mustard Sauce.

Wash and cut fresh brussles srouts. Toss in olive oil and minced garlic. Bake on cookie sheet at 450 for 15 min stirring occasionally.

In small sauce pan boil 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3 TBSP dijon mustard and salt and pepper. Boil for 1 minute then drizzle over roasted brussles sprouts.

The looked so pretty served in my blue and white Japanese bowels.

September = Apples to me. Apple cider too. I made some seasonal gifts with an apple cider theme.

The tag has a bottle of cider on it. I really enjoy this time of year.

Pink Month

2011-09-17T01:19:00.004-04:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month...Pink Month. I know too many people that have lost loved ones to Breast Cancer. Last week while I was walking around the craft store they had a display of sorts of pink crafty things geared towards this disease. Well I love making things so I thought I could crochet washclothes for my friends and family that have lost wonderful women to this disease. Check out that paper with all the bra's on it...too cute. You know I just finished these last night and today I talked to one of my most favorite friends to learn her sister was just diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. My friends sister is in her 30's and has the sweetest little boys ages 1 and 3. Doesn't this just make you sick. I am just praying for peace and strength for my friend and her family.

My friend Susy, the one who got me to agree to run in that half marathon in hilly ol' Nashville two years ago, is running tomorrow in the Air Force Marathon. She has been stationed at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio for 3 years and runs this marathon every year...that crazy girl. She said the Air Force marathon, half marathon and and 10k have been sold out since June...who are all these running fools? Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Chuseok...Korean Thanksgiving 2011

2011-09-15T15:51:00.006-04:00

We may have left Korea but our love of Korean food will last forever! This past Monday was Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving. It was so fun last year to celebrate it while living in Korea. Last year Chuseok fell on 22 Sep. this year 12 Sep. it all depends on the phases of the moon as to when it will be. So does the New Year...Lunar New Year. Anyways, my family, even though we live in California now still wanted to celebrate Chuseok. We did so with a delicious dinner of Chop Ch'ae. I am proud of my ability to make some yummy Korean foods...my family loves it.

Chop Chae is pretty easy. It's made of glass noodles. You can buy these noodles from many stores and the commissary, they are noodles made from potato startch...that's what you need to know when buying the noodles.

Chop Ch'ae

Soak noodles for 1-2 hours in water until soft. Cut them into 3 inch pieces.

Marinate 4 oz diced chicken in in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp. sugar, garlic, 2 tsp. sesame seeds.

In large frying pan heat 1 tbsp. oil and add chicken. Cook until not pink, maybe 3-4 min. Set aside in a bowl. Wash out pan. Add another tbsp. oil and stir-fry 1 chopped onion, 1 large carrot. Add chicken and noodles, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 5 tsp. sesame oil, 1 tbsp sesame seeds and stir-fry. You can also add mushrooms and chopped spinich if you like. Serve warm with your favorite rolls...egg rolls, lumpia, gyoza, yaki mandoo.

I fell in love with the taste of citrus tea years ago when I was stationed in Japan. It is a Korean tea though. This is my favorite...honey citrus. It looks like a large jar of jam. You just add a few spoonfulls to hot water. Steve and I enjoyed a warm cup the other night on Cheseok and I am drinking a cup right now.

Home Is Where The Air Force Sends Us

2011-09-11T20:25:00.003-04:00

For years I have been looking for a way to display all the many places the Air Force has sent us. Here is my new mantel...I am in LOVE. I had a subway art made with a list of all the Air Force bases and Army posts we have been sent to. sweetwater is who made this treasure.

Home Is Where The Air Force Sends Us:

1. Lackland AFB...we were both stationed here for almost 3 years.

2. Sheppard AFB, TX

3. Incirlik AB, Turkey

4. Yokota AB, Japan

5. Osan AB, Korea

6. McConnell AFB, KS

7. Keesler AFB, MS

8. Hill AFB, UT

9. Fairchild AFB, WA

10. Keesler AFB, MS...we were here twice

11.Scott AFB, IL

12.Rhein Main AB, Germany

13. Wiesbaden AAF, Germany

14.Ft. McPherson, GA

15.USAG Yongsan, Korea

16. Beale AFB, CA

Steve's deployments to Afghanistan and his three tours in Iraq were added to this too.

I think now that we are in California this may be our last base, but you never know. And to think all these homes are all in our adult lives....we both moved at least this many places in our childhood too.

The Lawn Mower

2011-09-09T16:47:00.002-04:00

Steve went to the store to buy a much needed new lawn mower. He got home and was all smiley...I was like what's going on. He brought home a new hoop instead of a mower...crazy guy. My yard doesn't look to hot but I have some happy kids and a happy husband.

Check out that beautiful California sky. We have been here just shy of 1 month and it has looked like this everyday. Today it's 101 degrees, thank goodness it cools down 40-50 degrees overnight. I am loving this California weather!!!

Utah, Nevada, and California!

2011-09-08T00:08:00.008-04:00

After leaving Denver we drove over the Rocky Mountains on I70 heading west still. Our last stop in Colorado was in Grand Junction...it had been a long time since I had been there but I remembered it...I like it there. Right after we left Grand Junction we drove over the border into southern Utah. Wow...southern Utah is something I had not forgotten either. You can drive for hours without hitting a town. But then I love when you climb and get that first glimpse of the Wasatch front. When I lived in Utah I never took the beauty for granit. We took the kids by Temple Square.

We gave Ben the choice of either going to see the BYU campus or the Utes of the University of Utah and he likes the Utes so to the University of Utah it was.

After leaving Salt Lake City we drove straight west on I 80...now there is really NOTHING west of Salt Lake City. We drove right through the Salt Flats...this is where they made the Will Smith movie Independence Day.

Finally we got to Nevada. I was worried this was going to be a bad drive but you know Nevada was really pretty.

Awwww this is California. Heading up towards the Truckee pass.

Check out the sign. We were all so excited to know we were almost home...our new home. It was one long drive. Especially after just flying from Seoul, Korea and all that goes with that.

We still are sleeping on the floor. None of our things from Korea have gotten here yet. Our fast shipment of 500 lbs. will be delivered Friday. At least I will be getting some of my pots and pans, rice cooker, silverware, and my sewing machine. Oh yeah tomorrow we are going to the Bay to pick up our car that just got here from Korea. Slowly but surely we will get settled.

Good Shopping

2011-09-02T21:32:00.007-04:00

I am loving the Sacramento Valley! We are surrounded by mountains. Not like Salt Lake City, the Sierra Nevada are about 30 minutes away but we can see them. The valley is miles of farms and here at my house there are orchards all around us. California has the most and best locally grown food of anywhere I have lived. I think I stop some where every other day to buy something...corn, cherries, watermelon...

Our favorite fresh California snacks.

A tip: on a nice quiet night brown hamburger and divide up into freezer bags. This makes cooking dinner on those hectic nights a little easier.

Maybe I am wierd but I LOVE stocking up. I hit the caselot sale the other day. These Wisk are normally $12-$13...this day they were $9.99 with $6.00 off coupons so they came to $3.99. I bought over a years supply of laundy soap.

The best thing about living overseas is that when you move back to the United States it's so fun to go shopping for the normal stuff. I had a blast at Bath and Body Works picking out some new fall soaps.

Driving through Kansas and Colorado

2011-08-28T02:05:00.017-04:00

What a summer. There is nothing like driving across the whole United States Of America! Check out the field of sunflowers in Kansas. Ha...something funny about Kansas was that Ben was afraid of driving across it. He didn't want to run into a tornado.

We drove right past Ft. Riley(home of the Big Red 1) and Junction City...this is where my family was living when I left to join the Air Force.

The drive from Kansas City to Denver is like no other...FLAT! But once you hit Denver is the most beautiful drive in the whole USA.

We we up in the snow...it was freezing up there.

We kept the altimeter out the whole day. Can you believe we went over 11,000 feet that day.

The kids enjoyed watching some river rafters in Glenwood Canyon. They want to go rafting so maybe here in California...there is a place about an hour away from our new home.

What fun. We really enjoyed this. Steve and I have done this drive once before when moving from Keesler AFB, Mississippi to Fairchild AFB, Washington. Something we have never forgotten and now our kids have done it too.

San Francisco (Fog City)

2011-08-27T01:39:00.010-04:00

Holy cow...we live only 75 minutes from San Francisco. When it's sunny and 98 degrees in Sacramento it's foggy and high of 61 in San Francisco. The pacific ocean currant comes from the north by Alaska...mix that cold water with a breeze coming off it and the hot California temps that makes the fog hense Fog City. I lived in California for one year as a child down near the Monteray Bay in Salinas...Ft. Ord which is now closed. My family came to San Francisco a few times and I loved it. Then when I was in the Air Force stationed in Japan flying in the Medical Evacuation Squardron I would come here. Every other week we had retro missions where we would work the flight Japan to Hawaii and then ACM to Travis AFB, CA and stay for three days. At those times I would love to rent a car and head to San Fran. To get back to Japan we would work and train with reserve units on the flight from CA to Hawaii and then ACM home to Japan...PHEW! That was fun but boy did we work hard for our money!!! Anyways I have always wanted to move back to California and I am so excited to share all the neat things here with my kids now.

We drove of the cliffs west of the Golden Gate.

The kids and Steve and I enjoyed that ride down Lombard St.

We only spent a little time down by the waterfront because it was cold. But I am pretty sure we will be back to see more.

We went to the Rainforrest Cafe and in the gift shop Madi bought one of these cute animals. If forgot what they are called but she has bought a few of these wide-eyed fuzzies this summer.

We have 3 different shipments of all our things and one of them is scheduled to arrive Monday...I can't wait!!!!!

Google & Stanford

2011-08-23T20:36:00.012-04:00

We still don't have our household goods. The house is filled with our blow-up mattress, 4 lawn chairs and my beautiful cherry red washer and dryer set. By Friday my back was screaming to get to a bed. So we picked up the kids from school Friday afternoon, with plans to drive around and tour the cities around the San Francisco Bay. Friday night we stayed in Pleasentan...home to John Madden and some other neat stuff. It has to be the nicest town in all of America...we want to retire there!!!!

We made a stop in Silicon Valley at the Google complex. Very cool!

There are bikes all over the complex and anyone can ride. I guess this is how the workers during the week get around from building to building.

Google is a big terrorist target so lots of "Google" security.

15 miles down the road from Google is Stanford University. Stanford is the most beautiful college campus I have ever seen.

Ben likes Stanford and picked out a shirt.

Hmmm...I wonder which one of these on the schedule we might get to go to? We had such a fun weekend!!!!!!

Little League World Series And Cousins

2011-08-18T00:57:00.009-04:00

For years now Madi's favorite Wii game has been Little League World Series. We have always gone to the Georgia games. But now down in Warner Robbins is Southeast World Series stadium. So you know this family had to go get a glimpse while we were down in Georgia. One summer we want to get to Willamsport to watch but for now this was GREAT!

We watched Georgia (Warner Robbins this year) play Tennessee...Georgia won because they are in Williamsport now. See Ben and Madi down on the front row.

Steve's family all gathered for a fun night out at dinner. Nana, all the cousins and Great Grandma.

These cousins are the best of friends. They have so much fun together. We are going to miss living close to them.

Madi loves the girl cousins but she wants to marry her cousin Hunter. Hunter took the kids for a ride around the block in his car. Madi always tells her friends about her cousin Hunter and how cute he is...did you know he is cuter then Troy from High School Musical?

CALIFORNIA...We Made It!

2011-08-14T01:46:00.004-04:00

We are cracking ourselves up at what we have put ourselves through the last 2 weeks...Leaving Korea, flying from Seoul, getting to Atlanta...we had lots of things in storage that the Air Force had to pick up and ship to California. As soon as the movers we done we hit the road. We saw so many things on our NEVER-ENDING drive from Atlanta to Sacramento...OMGosh was it long....I have lots of pics I will put on here later. We have had the keys to our new home for a couple of days and love every minute in there. It's so big and beautiful but we have nothing to put in it yet and won't for a long time. It takes 8-12 weeks for our for our things from Korea to get here. We have picked out paint colors...that is SOOOOOO hard for me to do. We move into the house tomorrow. There is a TV with lots of chanels and internet and 1 blow-up mattress. Anyways I am so tired but excited...I think that is why I haven't been sleeping well but had to show off my 3 favorite rooms in the house. The house was a foreclosure we bought and are thrilled at the nice condition it's in...looks so new. The kitchen is killer! I can't wait to get some pots and pans so I can cook in there.

My laudry room....RED & AQUA!

This house is really big...4 bedrooms, playroom and and office. Steve took the office, AKA The Georgia Room...we all LOVE IT!!!!

Back In the USA!

2011-08-07T22:10:00.005-04:00

We are in The Mile High City tonight...Denver, Colorado. My body doesn't know how to feel. We made the 14 1/2 hour flight from Seoul, Korea to Atlanta, Georgia. Steve's mom picked us up at the airport and then she helped us out for a few days in Georgia and we also got spend a short time with the Harmon side of the family...always a fun time. Then we hit the road heading West for California. OMGosh is it LONG!!!!! That drive from Kansas City to Denver is over 8 hours on nothing. I have the best kids in the world to be doing so well with all of this...they haven't complained at all. Ben was afraid of driving through Kansas at first because of tornados. Yesterday we took the kids to Scott AFB, IL so they could see where they were born. That base hasn't changed. Both kids enjoyed seeing the St. Louis Arch. They were surprised how big it was. They have both been there before but don't remember of course. Ben had just turned 2 and Madi was 8 weeks old when we moved from there to Germany. Tomorrow is exciting to think about...we are driving right through the Rocky Mountains.

My beautiful Korean home

2011-07-28T21:15:00.001-04:00

lHere is a video of my beautiful Korean home. I have enjoyed it very much. We are now at the Dragon Hill. The packers came on Wed. OMGosh!!! We are flooded here in Seoul right now. Another record was set while we have lived in Korea...in the last 3 days it has rained so much, the most in 100 years...as much as they would normally get in one month of rainy season. And this is after it has already been raining for the last month. The Han River has swallowed the roads. My packers were suppose to be there at 0800 but didn't come until 1400 because all the roads were flooded. But, we finished all the packing and finally made it into the Dragon. Before I moved here I was nervous about what the housing might be like...if you are moving to Seoul, Korea housing is not the thing to worry about. This has been the nicest, 5 star housing I have ever lived in. I am going to miss living like the rich and famous!

My Neighbors...

2011-07-25T09:39:00.007-04:00

...are the best neighbors in the world. I wish I could pack them up and take them to California. Today Oxana, my Russian neighbor had Liz and I over for a Russian lunch. Oxana is the best cook and I always love her Russian food. She is my first Russian friend and I am her first American friend. During the school year all of us moms meet at the bus stop with our kids. After kissing the kiddos good-bye we walk together to one of our homes for a visit and morning tea...it's so fun! This picture is from today's lunch.

Last week Oxana had us over too. She served the kids a German Kinder fruit tea.

With tea, she served these sweet Russian waffle cookies. I want to learn to make these. They are so good and look how beautiful.

Today we had a few Russian salads. Look at the chicken salad that looked like a sunflower.

The Epyonghansaesong gang. Boy am I going to miss these ladies...they are the best neighbors a girl could ask for!!!!!

My Farewell

2011-07-22T02:53:00.005-04:00

Tonight is Steve's going away party. Mine was the other night. What a wonderful night it was. I love these ladies. It has been such a pleasure being one of the 607th Weather Wives! We stick together are a strong group of ladies. Seoul, Korea is AMAZING. It's been the most fun assignment we have had. But, we are here for a serious reason... We are members of the most forward deployed Air Force Squadron there is. We live 35 miles from the most heavily gaurded border in the world. And face the largest artillery in the world. Not only all that but this past year has been one for the record books too. We had the coldest temps in 90 years this past year. We had the worst typhoon hit here in 2 decades. We had a new record set with 20 inches of rain in like a few hours...we had a HUGE flood. And back in November that scare where North Korea actually shot missles into South Korea for the first time since the active war. So we are taking so many memories with us. I have loved every minute.

Okay so my going away. It was at my favorite Italian place here. Who would have thought I would move to Korea and eat the best Italian food of my life. The other wives gave me some gifts and also gave me the most beautiful traditional Korean tea set...in their famous green pottery too. I am so thankful for the treasure.

Luckily, I bet I run into some of these great friends again. It's a small world.

I'm liking bikes...

2011-07-13T21:51:00.009-04:00

I have started to panic...it's hard to breath! My packers come in less than two weeks to take all my things. It will most likely take 2 1/2 months for my things to go from Seoul, Korea to Sacramento, California. So I have been hanging out in my craft room alot!!! I have gotten together a few projects I can work on by hand during my move so I really don't go nuts. But boy am I going to miss all my sewing and crafting things while they sail the ocean blue! The other day I made these bike cards.

And check out this cute bike necklace I got at Dongdaemun for $4. I have mentioned before I love Chanel so I also picked up these diamond Chanel earrings for $9. I am going to miss this Korean shopping.

Now Chanel may be my favorite name brand but this Louis Vuitton is my everyday purse. That chocolate brown and letters...I love it.

Last night we went over to the I'Park mall for dinner and ate Jim Dak...MMMM

Jim Dak action shot. :-)

I started cross-stitching trees for a Christmas project. Christmas in July.

Insadong, Korea

2011-07-12T10:31:00.016-04:00

I went out on the town with some of my wonderful friends. This time we hit the shopping district of Insadong.

I want this painting so bad! It's the street where I live. But it cost $600.

I did get one of these vases...perfect for the flowers Ben and Madi bring me.

We were starved after all the fun walking around and shopping. So June Young took us to a delish place there in Insadong.

We ate Jim Dak...YUMMY!!!!!!

Seoul Olympic Park

2011-07-10T05:04:00.013-04:00

It was in 1988 when Seoul, Korea hosted the Summer Olympics. We live pretty close to these Olympic grounds. Back in 1996 while I was stationed in Tokyo, Japan and Steve was stationed at Osan AB, Korea we planned a trip here to Seoul and came to this stadium then too...so it was a little extra neat for Steve and I. This time around we had our kids with us.

Now who could that be whipping around that track at the Olympic Stadium.... :-) Look at them go!!!!

Go Ben go!

This is inside the Exhibition Hall.

After the Olympic Stadium we were hot, tired, thirsty and hungry. So on our way home we stopped by the food court in the COEX Mall. MMM...Korean chicken on a stick.

Here in Seoul, we can get around on the train/subway really well. But above ground public transportation is another story.... I am getting there. We rode the blue 730 bus all the way over the river to the Olympic Stadium and the COEX.

I prefer the bus over the train because you can see everything! Seoul is so pretty. The streets are lined with trees and they are boasting their Korean pride...look at the flag lined streets...I LOVE that.

4th of July in Korea

2011-07-06T17:38:00.003-04:00

What a fun long holiday weekend we had. The base here celebrated the 4th of July on Saturday the 2nd of July. I enjoyed sitting out on a summer night, on one of my own quilts, with my family, in Korea, watching the fireworks show. I made the cutest firecrackers from lifesavers and scaps of patriotic paper I have saved over the years. I found the idea on tipjunkie.

Since we had celebrated the 4th of July by the time the 4th really rolled around some of us Wives used our husbands day off work wisely! All our husbands were happy to watch all the kids, on their day off work so we could really go shopping. We met at 0830 and headed to Osan AB. Here we are right inside the Osan gate holding our bags of Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton. Now this was a 4th Of July I will never forget!!!

Summer in Korea

2011-06-30T23:28:00.007-04:00

It's summer! It's hot! It humid! Korea has extremes!!! In winter it's very dry, I got sick. Steve, my weather forecasting husband, told me this is the driest place we have ever lived and ever will. It was so cold it couldn't even snow last winter. Now it's like a jungle. We are in monsoon season...we have light rain, hard rain, misty rain, sideways rain, stinging rain...just like Forrest had expained. We have 100% humidity...makes Atlanta, Georgia seem like a cool place. Anyway since it's summer we have been busy everyday. We go swimming, bowling, shopping, to the movies, over to friends homes.... The other day when it started raining and we had to come inside, I made this patriotic mug rug. I sure like pinwheels.

Because I have a friend who knows I LOVE getting mail, she surprised me with a new stitchery pattern...perfect! All those hours at the pool are perfect for my stitching addiction. I only stitched this. I am waiting to see for my new house if I should frame it, quilt it or stuff it.

Look at the sky the other day. Boy am I going to miss this view out of my living room window!!!

The new house we are moving into in California has TWO WALK-IN closets in the master bedroom...I will have plenty of room for all my new purses and wallets. AAAA look at my new Prada wallet and shiny-red-zipper Louis Vuitton.

Stars And Stripes

2011-06-24T08:59:00.010-04:00

I really enjoy making things for my home! Hand-piecing is something I love to sit and do. This past year I have made thousands of hexagons so I thought I would step out of my comfort zone and try piecing 6 pointed stars. I think they are very pretty but are a little harder for me. Nothing says Happy 4th Of July like Stars and Stripes :-)

I hand-quilted everything...see all the millions of tiny white specs? I sure like it though.

We have been swimming at the Post pool. My kids can spend 5 hours jumping off the diving board. Every now and then they do take a break and go down the slide.

Look at Ben.

And Madi too.

Today was rainy so we stayed home all day. I made some iced chocolate brownies for all the kids and to share with the neighbors...we didn't need the whole pan...as a matter of fact I don't know why I made them at all, I didn't need a one!

Today the kids spent 5 hours coloring Justin Beiber pictures...at least they all had fun.

Silent Ranks

2011-06-21T08:32:00.005-04:00

Unknown Author

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders, salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.

My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man,And the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.

I love the man I married. Patriotism is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the military wife.

Last week we had a going away party for two of out Weather Wives who leaving us. For a gift, one of the wives recieved this beautiful poem framed like I have never seen before. I fell in love with the poem and thought it would make a beautiful card. So these are my 4th of July cards and I am making a whole bunch because I know lots of military wives. Military wives are like no other. So much is asked of them. They move all over the world. Theye are alone so much of the time. I always say "yes, there are single mothers but I believe being a military wife can be just as hard if not harder". A single mother can live her life. Military wives do a single parents job but have their hearts out there missing their husbands, helping their husbands and caring for their husbands from far away. Our husbands come and go like the wind. I dearly love the wives I know and am thankful for the chance to learn from them and lean on them and to call them my friends...it's a wonderful life.

Apples for our teachers

2011-06-18T19:34:00.008-04:00

Ben and Madi gave their teachers these fun cards for an end-of-the-year gift. My friend Amber had made some of these last year and put the pattern on her blog. If you love to cross-stitch like me, go grab the pattern.

I tied them up with a pretty apple ribbon and vintage postcard.

I live in the most fun and beautiful home here in Korea. We are on the top floor with a beautiful view. Our house..see...the top floor on the left.

Now that school is out the kids play outside with their friends in the water alllll day. See I can watch them from inside.

The view walking up from the church to our buildings. See the kids playing on the left in the water.

I see we have a super fun summer ahead! There is another water park here at our house...wait till I take pics of that...yes we have a water park in our apartment complex.

Seoul American Elementary School

2011-06-16T07:00:00.011-04:00

Ahhh...Seoul American Elemetary School...it's so big in size but yet it's such a warm and close place. I am so glad my kids got to experience this famous school in the heart of Seoul. This elementary school has over 1,300 kids enrolled. There are at least 9 classes in each grade level. There are 2 music teachers, 2 art teachers.... It's almost the largest Department Of Defense school...some Army base in Germany has 50 more kids than this one. I have never seen a school quite like this one. The old buildings that house Seoul American Elementary School are the buildings that use to be the old 121 Army hospital (The 121 if you ever watched the TV show M*A*S*H) back during the Korean War...OLD...but yet so full of life.

The school is all these little buildings...almost like college campus life.

The building on the left is where Madi's 3rd grade class was and the building on the right is where Ben's 5th grade class was.

Madi's classroom were those first 3 windows.

From this part of the school you can see the Dragon Hill and Seoul Tower.

Me and mine yesterday morning at the bus stop before school. Yesterday was Ben's 5th grade graduation.

My handsome boys!

Today after school the kids and I stayed to play at the park and then walked to the foodcourt and PX. At this point we are near the Dragon Hill getting ready towalk over the bridge. This bridge was not here back in 1995-1996 when I came here for a few days. This bridge connects Main Post and South Post. Back in the day you would have to walk out South Post, walk across Itaewon Blvd. an enter Main Post. This bridge make life much better.

What a WONDERFUL year it has been. We will miss this place!!!

Madi's Birthday!

2011-06-12T03:56:00.014-04:00

What a fun few days we have had celebrating Madi!

Friday was Madi's birthday. all nine 3rd grade classes from Seoul American Elementary School went bowling. When you walked in to Yongsan Lanes they took your breath away. All 32 lanes we full.

Madi and her bestest friend Hensley.

I decided to try something easy...rice krispie treats dipped in red and aqua chocolate...not so easy...but they worked.

I bagged and tagged them with - 9 nine These treats were to hand out to Madi's 3rd grade class.

Saturday was the party. My wonderful neighbor Oxana made a beautiful cake for Madi. It looked like a gift with a red ribbon and aqua polka dots...PERFECT!

Oxana is Russian so she made the cake using a delish Russian recipe...look at all those layers, it's so pretty.

Some of our friends who came.

We gave out red and aqua goodie bags filled with Bieber fever items....Madi LOVES Justin Bieber!!!!

Madi's favorite gift was a Justin Bieber doll.

After the party we headed out the door to the Weather Squadron with these rice krispie treats...have you noticed I make these for everything? PCS (moving) season is beginning....it's so sad to say good-bye to such wonderful ladies. We have a Change In Command coming up and last night was a Squadron BBQ for one last get together with the Commander of the 607th Weather Squadron. So what a long fun day we had.

P1030713.MOV

2011-06-04T09:59:00.001-04:00

We went to play in our "backyard". The Korean kids are so nice to Ben and Madi...they get so excited when we come out.

DMZ & North Korea

2011-05-28T18:51:00.026-04:00

My kids have had field trips every Friday for the last 5 weeks. This past Friday both kids had plans, so Steve took off work to go with Madi to Seoul Land (like a Six Flags) while I went with Ben to the DMZ and North Korea.It's only maybe 35 miles from school to the DMZ...CRAZY!!! We drove through lots of rice fields to get there...I think it's so beautiful.

We drove through lots of barriers. You can not get to North Korea by mistake.

We drove into Camp Bonifas. When we got up there they told us no cell phone us...and that our phones wouldn't even work. All of us adults pulled out our phones to check. Yep sure enough they were being jammed by North Korea...no signal.

PFC Futch was our security tour guide. He is too cute, funny and young...CLASS OF 2010. All of the parents on the bus cracked up that we were old enough to be his mother or father. Last May he was in high school and this May he is up here gaurding the border of North and South Korea.

Well here we are on Conference Row. Those Blue houses house meetings between..the good guys and bad guys. That white building is FULL of North Koreans. We we warned of that, that they would be watching our every move. There is no pointing, waving, running...be calm.

If you look close at the doorway next to my head and above Ben's you can see a North Korean guard. They had their binaculars and were walking back and forth.

Mostly Ben's class with a few kids from another.

Going in! This is where we stepped into North Korea.

Here inside...I am on the South Korean side...when you walk to the other side of the table you are in North Korea. So when the meeting between the 2 countries happen they sit on their respective sides.

Me, Ben and his friend Keegan.

You must at all times stay 1.5 feet away from the guards.

The Freedom House...built to host reunions of families from the North and South.

Overlooking North Korea. That town employs 43,000 Noth Koreans....some of the wealthiest North Koreans...they take home $20-$30 a month.

Overlook into North Korea. See that white tower on the right...it's a North Korean tower...they were watching our every move still.

Yes, we were at all times being watched by North Korea. The kids watched a film at school and MP's from Camp Bonifas came to the school a few weeks ago to brief everyone on what was to take place and to prepare the kids on what to do and not to do.

The Bridge Of No Return.

We got to go down into the 3rd Tunnel.

Mrs. Martinez's 5th Grade Class, Seoul American Elementary School.

It was a beautiful ride home along the river. The river is heavily gaurded until you reach the Seoul city limits. I can't believe we only live 35 miles from the DMZ and that it's so heavily guarded just a few miles from my house...I forget sometimes. I must say this was the most fun/unique field trip I have been on. We saw lots of other things but everything is CLASSIFIED. After going to the DMZ and into North Korea we can not donate blood for 2 years....just a strange piece of info. I had such a great time with the other moms too. We all love and are greatful for the chance to live here in Korea. What a special way to kick off our Memorial Day Weekend!

Kimchi

2011-05-24T23:04:00.004-04:00

We live off-post here in Seoul, Korea. I absolutely have the coolest and nicest neighbors. Some of them are American, Russian, other Asian countries and lots of Koreans. Some are in the US military, some are embassy workers from all countries, diplomats and the one who's house I went to yesterday, her husband works for the Korean Stock Exchange. My neighbor has a HUGE kimchi fridge...were she stores tubs of kimchi. Koreans eath kimchi everyday...it's very healthy. There are different kinds of kimchi...my favorite is cucumber kimchi. My neighbor yesterday shared regular cabbage kimchi and...

this kind in the picture made with asian radish. They were fresh and very good. We ate them last night for dinner with some kimbap.

Kimchi:

5 cups green or Chinese cabbage, cut into bite-sized pieces

6 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. to 2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes...depends how spicy you want it

1/4 tsp. finely chopped ginger root

1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped

2 green onions, chopped

-In a large colander, mix cabbage with 5 tsp salt. Let stand for 3 hours.

-Rinse cabbage two or three times. Gently squeeze out excess liquid with your hands.

-Place the drained cabbage in a large glass bowl. Add the remaining 1 tsp. salt and the rest of the ingredients and mix.

-Cover cabbage mixture tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temp for 1 or 2 days.

-Chill kimchi before serving. Store tightly covered.

-Kimchi will keep indefinitely in the refrigerator.

My May flowers I am working with...hexagons of course! My favorite passtime! I hope to make this big so maybe it will be finished next May?

NEO

2011-05-21T05:15:00.005-04:00

This past week all Americans on the Korean Pennisula participated in the NEO exercise...noncombatant evacuation operation. It was good for Ben and Madi...we live in Korea and only 1 hour from the North Korean border but we tell them if we are prepared there is nothing to be afraid of. We have our gas mask which they got to practice with today, we have food storage and we know what to do. Plus we constantly remind our kids they have more of chance being killed in a car accident because someone is on their cell phone than we have of getting hurt or killed by North Korea.

I got this super cute pattern to stitch from a little sweetness. There are too many cute things over at the shop. This little stitchery makes me smile everytime I go in to start laundry.

Gucci

2011-05-09T23:31:00.005-04:00

Things have been busy with lots of fun lately. Friday we went to Everland which is like a Disney Park here in Korea. I will share pictures of that later. On Saturday I went down to Osan and look what I got...a Gucci bag. Boy am I going to miss designer shopping when we leave Korea!!!

On Thursday night I went to an activity and we made these super cute snap-together bags. It's pieces of metal measuring tape in the top...that's what makes the snap-together part...who would have thought of that. This was my first time making prarie points too...they are easy!

Yesterday I made Grape Salad to take to quilting club. Steve's mom had made this for Thanksgiving and it has been one of my favorites ever since.

Grape Salad

2 lbs. green seedless grapes

2 lbs. red seedless grapes

8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

8 oz. sour cream

Wash and stem grapes. Mix sour cream, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla by hand. Stir in grapes. Sprinkle with 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup crushed pecans. Chill and serve.

Soldier's Stew

2011-05-04T07:34:00.004-04:00

We love Soldier's Stew. The history of Soldier's Stew: Back during the Korean War, when the American soldier's finished the food and tossed out the leftovers, desperate, starving Koreans picked it up. They gatherd the mac and cheese, lunch meat, hot dogs, spam, pepperoni and threw it all in a pot with seasonings and water to make a stew. Today it's a classic dish here in Korea. Last month I went out to dinner with the Weather Wives for the first time at this yummy place and had to take my family back.

I love the story behind this stew, boy is it good and spicy too I might add.

Oh yes I did! I made a Schnibbles pattern. They have the PRETTIEST patterns ever. Look at the knock-out cute pin cushions I made.

Stork's Nest quilts and Quilts Of Valor

2011-04-25T05:52:00.005-04:00

I spent the whole day with the Yongsan Quilter's today. There are some super neat women/quilter's here. Monday's are spent making quilts for the Stork's Nest and for making Quilts Of Valor...both worthy causes!!! Also on Monday it's show and tell of the projects we have been working on at home. This awesome quilt was made by the lady on the left, a Colonol in the United States Army...where does she find the time? So about the Stork's Nest quilts. Here at Yongsan there is a HUGE Labor and Delivery unit at the hospital. The Yongsan quilters have a goal of making 20 baby quilts a month to give to new mother's...20 is so not enough though...there were 90...yes 90 scheduled deliveries in the month of April, not to mention the girls who choose to go off-post. This base is a baby making machine! I am into making baby quilts.

There are a few girls qualified to make the patriotic Quilts Of Valor. They are so warm and beautiful...you should see them. There is a reverence that goes along with the making of those. Here is a quilt top Kim was sewing on today.

This Quilt Of Valor is finished.

There are tags/labels that get sewn to the back of all quilts sewn by the Yongsan Quilters. I love working with these fellow military wives.

Korean Capitol and Cherry Blossoms

2011-04-19T03:13:00.011-04:00

They weather has been warming up so we have been getting out and about more. Here are Ben and Madi in front of the Korean Capitol.

We stopped by a city park...so did a lot of other people.

Cherry blossoms are in bloom all over...it's beautiful...reminds me of when I lived in Japan.

We were worried about Madi's blood sugar going low after all the walking so Steve stopped to buy some finger licking good snacks for us.

Spring is in the air!

My FAVORITE place!

2011-04-17T03:26:00.005-04:00

My craft area is my favorite place in my home! It needs folding and fixing but I have only been in this new house a month and have been busy...and my movers will be here again within 3 months to ship my things to California.

Home is where the Air Force sends you...Korea. These were my change of address cards I made when we moved here...I love that quilty paper.

TA-DA! I made a sewing machine cover. It makes my machine look so pretty sitting on my sewing table.

Seoul Science Museum

2011-04-14T00:10:00.013-04:00

Ben and Madi are on Spring Break this week. Today we are at home taking a break!!! We have been out and about having fun around town with friends everyday and we have plans for tomorrow too. Yesterday we hopped the line 4 train over the river to the Science Museum.

We made it to the museum.

There was lots of fun to be had outside the museum.

The kids had to pedal fast to light up this big ball.

There was even a solar observatory there.

They had some neat geology exibits Ben really enjoyed seeing.

EWWW there was an insectarium. I have never been to one... oh my!

Inside the Insectarium there was nasty bug petting. I still can not believe my friend Liz picked this HUGE bug up.

Ever wonder what Ben would look like as an astronaunt...well there you go.

What a great way to spend one of our days of the kids break.

PEEPS 2011

2011-04-09T02:45:00.006-04:00

Last year I used peeps for easter treats too. This year our Commissary and PX don't have any regular Peeps...all they have are these expensive chocolate Peeps but I went ahead and bought the whole row. This past week I went to Dongdaemun with a quilting friend and I bought this Peep yellow felt to cut my bunnies from. The pattern is from made, you can just copy the pattern right off your computer screen!

This week has been crazy fun. I have had school field trips to attend, Steve had my actual birthday off so we went out to eat and shopping, I went to Dongdaemun, we went to the Seoul Zoo, the Seoul horse track, and last night we went out for my favorite Kalbi...YUMMY!!!

Sky Life

2011-04-04T08:06:00.006-04:00

There is a sign outside that describes our apartment complex as Sky Life...it's a wonderful way to live. Here is a view from inside our home in the sky.

Here is looking straight down...there is the old Korean church and you can see one of three play areas. If you make the picture big you can see Ben and Madi over there playing.

Here is the view out the living room window...see those yellow towers on the left side...that's Megatrium where we use to live...crazy. But this house has a grand view of the city of Seoul.

Here is looking out the kids bedroom window...they see Building 63 over there across the Han River.

Now this is fun...our new shower. There are a handful of buttons in there. We didn't know how to work the darn thing the first night we moved in. You can get water to spray out from all directions and different ways. Look at Steve cracking up because he can't figure out how to turn the thing on for Madi. Plus he looks 'wierd' because March was Mustache March...all the guys in the 607th Weather Squadron didn't shave...I didn't like it but it was funny.

Pinwheels!

2011-03-28T23:33:00.004-04:00

Right now I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with pinwheels...they are so cute and make me happy. I followed this link to make my pinwheels and then made some really fun cards with them.

Look what Steve (my mailman) brought me....our mailing address is the Weather Squadron, so Steve brings home all my goodies with him when he comes home from work. I received my first birthday card...my birthday isn't until next week but of course amber was the first to surprise me...thank you! That day was full of great mail...I had ordered some Sherbet Pips fabric and it came that same day. I love getting mail.

earings

2011-03-28T03:31:00.006-04:00

Madi has fun playing with earings. She does not have pierced ears, I was 18 when I got mine pierced so... She does not ask but she does like those sticker earings. Well, I was at the PX and found these clipons she can play with now too. She thought she was hot stuff.

A few weeks ago we roamed around a Korean museum. When we stumbled upon this exhibit Ben asked what it was. Madi: "Duh, it's the Korean War". Loud enough for all in the room to hear...bless her little heart, I am still chuckling.

Last Thursday night I enjoyed a night out with other women. My friend Kelley took a yummy dip to share with all. It was something I have never had before...Taboli. She gave me the recipe that night and I made it for my family the next day...it taste like summer.

Taboli

1/2 cup cooked couscous (cooled) 1/3 cup olive oil 1/3 cup lemon juice 1 cup chopped green onions 1 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 3 tomatoes, chopped 1 cucumber - peeled, seeded and chopped 1 teaspoon salt ground black pepper to taste

DirectionsToss all to combine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Baby fun

2011-03-23T21:30:00.009-04:00

This week we have added a new member to the 607th Weather Squadron Family. One of the Weather Wives gave birth to a little baby girl named Natalie. We had just had a baby shower for her. I made a colorful baby quilt for a gift.

I also made these adorable corsages using baby socks for the flower buds. There was one corsage for Mom and one for Big Sis.

We played that game where you can't say the word 'baby'. Ben as you can see TOTALLY got into it.

My friend Kelley made the monogrammed cookies...aren't they neat!

Lotte World

2011-03-21T22:54:00.008-04:00

Last Thursday was our big move. On Friday the kids had a half day of school and the church on base sponsored a free trip to Lotte World that afternoon. These past few days have been crazy. Steve has been working extra (even during the whole move) due to the crises in Japan. But on Friday, we left Steve and the new house full of work to be done behind, with my bestest neighbor Liz and scooted off with the kids to Lotte World.

Madi's favorite ride...the swings. She must have ridden them 15 times.

Inside Lotte World they had some really fun parades to watch.

The log ride was the first ride the kids went on. Liz and I skipped it so we didn't get wet first thing. When I went to the exit I was a bit nervous over that last drop...I didn't think Madi would like but it was too late to get her off the ride.

Look at the picture the camera on the ride captured...Madi horrified. Believe it or not we all went on the ride again and it ended up being her favorite scary ride.

Ben and Regan locked in and ready to get that wave going.

The Waikiki Wave was what got Ben's vote for best ride.

We have moved to our 2nd Korean home...

2011-03-19T07:53:00.007-04:00

We moved...yes, our third home since August. We have only been in this new place for 2 days and are already feeling at home...side effects of moving too much I guess. This new, and I mean BRAND NEW...we are this first people to live in this absolutely gorgeous, top floor (penthouse) apartment, is the most beautiful home I have ever lived in. Of course it is valued at $2 million American dollars....thankfully the U.S. Air Force flips that bill. After living so high-class, I am worried I won't enjoy my new home in California when I get there.

I am excited over this new kitchen. It comes complete with that HD little flatscreen. The cupboards and counters are so pretty too.

Not sure how, but strawberries are in full-swing here in Korea. This is our 3rd box of these babies in a week.

Civil Defense Exercise

2011-03-15T08:34:00.012-04:00

Every month here in Korea they have a Civil Defense exercise. Madi was home sick and I was tired that it was a good thing I talked to Steve over lunch and he reminded me...cause when the sirens would have gone off I think it might have scared me to death today.

After North Korea tossed bombs this direction, Thanksgiving week, these civil defense exercises are a little more serious. The sirens sound and all 22 million people living in Seoul come to a stop for a bit. The police are in the roads with gas masks on and ALL the cars come to a skreetching halt.

Not sure what is being said on the roaming loud speaker.

Jets flew overhead and then we watched the helicopters land on Post.

Madi sat on my bed and watched out the window the whole time. They practice at school. Normal school kids have fire drills but Ben and Madi have bomb drills. Madi cracked me up today with all her knowledge on bomb/nuclear safety.

I really love living in Korea....well Seoul that is. It's the military's best kept secret! It's just like Manhatten and the base is Central Park. You can see the base in this picture out our living room window. If you click on the picture to make it big you can see base housing with their red tile roofs.

If you make this picture bigger you can see more housing, the base gym, the lights for the soccer field...isn't it funny.

Pots of gold

2011-03-13T19:00:00.007-04:00

Here are some little pots of gold (rolos) we made to hand out. The tag is a free download I found over at the crafting chicks.

We are getting ready to move. The apartment we now live in had been for sale for a few years for $1.5 million but Korea is also experiencing a slower economy. The couple who own this apartment....the wife has cancer and they need the money so they dropped the price down to $1 million and it sold in a heartbeat...so I keep telling myself in this whole situation I am not the one getting the raw end of the deal. Plus the new apartment we are moving to is a nicer $2 million dollar place....it's beautiful with beautiful grounds. (I still can't believe the U.S. military pays for us to live like this.) It's a community with 13 towers, 3 kids parks, built-in soccer field, basketball hoops, 2 gyms for adults and we got the top floor with a decent view.

Look at this old Korean temple. It's a landmark that they are not allowed to touch so they have to build all around it. This is in the middle of the 13 tower community...too cool.

Outside exercise equipment. I wonder why they don't make stuff like this in the USA?

Kimchi pots

2011-03-09T01:51:00.006-05:00

Today was perfect. I met some friends in Itaewon at 9 timo for a delicious Italian lunch. After lunch and cupcakes (we celebrated another friends birthday) my friend Kelley and I decided to walk all the way home. Kelley is so cool. She is the Weather Squadron's Commander's wife and cares so much for all of us ladies in the unit. Plus she is prior Air Force too. Before moving here after just getting married last summer she worked in the White House doing communications for President Obama...see she is really cool. On our walk home we made a detour to the aka Kimchi pot gate. The base we are at has at least like 15 gates and this stop is right outside one of them.

Kelley picked up this pretty green piece of pottery.

Look at these beautiful large kimchi pots. They can be used at a side table or something like that since I won't be using it to make THAT much kimchi. I didn't get a large one...not sure exactly what size I want yet. Any ideas on what decorating purpose it could fill?

I did get these baby kimchi pots. Wouldn't one of these make the cutest sugar bowl!?!