White Chocolate Everything! {Appreciation Post}

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