Happy Pumpkin Wednesday-Welcome to Wedding Season!

Hi all! I hope everyone has had a nice week and has been able to keep out of harm's way with all the storms throughout the country.  Even from last week's post, yet another tornado has devastated an entire town.  Please keep the people in Joplin, Missouri in your thoughts and check out this site to see a list of links and ways you can help victims recover from the storm.

With all this crazy weather, it's hard to believe that summer unofficially starts with Memorial Weekend.  And of course, for everyone, summer=highest intensity wedding season.  This year, Tim and I have three weddings to go (compare that with last year's six) and I am looking forward to all of them!

While Pumpkin is always ready and dressed in formal attire (so convenient to be a tuxedo cat), she isn't often included on the invitations to most weddings....

Always ready to receive an invitation to a black tie wedding

Nonetheless, she has some sage advice for all of those who plan to be a guest at a wedding this summer.

Lindsay made me wear this scarf to make it look like a wedding veil.  I am not amused.

A few wedding do's and don'ts

1. Do make sure you are properly attired for the occasion.  Be sure to check your invitation for any special dress requirements, i.e. Black Tie, which for women means a floor length dress or your dressiest cocktail dress.  If you're attending a wedding in a church/temple, it's never a bad idea to bring a shawl or sweater to cover up your shoulders.  If everyone seems very casual you can wear your sleeveless dress in comfort, but it's nice to make sure you are dressed in a manner that is respectful of the house of worship you are in.  Also remember, an evening wedding is always more formal than a day time wedding.  
2. Don't get too stressed about how much you are spending on the gift. There are lots of rules of etiquette specifying how much you should spend, but many of these rules are not necessarily in sync with the current economic climate.  If you are stretched on your budget, there is no shame in breaking with tradition and spending less than whatever "the knot" has suggested.  The more time you spend picking out a personal gift that suits the happy couple, the less anyone will be concerned about price.
3. Do enjoy a few drinks, and do keep it in control.  Everyone likes to have a good time at a wedding, there is no doubt about that!  But make sure to keep yourself in control until at least the initial wedding hoopla like the procession and speeches are over.  A special note for bridesmaids/groomsmen, you are wearing the same outfit as several other people and are very likely to stick out of the crowd, so keep yourself together the best you can :)
4. Do be friendly and introduce yourself.  If you don't know the bride/groom's parents, it's perfectly fine to introduce yourself and tell them how you know their son/daughter.  It is equally nice to tell them what a fine wedding and party you are attending and how nice their son/daughter looked today. 
5. Do remember to have fun!  There is nothing the bride/groom who invited you wants to see more than you out and about dancing and enjoying yourself!
6. Don't think you are Pippa.  Ladies, don't wear white.  Just don't do it.  It's just easier (and more fun) to pick another color! 

Most importantly remember you are a guest, and be gracious.  Your friend/friends/family has invited you to spend this special time with them, so put a smile on your face and make sure to try all the flavors of wedding cake!

-How many weddings are you going to this summer?

Looking forward to a long weekend and fun time at Jordan's wedding!

Happy "Rain Rain Go Away" Pumpkin Wednesday!

Hello everyone!  I hope you are wearing your rain coats, rain boots and staying dry on this rainy Pumpkin Wednesday.


Please remember, as much as you are upset about the unpleasant spring weather, people in the South are struggling as the Mississippi River floods, and parts of the Southwest are laden with drought. The American Red Cross is at these sites of natural disasters, and is always in need of your financial support to aid those who end up feeling the wrath of mother nature.

I hide when the weather is bad!

I know the intro tonight seems dreary, but I want to remind everyone to be aware of the troubles others are going through and to help out however you can.

Sometimes you have to be serious on Pumpkin Wednesday

In lighter news, tomorrow is Tim's 26th birthday!  In honor of his special day, Pumpkin is putting on her birthday celebration hat a little bit early...

I am literally a party animal

Also, in honor of Tim's Birthday, I will share with you a recipe for delicious blueberry muffins (his favorite).

This recipe is courtesy of Simply Recipes, and they got their recipe from The Best Recipe cookbook.

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened (leave the butter out for about 3 hours prior to baking)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla yogurt
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 1/2 cups blueberries (you can use fresh, or frozen, I used frozen blueberries that were defrosted)
• 1 Tbsp. of Flour if using frozen blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Whisk your dry ingredients, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter (i.e. soften the butter using your hand held electric mixer, or stand mixer) and after the butter is soft, add in the sugar, beating until the egg and sugar mixture is fluffy.  Add in the eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated after each one.  Add in the lemon zest.

4. Here comes the heavy mixing:  Beat in half of the dry ingredients into your sugar/flour/butter/lemon zest mixture.  Beat in 1/2 cup of yogurt.  Beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients.  Beat in 1/2 cup of the yogurt.  Beat in remaining dry ingredients and then the remaining 1/2 cup of yogurt.  Don't overmix your ingredients, beat just until the wet and dry ingredients are incorporated.

5.  If you are using frozen blueberries, make sure they are defrosted and the excess liquid drained.  Coat them in a light dusting of flour.  Add them into your ingredients gently.

6.  Place paper cups in muffin tins.  Distribute the muffin mixture equally into a 12-cup muffin tin.  Bake the muffins about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.  Use a toothpick to make sure the muffins are cooked in the middle.  Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes after they come out of the oven, and serve slightly warm.

7.  The batter makes 24 generously sized muffins.

What is your favorite breakfast pastry, and do you have a homemade recipe?

Looking forward to a lovely Thursday and celebrating Tim's Birthday!

Happy Pumpkin Wednesday!!

Miscellaneous Monday: Sandwiches for Dinner

Hello everyone, I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  As I'm sure you can tell from my terrible lack of posting, I've had a busy spring.  Between work and lots of traveling to see family and friends, I have hardly had time to put all my laundry away, or even make much more than scrambled eggs for dinner.

But alas, tonight I wanted to share with you a few quick sandwich recipes that can serve as nice easy dinners when you are on the run.  Pair these sandwiches with a vegetable, salad and grain and you've got a full meal.

These recipes don't have to be followed to a "t", so feel free to experiment with the recipes to fit whatever is in your pantry/refrigerator/freezer.

#1----Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Photo courtesy of Quarry Girl

• tortilla, pita or other wrap (I like whole wheat for some extra nutrients)
• boneless skinless chicken breasts
• ranch or blue cheese dressing
• blue cheese crumbles
• celery
• lettuce
• tomato
• Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
• butter (optional)

1.  Cook your chicken.  You can do this day of by grilling it on a pan.  You can also save time by cooking a few chicken breasts over the weekend and refrigerating them for the week. 

2.  Cut the cooked chicken up into strips after it cools.  Place the strips in a sauce pan and add the Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce with enough to coat the chicken.  You can also add about a tablespoon of butter to help make the sauce a little richer.  Heat the sauce until the chicken is well coated and warm.

3. Prep your vegetables.  Cut up some celery, lettuce and tomatoes.

4.  While your chicken is heating up, toast your tortilla to get it warm, but not crispy. 

5.  Now you are ready to assemble your wrap.  Put some of your dressing on the center of the tortilla.  Add the chicken, veggies, blue cheese and roll up your wrap, and stick with a toothpick to keep it all together.

#2------Salmon BLT (Recipe Courtesy of Ashley N.)

salmon + ciabatta + bacon +lettuce + tomato

• bread, or ciabatta roll
• salmon (you can also use frozen salmon, which you can get at your grocery, or stores like Target)
• mayonnaise
• lime/lemon juice
• cayenne pepper
• lettuce
• bacon or turkey bacon
• tomato slices

1.  Cook your salmon, with just salt and pepper, either in a pan or in your oven.  You can cook it with a little bit of butter, or olive oil, or if looking to save some calories, use Pam.

2. Toast your bread or ciabatta roll while your salmon cooks.  Also, get the bacon/turkey bacon cooking. 

3.  Make the mayonnaise spread.  Combine a few tablespoons of mayonnaise (use more or less depending on how many sandwiches you are making, or how much you like mayo) with about half the amount of lemon or lime juice, and 1/8 or 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.  Put this spread on the bread (both sides!) before you add the salmon and other ingredients. 

4.  Time to assemble your sandwich!  I like to put a piece of lettuce on the bottom of the sandwich, add the salmon, tomato slice, and turkey bacon, then put on another piece of lettuce and the top of the bread.

#3--------Greek Chicken Wrap (surprisingly similar in preparation to the Buffalo Chicken Wrap)

Delicious Greek Foods courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

• tortilla, pita or wrap
• boneless skinless chicken breast
• balsamic vinegarette or Greek dressing
• feta cheese
• olives (I love kalamata olives)
• tomatoes
• cucumbers
• lettuce

1.  Cook your chicken.  You can do this day of by grilling it on a pan.  You can also save time by cooking a few chicken breasts during the weekend and refrigerating them for the week. 

2.  Cut the cooked, and cooled chicken into strips.  Place the strips in a bowl and coat with your choice of balsamic vinaigrette or Greek dressing.

3. Prep your vegetables.  Cut up some lettuce, cucumbers, olives and tomatoes.

4.  Toast your tortilla or pita to get it warm, but not too crispy. 

5.  Now you are ready to assemble your wrap.  Add the chicken, veggies, feta and roll up your wrap, and stick with a toothpick to keep it all together!  You can also add more dressing should you desire.

I love sandwiches and I hope these recipes give you something quick and easy to make for dinner.  What's your specialty quick sandwich?

Looking forward to a lovely Tuesday!

Happy Long Lost Pumpkin Wednesday!

Hello all and Happy Pumpkin Wednesday!  At this hour the work week is half over and you are well on your way to the weekend.

It's no secret the frequency of my posting has gone down tremendously since I started working.  If anyone out there has some secrets for effective time management, I need them, or perhaps that is a topic for another post.


Nonetheless, it's not as though I have been doing nothing and simply avoiding the blog...here's a quick recap of what I (and Pumpkin) have been up to lately....

Last weekend I ran a half marathon in Cincinnaiti

Pumpkin stayed at home and relaxed

Tim and I went to an Indian's game (Indian's have the best record in baseball, in case you hadn't heard)

Pumpkin watched the game at home, and cheered them on

Tim and I went to Chicago

Pumpkin stayed at home and ran around her scratching post

Needless to say, Pumpkin and I have been busy, but that's no excuse for neglecting the blog.  I look forward to getting back into a regular routine of posting and not just putting up pictures of the kitty.  Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know any household/cooking/etiquette questions you may have; I'm happy to find you an answer.

Hope you all had a great Pumpkin Wednesday, and looking forward to a lovely Thursday!