Eight Days and Counting!

The BIG day is approaching here and I can almost hear the wedding bells.  Tyler and I have been on quite a journey leading up to this day, but they are mostly good.  During our tenure, we've both lusted, love, laughed, traveled, argued, made-up, and learned more and more about each other as each day passes.  Oh how I love thee... let me count the ways.

• He is a looker.  Let's be honest.  That's what drew us to each other, what lead us to have hours of conversation, and the realization that this is more than physical attraction.
• He is intelligent.  Consistently graduating at the top of his class, he's proven himself to be smart and diligent. Everyday I learn something new from him.  He's my personal Wikipedia and I love his brain!
• He is supportive.  Life is wonderful when you have a partner who encourages you to grow, explore, and stands by you through thick and thin.  You know he is the one when he supports your dream of having your business and contributing to making it a reality.
• He is my "other half".  We have so much in common, it made me believe in soul mates.  
• He loves me!

So, Tyler, I am so excited to marry you and spend the rest our lives continuing to build on the reasons why I love you.  

Cheers!

Bridal Hair Inspiration

I have to figure out exactly what I want to do for my hair and makeup style for the W-Day. Please here are some of my inspirations:

What do you think?

Reception Card

It's finally DONE! I've made my final edits and my wedding reception card is complete!

Postponed Spring Cleaning

Since the year began, I've been on wedding mode.  Not just mine, but a few friend's weddings, one of which I was her Maid of Honor.  That alone was a full time job so spring cleaning sort of missed me this year.  

We moved into a new apartment a few months ago.  We're all settled in, furniture arranged and nick-nacks in their corners.  However, I could never make the time to organize my closets.  Yes plural.  Our bedroom has a small walk in, but I have reserved that for my normal wardrobe.  Our second bedroom, which is home to our computers, weights, and my crafting station, also has a small walk-in.  My hubs (or soon-to-be) was generous enough to give up that closet just for me.  In it, my work clothes and extra shoes will be.  It's also a good idea for us since I wake up sooner than he, so without making too much ruckus in trying to get dressed for work, I can do that in my bedroom / closet.  What a concept,  I love it!  

Well, after the wedding, I am going to get on top of it!  The closet that is.  I have big big plans for my "space."  I want to install a closet system, complete with a vanity station.  Does anyone know the difference between the Closetmaid and the Rubbermaid system?  I've done a pseudo thorough research, yet  I haven't found anything to distinguish the two.
Hmm, decisions, decisions....

Closetmaid System

Rubbermaid Closet System

DELICIOUS Cajun Style Crab Boil

The other day we were in Costco and came across the Tiger Prawn Shrimp and couldn't resist.  So .... we bought a pack, and some squid, but that's a different story :/

Last night, I decided to cook up a pot of "Boiling Crab" style shrimp.  The end result was delicious - buttery tang with a bang of cajun flavor.  Inspired by the original Boiling Crab, here's how I made my version:

Sauce:

For the Sauce:

2 sticks of butter

cayenne pepper

Zatarain Creole Seasoning: 

OR McCormick Bayou Seasoning

lemon and black pepper

paprika

celery powder

onion powder

garlic powder

one can of tomatoe paste

Old Bay Seasoning

louisiana hot sauce or Rooster hot sauce

2 whole garlic heads, chopped up

2 lemon, cut into quarters.

Large Shrimp, should be at least one pound per person

Potatoes , halved

White corn, halved

smoked sausages, quartered

Directions

Cook seafood in boiling hot water.  Cook the veggies and sausages together in a separate saucepan. 

In a separate saucepan, make the sauce by adding Cajun Seasoning (this tends to get really salty fast, so add little bit at a time), Old Bay, paprika, cayenne pepper, squeeze the lemon and throw into the pot, black pepper, celery powder, onion powder, garlic powder,  louisiana Hot Sauce.  Once you come to the right taste, add in the tomatoe paste. Be careful - the tomato paste will splatter once it boils!  Feel free to add more cajun seasoning until you like the taste.

Toss the seafood, corn, and sausage in the pan of sauce until well coated. 

Enjoy and don't forget to wear a bib, YOU WILL NEED IT!!

The Countdown Begins

Well, it's now exactly 10 days until THE BIG DAY!  I'm feeling several mixtures of feelings.  None of which I  care to have.  Although I am very excited to be the Missus, I am really looking forward to ridding myself of "wedding mode."  It makes normal, regular, every day life hard to live when there's such a big event happening and soon!


I want to be here:

Tahiti

and sip on this:

Mai Tai

Who's with me?!