The Bees Knees

Look what I found yesterday!

A beehive!

Oh, and this, too!

Pretty cool, huh?

Finger Lickin' Good!

Good morning, everyone! I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was filled with relaxation, excellent weather, and some gooood food!

You all know by now that I love to go for walks in the sunshine, and Ted and I decided to head over to the Vilseck area and do some exploring! It was so beautiful outside, and the conversation was great....doesn't get better! We happened upon a goldfish pond and stopped to soak up the sun and check out the fish.




We also completed our customary weekend grocery run. I come up with a list of meals for the week so we can get what we need and get out, but this trip was not so successful. I know everyone heard about the whole government shutdown debacle.....well, that shutdown would have meant our commissary would be closed until further notice. People took the warning to heart. I turned the corner to get meat for the week and the shelves were EMPTY. Completely and totally wiped out. No pot roast, no pork chops....pretty much all that was left was beef for fajitas, and we JUST ate those. I truly have never seen anything like it, even during the snowstorm panics. Okay, plan B: Ted found a rack of ribs in the freezer section!

I'll be honest with you- I don't like to eat food that requires work- i.e. chewing meat off bones, peeling shrimp before eating it, breaking lobster out of it's shell...I'm so lazy! Ted changed my mind with these ribs:


The man misses his smoker (we had to leave it behind when we moved- but we'll be back for it!), but I have to admit, he sure knows his way around a grill!


You better believe I didn't mind chewing the meat off those bones! I did, and Ted brought me more, and I ate all that too, and by the time I was done I needed to launder the BBQ off my clothes and *ahem* take a shower. My Top Chef outdid himself again!

I'd love to stay and chat, but I have a dentist appointment in a little while and I need to go mentally prepare myself. I hate the dentist, and no lie, I'll probably need snacky-treat therapy at some point today (i.e. cupcakes and/or candy bars and/or gummies) to get over the torture. The worst part is that this will be just a temporary fix until I can get to the (scary) German dentist because the on-post clinic doesn't treat family members. Waaaaah... :(

Comfiest pants ever......

Yes, you read that right- I have discovered the best pair of dress pants I have ever owned! Ted and I had to go to a Battalion dinner last night and we needed to wear church clothes.... I almost always wear dresses and skirts, because I can never find a pair of pants that truly fits....until yesterday that is! I went to the PX for one last, desperate look around, and just happened to try on a pair of Dockers, and lo and behold- they fit! I'm...*ahem...curvy....but these pants fit at the waist, hips, and thighs, and they were just the right length for heels. Too long to wear with flats, probably, but I think they do come in petite and long sizes as well. They are a khaki material, which makes them super-wearable in my opinion, but they don't have a khaki look to them at all. The only thing I will say about them is that around 9:30 p.m. they started to stretch out in the thigh area, so they probably will require a wash after every wear...hopefully they wash well. I took pics to show you!





Here's the details for the pants if any of you ladies need to add some COMFORT to your work or church wardrobes (they're on sale right now at Kohls!).




Oh, I did come out of the dinner with a lovely little jewelry box as thanks for being the FRG treasurer for the past two years. :)


Sorry to bore you with shopping and jewelry boxes, gentlemen. I'd say more, but I've got a date with this little hunk....

His mama is back from attending a (long!) Army school, and we're going for a walk on what is shaping up to be a repeat of yesterday's gorgeous weather! Gotta run, Have a fabulous Friday, everyone!

Wait, Random Photo! I have just enough time....


It's T&J Knust, Ted's parents, circa Thanksgiving 2010! Are they going to appreciate being featured on my blog? Probbbably not. Can they stop me? NO! ;) Besides, it's a great pic.

Okay, now goodbye for real.

Walk with me?

Okay, check this out:

This was yesterday.

Here's today:

Isn't everything so much prettier bathed in sunlight!?

Not only is it sunny today, but look at these temperatures!


Thank you, Cindy, for getting Ted this gift a long, long time ago (I know he had it at his apartment his junior year of college!). I check it multiple times a day. :)

It's not really ninety-five degrees in our house. I do think the outdoor temp is pretty accurate though! Who can stay inside and do chores on a day like today? Not me! I got my workout done before lunch today, so that means anything else I do exercise-wise is just for fun! I think that calls for a luxurious stroll in the sunshine, don't you?

Oh, you want to come? All right then, lets go!

We're gonna walk this way today.


Shall we head out of town for a bit? Good, I was hoping you'd say yes.


Ahhh....now we're talkin'. We're about halfway done- hang in there!



We're at one of my favorite spots to stroll around, now. My feet sure enjoy off-roading, don't yours? Be a pal and help me watch out for snakes, though, okay?

Wait, do you hear that? What is all that splashing?

Why don't we just sit here and soak it all up for a bit...maybe we'll catch a glimpse of whatever is making all that racket!

Oh, it's fish! Lots and lots of fish! I come here all the time and I have never seen them leap into the air like that. Wonder what's making them jump for joy today?

Listen to the birds! I could just waste away a whole hour here, couldn't you? We should have brought a book.

Alas, we didn't, so on we go.

So what if we just got up? Have a seat...take a deep breath....smile!

It won't be long before we find ourselves back in town, so is it okay if we take our time through this stretch?

Aww shucks, we're almost home. What do you mean you think my camera is out of focus? I'm not doing anything different.... (turns out you were right!). Regardless, thanks so much for walking with me today! It's so nice to have company. :)

But really, get your butts outside for a few minutes if you can! I suspect it's nice in Iowa too....

I know this is a long post, but I have a few more things to say.

1. The other day I told you I had to run on the dreadmill (treadmill) with my Fivefingers. It did not go well for me. I couldn't run right! I did it anyway, but for the first time, things were uncomfortable in my "bare feet." I hate that you have to choose a number to run at on the treadmill. It sounds silly, but I can never get the right speed. I want to just start running, and have the treadmill figure out where I'm at. Do they have anything like that yet? Also, I noticed about halfway through my run that I was about to run right off the front of the machine. I was constraining myself into such a tight little area- once I backed off a little, things started to feel better, but the damage had already been done (mentally at least). For now, I'll stick to the outdoors as much as I can!

2. I've been through 4 books in the last few days!! Don't worry, I only read a chapter or two out of each (Reading is supposed to be fun- no one says I have to finish a book simply because I started it!). After reading Prodigal Summer, which I loved, I can't find a book that will hold my interest! I knew this would happen, so last time I went to the library I picked up three books that were possibles, but lo and behold, not a single one of them could do it for me! That's what happens when you get a REALLY good book- they're hard to follow! Luckily, LuAnn, a good family friend, sent a book over a couple weeks ago- and it's working! You saved the day, LuAnn! That being said, I need everyone's suggestions for good books. I read every night in bed without fail, so I need a list I can take to the library with me! Email me or comment below with the good books you've read lately!

Here's another one of MY random photos in the meantime:

This one is making me DROOL! It's a good thing these rolls are such hard work- keeps me from making them, let alone eating them! Darn that maple frosting. I could probably live off that stuff! If you weren't hungry before, well... you're welcome. ;)

You don't have to be scared.....

of the BOOGEY MAN if you come stay at our house!

There's no room for him under the bed! Last night I went to get the hand-mixer (you'll see why in a minute) from under the guest-room bed. I was a little surprised to see how much random stuff has crawled under there lately.....

A blinking red light for bike riding at night, some goggles, serving dishes, dreadful styrofoam bowls (the texture makes me jumpy), a shipping receipt from Cabelas, a curling iron, a brownie pan, coozies from Jake & Alison's wedding (just waiting for sweaty weather!), and a whole nother layer in the back! They should make nother a word. It sounds better than "whole other."

I'm not even ashamed to show you the piles under there, because really- take away every closet and cabinet in your house, and see what you're left with. You'd be stashing stuff under the bed, too! I am a little ashamed that the super-luxurious outdoor carpeting could stand to be vacuumed or swept or whatever, but only a little. What do you think a dust ruffle is made for, people? Hiding things, that's what!

I wanted to get the hand mixer out from under the bed to make a Taste of Home recipe: Taffy Apple Pizza. It's just a baby recipe (by baby I mean small) that I found in a Cooking for Two mag my mom had sent, so I didn't want to drag out the whole stand mixer. This recipe has a sugar-cookie crust, a peanut-buttery-cream-cheesy spread, with some Granny Smith slices and caramel sauce on top! I got busy making the sugar cookie pizza part, which called for refrigerated cookie dough. I can never make anything good with that crap, plus it is expensive (almost three dollars for a tube!) but I don't like to stray from a recipe- It just feels like a bad thing to do. Bad choice- My "pizza" crust turned into an oval-rectangle-square type shape and it got way too crispy (I rely too much on the timer sometimes). It was so ugly I threw it in the trash, BUT, as it was baking I licked the beaters from the peanut butter spread and realized it tasted a LOT like an apple dip my mom makes! It worked out well, because I used the spread as a dip for a little after-dinner treat (Ted liked it too!) and made sugar cookies with the rest of that darn cookie dough. All's well that ends well! The recipe still looks good, but I don't like to clutter my recipe box with anything I don't LOVE, so it's going in the trash.



I know today has been all about FOOD, but I can't resist- I found a new brand at the commissary. I was pretty upset that they didn't have Bisquick (I heart Bisquick pancakes!) or French's Crispy Onions in stock, but after breakfast this morning I have decided to let them off the hook this week. There's a new brand in town called Rudi's Organic Bakery, and they are the bomb! Their slices of bread fit in the toaster (other brands of whole-grain wheat get crammed in there and I can't get them back out!) and they're just GOOD! A tad on the expensive side ($2.70 or so), but then EVERYTHING is a tad on the expensive side. I'm embarrassed to tell you how much we spend on groceries for two people. If we ate only sale items, though, we'd have to live off cereal and pizza! Speaking of pizza, my favorite frozen pizza, Tombstone, has been FIVE DOLLARS a pizza- more than DiGiorno! When I was there yesterday, they had brought the price down to $3.00! Glory be! I don't know how they do their pricing. One day you'll pay seven dollars for brown sugar, and then next week it's two bucks. Must have something to do with living a million miles away from the producers. ;) Why don't I buy German? 1. The exchange rate stinks and it would be very expensive. 2. Their stuff tastes different! Especially anything with chocolate- even M&M's and KitKats have a different taste here. I do run down to the German store if I need a veggie or a condiment, but other than that I hit up the commissary (on post) once a week.

That's way more than I intended to say- I really just wanted to show you the best bread I've had in a LONG time:


I hold a special place in my heart for Sourdough bread. My mom used to bring a loaf home from the bakery sometimes, and we'd slather on the Country Crock and have it with dinner, or make it into a sandwich, or just eat it plain for a snack! This wasn't THAT kind of chewy deliciousness, but it toasts up NICE! We are definitely a wheat-bread family, and Ted loves really hearty bread with all kinds of seeds and stuff, but I decided to veer off this week and treat myself a little. The first ingredient listed is wheat flour (not even bleached or enriched), so I don't feel like it's a terrible decision. Rudi has outdone herself (himself?) with this bread. If you like white bread, but want something without preservatives and ickyness, try this!! You'll like it.

My internet is being a pest, coming and going as it pleases. Maybe that's a sign that I should quit rambling!

Not without today's Random Photo!


It's The Man himself. Sometimes I call him The Duck Whisperer. Birds are not afraid of him! If they only knew he'd take great pleasure in giving them a little bump with his boot.... (don't worry, he didn't and hasn't).

I don't really call him The Duck Whisperer. I just call him mine. does anyone know how to put one of those little hearts here!?

Too bad I just busted out laughing! ;) But really, I love him.

'Bye!

Smells better.....

First off, I need to direct your attention to this article. Go ahead, click the link... it will make you smile. Here's a little preview- "Cows are lovable companions because they're easygoing, have strong nerves and are 'unbelievably devoted' to people they like." Awwwww......

Anyway, I was out on my walk today and right away I noticed that yesterday's rain changed the entire landscape of our street:

All the trees burst into gorgeous yellow flowers! Every single house on the street has one of these trees (except us, go figure), and it smelled so fresh and wonderful! Like a dryer sheet, only the real deal! It's a vast improvement over the smells I've been wading through the last week and a half or so, the number one offender being straight-up manure. It drifts through the open windows, it assaults you on the street....it's everywhere! Usually I don't really mind the smell, but the other day I was walking along a trail that borders a field, and I think I got sprayed. It's time for springtime manure spreading around here, and I don't believe the farmers knife it in or inject it the way most everyone does back home (to avoid nutrient loss, not to spare your nostrils!). I could actually see the stuff being sprayed on the field, and while it's not like I got wet or anything.....that stink was ON me! Enough that I showered and washed those clothes pretty quick after my walk. Probably should have brushed my teeth, too. ;) Needless to say, the floral aromas in the streets and wooded areas today are like a breath of FRESH air.

Short post today....it's already Random Photo time:

Oh, I got a video this time! Well, why not! Please ignore my goobery rolled up sweatpants. I didn't know I was going public that day. Also, turn your volume down, because at the end the dogs start cheering for me quite loudly.



So, do YOU believe in water dowsing?? I do believe the rods cross when they find water, and they crossed consistently in places where it would be sensible to have a water / septic line from the house.... So if you need a well dug, just give me a ring. ;)

P.S. I just logged back in and the video upload quality is not-so-hot and you can't really see what I'm doing the way you can on my computer.....so I guess you really will have to invite me over, and for a nominal fee I'll...... just kidding. Have a nice day! :)

April Showers.....

.....bring May flowers. I know. Still, I can't help but be a little glum about the raindrops that have been pinging on my window all morning. It's a run day for me, and I just don't enjoy running in the rain. That means I'll be taking my Fivefingers to the treadmill for the first time! They're a little grubby from "off-roading"- maybe I should clean up my "bare feet" before taking them to town. ;) I'm a little disappointed to miss out on my usual trail run, but so it goes.

Remember the other day, when the random photo was of the curly cows? Well, I went back to visit them. I generally don't like to drive to my running or walking place, because then I have to do the dreaded "key clutch" the whole time I'm working out. Knowing me, one of these days I'll drop the whole set somewhere along the way and not even realize it. I learned my lesson the hard way, though, after my purse- actually a very nice Fossil purse of my mom's that I was borrowing- got stolen from Fifield Park. I went rollerblading on the trail there and thought that if I tucked everything under the seat, nobody would bother it. Wrong! I wish they had taken everything else and at least left that pretty purse. It took me a long time to religiously lock my car doors. Another time my cell phone and CD case got stolen from my car while I was at church! At CHURCH! Those hoodlums. Those things actually got returned to me- The cops called the "home" number from the address book in my cell phone. The person who took my stuff got caught for something else, so I got my property back that time. I do lock my car now, in case you're wondering.

So back to the original story- I made a concession and drove to workout this time because I wanted to say hi to the curly cows. It's actually a really nice drive over there- all farm roads and fields and "girls" in open-sided barns. There are quite a few dairies around here, and whenever I spot a barn full of cows, I fondly refer to them as "the girls." Which, they are! I'm trying to work out a way to get myself inside so I can pet their baldy heads, but I'm terribly afraid of the German farmers. Hmmmm.

Oh yes, the drive over to the curly cows-

This is approximately the spot two summers ago where I tearfully decided I did not care to learn to drive a stick shift anymore, or ever again. Just thought you'd like to know.

Yes, it looks straight here, and I can do straight, but there's hills and stop signs at either end that drove me into a panic trying to remember what I was supposed to do to stop. Coordination is really not my thing. Don't judge me....there's other things I'm good at....right? Besides, it's safer for everyone if I just use my brainpower to watch the road.

So, the curly cows. I got there, and they were gone! Their pasture was open and a tractor was making its rounds. I looked in all the adjacent pastures too. No evidence that curly cows ever lived there! Maybe they make for good supper? At least I got a good forty-minute workout in- with new scenery, to boot!


I know you can't tell, but my t-shirt and sweatshirt are the same colors as my shoes. I didn't even do it on purpose! I'm also doing that dreaded key-clutch. To the left of me is the pasture where the curlies once lived. There's definitely a berm built up along the fenceline- maybe curlies are particularly aggressive? Now I'll probably never know.

Now that the curly saga is finally over- random photo time!

Ha! This is from a medieval dinner we went to with some friends. We literally only knew four people there. At one point, the hosts randomly chose people to get up and do a special dance together. You can see that Ted is really thrilled about it. ;)

Okay, I'll just show you the next couple of pictures too. The uncomfortable look on Ted's face makes me grin. He's such a cutie. Each lady was supposed to turn their head and look at their partner over their shoulder- obviously the lady in pink had just enough to drink that she forgot "left" and "right."

Okay, last one. At this point the ladies were supposed to drape their legs over the guys' shoulders. Someone tell me, why does that lady look so horrified at the prospect of touching my husband? I think I'm offended. I just didn't know it at the time because that's MY bare leg on that giant of a man three people down. I remember being terrified that he was going to have to lift me up or something, which could possibly result in some kind of medical emergency on his part. Ah, good times.

Have a great Monday!!