Words of Love

Perhaps it's because I am a doodler by nature, but I completely fell for these wedding programs featured last week on Once Wed.

The bride, Courtney of Flush Designs, made these covers with copies of some of the love notes she and her husband had exchanged during their 10 years of dating. How very very sweet and so very personal. Had I been a guest at their wedding, this is a memento I would've been certain to save!

Joanne and Alex in Sunny San Diego... Photos by Mariah Part 1

Alex is my brother- he's ten years younger! I have always thought of him as a cute but somewhat pesky little brother. Because there's so many years between us... we grew up sort of separately (although I got in my fair share of torturing him while I could.) Alex joined the Marines a few years ago and since then he's traveled all over the world... I haven't seen him much in that time- he's been so far away and I've been busy snapping it up and being a mom.

Alex called a month or so ago to tell us that the next time he came home to visit he and Joanne would be married. Well, that didn't go over so well with the matriarch of our family, my mom (or Wren as we like to call her). After a few tears and some discussion... it was decided that they'd have a small wedding for friends and family. Of course I would have to be there to see my little brother get married! Joanne is from the Philippines, but she has some family in California... and her mom was trying to get a visa to come for the wedding too...

None of the us had met Joanne...but over the next few weeks we chatted on the phone and exchanged emails and tried to help her plan a wedding all by herself from another coast!

Need a photographer? Check!

These are Joanne's fabulous- and lethal wedding shoes. She drove from San Diego to LA to buy them... Alex says she has a closet full of high heels, she's really girly.

Did Joanne forget to arrange for a ride to the chapel or is she trying to run away from Alex? Neither! She's just clowning around a little before we go...

Isn't she cute in her short dress? This is just one of her wedding gowns! Her mom sent the first gown from the Philippines, Joanne thought it might be bad luck to try it on, so she didn't (until the Tuesday before the wedding!) It was a little too snug...She called her mom, who went out and bought another- this one. Now that's trust!


Here's Alex. I'm pretty sure that my mom is going to cry when she sees this one.
He looks a little bit like me doesn't he?



So cute! Alex is waiting anxiously.


That's Chuck the best man in the background... FYI Chuck was the BEST bestman ever!
Joanne was about to come down the aisle and he leaned over an said, "Look down the aisle buddy, this is what it's all about."
Cue the goosebumps!




Love.



Tying the knot.

Sealing the deal!

They did it!

I LOVE this photo! How adorable is she working it? Everyone should have a photo like this.

Ahhhh....

It was so nice to see how natural and sweet Alex and Joanne are together- totally comfortable and relaxed.

Joanne told us a funny story about how Alex had a lot of admirers when she first met him. It's pretty clear that he only has eyes for her though. Who could blame him?

That's my mom and dad. I think my mom can't believe her baby is married. I know she's excited he chose Joanne .

Alex was the kind of kid that always opened the door for my mom and was sweet and thoughtful to her. He never went through that phase where it wasn't cool to kiss her in front of his friends. I think he's going to make an awesome husband.

Joanne's mom made it! She got her visa and flew from the Philippines just in time... her plane arrived on Friday. She looks so gorgeous for just having travelled all that way!

Here's the whole Ashley clan. Yours truly last on the left. My fabulous brother in law Sparky is taking the photo (sorry you're not in it Sparks). You can see him in Part 2 of the wedding. He's pretty cute, it will be worth checking back in!

A little snuggling on the bench before we head for the beach! Yes, the beach in January- life is good!

It's too much really, all the cuteness.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we all travel to La Jolla for fun beachy pics and a fabulous little reception on the ocean...

Curtain Call

A few years ago, a slight obsession started brewing. It happened gradually, so much so, it took me a while to realize that it always lingered in the back of my mind as I dreamed of redecorating E's and my bedroom.

It started when this space was featured in Domino...

Gemma Comas Photography

Then this one came along...

Domino

As I glanced at this photo and thought on the other, I began to entertain the idea of curtaining off our bed.

Eric Cohler via Desire to Inspire

There was something so appealing about imagining the curtains drawn, enclosing us in a cloth cocoon where we could shut out the world and escape the daily stresses of life.

White Webb

Envisioning the cocoon almost felt like picturing a grown-up version of a fort, a thing we've made a time or two on lazy Saturday afternoons- sheets strung above our bed- transforming the space into a secret hideaway perfect for napping, laughing and feeling a bit like kids.

Dana Gallagher

I could also picture the curtains pulled back, exposing the bed to the rest of the room, yet still creating a cozy nook where evening reading and breakfast in bed would be equally welcomed.

Frances Janisch via Desire to Inspire

Open. Closed.

Cozy nook. Secret fort.

James Michael Howard

I decided that whenever I next revamped our bedroom, perhaps even when we moved to another house, this idea was one I would keep at the forefront of my mind.

And, with that, a small obsession was born.

Phoebe Howard

My collection of images has grown slowly, gradually, and, over the past few months, as I've contemplated a new and future home for E and I, a good number of images have joined the collection.

Twig Hutchinson

The images I've saved aren't all exactly like the ones that first ignited my infatuation.

Design*Sponge

Some are looser interpretations, cordoning off an entire section of the room, and others envelop the bed even more with the addition of canopies above.

Design*Sponge

While the collection differs in style, some suiting us more than others, the images are all saved to serve as my reminder.

White Webb

Undoubtedly like many of you, what I fancy in design waxes and wanes at whim. Sometimes it changes with the seasons, sometimes it changes only as earth completes an orbit of the sun, and sometimes what I fancy lingers much longer.

Melanie Acevedo

When the time comes for me to finally decorate a new space for us, where will my interest lie?

Tom Scheerer

Will I turn to these images for inspiration or will I find my final inspiration somewhere else?

Tom Scheerer

That question will surely not be answered until a new space is actually tangible in our lives...

And, until then, I am quite content with secret forts built on lazy Saturday afternoons.

Giveaway winner! :: Thank you to everyone!

Thank you to everyone who posted comments for the giveaway! I had a wonderful time reading through all the sweet and thoughtful comments and it was really great to hear which pieces people like the most. I really wish I could make a piece for everyone! I used a random integer generator to "draw" 1 winner (random.org), and made the rule before I generated the number that for any multiple posts from anyone, the first one was the only one that counted. So the winner is.....

"auroralauramarie"!!

auroralauramarie posted this comment on January 22, 2009 8:41 AM:
"Hello Myra,

Your work is lovely. I stumbled upon it looking for inspiration for my "vintage picnic" wedding. I am hoping (fingers crossed) that you will be available to make a hair piece for me for my August wedding. This piece is my favorite!

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=8831086

It has a very elegant and vintage feel while still remaining fun!!!! I think that it would be perfect for an outdoor vintage picnic wedding.

Have a beautiful 2009!"

Here's her pick:

If this was your post, please email me at info@twigsandhoney.com with your mailing address so I can send you your one of a kind piece and put "giveaway" in the subject line.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!! My first year was such a wonderful experience and I am looking forward to a whole new year! I'll do another giveaway later in the year, so check back for updates. :)

Milk Chocolate Layer Cake

My son's (10!) birthday was yesterday. He LOVES milk chocolate, so when we saw this recipe for Milk-Chocolate-Frosted Layer Cake in Food & Wine magazine, we knew this had to be his birthday cake this year!
I would normally be nervous making a cake for the first time for a birthday, but Food & Wine has yet to steer me wrong!

OK...I was not thrilled with the way the cake pulled away from the pan, but it ended up just fine. If I make this again, I might just go with round pans.

Chocolate curls...not my strong suit!

Our white counter tops make the cake look like it's floating! :)

The birthday boy and the cake!

The frosting was really rich and creamy. I'd say that was everyone's favorite part. We liked the cake, too, but it was not chocolaty at all. It had a "spongy" texture...more like a muffin, but it was good! Birthday boy was happy; Mom was happy! :)

White Chocolate Cheesecake

Oh My Goodness! You would think I completely forgot how to blog. . .in fact, I think I did. I have been taking pictures of food for the last 2 months, trying desperately to find time to post. I wanted to start with Pressure Cooker recipes because I am making myself learn how to use my Fagor Pressure Cooker with Canning Assessories. I also have a smaller pressure cooker with two pans; one lid. Everytime I have conquered a fear in the kitchen, the true amazement has been about how easy the new skill actually was. Hhhhmm, the motto to so many things in life.

Okay, so my first blog for the new year 2009 will be the all-time haunting white chocolate cheesecake. The stories that have circulated over the combination of white chocolate and cheesecake have all been good. Recipes have been studied and altered. For 1 full year, I have sought after baking my 1st white chocolate cheesecake but the recipe HAD to match all the hype of creaminess with tons of white chocolate flavor. I messed with recipes. . .not having taste tested a one of them. . .until I came up with what felt like the perfect combination of ingredients. Sour Cream is not a highlight for me in cheesecake, yet the chosen combination included 8 ounces (1 cup) of sour cream. Worried? Yeppers but undaunted. I moved forward, ready to conquer.
Mistakes:

• I forgot to take enough pictures. . .Including a final cutting of the cheesecake. . .
• I took 1 year to force myself to make "the" white chocolate cheesecake
• I didn't believe the end result could be as good as what was pictured in my mind

Things Gone Right:

• The Flavor was extrodinary
• Creamy and Delicious
• Only 1 Small Crack on Top
• I shared!

Enough Talking! Here is the recipe =)
Crust Ingredients:
3/4 c. Blanched almonds; Ground (I found Red Mills carries ground almonds)
3/4 c. Quick Oats; uncooked
3/4 c. Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/4 c. Sugar
1/4 c. PLUS 2 T. Butter; melted
Cheesecake Ingredients:
2 packages Premier white chocolate baking bars "or" (3) bars of Ghirardelli White Chocolate
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
2 t. vanilla extract
Garnish: White Chocolate Curls

Directions:
Combine first 5 Ingredients in medium bowl; blend well. Press into bottom and 2" up sides of 9" spring form pan. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Cool.

Melt white chocolate bars in aheavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Set aside, letting it cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese at high speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in melted white chocolate, sour cream, and vanilla. Pour mixture into prepared crust.

Bake at 325 degrees F. for 1 hour. Turn oven off; leave cheesecake in oven for 30 minutes with oven door partially opened. Remove cheesecake and cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Remove from pan; garnish with White Chocolate Curls, if desireds.

To Make White Chocolate Curls:
You will need 2 packages - 6 ounces each - of Premier White Chocolate Bars.
To keep chocolate from being hard and breaking when curled, put each bar, on at a time, on waxed paper in a microwave on high for 20-30 seconds - -just until chocolate is slightly tacky. The chocolate will not curl if it is too soft. Then carefully pull a vegetable peeler across the length of the baking bar to create a curl. If the bar breaks, just use pieces to form curls. Refrigerate curls until ready to garnish the top of the cheesecake =o].

**I am going to have to get back on the wagon for blogging. . .forgetting pictures. . .Really? I suck!

Twigs & Honey Giveaway piece and more

Thank you to everyone for your extremely sweet comments to the last post! I'm excited to see who will be randomly chosen! I wish I had time to make several hundred pieces for everyone. It has been great to read the comments and get a feel for what pieces everyone is most interested in, which gives me great feedback for what pieces might make reappearances this next season. Here's the piece I'll be giving to the winner of the giveaway, to be announced Monday. Remember, get your comments in by midnight on Sunday (January 25th, Pacific time) and post them on the previous post for January 19th.

The lace ribbon band is a fuchsia color, but it is coming off more red in photos.
Another reminder to all brides and those interested in seeing some lovely fashion. The English Dept. is putting on a fashion show, A Novel Romance, on February 1st at the Ace Hotel in Portland, Oregon. I'll be making the accessories and I've been busy putting together a nice collection. Here's my favorite piece so far:

Most of the pieces I'll be making for the show will be available for purchase sometime after the show (I think I'm going to use them for a photos shoot). If you attend the show and see a piece that you like, contact me to let me know that you are interested at info@twigsandhoney.com. First come, first serve basis and price upon request.

One last note! Like the necklace I'm wearing with the giveaway piece? It is made by one of my favorite designers on etsy, Joie de Vie. Blair, the lovely Mrs. behind the line, was so kind to send me this piece and I love it. Isn't it so cute and perfect for Valentine's Day, which is coming up! Thank you Blair!!! You can find this same necklace in her shop by clicking here.