Wedding Pics

The Wedding Pics are finally coming in! Yea! I don't look terrible! Yea!

That had been my fear. I was out of my comfort zone with lots of makeup on and my hair rather big and lacquered up. The potential was there for disaster. Thankfully, the Lord knew my anxiety and answered my prayer for mercy. The hub and I both look happy and nice. I love that, happy and nice. I'll never tire of that.
The Bride and Groom were not only happy and nice but also beautiful and handsome. TD was stunning! She was radiant and relaxed, so I think the Lord answered her anxiety too. The ceremony was touching, they wrote their own vows. It was also relaxed and joyous. Everyone was brought together to witness this joining of two hearts in Holy matrimony and I think everyone came to rejoice with them.
The meal was very tasty and a tad romantic as we dined by candlelight. The Hub and I certainly ate our fair share. We also enjoyed both cakes, black and white, just like the rest of the theme of the night.
There were many moments to remember, many details to ponder. I hope TD has written them down so she can remind her heart of their sweetness in the years to come.
I finally got my wedding. thank You, Father, for answering my heart so completely.

Me and the Hub getting ready.

Happy and Nice

Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful?

The Hub, me, TD and JL

TD and JL looking in as their guests celebrate their special day :)

Eat These Cookies and You're Married?

Just a funny from the mind of JO...

I made some shortbread cookies for TD and JL. Actually, i made 3 batches of cookies. I was searching for a recipe that both looked good and tasted good. Needless to say, we've had cookies everywhere.

The cookies are rectangular and have writing in the middle of them. I made them using a cookie cutter kit I bought at Williams Sonoma, Message in a Cookie.

JO was eating a (few) cookie while sitting on the deck at RI. He looked at the cookie and said, "Where did you get this cookie cutter?"
I said, "I bought it at Williams Sonoma."
JO said, "And it had Tracy and Jim on it?"
I said, "No, I added the writing in the middle."
JO said, "Oh. You eat this cookie and you're married?"
I said, "Well, I guess so."
JO said, "Will you make these when I get married?"
I said, "I sure will. They'll say 'Jake and ..."
JO said, "Whoever."
He then said, "Will you make some that say Allyson and David?"
I said, "I sure will."

I love how his sweet little mind works. I think I better make him some cookies to give to his mom and dad. What a blessing he is to me!!

Wedding Update

Oh, the wedding was wonderful! I wish I could list all the details but I simply do not have the time! I hope to have pics in the next few days and will add details to them. TD was beautiful. The weather was perfect. The Hub was a dear. I was so happy. It couldn't have been better. We have proven you can have a precious wedding without breaking the bank.
The food was delicious if I do say so myself (since i did a good deal of the cooking). From the looks of people's plates it was good :) The decorations were just right. The candlelight was romantic and elegant. Everyone dressed up and looking their best was a treat. All in all it was a fairy tale night and at the end of it, TD and JL were married.
I felt so blessed throughout this time, truly blessed. Thank you, Father.

Chocolate and Biscuits

My Granma made this for me every morning that I remember eating breakfast with her. My mom made it for me a lot too. This is the ultimate comfort food in my book. As good as mine is, I don't hold a candle to Granma's. I think her biscuits were the best I have ever eaten. Probably had something to do with the lard :)

Granma McCormick's Chocolate Gravy 

*all amounts are approximates

1 cup sugar

2 Tbls. cocoa

1 cup milk

2 Tbls. butter

dash of salt

Mix sugar, cocoa and a dash of salt together in a medium sized sauce pan. When all cocoa lumps are gone add milk. Cook over medium to medium high heat til boiling and then let it simmer at a slow boil until it begins to thicken a bit. This usually takes me close to 30 minutes but it is worth the wait! Turn off the heat and add butter and stir til butter is melted. I like to let it sit for 5 minutes or so if I can wait that long. Split open a fresh, hot biscuit and pour the chocolate over it. Enjoy!

Some people add a Tbls. of flour to their chocolate. It does shorten the cooking time because the thickening happens very quickly. However, you do end up with more of a gravy consistency instead of liquid fudge :) I make it like my Granma did and she didn't use flour.

As for the biscuits, just use your favorite biscuit recipe. I wish I could make my Granma's biscuits but I can't even come close. She really did use lard and they really did taste wonderful. I hope she'll be making them in heaven!

I do use organic cocoa, sugar, milk and butter so this really is healthy, really.

Chocolate and biscuits, just like Mom and Granma made, it's what's for dinner :)

Bells Will Be Ringing

Wedding Bells, that is. They will be ringing at our house on Friday Night as TD and JL finally tie that knot. I am so thankful that they are both anxious and confident in their decision. I am also thankful for the joy I have experienced in being a part of the festivities! I had all but given up hope of getting to plan a wedding and now here the Hub and I are hosting it. He is being a dear, sweet hub of my dreams about it all. I am so thankful for that. I say that with confidence that he will continue to be the dear, sweet hub of my dreams :)
The next few days will be full of cleaning, cooking, moving furniture, decorating, picture taking, smiling, loving and lots of laughter, lots and lots of laughter (it better be!)! I hope to have pics to post in a few days and fun family memories to write about.
I am so thankful for my Father that has blessed me and my family above and beyond abundantly!

Rainy Days

We had an unexpected rain shower blow in yesterday afternoon. It was so nice! The sounds were the first thing I noticed. That far away rumble that builds up til you feel it. The sky darkened in a pretty sort of a way. The wind picked up just a bit bringing with it the sweet smell of rain. What a welcome sight this was! We are parched and dry to the bone. The heat is August hot and we are not officially in summer yet.
The rain started to come down in big fat drops that were so scattered you could almost count them. Then they joined hands and came down like a curtain. I couldn't stand it any more, I had to open the door so I could be a part of it, the smell, the freshness, the cooler temps, everything.
Last night as we were thinking over our gifts of the day i told the Hub that the rain was my gift. I love rain. Think about how incredible it is that water falls from the sky! I also told him that the only thing better than rain is when those drops freeze into lacy flakes as they fall. I do love me some snow!
All this thinking about rain got me to thinking about my early childhood, the years I lived with Granma. I loved rainy days at Granma's house! That meant I played inside and Granma played with me :) Oh Joy! I still get that wonderful, secure, loved feeling when I see rain. I count those memories among my most treasured memories. How I hope I am part of those memories that are being made in JO's little mind. How great is My God!!!

Update On Caladiums

Yea! They're finally coming up! I was so excited to see the first little leaf break the surface of the ground. I had begun to think they were not coming up. I did plant them a tad too early. Here is a pic of what I have so far...