Anniversaries and Other "Love" Holidays: On a Budget!

I'm happy to say that the Hubs and I just celebrated five wonderful years together as husband and wife! Marriage is always challenging, but when you add a military lifestyle to the mix, things get really interesting. We've had our share of ups and downs, for sure. But we are here for each other no matter what the circumstances.

The Hubs and I had a beautiful wedding, but never a honeymoon. To make up for it, on our first anniversary, we took a week-long trip to the Outer Banks...

Beach in Rodanthe, NC 

... and since our first celebratory trip, we've never actually spent another anniversary together again, until now.

This is one of those instances where the military gets in the way of your plans. Most civilian couples spend their special day together, but we've spent countless holidays apart. Birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving... you name it.

We've developed certain habits to combat the disappointment. Instead of flowers and a fancy dinner on our day (impossible, since we were always apart!), we combined several occasions together into one big celebration. Our birthdays fall just on either side of our anniversary, so we usually miss out on those days together too.

Our plan? To pick a weekend, or a whole week (whatever we have time for!), and celebrate with a trip together. During the trip, we enjoy our fancy dinner together. We relax at the spa. We go hiking or shopping, anything that strikes our fancy. Usually, we surprise each other by picking out gifts while we're out and about, something we can remember the weekend by. These trinkets are scattered around our place, constant reminders of the memories we share.

SO, you can imagine our consternation this year, when we were together on our anniversary. Out of habit, we already planned a weekend away together next month, to the International Balloon Fiesta, including a dinner reservation at the Melting Pot.

What to do on our anniversary then? We didn't want to spend gobs of money, because our vacation is just around the corner...

This started us thinking. Instead of blowing tons of money on various things, we wanted to do as much together with as little money as possible.

And you know what?

Our day was AWESOME. With very little funding, we had one of our best days. And I can't resist letting you in on all our secrets!

1. Greeting Cards: The price of greeting cards runs from the inexpensive $0.99 cards to the $7.99 musical numbers, or even higher. Often, the Hubs and I skip cards altogether, instead writing each other fun little notes. This year, we took the idea a bit further.

Did you know there are many places online where you can personalize and create your own cards? Some sites contain instructions on how to build your card from items around the home; others are sites which offer print at home, either for free or a  minimal cost.

This year, the Hubs made me a 'surprise inside' card, shaped like a Hershey's kiss (pictured above)! After untying the ribbon, several layers of sweet messages greeted me. He found the tutorial online here: Personalized Pyramid Card

I'm a more traditional girl, mainly because if I tried to make a fancy card, it would wind up as a pile of crumpled paper. I don't have enough patience. Instead, I found a printable site and personalized the card before printing it at home! There are many, many sites which offer this option, but here are a few I found:

Greeting Bee

About.com FREEBIES

2. Breakfast in Bed: This is a super easy way to say 'I love you'! If you're anything like me, then you do all the cooking. One of my favorite things is when the Hubs cooks for me, instead of the other way around.  Boxed pancake mix is simple, and inexpensive. You can dress up this basic breakfast by serving your pancakes with heart-shaped strawberries on top.

What if your significant other doesn't like pancakes? Or, heaven forbid, strawberries??

There are other solutions! Check out these links for some fun ideas:

Romantic Breakfast Recipes

More Recipes

... and even more!

How to decorate the tray

Tips from Mr. Breakfast

            3. Flowers: Flowers, flowers, flowers... so beautiful, so lovely, and so expensive. And yet, women love flowers. Even me!

For the Hubs and I, it's hard to justify funds on a gift that will eventually die. Not everyone feels this way. But there are a few tricks out there to save some dough. For example, instead of spending $100 on a professional arrangement, purchase a simple bouquet at your local grocery store and arrange the flowers yourself.

Arranging flowers a little too scary for you? Try out these tips and tricks: 10 Fun Tips for Flower Arranging. You can do it!

Another great idea to earn some brownie points? Make your own paper, tissue, or origami flowers. Don't be afraid to try something new! If you fail, you can always buy that expensive bouquet, right?  Take a look at some of these Paper Flower Tutorials.

4. Movie night: Another dating tradition, movie night. Sadly, by the time you buy tickets, popcorn, candy, and drinks, your movie night has become an expensive money pit. If you're looking to save some cash, but still have a great time, try some of these money-saving options:

a. Rent from Redbox. At $1.25 a rental, you can watch several movies without hurting your wallet.

b. Browse your personal collection. Put together a movie evening full of your (and your significant other's!) favorite picks.

c. Fancy up your microwave popcorn: Topping ideas, and Popcorn recipes

                    d.   Pick up candy at the supermarket or dollar store.

                    e. Buy your favorite soda/beverage, but serve it with heart-shaped ice cubes.

                    f. Instead of uncomfortable movie-theatre chairs, set the stage with comfy seating                                 arrangements. Use big, fluffy pillows on the couch, offer blankets for snuggling. Be                                 creative!

                   g. Make 'tickets' to commemorate your special day

                   h. Pick a theme. Example: If you're watching "Finding Nemo", have gummy fish or goldfish,                    tint your popcorn blue, etc.

5. Dinner Reservations: Dinner out can really stress your budget. Between appetizers, drinks, entrees, and dessert... it's expensive! Plus, you have to factor in the tip. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save your budget in this area.

a. Instead of eating out, pick up takeout from your favorite restaurant and eat in. Serve dinner on your best china or plates. Heck, serve it on paper plates, picnic style! Get creative and use what you have around you. The cloth napkins that were a wedding gift you never use? USE THEM NOW!

b. Candles always set the mood. Light just a few, or light dozens, whatever you like.

c. Play romantic music in the background. No appropriate music on your iPod? No worries! Start a selection on Pandora or Songza.

d. Cook dinner yourself! Even if you burn it, you can always go to plan B (order pizza and laugh about it!)

Check out these sites for romantic dinner ideas:
Candlelit Dinner Ideas

Romantic Recipes

Aphrodisiac Foods

6. Don't forget Dessert!: Chocolate is almost always a great way to go. Buy it at the supermarket, or make it yourself, but spruce up your dessert with romantic notions. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters or patterns. Add cupcake toppers, or candy hearts. Make fondue and feed it to each other. The ideas are endless! But, if you can't think up any on your own, here are a few ideas:

25 Romantic Desserts

Chocolate-Free Romantic Desserts

Heart-shaped Ideas



All of these things are great ideas to make your day special and not burn a hole in your pocket. But don't forget the MOST important item on the list: ENJOY EACH OTHER. You never know when it might be your last celebration together. Take each moment, and make it last. It doesn't matter how much money you spend, or where you go... what matters is that you're together.

One last tip before I go... record your memories. Take pictures, treasure keepsakes. These items are not only wonderful and sentimental, but they make great ingredients for your gifts next year!

Happy celebrating, my friends!

Thanks for reading, friends! 

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife

And so it begins...

Yep. It's that time of year again...

FOOTBALL SEASON. 

The Hubs and I don't get along during football season. You see, I root for the best football team there is, the reigning Superbowl Champions... the NY Giants.

That's right, I'm a Giants fan (no hating please, I've been a fan since I first learned what football was!). I've spent many years waiting for my team just to make it to the Superbowl. You have no idea how happy I am since they've not only made it, but won several times in the past years.

The Hubs, on the other hand, must hang his head in shame. Naturally, he's hoping that his team will stomp all over my beloved Giants, and possibly give him a few bragging rights.

Not gonna happen, people.

Tonight is the night. TONIGHT, our teams are the opening game for the NFL season. That's right... tonight, it's the Giants vs. the Cowgirls. Oh, excuse me, I meant the Cowboys. Really!

A storm is brewing here tonight!

The Hubs and I are both pretty vocal about our football teams... so, just to make sure we don't injure each other, we've invited some friends to witness the event. I'm desperately missing my fellow Giants fan, Jackie, this year. I could always count on her to scream just as loud as me! Who will do a victory dance with me when the Giants trounce those Cowgirls??

Sigh.

Jackie may not be here in person this year, but I'm darn sure she's rooting on the Giants back home. We'll be mirror images, each in front of our own TVs, hooting and hollering...

Ok, so I'm a wee bit dramatic on game day.

The closer we get to kickoff, the more pumped I get. Generally, I distract myself in the kitchen, cooking up our favorite game-day treats. For this momentous occasion, I'm making my Jackie-inspired Buffalo Chicken Dip. Of course, man cannot live on Buffalo Dip alone, so we'll have a veggie tray and my yummy BBQ Chicken Pizza too. 

BBQ Chicken Pizza

You can check out the pizza recipe by following the link. Today, I'm going to show you how to make the dip that's perfect for all sporting events. This dip never has leftovers; it's completely addicting! The best part is it's sheer simplicity. Anyone, anywhere can make this dip.

Buffalo Chicken dip

Nom nom nom nom.... just seeing the picture makes me salivate. Thank goodness I get to eat it soon!

The ingredients are basic:

Shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, cream cheese, sour cream, and dry ranch dressing mix. The chips and celery are for the dipping!

For your chicken, there are lots of options. You can poach your own chicken breast (about 2), then shred the chicken to make 2 cups worth. This is what I do. If I have extra chicken, I use it later in the week for chicken salad!

BUT, if you don't want to do that, you can always buy a rotisserie chicken (already cooked, bonus!) and shred that. OR, if you're desperate, you can use canned.

So, chicken dilemma solved. Onward!

The first step is to gather your ingredients. Then, add the cream cheese (2 blocks) to a pot over medium heat. Pour the hot sauce (I use Frank's, it's the best!) right on top. You can use 1/2 cup, or 3/4 cup hot sauce. It's all about you, and how much heat you can handle.

Yeah, I use 1/2 cup. I'm a wimp like that.

 Stir that around until well-combined. The dip looks a little gross at this point (see above), but it's worth it, I swear.

Next, you're going to add everything else! Stir in the sour cream (8oz. but I sometimes use more), the shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup), the ranch mix (1oz.), and the chicken (2 cups). I was making a double-batch when I took these pictures, so don't worry if your dip looks smaller.

And.... you're done!

Seriously.

That's it.

Stir for a minute or two, so everything warms up, then spoon the dip into your serving dish. Surround with chips, celery, crostini, whatever you like for dipping. Personally, I think celery is the best!

Then be prepared to re-fill the dish often. I usually make a double-batch, the dip goes that fast!! Try this one time, and you'll be making it for all your parties. It's that good.

Mmmmmm.... I'm going to make mine right now! But I'll keep you posted on the game.

Go Giants!!! 


* Update: The Giants lost to the Cowboys, final score 24-17. I am investing in a good pair of ear plugs, so I can't hear the Hubs taunting me all week!! The rematch is scheduled for October 28th, in Dallas. The Giants will win that one (I hope!) 


The Standard Form:

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded (about 2 breasts)

2 (8 oz. each) blocks of cream cheese

1 (8 oz.) container of sour cream

½ - ¾ cup Frank’s hot sauce

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 packet (1 oz.) powdered ranch dressing mix

Directions:

Cook the chicken using your preferred method, then shred or finely chop. (I prefer poaching the chicken breast and then using two forks to shred it).

Add the cream cheese and hot sauce to a crockpot or a heavy pot on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-high and stir until the cream cheese melts and is combined with the hot sauce. Once smooth and creamy, add the sour cream. Combine thoroughly, and then add in the powdered ranch dressing mix, again stirring until combined. Finally, add the cheddar cheese and shredded chicken. 

Lower the heat. Warm over medium-low heat until the cheddar cheese is melted and the dip is hot.

Serve with tortilla chips, celery sticks, bread cubes, etc. 

The View From my Window: Dublin, Ireland

I've made many promises that a post about my recent trip to Ireland is coming soon. And... ok. The trip isn't so 'recent' anymore. And truthfully, it's going to be more than one post. BUT, I have been working on it when I can.

See, here's the problem: I have a slight obsession with my camera. This may not seem like a huge deal, but trust me on this... it is. For sure. Any number of my friends and family can attest to this. For example, a normal person may take a few hundred photos on vacation, right?

I, on the other hand, took several thousand.

No worries, I won't be posting them all here. Especially since some of them are pretty awful. However, it takes time to sort the bad from the good. It also takes time to compose those photographs to tell a story along with the blog post.

So, I PROMISE, I'm working on it. Really, really hard.

In the meantime, I thought I'd post some pictures to whet your appetite. Much of our vacation was spent behind windows of one kind or another. The bus window, the window from our hotel, the window of the Guinness Storehouse...

My buddy Becky is almost as obsessive about her camera as I am about mine. So, despite the glass barrier, we were both clicking away. Rain or shine, didn't matter. We were having a fun, girl-vacation, and we didn't want to miss recording a second of it.

So, take a sneak peak at Dublin, Ireland, where we spent the first two days of our vacay. Much, much more on Dublin will be coming soon. I hope you enjoy the view from my windows!

(P.S. You can click on the images to see the full screen version)

Rain was our almost constant companion, but we didn't mind! 

General Post Office of Dublin 

A neighborhood street 

A church we drove past 

A city corner

Dublin canals along the River Liffey 

Pedestrian Signal 

Local bakery

The Papal Cross in Phoenix Park, Dublin 

View from the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse 

More coming soon to a blog near you... I PROMISE!