Woo-Hoo Wednesday: Anniversary

Four years ago today, my husband and I gathered together with God, our friends and family to promise to one another that we will love each other unconditionally as husband and wife for the rest of our lives....

















Ok, Ok, I know I went a little overboard on the pictures....but seriously...I am so in love with this man, loved our wedding, loved the people involved and love how our relationship has developed.

In the spirit of our wedding, I wanted to talk about centerpieces. I love the idea of having dessert at your table, in fact, that's exactly what we did for our wedding.

We ordered a small two-tiered wedding cake for us at our head table, and then ordered smaller round cakes that served as the centerpieces for each table. What was so fun about doing this was that we got to choose about 8 different flavor combination to be placed around the room. Each cake sat on a short glass hurricane, decorated with ribbon and filled with decorative rocks and then in the center of each cake, delicately sat a beautiful orange lily.

Recently, a girlfriend of mine did a similar concept but with cupcakes, and it was absolutely adorable!






They then had a huge cupcake-cake to serve as their cake to cut before all of their family and friends...



Some have questioned whether its a good idea to put the cake out at each table or not, in fear that the guests might start to eat it before they are *suppose* too, but who cares what they do?! I know I know, it all depends on your personality; but in reality, the day is about you getting married and the joy you have with one another. I think dessert on the tables is a wonderful and playful way of sharing your favorites with all of your guests.

What nontraditional ways did you serve up your cake or desserts for your wedding? Please feel free to submit some photos to info (at) a-sugarnspice-life (dot) com.

How- To Tuesday: Make a pot of coffee

Today I wanted to take a moment to talk about coffee.....Mmmm.....fresh brewed coffee. Now, even if you don't like coffee, I'm sure in your lifetime you probably have or will be asked to brew a pot. Here is the step by step instructions of how to do so......

(1) Hop in your car
(2) Put on your favorite sunglasses
(3) Drive to your nearest Starbucks.......

wait, wait, wait.......the whole purpose behind my book, blog and self is COST EFFICIENCY!! And frankly, I personally can't afford a cup of coffee from there anymore hah!

Now you may be thinking, if you're a coffee drinker like myself, who in their right mind does not know how to brew a pot of coffee??? Many people don't. Many people forget just how delicious and if I may add CHEAP it is to brew you're own, and have fallen into the lifestyle of sitting in drive-thrus to pick up a daily dose of their venti, caramel, shaken not stirred, skinny coffee favorites.

As I sit here typing I am enjoying a cup of coffee that I brew on a daily basis in one of my very favorite cups, from one of my very favorite people. She got it for me when she was visiting Washington DC and it simply states: "Coffee...the favorite drink of the civilized world." -Thomas Jefferson to Edmond Rogers, February 14, 1824.Love it! And I always think of her while using it.

Another thing I love about coffee is the instant warmth it brings to my body. As I was visiting one of my sisters a few weeks ago, she asked if I would like a cup of coffee. Of course I answered yes, and she says, "You have to try this flavor, It's like Christmas in a Cup." .... really? How could anyone turn down "Christmas in a cup?" .........................and to my surprise, it was! As I sat amongst the chaos in the kids play room, I inhaled the sweet smell of Christmas, while envisioning snow flakes falling outside, a Christmas tree lite in the other room, and laughter all around. This was some pretty powerful stuff, seeing as how it has NEVER snowed in California or Arizona on Christmas while I was living there, and for this little cup of Cinnamon Hazelnut to do all that? Amazing!

I know people who don't care for the taste of coffee, but no one can deny the relaxing sent of coffee brewing in the morning. Love it!



Ok Ok, this is about brewing coffee....not necessarily my LOVE for coffee.....so here we go:

I know a few people fell in love with the craze of the Keurig last year, and although I do think it's pretty awesome the way you can brew any flavor, plus hot chocolates and I believe teas, I'm just more in to my $20 coffee pot that I received 4 years ago as a wedding gift.  (which reminds me...tomorrow is my anniversary!! yeah!)

If you have a normal coffee pot, and are brewing just for yourself, I recommend brewing 6 cups. What you need to do is take the glass/plastic pot and fill it up to the 6 cup line with water. Next, pour the water into the back portion of the coffee maker. You usually need to lift the lid to do so. You will see on the side of the coffee pot the *water line* rise as you pour in the water.

My coffee maker has a built in filter, but some pots still require you to purchase coffee filters. If you're making coffee last minute, and have run out of filters, a paper towel or napkin will work just fine tucked into the top of the maker as a filter.

Next, the good part -- coffee grounds! For 6 cups of coffee, I scoop in one heaping tablespoon of coffee, plus a little extra for good measure. (something I have picked up from my grandma....she always adds a little extra for "good measure").

Return the pot to its original spot within the coffee maker, close the lid up top, and press the start/brew/go button!

This next step is probably the most crucial of all --- deciding which coffee mug to use.



Do you want to drink it out of a pretty fancy mug? A mug you have to hold with two hands while curled up on the couch? Your go-to every day mug? The mug you can cup in one hand? Or how about the one with your kids pictures all over it? So many decisions! This alone is why I usually just stick to regular coffee....why boggle my mind with flavors, when I have so many decisions when it comes to the mug! hah!

Well I hope this helps everyone who's never brewed a pot of coffee before. I'm going to get back to my cup now :) Enjoy.

Bonus Blog

I think I'm going to start calling my *extra blog posts* my BONUS BLOGS! I know I've got my set days of blogging, but sometimes I just can't resist, I've got more to talk about!

Today I wanted to take a moment to tell you all a little about my favorite spots on the internet.

Oh wait, wait wait wait.....I MUST tell you that I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I read an email from a friend saying " Congratulations - just read about you in the paper...." .....................WHAT???!!! WHERE???!!!! I immediately started scoping the internet and there I WAS! Twice! In two articles. One in our local paper here in Ahwatukee -- the Ahwatukee Foothills Newspaper (which made TOP STORY if I may add) and the other was Phoenix Business Journal. So Awesome. You can check out the articles here: http://www.a-sugarnspice-life.com/media-kit.html

Ok - Back to a few of my favorite links.

First and foremost is my parents Ice Cream Parlor: Chaparral Homemade Ice Cream - where they make all of their food, ice cream and desserts in house from scratch. So delish! They came down for my Pre-Release party and actually left some left overs - so I've been nibbling chowing down on cheeseball & crackers, peanut butter cake, brownies and some homemade lemonade. Yum!

Next up on the list is one of my favorite friends, Val Featherstun and her Event/Wedding Coordinating company: Ciao Bell'amore Events. She does beautiful work; in fact, she just hosted her sisters bridal shower which was a Garden/Spring Theme and it was beautiful! You can check out her FB page here for those pictures or go to her website here.

As many of you know I will be hosting another release party in California for my cookbook, Our First Year,  and I have had the privilege of being introduced to my next "Favorite Link" which is Soleil la Lune . Baker/Chef Marlynn will be providing all of the desserts at my next event and I cannot wait to work with her! Please feel free to check out her site with all the pictures of her delicious baked goodies.

And of course I couldn't wait any longer to mention my favorite photographers - Sean Troeger Photography - who happens to be our cousin, but besides that is an AMAZING photographer, friend and family member. He captured the delicious flavor of many of my dishes, which can be found in my newly published cookbook. I get so many compliments on the pictures and I owe it all to him. (And his wife Kim - and my hubby who did all the dishes - and our Aunt Janna who watched my daughter - and to all of Sean and Kim's friends who came and ate ALL the food we made!)

I have also had the pleasure of getting to know and become friends with our neighbor, Sara Zorker, who is a photographer and does great work! She photographed my son when he was first born, as well as, some adorable shots of my daughter too! I love working with her, but was bummed to not have her as my photographer at my event this past weekend. Thankfully she provided me with 2 superb photographers that she knows and they did an EXCELLENT job. I cannot wait to get the prints back. (Ryan Squared Photography)

I also wanted to touch on my long time friend's sister's company, Sassy Sash. Having a bridal brunch? Hosting a baby shower? Turning 21? Over the Hill? Just going to lunch with the girls? YOU NEED A SASH!! Britni Harris makes beautiful custom sashes for all of your special occasions, you really need to check out her website.....oh yes....and order one!

Also, taking a minute to touch base on a few other of my favorite spots are: Cupcake Photography by Amber,  Winter's Wonderland Photography, (my kids are in a contest on her site...so go, click on their pictures and comment "win!") Sweet Little Nothings on Etsy, and Food Tramp Diaries

And when you're in town (Phoenix) make sure to stop in to Expressions Boutique in Ahwatukee and Chaparral in Wickenburg to see my book and check out their other fine goodies too!

Hope you enjoyed the links -- I know I sure do!

Arizona Pre-Release Party

As promised, I am here Sunday morning blogging about last nights party. The warmth of support and loving, encouraging words overwhelmed me last night and I owe it all to my friends and family who have believed in me throughout this entire journey. It was so inspiring having everyone here, ask about my book, enjoy the food I made and just to hear the joyous conversations throughout my home! Thank you all so very much for coming and continuing to give me the support as my book releases on October 11th!

Of course I couldn't leave this post without any pictures, so I've posted a few that I took on my camera. We had excellent photographers throughout the evening, so once I get those prints back of course they will be posted as well.

For Appetizers I served all recipes from my book (of course) which included: Salsa Chicken, Chipotle Salsa, Burttery Golden Cornbread, Just Like Mama's Chili, Cheesy Potato Casserole and a Party Sandwich, oh yes, and Snuggle Pigs too! For take home gifts, I packaged some of my Good Morning Cinnamon (monkey bread) along with my business card.

We also had a raffle going throughout the night, which my daughter chose the lucky winner which was........drum roll please......NIKI HEINEN! She won an autographed copy of my book, several cooking items, plus a gift certificate to my parents ice cream parlor: Chaparral, in Wickenburg, AZ.


I am so anxious to get the pictures back so I can post more and more!! Here are a few as promised:

Weekend Wrap: TODAY'S THE DAY!

Today's the day == BOOK RELEASE PARTY DAY!!

I know you are going to be totally bummed, but I barely had a breather to say a quick hello....but wanted to let you all know that I will be posting tomorrow about the event....so sit tight, I'll be back tomorrow.

Thankful Thursday: Going Sappy On You...

Ok kiddos--I'm going to get all sappy on you today. Granted I'm suppose to be blogging about utensils, kitchen appliances, etc that make my life easier, that I am thankful for, or that I love, but given that this week is my first *big* party for the release of my book, I have to take a moment and tell you that I am truly thankful for my husband this week (and every week).



Now, to know us, is to know that we don't like clutter. Our house is for the most part tidy (although I tend to not let go of things....so we have a lot of things, but always tidy).

So, let me paint you a picture....I was gone for over a week to California, when I returned I had a little less than 2 weeks to plan and decorate for my release party (which is at the house)....and now that we have two kids, my "office" is of no more. Currently as I sit in my living room, I have a 6 ft white table where my couch use to be, my couch is now in the middle of the room, my son's swing is in the middle of the room, boxes are everywhere, my *decorations* are scattered throughout, the kids play room (which is technically suppose to be a dining room) is now in my son's nursery, the kitchen table is covered in serving platters, bottled drinks, can's of food, candles and duct tap and I am only half way through decorating the entry way.

Needless to say......................................my husband has been a VERY patient man with me :) and I am so grateful for him.

He comes home from a long day of work with a smile on his face, even in the midst of our chaos. Runs around the house with our daughter, while holding our son in his arms, all the while giving me that "much needed break" he says I need...even though he is the one that is also going non-stop throughout his day too.

I love him with all my heart and know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to do this without him. God has blessed me with a man who knows exactly who I am and loves me anyways.

Thank You Jeffrey...

Woo-Hoo Wednesday: Pre-Release Party

Woo-Hoo Wednesday is all about excitement, party ideas and design suggestions......Well what's more totally completely crazy exciting than my upcoming Pre-Release Party??? I'm thinking, not much!



This Saturday I will be celebrating the release of my cookbook here in Arizona, followed by another party in California this October. I am so anxious to decorate, bake, cook and get people here having fun!

I almost took a picture of our house to post....but that might give away some of my adorable decorating ideas that I plan to post about in the future, so for the time being....just picture that everywhere you look there's pink, glitter and glam....Just what my Hubby loves coming home too!