Gifted. And Blessed.

Let me just say, I have been so spoiled and so blessed by my family and friends. They went above and beyond with the thoughtfulness of their gifts to me for my graduation.  My ever-thoughtful husband gifted me with a brand spankin' new pair of golf shoes. He even sat with me for about an hour while I proceeded to try on virtually every pair in the golf store and he re-boxed them all too! 

 

These make me look extra stylish on the course... and you just know that its a perfect fit for me because I am really enjoying learning how to golf and I'm all about looking stylish!

To go along with the shoes, he suggested to his siblings (and siblings-in law) that I would absolutely love a white, black, and kelly green golf bag, so the whole group got it for me. I had a golf bag before this that matched my clubs, but it is a cart bag (meaning you can't walk the course with it). This bag  has a double shoulder strap like a backpack, so I can walk nine holes with him! Saves us dough on the cart fee and helps me get in shape!

My Milly and father-in-law, found this  and it looks fabulous on one of our tables.

I love the lines of this triple bowl and it just shines and sparkles and will be a great conversation piece for years to come! Its even great for almonds or queso at a party because its washable.

And my parents gave me this unbelievably beautiful necklace!

You can't see the entire thing here, but I just love how those little silver droplets sit next to each other and sparkle. It is sooo fancy and special and I know I'll feel beautiful and loved each time I wear it.

I was completely floored by my families love and generosity in commemorating my graduation. I am blessed to have people in my life who share in my joy and have taken care to find gifts that I will be able to have for a lifetime. 
I'm here. And I'm still writing,  

The Recipes.

So maybe you remember the post when I talked about the family brunch we planned to host on the morning of my graduation? Well... it was a great time! Everything didn't work out quite as planned, and after some hectic twists and turns, I didn't quite pull it off the way I envisioned: table scaped, plenty of photos, delicious foods, and fabulous company, but I think it was a success for our first little party as husband and wife.  We had orange juice, water and coffee. We had mimosa's with cut strawberries, orange juice and champagne (with thanks to my mom and husband for the suggestion). 
We had freshly cut pears and strawberries.
We had a great made-from-scratch-with-whatever-I-had-in-the-refrigerator egg casserole.
And we had these as planned... 

 

Above we have them fresh out of the oven, pre-glaze. 

And below we have them freshly glazed, and sideways (whoops!). 

 I definitely recommend that you try these!
And if you get hungry for an egg casserole then I recommend this one (even though I don't have a picture of any quality to accompany it)... ******************  Katie and Mom's Fabulous Mexican-ish Breakfast Casserole
Sautee and cool the following:  One chopped bell pepper.Two chopped jalapenos.And one small golden onion. Approximately one can of diced Annaheim chiles.
Whisk 9 eggs with about 1/2 cup of milk or half and half in a bowl and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Once the onions, etc. have cooled, combine with eggs mixture,   2 1/2 cups of shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and one or two shredded uncooked Idaho Russet potatoes.
I let it sit like this overnight, and baked it in a greased 9x13 for around thirty minutes at 400 degrees the morning of the brunch.
We cut it and served it with extra fresh Monterrey Jack and Salsa.  ******************
So other than not buying the cheeses, not table scaping, and not getting pictures of anything, but the PW Cinnamon Rolls on an old school disposable film camera nonetheless, I was satisfied with everything and how it turned out.
Good food, good company, and another fun graduation celebration memory!
I'm here and I'm still writing,

About Looking Forward.

So it's over.

I graduated.

We drank and danced. Laughed and came close to tears a few times. I baked and shopped and smiled for photos.

It was a lot of fun. And now the school thing is officially over.

It came and went with ample celebration.

But with very little blogging!

Forgive me? I wrote three posts, and had intended five for my series, but didn't get to the last two.

Thursday through Sunday we had family in town and our days were sort of jam packed with activities, and when we didn't have something scheduled, Handsome and I were still trying to soak up as much family time as possible. And I was just plumb tuckered out.

Anyhow, most of you are probably relieved that I won't be talking about graduation or school any longer since it won't be a big part of my life at least for a while, and "This is Katie" is supposed to be all about my life.

Instead, I'll be talking about exercising, cookin', studying for my field's licensing exam (that I plan to take around the beginning of August), and other fabulous summery activities like church league softball and golfing, and maybe my newly growing belly.

What?

Haha. Just wanted to see if you are still paying attention.

Until then,

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

My Sentiments Exactly.

For a third post in this series, I offer words and ideas of people far more creative than I have been known to be.

Some close family friends have a tradition of giving a classic to their favorite high school graduates. Before my junior year in high school, I had never heard or thought of this book as an appropriate graduation gift, but since think its rather cute! If you're looking for a cute gift for a high school grad, 

Dr. Seuss's Oh the Places You Will Go seems very appropriate!

It also puts my sentiments about this graduation very well... here is a little teaser!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

What's For Brunch? Menu and Preparation.

As the second day in a series of posts about my graduation celebrations, I present my plans for the brunch that I plan to offer to our out-of-town guests prior to the ceremony. 

Our guests are not staying in our home, which I am most thankful for, but never the less, I feel like I should make some sort of offering to them as I love food and I would hope they would do the same for me. Actually, because mostly I am just speaking of my Mom and my Milly, I am absolutely certain they would too.
I'm not thinking of anything fancy schmancy, but just want some tasty goods around. And I've really been wanting to make one of these recipes, but need an opportunity to give some away, because there are so many, so this sounds perfect.
The Brunch Menu.
Coffee Water Orange Juice  Simple Sliced Fruits(strawberries, pears, and apples) Sliced Cheeses(american, swiss, and maybe some brillat savarin, because I hear it pairs well with pears) Breakfast Casserole I haven't found a recipe just yet, but I'm think sausage, egg, cheese, red bell pepper, and some sort of spice. I have been scouring recipes all over the web, and they all sound greasy instead of light and tasty. I'm going to keep looking, but I'm open to suggestions! Actually, maybe I'll open one of my cookbooks! I'll certainly keep you updated on this and I might even start looking at quiche. And last, and most certainly not least:  The PW's Cinnamon Rolls. They look amazing. And it never hurts to impress the in-laws with your mad baking skills. Of course, I don't have mad baking skills, but I'm really wanting to try these and Handsome said I'm not allowed to make them for just us. Or for any of my single friends. So with families coming, and not just mine, I figure we'll keep a couple of pans, and I'll give a couple to some of my favorite ladies to share with their own 'rents. 
Assuming the dough rises and they turn out ok.
And in preparation for this lovely affair I'm dreaming about in my head, I'm progressively cleaning the house. Today: mopping and vacuuming is on the horizon.
And while I'm working on floors, I might find time for a little pedi too. A day about feet!
Hope you are enjoying yours!

You're Invited!

I wasn't too into my college graduation.  I got my hair done. Bought some new dress pants before the ceremony. Wore a new sweater. And then my parents, and Mr. Ruggedly Handsome, and I went to dinner together following the large University ceremony at my school. I didn't order announcements, didn't have a party, didn't even really think much about a new outfit. It was a nice evening, but it came and went without much fuss.

High school graduation was another story. I basically partied for a year, beginning with my baccalaureate ceremony, continuing on with a graduation party at my high school all night following the ceremony, and then having a party at my parents house the next day. Not too mention going out to movies and reading books, and showing up at my friends parties too. Okay, so that wasn't a year, but it was definitely a full week's worth of celebrations.  And it was so. fun. A few of my favorite memories of my life are from that week and I'm glad we made a big deal out of it. 
So in an effort to relive my life...   I'm going more with the high school plan (and I'm kidding about the reliving part. I'm just in a mood to celebrate big time).  So I have a number events I have either planned or will attend. For example, I'm meeting my girlfriends for tea later this week. I'm thinking of having a light brunch before the ceremony, and am having a party with close family and friends the evening of the ceremony.
Because I didn't order announcements in enough quantity, or in time,  compensated by ordering super cute party invites from Minted. 
They had some really cute things to choose from: 

 and I absolutely loved this one: 

So I ordered it!

And I'm so happy with the end product. If you haven't ever looked at Minted, I definitely recommend them. (And no, they didn't pay me to say that).  They might seem pricey when you first log on, but I found a good discount code on the web, and when I actually got the invitations, I was completely pleased .

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 Blogging Friends,   You are invited to celebrate with me all throughout this week as I share in my graduation celebration preparations and activities. I do hope you'll join me. 
Sincerely,