The {Almost} Newlywed Game!

A couple of weeks ago, I said that Caitlin and I were working on this AWESOME "little" project. Now that Erin and Jim have gotten it, and opened it up, I can share it here. (I have to give credit where it's due...this is completely Caitlin's idea. So clever!)

Our sister, Erin, is getting married in a few (gasp!) weeks and we're not able to be at the wedding [insert tears]. And Erin isn't having a bridal shower [insert more tears, sad faces, and gasps]. And when Erin and Jim come here for their open house, they have nowhere to stay. (What newlywed wants to sleep on someone's couch?! Talk about AWKWARD!)

Well, we couldn't handle that and so Cait came up with the most BRILLIANT idea! Cait suggested that as our wedding present to Erin and Jim, we pitch in to get them a hotel for the weekend they are here.

Great Idea!

But then, because it's how we roll, we took it about 54.3 steps further. ;)

We made a game show/event out of it.

Now P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N.!!

We created "The {Almost} Newlywed Game!"

We decided that there would be three big prizes at the end: one for the couple (the hotel confirmation paper), one for Erin (a little sumthin' sumthin'), and one for Jim (a bowtie, a t-shirt, and Batman underwear!).

It basically is a treasure hunt/"choose your own adventure" style game/activity.

Because we weren't there to help them with the game, Cait and I created a book to help them along their journey.

Here is the Cover:

The next page has general instructions on how to play and a spinning wheel.(We thought it was hilarious to include a "Terms & Conditions" section in really small print. We took this from the NBC site and modified it only a little so it was geared towards the wedding. :)) The wheel has 5 sections: Door 1, Door 2, Door 3, Lose a Turn, Try Again, and Bankrupt. Lose a Turn, Try Again, & Bankrupt don't do anything, but we thought it was funny.

Each door takes them on a path that makes them do funny things and cute couple things before they move on to the next activity/prize.
This is the list of activities that we came up with:

• Collect $3.30 in change from shopping center parking lots (They are getting married on 3/30/12) and then buy something with it.
• Write a love letter to the other to read on their wedding day.
• Write down their goals as a couple, things they love about each other, etc. Seal the page and open it on first anniversary.
• Each keep a journal of letters to each other for the first year and then exchange them on their first anniversary.
• Each have to sing a love song to the other where there is an audience. (hahaha!)
• Kiss while eating pop rocks.
• Play card game, "Would You Rather...?".
• Walk a mile while holding hands.
• ABC photo scavenger hunt, with objects representing something about their relationship.
• Watch "The Proposal" and whenever Margaret is bossy, one has to yell "I love you!" and the other has say a cheesy pick up line.
• Pass gas in front of each other.
• Do 2 small acts of service for a stranger.
• Complete the balloon puzzle (The balloon puzzle tells them to open up a box).

 I then put together the book. Pages 6-17 look mostly like this:

The best part about the book is that I didn't buy anything for it, except the comb for the binding. I used scraps that I already had on hand. Unfortunately, I didn't really put a dent in my scrap paper pile.

Here are the last few pages:

*This is them being excited about their prizes.Ha ha ha ha!*

We put the big prizes in boxes, wrapped them up, and labeled them Box A, B, & C.

Then for each challenge that they have to do, there is a paperbag that they have to open that has the materials they need to complete the challenge, and/or a small prize. The numbers on the bags are all numbers that *should* have significance to the happy couple. :) And if they can figure them out, they'll get a small bonus prize--a cute photo album to keep the pictures from their game show party! :) Mwuahahaha!

On top of the boxes and bags, we put a large envelope that had the book in it.

I also made Erin's bouquet as a surprise (she wasn't going to have one of those either!) and Jim's boutieneer, so I put those on top of the envelope. Then Cait wrapped it up and shipped it out!
All in all it was really fun to put it all together. It is remotely possible that Cait and I had more fun planning and plotting and preparing than the happy couple did in doing the activities.

If I'm given permission, I'll see about posting the response we got from Erin and Jim. ;) But suffice it to say, they loved it!!

A Facebook Conversation

[insert pretty piano music]

Join me as we follow a *typical* conversation that my siblings and I had on facebook last night, in response to a picture that Caitlin posted.

This is the picture, in which Caitlin had tagged her siblings and Mom... A graham cracker sandwich with buttercream icing in the middle (a traditional, and scrumptious, treat in our family).

(delicious looking, no?)

And here is the conversation:

Me: "Wow, I've never looked so tasty!"

Cait: "I know. I'd have tagged myself but I'm sure I'm prettier. ;)"

Cait: (About a minute later): "Than a graham cracker. (I'd sound less self centered if I'd finish my sentences before I post them:)"

Me: "Hahahahahahaha! I think it was Freudian Slip!!!"

Me: "I think you said exactly what you meant. Lol!!"

Cait: "Maybe, maybe not. You'll never know"

Steven: "Um sorry but we grew up with you...we do know."

Me: "lol steven"

Cait: "Be nice"

Me: "You started it Cait...lol. ;)"

Steven: "I love you.....;-P"

Erin: "Bahahahahaha I love you guys"

***

Seriously, I love my family. We are soooo hilarious! And apparently quite honest. :)

Oh, and Happy Pi Day! A fabulous holiday celebrated by the Bryson's.

[cue pretty piano music fading away]

And scene!

Girls "Night"

Earlier this week, Caitlin, Rachel, and I helped Alyssa get ready for her Prom this weekend. She wanted to make a boutineer for her date and asked me to help. I enlisted Cait and Rachel to come and drive Alyssa around. Because I'm awesome like that. :)

We had a great time at the store and Caitlin was such a great help hilariously pointing out all the gigantic flowers that WOULDN'T work. It was quite entertaining.

We eventually found some pretty, hot pink flowers with some little white flowers for accents.

We got back to my house and I helped Alyssa put together the boutineer and then I made a little hair clip for her to match. Cait and Rachel sat and watched Bones and offered unhelpful advice to entertain us. :) Yes, even Rachel, although hers was a bit more on the passing gas sort of advice...

Alyssa and Rachel watching Bones. So cute. I love Rachel's smirk. :)

Lys is going to prom on Saturday. She is so excited and I'm sure she'll be beautiful. After all, she is wearing a black gown with hot pink, orange, and green shoes. So Awesome.

Playing Quidditch

Yep, it's true. Caitlin and I played Quidditch yesterday. I stopped by a thrift store yesterday and found this:


I almost didn't buy it, after all, it was a whole $2. But then the laugh Cait would get out of it would be worth it.

As fans of all things Harry Potter, Caitlin and I thought this game was hilarious. And for being at a thrift store, I was pleasently surprised to find out that there were no missing peices.

It took us awhile to understand the game, and how to play, but once we turned the game board over, it made a lot more sense. :) The point is to have your seeker find the snitch first. Go figure.

We set up, and Cait called Gryffindor. Bah. That left me with Slytherin. Boo.

Cait went first and moved her characters around. Her Catcher caught the first Quaffle.

Then she moved her Seeker (Harry) to an open spot and flipped over the tile. It was the Golden Snitch! On the first move! I didn't even get to roll the dice!

I called a foul since she had put the tiles on the board. I really don't think she cheated, but to be sure, we played again. Then Nick got home from his campout and we got distracted and bored. So we stopped playing. Nick did love the catapult you use to shoot the Quaffle through the hoops. Cait and I shot a couple of times, but never got it through.

So all in all, Gryffindor beat Slytherin 150-0. And we were entertained. :)

I feel a re-match coming on....

An Enchanting New Store

I discovered a new store a couple of days ago. Charming Charlie at the Fountains.

Oh my goodness. It.Is.Amazing!

I put myself in charge of getting Erin her wedding jewlery for the big day. I wanted something simple and sparkily to match her dress. I heard about this store and checked it out. The jewlery is beautiful and the prices were even more fabulous!

The store is a lot bigger than I expected. And there were so many things I wanted. They had beautiful jewlery, fabulous purses/clutches, and awesome shoes.

Here are a few pictures I snapped while I was looking around.

 I have no idea who would wear the next two items. Maybe I would if I worked in Vegas...hmmm...

These feathers were over 6 inches! yeah, ummm....no.

 Cute Clutch!

This necklace caught my eye, but then I decided that the chain was too heavy and Erin said it was too much. (I was emailing her pictures of it with my phone--LOVE!)

This is the necklace that I ended up getting. It's simple, sparkily and I think it will look lovely on Erin. It will need to be shortened quite a bit, but I think that will be easy enough to do. 

 Here's a close up:

Erin got my email about this necklace and said she loved it. Hopefully it goes well with her dress! :)

On my way home, the moon rose and was huge! That big bright spot is the moon rising over my street. It was quite beautiful. A lovely way to end my day.

Angry Face

Rachel is only 2 months old, but she has perfected the angry face. It's no wonder why, if you know her momma. ;) Caitlin freely admits Rachel gets her attitude from her mommy. It's pretty funny. She's actually a happy baby, but she does make some impressive angry faces, especially if she is sleeping.

For example:

Yep, that's a (clean) diaper on her head.

 

Obviously she gets it from her momma.

We're all so proud. :)

"Frog Eye" Salad

Probably about 18 months ago I found out that I'm allergic to walnuts and pineapple--enough so that I have to carry an epi-pen. I'm okay not eating walnuts, but I was devastated about eliminating Pineapple from my diet. I'll be honest, it broke my heart a little. Pineapple is one of my very favorites. Hawaiian pizza, fresh cut pineapple, eating the core of the fresh cut pineapple (love it!!), fruit salads, and Frog Eye Salad. I love me some Frog Eye Salad. :)

At one point I tried a bit pineapple, hoping that the allergy wasn't actually an allergy and that it would magically go away. It didn't. I was at my sister's house and she got a little too excited at the thought of using my epi-pen on me. Fortunately, the epi-pen wasn't necessary because as soon as my mouth started to react I spit it out and rinsed my mouth out. After a few minutes I was fine. But I learned my lesson.

Of course, since I found out, I've been seriously craving Frog Eye Salad. I've been fine avoiding other favorite foods, but for some reason, I can't get over the salad. I miss it terribly. It's like manna from Heaven. True Story. I've never met anyone that didn't LOVE it.

Then today, I had an epiphany. What if I substituted the pineapple tidbits and juice out? I looked online for substituted recipes but couldn't find any. So I took a bit of a risk and made my own. It turned out pretty good. Not as divine, but still quite yummy.

Here is the original recipe with the substitutions in brackets next to it.

Frog Eye Salad

6 oz. Acini De Pepe Pasta [I used Ditali Pasta, but prefer the original]
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tbsp. Flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 cup Pineapple Juice, from tidbits [Orange Juice]
1 Egg, beaten
2 tsp. Lemon Juice
1 16 oz. can Pineapple Tidbits [Diced Peaches & Pears]
Mini Marshmallows
8 oz. Whipped Topping (Cool Whip)

Directions:
Boil Pasta in water for 10-12 minutes until done al-dente. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
Combine sugar, flour, and salt. Mix well. Add pineapple juice [orange juice] and beaten egg. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add lemon juice. Add sauce to pasta and mix together. Allow pasta and sauce to cool completely.
Add pineapple tidbits [diced peaches and pears] and marshmallows.
Fold in whipped topping and mix thoroughly. Chill.

Serves 6-10

***

Lessons I learned from my experimenting:

- The pasta I substituted with was alright, but not my favorite. I prefer the Acini de Pepe.
- I used OJ from concentrate, so I mixed up using 2.5 cans of water instead of 3 thinking that the flavor should be more concentrated. It tasted really orangey. I would have actually diluted it a bit with water. It was good, but a little strong. Lesson learned.
- I loved the pears in the salad--more like pineapple in texture, but not the peaches. I won't add peaches next time.
-There are other versions that add canned mandarin oranges (YUCKY!) and coconut (double yucky!) but I'm not a fan so I don't add those.
- I definitely prefer the original to the new, but the new is a pretty good substitute. :) I'll be making it again.

I consider this a success. YAY! for experimenting with food! :) Now, if they only made gluten free Acini de Pepe Pasta.