On the 12th of December...

On the 12th of December, my true love gave to me, presents that needed wrapping.

A sign of times to come I am sure, but I am not complaining, as one of the few tasks I enjoy "taking over" as the wife is wrapping gifts for holidays. I know I will go all out and make them fancy, with bows, and add gift tags instead of writing the recipients' names in Sharpie on them. My perfectionist side likes this task.

One thing I've noticed about wedding planning in the midst of the holiday frenzy is that it is really hard to think of gifts you want that you don't want to register for in a few months.

Why don't they have "Christmas Registry"?? I mean, how much easier would our holiday shopping be if we could all just go shopping, use a pricing gun to scan a bunch of stuff we like, and then send that list out to all our friends and family? In our family at least, we kind of already do this with the hopes that the items on our wish lists will be easy to find. It might take some of the excitement out of unwrapping a present, but at least there is no need to wait in the return lines the week after Christmas.

I do wish that I did not have to try to balance my time between work (the end of the semester), Christmas (13 days and counting down), and wedding planning (only 9 months left?!?!). Unfortunately, work usually takes precedence, but this year I've slacked a bit, causing even more "end of the semester" stress. Slacking is maybe too harsh a word because I have successfully bought gifts, wrapped gifts, set up appointments over Christmas break with our wedding vendors, and even decorated the house! That is a lot to accomplish with all the other stuff going on during this time of year. I just need to quit procrastinating doing the real work I have so I can enjoy the holidays, stress-free.

So as the holidays near, I hope that I can keep up with my blog posting so I can be an avenue for all of you to procrastinate, too! :) Or you can spend your time browsing Pinterest for winter wedding themes, like me.

Via Pinterest

I'll Make a Good Wifey After All!!

Although I by no means consider "The Knot" the primary authority on weddings, I am fascinated by their "to do" list and e-mailed reminders to keep their registered brides on track. It does feel a bit reassuring that I won't be forgetting something major, especially considering my previous post and how busy this next year will be.

But "The Knot" forgot a few items on their "to do" list.
1. Start getting into shape for your wedding.
2. Start practicing being a good wifey.

The first has not been mentioned anywhere in all the literature I've read containing "to do" lists. Not everyone needs to get into wedding shape, some are just naturally in shape all the time, and not everyone CARES to get into wedding shape. But what more perfect excuse or motivation could there be? Well, for me, I was frankly better at that whole getting into shape thing before I was engaged. Since then, maybe it is the sense of knowing that I am secured for life with my future husband, but I cannot get my bootie into the gym as often as I used to. The good news,  I am still going AND I am maintaining my weight so far, despite the parties and celebrations.

This brings me to point 2: being a good wifey. For me, this includes domestic activities that thus far have been much neglected in our humble home. SO, as a compensation for not getting into the gym as often, I started to make more dinners at home so we'd diminish our caloric intake due to eating out so often. This is a new realm for me, cooking. I am an expert at opening boxes or bags, using the microwave, constructing sandwiches, and pancakes. So, as cliche and old-fashioned as it all feels (hence the word "wifey"), I am really trying to set some good habits before we introduce children into the equation. I also find that baking is soothing and therapeutic, so why not switch up the ingredients and include baking meals and not just desserts? And no, not just the meals that are frozen and only require reheating.

Well, the first array into this new hobby (at least since our engagement) was a complete success! And it also gave me a boost in confidence that I will be a good wife, a good mom, and perhaps I just may fit into my dream dress!

Erica's Baked Mostacolli

Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef (extra lean)

                  1 small onion (white) and 1 red pepper- chopped

                  Fresh Garlic- minced (to taste)

                  Ragu Original Spaghetti Sauce (I am not a miracle worker!)-4 cups

                  Bertolli Penne Plus Pasta (extra protein snuck in!)- 14.5 oz box

                  Light shredded Mozarella Cheese

                  Italian blend of cheese (Parmesan, Provolone...) shredded

                  1 cup of water

Brown hamburger in a skillet, use a little olive oil spray to prevent sticking, and add in onion and red pepper, cook about 8 minutes. Drain excess liquid.

Add 1 cup water and 4 cups spaghetti sauce into the skillet and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the past according to directions, about 11 minutes, and drain. Mix the pasta with the sauce. Then pour half of the pasta and sauce into a 13'x9'x2' glass pan, sprinkle with the desired amount of shredded cheeses (both blends), and then cover with another layer of the sauce and pasta, and sprinkle more cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until cheese on top is slightly brown and melty. Serve with favorite wine and make fiance do all dishes.

-Adopted from Cooks.com recipe

My first baking/cooking masterpiece