Rest and Relaxation

I'm heading over to the cabin for the long weekend. I hope you have a great weekend, and I'll see you back here next week!

Savoring the Last Days of Summer

One of my many fond memories of summers growing up as a kid was hearing the tune of the ice cream truck coming down our street. My sister and I would grab our allowance money and race out the door to meet him. There we would pick from the smorgasbord of drumsticks, ice cream sandwiches and Popsicles. Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to chase down the ice cream truck, but I still enjoy a good Popsicle or ice cream every now and then.

You remember my love for blackberries? Well here is another recipe that incorporates the berries in a nostalgic treat. I had planned on posting about a recipe I'd seen somewhere, but I seemed to have lost it so I decided to make up my own recipe instead.

Blackberry Yogurt Pops

Ingredients:

3 cups blackberries

2 tsp lemon juice

2 cups vanilla yogurt

1 frozen and then thawed banana

Directions:

1) In your food processor, mix berries and lemon juice.

2) Strain into a large bowl to remove the seeds. You'll be left with about 1 cup of juice.

3) Mash up your thawed banana and mix with juice.

4) Mix in yogurt.

5) Option #1: Pour into Popsicle molds Option #2: Pour into your ice cream maker and follow machine's instructions for making frozen yogurt.

I went with option #1, and here are my delicious results:

For more Popsicle inspiration check out this book called Pops! Icy Treats for Everyone from the Spoon Sisters.

Build-A-Bar

When I'm on the run and I don't want to miss a meal, I usually opt for grabbing a nutrition bar. They are quick and easy, and take the edge off my hunger. However, often times it's hard for me to find an option that has the taste, texture and ingredients that I want. I recently heard about a new company called YouBar, that allows you to create and customize nutrition bars. It was formed by a mother-son team who were tired of eating generic flavored bars. You get to choose the ingredients, the texture, toppings, and they even have gluten-free and vegan alternatives. Since you're choosing what goes into the bars you can be guaranteed that you will be satisfied with the results. As this mother-son team says, "You are what you eat, so choose!".

Back to School Entertaining

I used to love the first day of the new school year. Organizing my new school supplies into my backpack, picking out the perfect outfit, getting onto the bus with friends and the nervous feeling of wondering if I would be able to get my locker open or find my next class. It's such a special time that deserves a party marking the end of summer and the beginning of a new start.

Turn your home into the kid's school by decorating with the school colors. Create various "classrooms" by having the kids go to the "Art Room" to create decorations for their lockers, to the "Cafeteria" for lunch, and out to "Recess" for a game of kickball or tag.

For your "Cafeteria" decor create a centerpiece with various glass containers filled with colored pencils. It adds color and it's a fun way to decorate with school supplies.

Continue the school theme with these creative ceramic "Memo" trays from Fishes Eddy.

Idea courtesy of Totally Tabletops.

Make sure and send your guests home with a bag full of fun school supplies. Your party will be sure to get everyone excited for the new school year.

The List

I am a list girl. There's the cleaning list, the shopping list, the to-do list, the list of books to read...the lists go on and on. They are usually on scratch pieces of paper with quick scribbles to help bring order to my life. I recently started a new list. A list of goals. I feel that the first step in achieving your goals is to put them into words and writing. So that's exactly what I did. The goals may be small achievements, but they are accomplishments none the less. Here are some of my goals: learn to make gnocchi, visit the Sculpture Garden in Seattle, learn about my family's history, sew a quilt, volunteer at the Special Olympics, bake a fancy cake, participate in a walk-a-thon, write a children's book (even if it's just for my own kids to read)... Over time I hope to check off these goals and create new ones. What are your goals? Whether they are big or small, I encourage you to write them down and make them a reality.

Blackberry Goodness

I have been waiting...

And waiting and waiting and waiting...

And finally they have arrived...Blackberries! I have big plans for them this year. Jam, cobbler, muffins, sorbet. We are one blackberry loving household. Since Adam is just as excited about tasting the results of these sweet little berries, he offer to help me pick batch #1. We went down the road and filled our tupperware container to the brim.

The first blackberry treat of the season were muffins inspired by a recipe by Martha Stewart.

Ingredients
Makes 6 large or 12 small muffins
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for tins
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 3/4 cups blackberries
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.butter large (3 3/4 inches) or small (2 3/4 inches) muffin tins, and set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg, egg yolks, and vanilla; mix until well combined. Reduce speed to low; alternate adding reserved flour mixture and milk to mixer, beginning and ending with flour. Remove bowl from mixer; gently fold in berries by hand. Divide batter among muffin tins; sprinkle generously with sugar. Bake until light golden, about 45 minutes for large muffins, about 30 minutes for small muffins. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove from pan; transfer to wire rack, and let cool completely.

YUM!

A Cultural Weekend

I have had the privilege of working with Mona Lisa Events this summer during the busy wedding season. Heather, the owner, went to college with me, and I only wish I had known her more then and known about her passion for events. She has such a strong work ethic, a high level of professionalism, is incredibly creative and is so much fun!

As an event planner one of your jobs is to never let your clients know anything has gone awry on their big day. However, the reality is that there is almost always some little (or big) mishap. You take on many roles to solve whatever problems may occur: seamstress, cake decorator, designer, babysitter or makeup artist. I'm working on getting her to start a blog about the crazy stories from behind the scenes. Some of her stories have me laughing to the point of tears! I'll let you know when I finally convince her.

This last weekend I assisted at two wedding of couples with very different cultural backgrounds. On Saturday it was for a Vietnamese couple. I missed their traditional tea ceremony that took place in the afternoon, but at the reception the couple opted for an early dinner so they could walk from table to table collecting envelopes with monetary gifts from their guests in lieu of a set of towels or a blender.

Sunday's wedding was for a Jewish couple. The couple followed many of the traditional rituals such as the use of a huppa, signing of the ketubah, sharing a glass of kosher wine and crushing the glass at the end of the ceremony. At the reception the entire family circled the couple as they danced and clapped. Then the couple was lifted into the air on chairs and raised up and down. It was such a fun celebration of the family coming together to celebrate the new couple.

I ended the weekend feeling like I had not only learned a lot about two very different cultures, but I had also experienced them. The entire next day I had Hava Nagila playing in my head.

Nature's Air Conditioning

Here in the Northwest, we're apparently breaking records with the hot weather we've been having. It's been beautiful, but at a certain point a girl has GOT to cool off! We have fans going in the house, but no ac. Even the air conditioning in the car is broken! So I began searching for a way to cool down. I could sit in front of a fan or stick my head in the freezer, but neither of those options are very entertaining. That's when it came to me...

There is nothing quite as refreshing as having the wind blow in your face as you coast down a hill on your bike. So I fastened my helmet, hopped on my bike and began my ascent to the top of the nearest hill. With a brief pause at the top (to catch my breath!), I zoomed down the hill quickly picking up speed.

Ahhh...so refreshing!

My search for the next big hill took me on an adventure over the I-90 bridge. I wish I had my camera with me because it was gorgeous! The sun was setting and reflecting off of the water. Picture perfect.

Now I'm back at home with my dog, Duke, who is sitting in front of a fan. I guess he is hot too...

Who says you can't be beautiful while you clean?

As you can see from my post yesterday, I spent the evening scowering my house. I've missed the whole "Spring Cleaning" phase, but better late than never! If you're looking for a little inspiration to tackle your own dirty house...look no further.

These gloves were featured in O Magazine. They come from a company called Glovables and are sure to motivate.

If you need a little bling while you clean, these may be a little more your style.

This royal couple makes sweeping a little less ordinary.

3M offers motivation by adding color to the normally bland cleaning routine.

I hope you feel inspired...but also enjoy the sun while it's here!

Sweeping, Dusting, Scrubbing...Oh My!

Tonight I'm cleaning the house...I'll be back tomorrow!

The Greatest Love Of All

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Wedding Week: Day Five - Future Weddings

Although it's technically unofficial, my brother-in-law is going to be getting married this time next year. Adam and I went for a hike with Alex and his bride-to-be, Kellie, today and I spent some time talking with her about the wedding. Based on her thoughts I have created an inspiration board...

Movie Night!

My sister and I had a dinner and movie date night tonight. Movies have always been a big thing in my family, or as my Dad would call them "vids". Quite a few years ago my sister and I went through an 80's phase and all we would watch were movies from that decade. I think we rented Big Business about ten times, and another can't miss is Shag. One of our all time favorite movies is "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". The big hair, shiny clothes, great music and young S.J.P. and you're bound to have a hit.

Enjoy the trailer!

Wedding Week: Day Four - Mark and Jenni's Wedding

The wedding we went to last weekend at Cannon Beach was beautiful. The weather was perfect! The Oregon beach is notorious for its blustery wind, but it seemed to stay away as if it knew it was a special day.

The bride did such a great job of carrying out the beach theme without covering every surface with sand and sea shells. The color palette consisted of aqua and black. Aqua sashes adorned the bridesmaids black dresses and the groomsmen wore aqua skinny ties. Each chair at the reception was tied with sheer aqua fabric, and each guest was sent home with a pail of salt water taffy to remember the night. Being that this couple is always ready for a fun time, they supplied bubbly aqua shot glasses for the bridal party with their sequined initial on the front. Everyone enjoyed the friends, food, sunset and danced the night away.

Congratulations Mark and Jenni!

Wedding Week: Day Three - The First Dance

This has to be one of the funniest videos I have ever seen!

No one says I love you quite like Sir Mix A Lot.

Wedding Week: Day Two - Our Anniversary

Today is our three year anniversary!

I can't believe that it's gone by so fast. I feel blessed to be loved by such a wonderful man. He has taught me so much and continually challenges me to be a better person.

I love you Babe!

Wedding Week: Day One - Culture Clash

Back in January I had the amazing experience of working on an episode of the show Dinner Impossible from the Food Network. I was working with Kelley Moore Creative Media at the time, and Kelley was approached and asked to take on the design on the wedding with Chef Robert Irvine handling the food. Of course she took on the challenge. And it definitely was a challenge! We only had five weeks to plan the wedding! Oh my!

The bride and groom, Kim and Shawn, were so much fun to work with. They had been planning on getting married sometime this summer, but when Kim found out her Dad had terminal lung cancer they decided to move up the wedding to January. Kim's aunt is a producer here in Seattle, and she told her connections at the Food Network about her niece's story and the producers were almost immediately on the phone with Kim. The premise of the show is that the chef takes on a near "impossible" situation and creates a gourmet meal in hours. Not only did chef Robert Irvine fly into Seattle the morning of the wedding and had no time to prepare, but he also was thrown the twist of trying to bring a fusion of Kim's Japanese background and Shawn's Scottish background into the cuisine!

This story only gets better because when we started contacting various vendors and told them about the situation, almost everyone donated the majority if not all of their time and services! It became such an amazing story of the the community really coming together to support this couple and their families. Here are the vendors we had the pleasure of working with:

Location: The Woodmark Hotel. They set up the outdoor tent specially for this event, worked with us on hotel logistics and opened up their kitchen to the overpowering Robert Irvine.

Hair and Make-up: Coupe Rokei. All of the bridesmaids took over a boardroom at the hotel and were beautified by this talented team.

Tent Decor: Aria Style. They draped the entire tent, did all of the beautiful linens and chair covers, and created the gorgeous design at the front of the tent. All I can say is thank goodness for Susan! She handled all of the linens and was always more than willing to help in anyway needed.

Collateral: All About Weddings. Gayle came on board and created the table number cards, story cards, place cards, favor blessings. Her work brought so much of the couple's personality to the wedding.

Candles: Glassybaby and Odessa's Herbals. Glassybaby donated various shades of white candle holders for all of the tables, and Odessa's supplied the soy tea lights.

Lighting: PNTA. They lit the entire tent, and we were even able to change the lighting from an amber color for the ceremony to a blue for the reception. They also supplied the light boxes for the tables to up light the glass hurricanes with sunken orchids.

Flowers: Athena Flora. She did beautiful work for the arrangements in the ceremony and for the bridal party. She was also the hands behind the chandeliers. It was a team effort to get those put together when at the last minute we realized that we didn't have enough crystals to cover them!

Favors: Theo's Chocolate. They provided boxes with one ginger infused truffle and one scotch infused truffle inspired by the couple's backgrounds.

Music: Neil Hubbard. Neil played the bagpipes to set the tone for the ceremony. DJ Dan Kretz of Emerald City Productions kept the party rockin' until all hours. With a nod to Kim's heritage, Tsunami Taiko drummers kicked off the reception with a performance.

Dessert: Trophy Cupcakes, who was also recently featured on the Martha Stewart Show, donated a cupcake tower. It was a pretty good day when she came to the office for the tasting so the couple could pick their favorite flavor (mint chocolate chip). I think I ate about 5 cupcakes! Yum!

Photography: Amore Studios. Brian and Melody were their to capture every moment. You can view many pictures from the wedding on their blog as well.

Videography: Endlesslove Productions. Jeremy caught every moment of the couples special day. You can view the video of the wedding on this website. Yeah that's me talking on my phone at the beginning of the video and then walking Kim to the elevator after she gets ready. I'm famous! :)

Assistance: I also have to thank all of the ladies that volunteered their time and sanity to bring this event together. They were always willing to do anything. Untangle thousands of crystals an hour before the wedding, search frantically for the misplaced marriage license, cut up the hotel lobby plants when the chef wanted color for his plates...you name it and they were willing to do it. Can I also just point out that Robert Irvine questioned whether we would be able to transform the tent from cermony to reception in an hour. Well, we did it in 20 minutes thank you very much!

The issue on shelves now of Seattle Bride Magazine has an article featuring details about the wedding. You can also check out part of the article online.

It was the most crazy month of my life, and the day after the wedding I don't think I ever left the couch. However, I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to support such a well deserving couple. It was an experience that I know I will never forget. You can catch a re-run episode on Dinner Impossible every year during wedding week.