JOY

“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”  -Mark Twain

It does not escape David and I that 12 years after our first introduction, 

we still find joy in our time together.

This weekend we went to Dallas; each finding joy in our own ways while at the same time sharing in the other person's happiness.

I shopped.  David watched the US Open in a Brewery.

David offered his vote on the promising summer dress contenders....

...I offered my commentary on the 17 year-old, braces wearing, golf phenom threatening Tiger's legacy.

We shared a meal at an Italian eatery, each choosing a dish that appealed to us...I chose an entree I have tried many times, while David went on a limb to try something new.

Next month we will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary and we know we are lucky.  We are lucky that at the end of the day spent together, we can each go to bed knowing that our souls are complete and our hearts are full of joy!

Here's hoping that your weekend was a joy-filled one as well...

OKC

A few weeks ago David had to go to Oklahoma City for work and since school is out, I was able to go too!

We had a great time enjoying the downtown area of OKC. We enjoyed beers at the Brewery and ate dinner on the outside patio of a local Mexican restaurant....luckily we finished just before the heavens opened up and a warm, sweet summer rain poured down on us.  We capped off our "night on the town" with dessert at The Melting Pot (a fabulous fondue restaurant that is definitely not available in The Falls).

The minute David invited me to go to the "Big City" with him, I began researching stores, malls, boutiques, local shops and hole in the wall spots to find great deals.  Well, my grand plans of browsing  beautiful stores stocked with on-trend clothing and household goods, was kabashed when I threw my neck and back out of place earlier in the week!  With my shopping abilities greatly hindered, I was forced to use my time wisely (probably for the best) and finish some homework while David served as the judge for an AF discharge board.  

***To his credit, my husband did take me to three stores on our way out of town, and both of us found some great summer items! 

Our second night, we headed to grab a Chicago style pizza (you know us, we live for good pizza) and it was our lucky night.  When we arrived at the establishment, we were greeted by an outdoor concert/biker rally in the parking lot...needless to say...it was amazing.

One more city crossed off our list, great memories added to it!

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CAKE

This weekend I decided to try baking something new...

I found this recipe from a wonderful blog...for Chocolate Cake...with chocolate ganache between the layers...and frosted with chocolate buttercream frosting...

But it didn't quite suite my tastes, because I don't get my kicks from eating solid chocolate...I like a little somethin' thrown in with it...nuts, fruit, ect.

So, I smashed some fresh raspberries and added a layer on top of the ganache...and I made a ring of raspberries around the top of the cake...

...and let me tell you...it was pretty darn great...and made only better by the scoop of vanilla ice cream that begged to accompany each slice!

ICED COFFEE

Now that school is out and I am a lady of leisure, my mornings start with a cup of coffee and a bit of the Today Show.  Followed by a jog through the neighborhood, housework, and homework. 

Once my morning routine is complete then it is time to enjoy the Texas sunshine.  There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting in the backyard (or heading to the pool) with a good book and a cold beverage; basking in the knowledge that living in the South allows me to experience a bit of paradise.  

 I have made it clear previously that I have a love affair with The Pioneer Woman, and one of the recipes that I am crazy about is her Iced Coffee recipe.  Check out this simple way to make iced coffee, trust me you will NOT regret adding this recipe to your life.  

I make a half batch and it can last for the week in a large Tupperware container in the fridge.  There is nothing better than escaping the penetrating sunshine...filling up a large glass with ice...pouring iced coffee over that ice, adding a small spoonful of sugar, a splash of nonfat milk and devouring the pure heaven that is cold iced coffee on a hot day.  

***Also, just to add to my joy I like to drink my iced coffee from a mason jar with a straw....it makes it more fun and summery somehow***

Now, I do not stray from the sugar/nonfat milk combo during the day...but last week I had a true stroke of genius that I thought just might make life that much better for David and I, as we sit on the back porch watching the sun go down...an Iced Coffee Cocktail!  

For a bit of background knowledge...David and I have been trying to use up all of our liquor because the military movers will not move any open bottle of alcohol.  So that means, all of our open containers have to be used up in the next 4 weeks...Hmmm...tough job...but I'll take it :) 

Try this little concoction, I promise you will not regret it!

Iced Coffee Cocktail:

1 shot of Bailey's Irish Cream

1 shot of Kahlua

1 shot of Vanilla Vodka

3/4 cup of Iced Coffee

*Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a fun glass, filled with ice, and add a straw*

Happy Summer!

SLICE of HEAVEN

This Spring I have been able to test out a few new cake recipes and all of them have been wonderful! Coconut Lime Cupcakes for Easter...

Carrot Cake for a Sunday afternoon treat...

and Raspberry Vanilla Ice Cream Cake for David's Birthday.

I hope that you can grab a cup of coffee...a fabulous magazine

...and a small slice of heaven...

before heading out to soak up the beautiful Spring sunshine 

...and a moment of quiet bliss! 

 Elizabeth's Ice Cream Cake: 

 3/4 box of Nilla Wafers 

 1 cup walnuts 

1 cup turbanado sugar 

1 Tbs. cinnamon 

1/2 cup melted butter 

____________________ 

 1 gallon Vanilla Ice Cream 

2 pints Sorbet 

Directions: Pulse ingredients in the food processor until it is a crumbly mixture. 

Press into a spring form pan and bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and just coming away from the sides of the pan. 

 While you allow the crust to cool, take out a gallon of Vanilla Ice Cream (I use Dreyer's Vanilla Bean) and 2 pints of sorbet (I use Haagen-Dazs). Let the ice cream and the sorbet come to a soft texture, but not melted, before beginning your cake assembly. 

 I layer one pint sorbet, vanilla ice cream, then top with another pint of sorbet. Smooth each layer down before adding the next layer on top (fyi...clean hands often work better than a spoon to smooth out layers). Wrap in plastic wrap and return to freezer overnight or for at least 3 hours in order for the ice cream to harden and the crust to cool completely. 

 ***Variations have included pumpkin ice cream/french vanilla ice cream with a ginger snap crust for a unique Autumn dessert. 

 Also, the option is always there to mix sorbets, this time I used one pint of peach and one of raspberry and it was a fun change!

Soon I am going to be trying a 'cookies and cream' ice cream cake...I'll report back with which ingredients I decide to use and how that turns out!

PIONEER WOMAN

When we began our blog in 2008, it was all because we moved to Germany and we wanted to be able to communicate with our family and friends during our European adventure.

I had no idea that "blogging" was such an amazing world in and of its own...we moved to Germany  before the MAJOR Facebook craze, the iphone, even Pinterest....and "blogging" as a past time, wasn't even a part of my vocabulary.

Fast forward a few years and we were getting ready to move to Texas (definitely not as glamorous as Germany) though still full of excitement....I kept the blog thinking that it would still be a great way to document our adventures and communicate our Air Force life with our loved ones in the PNW.  

Then I got here.  To Texas.

In June.  In the 108* temps of the Texas summer.  

We had no furniture.  I had no job.  I had no friends.  Life was bleak.  

But, I quickly learned that there is one thing that Texas has an abundance of...old things.  There are loads of places to find antiques, flea market steals, yard sales and treasures.  In Texas there are also a TON of home improvement stores, with great military discounts!

So...I began to explore this one horse town, and I began to think of creative ways to reuse, and refurbish items purchased for little to nothing.  Amazingly enough I learned quickly what a can of spray paint can do to really change the look of things....and fill up the hours in my day!  

So along with my need for a creative outlet, my desire to jazz up and recycle knick knacks, and my utter loneliness...I discovered the world of DIY projects and the blogosphere where people share them.

While seeking out creative inspiration online, I found a blog called The Pioneer Woman, which quickly became my go-to for cooking.  The Pioneer Woman shares her recipes in step by step form and she is very real when she opens the door to her family home in Oklahoma, revealing the true colors of owning a farm and raising children.

Last month I had the privilege of seeing Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, speak at the Wichita Falls Country Club.  She was as fantastic as her writing and her show on the Food Network.  

She is funny, sweet, and most of all she is very real.  She spoke of how she began her blogging and her photography adventures and how they became a wonderful part of her life when she was looking for a creative outlet.  

It was such an inspiration to me to hear that no matter what the circumstances are around you...you can create a life that you love.

It was wonderful to be reminded that you can be successful, creative, fulfilled, and purposeful no matter what road your life leads you to...

...and I must say that for a young military wife, who isn't ever quite sure of the next road, the next chapter, or even the next city, it is a very good lesson to hear...

...that no matter where we go......or what road The Fox Family may head down......I can find purpose and inspiration in my day...everyday. 

SPRING FLING

David celebrated his birthday this month, and what a great day it was!

He happened to be in court all day--but when he got home we celebrated his birth by enjoying cold beer...

...take-out from his favorite burrito place...

...and homemade ice cream cake...which was sadly not shared with the dog!

He was so thankful to receive new running shoes, a Costco gift card, tickets to a Las Vegas show, beach towels and registration to a microbrew of the month club.  

It was truly such a wonderful start to this new year and this new chapter in his life!