Fabulous Army Life

We had an absolute blast hosting the leaders of the Diamond Brigade today. We divided the sessions into seven parts, one for the brigade staff leaders, and six separate sessions for the six battalions. We started at noon with 45 minute receptions and a 15 minute reset period between each one. At the end of each session, my handsome husband would make a few remarks, thanking these hardworking heroes and their families for their excellence, then we would end with a group photo outside. It was a long day but the amazing people in the brigade made it so much fun! I have to say, it truly takes a team! BIG hugs and thanks to my neighbor and friend, Lisa, for contributing and talking me through organization and to the amazing Missy for spearing a million skewers and making prep day a total blast! Equally big hugs and thanks to the absolute heroes who spent the entire day with us, serving, replenishing, cooking, assembling, and making the day so very much fun ... Andrea and Ralph, Mackenzie ...

Hours on Pinterest searching and pinning and deleting and searching some more led to this final menu. The board (with all the recipes plus others that didn't make the cut) can be found here: https://www.pinterest.com/myarmylife/2017-holiday-reception/ . All of the recipes were simple, a few were slightly tedious (think rolling 200 Oreo balls, one package of Oreos at a time ... until you die), but they were fun to make and easy to serve. My amazing friend Missy skewered approximately a million antipasto skewers and was a super fun prep buddy in the kitchen. Even tedious tasks are more fun with a friend! Oreo Truffles with white chocolate candy coating and gold glitter sprinkles Glitter grapes, endive scoops with goat cheese, pepper jelly, and smoked almonds Cucumber cups with red pepper hummus, feta, grape tomatoes and basil Cheeses with pepperoni sausages Antipasto skewers with mozzarella, sliced sausage, and stuffed olives Cherry cheesecake dip ...

The 1st Cavalry Division hosted an "Off-Site" in San Antonio, Texas, where leaders from the division gathered, taking training classes, participating in team-building activities, and enjoying a time of planning for the future.  It was a very fun time and left us all very motivated! On a Photo Scavenger Hunt on the Riverwalk! Coach John Arbaugh, Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens, talked with us about leadership ... and created a few Raven fans in the process. The hat is a silly prize for winning the Scavenger Hunt! Getting to Know the Ladies in our Brigade Hubby and me hangin' out with Coach Arbaugh (and the rest of the division ...) 1st Cavalry Division Leadership in San Antonio, Texas Our Brigade Leadership