Thank you all so much for your sweet comments about our engagement photos. We're really excited about them, and we know that they are not your "typical" shots, but that's exactly what we wanted! I'm so glad that you likey. Oh, and a fair warning, this post will be random with a capital R because I'm feeling a bit scattered.
Right now, Ben and I are spending the evening on the couch and watching our three (newly) regular programs: Countdown with Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and, of course, the Daily Show. Thanks to Ross and Susan, we are both now infatuated with Rachel's sass and Olbermann's no-holds-barred approach to politics.
As I sit here with Ben, I realize that this is the part of the day that I feel most at peace; when we're all together, me and Ben, the dogs and cats. My childhood friends can attest to this (yes, I'm talking to you Em, Rach and Marj), I am a TOTAL homebody. This doesn't mean that I never leave home, I just really like to be here with the people (and animals) I love. When I think about the stories that I've heard about people who will avoid going home for one reason or another, I feel really fortunate that home for me = peace.
I'm definitely someone who settles into a routine...I can thank my dad for that one. I'm more of a creature of habit than I care to admit. Of course I can break away spontaneously for something fun and/or important, but I find incredible comfort in the day-to-day norms on the agenda. Cooking dinner every night with Ben, for example, is my favorite part of the day. Who knew that Laurina would look forward to handling a skillet and potato ricer?
Those of you who have known me a long time will say that, until recently, I couldn't identify the difference between Baking Soda and Baking Powder (actually, I just googled that the other day out of relentless curiosity, but whatever, it makes the point). Believe it or not, I find that cooking is actually therapeutic for me ... honestly! Admittedly, I am more of the sous chef in the kitchen (as Ben whips out the pasta-roller to roll homemade pasta ... um, Ragu anyone?). I have to say, though, I have become quite impressed with my guacamole skills and I can manage to cook up a meal all by my lonesome if Ben is too tired to cook with me (that's a miracle).
And speaking of miracles, we just somehow made the most incredible coconut ice cream from scratch, so good that it could actually compete with my 2nd love, Cold Stone Creamery's Cake Batter Ice Cream. Yes, I've even considered having the Cake Batter Ice Cream custom cake as our wedding cake ... and I'm still not above it! Or we could just forget spending all the $ on caterers and cook for you guys ourselves! Unfortunately, me being the klutz that I am would undoubtedly get sauce on my dress or break a few plates. Ben will tell you, this happens about 3x's a week ... he always jokingly reminds me of how much $ he has lost in goods because of my clumsiness. That doesn't matter, though... just as long as I am not clumsy with his heart, right?
I love the fact that the man I am going to marry is also my best friend in the world. It's nights like tonight that make this realization even more special, when we're just sitting here together and happy to be in each other's company. To this day I never get sick of having him next to me and I value his advice in everything that I do. So it's official, I'm feeling comfortable, appreciative and sappy ... did Ben slip some sort of concoction into the pesto tonight?
Oh, and P.S: We just bought a hammock for the garden - wooo hooo!
I second the vote for cake batter wedding cake! Coconut ice cream sounds pretty darn good too. Did I mention I'm still collecting recipes :) Ray submitted "Raymond Noodles" and Arijan gave "Bourbon and coke," so, anything goes! Of course guacamole and ice cream recipes apply! I'll take any and all you're willing to share! Btw, clumsiness runs in the family. I somehow happened to break two of our glasses within a 24 hour period. We end up having to buy a complete new set every 6 months or so. Oh well, it could be worse!
Posted by: Tami | October 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM