So Long Sarah {We Miss You Already!}

Sarah, does NOT like having her picture taken. I've never seen anything like it. She won't look at the camera! It's like she's on the FBIs most wanted list and refuses to be captured on film. But I found her weak spot. PROPS!!!! Give her something to be silly with and she shines. Not surprising. Fun + Silly = Sarah.

Our Sarah left for Peru yesterday. I know Joshua's heart it aching....hers too. A year and a half must feel like a century to them right now, but the scary thing is a year and a half goes by so much faster as you age. Time will fly...I promise.

Until then, Sarah, be safe, have fun (call Joshua often) and come home full of energy, love and stories of adventure.

Wedding Invitations {Kyle & Elizabeth}

My sister is getting married...

Most days, for me, it doesn't feel real. I'm sure to her it does. With only a month left she is feeling the stress.

She and her fiancé Kyle asked me to design their wedding invitations. Above is their one-of-a-kind, custom printed wedding invitation. They are planning a small, close knit wedding with primarily family and close friends and we are all super excited!!!! I wanted to be sure to include a picture of them on the invitations, their faces can't hide the love they have for each other. To watch them interact is the best way to see their chemistry. Both of them are so excited about this new stage of life...and so are we.

Hurricane Grilled Peaches

I’ve noticed that peaches are abundantly available lately, and since we are currently IN hurricane season, I thought I’d share this recipe for Hurricane Grilled Peaches. Why hurricane? Well, it was during the hurricane that hit in September 2008, that I was first introduced to Grilled Peaches, so adding Hurricane to the front just seemes natural. No natural disaster required to cook these. Enjoy!

Hurricane Grilled Peaches

Ingredients:
Large peaches (apples or pears)
Stick of butter
Cinnamon
Heavy-duty aluminum foil

Directions:

Wash peaches; cut them in half and remove the pit.
Place one pat of butter on each peach half.
Sprinkle the tops with a generous amount of cinnamon.
Neatly wrap each peach half in individual sheets of aluminum foil sealing the edges so that the steam is trapped inside.
Place on the upper shelf of a gas grill set on medium heat and cook for 30 minutes.

Topping Options
Scoop of vanilla ice cream
Ready-whip canned whipped topping
Chopped pecans or walnuts

Bridal Shower {The Invitation}

My sister-n-law Christy and I are coordinating a bridal shower for a couple at church. We thought the theme “Feather Their Nest” might be fun. Now the trick is to feature the nest and not a potential egg, so that they don’t think we are pushing for children! I love a challenge.

My hands down, favorite Party Inspiration blog is Party Perfect. That’s where the inspiration for these invitations came from. Chelsea Lawrence’s Red and Aqua Baby Shower was featured on the blog last week. Her adorable, baby shower invitations were the inspiration for our bridal shower invites. When you have the option to pass out invitations it opens you up to so many possibilities. We took Chelsea’s basic idea of using yummy treats to accompany an invite. Thank you, Chelsea!

I purchased these boxes for Marin’s birthday party favors, knowing I’d find a use for the leftovers. The bird nest candies are an Easter family tradition. Typically I’d use mini Robin Egg candies, but they are seasonal and so we used chocolate covered espresso beans instead.

The invites were a big hit. I have a feeling most everyone who received one won’t have trouble remembering the date.

Oh, and speaking of Party Perfect. Marin’s birthday party was highlighted on the blog. (Thrill of all thrills!...Blushing.) Check out Party Perfect! You’ll be hooked.

Seven Layer Sandwich

I had another taste test/food photo shoot for Escapees magazine this week. Steven and I really enjoyed this Seven Layer Sandwich, but would have reduced the amount of green onions. These would be great for a small summer get together with friends and would pair well with a dry, white wine.

Seven Layer Sandwich
2 large, thick slices of sourdough or sheepherder's bread. (Two English muffins make an acceptable substitute.)
1 ripe avocado, peeled, seeded and sliced
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and drained or thinly sliced cooked turkey or both
1 small can sliced ripe olives
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin (I’d only use ½ the bunch)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
Small package shredded cheese, cheddar/Monterey Jack
Lettuce leaves and salsa–optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly toast the bread/muffins.
Combine olives, chili powder, cumin and salt in medium bowl.
Stir in mayonnaise, sour cream and onions.
Put the toasted bread/muffin slices on a cookie sheet.
Using half the mayonnaise mixture, spread one side of each slice of bread/muffin.
Top with tomato and bacon and/or turkey. Spread remaining mayonnaise mixture on top of meat(s). Top with avocado slices. Sprinkle with shredded cheeses.
Bake until hot and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
Serve on lettuce slices with salsa on the side.

ALASKA

Sorry for the delay in posting these pictures from Steven's trip. He came home a week ago today. So happy to have him back! As you can see Anchor point, Alaska is beautiful. The construction work went well; Steven had a chance to go kayaking and deep sea fishing and even brought back 70lbs of halibut plus mementos for me and Marin.

I hoped to have more to say, but last night was the first time I saw Steven for more than 12 hrs. He came home and went right back to work. Life has been a bit crazy for us lately!

He looks for property in Alaska most every day. We disagree about how often we'd be able to visit if we did own property there. I say five times in our entire life and Steven says five times a year!

Cotton+Cherries+Dancing = Favorite PJs

Yes, I'm in the mood for pajamas.

Marin's calls her favorite nightgown her "dencing dress." (See the night gown on the left in the first photo). She begs to wear it every night, so, I decided I'd make her another one. I found this light weight cotton fabric with cherries and knew it was going to be her new "dencing dress."

Yep, that's right, no pattern; just and old night gown for reference. I'm a bit proud of this accomplishment.

Our photo shoot with "Marin the model" was quite entertaining. She LOVES to jump on the bed but HATES the flash on the camera.