Moving Mondays: You Can Contribute!

*Moving Mondays is a post about issues military families face as they get stationed around the world. Tune in each Monday for tips and stories from military families and other experts aimed at helping your next move or deployment go more smoothly. 

Hello everyone! 

Today, I want to remind you that My Traveling Troop accepts contributors. Specifically, if your military family is about to move, in the process of moving or just completed one, My Traveling Troop would love to hear your questions, stories and tips. If your family is dealing with a deployment, we'd love to hear from you too. 

Perhaps you are moving to Europe for the first time and didn’t realize until you got there that you were lactose intolerant. Wouldn’t you love to share how you survived those first few weeks?

Maybe you just moved to Japan and had a funny story about the plane ride, chopsticks and a sumo wrestler?

Perhaps you just got stationed somewhere in the U.S. and had to fly across the country. By yourself. With five screaming kids. 

Or, your loved one is deployed and you’d like to share what steps you took to help you and your kids cope.

If you’re willing to share the story about your move or deployment and the lessons you learned along the way, you have two options:

1- You can write a post about your experience. Before you write up the post, though, email a brief pitch to mytravelingtroop@gmail.com for consideration.

2- Not a writer? No problem! Send a brief email my way about what you’d like to share with My Traveling Troop’s readers, and I’ll consider interviewing you for a Moving Mondays post.

If you don’t have a story to share, but you do have questions about moving and deployments, email your questions to mytravelingtroop@gmail.com and I’ll try to help you tackle them.

Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you!

Kristina

T.G.I.F.

Two triathletes start the cycling leg of the triathlon
in Pacific Grove, Calif., earlier this month.

Hello lovelies! Thank goodness it’s Friday! I’m looking forward to taking it easy this weekend. I’ve been training for a triathlon and my body could use a break! 

How about you? Are you taking it easy this weekend too? Or do you have a couple days of fun planned? 

Well, if you have time, I wrote posts for other blogs you can check out:

My husband and I needed a babysitter, but didn’t know where to look for one at our new duty station. You can read about us launching Operation Find A Babysitter on Blue Star Family’s blog.

And

If you are interested in hiking with your kids, you can get Tips on Creating Fun Hikes for Kids at ZisBoomBah’s blog.

Cheers,

Kristina

Andy Warhol Art To Visit Monterey

Andy Warhol, Liz, 1964, color offset lithograph, 

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; Museum Purchase, 

Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts Endowment Fund. 

© 2011 Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

I can’t draw or paint anything but stick figures. And, I’m not an art-history whiz. But, I am capable of staring at the work of talented artists -- especially if the artwork is beautiful or just plain cool. Given my talent for staring, I try to make time for art museums in each city I travel to around the world. 

On a trip to Paris, for example, I had to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. In Barcelona, I couldn’t leave without checking out the paintings of Pablo Picasso, the sculptures and paintings of Joan Miro and the architectural feats of Antoni Gaudi. And in Santa Barbara, Calif., I had no problem trading in a glorious afternoon at the beach for time in front of paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch.

So, you can imagine my delight when I heard that a museum located in the city I reside will feature works by such pop-art icons as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. The new exhibition -- Pop Icons: Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein -- will be at the Monterey Museum of Art’s location at 720 Mirada in Monterey, Calif., from Oct. 29 to Feb. 26, 2012. I’m excited that I won’t have to travel far to enjoy these artists’ creations.

Do you like going to museums where you live?

Cheers,

Kristina

Moving Mondays: Q&A With Co-Founder Of Military Moms In Monterey

*Moving Mondays is a post about issues military families face as they get stationed around the world. Tune in each Monday for tips and stories from military families and other experts aimed at helping your next move or deployment go more smoothly. If you have moving and deployment related questions, or tips and stories you would like to share, send a brief email to mytravelingtroop@gmail.com for consideration.

Louise Cena, who helped create Facebook group
Military Moms in Monterey, strolling with her son
in San Francisco.

Louise Cena is a busy woman. She is an Army wife and mom. The blogger behind My Army Wife Life. Also, Cena -- who is from Sweden -- is the owner of Pognae.se, an online store that imports comfortable and ergonomic baby carriers from Korea and sells them to the Scandinavian market. But when the opportunity to meet and help fellow military moms in Monterey, Calif., arose, Cena gladly added another role to the mix: co-founder of the Facebook group Military Moms in Monterey. 

I recently wrote about how helpful the Facebook group has been to my military family since we moved to Monterey. And, My Traveling Troop was honored when Cena sat down with us to share what spurred her to found the Facebook group after her family in January moved to Monterey from her husband’s last duty station in Korea. Below are some of the highlights from our recent chat.

Q: What inspired you to launch the Facebook group Military Moms in Monterey?

A: “When I got here, I missed my friends from Korea and Sweden. I went to Parents Time (a program that offers playgroups and parenting discussions for military parents and their children). But, when I left the building, I didn't know how to contact people. In Korea there was a Facebook group, but not here. So my friend Liz Coke and I started (Military Moms in Monterey) together.”

Q: What are some of the benefits or pleasant surprises you have discovered through Military Moms in Monterey?

A: “The first intention was to say, ‘I am going to the park and does anyone want to come?’ Now, it's turned into moms giving advice about the area... I didn't think so many people would join it. Now, 70 or so people are on it... I got a few great tips from other moms. And, it’s easier to stay connected with friends that I have (in the area).”

Q: Was it easy or difficult to create the Facebook group?

A: “Easy to create.” 

Q: Anything else you want to add or highlight about Military Moms in Monterey? 

“(Facebook groups) should be at every duty station.”

My Traveling Troop agrees! Thanks Louise!

Cheers,

Kristina

Cowboy Sausage

Butch Francis of Cowboy Sausage at the Carmel Farmers Market.

I arrived at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel, Calif., intent on holing up at a cafe and writing blog posts. But as soon as I stepped out of my car, I knew I had to take a delicious detour.

The smell of grilled meat wafted through the air and I immediately began to follow the aroma. Eventually, I was standing in front of Butch Francis of Cowboy Sausage. Francis -- who was donning a cowboy hat and bright red shirt -- was one of the Carmel Farmers Market vendors at the Barnyard. 

He offered me samples of the mild and sweet sausages. I was struck by the smooth texture of the meat and the aromatic yet light seasoning. The sausages were easily the best I have ever tasted. Plus, I don’t have to feel guilty about eating them. The sausages are all natural, hand crafted and doesn’t contain fillers and preservatives. 

There was no way I could go home empty handed. My husband, who is in midst of finals at the Naval Postgraduate School, would be disappointed if I told him about my delightful culinary experience and didn’t bring him home a treat.

I asked for a package of the sweet sausage and inquired how much it would be. Francis told me it was free because my husband is in the Navy.

According to Francis, he gives a free pound of Cowboy Sausage when he meets people in the military at farmers markets in Monterey and Carmel -- even if they're not in uniform the day he meets them. The free sausage “is a humble thank you for serving,” Francis said.

The Cowboy Sausage stand will be at the Carmel Farmers Market, located in a parking lot at the Barnyard, every Tuesday between 9am and 1pm until the end of September. Cowboy Sausage will also be at the Old Monterey Farmers Market on Alvarado Street in Monterey every Tuesday. The Old Monterey Farmers Market takes place between 4pm and 8pm during the summer and between 4pm and 7pm during the winter, according to the market's website.

If you can’t make it to one of the farmers markets, don’t worry. You can order the sausage through Cowboy Sausage's website at http://www.cowboysausage.com/Cowboy_Sausage/Home.html

Cheers,

Kristina

P.S. Would you like to see other pictures from the Carmel Farmers Market? Visit My Traveling Troop’s Facebook page by clicking here. 

Pacific Grove Triathlon

As my first triathlon approaches, I decided to get a feel for what race day might be like by watching athletes compete in the Pacific Grove Triathlon this past weekend. 

I marveled at the junior elite competing on Saturday, especially when the announcer declared a 12 year old was among the group of talented teens that swam, biked and ran along the shores of Pacific Grove, Calif. 

Junior elite athletes ready to start the swim portion of their race.

At first, my daughter Bella wasn't interested in watching wetsuit-clad people standing around on the beach. She preferred to play with her toy princesses, which donned prettier attire. 

But once the athletes started splashing their way through the bay and kelp, she changed her tune, giggling and clapping as she watched.


The adult elite competitors were up next. Bella and I rushed over to the transition area -- the place where athletes go after the swim to grab bikes, helmets and shoes in order to start the cycling leg of the race. 


My goal was to see how the elite athletes arranged their gear. I also wanted to discover their secret for quickly taking off wetsuits and putting on bike gear. In my triathlon-training class, I don't wear a wetsuit while swimming in the pool, yet I still take a few minutes to dry off and put on my bike gear. On the other hand, the elite triathletes on Saturday were ready to get on their bikes in a blink of an eye. 

On Sunday, adults competed in the sprint triathlon -- that is, a 0.25 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike and 2 mile run. Four people in my triathlon-training class were participating in the race. And, I wanted to help cheer them on during their first triathlon. 


There were a lot of people participating in Sunday’s sprint triathlon, which made it hard to find my training mates. But, I knew they were somewhere amid the sea of colorful swim caps and would rock the race. 

My favorite part of watching the race on Sunday was seeing the smile on people's faces as they started the final leg of the race: the run.  Even though they were tired, it looked like they were having fun!

Have you ever competed in a triathlon or wanted to?

Cheers,

Kristina

Moving Mondays: A Honking Flashback

*Moving Mondays is a post about issues military families face as they get stationed around the world. Tune in each Monday for tips and stories from military families and other experts aimed at helping your next move or deployment go more smoothly. 

Tunnel in Monterey, Calif.

Earlier this year, I moved to Monterey, Calif., with my family and cruised around the city looking for homes to rent. Each time I drove through the tunnel in town, drivers blasted their car horns. Naturally, I thought people were honking their car horns because of me. After all, I was the common denominator each time I went through the tunnel. I frantically tried to figure out what I was doing wrong. Did I forget to turn on my lights? Was I going too fast? Too slow? Did driving rules change since the last time I was in the state? A few agonizing weeks later, I met a local who told me it was custom for residents of the area to honk as they drove through the tunnel. Mystery solved. 

I drove through the same tunnel this evening en route to a triathlon-training session and couldn’t help but smile as I started to hear a chorus of horns. 

Do people honk in tunnels where you live? Did you ever move to a new place and discover a local custom? 

Cheers,

Kristina

Cowgirl Dora

Bella's collection of Dora the Explorer dolls.
I guess we better add a Cowgirl Dora to the mix soon!

Bella recently began preschool and her first day started like this:

Bella and I walk hand in hand up to the teacher.

Teacher: “Hello! What’s your name?”

Bella, who loves the cartoon Dora the Explorer, says in a whisper: “Dora.”

Teacher looks at me: “Really?”

Me: “No, her name is Bella.”

Bella puts both of her hands on her hips, looks the teacher straight in the eye and says: “No, I’m Cowgirl Dora!”

Guess what Bella’s teacher and classmates call her now! :)

Cheers,

Kristina

Chicken Soup For A Cold

Chicken tortellini soup

I’ve been battling a cold for the past couple weeks, and Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup has become a staple in my diet. For some reason, the soup always makes me feel better. Perhaps it’s because I grew up on the stuff. Each time I got sick as a child, my father brought me a steaming bowl of the soup. Or, maybe I feel better after eating the soup because it has magical healing properties. I should look at the list of ingredients and find out!

It is refreshing, however, to change things up every once in awhile. A few years ago, my mom taught me how to make chicken tortellini soup. It’s quick, filling and soothing when you have a cold. Recently, my husband kindly agreed to make the soup while I rested and tried to get better once and for all. 

Below is the recipe in case you want to give it a try. What is lovely about this recipe is that you can add, change or take away ingredients to cater to your tastes. My mom, for example, occasionally substitutes the baby spinach with chopped asparagus. I tend to use three cheese tortellini, but I will try other varieties if I get bored. Also, if you have the time and the energy you can make your own chicken stock, as well as roast, bake or boil chicken instead of buying a rotisserie.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

Chicken stock, 96 oz (12 cups)

Yellow onion, chopped

Rotisserie chicken, shredded

Tortellini, 18 oz (2 cups)

Baby spinach, a handful for each bowl

Parmesan, grated or shaved

Fresh cracked pepper

Instructions

1- Bring chicken stock to a boil. Add the yellow onion and shredded chicken. Wait about five minutes, then add the tortellini. Cook the tortellini according to the instructions. (Usually 8 to 10 minutes.) 

2- In a bowl, place a handful of baby spinach. Ladle the soup into the bowl. Top the soup with parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper. 

Enjoy!

Kristina

Moving Mondays: Contributors Needed

*Moving Mondays is a post about issues military families face as they get stationed around the world. Tune in each Monday for tips and stories from military families and other experts aimed at helping your next move or deployment go more smoothly. 

Calling all military families! Is your family about to move, in the process of moving or just completed one? Or, is your family dealing with a deployment? If so, My Traveling Troop would love hear your questions, stories and tips. 

Perhaps you are moving to Europe for the first time and didn’t realize until you got there that you were lactose intolerant. Wouldn’t you love to share how you survived those first few weeks?

Maybe you just moved to Japan and had a funny story about the plane ride, chopsticks and a sumo wrestler?

Perhaps you just got stationed somewhere in the U.S. and had to fly across the country. By yourself. With five screaming kids. 

Or, your loved one is deployed and you’d like to share what steps you took to help you and your kids cope.

If you’re willing to share the story about your move or deployment and the lessons you learned along the way, you have two options:

1- You can write a post about your experience. Before you write up the post, though, email a brief pitch to mytravelingtroop@gmail.com for consideration.

2- Not a writer? No problem! Send a brief email my way about what you’d like to share with My Traveling Troop’s readers, and I’ll consider interviewing you for a Moving Mondays post.

If you don’t have a story to share, but you do have questions about moving and deployments, email your questions to mytravelingtroop@gmail.com and I’ll try to help you tackle them.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,

Kristina

T.G.I.F.

Perhaps My Traveling Troop should relax by the beach this weekend.
What do you think? 

Hello everyone! Thank goodness it’s Friday! My husband, Clayton, needs to spend most of the Labor Day weekend working on a paper. However, he will take a break at some point to have fun with Bella and me. I wonder what we should do. Any suggestions? What are you up to this weekend?

While you’re pondering those questions, I thought you would enjoy reading a post I recently wrote for Blue Star Family about Clayton and I’s lovely date at a Blue Star museum last weekend. Click here to read.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! I can’t wait to hear what all of you have planned!

XOXO,

Kristina

Bella And Museums

Our daughter is no stranger to museums. Bella was born in Washington D.C., home to the Smithsonian museums. Since then, she’s accompanied my husband and I each time we visit a treasury of art and historical objects -- whether it’s the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., or the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in Santa Barbara, Calif.

We changed things up this past weekend, when my husband and I wanted to go out on a date here in Monterey, Calif. And, since date nights are a rare treat, we opted to go somewhere that was bound to give us a memorable, yet affordable experience: the Monterey Museum of Art.

The Monterey Museum of Art has two locations in Monterey, Calif.
We visited the location at 720 Via Mirada, which is surrounded
by tall, lush trees and beautiful flowers. 
Photo provided by the Monterey Museum of Art.

We had a lovely time, which you can read about at Blue Star Family’s blog. Of course, we couldn’t help but think of our little girl and wonder what she would have thought of the art work on display.

Thankfully, we discovered a box at the museum full of clip boards, color pencils and worksheets. The worksheets invited kids to create their own landscape based on Gottardo Piazzoni’s four murals, which were on display, as inspiration.

Gottardo Piazzoni, The Forest, 1945, oil on canvas
mounted to aluminum panel, long term loan from the
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, transfer from the
San Francisco Arts Commission and the Asian Art Museum
 through the joint Committee to Site the Piazzoni Murals.
Photo provided by the Monterey Museum of Art.

I made sure to grab one of the worksheets and take it home to Bella. That way, she could experience a little bit of our museum visit after all. Maybe I'm biased, but I think her interpretation of Piazzoni has tremendous promise.

Do you like to take your kids to museums? What is their favorite museum to visit?

Cheers,

Kristina