Goodbye 2009

2009 was a BIG year for me (us)...

1 - We planned a wedding

2 - I was excepted to blog for Weddingbee
2 - We got MARRIED
3 - We moved in together
4 - Made some major purchases together

In 2010 I'm (we're) hoping to...

1 - Finish my AA in Interior Design and begin my BA
2 - Purchase a Condo
3 - Get a puppy (have to get the condo first though, not fair to have a puppy in our 1 bedroom apt)
4 - Try new recipes (that one is a definite!)
5 - Try to blog everyday
6 - Exercise and eat healthier

7 - Finish my Weddingbee recaps

Happy New Year Everyone!

Red Burgundy Velvet Cake

After a couple conversations about Christmas dinner it was determined that the Hubs and I (read I) would bring dessert, more specifically a Red Velvet Cake. I've been wanting to make a Red Velvet cake for quite sometime now and after seeing this tasty cake on Playing House I was dead set on making one... sans the cheesecake though, because I knew I'd have no time.
Christmas Eve Eve I went I stopped by Sur La Table on my lunch break, in attempt to find true red food coloring. The 'red' I had a hope was 'mauve'. Sadly all I could find was 'burgandy', but I did find a super cute cake tester and the cake caddy I've had my eye on.

After a quick Google search to find a winning Red Velvet Cake recipe I decided on this recipe on the Food Network website by Cakeman Raven.

Red Burgundy Velvet Cake

Recipe by Cakeman Raven found here

Ingredients
Vegetable oil for the pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons red burgundy food coloring (1 ounce)
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Directions
1 - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour 3 (9 by 1 1/2-inch round) cake pans.

2 - In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.

3 - Using a standing mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and a smooth batter is formed.

4 - Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Place the pans in the oven evenly spaced apart. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking, until the cake pulls away from the side of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

5 - Remove the cakes from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides of the pans. One at a time, invert the cakes onto a plate and then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.

6 - Frost the cake

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients
1 pound cream cheese, softened
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 sticks maragarine (1 cup), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1 - In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and butter on low speed until incorporated.

2 - Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)

3 - Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally).

4 - Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. (May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.)

He Cooks - Lighter Twice Baked Potatoes

The year on Christmas Day we spent the day at my parent's house. (Like we've done every year since we've met). This year we were in charge of an appetizer, side and dessert. The side was the Hubs job and he decided to make twice baked potatoes, something he normally can't eat because of all the dairy, but he managed to alter enough for his picky stomach. I'm not gonna lie, he did a GREAT job on these - the were Taste-EEE!

Twice Baked Potatoes
Adapted from this recipe from Hungry Girl

Ingredients
5 medium sized baking potato

Olive Oil
3/4 cup reduced fat shredder Cheddar Cheese

3/4 cup Tofutti Sour Cream
1 oz. Fat Free Original Liquid Coffee-mate
Paprika, salt, pepper, parsley

1 - Rub oil olive on potato skins, poke holes with a fork and bake Potatoes at 350 for about 1 hr

2 - Peel the skin off the top side of the potato, scoop out the inside of the potato, leaving behind an empty potato "shell."

3 - Take steaming hot potato, add cheese, sour cream, Coffee-mate and a little salt & pepper. Mash it all together until the cheese melts and you're left with a creamy, cheesy mashed potato mixture.

4 - Place potato mixture back into the potato shell, sprinkle with paprika & parsley.

5 - Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until top is nice and brown.

Christmas Eve Green Beans

Since about Jr High my family and my BFF Jane's family has spent Christmas Eve together... that is until we grew-up, went to college and got married. This year was the first year in 3 years (are you following?) that the Hubs and I have been able to make the Christmas Eve gathering. Unfortunately Jane (her husband and son) went to the East Coast, but hopefully next year we'll all be there.

Anywhoodle, Sandy (Jane's Mom) asked me to bring a green bean dish. For weeks I tried to find a lactose intolerant friendly green bean casserole recipe, in fact I was 'this close' to making this Alton Brown recipe and substituting Original flavored Coffeemate creamer for the half and half, but mushroom were EXPENSIVE so I moved on and altered this recipe for MUCH cheaper.

Christmas Eve Green Beans
Adapted from this recipe on Woman's Day

Ingredients
2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
4 slices Applewood smoked bacon
3 large (brown) onions, thinly sliced (divided)
2 Tbsp Margarine
2 Tbsp cider vinegar
1/4 tsp salt and pepper

Directions
1 - Thinly slice 2 onions and saute in pan with margarine for about 30 mins (carmelize)

2 - Trim green beans.

3 - In large pot, bring green beans and enough water to cover to a boil. Cook 6 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.

4 - Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp; drain on paper towel. Remove all but 2 Tbsp bacon fat from skillet.

5 - Add last onion (sliced in rings and quartered) and sauté until slightly golden.

6 -Crumble bacon.

7 - Add green beans, onions, bacon, vinegar, salt and pepper; toss to coat.

I Want, I Need, I Have to Have: Cookie Jar

Ever since I saw that Frenchie cookie jar at Cracker Barrel, I've been surfing the internet for a cookie jar. I think I've found 'the one' - this Ceramic Aqua Mint Cupcake Cookie Jar by Etsy seller fruitflypie.




Pretty cute, huh? Do you have a cookie jar?

Adventures in Dining Out: Mad Greek

Any Vegas road-tripper worth their salt knows about the Mad Greek in Baker, CA. The Hubs and I make a stop there on our way bake from Las Vegas or St George anytime we head out there. Even if we're not hungry... we'll get it to go and eat it later down the road. This last time was no exception.


There was a bad accident on the 15 when we were driving home Monday, so after 2 hours in stop, wait 15 mins and go traffic, we couldn't wait for some Mad Greek.


The inside is decorated just a gaudy as the outside and it was a mad house. Not surprisingly many other travelers suck in the traffic had the same idea.


Hubs ordered the Beefeater sandwich

and a side of fried zucchini.

I ordered the Gyro...

Which, of course, comes with yummers Tzatziki Sauce.

Mmmmm Greek Food, nom nom nom.

Five for Friday: Christmas Edition

Previous Fridays

1 - You love Christmas, it is your favorite holiday
2 - You wanted to make twice baked potatoes for Christmas dinner and found a recipe on Hungry Girl
3 - You like eating at diners and fancy restaurants
4 - You're really sneaky about buying Christmas presents

5 - Your face lights up when you get a gift you really wanted

Adventures in Dining Out: Cracker Barrel

As may have already read, the Hubs and I went to St George, UT last weekend to visit half my In Laws. As far as I know St George is home to our closest Cracker Barrel and I've talked the Hubs into going the last two times we've been in town. It wasn't that hard to convince him, all I really had to do was mention the biscuits and sawmill gravy.

As well as being a restaurant, Cracker Barrel has an old country store where you can buy rocking chairs, over-sized checkers, candy, iron skillets etc.

I as really tempted to buy this French Bulldog cookie jar, but I couldn't really use it all year long, and I need one I can keep out all the time.

After cruising around the store we sat down for Breakfast/Lunch (isn't that Brunch? Nope, it was lunch but we ate breakfast food). Cracker Barrel has great 'country decor'.

Not only is there a bunch of fun stuff to look at while you're waiting for you food but they have this game on every table.

After staring at the Breakfast and Lunch Menus we chose out plan of action. The Hubs ordered the Smokehouse Breakfast.

And, I ordered One Egg and Turkey Sausage... plus Hubs gave me his grits. I big puffy heart grits!

I would like to tell you we didn't we everything you see above, but we did. What? We were on vacation :)

Eating Tips I Can Get Behind!

I read this over on Crafts and Cardigans yesterday. I already told Anne, not to be surprised if it ended up over here because I LOVE it! Back to Cooking Light after the Holidays.

10 Holiday Eating Tips

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat step #3.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello!

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table--like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa--position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over. But hurry--January is just around the corner!

Happy Holidays!

Two Places at Once

This past weekend the Hubs and I went to St. George, UT. St George is the first city in Utah when you drive in from Las Vegas. You actually drive through Arizona for about 30 mins, through Virgin River Gorge.


In the past, there's never been a safe place to stop and take a picture of the Arizona/Utah state line, but this year there were a few new roads put in and we drove right down the state line on Saturday morning. I, of course, made them all stop to I could take a picture and blog all about it.

Here I am in two places at once.

I need to talk to Hubs about taking pictures at more flattering angles.

This of course also reminds me on a movie... A Walk to Remember, **Spoiler Alert** the dying Mandy Moore has being in two places at once on her list of things to do before she dies and Shane West's character takes her to a state line. Love that movie! Makes me cry every time.

I Want, I Need, I Have to Have: Chocolate & Bacon

Happy Monday Internets! The Hubs and I are on our way back from visiting his Mom and Step Dad in St George, UT. We may be driving by Vegas as you read this or maybe we're already home.... it would be so nice to already be home and not still in the car, pray for that, k?

Anyway while I'm praying for no traffic on the 15 you should check out this CHOCOLATE BACON house, over at Almost Bourdain!

Yes, you read that right - BACON! I'm so tempted to make this when I get home... Hello, there is bacon!

50 Ways to Improve Your Marriage

One of my friends from Weddingbee pointed out this article to me the other day. I love it because these are totally simple things you can do to make your marriage better... and a lot of these things the Hubs and I already do. It's kinda like, 'Keep up the good work and try these things too'.

50. Schedule date nights regularly.

49. Speak your truth in a respectful way.

48. Ask for what you want or need.

47. Share your feelings often.

46. Create magical moments.

45. Compliment your spouse daily.

44. Change yourself instead of trying to change your spouse.

43. Look your best, dress up and be well groomed.

42. Lower your expectations.

42. Learn to enjoy each others company.

41. Plan for good times.

40. Support each other’s individual goals.

39. Create goals together.

38. Do service work together.

37. Eat as many meals together as possible.

36. Talk to each other for 30 minutes a day.

35. Pray or meditate together.

36. Share in each others interests.

34. Touch your spouse several times a day.

33. Kiss every day for at least 12 seconds.

32. Apologize and state how your behavior will change.

31. Spend time away from each other.

30. Be trustworthy.

29. Remove the television from your bedroom.

28. Accept each other’s flaws.

27. Don’t take each other for granted.

26. Give each other space.

25. Offer to help with daily chores.

24. Say please and thank you no matter how big or small the act.

23. Always give away the extra cookie.

22. Serve yourself last.

21. Check in with each other while apart by talking or texting.

20. Clean the other’s car.

19. Watch some TV together.

18. Be the first person to pick up the dishes from the table.

17. Smile often.

16. Gaze into each other’s eyes.

15. Eat meals slowly and really listen when the other speaks.

14. Refuse to hold a grudge.

13. Cuddle often.

12. Be honest.

11. Forgive often.

10. Surprise each other.

9. Spend 3 weekends alone together each year.

8. Plan and stick to your budget together.

7. Always discuss major purchases before making them.

6. Laugh at each others mistakes.

5. Never threaten each other.

4. Make honesty your best policy.

3. Respect each other.

2. Remember together you’re a team.

1. Make love often.

I especially like #2 because it's an inside joke between the Hubs and I. Has anyone seen The Graduate? (Great movie! If you haven't seen it I TOTALLY recommend it! It's like being let in on a cinema secret - TV and Film use camera angles and scenes from this movie all the time) Anyway, if you haven't stop reading now and leave me a comment... if you have, you know when Ben goes to Elaine and talks to he about Carl's proposal. And Carl's reasoning for them getting married is they 'make a good team'? They way he says it sounds so unromantic so we always joked that being a 'good team' was bad, but secretly good.

Cooking Light: Fresh Tomato, Sausage, & Pecorino Pasta

Source

I'm leading with the photo of this recipe from the Cooking Light website because, as you'll see, mine didn't turn out as pretty.

Heirloom Tomato, Sausage, & Spaghetti Squash
Adapted from this recipe from Cooking Light

Ingredients

1/2 Large Spaghetti Squash
8 ounces sweet Italian sausage
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup vertically sliced onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/4 pounds tomatoes, chopped
6 tablespoons grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Directions

1 - Pre-cut onion, garlic and tomatoes

2 - Cook spaghetti squash, for directions check out this post I did on Vegetarian Spaghetti.

3 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add sausage and onion to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring to crumble sausage.

4 - Add garlic; cook 2 minutes.

5 - Stir in tomatoes; cook 2 minutes.

6 - Remove from heat; stir in pasta, 2 tablespoons cheese, salt, and pepper.

7 - Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and basil.

Wine note: Italian sausage craves a clean-tasting wine with the substance to complement the rest of the dish without overwhelming it. The smoky 2006 San Lorenzo Verdicchio Vigna Delle Oche ($23) is a great choice. -Gary Vaynerchuck

Mine doesn't look quite as colorful. I thought we had WAY more fresh basil than we did... well we did have more it was just all brown. I also let the 'sauce' sit on the stove WAY too long while I tried to salvage the little bits of green basil I could.

I also made sad pieces of garlic bread (which were tasty, just not visually appealing) with Weight Watchers bread, margarine and Lawry's garlic salt.

Five for Friday

Previous Fridays

1 - You have no idea what I got you for Christmas
2 - You're really excited to go to Cracker Barrel with me when we visit your Mom
3 - You tell me you appreciate the things I do for you
4 - When you get really excited about something that is funny your whole body laughs
5 - You give me a hug and kiss every morning before I leave for work

I Want, I Need, I Have to Have: This House!

The Hubs spent most of yesterday emailing me listing from RedFin. What can I say, when we have nothing to do at work we surf the net and waste hours and hours of time. Every listing he would send me, I'd imagine our stuff inside and cooking in the kitchen... entertaining in the backyard. Le Sigh.

This was my favorite listing... out of our budget, but a girl can dream right?

Anyway, the problem with the area we live in is it's beautiful, a lot of people want to live here, so real estate is very expensive... and if you ask me grossly overpriced a lot of the time. (I'm a little bitter don't get me started). So, this house isn't really in a town I would like to live in... mainly because I have a certain comfort level with my proximity to the ocean and distance from the freeway. I want to be closer to the ocean than the freeway... I'm picky, it's a problem. Anyway, I would compromise on those things for this cute house and this ADORABLE kitchen!

I might even do it for this adorable Craftsman that is more realistic (read in our price range).

It seams as though all someone has to do is paint something yellow and I want to live in it, but built-ins don't hurt.

As you can see, the Hubs and I prefer older homes... would you rather buy a brand new home or an older home with character?

Christmas Temptation

It's that time of year again, the time of year where these boxes start appearing in our office.

Monday we received our first box of See's Candies. I really wasn't looking forward to the Sea of Temptation that was going to parade through our office this Christmas, but I soon realized that because of the economy people weren't sending out Christmas baskets and tins of popcorn. It's about time this recession was good for something... my waistline.

Thank God, I only like one of the chocolates that come in this box - The Scotchmallow.

Mmmm the honey marshmellowy, caramellowy goodness. Sorry Office, I'm the one who opened the box on Monday night, ate the one candy I liked and left the rest to tempt you on the counter.

Don't worry though, I'll eat all those cookies the property management group dropped of this morning. They are my weakness.

What is your favorite See's Candy?

Menu for Hope

What is Menu for Hope, you ask? According to Chez Pim...

Menu for Hope is an annual fundraising campaign hosted by me and a revolving group of food bloggers around the world. Five years ago, the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia inspired me to find a way to help, and the very first Menu for Hope was born. The campaign has since become a yearly affair.

Each December, food bloggers from all over the world join the campaign by offering a delectable array of food-related items for the Menu for Hope raffle. Anyone – and that means you too - can participate. For every $10 donated, you earn one virtual ticket to bid on an item of your choice. At the end of the two-week campaign, the tickets are drawn and the results announced on Chez Pim on Monday, January 18.

I'm embarrassed to admit that until today, I had no idea what Menu for Hope was, but what a cool idea!

Hop over to Gluten-Free Girl and check out all the items you can bid on based on the US: West Coast. She also has the links to US: East Coast, Canada, Europe (including the UK), Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and the Wine Blog Host.

Here are your directions for bidding:

1. Choose a bid item or bid items of your choice from our Menu for Hope main bid item list.

2. Go to the donation site at Firstgiving and make a donation.

3. Please specify which bid item you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write-in how many tickets per bid item, and please use the bid item code.

Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for UW01 and 3 tickets for UW33.

4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.

5. Please check the box to allow us to see your e-mail address so that we can contact you in case you win. Your e-mail address will not be shared with anyone.

Can you guess what I bid on for the US: West Coast?

Cooking Light: Sloppy Joes

My favorite commercial on TV right now has to be the Manwich commercial below where this little girl puts corn in it's place!



About 7 years ago when I started working where I am now, I had to break the news to my co-worker that corn and potatoes weren't vegetables. Sadness, I know :( She was especially upset because she hates all things green and nutritious and thought she was eating vegetables by adding corn and potatoes to her food. We always laugh when this commercial comes on at lunch, since I look a little bit that the Manwich girl, she says that's me.

So in honor of my co-worker and the Manwich girl I decided to make the Hubs Sloppy Joes the other night. (He was beyond excited) Yes, I could have just purchased the Manwich Sloppy Joe 'stuff' but I wanted to try and make them 'lighter' and what fun would it be to blog about making Sloppy Joes by adding a can to ground meat? Not as fun :-P


Sloppy Joes
Adapted from Cooking Light's Sloppy Joe Recipe

Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped zucchini

1 tsp chopped garlic
3/4 pound ground beef (7% fa)
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
12 (1 1/2-ounce) rolls, split (I like to get these Orowheat Sandwich Thins)

Directions
1- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

2 - Add first onion, zucchini, garlic and ground beef ingredients; cook until beef is browned. Stirring to crumble.

3 - Stir in tomato sauce and next 8 ingredients (tomato sauce through black pepper); reduce heat to medium-low.

4 - Cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5 - Spoon 1/4 cup beef mixture over bottom half of each bun. Cover with top halves.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies with Candy Cane

My friend Amy over at Skinny for by Amy started a Baking Gals of 'Bees. I made these for Round 15 which, mails out to our Troops on Wednesday.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies w/ Candy Cane

Adapted from AllRecipes.com recipe by Kathy

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 crushed candy cane

Directions
1 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2 - In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy.

3 - Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended.

4 - Mix in the chocolate chips and crushed candy cane.

5 - Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

6 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until set.

7 - Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

My original plan was to bake all weekend and make a bunch of different cookies, but then our apartment complex re-finished our shower by mistake and we had to stay in a hotel all weekend. By the time I was back in our apartment Sunday night I didn't have as much baking time as I'd planned so I had to stick to one recipe and I'm filling the rest of the box with an assortment of Easy Mac Cups which, rumor has, the troops really like.

What are your favorite Christmas Cookies?

Blog Happenings: Blog Award

Many thanks to Carly over at The Less Than Domestic Goddess for giving me the Blog Award above! I love knowing people are actually reading and enjoying what I have to say :)

I guess the thing to do now is leave you with 10 random facts about myself, and bestow this honor on 10 very deserving blogs. Ready, set, go!

1 - I met Carly (aka Mrs Glitter), before I became a Bee myself, at a Bee meet-up last winter in LA. I'd show you the photographic evidence but I look horrid in the picture.

2 - I go to Islands every Friday for Veggie Tacos.

3 - I quote Friends episodes and movies on a daily basis.

4 - If I wasn't in school for interior design I'd go to culinary school. I desperately want to learn better techniques.

5 - I've been told by several people that if they got plastic surgery on their nose they would show the doctor my nose as what they wanted.

6 - I'm horrible about mailing things. I've had a box sitting by me for over a month and I still haven't gone to the Post Office.

7 - I like cupcakes more because they are cute than because they are tasty. Don't get me wrong cupcakes are tasty, I just think they are more cute than tasty.

8 - I LOVE Cougar Town! Do you watch?

9 - I didn't think I'd like Lost, but the Hubs recently talked me into watching Seasons 1-5 and now I can't wait for Season 6.

10 - I am horrible at thinking up random facts about myself.

The Very Deserving Blogs (in no specific order)

Katie's Whirled

With This Ring, I Thee Blog

Skinny Food by Amy

Our Little Haus

Bijou Lovely

Creativity & Domesticity

Written Bliss

The Nerdy Bride

OMG! I'm a Mom!

Four Twenty Four

Frenchie Kisses: Waiting to go Down the Aisle

About 30 minutes before our ceremony my dad drove me over to our venue. Don't tell the police but I didn't wear my seatbelt. I ran the newspaper headline through my head, "Bride flies through windshield on her way to the ceremony" and told my dad to drive as slowly as he needed too! We weren't going far, but aren't those 'famous last words'.

Source

My DOC made sure the Hubs couldn't see me while my Dad dropped me off in the back parking lot and I walked, by myself, to the Bridal Room. As independent as I think I am, I should have waited for my dad or bridesmaids to walk with me. I was a ball of emotions at this point and a group of drunken Frat boys sing the Wedding March about made me chuck my bouquet at them. I managed to hold on to my bouquet and duck into the Bridal Room and my dad followed shortly.

While I tried to relax with my bridesmaids our guests started to mill around outside.

My Parent's friends...

My friends...

The ladies from Church...

My soon to be Sister in Law and her boyfriend, Mark...

and friends from when we lived in Dallas...

As is got closer to "THE TIME" I tied the Hubs' ring around Jen's wrist.

Since the Hubs and I decided not to have children in our wedding, this meant Jen was in charge of his ring. Using some left over ribbon from our OOT bags my Mom came up with the genius idea to tie it around Jen's wrist, because it was WAY too big for here to wear around her thumb and she didn't want to drop it.

Next, Jen helped me with my garters...

and re-lacing my dress.

I put my shoes on all by myself ;-)

And we're ready to go!

Up Next: Walking down the aisle.

***Note: All photos, unless otherwise noted, are by the fabulously talented, and super awesome to know, Ohana Photographers***