Tracy & Steve: A Wedding

This past Saturday, one of my dearest friends  (I’ve known her since elementary school!) got married. It’s been a while since I’ve attended a friend’s wedding (as opposed to family, which is still fun, but not the same kind of fun) and it was truly a blast. What’s better than watching your friend marry their best friend, then follow it up with drinks and dancing?
Not many things.

 

Friends waiting for the big moment!

We all agreed she looked stunning. Everything was flattering…the dress, the hair (she wore this awesome headband under the veil), the makeup. Absolutely gorgeous.

MARRIED! And sneaking a peek at us.

The lot of us at cocktail hour, waiting not-so-patiently for the bar to open (I rarely get group photos, so I cherish this one immensely! Everyone is visible and looks amazing!!).

Why yes, I will post an obligatory cute photo of me and my love.

The lovely table setting.

 

Welcome the newlyweds!

 

Crazy boys.

It was such a great time! I love celebrating love, especially with people I love.

Dinner Last Night: “Thunder a la Vodka”

Money is so tight these days. It’s not just me, I know this, but it’s still very upsetting and difficult all the same.
Despite that, I’ve been trying to keep up with my weekly dinners. The main reason I love doing these dinners? I like teaching myself, trying new things, and keeping the menu at home interesting. I live at home with my family, and we tend to get stuck in ruts eating the same old things. I like to bring different ingredients into the house.
And before I started doing this, I would only ever cook grilled cheese sandwiches and cheese omelets.
I have faith in myself when I finally grow up. Whenever that is?

Back to the money situation, I had to come up with a dinner solution that wasn’t going to break the bank. Enter PASTA. It was 1$ for a box of fettuccine. I’m sorry, but during these tough times, I am thanking the Lord pasta exists. Still, it can get a little boring. Enter Brad! He taught me about his special pasta trick, Thunder a la Vodka. Basically, it’s a mixture of vodka sauce and alfredo sauce. Delicious as is.
But I didn’t just want a plate of pasta. So I bought some Italian sausage and whipped up my special green beans.
One tasty dinner indeed.

This has been a very strange week. Sandy, Halloween, a new month.
I’m ready for the weekend.
I have work, but I’ll be enjoying my usual arts and crafts.
I’m also bringing back the Black Swan for a belated Halloween party with friends.
Can’t go wrong!

 

Have an excellent weekend!

Another Wedding Weekend

This Saturday, I got to celebrate the wedding of my friends Crystal and Alex! It was such a beautiful affair.
And I had an absolute blast drinking and dancing in celebration with my beloved friends.

Wasn’t it lovely?
I’m wishing them a lifetime of happiness (and an awesome honeymoon right now).

Wednesday via VSCO Cam

A dreary drive to work. (I actually love gloomy days.)

Artie in his festive handkerchief.

An evening walk with Maria. We’ve made it a weekly ritual to walk around the neighborhoods for over an hour.

Night falling.

Finishing the night with some apple wine and a hearty dose of cinnamon.

Fall via VSCO Cam

I often complain about my hometown, but I am thankful that I grew up in an area that experiences all 4 seasons, with plenty of trees and hills and mountains to admire. I don’t have to wonder what a budding tree looks like, how gorgeous fall foliage is, or how snow feels.
Fall is a truly gorgeous time. Everything appears to be on fire. A final burst of life before it passes on for a while.

All photos edited with VSCO Cam.

Oktoberfest

This past Saturday, I had a lovely evening with my dad, sister, Josh, and Brad at the Berwick Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest. It is not comparable by any means to the massive Oktoberfest that just occurred at the casino a couple of weeks ago…but it was so much fun.

My dad works in Berwick, and that’s how I got familiar with Berwick Brewing Company. They make and serve all their own beers. To top it off, they also make amazing pizza. We split 3 pies of Curd and Jäger (as in landjäger sausage) pizza, and it was to die for. Mmm.
The beer was great, too! I think it’s important to drink locally and explore what your area has to offer.
Just like with my love for Stegmaier (Hello, Lionshead and Pumpkin Ale!).

The best part was sitting in the biergarten with people I love so much, my family and my man.
It was a beautiful fall evening, with great food, beer, and jazzy music.

Bloomsburg Fair

Once a year, the Bloomsburg Fair rolls around. Last year, there was a terrible flood that hit the area and affected so many people. It wasn’t held, not surprisingly. But this year it’s back and better than ever! I knew I wanted to go, but I wasn’t sure when/if I’d make it. On Sunday, I got invited by my friends to go and, even though I just woke up, I threw on clothes super quick so I could enjoy tons of  munchies with some awesome people. It was great weather…a little overcast, but mostly sunny with perfect cardigan temperatures. And the food…oh yeah.

From the top:
Colorful vendors
Kohr’s, where I got an amazing Orangeade
A super crazy, super fluffy rabbit
Lovely pastel cotton candy and candy apples
A warm apple dumpling with cinnamon ice cream (we ate it under a red tent, thus the strange color of the picture)
A Vince’s Cheesteak was my main course.
Blue Birch Beer and fried pickles.

Friday!

I know I only had a four day week, but I have been waiting for the weekend! I hate wishing away my days, but I can’t help it. My 9-5 life is so uninspiring and, by the time I get out of work, I sometimes just don’t have it in me to carry the fun things through.

I think I’m especially excited because I have nothing to do this weekend but hang out with friends and sleep in.
I’m so excited. This three day weekend wasn’t exactly restful. Traveling to NY and back, getting very little sleep. I’m so ready to stay in one spot, get some of my favorite Mexican food, spend time with friends I haven’t seen in a while, and maybe go on a little pumpkin patch date with Brad. Also hoping to incorporate some tights into my wardrobe this weekend…so fingers crossed the weather stays chilly!

Have a great weekend!