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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Snow In Colorado

When everyone's facebook status brags upon what they are doing on the state's snow day, I can't help but daydream about all the fabulous things I could do if I had a snow day. It doesn't snow in Tennessee and I am having withdrawals.


A Marriage to Admire

From the New York Times:
"The couple now spend more time together than at nearly any other point since their early years together. On many days, they see Malia and Sasha off to school, exercise together and do not begin their public schedules until 9 or even 10 o’clock. They recently finished redecorating the White House residence, the first lady requesting an outdoor rocking chair for her husband to read in, the president scrutinizing colors and patterns, said the White House social secretary. The pair recently began playing tennis. (He wins, she admitted; for now, he added.) This summer, the first lady surprised her husband for his birthday by gathering his old basketball buddies for a weekend at Camp David.

Barack and Michelle Obama are also a more fully fused political team than ever before, with no other jobs to distract them, no doubts about the worthiness of the pursuit dogging them. Theirs is by no means a co-presidency; aides say the first lady has little engagement with banking reform, nuclear disarmament or most of the other issues that dominate her husband’s days. But their goals are increasingly intertwined, with Michelle Obama speaking out on healthcare, privately mulling over Supreme Court nominees with the president and serving as his consultant on personnel and public opinion. When they lounge on the Truman Balcony or sit inside at their round dining table, she describes how she believes his initiatives are perceived outside Washington; later, say advisers, the president quotes the first lady in Oval Office meetings.

If winning the White House represents a resolution of the Obamas’ struggles, it also means a new, higher-stakes confrontation with some of the vexing issues that fed those tensions. Their marriage is more vulnerable than ever to the corrosions of politics: partisan attacks, disappointments of failed initiatives, a temptation to market what was once wholly private. Some of the methods the Obamas devised for keeping their relationship strong — speaking frankly in public, maintaining separate careers, even date nights — are no longer as easily available to them. Like every other modern presidential couple, the Obamas have watched their world contract to one building and a narrow zone beyond, and yet their partnership expand to encompass a staff and two wings of the White House. And while the presidency tends to bring couples closer, historians say, it also tends to thrust them back to more traditionbound behavior."

One of a Kind Wedding Dresses

If you're getting married or just enjoy the beauty of wedding dresses these are a must see!




My friend's newest wedding gown design! They're up on Etsy now, so go check it out!

Go to button + boo to check it out!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Dog Anything

I am truly a sucker for anything dog related. Here are some of my favorite dog pictures that I have had saved on my computer for some time now. Get ready to make aww noises.....











Sunday, October 18, 2009

Croissants

A grocery staple for me is a roll of croissant dough. I use the dough for everything but croissants it seems like. Sunday morning I used the dough to make doughnut holes. I take the dough from the tube and size a 1/4 inch of dough off and roll into a ball. Then drop into heated oil for under a minute, cool and toss in a sugar and cinnamon mixture. It's so simple, cheap and delicious. Bryan was pretty blown away and speechless.





I also love to make delicious, flaky lunch sandwiches with the dough. I unroll each triangle, top with lunch meat, cheese and onions (just mine) and bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.
Alternate toppings:
Three cheeses
Mozzarella and tomato sauce
Pizza sauce, pepperonis and cheese

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Bridal Shower

My sister's Bridal Shower was so much fun to put on, a lot of work but worth every second. We really focused on the details to make it perfect.
My mother and I made homemade salad dressing for the favors. They were so delicious and fun to make!
I very much enjoyed decorating all of the chocolate cupcakes. Here colors were brown and pink which worked perfectly for the chocolate cupcakes with fresh garden flowers.

I put together recipe books for the guests to take home. Recipes included the salad dressing, cupcakes, salads, smoothies and side dishes.


Tennessee River looks Better When Cruising In Style



We are slow to make decisions regarding the Wedding, but we have now booked the Volunteer Princess Yacht for the Wedding Rehearsal. I am so excited! It's a great way to show out-of-town guests something unique to Knoxville. www.volunteerprincess.com

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

NEW YORK


I'm going to New York in 5 weeks and counting to have a short AIU-London Reunion with Julia (London roommate, my bridesmaid, my old travel buddy, my partner in crime and wonderful friend) and the other London girls who live in New York. Julia will be flying in from Poland and we will travel to New York to visit Kirby, Kelly, Christina, and anyone else who can come. I don't know how I am going to get any sleep until the trip, but I will need lots to rest to keep up with the girls!




Culinary Explorations

If I had more free time I would love to learn new cooking skills and spend more time trying new recipes. Since I free time is not a luxury I have, I rarely get to try new recipes and get creative. However, I woke up with a burning desire to make pad thai. I love pad thai and thought if I can make pad thai the sky would part and beam my name. I looked online for the perfect recipe to try, like always, the perfect recipe wasn't found online but in my Martha Stewart Everyday Food cookbook, the best cookbook I own. Thanks dad! The hardest part was slicing the chicken very thin like traditional pad thai. It was very good, I may have to invite some friends over and wow them with my culinary skills. (I really am not that into myself as this post sounds, there are very few recipes in my repertoire).



Pad Thai
8 ounces of rice-stick noodles
1/4 cup tomato chile sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon anchovy paste (I didn't use, my grocery didn't have)
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves
1 pound shrimp or chicken (I choose chicken)
3 cups bean sprouts (I only used 1 cups, I recommend using 3)
8 scallions
1 large egg, beaten
Garnishes
1/3 cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 lime wedges

1. Cook noodles as noted on package and place in cold water bath.
2. Whisk together chile sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and anchovy paste. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds then cook chicken or shrimp and transfer to plate once cooked.
3. Add last two tablespoons of olive oil to skillet, then add the noodles and chile paste mixture and cook tossing for one minute. Add bean sprouts, scallions, and shrimp/chicken. Pour in egg and toss for an additional two minutes.
4. Garnish and serve.