New York, New York.

So maybe it was almost 2 months ago, but it was one of the best weekends EVER! My beautiful, fabulous friend Allison got married to Mr. Florczak. They win the award for "most romantic" wedding of the 'wedding season' (to be blogged about later). It was a weekend of best girlfriends, husbands along for the ride, celebrating Allison, and taking in the city!

When in NY wear your best "mary kate olsen" - its a city that appreciates it!

Husband in NY enjoying closeness on the subway.

Scrap attack in NY, with Jan as our trusty stand in :)

Bachelorette night for Ally!

Museum visit.



Lovers.



All dressed up for our girl (and her boy).



Besties since 11. love them.



I call her my old hollywood bride. Stunning.

Good Reads.....

Whoa, March 4th was my last post - oopsies. Well even though I have not been blogging, I have been enjoying some great blogs lately. 3 of which I find inspiring, sometimes humorous, and written by 3 very different, but very brave women. Do share you say? of course!

Cortney and I about to run the wounded warrior 5k. Along with many other Ranger family members.....

The first is a blog I found from a fellow Ranger Wife, Cortney . Katie, is anoother Ranger wife friend of Cortney's, whom I have never met (confused? friend of a friend!). Her and her husband were in a tragic car accident that put her in the hospital for a short period, and her husband is still on the journey back to recovery. Click HERE to read more about Katie- and her beyond brave story- she blogs true emotions, scripture, and great pics of her and her husband. She is in my thoughts often.

Gillettes and Holts unite. June 28, 2008

My next blog is technically not a blog, but a caringbridge website. This is a great outlet for people that are experiencing hospital stays, or sickness, to share their story and their progress with friends and family. Meet LAURA - I met Laura when she was dating Alex's friend Matt in college. Matt is our favorite red head of all time, he was one of our groomsmen, and we were at Matt and Laura's wedding exactly 7 days after we wed! They are forever friends.....Laura and I have gone through army deployments, army moves, army wifeness together! Her and Matt have never been stationed with us, but we lived it together :) Currently Laura is undergoing tests to get her closer to a bone marrow transplant she needs to combat a rare blood disease she has. She is AMAZING.

Carey and I being the best maids ever......

My third fearless female is my friend Carey. She just started blogging, and it is a great read! Carey is a fabulous italian mama of 2 that I met years ago through my wonderful sister in laws. Carey and I have been bridesmaids buddies many times, and once years ago I used her as a target at water polo practice... (sorry about that, we have come a long way). Her story I'm sure is one that a lot of young mommy's can relate to - I love the way she talks about her babes, and her lover, and she even incorporates some great jams in her entries.

Happy reading!

ART

When I taught elementary school art, we would learn about a new artist every month. I found it very important that kids grow up knowing about famous artists and famous pieces of work- and more importantly to be inspired by all the above. In the end, I learned a good deal as well- and was always entertained by what those little minds would come up with. Current inspiration: Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life.

WoOf WeDnEsDaY

I'm happy to see my last post, was also a WoOf WeDnEsDaY- because sweet Murphy has been adopted! Not by myself, but I hope she is now in a happy, loving home, that will snuggle her as much as I would have!! My next featured pup that caught my eye this week is Homer:

My name is Homer and I am a young male pointer mix. I am between 8 months and one year old. I am the perfect size dog at 47lbs. I have a beautiful short coat and a big brown patch over one half of my head. I am very active and my favorite thing to do is chase lizards in the yard. I am crate trained and I love to cuddle. I need a home that will play with me and take me for long walks and to the dog park. I love to hunt and to run. I don't jump up on humans even though I am so young and I am completely housebroken. As long as i have bones and toys, I won't chew on your human belongings. Can I come out and play with you? Homer is new to rescue and fostered in Orlando. For more information please contact Melissa at

407-421-2940 or cpsailaway@aol.com You can also check Homer out at a great rescue website Big Dog Ranch .

I think Spencer was channeling Homer earlier this week, when mysteriously she appeared in the kitchen like this...

And lastly in honor of how much I love dogs, and to be the crazy dog lady- I found a great BLOG off my Sissy's page-

This girl is AWESOME! Not only is she a total golden retriever lover, but shes the definition of a natural beauty- you might

just recognize her :)

WoOf WeDnEsDaY

I think everyone that knows me knows I adore my dog Spencer! She came into our lives 2 1/2 years ago and I don't know how I would have made it through life as an army wife without her! So, naturally I am drawn to golden retrievers, and especially now sweet girl dogs with boy names!

Introducing MURPHY!

For more information on this little precious click here.

Happy Belated

I'm not as you would say a 'domestic goddess' , I often realize my husband is much better at all the qualities that make someone a domestic goddess. But I thought on the day of love (Valentines Day) I would use one of my mother in law's recipes, which happens to be Alex's favorite- and bake him up a batch of love cookies. It is an easy recipe, and these cookies are just TOO GOOD!

Ingredients: 3 cups flour - 1 tsp baking powder - 1 cup butter - 1/2 tsp salt - 3/4 cup sugar - 1 egg - 2 tbsp milk - 2 tsp vanilla. (cream butter add sugar, stir in eggs, milk, vanilla, add dry ingredients, mix well.

Spencer and I thought neon icing would take our love cookies to the next level....

After mixing ingredients, roll batter (about 1/4 " thick) between 2 pieces of wax paper (sprinkle a little bit of flower so they dont stick) and chill in fridge for about 10 minutes.

After cutting into desired shapes (hearts of course!) Bake for 8 minutes or until golden around edges on 400 degrees.

I would like to blame the sloppy icing job on Spencer, but it was my fault. Mix 1 bag confectioners sugar with one tbsp of milk (the more milk the thinner the icing and unfortunately the more sloppy the cookie!)

My flowers from my sweet Valentine :)

New Leaf.

A few months ago my friend Jen asked me to create a piece of art for her newest baby boy, Hank. I think sometimes my 'pallet' reflects more the pallet of a child- so creating art for kids is always a lot of fun for me! Jen sent me a few images she liked, a pic of his bedding, and one rule "must say HANK!". I loved all her ideas, colors, and 'rule'- so the painting was as much fun for me- as I hope it will be for Hank and the Daniels family.