Cheers for the long weekend!

I have successfully had a nice relaxing week before getting back into the chaos of school and a mini two week break from technology . I accomplished several things off my to do list, including meeting with a florist, sending save the dates out, and spending time with quality friends. I especially was blessed to go down to Northfield yesterday to hang out with my friend and mentor Tiffany. We had a great time hanging out, cooking (and preparing lots of corn), and catching up. Now there is only one more work day until the some time up north. Happy long weekend, be prepared for a more posts in the next couple weeks as I move back into my everyday routines again.

Home made Mac N' Cheese

I hate processed foods. I still eat them, but I don't like them. At work one day the kids asked for some Mac N' Cheese. They didn't have any but I decided that I would try making my own, turned out to be a hit!

4 cups pasta- macaroni

1 egg beaten

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

2-1/2 cups whole milk

1 pound cheese (I used cheddar) 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1. Cook macaroni until firm.
2. In a small bowl beat egg
3. in a large pot melt butter  (medium- low heat) and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together to avoid the butter burning. Aka whisk constantly 
4. Pour in milk and whisk until smooth. Cook for 5 minutes until thick. Reduce heat to low.
5. Take 1/4 of sauce mixture and pour into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the egg. Whisk until smooth. Then pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
6. Drain pasta. Put back into pout and add cheesy mixture. Serve immediately 

Enjoy!

Matthew 5: 46-47 "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are only kind to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that."

Wedding in Duluth

1// Duluth harbor 

2// C & I

3// Duluth Pack Shop

4// Local Train

5// Sight seeing device, beautiful view of Lake Superior 

6// Myself enjoying a malt. yum.

7// Katie & Brock Sharing a malt

8// Malt Shoppe "Thank you"

9// Cannel Drawbridge

10- 12// Essie & Micah's Wedding 

Last weekend I got to celebrate two lovely weddings, one in St. Paul and the other in Duluth. That being said C and I headed up to Duluth on Sunday to celebrate Essie and Micah joining as one. While being up there we got to spend some quality time with Katie and Brock, and walked around the beautiful town. If you have never been there, Duluth has a vintage feel that if full of life. Lake Superior surrounds the town, making it feel like a town off the ocean. It is a great, fun place and I am blessed to spend some time up there sight seeing as well as celebrating the wedding! 

Romans 12:9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good"

Nothing Better then Brunch

seriously what is better then breakfast?

well maybe coffee but both are equally important for the way I function ;)

if you are in the Twin Cities area and are looking for a great place for brunch (or any meal really) check out the Bad Waitress located in south Minneapolis. This place has a relaxed atmosphere, quality food, and is a different type of dining. 

Be My Maid

I finally got the pleasure of asking some of my best ladies to be my bridesmaids.

These ladies have been with me through thick and thin, high and low, and I couldn't be more pleased with my incredible friends! 

Bridesmaids//

Maid of Honor: Laurel Anderson (sister of the bride)

Maid of Honor: Rose Anderson (sister of the bride)

Bridesmaids: Michelle Sass

Bridesmaid: Katie Smith

Bridesmaid: Melissa Kiresbom (sister of the groom)

I wanted to ask them in a special but unqiue way so I created up small gift packages, using things that would be representing our wedding theme

Pearl earings for the big day!

wrapped chocolate bars with a photo 

frame- explaining wedding details

the package

I then decided to bring them to a cute local place in my home town called Pardon My French, where we got a variety of drinks and deserts.

BRIDESMAIDS 

Maid of Honors

We began to work through some of the detials leading up to the big day. It was so exciting to see everyone togther, and how REAL it felt planning my special day.

Seasonal Veggies! w/ Zucchini bread recipe

Everyone knows that you should eat your fruits and veggies, but how often do you really eat em. I know I eat a lot... but the dear fiance does not so much (at least not yet!)

I always love going to the farmers market and my vegetable garden to pick out the best seasonal veggies that are beyond flavorful. Fortunately the summer is PACKED with seasonal fruits and vegetables including cherries, zucchini, melons, plums,  cucumbers, garlic and so much more. 

Not only do seasonal vegetables have a better flavor, they are also more nutrient dense, so they are providing even more benefits to your health by eating them.  

This seasonal fruits and vegetables are great, however you can pair up with some great ingredients to make amazing meals.

One of my FAVORITE seasonal vegetable would be the ZUCCHINI

yum. fried, in bread, you name it I will usually eat it :) and to top it off today is national Zucchini day!

Here is the recipe to a bread I recently made.

3 cups flower
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 1/4 sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini

1. Grease two 8 x 4 inch pans, preheat oven to 325
2. Sift flour,salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together
3. beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Then add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in Zucchini
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes

Enjoy!

Raspberry time

if you don't know it by now... I love my fruit. Especially freshly picked fruit (awesome in the summers) 

The  fruit of the week is...  RASPBERRIES

Why you should eat raspberries 

• Low calorie sweet snack that is filled with dietary fiber and anti-oxidants
• High source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E
• Helps fight cancer, aging, and inflammation
• A tasty overall treat that is good for you :)

Eat them plain or in scones... or for a perfect summer treat top put onto your favorite ice cream! 

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up"

What my weekend looked like.

I had one of the best weekends in a long time. Chad and I headed up northern to the cabin for an extended weekend. We did so many fun things and truly relaxed, something that I should do more often. Not only did we get to relax but we did get to indulge in some of our favorite things such as Chemex brewed coffee, fishing, boat rides, and so much more. 

This Lady caught 6 fish this weekend!

not only did I get time on the boat but got to spend it with my other favorite furbaby Lacy girl.

Seriously, doesn't my weekend look like heaven ;)

Matthew 6:33" But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"