Menu Monday

A good friend of mine, Kaleena, at Top Notch Eats posts delicious, nutritious, and easy recipes on her blog. I read each post salivating. Now, I wish I was half the cook she was but, alas, I'm not. So what I'm going to do from time to time on this blog is share delicious recipes from my very own kitchen. I hope you like this new idea; I feel the need to shake things up a bit to keep it interesting.

For my first ever Menu Monday may I present one of my very favorite side dishes.... ever.

Sautéed Garlic Green Beans (for 2 people)

You'll need:

• A few handfuls of fresh green beans (I usually get about 2 handfuls per person.)
• 1/4 stick of butter (I never said this was healthy)
• 3 tablespoons of diced garlic (you can either cut up fresh garlic, or use the kind that comes in the jar. I grow garlic so I use fresh garlic until I run out then I use the kind that comes in the glass jar-- it's decent.)
• Celery Salt (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Wash and "tip & tail" beans.
2. Cut each bean in half and put them in a large saute pan on medium heat.
3. Immediately put in the butter and garlic (you can be liberal or conservative with the garlic. I love garlic and love to smell of it for days, so I'm not shy about dumping a lot in.)
4. Cover the pan and stir occasionally until garlic is browned and beans are cooked all the way through.
   
5. Add Celery salt, stir and serve.
   

Photographic Friday

I'm busy working on updates for our blog and I was also thinking about adding some new features to it. But, for now, one of the best photos from this fall (exclusive of the wedding, of course) I love this picture because it also sums up why I love my car so much.

Top Ten Tuesday: Translations

Now that Aaron and I are married (whoooo-hoooo) I think it's only fair that I let him in on the secret language of women in relationships. You know what I'm talking about ladies-- yes you do.

So, Aaron, just because you make me the happiest I've EVER been I'm going to give you 10 free translations because that's the kind of girl I am.

1. Isn't tomorrow trash day?
Translation: Why are you sitting down? Get outside and pull the trash up the driveway. I hope you don't think I'm going to do it before work tomorrow when I'm all dressed up- in heels.

2. "I have absolutely nothing to wear."
Translation: Expect for me to go on a shopping trip... very soon.

3. "I want another dog."
Translation: My biological clock is ticking.

4. (Calling on my way home from work) "My day was so busy and I am so exhausted. I think I just want to snuggle in front of the TV tonight."
Translation: When I get home I fully expect to plop down in front of the boob-tube. It'd be nice if you made me something to eat too.

5. "Did you get a chance to _______ today?"
Translation: I know you didn't get a chance to ________ today. I already checked. This is how I'm going to remind you. I want you to THINK I gave you the benefit of the doubt. But I know you didn't... so get on that.

6. "I feel so gross today. I'm frumpy. Look at my butt. Ugh, why do you love me?"
Translation: Tell me I'm mouth watering.

7. "Hey, did you ask your mother about _________?"
Translation: Call your mother; it's been a while.

8. "Man, I need a weekend away with you. Just you and me in a hotel room."
Translation: Plan something fun and there will be something in it for you.

9. "Whew! Shredda and Rocko sure did make a stink."
Translation: Clean the litter box. I'm "above" that chore.

10. "(slithering back into bed) Hi, baby (whisper) I'm up."
Translation: Get up. I'm bored; you've had your 8 hours.

10/10/09 The Ceremony

I look around me and sometimes it's so hard to believe that this is my life. I know it sounds so cliche but it's what I've been thinking about lately.

My wedding (our wedding) was absolutely perfect. Everyone had an amazing time. It was such a blast to sit back and look at all the people who love and adore us, all there to celebrate with us. I saw old friends who I hadn't seen in years, constant companions, and significant others of friends who I met for the first time. It was a whirlwind, but so enjoyable (I hear the food was good too.)

Highlights of my wedding (and we'll start with just the ceremony) include:

The ceremony: The weather was perfect; it was beautiful. My brother-in-law spread the aisle with flower petals and pine cones. Our bentwood arbor was a dream, one of my best friends performed the ceremony, and my Pepe was there. He made it!! He even said "I hope you didn't think I'd let you run off and get married without me being here."

Walking down the aisle and seeing the sunlight peek through the multi-colored leaves, seeing my family waiting for me, I looked at Aaron and thought "How does this happen? How did I get so lucky? This is everything I could have ever wanted."

Per my request, the DJ played Creedence just as we had our first kiss, I remember thinking, "Jessi, remember this moment."

Once we were inside people told us how beautiful and original it was; exactly the look I was going for. What we found adorable was that people also said "We couldn't hear your vows?" Hahaha, yes, we know! Those were for us only. We made promises, secret promises, to each other. I think you all know that if I want to project my voice, I have no problem doing so.

There is so much I want to share, my bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, the reception, and the honeymoon but alas I want to spend time with the man I married. Not to fear, I'm back to my old blogging ways (now that 14 months of planning is done, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself.)

Many more pictures, thoughts and details to come.

Wednesday, Oui

This is my last "Wednesday Oui" before I get married to the REASON "oui" exists.

Nuff, said?

Oui?

I'm signing off until after the wedding. I have way too much going on to be blogging- but, I've missed you and I wanted to check in.

Pictures and details coming soon!!!

XOXO

The Future "Mrs"