A Time to Give Thanks.

Thanksgiving was a success. As much as I stressed over there not being enough food, I feel people left without eating anything (of course they really did). There were so many leftovers! Brandon and I are still working our way through them. His office is getting a plate full of pie today! Hope they came to work hungry.

The big successes of the evening:

• Everyone seemed to love my friends cranberry sauce she brought over.
• My green bean casserole
• & I really enjoyed the pumpkin pie 

My turkey man.

Turkey #1

Turkey #2

Look at all the food!!

So family (who we missed dearly) book your plane tickets now, so you don't miss any of the food or excitement for next year. :)

Gobble. Gobble.

Whew! Just finished a 10k this morning. My first one ever. One of the squadrons put together a "Turkey Trot" for this morning to put everyone in the turkey spirit. We had the choice to run a 5k (3.1 miles) or a 10k (6.2 miles). There are rarely opportunities here to run "marathons/races" so I choose the 10k to prove to myself I could do it, and I did, in 49 minutes and 10 seconds. That is a long time to be running, my body kind of aches right now. B is on call this week so he couldn't run with me, he had to be in to work very early today.

Now on to start the cooking after work today!! Wondering what is on our Thanksgiving menu?

for appetizers...

spinach dip

meatballs

my little vegetable turkey

the main course...

2 turkeys

mashed potatoes

green bean casserole (with no cream of whatever being used!)

broccoli slaw

waldorf salad

creamed corn

mac n' cheese

carrot rice

sweet potato

stuffing

cranberry sauce

buttered rolls & Portuguese bread

for dessert...

homemade pumpkin pie

homemade chocolate pecan pie

my fabulous chocolate peanut butter cookies

If anything turns out super duper, out of this world delicious, I will be sure to share the recipe!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Arts and Crafts.

I have been dying for a fall wreath. Being that there aren't as many accessible resources here, I told myself it just wasn't going to happen for us this year. :)

However, since we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house I was determined to give the house a little fall inspiration. So with the few materials I was able to find, and dedicating about one hour of time (when I was at work) I came up with this.

Well, actually I did not, this lady did but I think I produced a pretty good replica. So, I have my wreath! That gets to hang for a week and a half until it is replaced with Christmas decorations, but for next year we will be prepared.

Thank you Veterans.

A big thank you to all the past and present military members who have served and fought to protect our country. Thank you for your time, strength, sacrifices and dedication from you and your families.

Especially to my Airmen whom I love. Thank you for being brave and stepping up to the commitment to protect our nation.

We Have Heard...

That Starbucks holiday red drinks are OUT!

Now we said our farewell to Starbucks long ago. We no longer have the "hook-up" there so the $4.00 lattes are not as enticing as they once were. However, to swap out a gingerbread latte w/ whip and nutmeg! for my cinnamon-apple tea I am sadly drinking right now, would be delightful! Oh, and to have just a taste of the salted-caramel signature hot chocolate. YUM-YUM! Think of us next time you are sipping your delectable hot beverage!

If you are so inclined, feel free to send us some gingerbread love over this way to help stuff our stockings. :)

Weekend Highlights.

• Brandon had a day off on Friday!! Woo-hoo! He finished another 6 credits of school work, so there was reason to relax and celebrate. We commenced celebratory events Thursday night with wine! and a delicious dinner of paprika chicken, caesar salad, and broccoli slaw. Along with an unhealthy amount of television watching. (Something very rare for us.)

• On Friday, we soaked in the time together with running along the ocean, play-date at the park for the doggies, some grocery shopping, Christmas shopping in Angra (=unsuccessful), some delicious homemade bbq pizza, and finished the day off with some bowling with our church.

• Saturday was my Saturday to go to "work". Boo.. not too bad, it was just for 4 hours. Continuing in our antisocial theme of the weekend (another rarity), we stayed home and cooked fajitas, no margaritas. We said goodbye to Mason's girlfriend. :( Till they meet again outside.

• Sunday was nothing out of the ordinary, church and Mason walking.

B has started a new chaotic schedule this week. Work along with a Monday -Thursday stats class from 5:00p-6:30p and a Tues, Thurs class from 6:30p-9:30p. Whew, tired just thinking about it. For me, a little of this and a little of that, a little of being here and a little of being there. Although, I am sure the majority thinks a military wife with no job, no kids and no school must just sit around all day twiddling her thumbs. Oh if you only knew. We need "A Day in the Life..." camera crew on this island. :)

Midweek Puppy Cuteness.

Only 4 more days with our little friend. I just might steal her. Mason has been having so much fun! Thankfully, she only lives a couple houses down.

From Halloween to Christmas.

Christmas Cards are out! I dropped them at the post office yesterday, so everyone should be getting them anytime between today and February. However, normally letters take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to reach there destination. Spread the word, so that way if they actually do reach the states before Thanksgiving, they know that was not my intentions and that I am not some crazed-Christmas person. :)

Let us know when you receive them!!

Sidenote: We bought our Christmas tree last weekend too. :) The adjustment of island life.

Happy Halloween.

a day late....

from the Jetsons!