We're settling back into post-honeymooniversary life (plus, June 22 marked my first year of being here at Ft. Hood!), so I've begun making vegan food again.

First on our list to try were some vegan pizzas based on Green Kitchen Stories' Vegetarian Mini Pizza della Sicilia. The capers in the tomato sauce intrigued me and we had some little sandwich breads perfect for pizzas. Our toppings included artichoke hearts, olives, zucchini squash, basil, and shiitake mushrooms. We liked them--they're definitely worth making again!

I also made Beet Bourguignon. I did make a few tweaks/substitutions to the recipe, mainly because I couldn't find some of the ingredients at HEB:

• fewer beets (I used three golden beets),
• more vegetable stock,
• shiitake instead of the champignon mushrooms,
• yellow onion instead of the pearl onions,
• French bread instead of lentils,
• and a zucchini squash.

Next time, I think I'll use more mushrooms (and maybe a drier wine), but it's hearty and filling.

ombre nails

While I haven't made time to actually give myself a manicure in the past few months, I decided that painting my nails again might be a good form of self-care. After seeing several nail tutorials online (I really want to try Blog en Beaute's Ocean design), I decided to brave this tutorial on ombre nails. I used Essie's Tart Deco and Madison Ave-hue. The results weren't as neat as I wanted, but since it was my first time trying the technique, I'm pretty happy with the look!

the one in which i'm jealous of myself

I wrote this shortly after my 23rd birthday, which was actually in March. I recently rediscovered it and had to share the awesomeness that is my loving husband.

My husband is super sweet, thoughtful, and romantic.

In case you didn't already know that.

Case in point: my 23rd birthday. We enjoyed dinner together before I went to class, but I was a little disappointed that it was rushed (he had more work to finish and I had to go to class and give a presentation). Still, we were able to be together, and that's what's important!

When I walked out of the building after class, the Jeep was parked in front of the sidewalk. There were rose petals scattered all around, a huge Hello Kitty balloon almost as tall as I am, an absolutely gorgeous vase of flowers, lots of balloons, and the most wonderful man ever.

Granted, it wasn't until I actually saw him that it sunk in that he had done everything. Up until I saw Alan, I just thought it was a weird coincidence that there was a Jeep that looked like mine (because I didn't park in front of the chapel, so it obviously can't be mine), with a huge Hello Kitty (and I was slightly jealous that someone with a Jeep had a huge Hello Kitty and flowers).

My thought process went something like:

That is a huuuge Hello Kitty! That Jeep looks like mine! Those are pretty flowers! Wow, someone is really lucky! Hey! That's my husband! Why is Alan here? What's going on? Ooooh, those are for meee! He moved the Jeep!

 

that lady with the wic card [and iphone]

I will never again judge people on welfare.

Over the past few months, I have received--unwillingly--a huge dose of humility. And empathy. And some "You don't know my story, but that's ok; you don't need to" attitude.

On three different occasions, I was that lady standing at the cash register with a shopping cart full of WIC items and no idea how to use the card--that lady with the iPhone and designer wallet. Embarrassed that I even had a WIC card. Embarrassed that someone might see. Embarrassed when the cashier saw my groceries and automatically asked, "Is this all WIC?"

"We're not really poor!" I wanted to tell everyone in the checkout line, even though none of them actually cared that I had a WIC card and the chances that I would see any of them again (and remember them) were slim to none. "We're just fostering kids right now and we can use every last bit of help! I also have two stepsons that we support, so it's sort of like we're supporting four kids!"

The first time, I hid my phone in my pocket (because it's not like the iPhone silhouette is obvious, or anything) and tried to keep the card hidden until the absolute last second. Except, then I didn't know how to use it, so the process took about three times longer than it should have.

It was worse when my friend and I stopped by Operation Once in a Lifetime--after all, just a few weeks prior I had called to find out what was needed so I could make a donation. But all of a sudden, I'm filling out paperwork in order to check out the food pantry. I even began to fold up the paperwork, reluctant to hand it over even though I'd filled it out. My conversation with the volunteer went something like this:

"I'd like to keep this and talk to my husband about it, first. We probably won't need assistance within a few days."

"What do you mean?"

"The kids are with us temporarily, and I'm sure that we'll be fine after that."

"Honey, just fill it out. You never know. Not too long ago, I realized that we needed food and we hadn't been paid yet, so I just came in here."

So, I begrudgingly handed in the paperwork ... and walked out with a bag of squash and zucchini, a ham, two tenderloin steaks, and some sausage.

It was enough to take care of the kids until they left.

may in review

It's almost June ... and I'm just now publishing the recap for May!

+ moving on. The kids left for another placement (with relatives) at the beginning of June. The two and a half-ish months that they were with us were some of the most educational, stressful, testing, enjoyable weeks. I'm beyond grateful that Alan and I were able to share the experience together; we learned a lot, too.

+ 4.0. Thanks to God for blessing me and our awesome friends for babysitting when Alan worked and I had class, I finished the semester with a 4.0!

+ 1 cav demo. There is free entertainment and education on Ft. Hood. Every Thursday at 10:00 a.m., the 1st Cavalry performs a demonstration for the public. If you ask, they'll even give you a tour of the stables, farrier, and leather shops, and teach you about the weapons and riding/ground crews. It was ridiculously educational and exciting.

+ best compliment ever. "You guys are really different. Not in a bad way. You don't argue or anything. I don't think I've ever known anyone like that." --the oldest of the two children we fostered

+ c.t. studd. I discovered a favorite quote.

Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.

+ vertigo. We watched Veggie Tales until I was tired of it (I mean, I seriously dreaded seeing the main menu for "The League of Incredible Vegetables"). I had vertigo for about two weeks, and the first few days were horrible. I laid on the floor while watching the youngest; fortunately, Alan was able to come home early one day, and he was able to drop off and pick up the oldest from school the entire time.

+ the little things. A friend gave me a bag of Ghirardelli chocolates because "sometimes moms need to hide in the closet, and you are an acting mom."

+ little owl. I hosted a Pinterest-inspired, owl-themed baby shower for a friend. It was a little nerve-wracking because I've never hosted one before and I wanted it to be super special for her! My wonderful husband arranged the fruit, sliced the cheeses, and helped me decorate the house. Another of our friends came early to help prep food. It was a lot of fun and it was wonderful to see other ladies support a mom-to-be!