Mangia! Eat, eat.

Brian and I finally got to spend some time together - no work, no appointments, just him and me and 2 days to do whatever we wanted. After weeks (months, really) of chaos we nixed camping and decided to get our things done around the house. 

First thing Saturday, after sleeping in late, we headed to the Farmer's Market. Fresh veggies, bison steaks, and some homemade goat cheese filled my tote. Brian enjoyed his first trip to the Skowhegan market. And we headed home to cook after a quick stop at Hannaford's for a few more things. We cooked away alongside each other, covered in flour with me learning all sorts of new tricks.

First up was bread - loaves, knots, and baguettes.

Loaves turned out the best, along with the knots. The soft roll recipe is not really best for baguettes, but we had so much dough we figured we'd try. Next up was a bolognese, with ground beef and sausage.

Master of blanching and peeling tomatoes, I left the heavy lifting (seasoning) to Brian. It was delicious and way easier than I ever thought. Bonus, our tomatoes were paste tomatoes from One Drop Farm, who got the seeds from a family friend - whose Italian grandmother had been growing and using solely this type of tomato for sauce making in her family for generations.

Whole wheat fettuccine provided a hearty base for our bolognese. Eggs and flour, simple as pie. The KitchenAid pasta tool worked like a pro - the most fun part (except for stealing kisses from my hubs).

Brian hard at work.

Thinning out the dough.
(And looking adorable in my apron thanks to Mom!)

We finished up the day with an apple crisp, complete with cranberries, walnuts, and apples from Maine.  Friends, Elyse and Emily, joined us for a feast and brought great wine.

Sustainable Love.

With wedding planning done, it is time to turn focus inward and start taking care of my hubs and me. We may be a small family, but I love taking care of us.

Sustainable, local living has become increasingly more important to me - and Brian likes my enthusiasm and appreciates my focus on keeping us healthy. So I've decided to finally start concentrating on integrating local foods into our meals. By the time we have children, I would like to be eating only foods that were grown, raised, or produced with a conscious. The main reason: a healthy lifestyle for my family - to avoid the hormones and antibiotics, the pesticides and cruelty that commercial farming often passes on.

My goal not only includes food, but all products that we use. Green goods made by renewable resources from carbon neutral or limited companies also makes a difference. It's about a healthy home for my family, and a sustainable lifestyle that is good for our earth.

I'll keep you updated on how we are coming along. First up, researching the resources in our area and making connections with farmers. And hopefully soon, canning some of the delicious produce that we will only have for a short time, as the leaves are already beginning to change.

Here we go again.

Things are never quiet in our crazy little world. Since the wedding we have been super cute and domestic. Brian's been cooking and grocery shopping. I've been reorganizing and getting laundry done. But then a little bird sent a reminder, we don't live a quiet life. Enter, chaos.

It's "angry august" here at Northern, when guides get burnt out and staff gets tired. Everyone has been pushing through doubles and weeks with no end since July. It's the race to the finish to make money before everyone heads their separate ways before winter. Separate ways? Oh yes, that means ARE WE MOVING?

Our fabulous house, with tons of space and some mice is far too big for heating without some wood. And scaredy me doesn't want to heat with wood in the old house when Brian's at work all night. So, we need something smaller. No biggie - except the question in all conversations. Will that be in MAINE or MASS? Oh, boy.

We've been stealing quiet conversations over lunch, trying to figure out where we fit best. And there's the prodding new discovery, Brian's job in Mass he has been working towards for years is hiring. Yes, they called - and yes, he'll be in Mass next week.

But we're here now, semi-settled in a town with no school for the future babes. Moving is a must - but location is debatable.

Calling all brides.

Be happy. If you do nothing else on your wedding day; be happy. Don't worry whether or not everything is in the right place, or if you've forgotten something. It will all be perfect, after all, at the end of the day you will be married to the love of your life. (and if you can follow through with the other two hints - everything else will get any needed attention)

Surrond yourself with incredible people. I was overwhelmed by the excitement that surrounded our wedding. Our family and friends were abuzz about attending our wedding, how happy they were for us, and how much they were looking forward to our celebration. A big part of this was vacation time, as our wedding was a destination for all of our guests and many stayed a few days before and after. But it wasn't just about a few days off - people we really EXCITED for us to be husband and wife! I love it! (and my amazing hubby!!!) What made it even more special were the friends that shared their talent - a sweet friend was my bridal attendant (a huge help and lets you breathe deep), a new friend played his guitar for our ceremony (one of the sweetest gifts), my wonderful cousin did our ceremony reading (with love and some tears), and at a last minute request to lead Amazing Grace, three dear friends stood up and sang their hearts out for us.
{Advice: People love you, let them share their gifts on your big day - it is truly a most special gift}

Include everyone, or at least as many people as you can. This was the key to my sanity. My bridesmaids have always been amazing people and they were superstars for my wedding. We also had a ton of hands helping us make our big day - aunts baked cookies, his mom and grandma made table runners, my father cut card holders and refinished a beautiful screen, my mom did a thousand things, friends of the family cut fruit at our cabin, helped us with hair and make-up, made fabric flowers (I love this project!), and my aunt came through in a last minute request with the most beautiful sentimental something borrowed a girl could ask for. And then we overtook one of my bridesmaid's parents inn room in a whirlwind of dresses and make-up.

Many hands - when all have open hearts and focused hands - do indeed make light work.

With love,
Mrs. Crater