Thanks to My Uncle...

...I got to be a wedding photographer for the day!

My Uncle and his wife were not planning on a big wedding with a professional photographer and the like. 

However, when they gave me permission to run around like paparazzi that day, I was very excited to give them my best without getting in the way!

It was a toasty 100 degrees, very unusual for an October 4th, but you wouldn't know it with everyone's smiling faces.

My grandfather officiated the wedding. He, as usual, was a kick!

Here comes the bride.

An intimate gathering in a scenic location.

A special moment.

I'd never seen my Uncle so happy.

He got his bride!

I was a little shy to take them aside for portraits after the ceremony, but it was well worth it! 

I gave the bride a chance to rest her feet and for the both of them to talk for the first time as a married couple.

Floating on a cloud.

They'll look on these for years to come.

The bride had an eye for romantic details.

I offer them heartfelt prayers for a happy and holy marriage.

And pictures to remember their special day!

East Coast Memory

One year ago, my husband and I were heading back from the East Coast, a last minute work trip that we made the most of!

We started in Boston, Massachusetts, then worked our way north through New Hampshire and Maine.

We really had just a few days notice before this trip, and I had looked up what we wouldn't want to miss while there.

Although the historical sites and architecture were beautiful, nothing could compare with the magnificence the fall foliage offered.

We took a popular scenic route, the Kancamagus Highway, and were left speechless.

I had no idea trees could like this!

After driving awhile through thick trees down country roads, we came into an opening with water on both sides and the trees reflected their beauty over the stillness. Maine! We pulled over quickly to capture another amazing moment.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit the East Coast, try to go within the first two weeks of October like we did. It was unforgettable!

Speak Up

Somewhere along this life journey, this soft spoken, non-confrontational girl had to learn there are times when she will need to speak up.

She had to see that even when she lacked confidence in herself, as long as she placed her confidence in Christ, that was sufficient.

Besides, He had many things He needed to say through her.

It is my privilege to be a part of what God calls me to work in.

Sometimes those opportunities aren't one bit pleasant.

However, doing the right thing at the right time is good because God makes it so.

Whether it's an "enemy" or even as unexpected as family, I'm grateful that God entrusts me to learn attributes of gentleness, honesty, and courage.

And when I need to speak up for someone who can't do so for themselves, I thank God, knowing He has done the same for me.

Two Become One

My husband and I decided to take a new spin on the much loved, hand stamped silverware so popular on Etsy.

I'm so pleased to say that today we sold our own original interpretation!

Perfect to use on your wedding day and every special event thereafter. 

A great gift for a newly engaged couple, newlyweds, Valentine's Day, or for any anniversary!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I finally made chocolate chip cookies that stay soft! 

No idea as to why this happened, but hopefully it's repeatable.

Adorable vintage Corning Ware cookie baking sheet.

Maybe it's because I used more brown sugar than usual...

Love my vintage Dutch milk glass jar!

Or from refrigerating the dough for several hours before baking...

The beautiful vintage Pyrex Horizon bowl I used to mix this batch :)

Perhaps it was just going ahead and taking the cookies out of the oven long before they were golden...

Maybe some mysteries don't need to be solved.  

They just need to be served with a glass of milk ;)

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 3/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup chocolate chips (all I had! I'd suggest 1 cup)

Instructions

1.) Cream together butter and sugars. Add in vanilla and eggs.

2.) Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3.) Mix and add chocolate chips.

4.) Refrigerate overnight (or several hours if you're husband is eager like mine was!)

5.) Preheat oven to 350

6.) Scoop tablespoon sized portions onto your cookie sheet ( I used parchment paper on top)

7.) Bake 12 minutes and transfer to wire rack to cool.

8.) They may seem underdone, but they will set and give you that soft chewy perfection!

Vintage Aprons

I love vintage aprons.

I'd been browsing Etsy, trying to scope out the one.

Low and behold, on my 1 year wedding anniversary, my husband and I were strolling through an antique store when the most darling floral apron caught my eye.

It was, the one.

Even more than that, I'm positive I saw this exact apron at this exact antique store about a year before, but I wasn't into buying beloved treasures back then. 

My husband even remembered.

The one, had waited for me. And my husband, (the true The One), bought it for me as an anniversary gift! Truly, so special!

Thought it deserved it's very own photoshoot. 

I love the blue and white, a little Dutch :)

Brought out some red Pyrex to really play up the vintage theme.

Besides, I have to inspire others to go out in search of their very own beautiful vintage apron.

Speaking of which, I have some sweet vintage half aprons for sale in my Etsy shop, DelightfullyDutch.

Buy them individually or as a lot!

Perfect, right!?

Get 'em before I change my mind and keep them! ;)

Take Heart

I can remember one of the first conversations I had with my husband, before we started dating.

I was a new Christian and had expressed to him how troubled I was by the state of the world and how overwhelmed I felt in the effort to make a difference.

He cut right to the chase and told me this verse that simply blew all of my fear out of the water.

So, take heart!

Trust in the Lord. 

He has a plan.

September 24, 2010

September 24, 2010.

An important historical event in my life.

The love of my life asked me to be his girlfriend!

So today we celebrate 4 wonderful years together as the best of friends!

He is a light in my life and more than a dream come true :)

Everything Beautiful

Wishing you a beautiful day!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

Dutch Chocolate Pudding

Looking through my Pinterest recipes the other evening, my husband looked over my shoulder and pointed to the chocolate pudding. 

I've made this before and thought it would be good to perfect!

I originally found the recipe here, but have made a few changes.

I used Dutch chocolate...because, well, you know.

Get excited! Pudding is about to happen!

Action shot! Slowly pour in the milk to stir out any clumps.

Thickened and ready to pour.

Find a lovely serving dish to pour your pudding into. Cover to keep a "skin" from forming.

Mmmm :)

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 T corn starch

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/8 tsp salt

1 cup half & half

1 cup milk

2 oz chopped chocolate (I used Dutch Verkade)

whipped cream and/or chocolate for garnish

Instructions

1.) Whisk dry ingredients (except chopped chocolate) in a small saucepan.

2.) Slowly pour in half&half and milk, whisking to prevent clumps.

3.) Place over medium heat and whisk until steaming.

4.) Add chopped chocolate and stir until melted and your pudding has bubbled and thickened.

5.) Remove from heat and pour into 4 serving cups.

6.) Put plastic wrap directly onto pudding to prevent a "skin" from forming.

7.) Refrigerate about 2 hours before serving.

Bell Pepper Breakfast Flowers

Add some color to your normal sunny side up breakfast! 

You'll need eggs...

Whichever boldly colored bell peppers your heart desires (there's orange too!)

Simply grease your pan. 

*Important Tip: Take notice of the top yellow bell pepper's inner pieces that I did not cut. That would have been better to apply to the other peppers for a more flower like look!

Add your eggs. Mine didn't stay in well, but I marched on!

Add a dash of salt & pepper if you wish!

 

Enjoy!

Ingredients

Bell Peppers

Eggs

Salt & Pepper

Instructions

1.) Grease your pan.

2.) Cut 1/2 inch thick rings of bell pepper.

3.) Crack in your egg.

4.) Cook covered over low heat until yolks are firm.

Spice and Everything Nice

There is so much to learn from the stylish kitchens of decades past. 

For instance, these milk glass spice jars add some rustic country flair to an otherwise overlooked decorative opportunity.

I never before looked at my parsley and thought, "Why isn't this more fun?" 

But now I wish I had one for all my spices!

There are many milk glass spice jar styles available. Some with retro colors like pink lids, and others with darling Dutch boys, girls, and windmills!

Which vintage spice jar set best suits your taste?

Strawberry Cake

This delightful Strawberry Cake makes a great brunch time eat, after dinner sweet, or bridal shower treat!

Let the fun begin!

Any arrangement will do!

Ingredients

6 T unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pie plate

1 cup all purple flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 lb strawberries, hulled and halved *try shaping into hearts for some added flair!

Instructions

1.) Preheat oven to 350

2.) Butter a 10 inch pie plate

3.) Mix dry and wet ingredients separately (excluding strawberries), then combine.

4.) Transfer batter to buttered pie plate. Arrange strawberries on top of batter. Press them in a bit.

5.) Bake 10 minutes at 350, then reduce to 325. Bake until golden brown and firm to the touch, about 30 minutes (my new oven) to 1 hour (my old oven), depending on your oven.

Let cool in pie plate on wire rack.

Enjoy!