Around the bloggesphere today you may see something a little different. Today, we are giving praise to the men behind the bloggers. The husbands, spouses, significant others… the ones who put up with, who have supported, who loved unconditionally through the crazy recipe development and photo shoots and who (sometimes with hesitation) even tried a bite everything that blogger made. Thanks to Amanda from i am baker for the amazing idea to do this post!
So today’s Appreciation Post is all about my HERO, my SOLDIER, my HUSBAND… SGT David Eves. It includes the reasons why I love him, all the things he does to put up with my blogging, a get to know you Q&A and a White Chocolate Everything round-up… a dedication to his favorite sweet!
It seems fitting that this post fall the day after 9/11… you see, my husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan. This is his third deployment since 2009. The first two were to Iraq… 15 and 12 months long. But this deployment is different.
During the first two deployments we were newlyweds and I was still living close to family back in Washington state. So, it was easier to adjust after he deployed. Maybe easier isn’t the right word…. because really, there’s nothing easy about deployment. Being around family and in a familiar place made the time go by faster… and that is what made things better. This deployment is hard… really hard. We’re living in Germany, no family, no close friends… and we have a new addition to our family.
Matthew.. he’s 18 months old now. Dave is an AMAZING father. Which is one of the things I love about him the most. He’s loving, kind, patient. He changes poopy diapers and he keeps Matty out of the kitchen when I’m baking.
So needless to say… not having Dave around to help with Matty has been a challenge. But, to be honest… I miss Dave the most at bed time. He and I would sing Bob Marley to Matty every night before bed. Dave is an amazing Dad. Matty misses him every day.
After Dave’s first deployment and we were married, he adopted my daughter Emily. Never has a day gone by that he hasn’t loved her or treated her like she’s his flesh and blood. I am in awe everyday of his selfless devotion to love & provide for her.
Dave is the absolute love of my life. I have literally dropped everything to follow him around the world and raise our family while he fights in a war to protect us. But I am so in love with this man…. that I’d do that a million times again. He is my best friend… my everything.
PS… Did I mention that he puts up with my crazy blogging? We can’t eat anything until I take 100 pictures of it… even if we’re out to dinner. Dave even does the dishes for me after I bake. But, he’s also first in line to lick the batter from the bowl and he’ll always try at least a bite of everything I create.
So a little about Dave…
He’s a Magic the Gathering NERD! Every city we visit, we have to find a card shop so he can add to his collection of Magic cards and accessories. He’s a 49ers football fan… although I’ve never seen him watch a game. He has an addiction to Monster energy drinks and he loves hot and spicy salsa. Oh… and white chocolate is his favorite candy and ingredient to bake with.
As a part of this Appreciation Post we’re doing… we were to ask our hubbies some questions. My hubby had about 2 minutes to answer these between missions… so his answers are short…. but sweet! <3
What is your significant other’s favorite blog called?
Java Cupcake or Cupcakes Take The Cake
(I love how he thinks my favorite blog is my own – or the one I write for haha)
What is their favorite prop?
These square plates she bought at the German equivalent of Crate and Barrel
(So true!)
What is the weirdest thing you have seen your spouse do for a blog post?
Involve me in it, lol.
If you could have your own blog what would you call it?
deadcat’s Diorama
What do you do for a living and what are your hobbies?
Wage war and playing Magic: the Gathering
(To clarify – He’s an infantry soldier in the US Army currently deployed to Afghanistan)
Finally, in honor of my awesome husband, I’ve compiled a round up of some super delicious white chocolate recipes that I’m CERTAIN my husband would love!
Enjoy!
Black & White Cupcakes by JavaCupcake
Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins by JavaCupcake
Mozart White Chocolate Cupcakes by JavaCupcake
White Chocolate Chip Lemon Cookies by JavaCupcake
White Chocolate Chip & M&M Cookie Bars by JavaCupcake
White Chocolate topped Gingerbread Blossoms by JavaCupcake
White Chocolate Candy Cane Blossoms by JavaCupcake
White Chocolate Dipped Cranberry Biscotti by JavaCupcake
Triple Chocolate Cupcakes filled with Whiskey Caramel White Chocolate by Fields of Cake
Black & White Cookies by Fields of Cake
Blueberry, White Chocolate & Marshmallow Panini by Always Order Dessert
No-bake White Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge by Texanerin
White Chocolate Candy Corn Cookie Bars by Love From the Oven
White Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars by Love From the Oven
Gummy Bear White Chocolate Cupcakes by Love From the Oven
White Chocolate Mud Cake by Chocolate, Chocolate and More
Pumpkin Pie Spiced White Hot Chocolate by Chocolate, Chocolate and More
White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Cups by Liv Life
White Chocolate Ice Cream by Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine
White Chocolate Brioche by The Culinary Life
White Chocolate Brownies by Bake or Break
White Chocolate Cranberry Tart by Diethood
Spiced Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate by Diethood
White Chocolate & Cranberry Granola Bars by Like Mother Like Daughter
White Chocolate Funfetti Chip Cake by Inside BruCrew Life
Make sure to check out all of the other husbands, wives and significant others behind the blogs you love!!
Lauren from Keep It Sweet Desserts made M&M Kit Kat Cake
Rachel from Rachel Cooks made Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Shanna from Pineapple & Coconut made Best Ever Chicken Enchiladas
Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie made Homemade SpaghettiOs
Amy from Very Culinary shared a Fabulous Video!
Liz from The Lemon Bowl made Lebanese Meat Pies (Sfeehas)
Cassie from Bake Your Day wrote about The Guy Across The Table
Erin from The Law Students Wife made Chicken Stir Fry with Thai Peanut Sauce
Heather from Sugar Dish Me made Bourbon Apple Shortcakes
Dorothy from Crazy For Crust made Pretzel Toffee Peanut Butter Cookies
Lauren from Climbing Grier Mountain shared At the Table with Mr. B
Tanya from Lemons for Lulu made Reese’s Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
Erin from Texanerin Baking made Healthier New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies
Jen from Jens Favorite Cookies made Chocolate Pudding
Jamie from Thrifty Veggie Mama made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Diane from Created By Diane made Rocky Road Cookie
Nikki from Seeded at the Table made Oatmeal Cream Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Meagan fron A Zesty Bite made Something Fabulous
Taylor from Greens & Chocolate made Butterfinger Blondies
Amanda from i am baker made Classic Cheesecake with Double Crust
Kristy from Sweet Treats & More made Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
Lauren from Healthy. Delicious. shared 10 Guy-Approved Recipes
Erin from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts shared a Round up of Hubbies Favorites
Rachel from Set the Table made Mexican Chocolate Shake
Julie from Julie’s Eats and Treats shared her Hubby’s Top 10
Stefani from Cupcake Project made Graham Cracker Waffle Cones
Katerina from Diethood made Pasta with Tomatoes, Garlic and Olives
Betsy from Java Cupcake made White Chocolate Everything!
Kimberly from The Daring Gourmet made French Almond Cake with Lavender Lemon Glaze
Rachel (@rachelcooksblog) says
Loved this 🙂 Sounds like you snagged a winner!
Betsy Eves says
I certainly did! 😉 He’s a KEEPER for sure!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Loving these posts – hate that you and David are separated by an ocean right now!
Joan@Chocolate and More says
Betsy, thank you to both you and your hubby for his service. Hopefully this will be his last deployment and you’ll have him back safe and sound soon. I’ll be keeping you both in my prayers.
Now as for all these white chocolate treats, I’ll be busy pinning for a bit now. White chocolate is always such a nice change from the traditional.
Betsy Eves says
Thanks for the kind words, Joan <3
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
This is such a nice post… I hope that he comes back from deployment much sooner than later. What a great guy that you are married to!
Kate@Diethood says
Such a sweet post!! I have to tear up every time I see a soldier – can’t believe their courage. Thank You, SGT.
And thank you so much for including my white chocolate tart and drink!!
liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
This is such a sweet post- it gives me chills. Your husband is a true hero in every way!
createdbydiane says
Looks like he is a real keeper and he does dishes…..love it. Please thank him for his service.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
What a sweet post! I hope that Dave’s deployment will be over soon (I know it just started but I’m still going to hope!) and that it’ll be the last one. He sounds like such a great guy and I can’t even imagine what it must be like. Especially with a baby. But you know what? You’ve got us bloggers to keep your mind off the situation, even if just for a few moments a day. 🙂 (I could see that sounding weird but it’s supposed to be a nice thing!)
And thanks for including my fudge!
Betsy Eves says
And I am VERY thankful for my blogging friends!! xoxo Definitely helps to have a community of people to help keep me occupied! <3
meaghan says
Oh my gosh, this is the one where I get all weepy. I’m a total mess over military families, especially those as loving as the one shown here! Thank you for sharing this!!
laurengrier says
First of all, I want to thank your hubby for defending this country. Without him, America would not be the same. So thank you, thank you, thank you! And I second the love for white chocolate it’s the best!!
Betsy Eves says
Thanks for the thoughtful words Lauren! 🙂
Erin (@LawStudentsWife) says
Seriously obsessed with all of these posts! So fun to read Betsy. Thanks for sharing this!
Betsy Eves says
Me too!! I think I might even read them twice… I loved them that much! <3
Steph - The Culinary Life says
What a wonderful post! Love this! And thank you for including me in the roundup. 🙂
Julie Evink says
What a wonderful round up and wonderful husband. Thank you to him for defending all of us. Truly from the bottom of my heart. God Bless him and your family!
Betsy Eves says
Thank you, Julie! <3
Shanna@ pineapple and coconut says
Thank you for your husband for serving our country! What a great man you have ( and a good looking one in uniform to boot) I also LOVE that you sign Bob Marley songs to your kiddo at night for bedtime because that is what my husband does. My girls can’t go to sleep without daddy singing ” Three Little Birds” or as my kids call it “Daddy’s don’t worry song”
Love your post and tribute to your husband!
Betsy Eves says
We call our baby Little Bird because of that song!! EVERY night we sign it to him. And… even while Dave is gone, I still sing Little Bird to my Little Bird at bed time! 🙂
Amanda says
Your husband is adorable… that smile is swoon worthy! And a BIG thank you to you and your whole family for all the sacrifices you have made. I love that you are all so willing to smile and share joy in the midst of a tough time. Thank you so much!!
Betsy Eves says
His dimples are what get me every time he smiles at me!! *swoooon* And… smile is what I have to do to get through it. 🙂 Just keep smiling… just keep smiling!
crazyforcrust says
This post made me a little teary Betsy. xx 🙂
Betsy Eves says
Me too, Dorothy 😉 <3 <3 <3
Tanya Schroeder says
I commend you and your family for all the sacrifices yo’ve made. Your family is extraordinary and so is your blog!
Betsy Eves says
Thank you, Tanya. It’s just the life we’ve chosen. 🙂
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
Betsy! Your family photos are so great! I really enjoyed reading this — and not even just the interview — it’s so great to know that I have so many peers with wonderful, awesome, supportive spouses. Thank you so much for sharing & thanks to your whole family for their dedication and service!
Betsy Eves says
Heather – thanks so much for the kind words. It’s really appreciated!! <3
Christi @ Love From The Oven says
Hugs Betsy, and thanks for sharing. 🙂
Betsy Eves says
Hugs back, Christi! <3
Kimberly @ www.daringgourmet.com says
Lovely post, Betsy! God bless you and your little ones and your hubby for his selfless service to our country.
Renee says
I just wanted too say this is my first visit too your blog and i’m very impressed….I will be visiting here quit often as I love too bake and your pic’s look so very good…I too would like too THANK your husband for his deployment and also Thank YOU for your sacrafice with him overseas……It’s much appreciated…Your son is so adorbale….Again thank you and your husband and your son for all you guy’s do……Ya’ll are in my prayers..
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Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
Absolutely love all these recipes! I prefer healthy food! And i’ll definitely try these recipes. First of all i’ll try White Chocolate Chip Lemon Cookies and White Chocolate topped Gingerbread Blossoms! My husband would love it! Thanks for sharing!
Julia Stearns @ Healthirony says
These white chocolate candy corn cookie bars are so Instagrammable and adorable! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx for sharing!
Julia Stearns @ Healthirony says
I had a similar white chocolate chip lemon cookies at a restaurant recently and found myself craving it and wondering if I could recreate it today.