Surprise!!! A new addition will be joining us in September! We are beyond excited for this next chapter in our lives.
Married!
Seven months ago, on June 8, I got married! The day was by far the best day of our life. People were right though… it goes by fast! There were so many times throughout that day that I wanted to hit a pause button because I didn’t want it to end. This day is what I had worked so hard planning for a little more than a year! The biggest advice I can give to anyone getting married is to just remember to step back at times and look around you. Soak it all in because it’s a day you will remember forever!
To have everyone we love all in one room, under one roof was beyond amazing and something we will cherish for our whole lifetime! Thank you to all of our family and friends for making our day more than perfect!
XO
Mrs. Scarbrough
First dance as husband and wife! Photo Courtesy: Devo Photography
Top 12 Moments of 2012
I know I didn’t focus on my blog nearly as much as I wanted to this year, but as we all know, life can get crazy!
Before we say goodbye to another year, I’d like to highlight my top 12 moments for 2012. Thanks, Meredith for the idea!
Wishing you all a very Happy 2013! See you next year!
I got engaged to my best friend on my birthday in Cancun!
Sleigh ride in Breckenridge, Colo.
Pulled off a surprise 30th trip to Vegas and birthday party for my fiancé.
My first hot air balloon ride over Boulder in June.
Our fourth nephew was born on June 11, 2012 – Reese Michael.
We got our sweet English Bulldog, Bosco!
Picked grapes straight from the vine during harvest in Napa.
Saw my nephew take his first steps!
Went to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in October.
Made a delicious Thanksgiving feast together.
Visited New York City during Christmas time.
Our first Christmas as an engaged couple and our last before we are officially a Mr. and Mrs!
Thanks for the memories 2012, now here’s to an incredible 2013!!!
I’m Engaged!!
Wow! It’s been a little while since I’ve updated this thing. But, I have BIG news to share! I’m engaged! Ben asked me to marry him on my birthday while we were on the beach in Cancun. It was absolutely perfect!! It’s crazy to now call him my fiance, but I love it! Wedding plans are under way and we’re excited for our June 2013 wedding! We want to enjoy every second of this next year as we plan the best and first day of our lives as a married couple. I cannot wait to marry my best friend!
Right after he “popped” the question. I was bawling!
Roses and champagne from the hotel!
We have been showered with so many sweet comments, cards, calls and messages. Thank you so much. I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world!
Cloud Nine Valentine Martini
Since Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, I thought I’d share a yummy drink recipe that I made for my boyfriend and I this weekend. I found it through a pin on Pinterest and it’s from the Web site DayDreamerDesserts.com. Whether you are dining out or staying in and cooking at home, enjoy one (or two!) of these tomorrow evening. Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
Cloud Nine Martini
Serves 2
Red Sanding Sugar
6 ounces Godiva White Chocolate liqueur (I used Merrys White Chocolate Liqueur)
2 ounces Pinnacle Whipped Cream vodka
For an added Valentine’s Day touch, pour some red sanding sugar (go to the baking isle in your grocery store and you will find it with the sprinkles) into a plastic lid then swirl the rims of the martini glasses in some whipped cream vodka and dip them into the sanding sugar.
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour ingredients into the cocktail shaker, and shake for 20 seconds.
Strain and serve into martini glasses.
Recipe: Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprints
Happy New Year!
Even though the holidays are over (sad face), I had to share one other cookie recipe that I made for Christmas. I came across these cookies from a good family friend and had to get it from her – Thanks, Lynn! I remember eating them as a little kid too, but they were known as Kolacky’s to our family. So, tuck this recipe away if you need another cookie recipe for your next holiday cookie exchange because this one is so yummy! Enjoy!
Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprints (Otherwise known as Kolacky’s)
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. raspberry preserves
Glaze
1 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
2-3 tbsp. milk until smooth
Add milk slowly so glaze doesn’t become too runny (should be thick like maple syrup)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar, butter and almond extract in a medium-sized bowl. Beat until creamy. Reduce speed and add flour. Beat until well mixed – dough will be crumbly.
Shape into 1-inch balls. Place two inches apart on cookie sheet. With thumb make an indentation in center of each cookie, edges may crack. Fill with 1/4 tsp. raspberry preserves.
Bake 14-18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Drizzle with glaze when cool.
Yield: 3 1/2 dozen
Recipe courtesy of Lynn Ahern.
Happy & Merry!
These next couple of days are, in my opinion, the best of the year. I’m looking forward to spending time with the people I love most in this world.
Wishing you all a holiday filled with love and laughter! Enjoy this time with those who mean the most to you. Hugs!
Recipe: Ginger Spice Cookies
I participated in a cookie exchange about a week ago and made some delicious cookies, so I wanted to share the recipe with you all. Since I’m a part of the Junior League of Denver, I went straight to the new JLD cookbook, Colorado Classique (released in 2009), to get a holiday cookie recipe. After you are done, put these on a pretty plate or tin and give them as a hostess gift! They are guaranteed to love them!
Ginger Spice Cookies
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter
1 egg
3 tbsp. molasses
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
sugar for rolling
Glaze
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. water
1 1/2 tsps. lemon juice
* Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, cream 1 cup sugar with butter for three minutes or until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and molasses. In a separate medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and blend well. Fill a shallow bowl with sugar. Break off walnut-size pieces of dough and roll into balls. Roll balls in sugar and arrange on greased baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer cookies to racks to cool.
Meanwhile, make glaze. Combine powdered sugar with water and stir until smooth. Stir in lemon juice. Drizzle glaze over cookies, or dip half of cookie tip in glaze.
Nutrition Information: 97 calories, 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 14 mg cholesterol, 87 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrates, 10 g sugars, 0 g fiber, 1 g protein.
Yield: 40 cookies.
Recipe from the Junior League of Denver Colorado Classique Cookbook.
How to Make a Holiday Wreath
After going up with my boyfriend’s family to cut down our Christmas tree, I decided to make my own wreath instead of going out to buy one. And since I’ve been getting a lot of compliments as far as how I did it, I thought I’d share it all with you! I found an easy step-by-step guide from eHow.
Things you will need:
- Ribbon
- Wire Wreath Frame (I used a 18″ frame)
- #24 Floral/Paddle Wire
- Shears
- Pine cones
- Scissors
- Decorative ornaments, berries, etc.
1. Gather 6-8 inch trimmings from your tree or other greens found right outside your home. The tip ends of the branches work best.
2. Use a wire wreath fame or make your own from a wire coat hanger (I used a wire wreath frame that I bought at Michael’s for $2.99).
3. Attached #24 floral/paddle wire anywhere along the wire wreath frame. Tie is to the frame at that point and keep unspooling it and wrapping as you go around the frame with the bundles of greens.
4. Select several of the trimmings and place them together in a bunch with the stems at one end.
5. Place this bundle on top of the frame where the floral wire is connected.
6. Hold the bundle in place and wrap the floral wire around the bundle and frame.
7. Wrap the floral wire around the bundle a second time and then pull it tight. Make sure to leave the wire attached to the frame.
8. Gather another bundle and place it so that the leaves overlap the first bunch and cover the stems, making sure they face the same direction.
9. Continue overlapping the bunches and wiring them to the frame until you complete the circle.
10. Add pine cones by twisting a new piece of wire around the base of the cone, leaving a tail of 8-10 inches. Tie the wired cone’s tail to the wreath. (I was lucky in that I had pine cones already on the branches)
11. Lift the first bundle that you wired onto the frame and tuck the last bundle under it.
12. Twist the wire tightly around the last bundle. Knot the wire onto the frame, leaving 1-inch of wire with which to hang the wreath.
13. Trim the wire with scissors or shears when you are finished.
Tips:
- Buy or make a bright red bow and attach it with wire to the top of your wreath.
- These can make wonderful hostess gifts during the holiday party season.
- You can do all of this for less than $10!
My homemade Christmas wreath hanging on our front door!
GOOD LUCK!
Happy Holidays!
I haven’t been on here in awhile, ok, a long while. But, I’m here now! (I promise to get better!)
It’s hard to believe the holidays are here and 2011 is coming to a close. Most people know that the holidays are my favorite time of the year. I swear sometimes I feel like a little kid, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! It’s a time to be around the people that you love the most. I love everything about it – decorating the tree, the Christmas music (I can’t stop listening to it), lights, finding the perfect gifts for all those who mean the most to me, baking cookies, delicious food, family traditions, holiday parties, and just being around all my family and favorite friends. What is your favorite part of the holidays? What does it all mean to you? I’d love to hear!
Stay tuned for more posts on holiday fun! Happy Friday!
My Life's Recipe: Live, Love, Laugh 
