Playing Catch-Up

So much has been happening and I’m not quite sure where to even begin.

I’ve been waiting to post pictures of house updates, but as they’re taking much longer than anticipated, I don’t feel like waiting because I’ll ultimately forget about everything if I don’t post this soon. My last real post was September 28, so it’s almost been a month and with everything that’s going to be happening in the next 3 weeks, I better play catch up now!

So first of all, On September 30, Brian and I went cake tasting! Our florist, Raelyn Boman of Floral Innovations, gave us a recommendation of a woman that I’ve seen rave reviews about. Her name is Maureen Steel and she is the owner and baker for My Sweet Cakes. Luckily she lives 10 minutes away from us, so we went for our tasting after selecting 4 different cake flavors from a wide variety! First let me say, I was highly impressed. In each of the four cake flavors we had chosen, she had a mini cake (with fondant) and two cupcakes (with whipped icing and buttercream frosting) so that we could fully try every combination. Also, all the cakes and cupcakes were filled with their respective fillings. Brian and I left in a food coma, very happy with our cake choices!

The next day, October 1, I went and picked up my wedding dress! After minimal alterations, I tried it on and was pleased to find it fit absolutely perfectly!!! What a relief :)

The next day, October 2 was the Friday before General Conference, so what does that mean? MISSION REUNIONS! Brian and I drove to Orem to his mission president’s house for cake and mingling. I love meeting all his old mission companions and this time, I finally got to meet his famous trainer, and his beautiful wife. My favorite person there though had to be their 2 month old baby girl, Hunter, who is just the cutest thing ever!! Afterwards we went to Slab Pizza (a Provo favorite) and gorged out on delicious pizza. Saturday and Sunday was GC, so it was nice to have some free time to relax…. Just kidding, we don’t know how to relax, we like to fix the house.

The next Thursday, October 8, Sabra and I went to Bountiful in search of a temple dress because the following Thursday I went through the temple!! But I’m skipping ahead...

Saturday, October 10, my friend from work, Aneisa (our second photographer for the wedding, Calder Photography) did my bridals!! She and I and my friend Jessica (Fox, I don’t have multiple personalities) went up to Tony’s Grove in Logan Canyon for them and they look so good!! I’ve already gotten them back and I actually have a bunch of photos that I love! Which is really saying a lot since I hate most pictures of myself. I can't wait until after the wedding so I can post them all!!

While we were off having a girl’s day and taking my pictures, Brian and his dad and some friends were working hard at our house ripping out all the main floor carpet and laminate tile from the living room and kitchen and laying hardwood floors! I’ll include before and after pictures. I AM IN LOVE WITH HOW THEY LOOK NOW. Brian gets a gold star and lots of kisses for his hard work :)

Tuesday, October 13 we had our final planning meeting at the Grand View Reception & Event Center and locked in our reception food…. Just wait, you’re all going to LOVE IT. 

Now to the good part. Thursday, October 15, I went to the temple with Brian, his parents, and JOE & JULIE. I’m the luckiest girl ever because they found a way to make it to Utah to go through the temple with me, which was a good thing because I think I would have had a nervous breakdown if Julie hadn’t been there with me through the whole thing. But in the end, it was the fear of the unknown and ultimately it wasn’t as weird as everyone said. It was really cool to learn more about the Creation and how we can return to our Father in Heaven. The blessings promised were beyond what I could have imagined and I feel so privileged to have had such a wonderful experience surrounded by all my incredible friends and family. I am so grateful to everyone who came with me that day.

Since then, life has just been a blur of last minute wedding planning and painting the house. At this point, all the painting is done and we’re almost ready for our new carpet that we purchased yesterday! They should be installing it at the beginning of November, or hopefully sooner! I will post pictures of the newly painted spare bedrooms and carpet after the carpet is installed! :) THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY I WILL BE MRS. BALDWIN!!! It’s almost here :)

When you look at this photo, you can see why all our floors needed to be replaced. Thanks for nothing, previous owners.

Sneak peak of my awesome new hardwood. Thank you, Brian :)

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Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Soup in Bread Bowls

Eventually I hope to make myself a personal recipe book where I write down and decorate all my favorite recipes, but I have a new idea for now. As I'm about to be a newlywed, I think it's important that I start keeping track of recipes that Brian particularly loves. He always tells me that everything I make is amazing, but I know he likes to lie to make me feel better. So we've started a new program: what should go on the recipe blog.

I told him maybe I would start adding his very favorite recipes to my blog so I can keep track of what really turns out as successes and possibly share with others. I don't think I'm an expert by any means, but if there happens to be a recipe you'd like to try that you don't already have a go-to formula for, maybe you'd like to try mine! So, this weekend's success story was Loaded Baked Potato Soup! Per Brian's request, this is one I need to add to the books, so here it is:

Recipe:
1/4 c Diced bacon (or more if you have die hard bacon lovers)
5 Tbsp of butter
1/4 c flour
4 cups of milk
3-4 medium sized potatoes cut into cubes
1 c shredded cheddar
1/2 c sour cream
salt & pepper for taste

*about 4 servings*

Directions:
1. Cook the bacon separately and set aside on paper towels to drain all the grease off
2. In a medium pot, melt the butter and slowly add the flour, mixing it and letting it brown slightly (without getting dry and clumpy).
3. Slowly whisk in the milk, being careful not to heat it too quickly. (It sticks to the bottom super easy). Once all the milk is added, keep whisking as it thickens.
4. Add the potatoes and let the milk come to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer until the potatoes are soft.
5. Stir in the cheese and sour cream and add preference of salt and pepper. (I also had an idea to add a little cayenne pepper to add some spice).
6. Sprinkle with more cheese and the diced bacon. I served mine in bread bowls from the local bakery (because I was too lazy to make them myself) and it was DEEEEELICIOUS. If I do say so myself. (:

Also, the recipe I sort of followed mentioned adding some green scallions which also sounded yummy... But I forgot them at the store, so what can you do? 

If anyone happens to try this recipe, I would be interested in getting your feedback and letting me know how you liked it! No pressure, of course (:

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