Winter Wonderland Fairytale Wedding

We had a wonderful time at our daughter's wedding.  It was busy, but I still enjoyed it!  I have a huge family, sometimes when we are all together - it can be a bit much.  However, when we need each other - we sure know how to pull together!  Thanks everyone for all your help!

Late last fall, we attended an auction of an event planner that was retiring.  The auction was mid week and started at 4 p.m.  It was awesome!  We actually checked out at 12:45 a.m. - that is a.m.  We bought a lot of stuff.  We were not able to open any of the tubs to see what was in them prior to bidding.  Most of the tubs were clear so we bought any that looked like they had silver or were Winter themed.  We had no idea what was all in them.  80% of the items we used were from this auction.

Al made the pedestal cake plates out of logs.  The cake topper is a set of vintage salt & pepper shakers that Justine jazzed up with glitter on the antlers.

This vintage blue glass shoe was my Mom's.  When she was having her rummage sale in September, she gave this to Justine to use in her wedding to represent Cinderella's glass slipper.  Little did we know then, that my Mom wouldn't be here.  We gave it a special place on the cake table.  

Justine made her shoes and bouquet.  The shoes were $4.99 from Goodwill, she painted them and jazzed them up with pearls.  The paint did crack after the wear.  But, still nice.  The bouquet was made of broken pieces of jewelry - not a new idea - however, I have never seen one like this.  

Justine and me.

Me and my girls.

It will be weird not to have her home with me.  Just this morning, Al said, "Justine must be awake (as he heard creeks upstairs) - wait...no, she isn't here..."  It will be an adjustment for us.  We are so blessed to have Josh added to our family - he will be a good husband to her.  They compliment each other in all the best ways.  The center of their relationship was each of their relationships with God.  Lots of people say lots of things about couples that were great examples of Christian courtship.  Neither Josh nor Justine like attention or to be the center of attention - but, I can tell you, that they had an honorable courtship and relationship.  God bless you both as you enter the most exciting time of your life - newlyweds!  I love you both.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/01/inspire-me-monday-week-105.html


http://madeinaday.com/2014/01/07/blog-hop-social-linky-100/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog-hop-social-linky-100&utm_source=Email%20Subscribers&utm_campaign=891d2e0670-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_afc284bd5e-891d2e0670-101249697

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2014/01/frugal-friday.html

http://www.thedwellingtree.com/2014/01/lets-be-friends-blog-hop-47-is-live.html

Today is the "Big Day"

Happy New Year!

Today is the "big day" for our eldest daughter, Justine.  She is getting married to Josh, her high school sweetheart. 

To say the least, we have been busy getting ready.  They will have the ceremony, dinner and reception at the historic Rothschild Pavilion.  My brother will officiate. 

We pretty much did this all on a very low budget.  We were fortunate to go to an auction of an event planner.  She was retiring we were able to get some GREAT deals.   We also went to two rummage sales where they were selling their used wedding items from this past fall - all just in the style she wanted!  Thank you Jesus for that.

Justine is thrifty, artistic and very creative (wonder where that comes from??) and has made almost everything for her wedding.  Wait till you see her shoes and bouquet!  (I've been to Junk Bonanza and haven't seen things as nice as these!!)  I will post about it all - after the wedding. 

I would be remiss without telling you, my dear followers, how my week has been.  Friday, our furnace went out - the main heating element.  Thankfully, it was still under warranty.  However, it has been -28 here - not factoring in the wind chill.  BURR!!!  My sister borrowed us 2 really nice electric space heaters.  Then, on our "last" movie night as a family, I made popcorn.  After chewing on some old maids...I bit down on something rather hard....it was my filling!  I believe I swallowed the rest of it along with pieces of my tooth.  Thankfully, it doesn't hurt - as my dentist is closed for the holidays.  I could keep going here, as there are more things that happened, but I will stop.  I've never posted about this, however, our family doesn't have the best of luck.  We actually call it...."The Luck of the Luetschwager."  Al and I think that when we got married, our luck, when bad....is combustible.  The important part here is that we always try to find the silver lining in all of it. 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

P.S. - if you are planning a Winter Wonderland Fairytale Wedding....I know where you can buy some great items!!

Minty Mallow Cupcakes

Yes, I saw these on pinterest.  I modified these by using cake mixes.  Here is how I made them.

Start out with:  1 white cake mix, 1 chocolate cake mix, crushed candy canes, chocolate mint chips, peppermint extract and instant coffee.

1.  Mix up the white cake mix according to the box.  Add 1 tsp. peppermint extract and some crushed candy canes.  Set aside.  It will be pink.

2.  Mix up the chocolate cake mix according to the directions add 1 tsp. instant coffee to the water.  Coffee enhances the flavor of Chocolate.  Stir in 1/2 the bag of the mint chips.

3.  Fill the cupcake liners with 1/2 pink and 1/2 chocolate mixture.  Do not stir together.  Bake according to the directions.  

Mix up marshmallow frosting.  Here is how I did it. Recipe from:  http://www.chow.com/recipes/30784-marshmallow-frosting

Start with 8 egg whites

• 8 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Place the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in the clean bowl of a stand mixer and whisk by hand to combine. Nest the bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Heat the egg white mixture, whisking constantly, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch (about 120°F on an instant-read thermometer), about 6 minutes.
3. Transfer the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Turn the mixer to medium and whisk for 1 minute. Increase the speed to high and whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes more. Add the vanilla and whisk until just incorporated, about 1 minute. Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 hours

 When cupcakes are cool, frost them.  I added sprinkles and a small candy cane to make it look like a handle on a cup.

I had a lot of compliments.  They were really good.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

http://www.thedwellingtree.com/2013/12/lets-be-friends-blog-hop-45-is-now-live.html

Creating New Traditions

Merry Christmas!  

This will be the first time in 47 years, that I haven't spent my Christmas with my Mom.  Well, she will be here in my heart.  Growing up our tradition was to have the whole family over for Christmas Eve.  Lots of food, lots of family and lots of love.  Once my sibling's families grew with their own grandchildren, some decided to have their own Christmas Eve traditions.  I still celebrated with my Mom and Dad.  After my Mom had her stroke, I took over the role of hosting the Christmas Eve meal at my parent's house.  I enjoyed it.  

This year, will be the last year for Alan and I to have children at home.  Both of our daughter's will be getting married in 2014.  I know we will gain 2 sons-in-law and they will come home and visit, but my role will change.   

So, I think this is a good year to create new Christmas traditions.  I told our children that I understand that once they are married they will have commitments to their other "side" as well.  I don't want to make any demands on their time, rather celebrate and enjoy them whatever day they decide to come visit.  This year, they will all be here tonight and I am making glazed salmon, wild and brown rice and other treats.   I hope we can adopt the tradition of a Christmas Eve meal here at our little farm.

As I reflect on years past, look forward to the future, I find my heart if full of peace.  I am at peace with the hope and promise we have in the true meaning of the season - Jesus.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups.

I made two pans - one for us and one for a young mother who just had a baby.  However, I would do this again and put one pan in the freezer.  

Brown hamburger (3 1/2 lbs.)  add diced onion, garlic, salt & pepper, oregano (2 tsp.) and sweet basil (1 tsp.).

drain off the fat and add 1 15 oz. size spaghetti sauce.

In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, eggs, parmesan cheese and chopped parsley - stir together.

Boil noodles till al dente.  Put a piece of parchment paper on your counter, spray with "pam".  Pour some sauce in the bottom of your pan.  Lay the noodles out on the parchment and fill them up with the fillings.   Roll up and put in pan.  Pour more sauce on top of your rolls, sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 45 min. or until hot and bubbly.  

This is the first time I have made lasagna this way, but I will do it like this from now on.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.