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8 Ways to Celebrate the Military Birthday Ball in 2020

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2020 certainly feels like a remix, on repeat, of polka and ska. The ball season is being mixed up as well. Large gatherings are not recommended and military balls are cancelled. Military families are used to going with the ebb and flow and are making plans to celebrate in different ways.

  1. Dress down to dress up. Without the etiquette of a long ball gown for a ball, dressing up for this years’ military ball can be as casual as families want.
  2. Watching the service specific message. This summer, Army Senior Leaders released their birthday message. In August, the Coast Guard released their birthday message.  In September, the Air Force recognized the resiliency of the force in their birthday message. Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Gilday, released a birthday message in October. The Marine Corps will release the Commandant’s message in November.
  3. Donating to their favorite organization. Families are adding up the cost of ball tickets, ball dresses, baby-sitting, up-dos, military uniform updates and donating that sum as a way to celebrate the military birthday.
  4. Support local. A night off without cooking is part of the fun of the military ball. This year families are choosing to purchase a meal from a local restaurant as a way to support local and celebrate the night without cooking.
  5. No dry cake! Along the same lines as supporting local restaurants, some are choosing a local bakery to buy a dessert to celebrate the ball. No dry sheet cake here!
  6. Dance Party. Breaking out the dancing shoes is an annual tradition for military balls. A dance party at home, with everyone in the family, will keep the tradition alive with a smaller gathering.
  7. Outdoor Gathering. Small groups are gathering outside tailgate style, keeping distance between family groups as a way to be together, but remain socially distant.
  8. Thank a veteran. Making it a family activity and write to veterans at your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Just like invitations of veterans to military balls, military families are extending their thanks locally.

Ball seasons’ selfies may look different this year, but your military service birthday is worth celebrating. Here is to another year of unknowns and ebb and flow.

The Service Members Civil Relief Act is Amended to Include Stop Movement Order

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The Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) enacted in 2003 expanded on the 1940 Soldiers’ and Sailor’s Civil Relief Act. At its core, the law was written to alleviate financial stress on active duty military, with some benefits extending the military dependents. The SCRA may be most well-known by military families as providing protection with terminating a residential lease for a permanent change of station (PCS) or deployment. When a military member receives PCS orders, they can tell their landlord and break their lease without financial penalty. If their next rent is due on October 1st, and the military member tells their landlord and provides military orders on September 20th, then they pay for September and October’s rent but do not pay a penalty for breaking a lease early.

The SCRA has undergone multiple amendments since its original writing. In May of 2020, an amendment was introduced allowing for the extensions of the “lease protections for servicemembers under stop movement orders in response to a local, national, or global emergency, and for other purposes” (Congress.gov). When the pandemic hit the United States in the spring of 2020, many families across the world were gearing up for a PCS. That came to a stop. Several families had already handed in their notice to terminate their lease, and were left negotiating with landlords who may or may not have been understanding of the situation. Some families had two leases signed, one in the location they lived in, and one in the location they would be moving to as they anticipated the move. The Senate passed the amendment on 8/14/2020.

This amendment to SCRA is retroactive, meaning families can request reimbursement for rental payments that were paid during the stop movement order when they or their family was not living in the home.

The final adopted language of the amendment further states that the bill applies to service members who execute a lease upon receipt of PCS orders “for a period of no less than 90 days and thereafter receives a stop movement order issued by the Secretary of Defense in response to a local, national, or global emergency, effective for an indefinite period or for a period of not less than 30 days, which prevents the servicemember or the service member’s dependents from occupying the lease for a residential, professional, business, agricultural, or similar purpose.” Layman’s terms – if the servicemember already signed a lease but cannot reside in it due to the stop order for at least 30 days, the service member can terminate the lease with a copy of the military orders and providing that termination lease to the landlord.

To Terminate a Lease Due to Stop Move Order:

  • A written notice of termination and a copy of the military orders must be provided to the landlord
  • The delivery of the notice must be done in one of three ways:
    • Hand delivery
    • By Private Business Carrier
    • Mailing the written notice in an envelope with appropriate postage with return receipt requested and addressed to the landlord or the landlord’s agent

The termination of the lease is effective on the date that all of the above is completed. READ: No 30-day notice needed if the stop movement order was the reason for the move, or lack of move.

If you or a military family you know was affected by the stop-move order, make sure they know about the new changes to SCRA.

What You Should Know About TRICARE Open Enrollment

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TRICARE open enrollment season is here!

The annual period where you can change your health coverage for the next calendar year is open from November 9 – December 14, 2020. Any changes made to enrollment during this period will be effective starting January 1, 2021. Anyone currently enrolled in or eligible for a TRICARE Prime or Select healthcare plan option is able to change enrollment among these plans.

3 Options During Open Enrollment:

  1. Stay in your plan. If you do not want to change your current plan, you do not need to do anything as long as you are eligible.
  2. Enroll in a plan for the first time. If you are eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select but are not currently enrolled, open enrollment is the time to do so.
  3. Change plans. During this enrollment period you can switch from TRICARE Prime options to TRICARE Select. You can also switch from individual or family enrollment.  

Enrolled Retirees with an initial enrollment date before January 1, 2018 or family members enrolled in TRICARE Select have new fees beginning January 1, 2021.

Can you make changes outside of open enrollment?

In order to make changes outside of open enrollment, you must have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). A QLE includes but is not limited to a relocation to a new location, marriage, birth of a child or retirement from active duty. A new pregnancy no longer counts as a QLE. Within the 90 period from those events, you can make enrollment changes as eligible.

FEDVIP Enrollment

FEDVIP is the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Eligibility for this program runs open enrollment during the same time as TRICARE. Check eligibility and compare plans here.

What are the TRICARE plans?

There are several TRICARE health plans. Active Duty military and their families living at most military bases are eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select. Read more about each plan to know what you are eligible for and what it covers.

The basic plans are TRICARE Prime and Select, with branches off of those based on locations.

TRICARE Prime – Active Duty are automatically enrolled in this program. For families, this program provides are with a military or network provider without copays except in cases of using point-of-service options. Primary Care Managers provider care and referrals as needed to specialists.

TRICARE Prime Remote – Command-sponsored active duty and family members whose sponsor’s home and work addresses are more than 50 miles from a military hospital or clinic.

TRICARE Prime Overseas – Command-sponsored active duty and family members living overseas are seen by military or network providers.

TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas – Command-sponsored active duty and family members living in remote locations overseas including Eurasia-Africa, Latin America, Canada and areas in the Pacific.

TRICARE Select – Family members and retirees are seen by Tricare-authorized providers chosen by them, and no referrals from a primary care manager are required. A deductible, cost share and enrollment fees may be required.

TRICARE Select Overseas – Family members can see any overseas provider without referrals. A deductible, cost share and enrollment fees may be required.

The following healthcare plans can be enrolled in outside of open enrollment if eligibility criteria are met per the links provided below.

TRICARE For Life – TRICARE eligible beneficiaries who have Medicare A and B.

TRICARE Reserve Select –  Qualified Selected Reserve members and their families are eligible for this healthcare plan.

TRICARE Retired Reserves – Retired Reserve members are eligible to purchase this healthcare plan.

TRICARE Young Adult – This premium-based insurance is available for adult children through age 25.

US Family Health Plan – Enrollment is available to those who live in an area where this care is available.

Healthcare options can be confusing. Gather all the information you can to make an informed decision that works best for your family.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines Rapidly Approaching for Military Service Members Stationed Overseas

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By Marguerite Cleveland

Yes, 2020 will have holidays and if you have loved ones stationed or deployed overseas time is running out. The first deadline for a December 25 arrival is November 6.  Here are the 2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the United States Postal Service:

The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office addresses*:

  • Nov. 6   — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
  • Dec. 9   — APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
  • Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services
  • Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service
  • Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express service
  • Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
  • Dec. 18 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
  • Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
  • Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service

Did you know you can order free Military Care Kit online from USPS which contains boxes, tape and labels? There are also a variety of Priority Mail® APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes and other mailing supplies at Free Shipping Supplies.

Here are some tips to help you navigate the season:

  • Ship Online – Visit USPS.com. You can order supplies, print labels and if you ship using Flat Rate Boxes you can schedule a pickup at your home and avoid the lines at the Post Office. Just note that almost 500,000 consumers will use online services on Dec. 14, 2020 so plan to ship prior to that date.
  • USPS Busiest Time – If you must visit the post office know that customer traffic picks up beginning December 7. The week of Dec. 14-21 is predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week.
  • Use Click-N-Ship for APO & FPO and sending overseas. Click-N-Ship® allows you to create Priority Mail International® and Priority Mail Express International® postage and address labels. When you send an international package through military and diplomatic mail, follow the destination country’s restriction policies, and include customs forms when necessary. Click-N-Ship will guide you through the customs forms process. Click-N-Ship will alert you to some of the prohibitions and restrictions based on the 5-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code™ you’re shipping to, but you are responsible for ensuring your package complies with the laws and regulations of the U.S. and the destination country. You often need a customs form to ship overseas. Click-N-Ship will also let you know which customs forms you need.
  • Note you can’t ship hand sanitizer or flammable sanitizing wipes overseas.
  • Properly prepare your shipment correctly. For international shipments tuck an address inside the box in case the box gets damaged and include delivery and return addresses. Also don’t forget temperatures in the desert can exceed 100 degrees so take that into account when planning a care package.

Properly Address Mail Going to an APO/FPO/DPO

According to the USPS website each shipment to an APO/FPO/DPO needs the recipient’s name, rank, and unit, and the APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code™. Always include a return address. Mail and shipments must be addressed to a specific person; addressing to “Any Service Member” is no longer permitted. To prevent mail from entering foreign mail networks, do not include city or country names in APO/FPO/DPO shipping addresses. Here are properly addressed shipment examples:

Army/Air Post Office (APO)

PFC JOHN DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021

Fleet Post Office (FPO)

SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
UNIT 100100 BOX 4120
FPO AP 96691

Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)

JOHN ADAMS
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
DPO AE 09498-0048

Turn Your Halloween Candy Into Treats for Troops

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October 1st came, and BAM! It was time for Halloween. Your social media has been filled with images of pumpkins, spooky decorations, and costume ideas. You may be planning a countdown to Halloween complete with daily spooky activities. Halloween spirit is all around us. While costume parades and traditional trick-or-treating may be canceled in 2020, it’s nice to see the spooky spirit continue in other creative ways.

Want a sweet way to share the spooky spirit beyond your immediate community? Maybe you bought Halloween candy with the hope of trick or treating, but it has been canceled in your area. Or in wanting to keep a semblance of normalcy for 2020, you are planning on buying candy even if you don’t have an immediate need. What can you do with that excess Halloween candy? You can treat the troops!

Soldiers’ Angels Treat for Troops program is a candy collection program just for Halloween! Businesses like dentist offices or churches typically collect candy from families in their area in exchange for prizes and then send the candy to the Soldiers’ Angels. Soldier’s Angels then collects all the sent in candy and sends it to troops overseas. While families may not have excess candy this year, they can still donate candy to businesses designated as drop off sites near them.

Want to donate your candy to Treats for Troops?

To find a business near you that is a collection site for Treat for Troops, check here.  There is an interactive map of the United States, or you can search by zip code. When you search by zip code, it is just looking for businesses within your zip code and not close by, so it is easiest to search on the map by zooming into your area. Families that bring in the candy to be dropped off are typically awarded buyback prizes for every pound brought in. In previous years, businesses have offered toothbrushes, gift cards, stickers, art supplies, and even cash!

The interactive map is the best way to search for a site near you. If you are unable to find a drop off location near you, you can mail the donation to Soldiers’ Angels directly at 2895 NE Loop, Suite 107, San Antonio, RX 78218.

What candy can be donated?

  • Unopened, individually wrapped candy
  • Small bags of loose candy like jelly beans or candy corn
  • Chocolate, and no it doesn’t have to separated

What candy is not accepted?

  • Handmade candy
  • Homemade treats
  • Baked goods – store-bought or homemade

When to donate?

Most donation drop-off sites accept candy through the first week of November. Perfect for post-Halloween festivities! Check the drop-off site nearest you for their information.

Do you have a business or know someone a business that would be perfect for a drop off site for Treats for Troops?
Businesses who want to be a Treats for Troops drop-off site must register online with Soldiers’ Angels here. All candy collected by the business must be shipped to the San Antonio, TX location of Soldier’s Angels, and their address is provided to the business once they register as a drop off-site. Businesses are responsible for buying their own buyback prizes.

So, if you don’t goblin up all your candy (haha – get it?), you can send it off to sweeten another person’s day!

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.

6 Tips to Create a Magical Disney Holiday at Home

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It is fair to say that from this Spring onward we have all been living through this strange world that feels like a cross between a Netflix mini-series and a misunderstood British comedy where none of the jokes make sense. All of us, adults included, just need a break. A Disney holiday is often an escape from reality – a much needed break from reality and resurgence of the fun and carefree feelings of being a kid again. Disneyland is currently still closed, and Disney World is at limited capacity.

Why not create an all-inclusive Disney holiday at home? Eat some Disney goodies, dress up to the nines, enjoy a few rides, and listen to the music of Disney with these links and tips below. This will be the most affordable trip to Disney – ever!

TASTE OF THE PARK

A favorite on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom, Casey’s Corner showcases delicious Corn Dog Bites. These bite size hot cogs encased in cornbread is perfect for on the go eating. Which is also great for making it at home because you can prep them in a muffin tray. Prep and make these to snack on in between rides courtesy of YouTube.

The Turkey Leg is a giant meat snack that can be found in both U.S. Disney parks. If you don’t have a smoker, but have a traditional grill at home, use wood chips in an aluminum packet in your grill to create the smoker effect.  Pecan, oak and hickory wood chips provide a moderate to aggressive smoke flavor to the meat.

A Mickey pretzel is an iconic snack that can be found in all the parks. Biting off Mickey’s ear is an image often shared on social media. In the parks, the pretzels are shaped into snowman for the winter holidays, and different characters or themes throughout the seasons. Try your hand at folding the pretzel into fun shapes, or three circles for the classic Mickey outline we all use for pancakes.

The Adventureland classic of a Dole Whip is delicious and creamy and a must-have on a visit to the Magic Kingdom. The amazing bonus is that the treat is 100% vegan! We have tried this recipe with Coconut Cream instead of whipping cream as a dairy-free option. Take a spoonful and close your eyes and don’t be surprised when you start humming the Tiki room intro.

Thankfully the Commissary is stocked with these ingredients, so you can easily prepare for a tasty visit to the Disney Parks. Well, maybe talk to the butcher about the Turkey Leg.

COSTUMES

Matching vibrant shirts to easily spot family members in the park isn’t needed for a visit from home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up! Chances are if you have solid color pieces at home, you can piece them together into an Alice costume or a Disney bound of the cats from Aristocats. Pinterest boasts many boards full of costume ideas using items or clothing you have at home. Use your closet without having to leave home to costume shop or spend extra money!

RIDES

Now that you are dressed up for the day and have food prepped and ready to go, it’s time for some rides.

Head to Tomorrowland and enjoy space travel through Space Mountain. The People Mover ride is a classic that is now only at Walt Disney World and while it isn’t considered a thrill ride, it’s a ride that will allow for taking in the atmosphere for the park. Another ride only at Walt Disney World, The Carousel of Progress, is one ride that Walt Disney personally worked on, preparing it for the World’s Fair in New York – bonus it can count as a history lesson for the kiddos.  Move to Fantasyland and take a ride on the musical) boat ride of It’s A Small World. While in Fantasyland, trade your boat in for a flying ship and go on Peter Pan’s Flight. Before heading over to Adventureland, make sure to ride Disneyland’s famed Storybook Land Canal boats. In Adventureland, riding Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise are a must do. Stop in New Orleans Square to ride the Haunted Mansion if you dare, before you ride the wildest ride in the wilderness at Big Thunder Mountain.  Disneyland’s Critter Country favorites of Splash Mountain and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are great ways to end the timeless rides.

Epcot’s classic rides of Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land are must dos. Don’t forget about Soarin’ Around the World and dive into the big blue world on The Seas with Nemo and Friends – all without the need for tickets, layovers or a long boat ride.

Make a stop over to the Animal Kingdom to ride Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur and Expedition Everest without worrying about height restrictions or long lines.

Toy Story fans will want to jump on the Slinky Dog Dash while those who favor the force will want to support the Rebels with the Star Wars – Rise of the Resistance and the Smuggler’s Run ride.

Head to Disneyland Paris to ride Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril! all while learning about the ride’s creation and history.

End the entertainment portion of your Disney day with a Fireworks show without the crowds or waiting. From the comfort of your own home, rain or shine, watch the feat of projected images, timed fireworks and music in the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show from the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. When the music starts, close your eyes and let that goosebumps and exhaustion mixture wave over you…without having walked the 30,000 steps taken in one day pushing the stroller and humping with a backpack.

SOUNDS

If you are looking to stream Disney music throughout the day, check out fan favorite Sorcerer Radio. The radio channel can be found online, on their app and on Roku. Sorcerer Radio shares the sounds of the park, sometimes complete with park noise. The Atmospheres station shares loops of park background music while the Spa Day station provides instrumental versions of Disney classics. Seasons showcases seasonal parade music and sound effects and seasonal ride music immersing you in the sounds of, well, the season. Planet D is a new station as of October 2019 offering Disney Pop remakes and Disney park remixes along with the traditional Disney pop music.

The Dapper Dans are a barbershop quartet that walk and sing along Main Street U.S.A. Getting creative, the groups virtually linked together to serenade to When You Wish Upon A Star bringing the sounds of Magic Kingdom into your home.

Get motivated with Disney Broadway stars singing “Go The Distance” – a favorite from the notable animated Disney film Hercules.

EXTRA

Since the parks shut down due to the pandemic, Disney Parks YouTube channel has released how-to-draw videos with Disney Imagineers. This is by far our favorite pastime from the days of visiting Disney California Adventure and hiding out in Animation Academy to take in a lesson on how to draw a character. There are several Learn to Draw lessons, and you should definitely check out Draw Your Pirate Scene.

TECH TIPS

Use the HDMI connection from your computer to your tv to easily click through links on here for in your face views of the rides and entertainment. Alternatively, use a device like a FireStick or Roku to use YouTube on your TV to look up rides.

Now, all that is left is to have a magical time!

6 Budget Friendly Items You Need for a Home Gym

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After the nation-wide shut down in March and onward, going to the gym hasn’t been as easy. With a lack of child care, no schools, and gym shutdowns to limitations, there has been a large movement to begin building a gym at home. Physical performance and fitness are operationally important (required!) for the military member and serves as a mental health exercise and a break as well. For those reasons and more, here are six recommendations to help you start your own home gym,

  1. Floor Mats – Can be utilized for comfort while doing stretches, yoga and body weight exercises. Don’t discount your kids old play mats – they can serve a second-life as your gym mats!
  2. Kettlebells – These small yet powerful items can be utilized for multiple exercises, stored in small places, and pack easily for exercise on the road.
  3. Jump Rope – Get cardio in no matter where you are, without moving far. Jump ropes can be shared among the adult members of family as part of a round robin exercise routine, and pack well.  Make sure you have a good clear space first.
  4. Resistance bands – These come in various thicknesses which provide light to heavy resistance which can challenge the muscles for building strength, but also for providing flexibility. These bands also travel well, and compact enough to fit in a suitcase or sea bag.
  5. Pull-Up Bar – With options of door frame mounted or wall-hung. Even if your service does not require Pull-Ups, they are a dynamic exercise that will serve to maintain your health, physique, and improve your push-ups.
  6. Dumbbells – For those wanting to invest a little more in their home gym, dumbbells are great. Like kettlebells, they can be utilized for various exercises. They come in weights as low as 1, 3, and 5 lbs. and up from there in 5 lbs. increments to develop strength and power.

The home gym is achievable with these affordable starters. With current restrictions, and the difficulty of lack of child care, home gyms are more popular now than ever before.  And in case you missed it – the beauty of most of these items is their transportability – perfect for the frequent moves of the military family with everchanging home sizes. Remember the Genie in Aladdin – “Phenomenal Cosmic Powers! Itty Bitty Living Space.”

The Exchange has been getting more of these items in stock recently, so check them out if you are looking to start or stock your home gym.

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.

How Will You Celebrate Thanksgiving this Year?

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The CDC releases guidelines for fall celebrations

With pumpkin spice lattes back and a bit of chill in the air, thoughts turn to the largest family gathering of the year, Thanksgiving. Families travel from all over the country to gather for a large meal, football games and parades. For military families, the holidays often mean travel to your hometown or family coming to visit you. This year with the COVID-19 pandemic, is it safe to have a large group of 20-30 in a home with no hope of social distancing? Can you enforce mask wearing? So how do you celebrate safely? The CDC recently released a set of guidelines to help mitigate your risk.

Before you plan to host a holiday celebration or attend one, check local regulations at local and state levels. Assess the current COVID-19 levels of the community where the event will take place. This factor as well as the location and duration of the affair contribute to the risk of getting infected. The safest way to celebrate is virtually or with just members of your immediate household. Anybody sick with COVID-19, has symptoms of COVID-19, been exposed to a person who has COVID-19 or anybody at higher risk of the illness should not attend.

CDC Guidelines on how to mitigate risk:

  • Do not hold your event if there are higher levels of COVID-19 in your community or where you are traveling to. Do not allow people to attend who are coming from higher risk areas.
  • If possible hold your event outside. Many parks have large pavilions to rent which allow for distancing. If you hold indoors open windows to increase ventilation.
  • The longer the event the greater the risk. Plan a shorter one to be safer.
  • Check your local restrictions on the number of people who can attend the event. The more people the greater your risk. Evaluate the space to make sure everyone can social distance.
  • Enforce safe behavior by requiring masks, social distancing of at least six feet and frequent handwashing or the use of hand sanitizer. Plan to have extra masks, tissues, and hand sanitizer available.
  • Have all attendees avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days prior to the event. After the event if you have been exposed to a lot of people outside of your immediate household
  • Avoid close contact. No hugs, kisses, or handshakes. Waving is a good substitute.
  • Food Safety – For those in contact with the food wash hands often. Have one person serve the food so multiple people are not in contact with the serving utensils. Use single serving condiments. According to the CDC, currently there is no evidence that handling or eating food directly spreads COVID-19.
  • Throughout the event clean and sanitize high touch areas. After the event wash all linens such as tablecloths, napkins, and kitchen towels as well as hand towels.

Although travel poses its own risks it may be a good option for multi-family get togethers. Pick a central destination for extended family to meet. Ideally a place within driving distance for everyone so no one must fly. If you do fly look for airlines that don’t book all the seats on a flight. Check out a full-service resort or a rent a separate cabin for each family. A resort allows separate sanitized rooms and lots of space on the property to spread out. The event planner can help plan a meal served in an event room which will allow for social distancing while dining. Some cabin resorts have facilities for groups and if you keep your numbers down can be a safer option. Outdoor activities like hiking or walks on the beach are safer ways to spend time together than sitting door to dinner in a packed dining room.

Photo Credit: ©Svetlana /Shutterstock

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? How do you plan to keep your family safe? Share your tips in the comments.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

8 Fall Pumpkin Recipes that Aren’t Your Basic Pumpkin Spice Latte

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It’s Fall Y’all. Which means it’s Pumpkin Time! If you are overseas, start hoarding those cans of pumpkin once they arrive at the commissary – you’ll want to try out all of these recipes! For those in the states- while canned pumpkin may be more readily available, you’ll still want to gather more than one can to enjoy these pumpkin recipes this fall!

BREAKFAST

  • Pumpkin Muffins: Who doesn’t love an easy grab and go breakfast or snack. These muffins are transportable, whole grain, low fat and full of flavor! Change up the cranberries for nuts, dark chocolate or other dried fruits and you could have a pumpkin muffin daily all season long. Make it a double batch and freeze some for later – that way you don’t eat them all in one week – they are that delicious.

LUNCH/DINNER

  • Pumpkin Soup: Cool fall days call for hearty warm soups and this creamy pumpkin soup delivers that with all the pumpkin-y goodness along with cream and spices. Top with roasted pepitas for a crunch.
  • Pumpkin Pasta Sauce: This one may surprise you, but pumpkin makes an amazing base for this delicious sauce for the heavenly bed of pasta.
  • Spicy Pumpkin Chili: Pumpkin and chili are two fall classics, so it makes sense that they are being combined for this robust chili. The addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to the other spices are delicious and perfect for fall movie nights.

SNACKS

  • Pumpkin Bread: This bread is perfect for chill days at home, and this one has pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in it! Where was this recipe when we were all on lock down this spring? Doesn’t matter, we will make this bread over and over again.

DESSERT

  • Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake: Cheesecake is a heavenly dessert, and when you add pumpkin to it, it just elevates it to fall-scented heaven. The gingersnap and pecan crust contrasts with the smooth pumpkin cheesecake filling. This recipe does take a bit more time as it needs to chill for at least 4 hours prior to serving so plan accordingly. This dessert may just lead to your eating a piece of it in a closet away from your spouse and/or children it’s so good.
  • Pumpkin Fluff Dip:  This is a personal favorite – it’s easy to make, only takes a few ingredients and is gosh darn delicious. It’s a fall dip that is sure to please! Dip graham crackers, animal crackers, apple slices or kohlrabi into the dip – there really isn’t a bad choice.
  • Pumpkin Twinkies: This classic favorite with a twist is perfect for fall indulgence. Who doesn’t love a Twinkie? Infuse it with pumpkin and it’s a win-win!

Orange you pumped for all these pumpkin recipes? (See what I did there?)

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.

8 Ways to Celebrate Halloween During the Pandemic

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Halloween is eerie and amusing. In September and October, the weather cools, sweaters come out, crockpots are filled with chili and the weekends are filled with pumpkin picking and Halloween themed activities. Instead of visits to theme parks for their Halloween-themed parties or fall festivals with bobbing for apples, this year will be fueled by creative ways to celebrate the spirit of the holiday.  While the celebrations will be different this year, they are creative and safe ways to celebrate Halloween.

  1. Make costume making a contest at home. If everyone isn’t of an age to whip out the hot glue gun and sew sequins, make it a drawing contest! Make plans for fun costumes to make together by drawing ideas for family costumes. Challenge each other to be creative with what you have in the house. This will minimize going out for a shopping trip for costumes and utilize what you have on hand in a fun way. Get ideas for costumes using your solid color outfits on primary.com’s DIY costume section.
  2. Wear costumes once a week. Let’s be honest parents – we all love the costume activities throughout the month of October because we can get that unit cost down on that costume we bought. Keep that weekly spirit alive by designating a costume day a week. Maybe a Freaky Friday? Most of the country is virtual schooling anyway!
  3. Make fall treats at home. While large group gatherings aren’t recommended by the CDC currently, staying at home to make all the fall treats is still doable. Make popcorn balls, pumpkin cake, and apple cider at home. Check with local farms near you to see if they are offering curbside pickup of their treats to enjoy at home.
  4. Boo your neighbors and friends. Booing friends has become a tradition that we look forward to every year. So much so that we start prepping the next years basket in the current season! Booing can be done safely. Prepare baskets with store-bought items. If you want to provide extra precautions consider wrapping the basket in cellophane and “quarantine” it prior to delivery of said “Boo.” Given the different levels of comfort, text or call the person you are “boo”ing beforehand to make sure they are okay with it and let them know what precautions you took. If you are “Boo’d” and you don’t know who dropped it off, you can quarantine it for a few days before digging into it.
  5. Decorate your home outside. It is common for families to walk or drive around neighborhoods to take in holiday décor, why not decorate outside the home encouraging the neighborly spirit and take a walk enjoying the décor in your neighborhood?!
  6. Make it a Quarun-team Halloween. If you have a group of families or friends that have been socially distancing together, consider doing a round robin at just those homes or backyards for a Halloween themed activity or treat. It will keep up the Halloween holiday spirit without the large gathering.  
  7. Keep Trick or Treating Outside. While haunted houses (and garages) are awesome, closed spaces are not ideal this year. Don’t forget to wear cloth masks and avoid large crowds. Trick or treat with tongs to put candy into bags to minimize touching and once you are home from trick or treating, resist the urge to raid the bag for a few days allowing for your candy to “quarantine.” 
  8. Have one person hand out candy. To minimize multiple hands being in the bowl, have one person hand out the candy directly into the trick-or-treaters baskets. Other creative ways to trick or treat are to put candy on a laundry line for children or on straws in their yard to “pick” off the line or the ground.

If you or your child have been exposed to COVID-19 or may have COVID-19, it is recommended you do not participate in in-person Halloween activities like trick or treating or handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Instead, stay home, rest, and cuddle up with The Great Pumpkin. Call your doctor or pediatrician as needed.

While this year has certainly required creativity for the everyday, it is in full effect for Halloween this year. Now as Shakespeare said in MacBeth, “double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.