Rehearsal Dinner

Everything continued great the remainder of rehearsal day, but of course, you wish you just had a few more hours to get things in place, and before I knew it, it was time to get dressed and head down to the site. Since the time had changed and got dark around 5:30, everyone had to be on time and we had to get it done, since there was zero lighting at the site. 

Friday was absolutely gorgeous! It had rained Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly a little Thursday, and I was freaking just a tad bit. The Heavens opened up for sure on Friday tho and it actually was very mild outside with a slight breeze, and just so peaceful, despite all the running around. 

I still can't thank everyone enough who generously helped us get everything together for our big day and I won't forget those people either.. thank you thank you thank you!!

Wish I would've done a little more styling to my hair.. Although before I got a shower, my MIL had found me in the bathroom floor, sorting out cash in envelopes for the piano tuner, pastor, music director for the speakers, etc. Don't ask me why I chose the bathroom to do this in.. maybe I just wanted a little bit of quiet since it is in the back of the house. I think at that point in the game, my hair was the last thing on my mind. 

We got everything finished and everyone knew their places! 

Now onto some delicious food!

In Honor of Ashley & Shane

Rehearsal Dinner November 16, 2012

Soup or Salad

Choice of Houndstooth Salad, Caesar Salad, Onion Soup or Soup of the Day

Entrees

Pork Chops- Two French Style cut Chops, Charbroiled and brushed with Seasonal Butter. Served with Redskin Mashed Potatoes

Stuffed Chicken Breast- Served with Three Grain Rice and Vegetable Medley

Grilled Salmon- Fresh Cut Daily, Served with Three Grain Rice and Fresh Vegetable Medley

Dessert

Assorted Fresh Desserts

Gotta get this printed and framed!

Lots of Love!

Something new in the kitchen!!

 Well I did something today I have never done before... I made Pear Preserves!

I mentioned in this post there were tons of pears on the tree and I wanted to try and make something and well, I found the following recipe and got to work yesterday!

You will need:

6 Cups peeled, cored, and sliced pears

1 Cup water

1 TBSP lemon juice

1 (2 oz) package powdered fruit pectin

8 Cups white sugar

2 TSP ground allspice

2 TSP ground nutmeg

1/2 Cup brown sugar

Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 10 minutes. Let simmer while making jam.

In a large saucepan, combine pears, water, and lemon juice. 

Cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in pectin, and bring to a full boil Stir in the white sugar, and continue boiling and stirring uncovered for 1 minute, until sugar is dissolved. Remove

from heat, and stir in brown sugar, allspice, and nutmeg.

Quickly fill jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Wipe rims clean, and top with lids. Process jars in boiling water for 10 minutes to seal.

I used my Pampered Chef apple slicer and then chopped with a knife. 

All ready to go! The amount chopped ended up being perfect, especially since the pears I picked to use were all sizes.

Stirring in the pectin. 

I didn't get a picture adding anything else because I was a little worried it would thicken up too much as I was trying to get all the jars filled. 

Some things I learned:

• I could have easily had two more jars of the preserves. Next time, I will have more jars prepared. I just put the remainder in a larger mason jar we had and put it in the fridge.
• When I was adding the pectin, I realized the box I purchased (which is the only one I could find) it was 1.75 oz. Not ever doing this before I wasn't sure if that .25oz would actually make a difference. Not to toot my own horn but I think they turned out pretty dang good for being the first time.
• I did not process the jars in boiling water. After speaking with my MIL I followed her plan of letting the jars simmer in water, just above the rim, for 5-7 minutes. She told me after they started cooling I would here the lid 'pop' and I could feel the 'bubble' on the lid go down. EVERYTHING happened just as she said!! I was also a little nervous with the whole glass, boiling, making sure the glass didn't get cool too fast. Very nerve wrecking for me.

And just to give you a mental picture of what was going on in the kitchen as far as that last statement-- We have granite countertops and I was not satisfied with one towel down. I had pot holders lined up with three thick kitchen towels placed on top of that. Told ya I was a little nervous but all ended up being great!

Coach and I both tried the preserves on a piece of toast, and although I have never had it before, I thought it was good and so did he! I will be sharing with the family for feedback for next time.

Happy Canning!

My giggle box got turned on..

I. HAVE. BEEN. CRYING. 

Crying from laughter that is. 

Since joining the Sassafras Salon family back in December I have learned they are ALL about some YouTube videos AND Robbie's clients are too! It is absolutely hilarious the new videos that everyone finds. And I must say I absolutely LOVE it!

Sometime this week, Bre showed us this video below.. I just remembered tonight to show it to Coach. I started chuckling as I was trying to look it up and by the time I found it and got it ready for play I was hysterically laughing like a hyena!!! So much that I had tears running down my face. 

You may have already seen it but if not, here it is!!

Are you serious??? 

I know she's all into her karaoke but DANG!!! 

Coach told me earlier it wasn't that funny. BOO! 

YES IT IS!!

And let's not forget this epic fail! 

Which actually landed her on Ellen!

I think what cracks me up the most is her "Take a shower...". 

WHAAAAAUUUUHAHAHAHA!

Bless her heart.

I truly hope her hair has grown out some now!

Lots of laughter,

Ash