Happy Veterans Day!

On this day we honor and thank all service members past and present for serving our country.

Download my free printable Veterans Day card and sign to display or give.

Ava signed her card for her Dad.

“I’m thankful for you!”

Such a sweet girl!

Some of the past Veterans Day parades and ceremonies we’ve attended as a family.

We are so grateful for the men and women of the Armed services, including my Army husband, and always remember that freedom isn’t free. 

Download the printable card here.

Download the printable sign here. 

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Happy June y’all! I have been searching on Amazon for gifts for a month now, both for Father’s Day and for my birthday this month. My family and I, including my parents, my husband and my kids, like to make Amazon gift lists since we are all Amazon Prime members. So every holiday and birthday we simply log in and pick a gift and have it shipped. I love it because you know you are getting something that they really want and it’s more personal than a gift card.
I had my husband, who is in the Army, make a Father’s Day gift list and most of his choices were military themed. I decided to add a few of my gift ideas to the list and share it with y’all today because I just love all the fun and patriotic presents we found!
This Military Dad Father’s Day Gift Guide makes finding a gift for your veteran husband, father, uncle, brother, or friend as easy as 1,2, 3. Check out our top 20 military themed gift items and let me know your favorite!

New for 2021:

23.  Men’s Folding Pocket Comb : a wooden comb with a leather travel case printed with a skull design screams “Dad gift” !

This post contains affiliate links.

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What You Need:

• 6 large popsicle sticks
• 6 white cupcake liners
• red. green, and black markers {or any color desired}
• glue

Directions:

1. Using the red markers, flatten the liners then color them all over on one side.
2. Using the black marker, draw a center in each colored flower.
3. Add glue to the top of each stick and press on colored flowers.
4. Color the bottom visible part of the stick green.
5. Now you can glue to cardstock, or place in a display or vase for Memorial Day. 

In Flanders Fields

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It’s moving time again! 

Military Family: Courage, Strength, Sacrifice.

The post Military PCS Photos: Lost in the Woods Moving Announcement appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day and this year we were lucky enough to spend the day with our favorite Veteran, my husband Ashton.

Last year at this time he was deployed so this year we are treasuring all these special times and holidays we get to spend together!

Here’s an invite for one of the parties I hosted.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Ava liked to help me pack them up

The post Military Deployment Care Package Ideas appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Swirlberry, our local frozen yogurt hangout, was the perfect location for our kid friendly farewell party! Bright and open, with affordable and delicious fro-yo and toppings galore!

{The blue party set up included cupcakes, candy, and cookies!}

Ava really wanted a cupcake! Then politely wiped her mouth

Cuteness overload! So good to have a last play date with everyone!

Group pic before our goodbyes.

“We’re So Blue, We’ll Miss You”!

The post We’ll Miss You! Blue Themed Farewell Party appeared first on For the Love of Food.

 Guess who’s home from deployment?!

 

 

 

 Our guys were escorted home by these motorcyclists and they stayed for the whole ceremony.

There’s Ashton getting off the bus and getting in formation!!

The Hood Family: together again!

Print

American Flag Fruit Filled Cake

Ingredients

For the Flag Cake :

• Box of angel food cake mix or premade 9X13 angel food cake
• 4-5 oz/half a container of Philadelphia strawberry cream cheese spread at room temp
• 1/3 cup or approx 40 blueberries
• 1 cup or approx 15 large strawberries stemmed and sliced thin

Whipped Frosting:

• 8 oz Philadelphia cream cheese softened and cubed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream

Instructions

• Place a mixing bowl and beaters/mixer into the freezer so they will be icy cold for the whipped frosting.
• Bake cake according to box instructions in a 9X13 pan.
• Let cool completely then flip upside down onto a tray or baking sheet.
• Using a large serrated knife, slice through the middle of the cake width wise and separate the layers.
• Spread the strawberry cream cheese spread onto the bottom of the split layer and smooth onto the whole layer.
• Replace the layer so the strawberry spread is in the middle of the cake.
• Take the bowl and beaters out of the freezer and add cream cheese and sugar to the bowl.
• Mix on medium until smooth then slowly add the heavy cream. Beat on high until fluffy.
• Add vanilla and almond extract and beat on low until blended.
• Frost onto cake (you will have some left over) covering the top and sides.
• To decorate: in the top left corner add 6-7 rows of blueberries about 6 across, these are the stars of the flag.
• Now add horizontal rows of sliced strawberries, lying flat on their sides slightly on top of one another. You should have about 4 rows.
• Chill until ready to serve then slice into squares and enjoy!

The post Deployment Homecoming and American Flag Fruit Filled Cake with Whipped Frosting appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Print

Peanut Butter and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Ingredients

• 24 ice cream sandwiches
• 16 ounce container of Cool Whip
• 1 jar caramel sundae topping
• 1 large bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups coarsely chopped

Instructions

• Lay half of the ice cream sandwiches (whole) in the bottom of a 9 x13-inch pan, trimming the last couple to get complete coverage.
• Top with half of the cool whip, half of the caramel sundae topping and half of the candy.
• Lay down another layer of ice cream sandwiches.
• Top with remaining cool whip and spread out evenly with a knife, making a lip around the edge so the sundae topping won't run out and over the edges.
• Top with remaining caramel and candy, cover and freeze for several hours (or overnight) before serving.

Notes

Optional: let thaw for 10-15 min for easier slicing.
 Recipe from: Thy Hand Hath Provided

 

 

  

Gift #1 : 

Gift #2:

Gift #3:

 

Gift #4:

Gift #5

Bonus Gift for St Patty’s Day! 

 

 

Going Away Gift:

Welcome Home Presents:

 

Gift for child:

 Add his picture and a phrase to a Daddy Doll. You can even add a recorded voice! Ava loves hers

The post Peanut Butter and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich Cake and Military Gift Ideas appeared first on For the Love of Food.

 

More bomb decor: You’re the Bomb FREE Printable and then to make the dynamite sticks I wrapped three Rolo candies in red paper and tied them together with black pipe cleaners. The EOD Guy “I’d Catch A Grenade For You” Print I found on Esty here.

I purchased these printable camo food tent labels on Etsy. Check them out here

 

Menu:

1. Bombtastic Venison Chili
2. Pizza and Cheese Bombs
3. Explosive Jalapeno Popper Dip
4. Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
5. Cherry Limeaid Blast
6. Root Beer Explosions

 

The You’re the Bomb signs I found here.
 
Family shot! We love to wear matching shirts! Haha!

 

Explosive Jalapeno Popper Dip!

Ingredients

 

2 8oz packages of cream cheese, cubed and softened 1 cup mayo  1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese  6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled 1/2 cup chopped canned green chiles (my husband’s fave!) 1/2 cup jarred jalapeno peppers, diced 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs dippers (I like Fritos and Ritz crackers) Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the first seven ingredients until blended. Spread into an ungreased 9-in. pie plate.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; top with bread crumbs.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.  Serve with dippers like chips and crackers.  Cube the softened cream cheese and place in a mixing bowl.
Ashton cooking the bacon until crisp. Then dicing it and adding it to the cream cheese mix. Now for the spice!  Double jalapeno- fresh and jarred sliced and then chopped green chilies,  since they are my husband’s favorite.  Dice all the jalapenos into small pieces. I seed mine so it won’t be overly spicy. Combine all these ingredients plus shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well. Spread into a large pie plate. Top with Parmesan and Panko breadcrumbs, spreading to cover the whole top. Bake for 25 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown. Serve with crackers and chips for dipping!

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