Wedding's taking shape!

The wedding plans are starting to take shape!!! We have decided to include a few close friends in addition to our family, the invitations are being printed, decided on beer and barbecue for the evening backyard reception, and a jass band. Who ever said you had to follow someone eles rules? Also, I have been thinking about flowers and am leaning towards lots of potted plants. Not only is it "green," but they will last longer than flower arrangements.

Provencial Blue and Yellow

We picked blue and yellow for our wedding colors, which I think will be perfect for a Summer wedding. I hope to do a mix of bright blues and yellows as well as some softer pastel versions of the colors just to mix it up. I don't want it to seem forced. So far I have some table linens picked out, but hope to use the colors in the flowers, cake, and other decor. After I picked the colors, I realized that they are the traditional colors for Provence, which is where we will honeymoon. Perfect!

The "Wedding" Dress

My mom came into town last weekend and somehow managed to talk me into a white dress. The anti-wedding wedding is turning more and more into the wedding-like wedding. Still keeping it Lauren-like though. Check out my dresses and shoes!

I have loved Betsey Johnson since the first time I stepped into her store at the Houston, Texas Galleria at age 15, but I never actually owned anything from her store until now. Dangerous place! The shoes are beautiful Italian leather and are actually comfortable, which is a must. We will find my fiance Alexander a tie to match the shoes and the color will fit well with our chosen wedding colors, which will be the next post.

Engaged!

Yep, it's happened to me! Alexander proposed on December 20, 2008 in the very same restaurant we met just over three years ago (December 9, 2005). I cried like a baby and made him repeat what he said because I could not even remember. I was so excited that I could not even finish my dessert. That never happens! All I know is I said yes!

The ring is a beautiful round center diamond set with small round accent "hearts on fire" diamonds and a band of round accent diamonds in white gold. The center stone sits high so you can see the entire diamond. It truly is a work of art. I LOVE it, and the fact that Alexander picked it out himself makes it even more special.

We thought we were going to get married at the court house, but things have changed. We are looking forward to an engagement party thrown by our lovely friends Amanda and Mary Quin. It is Spanish-themed bash with sangria and tapas served to our 30 closest friends and will take place on March 28.

The next few blogs will certainly be about our June 6, 2009 wedding, where 13 of our closest family members will join us at our home for wine and cheese, a short garden ceremony, and a champagne toast, followed by a dinner at the same restaurant were we became the future Mr. and Mrs. B!

I never thought this would happen, but I am really into the wedding planning now. The next posts are certainly to be about my new joy: planning a divine summer party for our nuptials!

Fish Monger Cooking Class

My manfriend and I attended a four-course cooking class taught by our local Central Market fish monger. While everything he cooked was amazing, the greatest thing we learned was how to cure salmon and make the most amazing horseradish cream cheese with fried capers. I cannot wait for the manfriend to try this at home. Oh, the possibilities are endless!

Oyster season in Rockport-Fulton Beach, Texas

For the weekend prior to our third anniversary, the manfriend and I headed down to Rockport, Texas to soak up some of the slow, small town life and to taste the treasures of the sea. We started out with a fried fare of oysters and shrimp, lightly battered and fried to a perfect crisp. The oysters seemed to melt in your mouth, and I especially enjoyed the contrast of the crisp exterior with the soft, buttery center.

The next night, after a bottle of sparkling French wine, we enjoyed some Cajun-style boiled shrimp and blue crab with fresh raw oysters. All was good, but what can I say, the oysters were my favorite. After all, it's oyster season in France, and I enjoyed a little piece of it right on the Gulf Coast. Maybe one day, I'll experience a French Christmas filled with raw oysters and a crisp white wine. Until then, the sway of the Gulf waters in Rockport, Texas will have to suffice.

The photos taken are of or from the bungalow we rented for the weekend.

Leeks Mozzarella

I love leeks and am wanting to find new ways to cook them, so I made this recipe for the first time last night. Not only was it easy and yummy, but my boyfriend liked it too. He did rename it Leek Pizza, though, as I served the dish on toasted country bread. Did I mention how much I LOVE leeks!?!?

Leeks Mozzarella
2 pounds leeks, white parts only
1 cup fresh basil leaves
8 ounces mozzarella
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon wine or sherry vinegar
Salt (preferably freshly ground—fleur de sel works magic) and freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Clean the leeks thoroughly, and boil in salted water 6 to 10 minutes, until cooked but still firm, then drain.
3. Put the leeks in a baking dish, and cover with a layer of basil leaves. Cut the mozzarella into 1⁄4-inch slices, and place atop the basil layer. Put the dish under the preheated broiler, and watch carefully. In 3 to 5 minutes the cheese should start to melt and brown; at this point, remove the dish
.4. Mix the oil and vinegar and drizzle over the mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately with (or on) a slice of country bread.

Recipe from French Women for All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano
Copyright © 2006 by Alfred A Knopf, Inc. All rights reserved.