Living It With Lisa

You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

R. Buckminster Fuller

1895-1983, Architect, Author and Inventor

Ok, I couldn’t resist when Carol sent me a link to some photos on the wedding photographer, Luanne Dietz’s blog.   So here are some more insights on how anyone can create a decidedly personal wedding: traditional, nostalgic and contemporary. 

Impossible you say?  Read on…

Luanne says on her blog “When I got to the rehearsal, Nancy was dressed in a 1970′s style purple dress.  She proceeded to tell me that it was the exact dress that her mom had made to wear

when her parents eloped in the 70′s.  One of my favorite conversations of the night was right as Nancy was about to practice walking down the aisle and her mother leans over to talk to her grandmother.  “Mom, do you remember this dress?”  Nancy’s mom said to Nancy’s grandmother during the rehearsal. “No, if you remember I wasn’t there!”  Nancy’s grandmother replied through a smile.

Now I have heard of daughters wearing mothers wedding dresses but  the elopement dress to the dress rehearsal?  That is nothing but fun!  I think I may have had a dress like that too!  Ahhh the memories!

Now what the wedding guests were not privy to, was just where some of the photos were going to be taken.  We all knew that the bride and groom were Gators and that the reception was at the Gator Alumni Center.  But who knew that they were going to take photos in between the wedding and the reception in The Swamp!   For you non Gators… that is the stadium in which the Gators play football!

Yes that’s right, while we are munching on a fabulous Caribbean appetizers, the bride and groom are right across the street.  And it wasn’t just any photo shoot… they played a mock game of football!  Luanne says the bride insists she sacked him, but the groom promised that he threw it to his best man for a touchdown!   Now that had to be the most unusual and decidedly FUN photo session.  It helps to have a former Gator football photographer taking your photos. Ahhh… it isn’t always WHAT you know … it is WHO you know! 

When I met Nancy late into the reception I shared with her that having never met either one of them, that their wedding and reception definitely gave me and her guests a window into both of their personalities. It was delightful and refreshing.

The First Dance

I guess if I can bleed burnt orange (Go Longhorns) they can bleed Orange and Blue!

Well done Nancy and Dan!  

Vic and I were honored to be included as guests. 

NOTE:  As Always click on the photos to view them larger and in detail … these are worth the click! 

Wonder how to keep your guest room bed smelling fresh?  Before your guests arrive tuck several fabric softener sheets under the bottom sheet to keep it smelling nice.  They are sure to ask what you use in the dryer!

We recently attended the decidedly personal wedding of Carol and Bill’s daughter Nancy to Dan.  You could tell by their invitation that this was not going to be a stuffy wedding.  The invitations arrived and the colors and design let you know the fun was about to begin.  The invitation colors were orange and purple with a hint that the theme was to be Carribean.  And it was. 

At first glance it seemed to be a traditional wedding, you know the gown, the dresses.  The next hint was no tuxes.  The groom and groomsmen were in kakai colored suits with groomsmen in orange ties and the groom in an purple tie.  The ceremony was traditional and personal.  The groom went in for two kisses which delighted the audience.  What I didn’t know until later that their last kiss had been on Valentines Day!  It was now June 27th!!!  Dan gave her the exact number of Hersheys Kisses for the number of days from Valentines Day to their wedding.  That was her ‘kiss’ each day.   Now I will say that took commitment and perseverance for both them.  Just imagine how special that first kiss was with all that anticipation. 

Okay back to the next hint that the fun was about to begin.  The bride and groom were introduced and the recessional began.  Nothing new there until the best man met the maid of honor and they stopped at the first pew and did a dance move to the recessional music which was  This Will Be An Everlasting Love .   Then each groomsman and bridesmaid did their own dance move to the delight and laughter of the wedding guests. 

The reception was no different.  A Caribbean theme in decorations and food that was delectable, and you know I wouldn’t say it was. if it wasn’t!  Yum!   They had roasted two pigs for the reception.  The caterer told me that the did not roast the heads, instead they glazed them with molasses and baked them in the oven so they wouldn’t shrivel.  Then she got creative … Sunglasses for the groom and eyelashes, earrings and a veil for the bride. 

Now for the cake.  Traditional Brides cake and not so much with the grooms cake … rather castle!   I found out that the groom and his groomsman had put the Krispy Kreme Kastle Kake together themselves that morning!  Using donuts, Little Debbie’s and ice cream cones!   I must say well done and was caught eating my second donut by the mother of the bride!

The most interesting item of the evening for both Vic and I was that the band played lots of older dance music to which everyone young and older danced to all night long.  Their wedding and reception truly was a reflection of who this young couple was and what they stood for, which was very special for all the guests to experience as another girl and boy become man and wife. 

Congratulations  Nancy and Dan!

Note:  You can click on the picture to enlarge it to see some details.  The pictures were taken with my iPhone.

I seem to be on a theme!  Weddings!  

After yesterdays post I remembered a poem that I had found.  We attended the wedding of the daughter of our friends Carol and Bill a few weeks ago.   Of course being the cooking gal I love to give great kitchen gifts to college graduates and newlyweds.

It just so happens that this particular bride benefited as a college grad with a LeCrueset Dutch Oven.  If you are not familiar with this brand they are fabulous.  Cast Iron encased in enamel.  What does that mean to a cook?  Even distribution of heat while cooking and even easier clean up!

So when it came time for a wedding gift, I decided that another one of my favorite mixing bowls of all time were on the menu.  The stainless steel set of 3 All Clad mixing bowls with side handles.  The handles provide a firm grip.  These bowls will last a lifetime or two.  

But it just wasn’t complete without a cookbook…and you know I have LOTS of favorites!  I wasn’t sure what their cooking skills were and I knew from experience that many of the “Bride and Groom” cookbooks were not so great for newbies in the kitchen.  My favorite cookbook this year to give as a gift has been Barefoot Contessa’s Back to Basics from Ina Garten.  So that was included.

I also never give a book without writing an inscription to the recipient.  So what was I to write in this cookbook that a young couple might relate to since I had never met either one?

Here is what I found and inscribed in the front of Nancy and Dan’s cookbook:

Is there a secret to a happy marriage?  A secret … no!  Common sense … yes!  But if you are looking for “the secret” this article may give you some insight from some very happily married couples who have figured out what “secret” works for them.   Who knows it may be a light bulb moment for you too. 

I would agree that laughter and humor is a key ingredient to a happy marriage.  Enjoy!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31910284/ns/today_weddings/

We gathered a few days ago with with friends and family for the July 4th holiday.  Please watch and share this moving video as we continue to celebrate our LIBERTY and FREEDOM.   

Enjoy! 

Okay I have been tardy in blogging!   Too much on my plate…however in the midest of moving Joseph in the house and moving lots of my stuff out…the issue of cleaning a house comes to mind.  

How many times do you go to the bathroom and it looks like a tornado just hit?  Towels on the floor, stuff scattered on the counter, clothes… well you get the drift.  

Here are 3 Household rules that should keep the bathroom from being a disaster zone. 

1.  If you use it … clean it!  Put caps back on products, wipe off the counter, if neccessary clean the toilet bowl!  Keep the toilet brush handy.

2.  Nothing is left on the floor.  That means towels and clothes.  Hang them up and pick them up when you leave.

3.  Put everything back where it belongs.  Right stuff in the right place! 

It is easy to do if everyone does their part. 

FYI… Well the house looks much better now that Maria came and cleaned the mess from top to bottom giving Joseph a clean slate to maintain.   WooHoo!