Sangria and a Summer Night

I’ve been dying for a good excuse to try to make a yummy summer drink and I finally had my chance this last weekend! I made this delicious sangria recipe on Saturday night and, if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty darn delicious. I poured it over frozen strawberries and ice and it was so cool and refreshing. The best thing about sangria, I’ve discovered, is that it keeps well in the fridge for a few days and actually tastes even better after about 24 hours (which is good because I still have half a pitcher in the fridge). The perfect drink for a summer night. For a non-alcoholic version, you can also try this recipe out.

I hope that this Memorial Day is a time of remembrance and honor for our fallen service members and their families, as well as prayer for our active-duty and veteran armed forces. A special thank-you to both my parents and little brother for their service to their country and to any members of the military or their families that might read this blog! Please know you are loved.

Happy Memorial Day!

elizabeth

Vacation Day Four: Things I’m embarrassed to admit

We left Cape Hatteras really early on Sunday and drove down to Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach makes me feel like I’m in Every Spring Break Movie Ever Made. Along the boardwalk, which is pretty much where we spent all of our time this trip, there are endless hotels and ice cream shops and souvenir shops selling basically anything and everything with MYRTLE BEACH stamped on it. One of my favorite signs said, “We have everything for your spring break needs: sunscreen, beach towels, glow sticks, shot glasses, henna tattoos, body glitter, stun guns, and swords.” You know…because when I get to my hotel and realize that I have forgotten to pack my sword…well, spring break is pretty much ruined!

We got a pretty cool bonus this trip because our friend Andy was able to meet us in M.B. for the afternoon. For full disclosure’s sake, almost ten years ago…Andy had the great distinction of being my first boyfriend (and first kiss, ahem). He’s got a very cool, very G.I. Joe job in the Army now and is very busy with that so I really, really doubt he’ll ever read this but…just in case…Andy, thanks for being such a great guy and such a gentleman. You have always treated me with respect and kindness and I am so thankful for you. Ughhhh…I really hope he doesn’t see this post. Because now I’m embarrassed for admitting that.

It was so fun to see Andy and Ben together! They hadn’t hung out since before Benjamin enlisted a couple years ago. I have pictures somewhere of the two of them when Ben was like…11 or 12. It’s amazing to get such a visual reminder of the passage of time.

My mom continued to insist that we do everything she wanted to do all weekend because “it was her birthday.” In case you were wondering, it was her birthday for about five days.

Myrtle Beach is the miniature golf capitol of the world. So who is seriously going to pass THAT up?  Also, Mom’s adorable red sneakers.

 

The boys both had to drive back to their respective duty stations so we said good-bye after mini-golf and Mom and I went to our hotel. We stayed at The Breakers which I highly, highly recommend to anyone visiting. I can take zero credit for finding it because it was all Mom. She just let me stay there. Which was very nice of her.

This was the view from our balcony. I could not stop staring at the ocean the entire time we were there.

And then, like true spring breakers, we walked to a mini-mart and bought a $7 bottle of wine. We drank it on the balcony and listened to the waves. Mom told me about the first time she met my dad. It was a pretty wonderful night.

love, elizabeth

Vacation Day Two: At Ease, Marine

So day two of the trip, we drove from Wilmington to Jacksonville where my brother is stationed. But not without our morning coffee…



Ben has been deployed for the last year and I have missed him so, so much. So nice to see him back on U.S. soil.



The day was particularly special because it was Mom’s birthday. Look how pretty she is…



After a few excruciating hours at the DMV switching titles and registration for Benjamin’s car, we took a local recommendation for a little Caribbean restaurant called Elsa’s.



The food was saltier than I’m used to but I loved all the fresh vegetables and rice!



Ben escorted us on base and we got a peek inside his barracks. I realize Marines are pretty much required to be neat and orderly but it was still a shock to see his room so clean. He played and sang a few songs for us, too, and it made me pretty nostalgic for our childhood. Sometimes I just stare at him and can’t believe how grown up he is.



But then I see his dirty combat boots and I remember that not only is he an adult now but he’s in a dangerous and demanding line of work. Not going to lie…I got a little choked up when I saw these.



And his dress cover which I think is just so pretty. He rolled his eyes at me but I got him to put it on for about thirty seconds that afternoon.



It was about a four hour drive to Cape Hatteras that night but soooo worth it. Can’t wait to show you THOSE pictures on Monday!

If you have siblings, are you ever just blown away by their talents and abilities? Ben never ceases to amaze me.

love, elizabeth

Inspiration of the Month: Kate

Well, now that October is almost over, it’s high time for another inspiration of the month! Meet Kate.

Kate and I have been friends for eleven very full, very exciting years. We’ve seen each other through some of the worst and best moments of our lives (Kate was my maid of honor five and a half years ago!).

There are so many inspiring things about Kate but here’s a biggie on my list…

Not only is she an amazing career woman and amazing friend, she’s also an amazing wife to a United States Marine. If you’re in the military or married to it, you know what this means.

Long separations, weird hours, lots of moves, some extra worry, and a great deal of sacrifice. I’ve been so thankful to get to keep up Kate and Garrett’s love story over the past few years. As Garrett prepares to deploy, I know they are spending as much time as they can together and preparing for this new part of their love story. Kate and Garrett have a saying that’s been with them since their wedding ceremony…“Stuck together until the end of forever.” It’s become a playful reminder of a very serious commitment. “You married me,” Kate tells him. “That’s it. It’s in the fine print. There are no loopholes. You’re stuck with me!”

Five Fast Kate Facts

- Kate loves dogs but she became a cat person in college. Her cat, Boo, is the second love of her life.

- Her first kiss was in the choir room in 8th grade while practicing a song for the talent show. Uh-huh. Practicing.

- She prefers popcorn to chocolate.

- Kate went skydiving a few years ago. When they threw her out of the plane at 17,500 feet, she cried. She totally wants to go again.

- Halloween has special significance in her love story so she and Garrett went to three haunted houses on their wedding night. Sexy.

You should definitely go follow Kate’s sweet blog, Love Not Distance where she shares her triumphs and struggles as a young military wife. She makes me laugh and I love her honesty and practical applications of love.

Who’s inspiring YOU lately?

love, elizabeth

Independence Day: Still Fighting

Today I just wanted to take a minute to honor some of the veterans and service members in my life.

There are quite a few that aren’t pictured here, only because I didn’t want to include their photos without permission. Those include: my grandfather John F., Garrett, Kate W., Andy, Paco, Elizabeth R., Jimmy D., Ben C., Uncle Caleb, and Uncle Jonathan. 

Henry Alexander

United States Army, Company Clerk & Sniper

Elizabeth’s grandfather

Earl

United States Army, Field Medic

Kyle’s grandfather

 

Eric Henry (pictured right)

United States Navy, Second Class Petty Officer, Cryptologic Technician

Elizabeth’s father

Janet Elaine

United States Navy, First Class Petty Officer, Company Commander, Sailor of the Year

Elizabeth’s mother

Benjamin Eric

United States Marine Corps, Lance Corporal, Cannoneer

Elizabeth’s brother (currently deployed)

 

Happy 4th of July to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their brave families! We love you! Come home safe.

Stay tuned for Kyle’s post tomorrow! Happy 4th!

For My Brother

I don’t have the emotional wherewithal to say what I really am feeling right now. Instead, I thought I’d post a few pictures of my brother and ask that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he deploys to places unknown (to us, anyway). My heart is with him and with the loved ones of all marines, soldiers, sailors, and pilots.

		Ben VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

May God send His angels to watch over them and keep them safely in His arms. Amen.