Chuppah

I love when these connections happen!

I e-mailed a prospective bride a few months ago, and she recently responded. She was watching the "Ron & Jen" wedding video on my website, and absolutely loved their chuppah. She e-mailed me to find out where they they got it. I e-mailed Jen, who explained that she made it herself, but had blogged about the experience and sent me the link. Actually, Jen reposted the very detailed information onto her newest blog, Willow Street Creative, and the prospective bride was very thankful. It's a must-see!

Jen is an amazingly talented illustrator and artisan who crafted a lot of her wedding accessories. Her blog is filled with detailed descriptions of her handmade wedding items and with great wedding advice, all accompanied by photos. Ron and Jen were married at the Lyman Estate in Waltham, MA.

Hartsbrook Agricultural Arts

Check out this sweet article in the Hampshire Daily Gazette about the Hartsbrook Agricultural Arts program. My kids have really enjoyed working with the animals there, and we've volunteered for weekend duty as a family. It's been very rewarding for all of us to have responsibility for the animals.

Happy Mother of the Bride

Just sent out Allison and Eric's video. They were married at St. Mary's Church in Longmeadow, MA, with the reception at Longmeadow Country Club. Got this e-mail from the Allison's mother:

"The videos arrived today. What an absolutely wonderful job you did capturing so much detail as well as all the warm feelings. Everything is clear and beautiful and the sound is fantastic. Thank you so very much. It was worth the wait!!!!"

Gingerbread House

No, we did not make this. As much as we mean to be ambitious each year, we never got around to making our own. But each year, we bid on a house (or two) at the Hartsbrook School Holiday Fair in Hadley, MA. This is what we won this year, put together by some students at the school.

Cookies

My daughters and I made a traditional holiday cookie this past weekend. I don't know the "real" name of the cookie, but it's one my mom always made, and still does. I think it's a Slovak recipe.

They're a rolled pastry cookie, filled with apricot, apple, or prune butter (which sounds better if you use the Hungarian or Slovak word "lekvar"). Serve topped with powdered sugar. Yum!

First Churches Northampton

Northampton regained a beautiful wedding venue when First Churches Northampton reopened after a long, 2 million dollar repair project. If you're looking for a location for your Northampton wedding, you'll want to have this on your list of places to see.

Slow Turkey

Well, I tried Mark Bittman's fast-cook turkey recipe (NY Times blog). My turkey turned out fine, taste-wise, but it took almost 2 and a half hours (instead of the estimated 1 hour for my 16-pound bird) and delayed our dinner. Luckily, our guests were in no hurry and were gracious about the wait.