Showered with Love

I cannot believe how quickly our wedding is arriving.  It feels like just yesterday Kyle and I got engaged.  Those close family and friends who plan to make it in for the wedding can now book hotel rooms at a discounted price.   Thanks to Kyle’s parents we now officially have blocked hotel rooms at two hotels.  Please check out our wedding site for the details:  http://madeline-kyle.nearlyweds.com/

We are getting so excited for the big event.  Things got real for us this summer when our family hosted a wedding shower for us.  It’s a weird feeling getting that much attention from family and friends but I wouldn’t change it for the world.  Kyle and I were literally showered…no, wait….doused with love!!  Thank you to everyone who helped blanket us with love and good thoughts.  Spending a week at home also made it possible for Kyle and I to spend a little time with our immediate families and closest friends.  It is always refreshing to come back to reality after a week like the one we experienced!   

Kyle and I were lucky enough to come home after our mini vacation to our new apartment home!  We moved the week before we headed home.  It is such an amazing feeling to be living in the home as Kyle, let alone the same town!!!  This is the first time in our relationship that we live less than 50 miles from one another.  Our apartment is in the perfect location too.  It takes me about 45 minutes to get to work and Kyle drives about 25/30 minutes to get to work.  I know 45 minutes sounds like a really long time, which it is a good distance, but it is a beautiful drive and beats have to drive over an hour to work or having to deal with traffic. 

Purrsephone

We also got a new kitten along with our new home.  Her name is Purrsephone (or Purr).  We got her from my co-worker and friend, Kim.  Purrsephone is tiny cute and LOVES Socrates.  Socrates tolerates her at this point; he lets her snuggle with him and groom him.  I think his favorite thing about her is that she’s more or less a brand new toy for him to rough house with.  Their playing is something I could watch for hours on end; it is so funny. 

Kitty Love

Otherwise, not much else has been going on with Kyle and I.  Kyle is switching sports these days, he’s done with skeeball and has now moved onto bocce ball.  My future husband is quite the athlete!!!  I’m looking into joining an austin running group and find an organization I would like to volunteer for.  Until then I’m going to carry on with my cat watching! 

Happy Birthday goes out to all our loved ones with summer bdays!  Also congrats going out to our friends who have just had babies or are about to!  Ahhh so many things to celebrate in life!  

xx

P.S.  Recipe of the Months...it's a Pat Burnside Original!  If you are interested in looking into other kinds of  mocktails (or even into other fun food, beverage, decor and party ideas) check out Beth Peluse's Blog: Sensiblyinspired.com!!  

Burnside Nojito

Found a delicious way to use the mint growing in our planter!

* I try and chill the glass a few minutes before making this beverage.

Ingredients:

• crushed ice
• 12 mint leaves (1 stem if possible)
• 2 oz. lime juice (or to taste)
• 4 oz. club soda

Instructions:

1. Fill a pint glass ⅓ full of crushed ice
2. Add 12 mint leaves all on one stem if possible
3. Muddle the leaves together but try not to crush them too much that the leaves break apart

Add:

4. 2 oz. lime juice

5. 3 oz. sugar syrup* (store bought)   If making the recipe below for the syrup, try 2 oz. first!

6. Put in a little bit more crushed ice

Add:

7. 4 oz. club soda

8. Garnish with mint and serve with a straw!

Homemade Simple Syrup (Much sweeter than store bought...adjust recipe accordingly)

It is really simple! All you need is 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water!

1. Place 1 cup sugar in a pan and stir in 1 cup water.  
2. Bring to boil, stir until sugar is dissolved.
3. Cool, place in glass container in refrigerator.  

Bird Watcher Alert!

If you are looking for a recipe to feed the hummingbirds, all you have to do is cut down the sugar to ¼ cup and stir in 1 cup water.  Bring to boil, stir until sugar is dissolved and place in the feeder when cool!!!

Thanksgiving Happenings & Happy Holidays!

    Another season has come and gone.  Winter appears to have claimed residency in central Texas now.  It’s bitter sweet to welcome this cold season.  The outdoors look bleak, but I love the sight of the Christmas tree in the house and the warm comfort food that is always associated with winter.  Kyle and I experienced some of this good home cookin’ food this past week. 

Kyle, Owen & the Polar Express!

    We decided to surprise our immediate families and “stop by” for Thanksgiving.  My family was obviously surprised well in advance since I can never keep secrets from my sisters.  Kyle did a phenomenal job of keeping his mouth shut and actually surprising his sister and mom.  Both had amazing reactions to our presence which made it totally worth it!  The hospitality amongst our families was overwhelming.  Without question Beth and Mark welcomed us into their home for the majority of the trip.  We were greeted with delicious food, spirits and fantastic conversation the entire time we stayed with them.    We were lucky to be able to spend a good amount of time with our families despite what few days we spent in Illinois.  The Burnsides had us over after the Bonfield Express 5K for the traditional brunch.  This is probably one of my favorite traditions just because it’s family and friends coming together in its simplest form.  No one dresses up for this gathering and puts on heirs.  Kyle’s family does not expect you to bring anything, but to just come as you are….which typically means tired and happy from being high on endorphin's after racing J  Of course our Thanksgiving fun did not end there.  Kyle and I also spent the evening at the Nachman’s.  This was such a wonderful low key get together.  Becky and John made an amazing meal for us and Molly, Owen & Anna kept us very entertained.  We ended our night at the movie theater.  We saw the movie Frozen with the Nachman’s.  If you have not seen this movie then you need to go see it now!  It is extremely funny and beautifully put together. 

     Kyle and I also had the chance to catch up with some other friends and family.  We definitely did not get in touch with nearly as many love ones as we would have liked to.  I’m so sorry to those of you who we couldn't contact and see.  I wish we had more time at home but I’m so grateful we had at least 3 days! 

I’m sure some of you are asking yourselves, “Hmm I wonder what Kyle and Mads will be busy doing over the holidays??”  That appears to be the only logical thing to ask this time of year J….Let me tell you! 

·         Lindsay and I are giving each the same Christmas gift….a trip to Pinot’s Pallet….who wouldn't want to drink wine and paint while humming Christmas tunes???? 

·         My dad, ol’ Kevi, will be visiting me this Saturday in Austin.  He, Joan and Jane are in town for the girls’ nephew’s wedding…thanks nephew for bringing my faja to Austin!!!  And congratulations! 

·         Kyle’s parents will be here for quite a few days right after Christmas.  I believe that means we will be officially celebrating Christmas not on Christmas day….so please remember to keep your Christmas lights up until then. 

·         Kyle and I are hopefully going to be seeing a sneak peak of the new Hobbit movie.  I think it’s something about smaug and demolition, alas I cannot remember…shocker.  

·         2 of mine and Kyle’s closest Austin friends will be moving soon L  Well technically ½ of the couple is moving this winter and the other ½ is dilly dallying.  Regardless I will be sad and missing my friend.  Like A LOT. 

·         Last but not least CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!  If you need me and cannot find me this Holiday I will be cruising the neighborhoods looking at pretty lights while saying “ooooohhhhh!  Ahhhh! “ 

Happy Holidays from Socrates!

Please let us know how you are doing!  There are so many moments in time when Kyle and I catch each other asking one another “I wonder what that person is up to these days?”  WE would love to hear what’s going on with everyone so please drop us a line or an email!  

XX

Madeline

P.S.   Recipe of the months?  Beth introduced Kyle and I to this extremely yummy chili!!!  Enjoy!

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Chili Soup with Bacon

by Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Deconstructed jalapeño poppers in a hearty, rich chili-flavored soup.

Ingredients (4-5 servings)

• olive oil, for sauteing
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 4 jalapeno peppers, diced, seeds removed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper
• 1 + 1/4 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, crushed between fingertips
• 1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes with juices
• 1 + 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cannellini beans (cooked or canned)
• 1 cup corn
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 pound bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled, for serving
• Monterrey jack cheese, shredded, for serving
• sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, for serving

Instructions

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat and saute onion, both types of peppers and garlic until soft and tender.
2. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan with the chicken and lightly brown chicken on all sides. Season with chile powder, cumin and oregano.
3. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and corn. Bring to a simmer and cook 30 minutes. Taste and season as needed.
4. Add cream cheese and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
5. Serve with crumbled bacon and both types of cheese sprinkled over top.

Notes:

-For a thick chili omit chicken broth.

-For a bigger pop of heat leave seeds in jalapeno peppers.