Friday Love

So, on Fridays, I like to list things I love. The number is completely arbitrary. This week, let's go with 8.

1. Netflix dates with the Husbear. We're getting pretty into "Pushing Daisies" and "24". I love Chuck and Olive!

2. Homemade ice cream. Bear's sister got us an ice cream maker as a wedding gift, and, ahem, I've been using it A LOT.

(Sidenote: I would die if I ever got this. Want one SO bad!)

3. Rustic headboards. We have NO bedroom furniture, save a mattress (and we're borrowing that!), so it's fun to think of starting from scratch. This is my dream headboard, but now I'm convinced that, using this tutorial, we can make one!

4. Finally having our dog, Topher, back with us. Because of moving around and not being settled, he's been living with relatives, but he's back! (Pics to come!)

5. Poached eggs. For snacks, breakfast...there's really no bad time to eat a poached egg.

6. Ombre. I know, I know. I'm late to this party. I just got ombre highlights a few weeks ago and LOVE them. I see a lot of opportunities for it in fashion, beauty and home design and am hoping to incorporate a few ideas!

( This is pretty much what our humble living room aspires to. And the curtains would be an easy DIY.)

(I, and my hair, look EXACTLY like this.)

7. Risotto. I think I could eat risotto all day. With poached eggs on top. :)

(Photo and recipe from "The Pioneer Woman")

8. Nail art. Not the tacky yuck stuff, but fun designs.

(via "Cupcakes and Cashmere")

(Wanna see more of what I love? Follow me on Pinterest!)

Dinner 6/22

One month ago, Bear and I were in Jamaica on our honeymoon. I thought this Caribbean-inspired dinner would be a good way to celebrate one month of being married. (Yay!)

Banana Curry Chicken with Black Beans and Rice

Who needs a rice cooker? :)

Black Beans

1 (16 oz) can black beans

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic

Cardamon to taste (I used 1T)

Cayenne to taste (I used 1T)

Salt (about 1/4 t)

Handful of raw spinach

Juice of 1/2 lime

Directions:

1. Combine black beans (don't drain them), onion and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and add cardamon, cayenne and salt
3. Simmer for 3 minutes, then add spinach & lime juice and stir 
4. Continue simmering an additional 3 minutes and serve. 

Banana Curry Chicken

(recipe from Weight Watchers' "Everyone Loves Chicken")

2 ripe bananas, cut up

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 T curry powder
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
4 (1/2 lb.) bone-in chicken breast halves


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Using a food processor or hand mixer, puree the bananas, water, yogurt, curry, oil, salt and pepper.
3. Place the chicken in the baking dish. Pour the curry mixture over the chicken. Bake until a thermometer inserted in meat registers 170 degrees, or for about 30-35 minutes. 
4. Serve the chicken, spooning the thick banana sauce over it. (It can be thinned with water, if you'd like.)

We just got opened our new dishes from West Elm. I'm kind of in love with them. 

The final result was some SPICY beans and a chicken that had a subtle spice and sweetness from the banana. Overall, a very Caribbean meal, and a great way for us to celebrate!

WEDnesday--We Got Married

We got married May 21, 2011. 

Best day of my life. 

These photos have been around for a bit, but I'm just now blogging them. I was so happy with our photographer!

The kids in our wedding are the cutest! Bear knows their family from a camp he worked at. Their family is seriously amazing and 100% a result of great, involved parents. 

We opted to do a first look. I would *highly* recommend this! We asked all the wedding party and family to clear the courtyard and only watch from inside, so in the midst of the day's craziness, we had a moment (or 20!) that were just OURS. 

Bear made the boutonnieres, inspired by "UP", which we watched on one of our very first dates. Bear loves root beer. We always bring back local brews when we go on trips. 

A huge wedding party=one really blessed couple. 

We have amazing friends. 

I love this one. 

Bear's sister carried a memorial bouquet for their mother. When she got to the stage, she handed it to them and they laid it on a chair in remembrance. Later, during family prayer, Bear's dad brought the bouquet up with him. It was great to feel like she was there somehow. 

See? Cute cute cute. 

Somehow, in the course of wedding week, I lost my earrings and hair clip. And then it was so windy that going veil-less seemed like a better option. I think it worked out well. :)

Our minister used the verse "...love BEARS all things..." 

I laughed and pointed to Bear. Then he laughed at me. Then everyone laughed at us being nerds. 

Mr. & Mrs. 

First dance. 

Our little flower girl. 

One of our groomsmen gave us the gift of dance.