Living It With Lisa

Here we were enjoying our tasting menu at DEANES Restaurant in Belfast.  While soaking in the ambiance, a young couple was seated at the table next to us.  We had already made the decision to add a cheese course to our menu after glancing two tables over as a gentleman made his selections for his cheese course.  Who knew what we were about to witness one table over!

I noticed that this couple had been served two courses because of course I wanted to see what else came out of the kitchen!  Out of the corner of my eye I saw the young man get up and thought he was going to the restroom.  All of the sudden Vic is nodding his head in their direction and nodding ‘yes’ at the same time.  I glanced over and Thomas was on his knees in front of Leah’s chair asking her to marry him.  She was gasping and in shock, obviously not expecting a proposal.

By the time I gathered my wits about me, I grabbed my camera out of my purse.  Now cut to Mr. Toughguy … he is holding back  the tears and his face is red.  Yes, Vic is a big teddybear and was trying hard not to be emotional.

Thomas was about to get off up after placing a ring on Leah’s finger.  I told him to hold it, I needed to get a picture!  Phoey I should have checked the photo… he really was on his knee!  There was a round of applause from a few staff and diners.

At little more on the happy couple.  Leah Hawksford and Thomas Heavyside are from Liverpool England!  Kudos to Thomas for wisking Leah away to Belfast and totally surprising her with I might add was a fabulous ring that Leah kept looking at, as it sparkled in the lights only to be dimmed by the sparkle in Thomas eyes as he watched Leah with pure joy.

Lean and Thomas …May your life together sparkle a little more everyday.

I saw this in a store in Belfast and felt it appropriate to share in honor of you both…

Irish Wedding Blessing

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! 

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/