Marry Me Monday: Our Reception

I love this photo. It is timeless.

Our Must Haves for the Reception:

• Family and Friends 
• Delicious hors d'oeuvres and Open Bar (we had wine and beer)
• Dancing 
• The Second Line (that was my must have) 
• The Family Circle (of course done to the classy Friends in Low Places)

Our Could Care Less If We Have:

• Extraordinary/Detailed Decorations (put the money on the food/drink) 
• Wedding Favors (we ended up having them and still have them...any one want a lot of flower seeds?) 
• A Band (we went with the DJ)  
• A Groom's Cake (Ed does not care for cake so we put more money on the bar...priorities!)

If we had to do it all over again, we would do it the same way!  We had so much fun and it was our idea of a perfect evening.  I worried a little too much about all the details of what others would say about all of our decisions which is a typical bride worry.  In the end, I finally made decisions on exactly what we wanted and it turned out perfect!  The reception was a great celebration of love with family and friends. And really, just a fantastic party!

Amazing carrot cake with cream cheese filing and butter creme frosting...I want a piece right now!

Our favors

Inside the circle of family and friends

A family tradition!

The Second Line - The Cajun in me had to have it!

 

The Balconies of My Life: The View From A Balcony in Oxford, MS

A photograph we took on a Sunday morning. I love this photo so much that I have several prints framed.

Even on a regular week day, a celebration is going on in Oxford as people fill the balcony spaces.  They laugh with drinks in their hands.  They hear the busy, happy sounds of The Square.  They talk about great ideas or ideas that just sound great after a few joy making beverages. The balconies are the places that inspire many of our literary talents. The balconies are where the want-to-be writers congregate in hopes of catching a bit of that talent that runs through our town.  A balcony on The Oxford Square is one of my favorite places to be.  A simple joy that makes me remember,  once again, I really am enjoying the sweet life. This joy is one of the many reasons I consider myself one of the fortunate ones to not only live in the South but get to live in Oxford, MS.

In Oxford, balcony time is the ultimate experience in laid back relaxation but it is not relaxation without effort. You see, balcony inhabiting in Oxford is quite the sport. You have to stake out a place and hunt it like a wild animal hunting it's prey.  Except the typical balcony hunting does not involve a wild smelling, fur covered, blood thirsty animal.  No, our version is more like hunting in a cute dress with wedge sandals while being nicely perfumed and only thirsty for that next glass of chardonnay. Yes, hunting in Oxford is much more civil and fashion conscious.

Recently, we went out for a friend's birthday. The birthday dinner was scheduled at a prime time in hopes to get a balcony spot at Boure.  After a detailed strategy session, we agreed we would increase our chances on a Thursday evening immediately following work after the spring semester ended.  We almost made it.  However, we were a party of five and there were only a couple of two seater tables available...such disappointment.  As we walked off the balcony, defeated, we looked back at the lucky ones.  The ones, who on that day, managed to secure a spot. We walked our stylish wedge sandals inside for dinner.

Even though we were not successful for that birthday dinner, strategy does often produce results when executed with dedication and persistence. I have been known to stand outside City Grocery's bar door at 3:45pm on a weekend because they opened at 4:00pm. I knew if we were the first ones in we would get a spot. Don't judge. Others quickly followed and lined up behind me. On such Saturdays of successful balcony hunting, I happily claim a prized spot. And no it wasn't 5 o'clock in Oxford but balcony time is the exception to that rule any day.

Magical memories seem to take place on balconies. One of my favorite times on a balcony is a early spring day when winter has finally let go of Oxford. Another favorite time is  the 3rd of July when The Square opens up for a street dance.  My family never goes to the street dance because we are enjoying the music from the balcony and talking about those great ideas that sound even better with a joy making beverage in hand!

My mom (aka Sassy Susie) enjoying wine on the balcony of City Grocery during a 3rd of July celebration.

Deep conversation with family (my cousin is in background).

Ed checking out the activity below City Grocery.

A cool summer evening. Happiness.

Family time on the City Grocery Balcony.

Family time on the City Grocery Balcony.

Relaxing and enjoying the view. (Ok, really I just did not want to look at the camera while Ed took the picture!)

Great ideas that get even better with one more glass...

There are so many balcony experiences that make up my life. While each balcony is uniquely different, all share the commonality of happy times with friends and family. I recently realized balconies are the places where a lot of my sweet memories are made. My husband pointed out my love for these outside spots when I mentioned writing about the Oxford balconies but continued to talk about all the balconies of my life.  He suggested not just one essay on the Oxford balconies but a series.   So hence the series: The Balconies of My Life.  Hopefully, in the upcoming weeks, my series will inspire you to head out to a balcony with friends, family and of course a glass of vino! 

*This essay is the first in a series of essays.  Next Thursday: The Balcony of Jubilee Landing.

Mexican Casserole

Picture from AllRecipes (ours was gone before I could take a picture)

Last night I actually cooked something I had previously pinned on Pinterest. I am guilty of mindlessly pinning items as a stress relieving behavior.  I think one day I really will do this activity/recipe/craft/etc.  Well now I am two for two in cooking from Pinterest!  Last year, I blogged about cooking with Pinterest and now, over a year later,  I attempted another recipe from my Yummies board.

I decided on this casserole while planning a grocery list for this week. I wanted a new dish idea. I realize this was the perfect time to brave up and try a new idea from Pinterest. So I went to my ever growing recipe board on Pinterest and decided to try the Mexican Casserole recipe which was pinned from AllRecipes.com.

The casserole turned out to be an easy meal to make as an (almost) one dish meal. I highly recommend it for an easy weekday meal or even to serve to guests. While eating it, I declared it tasty enough to serve to my Bunco group which is the epitome of good food!  Easy comfort food that is equally delicious is always the perfect dish.

I also highly recommend using a new menu planner template that I pinned (of course!) from the Newylwed Survival blog. The free downloadable template makes organizing meals and a grocery list easy for a busy week.

Personal Tweaks to the Recipe

I followed the recipe with the exception of:

  

  - Substituted shoe peg corn for the sweet corn 

  - Added chopped onions/sauteed with the chicken 

  - Added chopped jalapeno peppers to taste

Some other ideas that I might incorporate next time:

  - Serve with sour cream

  - Add green chilis

  - Add black olives (not a fave of mine but I know a lot of people like them)

Marry Me Monday: Our Ceremony

About five hours after Ed proposed last year on the beach, I started planning our wedding. I thought I had done such a great job of appearing calm by not rushing to the wedding planning process but Ed saw it a different way. He tells me that I went right into full speed that afternoon with everything all planned out before we left Destin!  That is only half true.  But what would one expect when a girl is anticipating (growing extremely impatient) a proposal for a year?!?

Really I only had the big parts planned.  We quickly figured out where we wanted the wedding because one of the most important things for me was to have the ceremony at my church where I was confirmed.  I definitely wanted Fr. Tommy to do the ceremony and Ed completely agreed. Fr. T is one of those people that has a rare talent to make every one he comes into contact with feel welcomed and happy.  I wanted as many of our family and friends to be able to experience the joy that is St. Thomas and Fr. Tommy.

Our ceremony was beautiful.  Yes, there were a few mishaps like my music not being played at the right time.  But I decided to not let little imperfections upset me because those little mistakes combined with the perfect moments make the day unique and beautiful. I have so many perfect memories of the day like being escorted down the aisle by my sweet mother, who has always been and will be by my side. And seeing Ed smile and all the nervousness go away. I did not look at anyone except Ed as we walked down the aisle to him. I remember someone crying beside me as Ed and mom hugged. I remember looking at my mother as she walked to take her seat. All beautiful memories.

Fr. Tommy managed to make the ceremony holy and funny at the same time. He even gave our guests the opportunity to take pictures so that they could post to Facebook immediately. I remember the sweet look Ed had on his face. I remember my voice shaking as I recited my vows but I don't remember the vows.  Thank goodness those are written down for us if Ed ever wants to remind me of them!

I did not feel that nervous especially seeing all the sweet, smiling faces of family members and friends but I do remember trying to pay attention while I simultaneously reminded myself  to not lock my knees. I did not want to pass out!  But I did pay attention and it flew by.  Yes, a Catholic wedding that flew by!  But in full disclosure, it was a non-Mass Catholic wedding but even those can be long. Before I knew it, Father Tommy was ending in an Irish blessing (a special request from us) but in typical Fr. T style it was a true Irish humor blessing that ended with "may you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows that you are dead."  And while the ceremony seem to go by in a few minutes, the time between him announcing us as husband and wife and telling us to kiss lasted forever. There were a few awkward moments where we leaned in to kiss but stopped because he had not told us we could yet.  Fr. T, noticing the awkward movements, jokingly asked us could we wait a minute. The comment once again gathered more laughter from the church from another humorous moment. 

There are a few things that I did not see or do not remember but our amazing photographer (Jenn D Photography) caught so many beautiful moments!  

The first time Ed saw me. Love the joy in his face!

Our programs that I designed!

My sweet cousins ringing bells before my mother and I walked down the aisle.

The steps served as the perfect "chill" spot to watch the wedding!

Both my mother and I carried handkerchiefs from my great grandmother.

The sweetest hug.

We are MARRIED!

Kiefer's

A picture Ed took of me on our first Kiefer's date!

There are some restaurants you go to because it is convenient and then there are others you will drive hours for because you dream about the food.  Kiefer's in Jackson, MS is one of those places!

A couple of weekends ago, the hubby and I made a long but fun road trip very south to Houston, TX. To break up the trip we stopped in Jackson to indulge our cravings that had not been satisfied since our last stop in October.  We were more than happy with our experience (typical of this place).

Kiefer's has been featured on The Food Network as well as an assortment of  magazines.  And all recognition is well deserved. Not only is the food authentic Greek happiness, the atmosphere of a twinkle lit deck on a slightly warm spring night is the epitome of modern day Southern life.

If you go, indulge in the feta cheese sauce.  Actually just ask for a cup and a straw to drink it.  Or you may just want to turn the cup up and slurp it up because people often threaten to drink the stuff.  Yes, it is that good. And yes, we are some of the people that threaten to drink it.

Our favorite side dish is one order of cottage fries with two extra cups of the feta cheese sauce to coat the fries.  When we first started dating, I just let Ed request one extra cup because I wanted to be polite but the polite phase has long been replaced with the reality that I want my own cup!  Ed confided in me at this last dinner that he is happy that I have my own cup. While I thought I was being polite in our early dating phase, I ate most of it and he didn't get much. I guess he was the one being polite to the girl that ate all his feta cheese sauce and he still married me!

Not being a beef or lamb fan, I stay away from the typical gyro. Although, I am sure it is wonderful. Lately my favorite wrap to continue to drown in the feta cheese sauce is the grilled chicken wrap with added mushrooms, onions and bell peppers.  They probably get frustrated that I unwrap the gyro (an instructed not-to-do on the menu) and eat out the contents.  I am told the fresh pita is especially made in Chicago and shipped down. And while it is good, it is certainly not gluten free. However, the contents are so delicious that I don't need the bread filling me up and taking away the additional room for the feta cheese sauce!

If you are in the area you have to try Kiefer's. If you are not in the area, then you have to drive but it is one of those places that is so well worth it!

Marry Me Monday: Capturing Every Sweet Moment (Part 2)

By the time we reached the church we were running late for pictures and I wasn't even in my dress yet.  Event though I had carefully planned the timeline, wedding days inevitably can make even the most organized be late.  I was trying to stay calm because I wanted to make sure I stayed happy and in the moment but my hands were shaking as I unpacked my things in the church dressing room.  All of sudden a small glass of chardonnay appeared in front of me.  Ashley knew the stress I was feeling and knew exactly how to calm the moment.  My mental snapshot of that moment is the red solo cup with the chilled wine and sweet Ashley's smile.

Ed and I agreed to give each other notes before our first look photo.  I handed Ashley a note and asked her to find Ed for me.  She came back just a few minutes later with a card for me.  I really thought in the stress of all the wedding planning, Ed would forget we had decided to exchange notes. However, he did better than me in my opinion.  The card was picked out especially for this day and helped me focus on the true meaning of the day.  I still see Ashley's expression which captured the significance of that moment.  I could tell she felt honored for getting to be the one who made the exchange possible.

I was finally dressed and ready to go down to the sanctuary for our first look photo.  One of my strongest memories of the day is walking into the quiet church with the only sound being the swishing of my train. The sound was very loud in the quiet of everything else. Ed says that hearing the train was the first time he got nervous.  I thought we were alone with the exception of the photographer but I looked over and saw Ed's brother, Jamie.  He looked in awe of the moment. I saw that expression many times from many people that day.  I remember thinking I was glad Jamie was with us getting to witness this moment. I was too overwhelmed with nerves and emotion to speak so when I reached Ed I just touched his shoulder to let him know I was there.  I felt better after that touch.  The nerves subsided and excitement set in.

Ashley gives me the card

Love this picture...everything else is a blur except what is really important!

Ed's mother and grandmother see the card

First look picture taken through the door by Leigh

My Current Obsessions: Summer 2013

Summer is here!!! I know not technically by calendar standards but I am an academic so in my world when school lets out then summer has begun.  With the start a new season brings new ideas and of course, obsessions.  Here is my completely fun and totally frivolous current obsessions list for the beginning of Summer 2013.

The cute-bags-to-carry-food thing is not a new obsession but one that carries over to the summer.  Perfect accessory for any summer BBQ or dinner party! These are available at Lily Pad in Oxford.

The Birchbox!  I received my first one a few months ago and now I am obsessed! I get so excited when I get the e-mail that one has been shipped. 

I love the current trend of the starfish.  You can now wear the beach! Found this one on Etsy.

I just discovered my favorite author's latest book. I am on chapter 2 and already laughing!