Sweet Love and Ginger

How I Designed my Own Wedding Stationary

How I Designed my Own Wedding Stationary

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I knew I wanted handmade stationary from the very beginning, though I wasn’t sure on the specifics. Since we were trying to keep costs down I knew I would have to make them myself, but I was certainly up for the challenge.

I was able to paint the designs that I wanted in the first few tries. The editing took the longest, I’m still trying to figure out both my camera and photoshop so there is definitely room for improvement, but I’m still pretty pleased with the result.

I never knew there were so many rules to creating invitations, but apparently there are, and I’m pretty sure I broke every single one. Honestly I don’t think any of our guests know the correct invitation etiquette anyway so they probably didn’t even notice.

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Anyway this is how it all turned out, with all pertinent info blurred of course. This might be the time to admit that Chuck is not my fiancé’s real name. It has been his nickname since high school though, and even his mother calls him that occasionally. Moving on. . .

I hand painted the flowers on watercolor paper, took pictures of them and then edited them with Photoshop. Editing was the worst; probably because I’m not well versed in photoshop. It took me far too long, and about a thousand youtube videos to get done. Thankfully I’ve learned a lot with this project so hopefully the next foray with photoshop won’t be so bad. I’m thinking my next Craftsy course is going to have to be this one.

The next step was getting them printed. I went looked at a couple different options but when I found out that overnight prints sends out a free sampler with a ton of different options I was pretty much sold. I really liked getting to feel the texture and weight of the product in my hand while I was deciding what I wanted. All I had to do was upload the file I had created and lay it out in their design system. I could even make a few editing tweeks and add text there and I was done. Seriously, it was as simple as pie. I was really impressed with their services and please to see my entire order arrive neat and tidy.

In the end I’m so glad I decided to hand make these. I think it really adds a personal touch to the wedding, and while they aren’t perfect I’m really happy with how they turned out. Now we just have to deal with getting them out the door!!

Let’s be honest that’s Chuck’s job, I made them after all, and now I have thank yous to write for the shower.

Filed Under: Wedding

Cheesy Grilled Hasselback Potatoes

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Liven up your typical backed potato with this recipe for Cheesy Grilled Hasselback Potatoes.

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I’m really glad to see that my weekly meal plans are such a hit here on the blog. I love creating them and sharing with you guys the style of food that we actually eat every single day. I’ve noticed while trying to put these together that there is a serious lack of side dishes here on the blog so I’ve made it a point to get a few more of our favorite side dishes posted for you.

Hasselback potatoes are one of our favorite side dishes because they are fun! It’s a little different that a normal backed potato, which let’s be honest can get so boring! I’ve never really been a fan of plain baked potatoes. Hasselback potatoes can get crisp edges and soft insides which is something that baked potatoes lack, but they are still just as versatile.

In this recipe I kept it simple with cheddar cheese, but feel free to add any other toppings that you like on a typical baked potato. I know you can get creative here with things like sour cream, chives, bacon, pickles, or salsa. Really the sky is the limit with these babies.

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Note 1: I also want to note that while this recipe uses the grill you can also make them easily in the oven. Simply cook them at 400 degrees in the oven for about 55 minute to one hour.

Note 2: Peeling the potatoes is optional. I like them better peeled, but Chuck likes the crisp skin it doesn’t change the instructions either way.

Cheesy Grilled Hasselback Potatoes
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 Servings
Ingredients
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, washed
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 6 ounces cheddar cheese
  • ½ tablespoon chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
  1. Cut each potato into thin slices without cutting all the way through.
  2. Place the potatoes on a plate and microwave for 3 minutes, rotate and microwave again for 3 minutes. Place each potato on a piece of foil large enough to enclose the potato.
  3. Melt the butter and combine it with the garlic, salt and pepper. Use a brush to coat each potato evenly.
  4. Fold the sides of the foil up to create a pouch and place each potato on a preheated grill. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes or until the potato is tender.
  5. Carefully remove from the grill and open the foil packets. Sprinkle the top with cheese and place back on the grill for 4 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  6. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.

What are your favorite side dish recipes? I would really love to try some new ones!!

Half Year Thoughts

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A review of new years goals at the half year mark and a few new ones for summer.

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Yesterday marked the first day of summer. The changing of the seasons always feels like a good time to reflect, and I have been doing a lot of that lately (See here, here and here). If you are interested in my thoughts from the beginning of spring you can read them here.

I had a few simple goals this year and at the halfway point I’m feeling pretty good about achieving most of them.

One of my main goals was to stay in touch with my many far flung friends, and while I have done better with some, others have fallen to the wayside, and sometimes that just how it ends up being, it’s ok, if time and life push us together once more I will happily accept them back into my life, if not that’s ok too. I have made a number of new friends that I am excited to get to know further. We are building a little community here in our town and it’s a wonderful feeling.

Saving money was very much on my mind in the beginning of the year and despite spending a pretty penny on our house, and this wedding we are still doing ok with that. Our spending habits have improved, along with our eating habits (I think that may be related). I know that during the work/moving phase of this year that will go backward a bit, but once we are settled I am hoping to keep those good habits up.

Fitness was another major goal category for me this year, and I have to say I could be doing so much better in this category. I have spurts of good habits before the stress of life pulls me back into laziness. I am drinking more water, eating breakfast every day, and my overall diet is much better than it was in January, but I have not been successful at morning yoga or keeping up with regular workouts. I hope that I can make this a priority again soon; there are less than 4 months until the wedding so I am running out of time!

Something that was not on my goals list, but I want to mention, is the blossoming of my artistic side (too cheesy? I’m not sure).  In the last six or more months I have really developed a need to be creative daily, something that I had hoped after NaNoWriMo to really develop. The 12-12-12 project has driven me some but the daily practice of being creative has really made me feel more alive than I have in a long time. It might even be to blame for why I can’t seem to get myself to work out regularly, I’d rather be doing something creative with that time. I’m looking forward to sharing a number of really awesome projects with you in the coming months, and I hope that you guy’s are too.

This summer is going to be busy, there is no doubting that and on the other side of it there will be a long awaited wedding, the first full week of vacation in almost 3 years and the first holidays both in our home and as a married couple. Even though I know that I already have a lot to look forward to there are a few little goals that I want to jot down here to remind me to enjoy the little things and stay on track.

  1. Get the new yard under control
  2. Do yoga often
  3. Get married, without loosing my mind
  4. Host a dinner party
  5. Keep “Stuff” from entering the new house
  6. Drink red wine by the fire in the back yard
  7. Encourage Chuck and guests to play music more
  8. Settle into the new house
  9. Paint some rooms
  10. Hike more
  11. Fish often

I am so pleased with how the first half of this year has turned out and I cannot wait to see what summer and the rest of 2015 has in store for me.

How is your year coming along? Have you accomplished or worked toward any of your goals??

Filed Under: In My Head

Things you Probably Didn’t Know About me

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I love these kinds of posts, so let’s just get right to it.

  1. I’m on my right now to an epic motorcycle and camping weekend in New Hampshire and I’m stoked for it.
  2. I used to airbrush cars and motorcycles as a teenager. I should have never stopped.download (2)
  3. I really don’t like my name. I never thought it was fitting, and growing up there was always another Jessica in my class. If I could I’d change my name to my middle name.
  4. I’m good with blood and ghastly injuries, but I hide and make Chuck take care of it when the dog throws up. I can’t explain the rationale. There is none.
  5. I hate driving. I mean I have no issues with it, I can do it in the city and on the highway, heck that’s my daily commute, but I always try to talk someone else into driving when I can.
  6. I can’t cook plain white rice. I either forget to set a timer, or leave it on too high a heat. I know it’s ridiculous.
  7. I love a good wheat beer, especially with some good German food.
  8. I cry at every wedding I attend as well as every other time I read the news in the am. I’m pathetic, it’s cool.
  9. I’m currently addicted to Cookie Jam on my new phone.
  10. I also have a problem with Doritos. When they are at hand I have no self control.

There now you know a few more things about me. If your dying for more info like I know you are, check out my list of 32 things that make me happy, how I spend my me time, learn about my quirks, or find out what kinda girl I am.

Also head over to Helene’s page to find out more stuff you don’t know about your favorite bloggers.

Filed Under: In My Head

D4One: Shrimp and Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta

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This is a pasta dish served with shrimp over a rich and sweet Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce. It is to die for!

Shrimp & Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta

I’ve admitted before that I am pretty much in love with this recipe that I first saw on Closet Cooking, I even made my own version with Chicken Basil Meatballs. Well I’m still pretty obsessed with it, though I’m trying to keep the amount of pasta, and cream sauces down to a minimum around here. I have a dress to fit into in just a few short months!!!

One particular evening while Chuck was out of town for work I gave into the craving and made the recipe I have for you today. If you recall one of my very first Dinner for One recipes was pretty similar to this dish, except the main flavor component in that one was my other love – pesto. Here is the original recipe.

Shrimp & Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta

I can’t believe I am actually posting that link, with the old theme colors and the horrible photos. I’ve learned a lot since then about recipe writing and photography. I mean check out this updated version of the recipe. Hello beautiful! It still amazes me how far I have come. A big shout out to Pinch of Yum’s Tasty Food Photography for so much good info!

But I should really get back to this amazing recipe.

It has all the hallmarks of a perfectly decadent meal for one; delicious fresh seafood, over aldente pasta and a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet sauce. A sauce so good that you could probably just eat that for the meal sans pasta or anything else, but for a balanced meals sake we will let the pasta and shrimp be its vehicle.

If you haven’t tried this sauce yet, I am demanding that you drop everything and just do it. You will not be disappointed I promise you.

Shrimp & Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta

D4One: Shrimp and Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 Serving
Ingredients
  • 2 ounces dry pasta
  • 1 tablespoon oil (olive or the oil from the sundried tomatoes works)
  • 4 ounces medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon oil packed sundried tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ tablespoon fresh chopped basil for garnish
Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until aldente.
  2. Meanwhile heat the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes a side or until the shrimp is pink and firm. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same pan add garlic and sundried tomatoes and cook for one minute.
  4. Add the broth to deglaze the pan, scraping the browned bits off the bottom.
  5. Stir in the cream, bring it up to a low simmer and reduce the heat to low. Stir in the parmesan cheese and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened.
  6. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the shrimp and cooked pasta until everything is will coated.
  7. Adjust the seasonings and top with grated parmesan and basil to serve.