Tag Archives | food

There Can Be an Upside to Military Separations!

Tuna Noodle CasseroleAnthony has been gone for two days now. We’re always sad, but we’re getting used to these adjustment having gone through this many times before. One of the things we have learned is to look for the “good things.” Each day I try to look for at least one thing that could be positive about Anthony’s absence from our home and family.

Today it’s Tuna Noodle Casserole. Yes, that’s right Tuna Casserole. Why you ask? Because my husband hates tuna. But the rest of the family love it. For years we have had to subsist on the occasional tuna fish sandwich for lunch, but a complete absence of the stuff from the dinner table. Last night we happily shared our forbidden meal and toasted to “good old tuna!”

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One Year Ago: Disappointment, Food and Fun – Not Your Average Weekend

Pralines & Cream handmade soap by Sweet Olive ...

Image by MissMalaprop via Flickr

It’s hard to imagine how different our lives were in some respects, yet how much the same in others. As we went to our favorite Craft Days again this year, I reflected on the year that has passed.

One year ago today:

It has been a whirlwind of vivid life in motion the last few days. Anthony missed a Skype call with Elijah which left us disappointed and worried. It turns out he had a mix-up in his schedule, that could honestly have been avoided. I was so angry that I hardly spoke to him for a day or so, which is sort of tricky via email. The sight of my son sitting at the computer with his headphones on waiting for his dad to call is just too much for a mother to forgive easily.

Caitlin came home from college for a quick visit on Sunday and I took my kids and “peanut,” known to the rest of the world as my niece Julianna, to the local craft days. We look forward to it every year; the kettle corn, the pumpkin fudge, the glazed almonds, the variety of handmade creations. It’s always about the food for us, but I do leave with enough handmade soap to last me six months.

The highlight of my day is when Anthony and Elijah are having their call on Skype and apparently Elijah has decided he needs help with his homework. The sight of my baby doing his social studies homework with his dad via Skype from 7,000 miles away is just hard to wrap my brain around. It’s one of those moments where you can’t decide if you want to laugh or cry because it is so sweet, so I cover all of my bases and do both. It almost makes up for the missed Skype call incident. Almost…

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Memorial Day: More Than a Picnic

Picture of graves decorated with flags at Arli...

Image via Wikipedia

Memorial Day means many things to many people. For some it’s the kick-off to the summer season. To others it means a long weekend and a wonderful excuse to party, socialize and have fun with friends and family. For most it’s a day off. Those are all fine and valid and enjoyable uses for a holiday.

But if you look just a bit deeper, for many of us it’s a time to remember  those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in a valiant effort to serve and protect their country. That means you and me.

So, raise a glass for sure. Eat a belly full of salads and BBQ. Enjoy a day of play and merriment with your friends and family. But take a few moments out of your day to give thanks to the people we honor today. Send thoughts of compassion and support out to those families for whom today marks a sorrow-filled reminder of the loved ones they have lost in service to the country they love.

If you really want to be bold and thoughtful, go out of your way to reach out to a lonely family with a deployed loved one and offer help and support.  The most meaningful way to pay respect to those we have lost is to give aid to their loves ones they have left behind.

Happy Memorial Day!

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