The Calm After the Storm

To say the last few weeks has been crazy would be an understatement.  I have had 2 weddings, one of which I helped plan &  had my in-laws stay with us while my FIL went to the Dr. here.  Now I am looking forward to heading North to my in-laws for some R&R this week before my weeks get busy again.

My June calendar is booking up with Party Lite shows & I am NOT complaining.  Summer is always such a great time to get friends together & catch up.  It's also a great time to switch up the decor to make your home bright & cheerful.

Here are a few ideas to make your home look

 ready for the sunny weather!

Keeping it short & sweet today so I can finish packing for my weekday getaway!

Have a safe & Happy Memorial Day 

and don't forget why this day exists.

I love weddings

Party planning is my passion.  I always seem to be planning some kind of party or helping with one. My most recent project was helping my "sister from another mister" plan her wedding.

My 2 best friends are sisters.  Their youngest sister tied the knot in a "Destination Wedding" here it Pittsburgh. Having had my own wedding away, I tried to help her make the wedding as painless as possible.

The theme of the wedding was "Travel".

Each table had a theme of places 

they have been together & their home towns.

Los Angeles

Pittsburgh

Antigua

Las Vegas

San Diego

Wine Country

We did floral centerpieces & the tables had "hints" of each destination on the table. I used artificial flowers to do the centerpieces, hoping she wouldn't be able to tell.  Obviously the shredded paper was a dead giveaway, but there weren't any on the head table. She had no idea they were artificial until she picked it up.  

Operation "Fake Flowers" was a success!

I got the flowers from Garden Ridge.  Why I never stepped foot in that store until now is beyond me.  I always thought it was like Home Depot or Lowes.  Boy was I wrong!  I was pleasantly surprised at all of the beautiful things they had.  Their flower selection was great. They had flowers for any budget.

It's been fun & a bit challenging.  

The Bride gave suggestions & I went with it.
She was so excited when I told her I wasn't telling her anymore about the wedding. 

 It was great, I got to play "David Tuturo" for her.  

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas

Unfortunately, playing wedding planner did not give me time to go around & take pictures of each table theme.  The photographer gladly took pictures for me & is going to send them to me when she is done editing.  I will be sharing those & the rest of the Travel themed creations I made.

Technically I didn't drink beer....

I was raised Catholic, not so much a practicing Catholic these days.  But during Lent I don't eat meat on Fridays & this year I actually gave something up for lent...

This year I gave up beer.
Let me tell you, that was a long 40 days.

I am a huge fan of beer.  I like all different kinds of beers, except IPA's...I just can't do all the hops.  I felt like I was consuming a bit too much beer recently.  So when my best friend decided to give it up for Lent (by the way, she is NOT Catholic, lol)  I decided to join her.  I must say it is always easier to give things up with someone.  We have really helped each other.

Giving up things & sticking to it has never really worked out for me.  I am proud to say we didn't have a single beer.  I made it through my Girls Weekend with no beer, even though that strawberry ale was calling my name!

As I have mentioned before, I am an Independent Party Lite consultant along with being a stay-at-home momma.  The first of the year, they discontinued their Two Sisters Gourmet line.  So disappointing.

One of my favorite products was the beer bread.  I know those other companies have their own, but I've always leaned towards TSG.  It's not because it was a product I sold, I honestly liked it much better!  And then you serve it with the TSG Outrageously Garlic as a dip.....yummy stuff.  It was always my go to when people were over to watch some Steelers football or even for game night.

For my weekend away with the girls, I wanted to make beer bread.  Aldi's has their own, but I heard it just wasn't the same.  So while away at the in-laws, I decided to find a recipe!  Little did I know how easy it was.  And with a little Shock Top Belgian beer added, it was perfect! Sure you can use a good ol domestic, but there is something about a craft beer that makes the bread that much better.

Beer Bread

3 C Self Rising Flour

1/3 C Sugar

12 oz Beer
1 Tbsp Butter melted

Preheat oven at 375 degrees
Spray a bread pan with cooking spray
Mix flour, sugar & beer
Pour batter into pan
Top with melted butter...this will prevent the top from burning
Bake for about 35 minutes or until slightly browned on top

This is the perfect "dish" to take to a party or picnic.
Just pair it up with a dip and you are sure to have a crowd pleaser.