Song of the Moment

Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

Can't you see that it's just raining

Ain't no need to go outside...

But baby, you hardly even notice

When I try to show you this

Song is meant to keep ya

From doing what you're supposed to

Like waking up too early

Maybe we can sleep in

I'll make banana pancakes

Pretend like it's the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time

Can't you see that it's just raining

Ain't no need to go outside

But maybe, laka ukulele

Mommy made a baby

Really don't mind the breakfast

'cause you're my little lady

Lady lady love me

'cause I love to lay here lazy

We could close the curtains

Pretend like there's no world outside...

Weekend Recaps

out our window, love what I see every evening

[view from our rooftop patio in DC]

I always like to have something fun to look forward to on the weekends-whether it is cooking with my hubby love, seeing a movie with a friend or going on a weekend trip somewhere within a few hour radius. So imagine how happy I've been lately to have the opportunity to visit my brother and Carey (future sister-in-law come August 27th, 2011) with my man up in Rochester! And what fun did we have...

Shortly before we left a very special gift arrive in the mail---I am so honored to stay beside them next summer when they become husband and wife~

The gift was wrapped in grey tissue paper and had a peach bow around the frame to give a little preview of her colors to come for her August wedding, it will also include a French Country feel, which I am crazy about. Love love love

the pricey faded purple leather coat I convinced myself (with the help of my girlfriends) that it was a must have/reminder of my Bachelorette NYC weekend

~

And then most recently I was lucky enough to meet up with some of my favs at my old college stomping ground, so fun, so many laughs, so much love for them!

Foodie Friday

So I recently tweeted that every week I am going to try to cook (at least) one new recipe and so here goes another lovely dish I made this week. It was a light, and refreshing lead into Fall and it was very much enjoyed by myself and my honey. He is quite the cook and doesn't need recipes or any of that sorta thing to rule the kitchen--he said he might add a little extra seasoning, so tickle your fancies and do whatever you please with this one:

Click here to view the fabulousness

Now off to the weekend, I am going to be domestic and get the piles of laundry that have been accumulating done, run some errands and just take it all in :) MWAH

I'll Have A Happy Meal, Please!

I saw this pumpkin featured on a blog this morning for a pumpkin carving contest and had to post it because I thought it was oh-so-cute :) People are so creative~

No Tricks, All Treaties :)

[I absolutely ADORE caramel apples and often seek them out in the fall, go to one of my fav blogs: cupcakesandcashmere.com to make some of these beauties yourself]

I have seen so many cute Halloween food and decoration ideas on blogs the past few days and wanted to make sure that I showed you all of the goodies I found...makes me want to throw a little shin-dig or plan a spooky fun night for little kiddos...I am definately one to get into themed parties--I think my parents turned me onto this at an early age as they would let me pick a theme for my birthday and my dad would videotape the whole event. We've done princess, rock stars, mexican, fairy, Hollywood, to name a few...oh to be a kid again :-)

[LivingLocurto is a great site with fabulous ideas and so many printable recipes, party ideas, crafts and so much more]

These adorablee owls make me want to just play with my food, lovee themm

if I were out and about for Halloween-this would most definitely be my go to outfit, love cupcakes!!

thecelebrationshoppe.com

indulgebyjenn.com

To create a wonderful dessert table like Amy Atlas Events go to,http://www.amyatlas.com/index.php/main/portfolio/ (photo 21)

A Mexican Thanksgiving

Rashida Jones looks so comfy chic in her loose blouse and fun hat, might have to rock a similar look on my trip!

[look at that view, ahh breathtaking!]
My husband (still so weird to say that, eekss) and I will be taking off to Cancun, Mexico to join his parents for the Thanksgiving holiday! Although I am sad to not be joining my family in Florida for the holiday, now that we are married, we need to be fair to both sides. It will be nice to go to a place I've never been before, my hubby's grandparents have a place in Cabo but Cancun will be a fun new place to explore-yay for new places, and new adventures as newlyweds :)

The blue water, sunshine and a mixed drink in my hand sound wonderful right about now as I'm typing from a computer at work while wearing a sweater....hehe...

p.s. I've been dying to learn how to drive stick and my hubby said he plans to teach me on this trip-watch out Cancun, Mrs. L is on the road!

Foodie Friday

I have to admit that for this past year I have been pretty off and on in terms of my cooking-I've gotten so caught up in my many trips back and forth btw D.C. and CT, our engagement party, bridal showers and the many events that come with engagement time/wedding planning that I've just become reliant on B to do most of the cooking or have taken to doing very simple meals. It has truly been a great few months as we celebrated our engagement and now marriage. I feel so blessed to have B as my official hubby and partner in life-- I love him so much!! When I think about Brad and see him I know that I am home~

Anyway, I've decided every week I am going to introduce a new recipe into our married life and last night I made a wonderful dish:

Quinoa with Moroccan Winter Squash and Carrot Stew

My brother and his bride-to-be made this dish for me this past weekend when I was up in Rochester visiting and I liked it so much that I had to re-create it for B (who had to come back to D.C. a day early, boo). The meal is so hearty and warms the soul and I think it is just so scrumptious! Try it out and let me know your thoughts...
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Quinoa-with-Moroccan-Winter-Squash-and-Carrot-Stew-233714

the Katers version

Tomorrow morning I am off to Dickinson College to have a mini reunion with some of my besties and will start the day with a recipe my soon to be sister-in-law gave me that is so fall and delicious, you're sure to like it. It is a simple little recipe but I think it is a little gem of its own:

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

*light brown sugar

*cinnamon

*pumpkin pie space

*some canned pumpkin

as gorgeous as it is in a pumpkin, I usually serve mine in one of my colorful bowls and dig in!

Just Call Me, Mrs. L

I have had a very long absence from here but am finally back as a newly married woman! I had the absolute time of my life as I celebrated with Brad in the greatest day of our lives. We had the most perfect weather, that was filled with so much love and happiness. I felt so honored to have all of our closest family and friends with us to share in such a joyous day on September 18, 2010.

Things I will never forget from that day:

-the happy look on my mom's face as she watched me all ready to go out our front door--with some tears in her eyes

-my dad telling me just to hold onto his arm and squeeze him if I felt nervous walking down the aisle

-the tears that poured down B's face while he continually told me how beautiful I looked

-my brother busting out his moves on the dance floor

-the speeches of the night, especially B's as he told the crowd his story of falling in love with me

-my MOH's speech as she closed hers with the best final line that had everyone roaring in laughter

-my gittyness as we ran through the sparklers and into the night and I yelled to the grown, while blowing kisses "i love you alll!!!"

~How happy I felt and how lucky I am to have the man of my dreams and the family and friends I do in my life~

My photographer, Steve Depino, posted some shots of the magical day on his blog, here is a preview until I get the rest of my shots: