Our Wedding



We got married December 2nd at Maui :-) finding a dress for a destination wedding, to fly across the US and over the ocean seemed challenging until my sister pulled this one out for me to try on. It was love at first sight.

It's not a wedding without a bouquet! Since we had a destination wedding and a reception later, I found a lady on Etsy that made custom broach bouquets, it was perfect. My bouquet was filled with vintage broaches symbolizing Justin and I, our begininng, as well some in memory of my Grandparents and Aunt who were with us in spirit.

 

Maui was absolutely beautiful, a true paradise!



 Our custom"Knotty Blocks" that sat with our guest book, everyone loved them:



WEDDING CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!! We chose a beach theme to fit our wedding. It was oh so yummy. We saved the top layer for our 1st anniversary.

If I can offer any advice to bride-to-be's it would be this:

2. People never remember the decorations, simple is great with lights of course!

3. Skip the free booze and favors, your guests will buy their own drinks and favors get left laying around!

4. Make a list of pictures for your photographers this way you will not "forget" anyone.

5. Whether a band or dj have them play music that people can actually dance too, consider your grandparents that might want a couple polka, waltz and so on, "jig-a-boo" music is okay but not all night!

6. It's not the size of your diamond, it's the meaning that never ending ring represents!

7. Toasting glasses, cake knifes, personalized napkins are nice but not really necessary, save your $.

8. Smile the whole day, people are snapping pictures all the time! My face felt numb about 3 hours into it-haha!

9. Don't get worked up over the people who don't send the RSVP's back, order for the number you have for sure, some of the people that tell you they are coming...won't show up. Sad but true you do find out how important you really are in some people's life. 

11. Let your family and friends throw you a shower/party it's a lot of fun and a great way to show you just how much you mean to them.

12. Always, always send thank you cards out for shower gifts, and again for wedding gifts.

13. It's your day, everything will be just beautiful and exactly how you want it!

 


John Michael Montgomery says it best:
Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

Easter Goodies

Valentines Day is here and gone. Ash Wednesday is next week. It's time to start thinking about Easter. Last year I made the cutest cupcakes! Okay I might sound a bit bias, you can decide for youself! I made my normal chocolate cupcakes topped with buttercream frosting, licorice, and jelly beans.

 

My husband carried these around by the basket handle (licorice). We found the Starburst Licorice works wonderfully as they actually hold the weight of the cupcake once the frosting dried.

I hope to post more Easter goodies soon!
Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Tan

My mother's friend turned 48 on February 10th! I made him a cake that reflects is character.



OXO Steel Pop Storage Containers

Pinterest has given me wonderful ideas for the home, garden, crafts, cakes, etc. and is helping me get our home organized. I absolutely love these OXO Steel Pop Containers. These were purchased from Herberger's-  Target also has them but with white plastic tops. Living in the country, 45 minutes from a grocery store, our pantry is always well stocked. It's so much easier to be organized!

Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes

I am completely hooked on foodnetwork shows like Cupcake Wars...Kid in a Candy Store, Unwrapped etc....they all have such creative, tasty ideas! Inspired by Cupcake Wars I have created my very first mocha cupcake with a coffee buttercream frosting.

Chocolate Mocha Cupcake

1 1/2 c. cake flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c. sugar

2/3 c. cocoa

1/2 c. butter - melted

2/3 c. buttermilk
2 whole eggs

2 egg whites

4 tsp vanilla

6 tbsp strong coffee (I used 6 Tbsp hot water mixed with 2 Tbsp instant mocha coffee)

Whisk the first 6 ingredients listed in a bowl. In stand mixer (I love my KitchenAid stand mixer!) beat egg and egg whites, stir in buttermilk, vanilla, melted butter and coffee. Slowing add dry ingredients until mixed well.

In a "Mini Muffin Pan" fill each cupcake 3/4 full of batter and bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool completely.

Coffee Buttercream Frosting
1 stick of butter - softened

4 tbsp warm water

2 tbsp instant coffee

2 tsp vanilla

6 c powdered sugar

Dissolve the coffee in warm water and set aside. In stand mixer whip butter until it is fluffy. Add vanilla and coffee water. Slowing add powdered sugar and mix well. Add a couple drops of milk if needed to make the frosting spreadable.

Lastly, pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes. I kept the decorations very simple but a chocolate covered coffee bean or a plain coffee bean on the top of the piped frosting looks and tastes great!

This recipe makes 96 mini cupcakes!
Enjoy!



Brownie Dessert Pizza

     We love pizza, fruit pizza, vegatable pizza! Although our usual fruit pizza has a homemade flour and butter crust and is delightful, I saw another idea using a brownie for the crust. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

Brownie Dessert Pizza

1 box brownie mix - family sized

Water-Oil-Egg as called for on box

1 8oz package cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

your favorite fruit - sliced

Direction: Mix brownie mix according to box. Spread on a 12 inch pizza pan, bake as directed on the box. Cool completely. Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together until smooth. Spread on brownie crust. Top with your favorite fruits. Optional: drizzle melted chocolates to pretty it up a bit!

I was so excited to try something new, I was slightly limited different types of fruits, but you get the concepts! This is such a pretty dish. I recommend serving them in small pieces as it tends to be quite rich!

Enjoy!

Cheeseburger Hotdish

I generally get home around six o'clock from work and begin preparing supper. I try to choose something easy during the week as I do not like eating anything after seven. Last night I tried a new recipe out of the Braddock Centennial Cookbook compliments of one of our neighbor ladies.

Cheeseburger Hotdish
1.5 pounds hamburger 
1 small onion chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 bag french fries
shredded cheese

Directions: Brown hamburger and onion, season with salt and pepper. Add soups. Top with french fries. Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.

*I modified the directions to fit my time limit. I baked the fries in the oven while browning the hamburger/onion. After adding the soups I let the mixture simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes before adding the already baked french fries. I sprinkled the cheese on and covered it for a couple minutes to melt. Ta-da supper was served.

Next time I will be adding some sort of a vegatable and possibly topping with hashbrowns!

Enjoy!

Mexican Meat Cups

I love trying new recipes. When my sister and mother hosted a bridal shower in my honor, she requested guests to bring recipes to share. This recipe was shared by our photographer Corrina  from www.corrinabeck.com!

Mexican Meat Cups

• Refrigerator biscuits
• 1 lb. hamburger
• Taco Seasoning
• 1 sm. can tomato paste
• 1 c. water
• Shredded cheese
• Salsa
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded Lettuce
• Sour Cream

Roll out fridge biscuits as far as you can without tearing them; flip over a muffin pan and spray with non-stick spray. Form the biscuits over the muffin mounds; bake according to the biscuit package or until slightly brown. In the meantime, brown hamburger; add taco seasoning, tomato paste and water and cook on medium heat until thoroughly mixed. Once the biscuits are done, remove from pan and flip it over, place the biscuits in the muffin holder and put a large spoonful of the hamburger mixture in each biscuits. Top with shredded cheese and stick back in the over for a minute to melt cheese. Remove and add salsa, diced tomatoes, lettuce and sour cream.

* I copied the photo from the recipe as it was prettier than the one I took! I served ours with chips. Thank you Corrina, we loved them!!!