Day Date at the Museum

Here lately it seems like the hubs and me have been leading two separate lives..

You see he has worked eleven days straight, 

staying away from home three of those nights.

What's been going on you ask?

He just recently got a new dom and 

she has been keeping him quite busy with his submissive training.. 

But no.

Seriously, the Army has been a little bit nuts lately.

He's had staff duty, field exercise training 

& had to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

No biggie.

So Saturday, we had a day date.
It started at this cute little bakery called
The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery.

I had the Banana Maple Bacon Whoopie Pie.

Mr. Army Man had the Peanut Butter Cup or something..

So delicious.

#breakinforbacon

Then we headed over to the 

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

 It was so much fun.

There was too much to see in just one visit.

We drove around Capitol Square and loved seeing this Confederate Tribute.

"To Our Confederate Dead.."

#nofilter

We then ate a late lunch at Big Daddy's Burger Bar.

We both built our own burgers. 

Can't believe I spent almost $22 on a burger, 

but oh my it was worth it!

Buffalo Burger with Pepper Jack Cheese, Jalapeno Bacon, Guac,
Lettuce, Tomato, & Garlic Aioli

We ended our date with a Target trip were I teased myself

& proceeded to buy nothing except for two birthday gifts for both my nieces.

Seriously the perfect day after barely seeing the hubs for two weeks!

Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Potato Soup

I posted this on Instagram a few days ago,

and the sweet Meghan from Citrus Refreshing Fashion

asked if I would post the recipe.

Beer & Cheddar Potato Soup with Chopped Ham

1 T. butter

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 chopped onion

1 T. minced garlic

1/2 c. shredded carrots

1/4 c. chopped celery

5 baking potatoes, chopped (any will work)

salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper

1 (12 oz.) beer (I used Negro Modelo)

14 oz. chicken broth/stock

1 c. grated cheese

1 t. butter

1 c. chopped ham

In a large soup pot, add in butter, oil, onion, garlic, carrots, and celery.

Cook until translucent. Add in potatoes and cook 12 minutes or until slightly tender.

Potatoes can be skinned depending on how you like it. 

(I left mine on. It adds more texture.)

Make sure they are cut fairly small.

Season well.

Add in beer. Bring to a boil.

Add in chicken stock. Return to boil.

Pour 1/4 of the soup into blender and blend until smooth.

Add back into the pot and stir until combined. 

Add cheese and stir to combine. Bring back up to temp.

In a separate skillet add ham and lightly brown with a pad of butter.

Serve soup in warm bowl with extra cheese and chopped ham on top.

Hope you try this out and ENJOY!

Make sure you follow me on Instagram @meneal.

Tory Burch Inspired

We bought our home a little over a year and a half ago. 

And there are some rooms that I have just put a mix of decor in 

because I just can't seem to find a place for it 

or I don't know what I want to do with it yet.

When people say you never really finish your home..

Boy, they are so right!

It has taken me forever to figure out 

what I wanted to do with my dining room.

When I saw these pictures of one of the many fabulous Tory Burch Boutiques..

I knew yet again that TB is an utter genius and that I had to have it!

The Inspiration:

I started off wanting to re-paint the dining room 

but we had just done it a few months ago.

And the green was a little too much for such a small space 

so we kept what we have & I am pretty thrilled.

Hope y'all are having a great week!

Devotion to Him

Hey doll babes, 

I know I've been a bad blogger lately..

One post per week is killing me but 

eventually this whole school thing will thin out.

HOPEFULLY!

Last week was the start of Lent.

Now being raised in a Baptist church, 

I've never participated in this religious 

sacrifice and preparation for the coming of our Lord.

Now if you don't want to talk religion, you better scoot!

Mr. Army Man grew up Methodist, 

therefore he has practiced Lent every year.

Going to a Methodist church since September, 

being the only person to not give communion, 

I knew I wanted to participate in this sanctity.

I wanted to prove, yet again, my faith and devotion 

to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I wanted to fast for him.

I gave up chips for Lent.

If you know me personally, 

you know my go-to snack is chips.

All kinds, forms, and flavors.

I go through several bags a week.

It's an addiction.

Not a healthy one I might add.

But for me this is huge!

I'm telling you all this to keep myself in check.

As you know, I gave up shopping until April 1st, now this..

I'm really liking how I am growing and trying to do better.

I have almost quit cussing, completely.

It's incredible what you can put your mind to an achieve

with a little prayer and an amazing relationship with God.

I'll leave you with this:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and
       all these things shall be added unto you.
                                                                                     - Matthew 6:33 

Hope y'all have a fabulous Monday!

{PS} I'm seriously craving some guac & tortillas.

Looks like Mexican is on the menu for Easter Sunday. Hah!

He Said.. She Said

Happy Valentine's Day, dolls! 

I am linking up with the fab Sara over at 

You.And.Me.Are.We 

for 

Husband vs Wife.

How long have you been married?

One year eight and a half months

Two years in June

Where was your first date?

Carrabba's 

Carrabba's 

Where was your first kiss?

My big brother's house

His brother's house

Who said, "I love you" first?

Duh.. ME!

He did.  It was so sweet!

What were your wedding colors?

Her.. White Dress

Me.. Army Greens

Us.. Purple

I got red velvet cake!

Purple, blue, and green.. Peacock feathers/colors.

If she is ordering drinks for both of you, 

what would each of you get?

Me-Bourbon and Coke

Her- Wine, Pina Colada or Marg

Him- Jack & Coke

Me- Water or Diet Mt. Dew 

(I can't order alcohol yet.)

What is the best meal she has ever coked for you?

She's a chef, all of them!

Pizza Casserole or Peanut Butter Chicken Soup?

It changes daily..

What is the worst meal she has ever cooked for you?

She's a chef, none of them!

Lemon Couscous and Broccoli with Chicken.  

He despises broccoli and couscous!

What would she say is your most annoying habit?

Smoking.

Smoking!!

What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?

WAITS for me to kiss her!

Check my phone one last time.

If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be?

I'll need a 40 hour work week for inventory.

My floral leggings.

What would you say is your favorite things about her?

The way she looks at me & her lack of patience!

Sense of humor or my butt!

What is her go-to drink at Starbucks?

Some red drink that's cold with TOO many words!

It has cinnamon in there somewhere..

Green Tea Lemonade with 

Three Pumps Classic, Three Pumps Raspberry

What's her blog name?

Stars, Stripes & a Military Life!

Stars, Stripes & a Military Life

I'd say he did pretty well!

It was so fun to see how well he knows me.

But why wouldn't he?

He is my heart's delight!

I am truly a better person each day because of him.

I love you, Mr. Army Man!

Gold Digger

Hey lovely readers,

I know I've been a little MIA recently but for good reason.

This whole school thing is kicking my butt right now.

Eighteen hours. Holla. Anyways..

I am absolutely loving GOLD right now!

What are you guys loving?

Be sure to enter my Feel the Love Give Away!

Note to Husband:

If your reading this..

This no shopping thing is killing me..

Buy me something, maybe? 

Love you. K. Thanks.

Click Here to Shop:

Feel the Love Give Away

If Valentine's Day isn't a perfect occasion for a huge give away, 

I don't know what is..

So today, I have some pretty incredible blog ladies 

that are giving away some 

perfect items to make you 'Feel the Love.' 

*Note: This give away is for 12 separate prizes.

The give away winners will be chosen at random.

Whatever number give away winner you are 

is the prize you will recieve based on the numbers below.

**Please don't enter unless you follow each person 

under both forms of social media.**

Hope you stop by their blogs, say hello & enjoy!

1. Meghan from More from Meg

Is giving a $25 Etsy Giftcard.

Also follow her on Instagram.

2. Amber at Bugs, Barbies & Wedded Bliss

Is giving away a $20 gift card to Victoria's Secret.

Follow her on Twitter.  

3. Emily from The Sweetest Thing

Is giving away Lilly Pulitzer Coozie & Croakies.

Follow her on IG @emilyanngemma.

4. Janna from Perception is Everything

Is giving away a custom signature, button, and/or ad space.

Also follow her on Facebook. 

5. Kelsey at The Balch Bunch
Is giving away a "Love" print in gold &
 "I Do, Now What? by Giuliana & Bill Rancic.
Also follow her on IG @kbalch0731.

6. Brittany at This Beautiful Life
Is giving away a Free Large Ad Space.
She is also the owner of Kitt + Kaboodle.
Also follow her on Twitter.


7. Kristen at This Radient Life
Is giving away a half apron.
Also follow her on Twitter.

8. Rheanna at Cammo Style Love

Is giving away a Red Knit Scarf. 

(Like the one featured above.)

Also follow her on Twitter.

9. Kitt + Kaboodle Etsy Shop
Is giving away two beautiful pairs of earrings.
Also follow this shop on Twitter.

10. Amanda at Simple Girl, Simple Pleasures
Is giving away a $20 gift card to Starbucks
& Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hooked on Hockey.
Also follow her on Twitter.

11. Carolyn at The Life and Times of a Steel Magnolia
Is giving away an initial cookie jar.
Also follow her on Pinterest. 

12. Jen at What Would Jen Wear
Is giving away a gorgeous necklace.  
Also follow her on Instagram.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope you enjoy!