The reason

Last night as Brian and I were discussing house and wedding details you could sense the stress and exhaustion in both of our eyes. I turned to him this morning as he was packing our lunches for the day, and had a mini revelation.

I feel like I’ve been so wrapped up in the wedding and all of the little details like the programs, favors and bridesmaid gifts that I was basically overlooking the whole point of our wedding… the marriage.

It seems like there are so many last-minute details that come along with planning a wedding and building a house that it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. My mini revelation made me realize how important it is for me to remember why we’re having a wedding.

This thought really helped me put things into perspective. No matter what happens on our wedding day, it will be perfect because of the reason for the day.

Ever since we got engaged, I told Brian that the part of our wedding day I am most looking forward is our ceremony and our vows.

Of course I cannot wait to see my friends and family and party the night away, but thinking about holding Brian’s hands and committing ourselves to each other forever is what really moves me. Brian and I have put a lot of effort into making our ceremony our own and I cannot wait to see our work come to fruition.

Since I am a planner and a list-maker my nature, I decided to make a list of moments I really want to focus on during our wedding day:

• Getting ready with my bridesmaids: I truly have some of the best girlfriends you could ask for, spending at least a quality moment with each one of them at some point throughout the morning is very important to me. They were selected for a reason, and I want to make sure they feel that way.

• Putting my dress on, and my mom’s reaction: Since I was recently a bridesmaid in a wedding, I have learned the value of that moment. Watching the bride put on her dress was like watching the transformation from young lady to wife become complete. Even more so than her beautiful ceremony, when I think of their wedding day – that moment stands out the most.

• Seeing Brian for the first time: (or him seeing me, rather) I have spent hours, maybe even days, since we’ve gotten engaged picturing this moment. The thought of it alone gives me goosebumps.
• Saying our vows: I don’t want to say my vows for the sake of saying them, I want to feel the importance of committing myself to him. To take in the moment and realize how blessed and lucky I am to be standing there with the most amazing man.

• Celebrating with Brian’s family: I feel so lucky to not only be marrying Brian and creating a new and amazing family, but also gaining an extended family that has opened their arms to me whole-heartedly and never once made me feel like I was any less than family to them.

• Listening to my sister’s speech as matron of honor: My sister and I have always shared a special bond and there is no one fit more perfectly for the job as my Matron of Honor than her. I am certain she will say just the right thing at just the right time… she has always had a way of doing just that.

• Listening to the toasts from Brian’s best man: Matt and I have a SPECIAL relationship. Most of which is spent picking on one another much like brother and sister. I am certain that whatever he writes will be witty, and heartfelt. My videographer will have special note not to miss this.

• My first dance with my dad: One thing my dad and I have always shared is our love of music and dancing, combines the two with our love for one another and it’s a recipe for a magic moment.

• Visiting with out-of-towners: Brian’s family from Cambridge, MD hold a very special place in our hearts. His god-daughter Morgan has become more of the little sister I’ve never had than a cousin. And his Aunts… they are home. That is the best way to describe them. They welcomed me the first Christmas we visited and even before we knew this could be forever, his Aunt Lisa told me that he would be marrying me and she knew because of the way we look at each other. Brian’s MomMom passed only a few months ago and will be greatly missed, but having the Cambridge family there makes it feel like a little piece of her made that trip as well. Then you have Nikki, my girlfriend from Maine. She is doing a reading in our wedding and holds a VERY special place in our hearts. I cannot wait to dance the night away with her to Sweet Child O’ Mine and drink champagne as only we can do. My Aunt and Uncle Mike from North Carolina will be visiting and I haven’t seen them since my sister’s wedding in 2011 and I am very excited to reconnect!

This day is going to be perfect. No matter what happens, at the end of the day – if I leave Avenmar married… everything went just the way I wanted it to.

16 days.

Weekend warriors

It seems to be becoming a tradition for me to cook on Wednesdays at the Beavan’s, and I must say – I don’t hate it.

Monday night was spent around the island in the kitchen, picking crabs for what was bound to be an awesome dinner on Wednesday. Not only did the following make 4 large crab cakes, but I used the remaining meat to stuff 2 packages of babybella mushrooms. The recipe follows… and it certainly won’t disappoint!

 

Mushrooms on left, cakes on the right

This weekend turned out to be everything I thought it would be… Thursday was spent at the county fair watching my nephew, Jarred, show his goats. I cannot express just how proud I am of that little man. He is growing up to be so well-rounded, smart, and passionate. I can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store for him.

Goat whisperer

Friday was date night. It’s been quite some time since my fiancé and I have enjoyed a quality date night just us. We kicked it off with a round of golf at Breton Bay, followed by dinner at Olive Garden (thanks to his Aunt and Uncle for the gift card for the shower) and then winding down in the hot tub. It was perfect, and much needed. If there is one thing in this world that can fix a long week and wedding stress, it’s time with my favorite man.

Saturday was Melissa and David’s big day! 

Before the wedding I was able to spend some Q.T. with my favorite twins and Emily was being quite the little ham. 

As for the wedding, it was absolutely perfect. The ceremony was so sweet and you could genuinely tell the excitement and love they shared on that day. From the sweet smile David wore when Melissa revealed herself, to the way Melissa sang along to their first dance. The day would warm the coldest heart. The ring bearer made quite the entrance as well, pulling along the flower girl Ava in a wagon. Can we say… the.sweetest.thing.ever?! The food was delicious, and the music fun. Melissa looked like a Barbie and David cleaned up nice himself. They certainly set the bar high for the last wedding we attend single!

Seeing the bride for the first time

Deep breaths

My hot date

The beautiful bride

Sunday was a recovery day for Brian and I, we ate junk food, watched football and were in bed and asleep by 8:00 p.m., and after that weekend – it was much needed!

Crab cakes and/or mushroom filling:

2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Old Bay®
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
2 pounds fresh crabmeat, well drained
2/3 cup dry italian bread crumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup of grated cheese (I used Mexican mix and parmesan)

Combine in a large bowl using your hands to ensure no shells sneak through. Roll in hands to create 4 large patties. Brush with melted butter and bake at 450 for 20 minutes, turn the oven from bake to broil and allow to brown the tops. Roughly 4 minutes.

If stuffing mushrooms: pull stems from each mushroom and fill each with a pinch meat to ensure inside is stuffed, then top with a small ball of filling and top with a sprinkle of cheese. Cooking instructions remain the same for these as well.

Enjoy!

Future Facini's

This Saturday will be spent attending the nuptials of two of our very dear friends… Melissa and David. David is a groomsman in our wedding and Melissa has (there is no better way to put it) grown on me over the last year or so. We have had countless lunches discussing wedding details, comparing to-do lists so we don’t miss a thing, and mental breakdowns along the way and her day is finally right around the corner!

Melissa can be summed up in 1 word. Amazing. She is a friend that I can call in the dead of the night and she is there, by my side. But, being completely honest here, when I first met Melissa I would have never imagined writing this about her. Melissa to me was… odd. That sounds mean I know, but it is honest. She was nerdy, a bit ditzy and quiet all at the same time… nothing like me. A few beers later – now we’re talking. A whole new side of this girl came out. We soon discovered we shared three things in common:

1.) Our love for the wobble
2.) and Rumchata
3.) Our Type A personalities

After that, nothing would ever be the same. Melissa may be shy at first, but once you get her to open up… there is no turning back. I am so blessed to have been introduced to Melissa and that I have finally opened my eyes to see what I had been missing… someone who is fun loving, kind hearted, driven, and patient in a way I will never be. Melissa’s relationships with her family, sisters, fiancé and friends speak volumes of the person Melissa is. I am proud to call her not just a friend, but one of my best. Her and I click in a way that doesn’t happen often, but when it does – you know it’s for a lifetime.

Melissa's birthday

New Years 2012

The groom

My bachelorette party

I cannot wait to see this girl become a wife in only 4 days. I love you very much and cannot wait to see what life has in store for you.

Breakfast at Tiffany's.

My weekend was filled with diamonds, mimosas, and the most perfect shade of teal you've ever seen... That's right, Breakfast at Tiffany's themed bridal shower weekend had finally arrived.

Friday, we kicked off the weekend with a few drinks and hot tub time with our besties... And that was only just the beginning.

Sunday finally arrived and at 1 pm it was shower time. 

From the breakfast food, yogurt bar and donut cake - to the kiss canvas, pre addressed thank you cards, and adorable etsy decorations... I could not have planned a better shower myself. 

My bridesmaids set up a newly wed game where they had pre recorded Brian's answers to questions such as my favorite food, our first kiss, and our first date. For each wrong answer I would have to put one piece of double bubble in my mouth, by the end I could still talk and Brian wasn't in (too much) trouble, so I think it's safe to say we rocked it. 

My Bridesmaids

My Momma

Mrs. Beavan, Aunt Jeannie and Aunt Lisa

My Morgan

Brian's aunts from Cambridge came over and his god-daughter Morgan who I adore, which made it just that much more special. 

While opening gifts I came to a card from his MomMom (who passed just 7 weeks ago), they had shopped prior to her passing and the note from her to me is something I will never be able to replace. 

Every detail was flawlessly executed and has really gotten the excitement gears churning. Only 26 more days until I am Mrs. Brian Beavan. Boy, am I ready!!

Brian's birthday request

Settling into the Beavan’s is going better than you may expect. It’s hard not to feel comfortable there, it’s been a second home to me since we’ve started dating so moving in hasn’t changed too much. Tundra (our large-and-in-charge cat) on the other hand is not so happy with her current living arrangements. Due to Mrs. Beavan’s allergies, Tundra has been moved to the basement for the next 7 weeks. The cat who wanted nothing to do with us the past 2 years suddenly found a social side. 

Now, Brian is a big man, and big men eat big meals… Brian’s favorite you ask? Fried Chicken, homemade Mac and Cheese and cornbread. I am almost certain the phrase “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” rings all to true in this case; and in honor of my man’s 26th birthday this coming Wednesday (yes, 9/11)… I will share my heart stealing recipes with you.

We’ll start with the fried chicken:

1.)    Whisk together 2 cups buttermilk, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a bowl, and pour into a re-sealable plastic bag. Add the equivalent of one whole chicken, cut into pieces to the bag, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours.

2.)    When you are ready to cook the chicken, combine 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon onion powder in the other plastic bag. Shake to mix thoroughly. Transfer one marinated chicken piece at a time into the dry ingredient bag, and shake well to ensure complete coverage. After all chicken pieces are coated; repeat the process by dipping them in the buttermilk marinade and shaking in the dry coating again.

3.)    Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, making sure not to burn the oil. When oil is hot, fry chicken in batches until golden brown and juices run clear, turning chicken to brown evenly.

If your chicken is complete before your sides, place on a broiling rack in oven on 200 degrees to keep warm.

Next, the Mac and Cheese: 

Now I have two versions, one baked and one stove-top… this is my stove-top and my favorite!

1.)    In a large pot of boiling, salted water (1 teaspoon salt) cook ½ lb of elbow macaroni pasta and drain. Return to the pot and melt in 4 tablespoons of butter. Toss to coat.

2.)    Whisk together 2 eggs, 6 ounces evaporated milk, ½ teaspoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and ¾ teaspoon dry mustard. Stir into the pasta and add 10 oz of sharp cheddar shredded cheese. Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.

You cannot have fried chicken without Corn Bread.

1.)    Preheat over at 400 degrees.

2.)    Place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet in oven to heat. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups yellow cornmeal, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, and ¾ teaspoon salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups buttermilk, 1 egg, and 5 tablespoons melted butter. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients and stir just until combined.

3.)    Place 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon room-temperature butter in hot skillet; brush to coat bottom and side. Pour in batter. Bake, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18 minutes.

4.)    Combine ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons honey with 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter. Brush mixture on cornbread. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve warm

Now if that’s not comfort food, I don’t know what is. Be careful, whoever you make this far may put a ring on it... Mine did ;)

Pass the cheese, please...

Moving does not make for the finest 4 course meals. Our weekend was filled with Chinese food, cheeseburgers, and pizza. Nothing says "my weekend was hectic" more than Monday morning baggy "fat day" pants.

 

Brian was at a bachelor party in Atlantic City on Friday night and due to some unforeseen circumstances, our moving was kicked into high gear and hangover or not. we had to get a move on. 24 crazy hours, two amazing in-laws, and said junk food later - we are officially bunkered down at the Beavan compound. They have opened their home to us (and my massive pile of laundry) and we couldn't have asked for more, but as extremely GRATEFUL as we are to have them, I think the two of us can honestly say we're ready for the next step in life.

 

Out with the old... (The apartment)

 

In with the new... (Our future home)

 

To lift our spirits, after what can only be described as D-day at the apartment, we went to check out the progress on our home - yes, folks. that is DRYWALL!!! 8 weeks and 2 days until we're in the house, not that anyone is counting... :)

 

Since I (obviously) didn't get much time in the kitchen this weekend, I will throw it back to one of my oldies but goodies. I don’t know about you, but I am a cheese fanatic! The more, the merrier... So, if you're like me you will LOVE these Chicken Cream Cheese Roll Ups

Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) cans Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls

1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese or swiss cheese (or any cheese of choice) - I used shredded Mexican blend and mozzarella!

1/2 cup 18% table cream (or use whipping cream)

 

Filling

4 ounces cream cheese (very soft)

4 tablespoons butter (very soft but not melted)

1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

1/3 cup onion, finely chopped (can use green onions)

2 large cooked chicken breasts, finely chopped (or use about 2 cups, can use cooked turkey)

1/2-3/4 cup finely grated cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (or use 1/2 teaspoon white salt or to taste)

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

2-4 tablespoons mayonnaise

1-2 cup grated cheddar cheese (for topping)

 

 

Directions

1. Set oven to 350°F.

2. Butter a casserole dish (any size to hold crescent rolls).

3. In a saucepan, mix half and half cream, 3/4 cup grated cheese (can use more cheese if desired) and undiluted chicken soup (can season with black pepper if desired).

4. Heat just until the cheese melts (do not boil).

5. For the filling --- (make certain that the cream cheese and butter are very soft) in a bowl, mix the soft cream cheese with butter until very smooth, then add in garlic powder (if using).

6. Add in the chopped chicken, onion and cheddar cheese; mix well until combined.

7. Add in 2 tablespoons whipping cream or mayonnaise; mix to combine (add in a little more if the mixture seems too dry).

8. Season with seasoned salt or white and black pepper to taste.

9. Unroll the crescent rolls.

10. Place 1 heaping tablespoon chicken mixture (or a little more) on top of each crescent triangle, then roll up starting at the thicker end.

11. Drizzle a small amount of soup mixture on the bottom of the dish.

12. Then place the crescent rolls seam-side down on top of the creamed mixture in the casserole.

13. Drizzle the remaining sauce on top (you don’t have to use the full amount of cream sauce, just use as much as desired) and sprinkle with 1 cup (or more) grated cheese, or amount desired.

14. Bake for about 30 minutes.

 

This recipe is PERFECT for dropping off with new moms! It's my go to. Enjoy!