The Board, New Name and a Wedding

Holla. Let's catch up. I'm all over the map with this post, but here goes.

Married life is pretty great. I had to take a picture before I erased to use this board for its real purpose - the weekly menu. My sister in law has done this for nearly 10 years, and Matt thinks its great. She apologized when I told her, so we'll see how I feel about it in a decade.

We are loving relaxing around the apartment. Namath is spending less time going back and forth and more time with my pink slippers. Sidenote - these are LL Bean. I had to have them after seeing my roommates last year, and dare I say, they are one of my favorite Christmas gifts. Ever.

Last week was a short week for me. Nothing like using a vacation day to go to social security, the DMV and the courthouse. I went prepared with books, coffee and my finest sweat pants. I was there ten minutes. Painless! I think it means its meant to be. Plus, it gave me the afternoon free to get back in the grocery game. I spent $90 and saved $111 at Publix. Our pantry, fridge and freezer are getting pretty well stocked. Good thing, since I have that menu board and all.

Friday, the twins came in town for our pledge sisters wedding. We met them out after the rehearsal dinner for some drinks and dancing. Not sure why it looks like I have a combover in this pic. Fantastic.

We've gotten to see the twins 3 times this fall. So fun! Hopefully the celebration theme will continue when we reunite at the Iron Bowl Friday.

We ran into Matt's friend from work. Fellow Rachel Zoe fan. I die.

Saturday night was the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and we loved the pastor's message. Sometimes, you will be so in love with your spouse you can barely stand it- and that is wonderful, but easy. But a lot of times, your love will be an action when you don't feel like it. Forgiving when you don't feel like it, listening when you don't feel like it. That's hard, but that's real love. It seems as though more weddings we have gone to have preached these messages, and I love the reality it presents and the reminder it gives me. So refreshing.

Speaking of the twins, we love their whole family, and were so excited to spend time with them at the reception. How cute is this picture?!

Cute Erin and her short blonde bob. One of the funniest and caring people you'll meet. I wish she still lived in Birmingham!

Momma Smith! T-one week until the big gender reveal. My calendar is marked!

Pledge sisters. Loved these bridesmaids dresses.

We spent Sunday relaxing and recovering from a late night. Namath didn't even want to show his face. Can you find him?

Happy Monday!

The Other Side of the Fence

Post 87 degree temps in the Bahamas, we came home to some chilly weather down South. Neither of us had the foresight to pack jeans or long sleeves, so it was a little bit of a walk of shame through the airport wearing shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt while everyone had on their cute scarves and suede boots.

We got the memo real quick, and changed into more appropriate attire to do some runner watching the next morning at this year's Vulcan Run. The route ran right in front of our apartment. How's that for convenience?

Coffee and gloves. Not as good as swimsuit and pina coloda no matter how you shake it.

Since I don't run with the 6 minute mile crowd, its not too often do we get to see the frontrunners, neck in neck for first place.

Don't think Matt didnt encourage runners by number. As in, "That a'way 1774!" "You get it 3!" The Mayor was working his district.

Run as you might, I think first place is taken buddy.

We got to see some friends along the way. It made me wish we had trained for 6.2. With all the free time in the weeks before. I better channel that energy to Mercedes.

They did so great! It was fun to get to cheer everyone on. It's always so fun to have crowd support when you're running, so we were glad to get to be on the other side of the race. But just this time. I miss racing too much to sit on the sidelines for long.

What's Cookin'?

Like most newlyweds, I've now turned my attention to the kitchen. Time to start using all those fabulous wedding gifts and cook delicious dinners every night. Right? Someone once told me, "Don't start something you can't finish". Read: why my sister-in-law still makes my brothers lunch every day.

All that being said, one of the things I admire about my mother in law is her ability to cook, even the simplest things, so well. She loves cooking for her family, and practice makes perfect. So I've set off trying my hand at some new dishes.

First stop: Pumpkin muffins.

I love all things pumpkin. Cakes. Coffee. Coffee creamer. I found a recipe from Gourmet magazine (do not be alarmed by the title - it was really easy) and got to work.

I think this cinnamon sugar mixture was the icing on the cake - literally.

RECIPE FOR PUMPKIN MUFFINS

From Gourmet November 2006

Makes 1 dozen

Start to finish: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 can pumpkin

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 tsp pumpkin-pie spice (a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice)

1.25 cups plus 1 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Equipment: 12 foil or paper muffin liners; a muffin pan with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

DIRECTIONS:

Put oven rack in middle positiona and preheat oven to 350F. Put liners in muffin cups.
Whisk together flour and baking powder in a small bowl.

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin-pie spice, 1.25 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.

Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.

Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about 3/4 full), then spinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Bake until puffed and golden brown and a wodden pick or skewer inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

They were pretty dang good, if I do say so myself. Next time, I think I'll add in some chocolate chips. Watch out! In unrelated news, Mercedes training starts asap.

I think the delicious fall themed breakfast got Matt in the spirit, so he made this concotion for game time Saturday night.

Rum Apple Cider.
Combine apple cider with spiced rum. Mix.

Fall is in tough competition with Summer for my favorite season.

Over the Moon

Ok, so I'm skipping the whole wedding day post. At least until I get some pictures back. A post is always better with pictures - and only the best for the Shuffle readers.

We stayed at our new place the night of the wedding, and it was a great decision. Our flight didn't leave until 3:30, so we got to sleep in, make a Wal-Mart run to assemble a cruise medicine kit, drink mimosas and pack at our leisure. It was such a great morning - we were finally married and headed on vacation. Blissful.

We got to the airport and through security just in time to have a cold beer. An $8 cold beer. Don't judge. It was vacation.

We spent Sunday night in Orlando and got up bright and early Monday morning to head towards the cruise ship.

Me - excited.

Pulling up to the cruise ship!

Wish someone would have told us about the 45 minute emergency drill before we ordered drinks.

My sweet husband. Who got extremely blonde on this trip. For free.

Quite a few of my favorite things in one picture. Can you name them all?

And we're off!

Some friends from Matt's work had some nice cruise gear sent to the room.


Gin Martini - you were too much for this girl.

On the ferry ride to Paradise Island, Bahamas.

After spending the morning shopping (Micheal Kors Jet Set...where are you?!?), we found the public beach near the Atlantis. This was our favorite day, by far. There were locals making pina coladas in freshly carved coconuts. They got my host with the most award.

Aren't they precious? And empty, I might add.

A picture for the twins. I do believe this is "What are you wearing?" - OPI.

We made it back to the cruise ship in time for sunset with a drink.

The Searsons at the honeymoon reception. Cheesy, but I don't turn down free cake.

Playing a little song trivia. Matt, the human jukebox as his dad has lovingly named him, almost secured a victory for our team.

That was about all she wrote. At the risk of being cheesy, I was just as excited to return home and begin our lives together. We are loving every minute of being married, and we sure were glad to get home to this guy.

Fried Green Tomatoes are Good for the Soul

We got married at the church Matt grew up in, and where his dad served as choir director. Conveniently, it is mere blocks from one of my favorite meat and threes in town. The Searson's would go here frequently after church and little Matthew loved to see the trains. It made perfect sense that this would be where our Rehearsal Dinner would be held - we wanted something casual, and the sentiment was gravy on the mashed potatoes.

Matt's mom did a wonderful job on dressing up our room just right for the occasion.

There is something to be said about having the people that are closest to you all in a room together. It really was such a rare, special time. In between bites of chicken fingers, I tried to soak it all in.

And then Matt's dad got up to speak. Which coincided with when the tears began for me. He spoke of Matt's persistence, his rare ability to forgive and forget and how if he was a betting man, he would put his money on us hands down. Matt's sister spoke of his pure heart, how he doesn't rush to judge anyone, and how he has taken care of her from near and far her whole life - and reminded me what a treat I am getting.


Evidence of my ugly-try-not-to-cry-face.

His friends had some great stories, and welcomed me in to the group. It did my heart good to hear all these things I know to be true about my groom repeated by everyone else that loves him too. After all we have been through as a couple, having our families and friends recognize how far we have come and support us is something I will never forget and always treasure.

By the end of the evening, my stomach and heart were full and I didn't think I could cry another tear.

Which of course, come Saturday, I proved myself wrong.

Rewind...Bridesmaids Lunch

We are back! I feel so behind and don't even know where to begin. So, how about where we left off? (If you want to fast forward, you can see wedding recaps here, here or here.)

The week of the wedding we were moving, finishing up wedding details and living in virtual chaos. (Did I also mention my office is remodeling/moving? There was no place of refuge for this Type A).

I was THRILLED for Friday to finally roll around. I had been going 90 to nothing and wasn't sleeping well and was just ready for the wedding festivities to begin. I woke up Friday morning and contemplated going for a run. I like to think I'm one of those runners that would get up and run the morning before their wedding because they just can't think as well without a good sweat session. Newsflash, I'm not. My mug was spotted in the line at the nearest golden arches. Someday I will write about my utter love for butter biscuits, but suffice to say, it was the way to start the weekend.

In perfect Southern tradition, we kicked off the weekend with the bridemaids luncheon. The food was delicous and the company was divine. And a little champagne did this girl a world of good.

Aren't these girls so pretty?! I'll repeat what I said there - each of them brings something so special and different to my life, and I love each one of them for it. There are a few I rarely see, but when we meet up again, we don't miss a beat. I know we will always be friends. And then those that know the ins and outs of every day - good or bad - and can always make me laugh. There is not one whom I wouldn't ask for advice on anything. I respect them all so much.

Sweet Leslie that put this whole lunch together - and sent me home with champagne and breakfast casserole on top of all that! Which was MUCH appreciated Sunday morning. Doesn't she look fabulous? I'm not sure there is anyone who can make me laugh like she does. Hilarious outlook on life and she tells it like it is - which I love.

Me with our moms. I get a little teary thinking about their hard work and prayers through the years that got us to this day.

My amazing Matron of Honor went with me after the lunch to consult with the salon about Saturday's hair, which she recommended to me - and I cannot say enough good things about the job she did. We then headed home to quickly change and then head to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner - also known as the night I could not stop crying. Recap coming soon.