party at the skeet club

(Again, I apologize in advance for the lack of pictures. And for the lack of updating.)

Happy Monday morning (said no one ever)! This Two weekend ago was our engagement party in Franklinton, LA. This is where Justin grew up and it's always nice to go back home and spend time with his family. We had had a long week at work (or at least I had) so it definitely was a nice escape. 

Thursday we decided at four o'clock to go ahead and go down there so we packed on up and left. We were able to spend time with just his parents and brother before the entire clan got in. Woke up at about seven Friday morning just in time to see the twins come in from Chattanooga. It warms my heart every time I see Justin hold a baby (it's adorable, and I can't wait for him to be a dad. In like three years). Friday we did some running around and had to get the skeet club ready for friends to come into town. Beaux just loves the skeet club, which in turn makes me love it as well. Within five minutes of getting out of the car, he's gone swimming and found a branch to nibble on. 

Saturday was the party. I have to say I was exhausted by the time it actually started, but I willed myself through it. Meeting a lot of new people is hard work to say the least. But with Justin not leaving my side, I managed to stay happy and excited for the entire night. 

It was stressful knowing that my parents were going to be meeting a lot of Justin's family and friends. Justin and I come from very different backgrounds (which is a blessing in disguise), so to be honest, I just wanted this weekend to go as smoothly as possible. Which it did. Everyone had a fabulous time. Justin's mom did an amazing job decorating and it was perfect. Except the party-crasher. Which I would put a picture of up here, but to be honest, it's a little embarrassing. That's all I'm going to say about it. 

Now we're down to less than three months before the "I do" day. We've (or really I've) decided on our first dance song, and we've gotten flowers for the bridesmaids all figured out. Other than that, I feel confident in our planning, and am so excited for these 89 days to fly by!

Hope everyone has a great week :)

ina and the brownie cake

Okay, so those that know me know that I adore Ina Garten. There's no denying it. She's an amazing cook, her food is fabulous, she's always throwing a party, and, lets face it, her husband is adorable (Justin thinks that he's really who I'm obsessed with and he's right). 
Anyway. About two or so years ago, for Christmas I received one of her cookbooks called Back to Basics. 

courtesy of Google Images 

I adore this book. She includes pictures of every single recipe, which is something that I think is a must. I want to see what I'm making so I can know if I've done it correctly. I flip through this cookbook when I want some inspiration, want a challenge, or just want to look at yummy, elegant food and day dream. It's lovely, and I love it.

The first recipe I've made out of it I want to share with you. This is my go to recipe for everything. Parties, football games, chocolate cravings. It's yummy, makes the house smell lovely, and easy. Very easy. 

Baked Chocolate Pudding

heavily adapted from Ina

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks of butter (there's no way getting around it), melted and cooled
• 1 cup Splenda and 1 cup sugar, combined
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup cocoa 
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees and spray a two quart dish (or butter it if you're feeling naughty). In the bowl of an electric mixer (which I have now!), combine the sugar and eggs and mixed on low for about five or so minutes, until creamy and yummy. While that's mixing, sift together the cocoa and flour and add a dash of salt (trust me). I know a lot of people are like sifting is for losers, but trust me it makes the pudding/brownie/cake smooth. Once that's sifted, add it slowly to the sugar and egg mixture and combine. Add the vanilla and butter and stir it once more. Now this is the part where Ina and I differ. Her recipe states that you need to bake this dish in a water bath. This is something that I have done the first time I made it, and it turned out so good. But about two weeks ago, I made this, but forgot the water bath. Well, what am I to do? Instead of freaking out, I just cut the baking time. It's supposed to bake for an hour. Instead, I just baked it for forty five minutes. It's really something that you just have to watch. The outside of the cake will be cake-like, but the middle will look as though it's just not baked. But that's okay, go ahead and take it out. Let it cool for twenty minutes, pop some vanilla ice cream on it, and eat up. 

"Seriously, how easy is that?"

Go make this. Love it. Buy her book (seriously, I'm not getting an endorsements, I just love her).

bridal shower

See, I didn't forget..
We had our first bridal shower on September 15th (almost a month ago, I know), and it was a huge success. So many people that I haven't seen in a long long time as well as some people that I didn't really know came. It was such a blessing to see the turn out of people in our church that remember me from when I was young and are willing to support my commitment to Justin and to our marriage. I've never felt so overwhelmed with love. Or gifts (sorry, I had to say it). Of course, I don't want to go through and list out everything because that'd be ridiculous, but I'll give you the highlights of our favorites. 
My KitchenAid Stand Mixer. My pride and joy (Thank you Aunt Debbie, Granny, and Lizzy!). Everyone knows I've been waiting since freshman year to get one, and Mom has always been like wait until you're married, you'll get one. Well, she was correct (as usual). I adore it, and want to bake or make something daily in it (but then I'd gain that 10 pounds back and decided against it). 
Justin's favorite thing has to be the set of knives we got (what a guy). His parent's gave them to us and he really enjoys using them. We also got a new Keurig, which I also love. Our old one required to be filled with water EACH AND EVERY TIME you wanted coffee. Justin's sister has this same one, and decided (after my doting probably) to share in the joys of water filling laziness (and for that I thank her). 
Two of my bridesmaids were there, and a very glowing pregnant friend and I couldn't have been happier. Sometimes I feel like I don't have time to stop and visit with people, and that I'm so content with just being on the couch with Justin, but really, I've decided I need to make more of an effort. 
I promised pictures, but I don't have any. Sorry. I'm a bad blogger. 
Next weekend we have our Franklinton shower. I'm excited for my parents to go down there and see where Justin grew up. Should be quite an experience! 
Anyway, hope everyone has a nice, short week at work (especially if you have Columbus day off!). Be back soon with my favorite recipe to make using my stand mixer.