Easter Egg

If you can read it think about it. General subject: Premarital sex.

Money Dance

Oh the drama of the money dances.  To those of you not in the know the money dance (or dollar dance, or apron dance) is a tradition where male guests pay to dance briefly with the bride, and sometimes female guests pay to dance with the groom.   Apparently it originated in Poland and was brought to the US by Immigrants.  Due to Pittsburgh’s large Polish communities there’s no wonder why it’s so prominent today. 

I have overheard strangers arguing with mothers and friends bitching about future mother in laws.  If you do it or not there are great picture opportunities.

Sometimes even if you don’t plan for it it’ll happen spontaneously. 

Where are you on the money dance fence?  

Tiffany Tuesday Pt 2- transportation

The service was lovely and the second best part it was FREE.  (The best part was that they got married)

At this point the happy couple could go off into the world as married people, but society dictates that they are not yet finished.  Besides, who doesn’t love a party? 

All guests are responsible for getting their own rides to the reception, but the bridal party will do it in piratical style.

Sorry not like that this isn't a traveler wedding after all

It’s not the most attractive but it is the most cost effective.  So often the weddings I see are so elaborate that they just look wasteful.  This is only about $100 let’s bump it up to $200 to account of gas.

This is the perfect way to get everyone around town to take pictures and arrive together to the reception hall.

What’s the craziest way you’ve ever arrived somewhere? 

Monday Montage Mt. Washington

I don’t think I will ever get tired of looking at wedding pictures ever.  

Cookies with no oven!

I have a weakness in my heart for no back cookies. I am a lazy fat girl at heart. You do unfortunately have to use a stove, but they are so worth it! Make sure you cook the sugar long enough because otherwise the cookies will be gritty.  No one likes a gritty cookie.

·         2 cups sugar

·         4 tablespoons cocoa powder

·         1 stick butter

·         1/2 cup milk

·         1 cup peanut butter

·         1 tablespoon vanilla

·         4 cups oatmeal

Directions

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal. On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, until cooled and hardened.

Yumo

Paper Products Galore!

Finding just the right paper product for invitations or whatever is a pain in the butt. 

Enter Expedx

Heavenly

Paper goods of all sorts

No need to buy samples just for them to arrive in the incorrect shade of mauve.  Now you can bewith the colors before you buy.  

Go crazy crafters!

Tiffany Tuesday Part 1

I have a friend that is engaged and every time she thinks about her impending nuptials she has a panic attack.  She's currently fallen into the word of pinterest.com so for now shes is breathing normally.
I told her I'd help out.
The Guidelines:
October wedding
Outdoor ceremony
brown and gold
$5000.00 budget

So first thing's first LOCATION!
This is one way to rack up a stupid huge bill.  We aren't going to do that.
Schenley park is not only free, but offers great views of Pittsburgh, nature and fall foliage

Using my supper Google skillz I can NOT find pictures of a wedding that did this.  I JUST HAD AN ORIGINAL IDEA!


Here is the closest I could find.  Now imagine that that cute little boy is a happy couple

We got a wedding to plan people!

What's your favorite park?

Cloth that is Mod—ModCloth

I recently learned that one of those pesky ads on the right-hand side of Facebook for ModCloth is assisting a Pittsburgh based company.  ModCloth was founded by a CMU grad with her high school sweetheart.  Too cute

Not only do they have a cute story they are also doing well.  ModCloth was selected as 2010’s number two Fastest-Growing Private Company in America by Magazine’s Inc. SCORE!

I love their regular clothes and the possibilities for bridal parties are endless. 

 And for the bride

All are from ModCloth, and all are spectacular.

Any ModCloth fans out there?!

Monday Montage--Bridges--

This week I thought we could feast on the delicious photo opportunity that is the bridge.

 I'm not sure how much--or at all-- these two are altered to look like the smokey city

there's also the safe bridge in the background option

I love the dare devils that stop traffic for the awesomest pics EVER!

( note to self check for ads on bridge before planning wedding)

If it rains on your wedding day remember you can still bring your bridge inside.

Happy photo-ing!

Where would you like to see more pictures taken?

Church

I love my church.  The people are cool to but the building is perfect.  About three summers ago in 2008 the congregation I attend purchased a new building.  We had quite simply out grown the old one.  It was a “good problem to have” my mom would say. 

 old building

After much consideration on what type of space we would like to pursue the decision was made to lay it in the hands of the lord and accept what she offered.  (We are chill like that.)  The building that was offered to us was about four times as large as the old building and the selling price they agreed on was the same as out tiny building was appraised.

 You cant see the four floors that are there but they are.

 Ask and you shall receive people. It did take two years. One of my favorite aspects of the building is the sanctuary.  (I’m getting to the wedding part hold on a sec) unlike most churches that are long and narrow this one is short and fat.   To accommodate this there are two aisles.

Cue record scratch

YUP!

It's a great way to feel closer to everyone but my dream wedding!!!! COMPLICATED!

I’ve sat at the front of this sanctuary for hours contemplating where to walk down and who goes where and why and just >.<

Where would you walk?

How to have a wedding at the Heinz memorial chapel.

1)First of all check that you are qualified
  "University of Pittsburgh students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of their immediate families may reserve the chapel for their wedding ceremonies.

Employees of the H.J. Heinz Company, as well as members of any University-related board and members of their immediate families also may be married in the chapel. Immediate family includes grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters."

This is you?  Cool!! Continue to step two

2) Have a date that is Thursday-Saturday Sunday times are also available May-August.  Also be flexible because well they only offer five time slots on Saturday, two on Friday and one on Thursday and Sunday. 

3)Call a year ahead TO THE MONTH. (412-624-4157)

"Reservations are taken on the first business day of each month for all weddings in that month of the following year. Reservations made on this day are by telephone only on a first-call, first-served basis, beginning at 8:30 a.m."

You have it together enough to plan that far in advance? AWESOME!

4) Don't change your mind. They are very explicit there are NO CANCELLATIONS and NO POSTPONEMENT 

Well there is some flexibly:

"if a wedding couple wishes to change a confirmed wedding date, they must select a new date from dates and times currently available. If no agreeable new date is available, it may be necessary to cancel. All requests to reschedule weddings must be submitted in writing.

Request for a change of date received less than 180 days prior to the scheduled wedding will be charged a $100.00 service fee. A confirmed wedding date may be rescheduled only one time.

CANCELLATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING

Cancellations received more than 180 days prior to the wedding date will be refunded $300.00.

Cancellations less than 180 days prior to the scheduled wedding date will result in forfeiture of all fees by the wedding couple.

Faxed cancellations must be received in the Heinz Chapel office by 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on the final day of refund eligibility. Mailed cancellations must be postmarked by the final date of refund eligibility."

 5) Pay the $925.00 fee within 30 days of reserving the date.  

6) Sit back and plan your dream wedding care free because after all you still have a year to go.

Monday Montage

Let's ease into the week why don't we?
 Here are some great shots form around the Pittsburgh area.

On the Gateway Clipper

cakes at the Frick

Mellon Park Is a beautiful location

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic

The University of Pittsburgh has so many options

Um hello Washington Pa

It looks like this was only an initial mock up, but I would LOVE to see this finished!

Cookie Cookie cookie starts with a table

If you say to most people in the region that you are getting married one of the inevitable questions that arises is about the cookie table. Who needs the candy buffet trend of the year when you can have pastries like these:

"did you seriously take the last thumbprint?!"

No one is quite sure why Pittsburghers do this.  A New York Times article suggested it has something to do with the collection of Italian immigrants.   The bubbies (grandmother) are used to feeding large numbers at holidays so churning out 5+ dozen cookies is not an issue.  If you asked a Greek I’m sure they would say they had a hand in it as well. 

Others have speculated that it came out of the depression.  An elaborate cake would have been too expensive so cookies were substituted.  I don’t really care where it came from, but I’m glad it’s a part of us. 

Every Friday I’m going to try different recipes for the same cookie and present them.  I don’t need an excuse to bake but it sure is nice to turn the oven on when it’s this cold.

This week’s cookie is a classic.  It comes from Cooks Illustrated The Best Recipe.  If you don’t have this cook book go buy it now.  These cookies are the best.  No weird things just mouth-gasms. My notes and key parts are in bold.

INGREDIENTS

·         1 3/4cups unbleached all-purpose flour 

·         1/2teaspoon baking soda

·         14tablespoons unsalted butter 

·         1/2cup granulated sugar 

·         3/4cups packed dark brown sugar 

·         1teaspoon table salt

·         2teaspoons vanilla extract

·         1large egg

·         1large egg yolk

·         1 1/4cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks

INSTRUCTIONS

1.      Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18- by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

2.      Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.  (or just melt it in the microwave)

3.      Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips, giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.

4.       Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons .Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet. (Smaller baking sheets can be used, but will require 3 batches.)

5.      Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 12 to 14 minutes, they might look under cooked if you touch the middle and it’s still wet leave them in longer.  Be sure to rotate baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving

6.      Eat and enjoy!

Make these cookies, and tell me what you think!