Friday, February 26, 2010

I am Elizabeth and he is my Mr. Darcy


Evan took me out on a date to the Biltmore Estate last weekend, and in my Jane Austen fantasy world it was magnificent. All I've wanted to do since is dig out the old 1800 style dresses my sister used to sew us out of old sheets and boot everyone out of the house so I can sip tea, read books, play cards, walk around the gardens arm in arm, roam the estate on horseback, and have that huge golden library room all to myself. Lucky for me, we got an annual pass so I can pretend to do that anytime I want.

Did I mention they have a winery with free wine tastings and the summers are full of huge stretches of grass in front of the house and crazy beautiful gardens? We'll be living there.


Thursday, February 25, 2010

We are pretty.

I really wished this worked sometimes. All the time, actually.
Via {shorpy}.



*Today is also the year anniversary of losing my Poppa. It doesn't get easier, or at least hasn't yet.



Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Evergreen and Burlap


A sprig of evergreen, natural papers, typewriter font, and burlap against a tablecloth. Put mason jars on top and it seems like the favorite setup of every outdoorsy bride last year. I wonder if it's a fleeting fashion, or if the timeless decorative elements of nature will hold out. I hope so, because nothing really beats it in my book.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Why do you let me stay here?

You know the dance Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel did to promo 500 Days of Summer? Well, a super cute bride and groom chose to do their own remake of it for their first dance, and they rocked it! I just stumbled across this blog for the first time today and it's overflowing with wedding goodness. Make sure to visit {A Bride's Brain} for all the post wedding recaps!

Monday, February 22, 2010

A moment in a family: captured.


I wanted to start out this week with the best family session I've ever seen coming from {Carl Zoch Photography}. Some photographers just get it right... and this mans stuff is good. If I'm ever able to capture this much expression of emotion and joy through my photographs I'll be thrilled beyond words. Check out more of his work on his blog or at his personal side project Carl was here. And yes- he shoots with a Canon 5D Mark II. Pure magic.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

There's a Wedding going on Today!


Remember Ruthy and Andy from {Discovery Street}? Well, they're getting married TODAY at the venue Evan and I were married at, the Foxboro Lodge! I am so beyond excited for these two, and so happy that they're able to experience that beautiful place in the winter... hopefully with some snow! It's the kind of place where the frills and minor details of a wedding fade away, and I know Ruthy will be thrilled with everything because she's marrying the man she absolutely adores and love. Here's to everything going as you hoped and dreamed Ruthy! And here's to Evan and I, nine days away from being married six months. How time flies.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Etsy Love: Cotton Bird Design

This Etsy seller is a genius with fabric and paper. From boats to birds, flowers, and ring pillows, check it out at {Cotton Bird Design}. Pretty perfect for a little cake topper too.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

E-Sessions in the Mountains

This is one of the prettiest my-kind-of engagement photo sessions. Captured by {Focus Unbound Photographers} of Fairbanks, Alaska... close to where my sister currently resides!
A little different than all the frilly dresses and multiple sets of outfits you see in a normal e-session, isn't it? And it's refreshing. When I get ready for the day and pull on a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt again, I just blame it on Alaska. The relaxed down to earthness is undeniably in my roots.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Homemade Butterscotch Pudding


I don't know about you guys, but this looks good enough to make right now! Found on {Ada and Darcy} via {Maple n' Cornbread}. You can find the original recipe posted below here. Homemade pudding... is it a bad thing that I've never even thought about the possibility of making it? If you feel brave enough before I do, let me know how it tastes!

Melissa’s Butterscotch Pudding

6 large egg yolks
1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp fine table salt {I used half the amount}
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Before you start: Position a rack in the center of your oven. Preheat the oven to 300*F. Place six 6-ounce ramekins in a 9×13 roasting pan.

In a large bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks until smooth.

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, milk, and heavy cream and heat to scalding, or until the milk is steaming and tiny bubbles have formed along the edges. Do not boil. Stir frequently to dissolve the brown sugar. Remove from the heat.

While the cream mixture is heating, in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, stir together the granulated sugar and water. Increase the heat to high and boil the sugar. When the sugar starts to sputter, use a pastry brush dipped in water to wash down the sides of the pan. As soon as the sugar turns amber in color (like clover honey), remove from the heat and slowly and carefully pour in the hot cream while stirring to stop the cooking. (The caramel will bubble as you add the cream, so use a long wooden spoon or whisk to stir them.)

In a slow, steady stream, slowly and gently whisk the hot caramel mixture into the egg yolks. Stir in the salt and vanilla. Strain the mixture into a clean pitcher and skim off any air bubbles with a spoon.

Pour the mixture into the prepared ramekins. Fill the roasting pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until just set. Begin checking after 45 minutes. When gently shaken, a pudding should no longer look liquidy; it will move as one mass (albeit somewhat jiggly) and register 150* – 155*F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove to a wire rack to cool to room temperature in the water bath.

Remove the ramekins from the pan. Refrigerate for several hours until chilled. Serve. For longer storage, one chilled, wrap each individually with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Serve chilled with freshly whipped cream. The puddings keep covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I'm in LOVE with this couple

Oh my gosh. Isn't love just great? Isn't this couple beyond wonderful? These are seriously some of the best real-life wedding pictures I've seen in awhile, they made me smile like a fool at my laptop. Take the time to appreciate each shot, it's some really good photography capturing some really priceless moments. By photographer {AgatonStrom}.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Alaskan Photography: Weddings and Seals


From the photographer that shot one of our favorite weddings {Brooke and Garrison}featured on the blog back in November. Based out of Anchorage, Alaska Nathaniel Wilder also captured some amazing footage of Northern fur seals in their natural habitat. Check it out, and make sure you have the sound on. Sigur Ros always makes everything more beautiful, if that's even possible.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines Day!

Now go enjoy some lovin'!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Caroline Ghetes

These pictures are by the talented Caroline Ghetes whom I've featured before, but her pictures just keep getting better and better! I didn't mean this to be a baby happy post, but these were just too good to pass up. If I lived in Charlotte, NC instead of Asheville, I would be showing up at her studio begging to shadow her for a day. I mean begging. Isn't there a photographer in Asheville who needs an intern?


Thursday, February 11, 2010

Confetti Love

Sometimes you just don't have to say anthing. Found via {Brion Hopkins}.
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