Sunday, October 30, 2011

The Proposal

Are you ready for a photo and story overload? I'll try to start from the beginning...

Last Christmas we recieved a hot air balloon ride as a gift from Chris' family. Little did they know that Chris isn't exactly cool as a cucumber with flying and I have always been terrified of heights.

But nbd. We played it cool and were excited to get a once in a lifetime gift.

Months pass and we kept putting off the ride. Finally, in September we decided October would be the perfect time to take the ride because of the cool weather (it's warmer up there) and all the leaves changing colors. Who could ask for a better view? Fall is my favorite season after all!

The day before our ride I saw a hot air balloon fly over my parents property. I don't know what it was, but after seeing that (which we never have before) I knew I was meant to take the ride and I had to stop being such a chicken. Of course the only thing out of my mom's mouth that night was "Oh my, the balloon was SOOO high. I'm so glad it's you and not me". She said this probably five times. haha Thanks mom!

Little did I know she knew what was about to happen the entire time and my mom, like myself, is horrible at keeping good news a secret!

A lot of people ask me, "how did you not know?" "that's a perfect set-up if he didn't use that opportunity he is an idiot". Well peeps. Little did anyone know... we are looking to buy houses and the day before I was having mini anxiety and heart attacks filling out loan applications and going to see houses by myself. I even went into Chris' bank account to grab his information and I was so stressed I forgot to print the bank statements. Yup. I am Mrs. Oblivious! Also, we were both already so nervous about the flight it didn't cross my mind that he might be nervous to pop the question!

And so begins the proposal day.

This is our balloon. I had no idea the balloons were so large and the baskets so small! I prepared everyone else on our flight that I was a nervous talker and I was petrified.

Chris was asked to help fill the balloon with air. Look at that fire!

Hey Cutie!

Us before take off. Bob Barker was our pilot and he couldn't take his eyes off our love. hahaha But really, doesn't he look like him!

The view of the runway as we took off. About this time I asked if this was a test ride and if we were afraid at this height could we go back down. They obviously laughed at me and we kept getting higher and higher! Note to self: work on my scared face. It apparently doesn't work.

Chris looking amazing! We were about as high as the top of trees here.

Proof that my face can in fact look as round as a pumpkin. They invented the term pumpkin head for me... :)

The view. I love how the trees had started changing colors. It was so beautiful.

The cows look like ants from up above!

Our pilot offered to take some model shots. I obviously was holding on for dear life.

Can you spot the two corn mazes.

Then came the best part of the ride. My best friend proposed to me.

Is this the right finger?

I was so happy. As soon as he started reaching into his pocket I burst into tears. I have dreamt of this moment my entire life and have asked myself a million times, "will I cry?" You bet your cute butts I did!

Thankfully our pilot realized what was going on and we tossed him the camera mid speech so he could catch these moments for us!

I said yes!!!

Floating back down to earth, but I was still on cloud 9!
(and still am. I don't plan on coming down anytime soon)

We landed! So overwhelmingly happy!

The ring. He did perfect! 

We announced that we had lived to tell the tale...

That we were engaged!!
(Notice how I'm not used to standing on the right side?!)

Two days later our couples photo shoot became our engagement shoot.

It's been a whirlwind week, with more than just these events going on. I am definitely the luckiest girl in the world and feel so blessed to call my best friend and partner of 4 years my fiance and soon to be hubby!

We are planning on an October wedding in 2012.

<3

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

We're ENGAGED!!

Hey everyone! 

I promise to do a full recap once things settled down but I wanted to let you know Chris asked me to marry him during our hot air balloon ride on Monday morning!





Full story to come. I'm so overwhelmed with happiness and excitement. I couldn't have asked for a better person to spend the rest of my life with! I'm over the moon and living on cloud 9 for now.

<3

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

WIAW

Another Wednesday = Another WIAW Post and linking up with Jenn at Peas and Crayons.

For those of you who are new readers, WIAW is a collection of bloggers posts about what they've been eating to give inspiration to other bloggers and readers.

For breakfast I had a few cinnamon graham crackers with my Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip.

Recipe on my Facebook Page

For lunch I am meeting a girl friend at a cute place next door to my office, The Wine Market. I always get the tuna wrap!

(source)

And for dinner I am making my spinach and tofu stuffed shells. Firm tofu totally tastes like ricotta in this recipe! My mom and CL loved it and I bet your family would too without knowing!



Click here for my recipe.

What I am wearing today...
3/4 Sleeve Crop Jacket: Arden B a few years ago (i love jackets)
Dress: H&M
Tights
Brown Boots
MK Watch
Washer Bracelets (I made!)

Close up of the washer bracelets and my watch!

If you like the bracelets I'll have a DIY post this week (probably tomorrow) on how to make them!!! It's super easy and really cute stacked!

Now go check out all of the linked up posts for inspiration!


Monday, October 17, 2011

Weekend Recap with Pumpkin French Toast

This weekend was nothing short of perfect! 

Friday night we headed up to Ocean City for the 2011 Seagull Century bike ride. The boys signed up for a 100 mile bike ride to support our alma mater, Salisbury University and so many other amazing charities including the Alzheimer's Association, Habitat for Humanity, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and local non-profits!

We had a great time relaxing, crafting, drinking, beaching and much more! Here are a few photos to take you through our weekend!

After watching Bridesmaids and eating breakfast, the girls went for a walk on the beach

We ran into this lil sand crab

Lots of champagne and sparkling moscato were consumed. This is my favorite bottle!

I had all the girls make their own chalkboard base wine glasses for the weekend! See my how-to here.

We also made washer bracelets! Here is mine with my amazing birthday present from CL.
The girls picnicking at the finish line. Wine, fruit and crafts!

 Some of the boys crossing the finish line.

Champions!

 Me and CL. I was so proud of him! He had only biked 50 miles before and only started race biking 2 months ago. I was jumping up and down like crazy when I saw him come in!

Ready to go out and celebrate.

The girls with their friendship bracelets (ha!) and glow stick bracelets I picked up at Michaels.

As promised, below is the Pumpkin French Toast recipe I made this weekend! 

Pumpkin Pie French Toast:
Recipe/Photo Adapted and Modified from Closet Cooking
Ingredients:
3 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baileys caramel liquor (optional)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3 tablespoons brown sugar
10 pieces of bread
Directions:
Combine all ingredients (except bread) together in shallow bowl. Dredge bread in mixture on both sides. Cook in a buttered medium high pan until both sides have browned.

I served these with syrup and powdered sugar! 

I'll put up the Pumpkin Fruit Dip recipe this week and the Washer Bracelet tutorial tomorrow!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Seagull Century Weekend Plans

Another weekend is approaching fast and I am welcoming it with open arms. Who wakes up on a Friday and says, "UGH, Friday already?" 

Yeah. Nobody. We all love the weekend!

Last night I pre-made pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin fruit dip and a Mediterranean pasta salad. The pumpkin cupcakes were for my friend at work whose birthday is Saturday... Happy Birthday Lindsay! Of course the boys racing in the Seagull Century will be enjoying these as well :)


I've mentioned on the blog that you can substitute applesauce in baking recipes for oil/butter. BUT did you know that you can substitute canned pure pumpkin too?!


I followed my cake recipe (regular vanilla boxed cake): 1 and 1/3 cup water, 3 eggs and substituted the 1/3 cup of oil for 1/3 cup of pure pumpkin and added a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

These cupcakes were so moist! The pumpkin was the perfect addition and I topped the cupcake with chocolate icing and a pumpkin candy.

It's so nice to work in advertising where there are actual cameras which make your food look amazing, instead of taking photos with my phone and digital camera.



As you can see it's a rainy day here in Baltimore.

This weekend my boyfriend and his friends are running in the Seagull Century. The girlfriends are tagging along to hold up posters... and drink wine.

You didn't really think we were going up there just to be cheerleaders did you?

I have the task of making breakfast and bringing games/crafts while we picnic and the other girls are bringing the snacks and lunch. I'm excited to share the recipes with you this weekend!

Expect to see a full recap of our shenanigans! 

Have a good Friday!
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

WIAW Butternut Squash Lasagna

Another week, another WIAW post! 



Jenn at Peas and Crayons hosts a WIAW link up party every week to showcase what other bloggers are eating to give you inspiration on your weekly meals.

For breakfast I had my usual yogurt and fruit bowl.

Yogurt, honey, apples, peaches and a sprinkle of cinnamon! So delicious and fall like :)

For lunch I had leftover chili. Leftover chili is always the best. The flavors get to come together and it tastes better the longer it sits!



This is a lentil vegetarian chili I found the recipe on Pinterest. I'll post about it soon you so guys can have as well! It was great and I love how the recipe thickened it up with tomato paste. I like a thick chili :)

For dinner I made a butternut squash lasagna. It wasn't a quick dinner to prepare, but it was definitely worth the love I put into the dish!

 First I peeled and de-seeded my butternut squash. I covered all sides with nutmeg, cinnamon, olive oil, salt and pepper. (sage would have been great but I didn't have any)

After baking it in a 400 degree oven for 40-50 minutes it was ready to be mashed! I didn't puree my squash because I wanted a thicker texture. See all that steam?!

I added it to a bowl with the rest of my filling ingredients. 1 cup ricotta, 1/2 cup parm cheese, 1 egg, salt and pepper. Again, you could add more nutmeg and sage, but I read reviews that said if you did it would be a sweeter lasagna. So I omitted more cinnamon and nutmeg.

 I layered the cooked lasagna noodles with my squash mixture, mozzarella cheese and a low fat bechamel sauce. Recipe here :-) Cover with foil and bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Enjoy!!

And that's a wrap! I will tell you one thing, I am excited for this weekend. Anything involving planning I immediately love! I am cooking breakfast for the girls this weekend before our boys race in Seagull Century and we have lots of fun things planned.

Hope you like pumpkin! They are taste testing my pumpkin french toast recipe :-)
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