Weekend Update

We survived another weekend.  One more to go before we have an off weekend.  We were hoping to enjoy a bit of the State Fair on Sunday, but we just didn't feel like moving.  It was all we could do to drag our rears out of bed to go to the grocery store.  But, if we didn't go we wouldn't have had food for this week, so that was kind of a motivating factor.  Andrew and I were split up this weekend.  His muscles were needed to move furniture.  Hopefully pictures will be posted from that wedding later this week, I'll let you guys know when they are up.  I did get a couple of photos of my work this weekend.  I had some large arrangement to construct.  The lighting in the rooms wasn't the best and I was taking pictures using my camera phone, you you will have to use your imagination.  The first wedding I worked on flowers for had the colors gray and yellow.  For the head table, I constructed a massive tree in the middle of the table with silver branches and votives hanging from the branches. 

Next, I went out to a golf course to work on an outdoor wedding and reception in the clubhouse.  Here are a couple of shots from that wedding.  I did the arrangements on the taller vases. 

Even though we didn't make it home until about 2:30 Sunday morning, we both enjoyed the wedding.  Bonus of working the weddings... free wedding cake!  Wedding cake is probably one of my favorite desserts. 

From Grandma's Recipe Box

Tonight I was in a cooking/baking/cleaning mood.  Since I don't think you have any interest in my adventures with the vacuum cleaner, I will share with you what I was baking. 

For dinner, I made spicy mac and beef.  It is super easy to make and a spin on a favorite stand by meal.  First, you brown one pound of hamburger.  To conserve pans, I brown mine in a tall pot.  Once your hamburger is browned, you drain all the grease off.  Put the hamburger back in the pan then add one 10 oz. can of condensed beef broth and 1 1/3 cup of water.  I always add a little more water because I feel like it is never enough.  Bring that to a boil and then add two cups uncooked medium shells.  Cook for about 10 minutes, make sure the noodles don't boil dry.  Once the noodles are cooked the way you like them,  add 1 can cheddar cheese soup and one cup of salsa.  I use mild, but if you like spicy stuff, you could certainly add medium or hot salsa. 

Spicy Beef and Mac

After I made dinner, I decided it was time to make the Lemon Poppy Seed bread I have been telling Andrew I would make since right after we moved.  I don't know why I haven't made it yet, it is super easy to make. 

This recipe comes from my Grandma's recipe box.  If you asked me what one thing I will always remember my grandma for, I would say her amazing cooking.  Man do I miss her peach pies.  They were a slice of heaven!  Along with that, I miss her homemade cinnamon rolls, her chicken and noodles, homemade noodles... you get the idea.  Now, don't ever ask me to pick one thing I will remember about my grandma, because there are too many things to name.   Tonight, I will share with you one of her recipes though. 

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

1 Box Lemon Supreme Cake Mix

1 Box (smaller size) Instant Vanilla Pudding

2 Tbs. Poppy Seeds

4 Eggs

1/2 C. Oil (do NOT use olive oil, it makes the flavor funky)

Mix everything together in a bowl, pour into a greased loaf pan, bake at 350 in the oven for 1 hour.  If you take the bread out after an hour and a toothpick in the center of the loaf doesn't come out clean, put it in for 5 minute increments until a toothpick put in the center comes out clean.  Our oven now takes a little longer than our last one. 

There you have it, a little piece of my grandma's kitchen.  Now, if you will excuse me I am going to go slice my fresh out of the over bread and enjoy with a glass of wine! 

Weekend Wedding Fun

Well, we survived the wedding this past weekend and even got a nap in before cleanup.  Bonus, I got to take some flowers home.  Here are a couple of the arrangements I did for the centerpiece decorations.  Imagine these on top of tall vases with a crystal in the center. 

 

kinda like this one from the wedding we did a couple of weekends ago..

 

This wedding had a vintage theme, so I got to play with buttons for the corsages, which I had a blast with.  Here are a couple of photos.

 

 

And here is one of the random arrangements I got to make. I LOVE hydrangeas, they are one of my favorites.  I think I have one of my new bushes I planted this summer that is going to bloom soon and I am super excited to see it.

 

 

We are back at it this weekend with three weddings.  I will be in flower mode from Thursday through Sunday. 

 

Last night, I decided to make something yummy that I found on Pinterest.  Oh man were these bad boys good… Smores Bars!  They were pretty easy to make too. 

 

 

Puppy Playday Was a No Go

Ok, I lied... I will post one more time before the weekend.  What can I say, I got done playing with flowers earlier than I thought I would. 

Today was the day for our meet and greet with Buddy's potential new roommate.  He was dressed and ready to go looking all cute.  Of course, I think he looks cute all the time, even when he is getting in himself into something he shouldn't be.  He made his rounds around the space before the meeting.  Then, Romeo came in.  You could tell both Buddy and Romeo wanted to go straight for each other, but we walked in circles around the room just passing each other.  Then, we walked from opposite corners of the room so they could pass and sniff each other.  We did that three times.  Let me tell you, each time got a little worse, and it wasn't Buddy being the problem child.  Buddy and Romeo just were not meant to be roommates.  There was growling and some tooth exposure and we called it good.  We knew it wasn't a match and the people at the ARL were glad we understood that.  How could we not.  Each dog deserves a home were they can feel like it is their own.  Our main man is Buddy, so we have to look out for him.  We think Buddy got a little worked up over the whole thing because he came right home and went to sleep. 

So, a new four legged friend wasn't in the cards for us today, and that is ok.  We will keep looking.  When the time is right, we will find a perfect playmate for Buddy.  I always tell Andrew I think we were meant to find Buddy.  He was there waiting for us.  He had one prior adoption that had fallen through, it was meant to be!  He was meant to come to our house and bring such joy to our lives.  He has been in our heart and home for six months now and we love him more each day. 

Two Is Better Than One, Right?

For starters, I promised I would let you know when photos were posted of the wedding we worked this past weekend, so head on over to Cynthia's blog to check them out.

We have been talking about getting another dog for some time now.  I laugh because when we started dating Andrew told me he wasn't really a dog person and much preferred cats.  Sorry cat lovers reading this, but I'm not really a cat fan.  Some of it has to do with the fact that I'm allergic to them, but as luck would have it Andrew is practically deathly allergic to them.  It kills him to not be able to play with them, but 10 minutes around a cute kitty and someone should probably have an epipen on hand.  Ok, it may not be quite that bad, but it isn't pretty.  So, in February when I started really wanting a dog, we headed to the ARL to "allergy test".  Too bad Buddy happened to be there and I feel in love and couldn't leave without him.  Buddy was a breeder reduction dog and they told us he might have some issues to work through with him, but he is so well adjusted.  We only had a couple of potty accidents before he was house trained. 

Fast forward six months and we have gone back and forth since buying the house about buying another dog.  We have stalked the ARL website and several other shelters looking for the perfect addition to our family.  We really wanted a female beagle around 3-4 years old.  Well, let me tell you how hard those are to find... hard!  In cruising the shelters it crushes my heart to see the numbers of dogs and cats in shelters because of breeder reductions.  Why people, why breed?  Overpopulation is a HUGE issue and yes, this is my plea to please spay and neuter your pets.

Today, against my better judgement, we made another trip to the ARL.  They probably think we are casing the place.  I fell in love with a Schnauzer/poodle mix, Andrew not so much.  We also checked out a couple of Beagles that came from a puppy mill.  We then checked out a 14 lb terrier... Andrew was in love, pouty lip and all.  Romeo (name would likely be changing) jumped in Andrew's lap and licked his face, just what he wanted.  Buddy is a little more subdued than that.  Needless to say, we have a doggy date scheduled for tomorrow with Buddy and his potential housemate.     

We have another wedding this weekend, but this one is here in town.  It is sure to be another long weekend.  You likely wont hear from me again until next week, maybe Sunday if I'm lucky.

Posting Slacker

I have been slacking on the posting.  I think I warned you all the posts would be scarce the next month or so.  Last weekend, we were gone about 19 hours working an outdoor wedding.  The next three weekends are the same story then we get a break for one weekend and then we are back at it for Labor Day weekend.  I guess everyone wants to get married on a holiday weekend.  Man, I loved the wedding we did this weekend.  It was a beautiful wedding and I got to make some amazing arrangements for table centerpieces.  When there are pictures online I will post the link. 

Big news in our house this week... mama got a new set of wheels!  Remember that rougue I posted about that I wanted.  I got a deal I just couldn't pass up. 

Here is a recipe for the week.  I have been making this one for a while, so I will share it with you guys now.  It is super easy and really yummy.  We try to make things that will last throughout the week so we only have to cook 1-2 times per week and one of those meals is usually in the crockpot.  In the winter we make a ton of stuff in the crockpot.  This winter I will post tons of yummy things to make!

Here is the recipe for Mexican Casserole

Wine Bottle Chandelier

I came across a new project a couple of days ago and have become obsessed with making it ever since.  My first attempt at making a wine bottle light didn't work out like I wanted it to, so I had to resort to plan b. I walked around Michaels for a while when I had a moment.  I saw a candle holder for the wall and I knew I could use as my frame for my wine chandelier. 

Wine Bottle Chandelier

Next, I made a trip to the hardware store for some supplies.  I came up with some rubber rings to fit around the necks of the bottles.  So, here are my supplies:

I collected a few wine bottles and cleaned the labels off.  Don't mind the one that I didn't get cleaned yet, that was the first bottle I experimented with.I spray painted the frame black to match the cabinet I painted earlier this week.  So, here is the final product.  Andrew isn't sure how he feels about it.  I think it might grow on me. 

Stay tuned for my next project from my time spent at Michaels.  Clearance bins are very bad things for me to encounter.