Thursday, August 25, 2011

Single digits. And a cat video.

Well, it's almost here. We're in the single digits folks. After over a year of planning, I'm getting married in 9 days.

Nine.

Let's put that in perspective, shall we?

9 days ago was last Tuesday.

9 days from now our milk expires.

2 days from now will be my Saturday as a single person.

9 days from now my last name will change forever. Okay, more than just my last name will change forever, but you get the point.

I'm sorry....WHAT?!

Thankfully I'm surrounded by family and friends who are beyond helpful and supportive. They're my rock and I don't know if I would be sane (okay, pseudo-sane) right now without them. Love y'all.

But, if you didn't get it before, here's a little look into how I'm feeling right now. I think this little guy gets it. And I don't even like cats.



OMG is right, my friend. OMG is right.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Super Simple Pesto Sauce

Sorry for the neglect again! I think it's probably safe to say that blogging won't be a regular thing until Camp ends. Saddest day, right? Or somefing.

I thought I'd post really quickly, though, to share a recipe that I've used a few times in the past few weeks. Fiance approves, so that's how you know it's good....okay, not necessarily. Homeboy loves almost everything. But it's good, trust me.

I needed a new sauce recipe for a present I received: A PASTA ROLLER AND CUTTER ATTACHMENT FOR MY KITCHENAID! I know, right?! Fiance's parents are the best of the best. So, for homemade pasta, I knew I needed a sauce that wouldn't be too complicated so that I could focus on making the pasta itself. I adapted my recipe from none other than PW. Her Pesto Cream Sauce recipe looked so tasty, I knew I had to try it. But I didn't want to make the pesto. Lazy, right? You can judge. So here's what I came up with!

This recipe can be made per person, even for just one or two. You can make it and put it on low heat and you'll be good to go. In my eyes, it's the perfect go-to sauce!

Super Simple Pesto Sauce
Remember that this is per person, so adjust accordingly to how many you're feeding!
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon pesto (store bought or your own, up to you!)
  • 1 teaspoons cream cheese
  • grated parmesan cheese (not the green shake-y Kraft cheese, please! It's in your best interest, promise.)

In a saucepan on medium heat, add the cream and butter.  Stir until the butter is completely melted and incorporated. Add the pesto and stir. Honestly, on the cream cheese I guessed on the measurements. I just added what looked like it would work, and would add more as it melted to thicken the sauce. It's always easier to add more, not take it away! But let's be real, cream cheese is cream cheese; I welcome it at all times. Add the parmesan cheese and stir. I usually do a generous pinch, which normally ends up being around two teaspoons. It's salty, like the pesto, so taste after you add it to see what you think!
After the cheese is melted, turn your saucepan to low heat and stir occasionally. When your pasta (measured per person) is cooked and drained, add immediately to the saucepan and stir all the lovely goodness together.

And there you have it! Tasty and simple. I don't think you could ask for anything more.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Progress...and some mushiness.

Sorry for the lack of postage. After my dad and I's Aussie trip I had to hit the ground running. Camp started (yayyy!!!) and wedding planning began full force.  Here's what we've been working on:
  • Pennants pennants pennants! Shout out to my bestie Avery Sarah for helping me with all the sewing. Homegirl's got talent...and a new ruffle foot for her machine! (P.S. You should check out her etsy shop! She makes the cutest stadium dresses. Love love love them.)
  • Shoe shopping. I bought the expensive shoes, tried them on and they didn't look so good, sent them back, thought I found another pair only to discover that they'd already sold, found out they're not made anymore, emailed about 15 random fashion bloggers to ask if I could buy them, no such luck, panic, back up shoes, disaster, constant reminding that they're just shoes. Welcome to my brain, it's cozy here.
  • We found all the blue mason jars we need! Hallelujah.
  • The tea bar. Get ready for some amazing mixes. Think QT style. 
  • Guestbook. It's cuuute.
But I think the most exciting thing that we've finished is...REGISTERING. After hours (literally, like 7 hours on a Saturday. I know, Fiance's a trooper) and hours of researching and scanning and re-scanning and deleting, we're finally finished! You can check it out here, here, here, and even a little bit here.  We did our best to spread out items and pick things that I truly believe we'll use. But I had to constantly remind myself that not everything has to coordinate yet; we're young! We can get away with mismatched things for a while.

All in all, this past month's been a blur. But a recurring thought I've had is this: I am so, so blessed. Between my family, friends, and an amazing Fiance, I sure do have a good life. And I'm getting excited for the wedding, not stressed, which I take to be a good sign.

Speaking of my Fiance (if you don't like mushy things, now's the time to bow out), happy birthday a day early, love! This is the last birthday we'll spend as an unmarried couple...weird! So blessed to be marrying this hunk.

Look at that smile. I'm melting. Thanks for 4 amazing years! I'm so blessed to be marrying a man with a heart for God, children, and serving others. You're a daily source of encouragement and strength and I don't know where I'd be without you. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. You da best.

There, I'm done. Wasn't too bad, was it?

I'll have some food posts soon. I think I've been slacking on that front. But as Fiance can attest, I think you'll like the recipes! They're focused on fresh, farmer's market ingredients. And it can't get better than that.

    Saturday, May 21, 2011

    Intro to Marriage, Part I

    Me: "Well, I just don't know. I love the look of white bedspreads because they're so crisp and clean, but we probably won't be able to paint our apartment, ya know? And we have the time to play with colors and funky patterns before we have to be super grown-up. But for the plates, I mean, I just CAN'T BELIEVE that they would be double the price at another store! That just doesn't make sense. Why are they so much cheaper? Do they have a deal worked out? Or WHY are the other stores charging that much? It's just so strange, ya know? (long pause) Hey....are you there?"
    Fiance: "Oh, I thought you were just talking stuff out with yourself. What were you saying?"

    I just have to laugh when that happens because you know what? I can't blame him. Half the time, I am calling to talk things out. And I can't help but smile and think, "So this is what marriage is like." Granted, I understand a year from now it won't make me so smiley but hey, I'll laugh while I can.

    Unfortunately I do this to him a lot. Especially right now during The Registration Period. It has capitalized letters because it's a pretty big deal...this is a big step towards the marriage. A stressful step. Like on a Stairmaster. Or on an escalator that's going too fast and you feel like you don't have enough time to step on AND maintain your balance (it happens to you, too, don't lie). Whatever, you understand.

    Because here's the problem...I'm planning for an apartment/living space I've never seen. We don't know what city we'll live in, let alone what apartment complex, which is daunting in and of itself. But planning the decor for an unknown space? Drivin' me crazy. Fiance and I had a "pre-registration" day on Monday where we visited stores to compare products and prices. I thought this would make me feel better, give me better direction for what I want. False. I'm more confused than ever.

    Normally, my problem lies in too many good options. 8 piece nuggets or char-grilled chicken sandwich? Pumps or wedges? Puppies or...fat puppies? All good options. But what if I don't like anything? That's the current situation. Not that I love it all, but that I'd rather not have any. I'm wondering (read: hoping) it's the current awkward-ness of the year. You know, not-quite-spring-but-not-summer-yet thing. Do new styles get released in June? If so, I'll wait until then.

    If not, well....we'll just see what we end up with. On the bright side, Fiance doesn't really care what it looks like. He keeps reminding me that it doesn't matter because we'll be married. I politely remind him that it would be nice to live in some semblance of decoration, but he's right, in the end it doesn't really matter...too much. Lesson learned.

    P.S. Remember this post about registering? I'm going for a Wii. Dream big, right?