Chatting with Friends

Everybody I know seems to play these "apps", like Words with Friends, Scramble with Friends, Match with Friends…. well, I've got my own version. It's called Chatting with Friends! With so much technology in the world, I don't want to lose sight of what's really important in my life. Moving to Germany has helped me greatly, because the internet and phone service is definitely not on par with what I was accustomed to in the States.

This means I use my technology less. Some might find that a hardship, but I've found it to be a lifesaver, honestly.

Every week, I pick one day that I try to call all my loved ones in the States. I find it helps me to call all my friends and relatives on the same day, so I make my rounds and chat with everyone. Last week, I was lucky enough to talk with one of my favorite people…. I bet you can guess who.

You got it, I chatted with my girl Abby!

Whenever we start yakking, a single phone session can go on for hours. Maybe days if our phone batteries didn't die.  You know what I'm saying here? Abby and I connected with each other right away, from our first meeting. She's the kind of friend where time and distance don't matter. Seriously, we could not speak for months (prob wouldn't happen though!) and still be instantly cool with each other, no issues.

Me and Abby hiking the Guadalupe Mountains

Those are the kind of peeps you hold onto forever. I'm so blessed to have several people like this in my life.

Abby and I talked of everything under the sun, like photography and travel, our problems and joyful moments. And we also talked about some lifestyle changes we've each been making in our lives.

See, a few years ago I found out I have the early signs and symptoms of MS. This has set me on a path of research and discovery. And I don't like everything I'm finding. There are so many chemicals and drugs on our markets. The food we consume is full of them. The more I research, the more overwhelmed I become.

So instead of freaking out, going to the extreme, and basically having a total meltdown, I made a decision. I would tackle one thing at a time in my life. I want to be a healthier, better version of me, but I can't make all those changes at once. I'm afraid I would become discouraged and give up if I did.

I began the journey by cooking as often as possible from scratch. I buy organic when I can. Of course, I'm not perfect. Some of my tried and true recipes are still made from processed goods.. but I'm getting there.  A few months ago, I started making my own Brown Sugar Scrub instead of using chemical-laden bath soaps.

Brown Sugar Scrub

I have a super long list of the changes I want to make. For example, I hope to test out my own shampoo and deodorants, as well as a body lotion. Food-wise, I plan on making my own gummy snacks and granola bars in the near future. So expect a lot of these recipes on the blog!

I love having the support of my amazing friends (like Abby!), who have their own journeys and changes ahead of them. And I'm so inspired by the people I know who really look ahead and make the effort to achieve their goals (also like Abby!)

I know I've rambled a bit today. You might not be interested in this stuff at all. But it's what was on my mind at this moment. No matter what comes my way in the future, I'm so blessed to have amazing people around me. I carry them in my heart wherever I am in the world, and I know they carry me in theirs. Friends are awesome, aren't they? So take a minute today, put down your game, and pick up the phone. Have some real contact with some of your favorite peeps. I bet you won't be sorry.

Until next time, my friends!

Thanks for reading, everyone!

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife

Email me: armylifefromthewife@gmail.com

Guest Post! Primitive RVing: Skunk Pizza

One of the advantages to this military lifestyle is making fabulous friends wherever you go. On the other hand, one of the biggest disadvantages is that we also say 'see ya later' more often than we wish. The Hubs and I have so many wonderful friends, all of us scattered to different points around the globe. The hope is always that we'll be stationed together again, and if not... well, we visit whenever we can! 

One of my best pals (and her hubs), transitioned back to civilian life not too long ago. They've embarked on a fabulous new adventure as RV enthusiasts and military retirees. Totally living the dream!

Abby is my blogging inspiration, my photog buddy, and an excellent confidant. We still 'yak' when the opportunity arises, and share our lives with each other. True friends aren't separated by distance, they just find ways around it. I'm so glad I found such an excellent friend in my Abby.

Today, she agreed to guest post for me, sharing one of her RVing recipes for the rest of us. I am always in awe of how easily Abby adjusted to life in an RV. And how many delicious meals she can make in such a confined space! Keep reading for a peek into Abby's world, and her post-military life:    

Skunk Pizza

When I think culinary, I picture a huge kitchen with many beautiful appliances, delicious aromas, fresh herbs for seasoning, and graters for a sprinkle of parmesan. Heck, I picture Allison’s house. I don’t picture the miniature kitchenette inside an RV.

My RV kitchenette (don’t blink or you’ll miss it)

 But I’m a full-time RVer. I traded in the luxuries of a house to explore America in a 28-foot Class C motorhome. The amenities of full kitchens are in the past. My place to play chef is this: TINY.

So that must mean for delectable food, I’d have to raid Allie’s house (believe me, I have) because otherwise my dinner menu would center around s’mores and tinfoil packages of freeze dried food found in the camping section of retail stores, right? Nope! I can make it all in my kitchenette. When I’m craving a certain something-or-other, with a little creativity, I can make it.

Pizza was on the menu tonight. While out hiking in the Ouachita National Forest, my husband, Paul, took a pretty good tumble, so he deserved some comfort food. After all, he had done the same for me after I’d sprained my ankle and had to hobble back down Elk Mountain. Pizza really is great comfort food, isn’t it?

First thing was first to make pizza: The crust. Allison has mentioned before that I had made pizza dough for her and the Hubs back in El Paso, but the secret to that dough had been that I used a bread maker. Primitively camped there in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, we didn’t have electricity, so using my bread maker wasn’t an option unless I started up the noisy generator. So I opted to make the concoction with my own two hands.

Making pizza dough

My crust would be an “artisan crust” (my lingo), which would have texture and consistency of something between a thin crust (my favorite) and a traditional crust (Paul’s preference). Marriage is about compromise, right? First I mixed my dry ingredients: One cup of flour, a quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese, a teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of sea salt. After blending the mix, I added the wet ingredients: Two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of sour cream and a quarter cup of hot water (with a little extra on hand if the mix seemed too dry). With the world-traveled tea kettle and my propane stove, boiling water was a cinch. No cavewoman fire-lighting skills needed.

While I mixed my ingredients and kneaded the dough, my dogs, George and Emma, who were tied outside, let out a few barks. I appreciated our seclusion in the Ouachita National Forest. We were the only campers at Knoppers Ford, so no one would be bothered by barking dogs, and our “backyard” was the beautiful, wide open forest.

Emma and George outside our campsite at Knoppers Ford Recreation Area

When my dough was ready, it was moist to the touch, but not sticky. I plopped the ball onto my pizza pan and began to spread it. In an RV many essentials take on a mini form. My rolling pin is one of them (though I do miss my marble pin for home defense!). After spreading it, I poked the dough with a fork to so that it wouldn’t get bubbles in the crust, and I pre-baked it for three minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit so the dough looked as though it was just beginning to dry.

Now it was on to the topping. Instead of traditional pizza sauce, I wanted something a little “foo-foo” (that’s a Paul term) like pesto. Confession: I’m not that awesome. My pesto would only be an illusion. To create it, I mixed two ingredients, dried basil and olive oil. Cool, huh? Okay, not so much, but it would still be tasty, even if it was actually non-pesto.

 

Pesto illusion

Here’s the deal about full-time RVing. An RV is short on space, which isn’t conducive to lugging kitchen appliances. We  agreed only two appliances could move into the RV with us: Paul chose the coffee maker and I chose my bread maker. The food processor went into storage. Food storage is also limited, so I make shortcuts (dried seasoning is easier to store than fresh, for example) and keep only the essentials around. By leaving the land of housing and suburbia, I’ve also forfeited my quick access to grocery stores when I have a craving. Way out in the American backcountry, the stars were bright, the air was fresh, the coyotes howled, and we were next to nature. To me that’s an okay trade for pesto.

As I spread the "pesto" on my crust with a rubber brush, the dogs’ barking escalated to full-blown carrying-on. Obviously, cooking is a horribly inconvenient time to be interrupted by boisterous dogs—unless the said cooking has an interruption that smells like…

Skunk!

This next step in pizza making is very important. Save the dogs. I hauled out into the dark and shoved the dogs back into the RV after two quick sniff tests. Lucky for me, the skunk had only fired a warning shot out of reach of the dogs’ ties. So that’s why this is called “skunk pizza.”

 

Somebody tell Emma and George that an RV isn’t really big enough for horse play

Excited, the dogs wrestled on the floor shaking the RV like there was an earthquake while I went on preparing the toppings…until the skunk fume dissipated and the aroma of bacon frying filled the camper. Then I had their full interest. “Sorry doggies. Bacon is for people.”

The pizza toppings I chose were thin sliced tomato, diced onion, chopped bacon and kale. The kale might sound crazy, but I promise it’s yummy, kind of like spinach on pizza is. I used only light, leafy pieces, which gave an extra pizazz of flavor, but wouldn’t be overpowered by crunch (that’s the bacon’s job) or fiber of the stems.

Toppings

The next step was my favorite part, grating cheese. I am a cheese freak, so it’s a wonder how any actually made onto the pizza itself! Allison has taught me a lot when it comes to skills in the kitchen, and I put to use some of her advice making this pizza: Grate your own cheese. Cheese that comes pre-grated and packaged is kept separated and loose by corn starch, which takes away from the moisture in the cheese. Trust me, Allie is right that a pizza with freshly grated is better. Not a little better. All the way better.

Grating cheese

 As you can guess by my rolling pin, the cheese grater I have for RVing is also compact; it’s a handheld grater. Handheld graters are intended to be used for a sprinkle of parmesan, not an entire block of mozzarella, so my job was time consuming, but well worth it. Once grated, I sprinkled it over my toppings. I added a little bit of dried seasoning, garlic, red pepper and cilantro, and the pizza was ready to bake.

My little RV oven was just the right size for a pizza big enough for two. I baked it on the top rack at 425. Because not all ovens are created equal, the cooking time can vary, and my recipe needed between twenty and thirty minutes. I pulled mine out closer to thirty when the cheese was beginning to golden. I confirmed the crust was ready by using a spatula to test. It lifted on the side without sticking to the pan and without seeming floppy. Time to serve and gobble.

And there you have it: Cooking in an RV isn’t much different than in a house! And it tastes just as delicious. Dishwashing on the other hand…well, just appreciate your dishwasher for me when you clean up after dinner. Happy travels!

The finished product

I'm sure you enjoyed this fun recipe for cooking in a small space, and adapting your needs to suit the environment. If you'd like to keep up with Abby and all her RVing adventures, please check out her blog at 1,000 Miles On My Own Two Feet. You won't be disappointed!

As always, happy cooking my friends! Though I'm crazy busy planning our current PCS move to Germany, I'll be back soon with plenty more recipes and adventures to share.

Thanks for reading, everyone!

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife

Email me: armylifefromthewife@gmail.com

Bosque del Apache

The Hubs and I love to get out and about, exploring our world. We've seen big cities, and will likely see more, but what we really love is the great outdoors.

Now, I'm not exactly an outdoors-woman. I'd be perfectly happy to... ahem... "camp" at the lodge. What I enjoy most is the hiking, and an opportunity to photograph the wildlife. And then I want to sit in front of the fire at my lodge, with a cup of hot cocoa, and a great book. This makes sense to me. 

Sleeping in a tent, with bears and spiders and God knows what out there? Not so much.

There are many places, no matter where you live, to explore the great outdoors. Heck, even if you're in Manhattan, get out and wander Central Park! There are always ways, you just have to look for the opportunity. 

A few hours from our home is a bird sanctuary. The Hubs and I have driven past it on various road trips, but never taken the time to stop. Until, our recent trip to Albuquerque where everything went wrong. Since we couldn't see what we were there for, we adjusted our plans to stop at Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge instead. 

We enjoyed our short stop there so much, we decided to go back again during the winter months, when the Bosque is home to thousands of Sandhill cranes, snow geese, and a variety of other wildlife. Although we didn't attend the Festival of the Cranes, there were still thousands of birds to see every day. 

For my first visit back to the Bosque, I made the road trip with my gal pals, Abby and Becky. We left in the middle of the night, hoping to arrive in time for sunrise. 

We made it! 

The Flight Deck

Our journey began at the Flight Deck, just a short distance down the 12-mile tour loop. A thick fog blanketed the water, providing cover for the cranes we could hear, but couldn't see. Dozens of photographers were scattered in various locations around the loop. Avid bird watchers came armed with binoculars and cameras.

Photographers and bird watchers waiting for a glimpse of cranes 

The heavy fog prohibited even the most basic photography. We couldn't see the cranes with the naked eye, but we could certainly hear them calling to each other. Becky, Abby, and I were struggling with our disappointment. We had hoped to see the cranes take flight, a common occurrence at the Bosque.

Just as we were about to give up, shadowy figures emerged from the fog. The sun rose higher, clearing our line of sight.

The cranes! Rather than take flight, the birds were walking across the shallow water, in search of their breakfast.

Our excitement returned. Camera shutters clicked. Our middle-of-the-night, impromptu road trip had been worth it!

The plan was to stay for a few hours only, then return home. Becky was due back at work, and we were all running on very little sleep. Instead, we began the tour loop. How long could 12 miles really take, especially by car?  

Um... it takes a lot longer than you would think!

Every pull-off offered new views and different wildlife. The cranes weren't the only creatures awake. Snow geese, mule deer, hawks, eagles, and coyotes... these are just a few of the species we spotted.

Thousands of snow geese take flight 

Hours later, we finally started the journey home. Becky and I had plans to return later in the week, with the Hubs in tow. This time, I couldn't wait to see sunset at the Bosque!

I wasn't disappointed. Not only did we see sunset, but the sunrise as well. AND, I tried my hand at star photography for the very first time!

Highway 1, leading to Bosque del Apache 

Granted, it's not a perfect picture, but I think it's ok for my first time. The experience was the best part.  Driving into the middle of nowhere, in the dark, and listening to the coyotes howl... quite the adventure!

During the daylight hours, we spent more time photographing the birds. I quickly grew to envy some of my fellow photographers, with their giant lenses that could reach out and touch someone. My 18-250mm lens was a baby in comparison.

Lucky for me, the birds flew overhead so often, I had plenty of opportunity to capture their images.

A Sandhill Crane in flight 

The Hubs (without a camera) was enthralled with the birds too! The binoculars seemed permanently glued to his eyes. Several times, he referred me to The Big Year, a movie we recently watched together. I'm pretty sure he wants to try for a Big Year himself once he retires (If you're wondering what a Big Year is, check out the movie)!

He took a few breaks to film the birds. Their calls pierced the air, soothing at times and annoyed at others. When a coyote (or a stray human) came too close, the birds screeched their displeasure, even taking to the air at times. When not in sight of the birds, you could still sense their mood easily, simply by listening to the pattern of their calls.

The video shows the snow geese flying in at sunrise, a gorgeous sight.

After repeated trips to the Bosque, I can now say it's one of my favorite places we've visited. I might even let the Hubs talk me into that Big Year one of these days!

I'd love to show you all my photos from the trip. If you'd like to see more, be sure to check out the Facebook Photo Album!

As always,

Thanks for reading, everyone!

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife

Snow Geese in flight 

   

Fall is in the Air...

Fall is in the air! This is the Hubs' favorite time of year (and mine!). He loves everything about it, especially Halloween and all the festivities that go along with it (more about that coming soon). I love the crisp bite in the wind, and the smell of autumn. We pack our fall dates full of as much fun as we can. Haunted houses (ugh!), pumpkin patches, hiking, apple picking... the list is endless.

However, we've made a few dicoveries along the way. Where we are stationed can determine our fall activities. Apple picking in the desert? Not so much.

Over the years, we've learned to adjust to our surroundings. The leaves don't change colors when there aren't many tress. Adaptation: Drive a few hours into the mountains, or take a long weekend away (check out our recent adventure to the Santa Fe National Forest)  No apple picking? Adaptation: purchase store apples and make apple cider at home.

You get the picture, yes? Bloom where you're planted!

In recent years, we've devolped a new tradition, one I know we'll miss when we're restationed again. We've grown to love our outings to the Mesilla Valley Corn Maze.

This outing is MUCH more than a maze... there are games, contests, and rides. Pumpkin and gourd picking, fresh food, and of course, the maze itself.

We've gone as a couple, and we've gone with our friends. I have to say, the bigger the group, the better! This year, we introduced my good friend Abby, and her husband Paul, to the maze. I'm sure you remember Abby, yes? Not only is she awesome in every way possible, but she writes an excellent outdoorswoman blog. It's all coming back to you, isn't it?

There we all are! Ok, so I'm behind the camera, but I'm there too. Technically.

 

Since the Hubs and I stop here each year, we already know our favorite pasttimes (Big Wheel Racing!). But Abby and her hubs have yet to explore. Sometimes I miss out on all the other games, since the Hubs and I make a beeline for the race track. It was great exploring with some newbies! We saw all our favorite things, and we experienced all the games we sometimes forget. We started at the beginning, wandering through the entrance and stopping at each attaction along the way.

 

First stop?

 

 

 

A giant tic-tac-toe board, using tires... I mean, what else would it be?!

 

I know it seems simple, but we really got into this old-fashioned pastime. I mean, REALLY got into it. As in, we all played several games apiece.

 

No, we're not OCD (except for me, ha). The real reason we played so much is because nobody could beat this guy:

 

 

Yes, Paul is the champ. But I think he cheated. (Is that even possible in tic-tac-toe??) Regardless, we all lost miserably, or else we tied The Man. Of course, I'm used to losing at these types of competitions, since the Hubs regularly kicks my butt in all things game-related. It's sad, but true.

 

Moving forward, I was looking for a little activity. Something that required a little less strategy. Something I could hope to win.

 

Something like... Giant hamster wheels for humans.

 

YES.

 

 

 

 

Turns out, giant hamster wheels are AWESOME! Especially when you're racing. The Hubs and I raced too, but I'm on vacation as I write this post, and I'm completely scatterbrained. The end result is I left those pictures halfway across the country, so this is all you get. I'll be posting the complete set of photos to my Facebook page as soon as I get home, I swear.

 

Except the ones that make me look like an idiot.

 

But you can see all the rest! (Or, you can check out Abby's blog post from the same day and see my silliness).

 

Needless to say, we spent quite a lot of time on the hamster wheels. Boys will be boys, and when it comes to toys, the men are still little boys. They raced, climbed, and jumped. The tried different techniques, and compared wind speed. The womenfolk (me and Abby), shouted words of encouragement and then words of caution. We played too, but mostly with our cameras! It was an exhilerating half hour. Seriously.

 

After all that spinning, we were feeling a little goofy. We relaxed with a few more candid pictures of each other...

 

 

(See, I was there, for reals!) We meandered around, enjoying the day and the atmosphere. Of course, the boys found plenty to keep them amused:

 

 

I just shake my head and repeat my mantra, boys will be boys. Apparently, being a boy involves riding a miniature tricycle, but what do I know?

 

Abby and I didn't ride the tricycles, but that's because we're smart enough to know they were for children, and we let each of ours run ahead to play, haha! We did have fun recording their silliness (By the way, doesn't it just make you smile to see your hubs so happy? I know it totally gets me).

 

There are so many fun activities here, it's hard to keep track. But, I know we hit up the store for snacks and drinks, the food booths for lunch (Omg, the corn on the cob was to die for!), the big sack slides, Scotty's Scoopers (playing in the dirt, great for the boys!), Paver Mazes, and all the photo ops.

 

The BEST part though??

 

The Jo-Jo-A-Rama Speedway!

 

 

Two tracks, side by side, armed with grown-up Big Wheels for racing!

 

So comletely cool.

 

Of course, we had to race. Several times, in fact, both against each other and sometimes just for fun. I gotta say, this track is hard work! After a few laps, you find yourself wearing down, ready to man the camera for a while instead.

 

We all had a turn, on the track and as the photographer:

 

 

 

The best race, though, was between the Hubs and Paul.

 

The Hubs was just a little too cocky... laughing as he rounded the corners, cackling when he pulled ahead...

 

He was in the lead as they screamed around the last curve (easily doing 3mph, hahaha)...

 

AND THEN.

 

 

 

The Hubs looked behind him and laughed... and then he CRASHED. Paul raced into the lead at the last moment, fist pumping as he crossed the finish line.

 

Don't worry, the Hubs' ego was more bruised than anything else. And this picture was priceless, yes? Totally worth it.

 

ANYWAY, I know you're wondering by now where the actual 'maze' is at the Mesilla Valley Corn Maze. There really is a corn field, with a fun maze cut into it. Actually, the shape of the maze changes every year... this way, you never know from one year to the next how to get through it.

 

I'm not sure that knowing ahead of time would have helped us at all...

 

 

 Which way do we go???? No one knows.

 

The boys braved out the entire maze, determined to complete the whole thing. But Abby and I dipped out early when we passed close to the beginning again. The pumpkin patch was calling our names!

 

 

Granted, we didn't actually pick any pumpkins. We took the hayride just for the photographs and the spin around the fields!

 

For normal people, the patch offers not only pumpkin picking, but also gourd and squash picking too. If you're not into the whole pick-it-yourself adventure, Pumpkin Junction has a great selection of already harvested pumpkins (and gourds, etc.).

 

By this time, the boys had worked their way through the maze, and they were tuckered out. Plus, Abby and I were a bit sleepy ourselves!

 

The Mesilla maze has been a tradition with the Hubs and I since our first year at this particular duty station. I think we've now converted Abby and Paul into avid maze goers as well.. If you're ever in the area, be sure to check it out, and don't forget a spin around the Jo-Jo-A-Rama Speedway!

 

The Facebook photo album will be coming soon, with even more pictures for your viewing enjoyment. Until then, happy Fall to you... make the most of it before the winter comes!

 

 

 

 Thanks for reading, everyone!

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Breakfast in a Snap: Cream Cheese Cherry Danish

I LOVE BREAKFAST FOOD.

There, I've said it. It's true. I have a complete obsession with breakfast food. One of my favorite things (especially in the winter, for some odd reason) is to have breakfast for dinner. I love, love, love it! Only one problem...

The Hubs' idea of breakfast is a bowl of cereal. Whaaaaaat? He doesn't have the patience to wait for things to cook in the morning. Plus, the Hubs isn't a huge fan of breakfast to begin with. I don't know how we've stayed together this long! 

Oh yeah, it's because I love him, even his quirky food attitudes.  

Whenever we have company, I use that as an opportunity to expand the Hubs' horizons, since I've been unsuccessful in converting him thus far. Haha, he is stuck with breakfast then! Of course, I'm not an early riser, and I don't want to leave my guests waiting too long for that yummy wake-up call. So I'm always looking for recipes that are quick and easy, yet still look like I'm fancy. 

I'm not really fancy, but I like pretending. Another guilty pleasure. 

I've been dying to try out an idea for breakfast pastry for several months. Of course, I can't experiment on the Hubs, but I can always count on my buddy, Abby, to be my guinea pig. A few weeks ago, we got together very early one morning (6 a.m.!) for breakfast and then a photo walk. 

I swear we don't normally get together so early in the a.m.! This was a special circumstance, really. 

As early as it was though, it was also the perfect opportunity to try out my new pastry idea. 

Looks yummy, yes? 

Well, it's not only delicious, it's also pretty easy to make! It can be cooked in the morning, and served warm, OR you can make it the night before and serve cold to your guests. It's excellent either way. I know, because I snarfed down a good half dozen over a several day period. 

I compensated by limiting my chocolate intake. Sort of. 

ANYWAY. This is simple enough that even the Hubs could make it. Here's what you start with: 

The Ingredients

For once, I actually got all the ingredients in the picture! Oh, wait. Except for one. 

Maybe next time. 

To get started, you need a box of puff pastry (thawed overnight in the fridge), unless you really are fancy and know how to make your own. I haven't progressed quite that far yet. You also need cream cheese, cherry pie filling, an egg, vanilla extract, and a tablespoon of water (the forgotten ingredient!). To all that, add three varieties of sugar. 

That's right. You heard me. Three. Types. Of. Sugar. THREE. You need granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar, and raw sugar.

I compensated for this by purchasing "no sugar added" pie filling. That helps, right?

Humor the poor, delusional woman please.  

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Then, start by cutting your pastry into rough square/rectangle shapes. When you unfold the puff pastry, there are natural creases which are a great guideline. I cut down each crease which made three, long strips. Then, I cut each strip in half, for a total of 6 pieces. When you do that to both puff pastry sheets, you wind up with 12 total squares. 

One sheet puff pastry, cut into pieces

Place the pastry on a parchment lined cookie sheet. I like to set mine in the fridge while I prep the filling, so the dough doesn't get too soft. 

Time for the good stuff! Super simple. Blend together an 8 ounce block of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. You want the mix to be smooth and creamy, like so:

 

Onto each pastry square, place about a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture, and 3 or 4 cherries from the pie filling. (Note: You will have a small amount of cream cheese filling left over. Use it on toast or bagels, or as a dip for fruit!) Next, bring the four corners of the dough together in the center and press to seal. Mmmmm...... 

Be sure to leave openings for ventilation! If you don't, the filling oozes out in all kind of weird places and you hear little pastry bombs going off in your oven. Trust me, it isn't pretty. 

One last step before you pop these babies in the oven. Beat together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an 'egg wash'. Then, brush the egg wash over the pastry and sprinkle them all with a bit of raw sugar. Set in your pre-heated oven for 15-25 minutes. You want the pastries golden brown and scrumptious. 

While they're in the oven, whip up your glaze. Also super easy! Whisk together 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk. If it's too thin, sprinkle in more confectioners' sugar until it's the consistency you prefer. 

Drizzle the pastries with glaze while they are still a little warm from the oven, and viola! 

Cream Cheese Cherry Danishes! Nom nom nom nom.... excuse me while I gorge.

These are great for guests, because they look fancy without being too complicated. Also, you can prepare them in advance, and serve cold. Or make the morning of and serve warm! They're delicious either way. Even the Hubs approved! Of course, he ate them at lunchtime instead of breakfast, because he's weird like that. But still... he ate breakfast food! 

Happy baking, my friends! The recipe is listed below in the standard form. 

Thanks for reading, everyone! 

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife

The Standard Form:

Cream Cheese Cherry Danish

Ingredients:

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed in refrigerator overnight

1 can cherry pie filling

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

3 tablespoons raw sugar

½ cup confectioners’ sugar

1 tablespoon milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. 

Cut each sheet of puff pastry into 6 squares/rectangles. Blend together the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Scoop a tablespoon of cream cheese into the center of each square. Top with 3 cherries from the pie filling.

Pull the corners of the pastry together in the center, pinching to seal. Be sure to leave the slits open on the side for ventilation.

Place the pastries onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Beat the egg with the tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush to brush the pastries with the egg wash. Sprinkle the pastries with raw sugar.

Back at 375 degrees for 15-25 minutes, until golden brown.

While the pastries are baking, make the glaze. Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla. If the glaze is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar. If it is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk.

Drizzle pastries with the glaze while they are still warm from the oven. Enjoy!! 

Thanks for reading, everyone! 

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife