I was looking for a fun place to take the kids on a recent trip to the Netherlands. Google was failing me, until I found it: a butterfly “safari” (aka Vlindersafari) just a smidgen over an hour from our house in Gemert, Netherlands. This turned out to be the perfect stop before lunch on our way to our adventures in Gouda. Vlindersafari = Butterfly Safari Vlindersafari in Dutch literally translates to “butterfly safari” in English, and it’s aptly named,… Read More…
Ready to ditch those little packets of taco seasonings once and for all? Making your own homemade taco seasoning is so much easier than you may think. This quick homemade taco seasoning only has five ingredients, and since you’re making it, you get to control how much of what goes in it. Plus, it’s easy to put together, and if you use it often enough you can double, triple, or quadruple the amount. Just, dump it in a jar,… Read More…
This post is made possible with support from the Wounded Warrior Project. All opinions are my own When I was a new military spouse I heard about something called “a 365.” It was a term more seasoned spouses used in regards to a year-long deployment, but what struck me was how they’d always mention it in a hushed, humble tone. At the time, we were doing shorter deployments—two to four months—so I couldn’t even fathom an entire year. These… Read More…
Holland is famous for a lot of things (clogs, windmills, cheese…mmm..cheese). But one of the tastiest things to come out of the Netherlands is the syrup waffle! You may know it better as a “stroopwafel,” and rumor has it that it actually originated in Gouda! A stroopwafel literally translates to “syrup waffle,” and at the Kamphuisen Syrup Waffle Factory it’s actually two paper-thin waffle cookies with a mouthwatering syrup sandwiched in between. *Other popular stroopwafels use one cookie sliced… Read More…
If your family just got word that you’re heading to Hill AFB in Ogden, Utah, you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover what schools are the best, where you should live, or the best doctor; instead, you’ll find things you want to know about like favorite day trips, radio stations, and all the yummy places to eat. This Duty Station Spotlight is from Susan, a boy mama and Air Force wife…. Read More…
“WHOA….KENNY! There’s an actual town called Gouda in the Netherlands! Do you think that’s where Gouda cheese is from?” I’m not ashamed to say that this was an actual question I had while looking at a map of places nearby to visit. Well, you’ll be happy to know that the town of Gouda is, in fact, home to Gouda cheese; one of the most delicious cheese you’ll ever taste. Unless you’re lactose intolerant. In that case, I’m sorry. Gouda… Read More…
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been in our German home for a full month already. We’re settling in extremely well, and while it isn’t totally set up and ready for a house tour, I still want to give you a peek at where we’re at. Let me back up a sec first. The base my husband is stationed at doesn’t have on base housing, which means that when families arrive (and after they go through two weeks of… Read More…
Have you ever been in three different countries at once? Earlier this month we headed to Vaals, Germany, aka the Drielandenpunt (“three country point), and we bounced around the exact point where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet. While that’s cool in and of itself…there’s actually a heck of a lot more to do at the three country point tourist stop than what meets the eye, which is especially great if you have kids. So much to do at… Read More…
If your family just got word that you’re heading to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you’ve come to the right place for the inside scoop. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover what schools are the best, where you should live, or the best doctor. Instead, inside these Duty Station Spotlights, you’ll find things you want to know about like favorite day trips, radio stations, and the yummy places to eat—all from military spouses who have… Read More…
“There’s an Elephant in the room, and it’s been around since the word ‘deployment’ first escaped from my husband’s lips.
Sometimes the Elephant is actually in another room. Out of sight, out of mind.
I obviously prefer it that way.
Because sometimes the Elephant isn’t just in the same room with me; it’s in my face and sitting on my chest, crushing the ability to catch my breath; making it impossible to breathe and even harder to even think straight.”
