Santa has already been to our German apartment! Mama W's packages arrived just the other day, and since I haven't had time to wrap our on presents, these are the ones that make our house look festive. I've spoken with many of my married girlfriend back in the states lately and they rave about how lucky we are to be spending Christmas with just the two of us... Well the grass is always greener friends, because I would give ANYTHING to have family here right now... Dana's and/or mine. I know it gets crazy with the traveling and remembering all the presents, but I just want everyone who is visiting family this holiday season to cherish it. There are those of us out there that mourn the fact that our families cannot be with us. So love it. Give everyone a hug and relish in the fact that you can. I challenge you to take a moment this holiday season and simply sit in the background and watch.... watch the craziness unfold all around you and smile. Give thanks that you are so blessed.
I have always wanted to host a cookie exchange. My mother would take part in them when I was a little girl and I was simply delighted at the sugar wonderland that would appear as if from nowhere. I was super excited to see how much work these girls put into their Christmas creations. You all seriously deserve a big pat on the back for a job well done! I was also stoked that I finally had a chance to use some of our fun wedding gift platters/dishes. They made the set up look so festive! I did go over the top and make tags for everyone's cookies, but hey, that's my thing. So feast your eyes on this epic dessert extravaganza.
We had a blast eating and being crafty. I painted Jess's nails, Crystal worked on Jax's baby book, Megan worked on Christmas presents. It was a jolly good time. I want to thank everyone for coming and congratulations to Crystal on winning the door prize of Godiva chocolates! See you all next year for round two!
This will probably be my last post until after the holidays are over. So I want to wish all of our friends and family a magical holiday season. May the true spirit of Christmas shine upon you. Miss and love you all!!!!!!
I am a huge fan of seeing rainbows before/after/during a rainstorm. There is a YouTube video about a guy who is freaking out over a double rainbow... that's me. minus the groaning. If you haven't seen this video it's hilarious. I've added it below this section. This guy has to be on crack. The Remix is my favorite. But you have to see the original to appreciate the Remix. Anyway, I digress... It's been raining an insane amount here lately, and D and I desperately miss the sunshine that lasts for longer than five minutes in between rainstorms. The other day I looked out our window to see a very vivid rainbow... and I was so excited! D thought there was something wrong because he runs out and asks me if everything was okay... and I jumped up and down and pointed to the prism of color. He laughed. But I snapped pictures anyway.
Not an hour later, there is a completely different rainbow in the sky. A double rainbow, all the way!!!!
Then D had to play the video. and the Remix was stuck in my head for the rest of the day. A shout out to my fellow OPNers who first introduced me to the Remix series... i miss you all.
Double Rainbow Original
Double Rainbow Remix (hilarious!!)
A Like-Minded Friend...
Sometimes you meet people and it just clicks. You've barely been conversing for three minutes and you realize that the person you're talking to not only "gets it" but that you both think the same way. I was introduced to Jessica Aiduk at the christmas party forever and a day ago... but we recently started hanging out as I was helping her redesign her blog. (Seriously check it out!!!! There & Back Again: An Air Force Tale) Let me tell you.... Jess is my freaking hero. She's a hippy-gypsy-soul air force wife, rockstar mom of two beautiful girls (Lily & Sam), amazing photographer (she even has a book on photographing food!!!), and fellow foodie extraordinaire! I watch her with her girls and I can only hope that someday I'm as good with my kids as she is with hers.
I stole this one from her. Because I LOVE it!!!!
This one I took of Sam when I was there. One of the few moments where I didn't have both kids in my lap!
She spoils me every time I would come over with an amazing lunch, like chicken tortilla soup & barbecue shrimp pizza, to name a few. She lives in a gorgeous house (designed by an architect!!!! and you can totally tell...) in Otterberg not too far from Landstuhl. They even have space for a garden and a grilling patio with a view! There was definitely some house envy going on. There's an entire wall of windows in their living room. The view is unreal.
I have had a blast teaching her Photoshop and in turn she's been teaching me about photography and the trials and tribulations of mommy-ing. We exchange food recipe's and I admire her in more ways than she'll ever know in her adventures with purely organic cooking. She's right up there with my dad. And of course, she's made the transition of AirForce Wife for me remarkably easy. It's an amazing thing to have a group of women that not only speak the lingo and know what the acronyms mean, but to also know that you have a support structure for whatever you're going through. Since Jess and I have the love of food photography in common, I've been making pretty desserts for her to capture on camera using her new lens!!
One of my cupcakes. Isn't she AWESOME?!
My blueberry rainbow cake. How convenient that she has blue carpet??
L.O.V.E.
So Jess... Thanks for being wonderful. For renewing my hope and faith in good friends so far away from home. (: Here's to hanging out again after we both get back from vacation!!!!
& The Winner Is....
A while back there were several posts on the play D & I were working on called "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood". I believe I mentioned that this play was adjudicated and we received rave reviews from the judges! The Toppers Awards Tournament of Plays 2012 was this past weekend in Heidelberg. D and I as well as several members of the cast attended. I had no idea that this shindig was such a big to do! Think Tony Awards or Oscars. I haven't seen that many ball gowns since prom in 2003. It was so much fun! There were drinks and yummy snacks and an entire show put together for our awards entertainment. As it turns out, "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" was nominated for 23 awards and won 6! This is by FAR the most nominations & wins for Razz-Ma-Tazz Community theater! Way to go team!!! The show was nominated in every possible category we could have been nominated for. THAT in and of itself is extremely impressive. We had an amazing cast that truly bonded together to create an outstanding show with every performance.
The Nominations and Wins are as follows:
Best Make-Up & Hair in a Comedy: WINNER Kirsten Wollschlager & Edison Ruland
Best Costumes in a Comedy: Nomination - Amy Hopkins
Best Sound in a Comedy: WINNER - Kirsten Wollschlager
Best Lighting in a Comedy: WINNER - Cindy Krewson
Best Set Painting in a Comedy: Nomination - Kirsten Wollschlager
Best Set in a Comedy: Nomination - Kirsten Wollschlager
Best Props in a Comedy: Nomination - Kirsten Wollschlager
Best Stage Manager in a Comedy: WINNER - Will
Best Male Military Performer in a Comedy: Nomination - Chris McNeal (Prince John)
Best Female Military Performer in a Comedy: Nomination - Ashley Jenkins (Maid Marian)
Outstanding Male Youth in a Comedy: Nomination - Spencer Allen & Andrew Allen (Merry Men)
Best Debut in a Comedy: Nomination - Jordon Campbell (Friar Tuck)
Best Ensemble in a Comedy: Nomination - "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" Cast
Best Actress in a Feature Roll in a Comedy - Nomination: Erin Allen (Lady in Waiting)
Best Actor in a Feature Roll in a Comedy - Nomination: Michael (Sherriff of Nottingham)
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy - Nomination: Danielle Pierce (The Towns Guy)
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy - Nomination: Chol McCarthy (Little John)
Best Actor in a Comedy: WINNER - Nick Perez (Robin Hood)
Best Director in a Comedy: Nomination - Edison Ruland
Best Comedy: Nomination - "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood"
And finally the photos... which is the best part!!!!
Miss Technical Directors Unite!!!
The End!
ALSO, we're gonna be on TV!!! MANNHEIM, Germany -- AFN Europe is showcasing the top Installation Management Command theater productions during a special airing of the "Topper Awards," on the Pentagon Channel 7 p.m. Central European Time on May 5 and May 12. "We feel it's going to be a fun show," says AFN Europe Commander Bill Bigelow. "You'll see parts of some of the best theater in Europe, as well as the actual award presentations." This is the first time in the 17 years of the Toppers awards that AFN has televised the show. AFN Europe will record the program at the Village Pavilion in Heidelberg, then edit it for the May air dates. The show will also be on AFN Europe's Youtube channel May 6 at http://www.youtube.com/afneurope.
On the Way Home...
It was a really nice drive on the way back from Heidelberg on Sunday. So we took lots of random detours and got lost. Took some fun pics along the way!
This opening is meant for two cars. HA! Although the sign says that on coming traffic is supposed to yield to you...
i love the views that pop up when you reach a high point. it ends up looking like a bumpy patchwork quilt.
Coming Up Soon....
Leaving for Texas in "T" minus 14 days! crazy. luckily there's a wedding or else i wouldn't want to come home! lol This week I'm working on Sophia's flower girl dress, getting together with Jen for some photoshop fun, & Dana is up for the Tony Sturn award on Friday. Busy busy week. Poor husband came down with strep throat on monday... so he's home with me sick right now... but he went to the doctor and got meds and a shot (yikes!), so hopefully he'll be better soon! Wishing everyone a great week!!!
