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A Girls Journey from Civilian to Marine: Letter #2

July 11, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

After reading this second letter make sure to visit Devil Doggery’s blog and give her some encouragement and kudo’s to read when she gets home.

Her second letter ends the way my son’s letter starts. Food, I’m craving food, yogurt, ice cream, this still sucks, but not as bad.

English: PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (June 25, 2007) -...
English: PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (June 25, 2007) – Marine Corps recruits work together to complete the Combat Water Survival Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund (RELEASED) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

zero-two

It’s almost been a month now… Actually, it’s the 4th of June, so it’s almost exactly 2 months until graduation. Kind of crazy to think about. This week is actually the last week of phase 1 (out of 3) and phase 1 is supposed to be the worst. Even though my platoon is having a rough time and our DI’s are not happy with us, so… But, I just go one qualification out of the way, which feels quite satisfying. We have swim qual in the morning, which meant we splashed around and jumped off of things in full cammies and boots. It was fun, but a little tougher than I thought. Water all ups in my nose, yo.

But I sort of realized that I was so frustrated k=last time, I didn’t really relay what my typical day here on wonderful, sunny (ha) Parris Island. (Well, I guess it is sunny, but definitely not California sunny. We have random lightning storms. Super weird.) So, the typical day starts at 4 AM. We get woken up by a lot of yelling, then we have to get dressed, which takes a while, because the DI’s will tell us what garment to put on, count us down, inevitably someone will screw up, so we’ll have to take it off and that will happen a few times before we move on to the next piece of clothing and at some point, we will be dressed, at which time, it’s off to morning chow (breakfast). Then we go PT or do training or MCMAP or all of the above, get back, shower, (or just get wet and then change, pretty much), practice drill, go to aftermath chow, drill drill drill, and then go to evening chow. Then it’s just a little more drill, shower, free time, and bed time!

Obviously, there are variations of what we do, but that’s the gist of it. Even though next week (it’s like… the 10th of something now. God, these letters take forever), we’re going to phase 2, which means rifle range, so I’m sure it’ll be different. I’m super stoked to go to the range, even though we have to move, meaning an 8 mile hike with all of our gear. Hurray… Hopefully the pace won’t be too fast. Short legs, y’know.

English: Caption: "Every Marine's a rifle...
English: Caption: “Every Marine’s a rifleman,” Timothy Soignet remarked November 2 amid the pop and crack of scores of s rifles firing at Chosin Range at , . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Oh man though. So I had to get my hair cut before the rifle range because I was told it was going to get too long while we were over there and my hair cut is crooked now! /sobs. They call the hair stylist the butcher, haha. But she’s super nice and just getting that shampoo job was worth the $13 I paid… Haven’t been able to spend that much time on my hair in a month. Definitely one of the things I miss. Like doors on bathroom stalls. Yeah, we don’t have doors. It’s great. Also, I’m randomly craving those Dole cups from Disneyland. Really badly. And Yogurtland, LOL. Just shit to look forward to when I get back, I guess.

Filed Under: Marine Corps, Military Pride Tagged With: boot camp, drill instructor, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, military, Parris, Parris Island, training, troops, United States Marine, USMC

Homemade Pizza, I’m In Heaven

July 10, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Pizza night at our house may never be the same. Although I grew up on homemade pizza I have yet to be able to master the dough. That was the sticky point. The solution, Rotellas Frozen Dough. I don’t know if you can buy it in the standard grocery stores, I am fortunate enough that the Omaha plant has a retail bread store at the plant and anyone can buy bread (0.75) or frozen “blobs” of uncooked dough for a dollar.

How to Make Homemade Pizza

Rolled Pizza Dough
Step1: Roll Pizza Dough (this is already rolled and baked)
Homemade Pizza
Step 2: Toppings  (meat first)
Homemade pizza recipe
Step 3: Mushrooms and Peppers
Mozzarella Cheese on Pizza
Step 4: Mozzarella Cheese
Home made Pizza, hot out the oven
Hot out the oven
Home made Pizza, ready to eat
Step 6: Eat and Enjoy!

I love my pizza stone, it cooks more evenly than a metal pan and even though I don’t have a stone oven to cook my pizza pies the stone does seem to give the same results. Although for a brief time I did work at an Italian restaurant, who made their own dough from starter, I never got good at hand tossing. So I use my wooden pastry roller from Pampered Chef instead.

I’ve never had good success with pizza dough mixes, maybe I over mix, don’t know. Prepared frozen pizza dough from Rotellas is my favorite, but if you don’t have a local source your can order Della Suprema’s pizza dough balls and keep them in your freezer.

Norpro 3077 Wooden Pastry  RollerRich Della Suprema Pizza Dough Ball, 23 Ounce — 24 per case.Wilton 2105-0244 Perfect Results Ceramic Stone, 15-inchPizza Cutter Wheel – Pizza: Award-Winning Pies for the Home KitchenMama Leone’s Pizza Crust Mix With Rosemary & Basil

What is Your Favorite Pizza Recipe?

Do you have a favorite pizza pie recipe, dough or even a favorite place to order direct? Share your pizzeria secrets, ok, not your family secret, but tips and suggestions to make the best pizza ever.

More Recipes for Homemade Pizza

Homemade pizza makes for family fun time

Despite all the noise out there in the gluten-free and paleo worlds, pizza night is still sacrosanct at our house. Once a month or so, we make a batch of dough, crank up the oven and put out all the components for pizza-making. The toppings are a mix …

Delicious Homemade Pizza With Veggie Crust

Warm pizza with a delicious, crispy crust is a guilty pleasure for many people. However, it’s no secret that delivery pizza is pretty low on nutrients and contains a lot of empty calories. If you’re trying to eat healthy, there’s a way that you can get …

Pizza rolls, homemade

There is no food that sums up the college quite like the pizza roll. It’s quick, it’s easy, tasty and cheap. However, frozen rolls can get old. So what’s a poor hungry student to do? Fortunately for you, we’ve got delicious recipes to fill the void …

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Comfort food, cooking, ethnic food, Food and Related Products, groceries, Home cooked, homemade pizza, Italian, Nebraska, Omaha, pizza, recipe

How Beautiful, A New Mother To Be

July 6, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Who loves babies? Me! Especially now that my youngest baby is 17 and my oldest 23. I also love pregnant mama’s. Probably because I know I’m not anywhere close to middle of the night feedings and dirty diapers.

I’m closer to being a grandmother (not that close kids) than a mother again and the prospect of cuddling a sweet-smelling baby, without the full-time responsibilities, is very attractive. There are two people in my life now who are pregnant and it’s a whole different perspective.

Maternity portrait
Maternity portrait

Professional maternity photography is very popular now. However, back when I was pregnant,  there is no way I would of even thought of doing a maternity portrait session, I didn’t want anyone to see me being as big as a whale. This was my first baby shower in many many years. The daughters of my friends are now getting married and having babies. Being the serious amateur photographer that I am, my camera is always with me.

This is one day it paid off. Both grandmothers forgot their cameras and were more than happy for me to document the shower. The result was an a group of professionally looking photographs I printed at work that everyone just raved about. The great thing about NOT being a professional, there is no pressure and no expectations. If they turn out good, GREAT! If not I just took snapshots to share on Facebook.

I have often said, “I don’t photograph people, I stick with things that stay still like landscape, scenery and food.” This young Mother looked so gorgeous in a simple tank top I had to try. Luckily there was a blank empty wall in the basement of the church that just screamed “BACKDROP” so here are a few I took that day.

It's a Boy baby shower
IT’s a BOY!!

I was able to give the Mother and her family  about 80 edited prints (all processed  in Lightroom 4) and it only took me about two hours post production. Have I said how much I love Lightroom? Obviously the collage I created in Photoshop.

Related articles
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  • { Brandi Maternity } (potterphotonc.wordpress.com)

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Baby, Baby shower, Photography, Photoshop, Pregnancy

4th of July Fireworks

July 4, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

What do you think of on Independence Day, or the 4th of July? Do you think of fireworks, picnics, concerts, family, friends and barbecues? Personally I love firework displays, even though personal fireworks were illegal in Connecticut where I grew up, my family would often travel to Oklahoma during the first part of July and we got to experience poppers, firecrackers and roman candles.

Now that I’m grown I’m just as happy sitting on the grass watching someone else shoot off the pyrotechnics. The photo below was taken at the Omaha Memorial Park fireworks display after the concert in the park. I try and go every year and have seen Foreigner, Styx, Kansas, Huey Lewis and Pat Benatar in concert while sitting on a blanket and enjoying the summer sun.

Every year I attempt to take a memorable fireworks photo, one that isn’t just a sky full of color. This one of my favorites that not only captures the color in the sky, but the feeling of the spectators.

4th of July Fireworks at the  Celebrate America Celebration in Omaha
Fireworks at the Celebrate America Celebration in Omaha, Nebraska

There are “safe” firecrackers and noise makers that are pretty much legal in all 50 states. So legal that Amazon sells them. So if you want to make a little noise on the 4th of July and have some safe fun check out the legal fireworks that will still impress the young at heart. Heck, I still like to throw poppers.

Safe Fireworks for Kids

Some people might not consider smoke bombs, snappers, and battery operated fountains fireworks, but the young kids won’t know the different.

Super Fireworks Smoke Sticks – Better Than Smoke Balls!Pow Pow Party Snaps, a Super Noisemaker, 50 BoxesUncle Milton Grand Finale Light Show Room DecorSnappers (1 Dz Boxes)

Happy 4th of July everyone, have fun, be safe and remember the service men and women who have served our country to protect the freedoms we have here in the United States.

Photo Details: Canon EOS Rebel f/5, 0.8 sec ISO-1600, 18mm

4th of July Fireworks

List of fireworks, festivals celebrating 4th of July in Hudson County

Macy’s 4th of July fireworks will not be visible from Hoboken. STATE FAIR MEADOWLANDS. You can get double the fill of fireworks if you head to the State Fair in East Rutherford to catch a show two nights in a row. On July 3 and 4, Garden State …
As 4th of July Approaches, Be Aware of Fireworks Laws

Patch’s BIG LIST of 4th of July Fireworks in Southeast Michigan. Dearborn residents are encouraged to call (313) 943-3030 to anonymously report unsafe or illegal activity in their neighborhood, or to call 911 if there is a dangerous or emergency situation.
Roundup: 10 Awesome July 4th Fireworks Shows Hitting …

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway welcomes tens of thousands of people for the annual 4th of July fireworks show. (Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia). • XFINITY Fireworks Show at Citizens Bank Park. July 1-2.
Watch 2015 Macy’s ‘4th of July Fireworks Spectacular’ Live Online, NBC TV

Although the sign-up process only takes a few minutes, it’s always best to get verified ahead of time so you don’t miss a minute of the 2015 Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The all-star line up of celebrities will undoubtedly draw viewers in …
2015 4th Of July Fireworks Coupons: Phantom Fireworks, TNT, Fireworks …

Looking for the best deals on fireworks for your 4th of July party? Phantom Fireworks, TNT, and Fireworks Supermarket stores and roadside stands are stocked up for the big holiday weekend, and all three retailers are offering freebies and discounts on …

Filed Under: Events, Photography Tagged With: 4th of july fireworks, celebrate, fireworks, Fourth of July, Holiday, Holidays, Independence Day, July, Nebraska, night, Omaha, Photography

Tis the Season, for Fried Zucchini

July 3, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Soon your neighbors will be trying to pawn excess zucchini off on whomever will be gullible enough to say yes.  My husband loves fried zucchini and would eat it  every night. For me, I’m still learning to like it and wanting a few more ways to use this abundant vegetable that will stretch our food budget. It’s part of the squash family which I’m really trying to like.

This years first zucchini actually came from the produce stand in the parking lot at work.

Fried Zucchini Recipe

Fried Zucchini is simple to make, it’s stopping that is the hard part.

Ingredients:

  • Flour
  • Egg
  • Milk
  • Vegetable Oil (1/8-1/4 inch in frying pan)
  • Salt (I use ground sea salt)
  • Pepper (again freshly ground is best)
Directions:
  1. Slice into 1/8″ slices
  2. Mix cup of milk and one egg
  3. Soak slices in milk mixture for 30 minutes (flour sticks better)
  4. Dip slices in flour and coat well.
  5. Heat oil on medium high. Check temperature by sprinkling a “dusting” of flour in oil. If it sizzles oil is ready.
  6. Place coated flour pieces in oil and cook until underside is lightly brown.
  7. Season with salt and pepper before turning.
  8. Turn and brown.
  9. Drain in paper towels
  10. Eat and enjoy

I’m all about fast and easy so when I’m slicing a lot for the freezer I use a mandolin slicer for my veggies. Comes in handy for pickles, squash, and of course zucchini.

HomeNative® Adjustable Mandoline Slicer (Orange) – Comes with 4 Interchangeable Stainless Steel Blades – Vegetable Cutter, Peeler, Slicer, Grater and Julienne Slicer all in 1 – Plus 3 Bonus Gifts:

Last year I sliced and froze zucchini to put in soups which really added color and texture to my soups. I’ll probably try the old stand by, zucchini bread and muffins, but those get tiring after a while. I found the following zucchini recipes which sound very interesting and a little different. This may be a new segment, my zucchini adventure, so stay tuned for more recipes.

I do want to try and make zucchini spaghetti out of spirals, from what I’ve heard you just have to quickly dip the veggie noodles in boiling water, then top with pasta sauce.  A lot of people eat them raw, but first I need to get a spiral slicer.

Spiral Slicer Spiralizer Complete Bundle – Vegetable Cutter – Zucchini Pasta Noodle Spaghetti Maker

BTW, my husband said I he will be frying zucchini every night, so I WON’T have enough to pickle etc…soooo neighbors and friends bring me your large green veggies, and I’ll share my cooking experiments. Below are a few I’m going to try.

Pickled Zucchini-refrigerator variety
Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles-cooked and canned
Breaded Zucchini Fries
Fried Zucchini Patties

Zucchini Recipe Books

The Last Zucchini Cookie: Customizable Zucchini Cookie Recipes andEverything Zucchini Recipes Cookbook: Zucchini Breads, Muffins, Main Dishes,Fast And Easy Zucchini RecipesZucchini – The Ultimate Recipe GuideSpiralizer Cookbook: Top 49 Veggie Friendly Spiralizer Recipes-From SweetZucchini Recipes: A Collection of Raw Food Recipes

More Healthy Zucchini Recipes

Top 5 Reasons to Eat a Plant-Based Diet

Eating more plants and less meat is becoming more popular than ever thanks to ex-presidents, celebrities, best-selling books, and movies such as Forks Over Knives. While vegetarian and vegan diets are defined by what they exclude, a plant-based diet is …

Zucchini Recipes – Healthy Recipes | HGTV Design …

Substitute your carbohydrates for something healthier and straight from the garden, like these guilt-free zucchini recipes.

25 Gluten & Sugar- Free Zucchini Recipes – Sugar-Free Mom

… {No Sugar Added} · Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters · « · ». Filed Under: gluten free, low carb, sides Tagged With: clean eating zucchini recipes, gluten free zucchini recipes, healthy zucchini recipes, sugar free zucchini recipes …

Quick Zucchini Recipes, Healthy Zucchini Cookie Bars

Zucchini: the bane and blessing of many a home gardener. They grow in such prolific quantities that it practically takes a village to consume all the bounty. Okay, perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but you get the idea.

Healthy recipes | Zucchini recipes healthy, Healthy recipes

Are Zucchini recipes healthy if I am a diabetic and eat chips alongside? Are Zucchini recipes healthy if I eat hidden calories as well?

Easy healthy zucchini recipes – Healthyappetizers

Tags: easy zucchini recipes, healthy recipes with zucchini, healthy zucchini recipes, stuffed zucchini recipes zucchini, zucchini bread recipe courtesy, zucchini bread recipes fried. By nguyenquangbach|Website|Other Articles …

 

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Cook, cooking, foodie, fried zucchini, Fruits and Vegetables, kitchen, recipe, vegetable, Zucchini

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