Easter Goodness

This year for Easter it was rather low key, I got up and went to the first service at church which was at 8am. This way I still had the whole day ahead of me. A friend from work and her little family came over for lunch that afternoon. I love love cooking and having people over but I really haven't done much of that since the hubbs has been gone so I was more than willing to make lunch for today. Everything came out perfect and tasted to yummy. A little non-traditional meal for our Easter Feast. Although besides Deviled Eggs, I'm not really sure what Easter traditional foods are. On our Menu was: Oven Baked Fried Chicken, Crock Pot Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole (I like my marshmallows really toasted, (they were out of mini ones but the big ones tasted just perfect)), Rolls, Spinach Dip & Chips and Green Bean Casserole (made by B.). I took this opportunity to make a delicious Loaded Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake and let me just say it was Heavenly. It took all I had not to eat the entire thing. Along with a batch of No Bake Cookies. I've been itching to try a couple different recipes out but never bit the bullet till today. And I'm so glad I did, I remember growing up on something similar to these that my step mom made and I always wished I had the recipe. I'm pretty sure these are going to be my newest easy go to dessert for outings. Everything came out perfect and the table looked great with all of my beautiful Fiestaware incorporated in. I was a bit down that the hubbs wasn't able to be here with us (thank you army) but I know next year he will be for sure!! I remember my last Easter at my Mamaw's house. We always had the best time's celebrating Holiday's with her. She's enjoying them now from up above in heaven, and I'm so grateful to have a little bit  of Heaven in our home.
After B and her fam. left I had the daunting task of tackling the yard for the first time this year. I was not at all looking forward to it but it had to be done and I refused to pay someone to do something I know I can do but would just rather not. (back story, last August with the hubbs was away for a month I mowed the yard right before he came home, it took me over 3 hours to do and I killed the grass completely because I cut it so low.) I was determined to have a better experience this time around and that I did. I put on my iTunes and went to work. It took me just less than 2 hours to mow and edge. We've got a BIG back yard so it was a little time consuming. Thankfully the grass hadn't majorly gotten out of hand yet so it wasn't to bad. I laid seed in hopes to help the grass grow so we have a pretty green yard. Fingers crossed I can keep up with it over the next several months with the hubbs away. I just keep telling myself that I'm getting a good work out in while doing it, so I mean that's motivation in its self. Two birds with one stone.
All in all it was a great day that ended with a nice little stroll around the neighborhood with the pups. 

Lazy Sunday

It was a beautiful Sunday, the hubbs of course had to work so I was enjoying the day being lazy at home. I cleaned up the house unpacked did all the laundry, dishes and everything else that needed to be done. I told the hubbs I'd pick up the backyard (ie. clean poop) that way he could mow when he got home. Half way through being done I decided my hands weren't broke and I was more that capable of doing it myself. Plus I wanted to give him the night off when he got home. I figure the least I can do is try, I did it a time or two in Hawaii when he was deployed and it turned out ok then. We have a old school push row mower (no gas of anything like that, just the blade) so its super easy to use, there's not even a one or off switch. (its pretty dummy proof) I have to say it turned out pretty good, I even went as far as trimming the edges around the fence line with the weedeater.
After it was all said and done the pups and I sat out back and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. I caught up on some blog reading while that baked in glory.
Don't you just love my new TOMS, I picked them up in Georgetown on during my WV / DC trip. They are so comfy and cute!!!!!
The rest of the day consisted of doing a whole lot of nothing. I did go have lunch with the hubbs at work, which was a nice break for him during his busy day. I hope the new few months go by fast because I can tell right now I'm not going to love spending every weekend husbandless at home. :(

~DAY 234~

BackYard MakeOver

If there's one thing I absolutely HATE doing it's definitely YARD WORK!!!! With the horrible allergies I have and the lack of wanting to get my hands dirty, it just does not mix well. Our backyard has been looking a little funky and frankly pretty sad if I do say so myself. I'm blaming it on the weather, the massive weds and of course those mangy mutts of ours. Friday when I got home from walking the pups I got a wild hair brain idea and decided to tackle the weds. I pulled them all up and had most everything picked up before the hubbs got home. He was quite surprised and lets face it I was to, I think it was the frustration from the week that came over me because when I was done I felt great. 

Today we tackled the yard, tilling up the old dead dirt, pulling up the last few of the weeds I missed.

Dingo wasn't much help, he enjoyed sun bathing while the hubbs did all the hard work.

I kinda joined him as well, I did my part on Friday. So I sat and watched lol.

After cleaning up the yard the seeds were spread in hopes of some new beautiful green grass to come. I am crossing my fingers hoping that it grows in fast and full. I am so tired of the pups tracking dirt all on the patio and into the dining area.

Dingo wasn't to sure what to make of the spreader and all that "stuff" flying out from it. He kept jumping up trying to grab it with his mouth it was pretty funny. There was also a giant butterfly flying around when we were out there and Dingo kept running the fence line trying to catch it. I was dying laughing, he really is kinda special lol. 

We planted some Sun Flower seeds under our living room window that meets up with the backyard. I'm really hope they will brighten up the yard and help bring some life to it.
PS: don't you just love my super cute sprinkler we got at the PX.

I have this pesky beautiful thing to thank for the hole in the yard. I don't know what got over her, when we first got her in Hawaii she went through this digging phase but it didn't last to long. We haven't seen it since then all of a sudden she decided to dig a nice big hole in the yard. Needless to say we weren't to happy with her. It's only happened once since we got here but I'm watching her like a hawk until the grass grows in.

i LOVE this guy!!!!

Helping him water the yard lol more so watching as he moves the sprinkler from side to side. 

Keep your fingers crossed that it all comes in sooner rather than later!!! :) 

Whats your take on yard work, do you love it or hate it?!?!?!!?
 I'd love to have some pretty hanging plants from our lanai, maybe we will look into that one next weekend.

~DAY 150~

Making the Most

Its been a awful week around here in the South. It started off first thing Monday morning and just spiralled down from there. One thing after another kept coming up, going wrong, not working out. On top of my week falling apart in shambles in front of me I came down with a horrible cold & cough. There's been some kind of sickness bug going around work, thankfully I haven't / didn't catch it. Instead I was graced with a stuffy running nose, sore throat and watery eyes. Its been draining to say the least and I just wanted it to be over with. This morning was a NEW day and I was going to try to make the most of it, after all I just had 9 hours to make it till the weekend. 

I'm not a big breakfast person but this morning I was in much need of a pick me up :) I left a bit early to make a pit stop by the Shoppette for my all time favorite Powder Donuts & Apple Juice (I was trying to make it some what nutritious) however they didn't have the brand that I like. I wasn't going to let it get me down though, nope not today. So Chocolate milk it was, I absolutely HATE milk but I'll have a glass of chocolate milk every great once in a while. 

If definitely helped put a little spunk in my day and thankfully things went by fairly well. I even had lunch with a friend at TGI Fridays which was nice to catch up. We had Thanksgiving together and we haven't had a chance to get together since then. Both her daughters who happen to be around my age just deployed so we chatted a bit about that. Its hard enough to have your spouse deploy, I can't imagine having to send your children off to war. She sure is a strong momma though and I'm glad we finally were able to meet up again. After lunch I headed back to finish out my last 3 hours of work before heading home to get the weekend started with my love. I am in much need of a relaxing one after the crazy week I've had. Hoping for beautiful warm weather so we can spend some time outside. The plan is to do a little backyard makeover to gear up for spring. I'm crossing my finger that my allergies don't knock me on my butt. Me & yard work don't really mix, I have a feeling my allergies are going to get the best of me while living here. I'm so not looking forward to it either, I haven't had to deal with them in the last 3 years and its been so nice. 

~DAY 148~

** BRIGHT IDEAS **

After a wonderful afternoon trip to North Shore with Annie, which included loads of laughter & chit chat about all sorts of stuff. As well as the wonderful HOT Hawaii sun. AWH, I love days at the beach.
I was home & out in the back yard with the pups. it hit me. Oh it couldn't be that hard to mow the yard, I mean heck we have a push mower that I can lift with one hand. However I have NEVER mowed a yard in my life. Annie & I were just talking about this today at the beach. Me & yard work do NOT go together because I have HORRIBLE allergies and I would be sicker than a dog. But our yard was looking alittle scary & I was fed up with the holes the dogs had dug in the back yard. So I came up with a plan. I was going to do something special & a bit different for Jared as a welcome home gift / surprise.
The plan was (for Gabe & I) to fix up the back yard once he returned from WLC. Meaning he was going to mow & go get dirt & fill in the holes and what not. Well I decided it wouldn't be a bad idea if I just went ahead and beat him to the punch.
So off to it I went, after cleaning up all the doggie poop, I mowed the back yard & then headed down to Lowe's were I got Top Soil to fill the holes 2 plants and some pots to plant them as well as 2 chairs and a small table to put out on the patio. I ended up having to get another water hoes because those lovely things we call our babies chewed a hole in the one we have. So I got that & a sprinkler to help water the yard so the grass will grow back. The table and chair set is nothing fancy. Its not the top of the line stuff but you know what it will do for us. In the evenings we can go sit out there and watch the dogs play and not just have to stand there or when we grill we will have a place to sit and chat while the food is cooking. Even gives Jared a place to go out and sit and drink his morning coffee.
I was so excited, I got home and started on the yard right away. Filled in all the holes, potted the plants and washed off the patio and put the chairs and table in place with the plants on top of the table. I couldn't wait to get it all done but then the sun started to go down and the moon started to come up and that left me with no day light to work. So in the morning the plan is to finish the yard and do a little weed eating.
I can not wait for Gabe to see it, he will never of excepted for me to have done something like this at all.

(so after taking Bailey to Hawaii Kai this morning to get fixed I tackelled the back yard, and the weed eating well it went ok. not so sure i'll do that one again. that was alot of work.) but I'm happy I did it for Gabe & can't wait for him to see it.