Katy's Wedding Recap

To say that Katy's wedding this past weekend was a huge celebration is a huge understatement. Starting Thursday night, Katy was showered with the love of so many friends, family and most importantly Eddie. The bridal dinner at Mark and Isabella's was great.

(Frances, Margaret, me, Katy, Robin, Kristin, Nziza, Jessica and Shelly)

We had the private room and laughed for hours. (Thanks to Holly there for putting us in a room with great service!) Their desserts are just as good the donut at the Oven. My favorite was the chocolate bread pudding but the mascarpone cream cheesecake was quite heavenly too.

Friday, Katy's parents and family out did themselves with a very large BBQ for their friends and family. The wedding on Saturday had perfect weather and was perfection in every way. Katy truly is superwoman, she made her own dress, did the flowers and had everything ready for the house party to put it all together at the church. I tried my hardest to get photos of the reception before the masses descended upon the gym but didn't get the best shots. I also didn't have my nice camera during the reception. Hopefully my mom will share her photos. These will have to do for now;)

Here's wishing Eddie and Katy a restful weekend back home!

He's Famous!

We heard on Sunday that dear Jeremy was selected for the Golf Magazine Club Test for the FIFTH time! He's headed to a 'SECRET' location in October for a week of golf, golf and more golf. The magazines typically come out in May so keep your eyes open. The first test he did, they took a great photo of him and dang it if it wasn't stolen with the robbery on the old computer. Here's an image I do have from the December 2006 test when i joined him. Like I said, he's famous...well, sort of famous, in a 15-minute way;)

Have a great time dear - just make sure you're game is in good form! So proud of you!

Sea Salt Caramels

-Photo courtesy of Saltistry-

Never in my life have I had such a delicious treat as the Sea Salt Chocolate Caramel from Kilwins in Fort Collins a few weekends ago! If you have never treated yourself to a Sea Salt Caramel, get yourself a treat and enjoy. They are divine and the perfect mix between sweet and salty. I'm convinced that if I get a candy thermometer I too can create these little bites of heaven! I just need to do some research to find the best recipe.

Shh, did you hear its fall?

The weather forecast is showing a high of 60 tomorrow and I can't wait for a brisk fall morning. I told Jeremy yesterday that if we could find a city that had fall weather year round, I'd move there tomorrow. Fall in Colorado isn't like other states, you head to Aspen to see the golden hues dance in the breeze. (Jeremy and I haven't been up to see the leaves in years, must add to our list for next year.) A leisurely fall day-trip isn't an option right now, work has priority over everything else. I hate it when that happens but I can't complain, we're in a recession and I'm slammed. Good thing, right? Bad thing when it seems to happen at the same time as the only activities I have on the calendar this fall! Next weekend is Katy's wedding and the following weekend we're flying to Atchison to visit family. In the mean time I'm going to be whipping up some cream cheese mints and getting the house in order for fall. If I only I could get my house to look like this, courtesy of PB:


Funny story: when we were younger my parents loaded us up into the car for a trip to the mountains to get our photos taken with the fall leaves. I think I was 7 so Becca would only have been 2. After taking quite the number of photos Dad realized that he didn't put any film in the camera! So after loading up the camera we tried it with a second take! Thank goodness we're now in the digital age!

Happy Birthday Nolan!

-Nolan enjoying his chocolate cone at Belmar in June-

Nolan turns 4 today! He's getting to be quite the big boy and is the sweetest thing. His birthday dinner at Los Arcos is tonight then the big party is tomorrow where I'm sure he'll enjoy his cake and ice cream. I wish you a year of lots of love, laughs, and cuddle time with your daddy!

September Goals

We kicked off the month of September with a furry of events this last week that have left me very tired. The highlight so far was watching the Rams beat CU last night. (Big side note, in hind sight, the flip cup challenge at half-time and post-game was not a good idea.) Today was a good recovery day that has me prepped for the week. For the first time in many, many months I actually took a nap this afternoon following our golf outing. The down side is I woke up with the a horrible ear ache and what appears to be the early stages of a sinus infection. UGH! But this downtime has given me ample time to cruise the web, read up on some great blogs and a chance to document my September goals.

So here it is, my list of September goals:

1 - Weed through my magazine collection that is now overflowing.

2 - Finish putting the photos in the actual albums from 2000 to 2005. (This was started in April but took a summer hiatus.)

3 - Knit two new scarves for fall. (One for Bec that's overdue and one very chunky one for moi.)

4 - Decide on the window covering for the dining room.

5 - Book our flights for Oktoberfest in Atchison.

6 - Finish reading Pride & Prejudice. (I don't know why but this really feels like a fall read.)

7 - Make Julia Child's roast chicken. (I hate meat on a bone, I'm not a vegetarian but meat on the bone is too much for me to handle.)

8 - Attend pilates 2x a week and continue working out at Whitlock on the other days.

9 - Host the Bonaventura's over for a proper dinner.

10-Take a drive to see some fall colors and put away the summer decor.

Photo by House Beautiful

Baking Lady - Killer Brownies

I baked brownies yesterday for the CSU/CU game and thought it would be easiest to share the recipe here as opposed to writing it out for folks. I've been making these for about 7-years and they are killer. They are the perfect mix of cake and fudgy goodness. I can't remember where the recipe came from but its worth putting in your recipe box.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-25 minutes.

3/4 C melted butter or margarine
2 T hot water (not boiling)
1 2/3 C granulated sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 t vanilla extract
1 1/3 C flour
1/2 t baking powder
3/4 C baking cocoa
1/4 t salt

Combine the melted butter, water and sugar in a mixing bowl. Making sure to blend well, add the eggs and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl combine the salt, flour, cocoa powder and baking powder, sift well. Gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix well until smooth. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake until your toothpick comes out clean.

A few things to note: I've added nuts, peanut butter chips, etc but I really prefer the plain, jane brownie. There is a very broad range in the baking cocoas on the market, the basic Hershey's baking cocoa is my favorite. I don't use a hand mixer or my KitchenAid either, just a great batter spoon from Martha Stewart.

Enjoy and don't blame me if you gain a few pounds after finishing off a pan!
(Photo from Cooking Light)

I love a LONG weekend!

Lots to look forward to this weekend:
- A family BBQ on the Ross side where we'll meet more of Jeremy's relatives.

-Paris Street Market & some window shopping tomorrow morning.

-This gals Bridal Shower! (She's going to make a lovely bride!)

-The return of college football!

-Hosting the CSU/CU game at the house with family and friends. Go State! (I'm preparing like a mad woman with my menu.)

-A Monday morning golf outing with dear Jeremy.

-Free Chick-fil-a on Labor Day!

3 Short Years

Thank you for making me your wife 3-years ago! My how time flies! I wouldn't change a thing and I still count my lucky stars that we met. What a lucky girl I was then and am now.

Maui - 2006

Happy Birthday Dear Becca!

Happy Birthday Sister!

Thanks for always letting me have you for my little doll, oh how you suffered! I wish you a year of laughter, happiness, successful house projects, many home cooked dinners, and the joy of a short commute to your job! Can't wait for your birthday dinner! P.S. Tell Johnny Arkansas I don't have any photos of you two.

5 Things

I stumbled across this at The Lil Bee and thought it would be fun to answer 5 Things You Want to Do in This Lifetime. I like that this can be grandiose or utilitarian but all things I want to check off my list.

1 - Retire with the mortgage paid off. (Not a fun one but very critical if we want to retire at 52.)

2 - Spend a month on the cost of Scotland, this will include lots of golf and adventure. (I think we need to visit first, but that's a minor detail.)

3-Golf in a couples tournament with Jeremy. (I think we'll get this one checked off next year!)

4 - Be published in a magazine. (I know this seems funny but I love magazines and it would be thrilling!)

5 - Watch the Duke/UNC game in Durham.

5 Things - Bucket List - Fun List. (Jeremy's things all related to golf and travel, shocking I know.)