wedding rehearsal and reception

Scott and Erika's rehearsal dinner was in my mom and dad's backyard.
I helped with some of the cooking. But mostly was just there for moral support.
Yes, it was a little chilly.
But nothing a sweatshirt couldn't take care of.

In addition to providing moral support, I did decorate these cookies.

We served three pasta dishes, caesar salad, garlic bread and of course, cheese pizza.

The tables were set up in the yard and candles lined the deck. It was so festive!!

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I didn't take my camera to the wedding. I decided I wanted to enjoy talking to people and not spend the whole evening taking pictures.

Then I was sorry about my decision.

But I did swipe a few pictures from Erika's facebook album to share on here. Hope you don't mind, Erika!!

Just want to share a few pictures of the family (or some of the family).

And in case you were wondering, this guy is NOT part of our family. You may think we have some weirdos in our family, but he isn't one of them!!

just a little taste of her true personality

And she's not even 2 yet!!
All I wanted to do was take a picture of her cute outfit before church.
You'd think I was taking her favorite toy away.
Right after this, her body went forward and her forhead was on the floor. A true temper tantrum!!
Not her first.

She quickly got up after the threat of mommy leaving without her was presented.

But back to the outfit, I bought this at a bi-annual consignment sale a few weeks ago. I went on the last day of the sale and most things were marked down to half off. I think I got this outfit (shirt, jumper and tights) for under $4.

It would be even cuter with a smile!!

creamy chicken and wild rice soup

We've had a cold snap here in Kansas and I've had a craving for soups!
This stick-to-your-ribs, hearty soup is a favorite. Probably because of the enormous number of calories and fat!

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and shredded
1 pkg. fast cook long grain and wild rice with seasoning packet (I use Uncle Ben's)
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. butter
2 c. heavy cream
sauteed mushrooms (I used one small can and sauteed them in olive oil)

In a large pot over medium heat, combine broth, water and chicken. Bring just to boiling. Stir in rice, reserving seasoning packet. Cover and remove from heat.

In a small bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in contents of seasoning packet until mixture is bubbly. Reduce heat to low, then stir in flour mixture by tablespoons to form a roux. Whisk in cream, a little at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth. Cook until thickened, 5 minutes.

Add mushrooms to the broth and rice. Stir cream mixture into broth and rice. Cook over medium heat until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.

I served it with dill biscuits and fried cinnamon apples. Mmmm...so good!!

what i found when i woke up saturday morning

Saturday is our only day to sleep in. And Delaney let us sleep in til 9:00!! Or so I thought. Now I know why she was so quiet. She was busy undressing herself! I walked in to find her diaper on the dresser, and Delaney stripped down naked. What a turkey!

wonderfully made by God

This weekend I was a hostess for a middle school girls' group progressive dinner.
I served the main course. Spaghetti and garlic breadsticks.

We started out with a short devotional and I read Psalm 139:13-14.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

We talked about how everyone wishes there was something different about themselves, but they need to remember that God created them as individuals and they are all "wonderfully made" by God.

It was a real privilege to provide a meal for this neat group of girls! I'm so thankful for their wonderful leader, Christina. I only wish there would've been opportunities like this for me when I was a young teen girl at First Baptist!