Silverware FYI

So, a couple weeks ago I bought the hubby and I some silverware when I picked up our plates. It was really cute. He asked me if it was heavy. I hadn't really thought about it. Later in the week, I was making baked potatoes, and stabbing holes in them with a fork before I threw them in the microwave to heat them up. I thought that maybe the silverware I bought would bend.

Sure enough, I went down to the basement, pulled them out, and bent the fork with ease. I was furious! I had spent so much money on this set, and it bent! I returned it and did some research.

Silverware is marked with 18/0, 18/8, or 18/10. I had no idea what this meant. I figured since I paid a lot, it was good. WRONG! I found this on a website:

 "Therefore flatware that is 18/10 means that 18% is chromium and 10% is nickel. The higher the nickel content, the more protection the flatware has from corrosion. Prices of stainless steel flatware vary considerably depending on these specs, so don’t be fooled into thinking you are buying the best quality, if the nickel content is 0%."

So today I went to Macy's, with my new found knowledge, and picked up an extremely durable 18/10 set that I am in love with!

 It's simple, yet elegant. And most important of all, it's not going to bend when Aaron tries to use it!

Packing HELL

I am still front and center of what I call PACKING HELL: Part of my closet.

I asked for advice from my mom regarding where I should start. She suggested that I start sorting things that I would like to bring, and what I want to donate. I have way too much stuff!

I spent a full day working on it, and my mom told me she knows a girl who doesn't have any family here, and is pretty much stranded because she doesn't have a car. Luckily for her she is just about my size, so I was happy to help. I have a ton of stuff I can give to her, so I feel pretty good about myself (and my shopping addiction.)

It really motivated me to go through everything and give a lot of stuff away. Tomorrow, I'm starting again bright and early. Can't wait!

Long distance home-goods shopping!

What a long busy day. Woke up early to go shopping with my lovely mother who was kind enough to foot the bill for some of the things we are going to need for our new home. Because I'm going to be leaving most of my things behind, Aaron really wanted to pick out things together.

However....

1. I would like something to eat on when I get there!
2. My mom was being awesome and wanted to buy us some presents.

So, luckily with the use of technology, I was able to send him pictures of everything from cutlery to kitchen bowls.

He ended up picking out my favorite, from Pfaltzgraff.

The camera on my android is terrible, because I have dropped it about a billion times, but they are a gorgeous light sea foam green. I have never been so excited about plates before.

I'm so happy he could feel involved and helped pick them out.

Tomorrow it's back to packing & throwing stuff out.

I love TACO RICE!

Taco rice is a signature Okinawa  dish. It's served on base, and pretty much everywhere. My love introduced me to it at Ocean Expo Park when I went to visit him, and I've been obsessed ever since. We talk about having Taco Tuesday at our house when he gets home, just like at the mess hall :)

Here is my no fuss recipe!

Things you will need:

1 pound of ground beef
1 packet of taco seasoning
Rice (as much or as little as you like)
1 teaspoon butter (optional)
1 cup water

1. Prepare the rice. (Note: if you are using minute rice, follow instructions on the box. If you are using normal rice: add water to pot (for every cup of rice, use 1 3/4 cups of water), bring to boil, add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon butter and rice. Stir. Cover and let simmer until ready)

2. Brown ground beef.

3. Drain fat. (Don't drain it down the sink!)

4. Add 1 cup water, and taco seasoning. Stir.

5. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.

AND THAT'S IT!

Once the rice and meat are ready, spoon the meat over rice, top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa (or whatever you want!)

And there you have it, all the joys of a taco without any of the mess of broken taco shells. Dig in and enjoy :)

BTW if you ever have an opportunity to visit Okinawa, definitely check out the aquarium at Ocean Expo Park. It's not your typical aquarium! I love how 90% of our pictures, we are on our phones. #addicted

No sew blankets? Not for Marines!

During Aaron's last deployment I decided to make him a no sew blanket that he can take with him on ship.

I went over to Joann Fabrics and picked out some cute fabric with owls on it, because he loves owls, and camo because it still needed to be manly! (:

It came out super cute! I gave it to him for an early Christmas present when he came home for leave on Thanksgiving. He loved it!

A couple days ago, I got a carepackage from him! Along with cute things and gifts, he sent me back the blanket, which had entirely come apart. He asked me to fix it. I have made these for my friend's children and this has never happened.

The moral of the story? Tie blankets are adorable ideas, but they aren't durable enough for marines. Time to re-tie all of the fringe, and go over it with the sewing machine!

If you are looking to make your own no-sew blanket, *here* is a great youtube tutorial with different fringe ideas :) They are super easy to make, are great gift ideas, and you can make them as big or little as you want!

Packing, Insomnia, 94 days.

I just want to start out with saying there are few things that I dislike more than packing. Cold weather is one of them! My bedroom looks like a war zone right now, since I have been in an endless state of sorting things to keep, things to bring for some time now. It seriously *never* ends.


I am so excited to be moving to California with the love of my life (: Warm weather, sunlight, beaches, it's really where I belong. And did I mention the love of my life is finally going to be there too? Because he is.


I've been anticipating the adjustment to living with another person. I love cooking, but very rarely cook for myself because, let's face it, cooking for one person totally sucks. I have a lot of great recipes and signature dishes that I can't wait to cook for him, and to share with you (:


Blogging to stay sane during this last deployment for a while, and looking forward to our cross-country move & new life *TOGETHER*!