Happy Halloween!

Before our family moved to Hitching Post Lane in 1987, we lived down the street from Steve and Annie, a couple whom I remember to be very creative. Each winter, they would sculpt complex scenes of snow in the front yard and each Halloween, something equally as unique would be waiting for trick-or-treaters.

When I was four years old, likely donning a Strawberry Shortcake disguise, I remember approaching their house with apprehension. The front porch light was off, begging the question of our presence in the first place (didn’t a darkened porch mean trick-or-treaters were not welcome?) Still, I climbed the steps and rang the bell.

As we waited for an answer, I noticed the scarecrow slumped against the house to my immediate right; perfectly inanimate. Without warning, the ‘dummy’ turned to me and my bowels let go.

Seriously, I don’t think I soiled myself, but I might as well have. I am not sure how long it took me to realize it was Annie under the make-up and straw, but I know there were a few screams and plenty of tears.

On Saturday, Ryan and I went to a friend’s house to watch game three of the World Series. In addition to bringing beer and cracker jacks, I wanted to make something to bring along. I had had a productive day and I was feeling very creative. After a bit of Internet perusing, I decided on a batch of simple sugar cookies... with a twist.

Naturally, I think of hot dogs and beer when I think of baseball. I knew there would be enough beer, even calzones and hot pretzels, but the evening would be lacking hot dogs!

The simple sugar cookie dough (butter, confectioner's sugar, flour, and vanilla extract) was the perfect medium with which to sculpt these pups. And to my utter delight, the test dog didn't lose any shape in the oven. After about 15 minutes at 350 degrees, and some time to cool, I finished the dogs with a stripe of mustard (yellow frosting.) Unfortunately, we were runnning late (no surprise there!) and I didn't get the chance to snap a photo of the frosted cookie.

“Four months, tops,” Brooke advised as we walked from the chapel. She was recommending that I plan my own wedding in less than a year and a half. I guess a year and a half provides ample time to agonize over the details. But in Steven and Brooke’s case, each moment of careful consideration shined on their wedding day. The worry, the stress, and the occasional meltdown were absolutely worth it.

What impressed me most was that both Steven and Brooke’s personalities were evident throughout the entire evening: from the ceremony where Brooke delivered the most heartfelt vows, bringing the entire chapel to tears, to the reception where each guest was given a soundtrack and a hand-bound program. The food, the service, the beautiful location, it was spectacular.

And while time might soften my memory of the finer features of the day, the new friends and family that I have gained and the rekindled relationships with relatives will always be remembered.

Photos will be posted shortly.

Believe it or not, I have been working on a new post but haven't had the chance to finish it up and publish. In the darkness of my celebratory haze, I stashed my camera in Julie's bag, thinking it was my own... so now I am waiting for it to arrive in DC so I can retrieve the photos and share! Thanks for your patience!

Congratulations Steven & Brooke on a beautiful wedding! Photos and stories to come...

Wait, wait, what is that? Is that a nip in the air? Is that the smell, the crunch, of dead leaves? As I was walking to work this morning I felt like it was autumn. After a weekend with a high of 92 degrees (yes, it is mid-October) I thought that autumn would never come. I must say, after I ran out and bought pumpkin beer, squash, and my traditional chai tea, like an overeager lover, I thought I had scared fall away.