Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Skewers

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Skewers
- 2 Packages of chicken tenders (One comes with about 9 tenders)
-1 Package of bacon (I use turkey bacon)
- 3 Fresh Jalapenos cut into 1" squares
- Italian dressing or marinade of your choice.
- toothpicks

Directions
Marinate chicken tenders in dressing overnight or just a few hours works fine. Cut jalapeno lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut into 1"squares. Place jalapeno piece on chicken tender and wrap with bacon. Secure with toothpick. Grill and enjoy!

***Notes
-I couldn't remember when making this if the jalapeno goes on the outside or inside. But it turns out it should be inside so it doesn't fall off on the grill.
-This recipe is double for larger groups, feel free to cut it in half.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

This is actually my friend Ross' recipe and it's so amazing! Ross was Dan's roommate a few years ago and ever since he made it one summer, I haven't stopped making it for every cookout and get together we have with friends!

Ross' Black Bean and Corn Salsa

2 cans of Mexi-Corn
1 can of black beans
1 box of cherry tomatoes
1tsp of lemon juice
1 tsp of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
cilantro
add jalapenos for an extra kick


***Notes
- Be sure to drain black beans. I didn't do this the first time and the salsa was a brown murky color.
-cut cherry tomatoes in halves or quarters
-mix lemon juice and oil in small bowl together and then toss on salsa
-I generally double the recipe for large groups. It goes fast.

Enjoy!

Sweet Summertime

There is nothing I love more than the hot weather, sundresses, and fresh food. I look forward to having fresh tomatoes, corn, and fruit all year. Summer eating is so much healthier and tastes so much better! Growing up my Dad had a large garden in our back yard. Every summer we would have to pick cherry tomatoes and shuck corn. We always complained, but the food was always great!

Cabbages from Dad's garden. 

Betsey is That You?

I saw this dress in my People Stylewatch magazine a month or so ago and I knew I could easily make it. For some reason this dress is no where to be found online, so I don't feel that bad about completely knockin' it off since I couldn't buy it anyway.

My dress is only slightly different. The bodice isn't gathered like the Betsey Johnson one is, but I actually like it more. I like the price better too!

This is before it was hemmed and finished.

* You might have to click on my pictures and enlarge them to tell, but the dress is made of pink seersucker.

Onion Goggles

These are going on the registry! 

Dozer

Dozer is ready for the wedding. 

Rest in Peace Nic

It's been 7 years since my good friend Nic passed away. I met Nic freshman year in the dorms at IU. He lived next to some friends of mine from high school. Nic will always have a special place in my heart. I took Nic to my sorority formal sophomore year as a friend because I had a HUGE crush on his friend (Dan). Nic was the best date ever. We were the first ones to arrive at the formal and the last to leave dancing the whole time. 

Sophomore year I went to a concert with Nic and some friends of his from high school and that's where I met Dan. Dan and Nic were good friends in high school, but Dan didn't go to IU. At that concert I developed the biggest crush on Dan and would constantly ask Nic about him. Nic would always joke with me and say "you looooove Dan!" I would get so embarrassed and hope that he wouldn't tell Dan that I loved him. :)

Thanks for the memories Nic and thanks for bringing Dan and I together. We will always have a special place in our hearts for you.  

Whirlwind weekend!

This weekend was non-stop. On Friday Dan and I went to pick out wedding bands. We knew what matched my ring, but need to find him one. Still not certain what he wants, but it's getting to be last minute, so we need to make that decision soon.

On Saturday we woke up at 6am to get ready for our engagement pictures. We started those pretty early. We took them in Fountain Square, an area near downtown Indianapolis, where we live. Turns out Dan is the model in this couple. I'm a little uncomfortable in front of the camera and had a hard time being natural. I think they will turn out nicely though. Our photographer and his wife are great!! This is what I wore.

           Dress: Limited                         Dress: TJ Maxx 

                                                                      Shoes: Nine West via TJ Maxx

Immediately following our pictures I left for my second bridal shower thrown by Dan's family. By this time I was already overwhelmed and my head was spinning still thinking about my awkward smiles and sexy looks?? "Did I make odd faces?" But the shower was really fun and we received some nice gifts. I made my dress for the shower, which I will post later. 

Bridal Shower Guests

Following the shower, my mom and I drove up to the north side of Indy for my cousin's baby shower. It was so good to see a few of my cousins and I am so happy for my cousin Haley and her husband!  

Cousins

Nope not done yet. Earlier in the day I received a phone call from the bridal shop to say my dress was in. Since my mom was only in town for the weekend I took the opportunity to go try on my dress at the store, which is what we did after the baby shower. Unfortunately, I do not have good news to report on the dress. If you read in my Wedding Update you know that it was already sent back to the maker once for length issues.  I tried it on and it was a bit short. You could see my ankles!!! Which is comical because the sales ladies exclaimed "it's perfect"when I tried it on. haha? Umm..... maybe if it continues to flood like it has been here lately. I kind of got a bit of an attitude since it had been a long day and I was less than thrilled about this. I definitely wasn't my normal happy self. But hopefully we will get it worked out and now I can finalize my shoes and accessories. 

Note to brides: order your dress or try it on in alterations with shoes a few inches higher than you plan to wear. I know at least 3 friends who were unhappy with the length of their dress on their wedding day. 

Moving on with Saturday... I ended the day with dinner with my parents and then went to setup an event for work. Whew! 

On Sunday my parents, Dan and I worked diligently all day on our wedding invitations. I licked more invitations that I care to remember. Ick! Then we headed to another cousin's graduation party. 

So now it's Monday and I am trying to recall the whole weekend. It's kind of a blur. I am still wondering about those faces I made in the pictures, who I talked to at the shower, and all the details still left for the wedding.  Now all I want to go is go through the gifts and see what all we got!!! It's Thank You note time.

Wedding Update: 73 days to go!

**Ok, I started this post about 15 days ago. I added to it and every day had to change the title.

We are under the 90 days mark! Woohoo! Things are well underway and I'm getting excited and a little nervous. We have a lot to pull off. Being a DIY bride/groom means saving a few, but also equals a lot more stress and headaches. I know it will all be worth it in the end!

I have been patiently waiting for my wedding dress to come in and finally I got the call Monday two Monday's ago. Only to find out that the wrong length came in and they sent it back. The lady told me it will be in again in 3-4 weeks. This worries me. What if it's incorrect again? What if it looks nothing like it did when I tried it on and bought it? What if there's not enough time for alterations? Ahhh! We've all seen the horror episodes on Say Yes to the Dress. So naturally I am thinking this worst. I have even been coming up with back up plans and thinking about what I will do worst case scenario. Everyone has told me just to think positive, so positive thoughts, positive thoughts. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise giving me a little extra time to get in shape! Update: It is.

I have been waiting on my dress to arrive to choose my shoes. Lots of options, no idea what I want to wear. No shoes are comfortable on me, so that makes it difficult. Also, I can't choose between classic ivory, plum to match the maids, or a little sparkle. Thoughts?

Dan was up all night designing our invitations the other night  two weeks ago.  They look awesome! I'm really excited to get them printed and sent out. They are SOOO pretty! Here's a shot of the proof.

Update: They are arriving in the mail tomorrow and being addressed and sent out soon! Yay!

Since I started typing this post I have had my first bridal shower! It was so much fun! (post below) A little nerve racking being in front of everyone and opening gifts. I never realized how many funny faces I make, awkward. But it was a blast! Receiving gifts in the mail is a blast too! 

 

See how weird I am? I should work on expressions before the wedding! 

First gift in the mail! 

Thanks Bartel! 

Last time we were in Jasper we met with the cake lady and chose our cake! I'll let it be a surprise to you, but it has 4 flavors to choose from! Yum! 

Also marked off the checklist: passports, wedding website, and groomsmen suits. 

I get overwhelmed looking at checklists and what they say you should have done at this point. For instance one said "final dress fitting" AH! I haven't even had ONE dress fitting. So I have made my own list and am trying to follow it, but the last few months are gonna fly by! 

I think (hope) we'll be ready and organized. As a past wedding coordinator I feel a bit bridezilla with details and perfection. Here's to hoping it will all fall into place without me going crazy! 

Looking forward to all the fun things happening in the next two months including our engagement pictures (better late than never), bridal shower, and bachelorette party! 

Love

Derby Themed Bridal Shower

May 7, 2011

My wonderful cousins threw me a Derby Themed Bridal Shower. It was so much fun dressing up and wearing hats. Everything was perfect from the decor to the food! I had such a great time!

Thanks Lauren for the beautiful pictures!

My favorite cookies!

Cake Pops

Meringue Nests 

Recipe

MOH's

Guests

High School Pals! 

Family

Bridesmaid

Sister and Mom

Hard time getting this one right! :)

Thank you to everyone that attended! It was a wonderful day!