We Were Blogged

Our most amazing Wedding Photographers highlighted us on their blog.  

Casey and Drea Cunningham of Cunningham Photo Artists were an absolute delight to work with from start to finish.  

Journey on over there and get a sneak peek at our wedding photos. 
~also leave them some love on your favorites~

all photos from Cunningham Photo Artists

Also big kuddos to Wow Factor Cakes, Shutterbooth, Mint Museum of Art, and La Tea Das for helping make our dream wedding come true. 

We LOVE to Win Friday!

Awesome giveaways from around the web.

 Enter soon, most will end this week.

~Housewares~

• The Bewitchin' Kitchen is giving away $45 gift certificate for CSN Stores! Ends Monday, December 6.
• Deb's Here is giving away the innovative Brugo Mug! Ends Monday, December 7.
• In case you need a second chance to win one, Just Another New Blog is giving away the Brugo Mug! Ends Monday, December 13.
• The Twinners Review & Giveaway is giving away 2 one -month subscriptions to Make 5 Dinners in 1hour Review! Ends Friday, December 10.
• Young Free Frugal is giving away a case of the yummy snack PopCorners. This giveaway ends on Sunday, December 5.
• My Organized Chaos is giving away an Otterbottle thermos, food container or a tote bag {winners choice}! Ends Sunday, December 10.
• Natural Mommie is giving away TWO Wholly Guacamole prize pack {arv $75}! Plus 2 other winners will win lots of coupons! Ends Sunday, December 10.
• 
  

~Apparel & Fashion~

• The Life of a Coast Guard Wife is giving away a $25 gift certificate to TULLE. Ends Thursday, December 16.
• Mint Green with Envy is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Novica. Ends Friday, December 10.
• Jabbering Jessi is giving away a Clean Cut Paper touchless paper towel dispenser in winner's choice of finish (black, white or stainless). Ends Monday, December 13.
•  I entered to win a $300 gift card from Dear Crissy & Bare Necessities!  You should enter too.  Ends Monday, December 13.
  
  

~Crafts and Fun Things~

• The Adventures of Paul and Natalie is giving away a Holiday Chico Bag. Ends Monday, December 6.
• Leslie Loves Veggies is giving away a Sharpie  Prize Package that will include a 15 piece Rubbermaid TakeAlongs set, a Sharpie Stainless Steel Permanent Marker, Set of 8 Sharpie Retractable Markers and a set of 3 Sharpie Pen Retractables {$44.72 value}. Ends Wednesday, December 15.
• Tweet Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House what would cause you to have an Unwrap Attack via twitter and you could win a $100 gift card thanks to Ebay's Unwrap Attack Campaign. Ends Monday, December 6.
• Mint Green with Envy is giving away a Norah Jones album ...Featuring. Ends Wednesday, December 15.

Thursday Thoughts

I'm daily inspired by a slue of amazing artists at work, as friends and those I follow online. You are all such an inspiration. Whether it is in craft, word, design, paint, photography or performance, the sharing and experience of art fundamental to the human experience. 

In this day before, we once again open two shows for the holidays. I'm truly thrilled to be surrounded by artists.

Wow, I WON! - Take that Tuesday

I got AMAZING news last night and this morning. 

I WON two giveaways. 

Last night, I found out  I will soon be the proud owner of  a beautiful clutch from Toriska Bags & Crafts.  Check our her amazing store.  Also support by following and enter the amazing giveaways at Mint Green with Envy! Thanks to Mint Green with Envy.

This morning, I received the most amazing news.  I won a Silhouette.  Yes, the super amazing craft cutter machine that can do almost everything but make my morning coffee.  My dearest husband had said he would get me one for Christmas.  I've wanted one for so long.  It was stretching our holiday budget. This is a true blessing.  Thank you to Thrifty Chic Mom and Silhouette.  Please support Thrifty Chic Mom, it's a great blog and hosts some rockin' twitter parties. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Tuesday! I certainly did.

Welcome Tuesday, Hello New Followers

Good Morning! 

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I'm thrilled to have you.  Leave me a comment and I'll be sure to follow. If you love the twitter bird (I DO), please follow me at BrideAndADog

I'm participating in my first Follow Me Back Tuesday. 

 How F.M.B.T Works

• Follow all 3 Hosts & Guest Host - Spots 1-4   leave a comment w/ link so we can follow back ( only leave a comment that you follow if you actually follow )

• Snag our button & make a F.M.B.T. post. 
• After you post use that link to add your blog to the hop along with blog name  

( NO BLOG HOPs & GIVEAWAYS PLEASE  ) These entries will be deleted.

• Follow the blogs you like & Follow Back who follows you

Monday Munchies - LeeLa's Cheesecake Swirly

It was a hit at both of our families Thanksgiving meal.  This is a VERY dense cheesecake, so a little slice goes a long way.  This recipe uses a 9" springform pan and a good mixer.

LeeLa's Cheesecake Swirly

What do you need?
1 sleeve(about 1 1/2 cups), Chocolate Graham Crackers *crushed* 
3 tbsp., butter *melted*
24 oz (3 pkgs), Cream Cheese *softened*
1/2 cup, sugar
1/2 tsp., vanillia
3 eggs
2oz, semi sweet chocolate *melted*
6oz, white baking chocolate *melted* 


What do you do with all that? 
Preheat oven to 325. Mix your crushed chocolate graham crackers and butter. Press firmly onto bottom of pan. Bake for 10 minutes.


Beat cream cheese, sugar, & vanilla on medium speed until well blended. Decrease speed to slow, add eggs one at a time. mix just enough to blend *tip: be careful not to over beat --over beating will cause airbubbles and cracks*


Remove 1 cup of mixtures, place in separate bowl with melted semi-sweet chocolate. Stir until well-blended. With the remaining mixture combine with melted white chocolate. Spoon mixtures into springform pan over crust alternately.  Swirl with knife to create the marble look.


Bake 30 min. or until the center is almost set. run small knife around the side of pan to loosen cake. Allow to completely cool. Remove pan. Refrigerate overnight (at min. 4 hours).


eat, drink, & Be WELL. 

Sunday Sweets

~Sweet Musings~

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.  ~Oscar Wilde

~Sweet Treats~

LeeLa loves' Cheesecake Swirlly
~check back on Monday for the recipe~

~Sweet Dreams~

How far that little candle throws his beams! 
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
~William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice