What is a Turducken?

That was my question last year. I first heard about it on the radio so naturally I had to find out all about it. It seems that a Turducken is a chicken stuffed into a duck that is then stuffed into a turkey. I really wonder who ever came up with this. Apparently, there are many people enjoying this dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The first Turducken is traced back to Paul Prudhomme, a creole chef. It is said he created the dish for the Duvell Festival in Washington . There is a company called Herbert’s Specialty Meats in Maurice Louisiana that prepares around 5,000 Turducken orders a week during Thanksgiving. I guess there are quite a few people out there that like Turducken!

I am not so sure this would be something I would like. I am not especially fond of duck. Although a chicken in a turkey might not be so bad. Hmm. Turchicken anyone?

Tips for Keeping Your Kids Busy Before Christmas

When my children were young, they typically would become excited over the prospect of the coming holiday. With that came a renewed sense of energy that I needed to find a way to deal with, otherwise I would quickly find myself wanting to pull my hair out. After giving it some thought I decided to use the holiday as a new learning experience and a chance to embark on new projects. Here are my tips for engaging the kids with new and exciting things to do on those days leading up to the holidays.

Making cookies is pretty standard and straightforward holiday activity. That being said, kids usually love makeing and decorating cookies. In addition, the types of cookies to make are endless. The cookies can be made from scratch or buy a cookie log and simply cut the cookies or roll out and use cookie cutters. This was a personal favorite with my kids. After baking, I would let the kids decorate with frosting and all kinds of sprinkles and afterward we had quite an assortment of cookies. You can take it a step further and package the cookies in colorful tins for gift giving.

One year I decided to make ornaments. Some of the best ornaments I own are either handmade by my kids and me or received from my kids as school projects. I looked forward each year to see what ornaments they would bring home from school. One year after collecting pine cones from a mountain trip, we spray painted the cones and tied on ribbons. The ribbons served as hangers. They were simple, but quite beautiful. They still hang on my tree every year!

Try making a video. Kids naturally like to perform and with a little coaching and some practice, you can make a great video of your family singing songs or telling stories or even a small play. We made a video one year and the kids gave it to their grandparents as a gift. The kids had a great time and the grandparents loved it.

Find a small tree and let the kids make all the decorations such as paper ring garland, popsicle stick ornaments, pretzel wreaths or pipe cleaner ornaments. When I was a child, I loved having my “own” tree in my room. Let the kids come up with there own ideas for decorations. You will be surprised how creative they really are.

The possibilities are endless. These are just a few of the activities my kids and I did together. Please feel free to leave a comment about what you and you kids do or have done. I would love to hear them!

Oh, my daughter continues the cookie tradition. Sometimes we still get together and make cookies or if it is not possible, she makes them with her daughter. I am quite sure my granddaughter will continue someday with her own children.

How do You Survive Deployment?

I get this question quite a bit from co-workers, friends and family members. How do I do it? Well, I might say, "Very carefully." The truth is I do not always have a good time dealing with it. Even though my son is not in war zone, so to speak, I still worry and realize he is still a target. I find the not knowing aspect to be the hardest.

 

I cope by working on his Christmas care package, writing emails to him and updating his deployment website. I am so fortunate to be able to follow his deployment on FaceBook and Twitter. I also look at Marine, Naval and Unit websites quite regularly. I have said it before and I will say it again. Google is my friend.

 

Surviving deployment is made a little easier for me because I have many friends and family that understand when I get a little upset. Even though this is a non-combat deployment, there are other issues such as financial problems. I have to get his car registered this week and I have a feeling the experience will be less than pleasurable. Power of Attorney is not the end all to every situation that arises.

 

I also believe that we, the people back home can help ourselves survive by doing whatever we can, be that standing with the Patriot Guard, becoming a Soldiers' Angels or just shaking the hand of a vet and saying "Thank you." For some joining support groups or online communities such as Marineparents.com can help coping on a daily basis.

 

Deployment is hard any way you look at. 

So, how do you survive deployment?

A Christmas Tree for my Son

I am preparing LCpl Honda's Christmas care package. Since he will not be here for the holidays I wanted to bring a little holiday spirit to him. I have been agonizing over what to send to him. He just keeps telling me he does not need anything. I know he is not deprived of anything since he is deployed on a Navy ship, but still I want to send him something!

Today I stopped at Walgreens and I this tree. I love it! The clerk loved it! Especially when she found out it was going to a deployed service member. Now my care package think tank is in full gear. Watch LCpl Honda, Christmas is coming!

BuildASign.com

I want to let you know about BuildASign.com, a generous company that has been supporting our Nation’s Troops for the past year. They have already donated over 20,000 welcome home banners to military families like ours and they want to continue their support of the military community in the future. They also proudly display welcome home stories and pictures from military families on their website. I believe we should support the companies who support us, which is why I am asking you to help me get the word out about this company. If you or someone you know needs a sign or banner, please tell them to buy from BuildASign.com. BuildASign.com is offering us a special 25% off all of their products through the end of June to help them continue their support of our troops. I hope you will help support this company that has done so much for military families around the country. This is a generic copy of the jumbo card I sent my nephew in the Sand for Christmas last year. It measured 18" x 24". CpL Red now (Sgt) loved it! Sshhh. I think LCpl Honda will get one during his upcoming deployment.

25% Off All Products at BuildASign.com

(If this link does not work, you can use the promo code NEWFRIENDS09 to get 25% off your order at checkout.)

Remember Them

While I was visiting Arkansas Army Mom's Blog I watched this video. It is a good reminded to not forget of troops serving abroad away from their families. My nephew, Cpl Red is one of those. Merry Christmas, miss you, God Bless and stay safe. Crafty, thinking about you...

Waiting for the Explosion

LCpl Honda returned home for the holidays last night. I sometimes wonder if he really is a Marine or is just pulling the wool over our eyes. I do believe that they are taught in boot camp to be meticulous about themselves and their belongings.

Last time he was here I would find dishes left around, lights left on and of course the strange phenomenon of the exploding sea bag. I wonder if anyone else experiences this? It all started when he returned home from boot camp.I remember walking in the bedroom and being dumbfounded at the sight. First, how do they get all the stuff in one bag? Second, what is all that stuff? I know he left with nothing much but the clothes on his back. When did he have time to accumulate all of it? As I surveyed the mountain of pens, toothpaste, little tie things etc. I had a horrifying thought. What if he left it here? Well thankfully he did not. When I took him to the airport after his leave was up, he did indeed take everything with him. In fact he ran into another Marine who had been to boot camp with him and the guy remarked about all the bags he was returning with. hmmm. Also when he was at home for Thanksgiving he tried to blame these things on the buddy he brought home. hmm...hmm

Well I woke up in the middle of the night and found the Christmas tree lights on, TV on and a lamp on. I fear it has started again. Didn't look in his room for the sea bag, but i have a feeling it's there. Waiting.