Pumpkin Nut Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been asked by a few people to start posting recipes that I try out/mess with/create.
So, since the fall season has come upon us, I have decided to start with a 

classic autumn ingredient: pumpkin.

I happened upon a recipe for pumpkin cookies that I played with and came up with this recipe. It is absolutely delicious! Just made them a little bit ago and Riley and I can't stop eating them. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, I learned you can create your own by mixing together 1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp. ground ginger.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tb. butter, melted
• 1 egg white
• 2 Tb. pumpkin puree 
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/4 to1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, finely chopped (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°

Line your cookie sheet, or lightly butter it (I have learned that using Pam cooking spray actually ruins cookie sheets!)

In a medium sized bowl, combine your flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. 

In a larger bowl, combine and beat both sugars, butter, egg white, pumpkin puree, and vanilla together until the consistency is light and fluffy. 

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until everything is blended together. Add the mini chocolate chips and nuts. If, and only if, you find that your batter is too crumbly, you can add small drops of water a little bit at a time until you obtain the right consistency. 

Once everything comes together, drop the cookies by spoonfuls on to the cookie sheet, placing them about 1 inch apart. 

Bake for about 10 mins. Let them sit for 5 mins before taking the cookies off the cookie sheet, and place them to cool on wire racks.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies!

Enjoy! 

New Beginnings

Since my last post was two months ago, you are probably asking "What has she been doing??"

Well I have been enjoying being married of course! There has been no time left for blogging. :)
Well, that and we don't have good internet at our apartment, which is about to change!
But, I have good news: I am back and ready to tell you all about
the best wedding I have ever been to: mine! 

The day was overcast and rainy, but it proved to be a blessing. Luckily, my wedding was indoors, so I was not worried about weather at all. I woke up feeling bright, cheery, exhausted, but ready to go.
 My girls and I started the day off right by getting pedicures. It was a super relaxing start to a very busy day. We then went to the venue to start getting ready. As our hair and makeup were being done, we sat around talking, joking, and drinking mimosas. Many people say that wedding days are stressful for the bride, but I can tell you that I did not feel stressed once that day. Luckily, I had family and friends that took care of everything, and made sure all things were perfect before pictures.

The day seemed like it was going slow until all of a sudden my hair and makeup was done, and my mom was telling me it was time to don my gown, veil, jewelry, garter, bouquet, and shoes. I was going to see Riley for a first look before the pictures began. I began to get anxious with excitement.
Once I saw myself in the mirror, things started to become very real. It was all happening.
I was marrying the man of my dreams in mere hours.

Any nerves I did feel going into the big day vanished when I saw Riley for the first time in our ceremony space. He made me feel so calm as he smiled his big smile and wrapped his arms around me.

What came after was all a whirlwind, and frankly, I don't remember most of it. It's true when people say to take a deep breath and soak in everything around you on your wedding day, because it just goes so fast.

After the first look, we did all of the pictures, done by Jeremy Mabe Photography. They ended up taking 3 hours, but it felt like three minutes... Well to my mind, my feet felt every minute of those 3 hours in my 4 inch heels. :)
All I have to say is thank the Lord for Megan, my Maid of Honor and sister-in-law, because she was on top of everything. She made sure people were where they needed to be when they needed to be there. The entire day would not have gone as smooth if it wasn't for her!
As soon as the pictures were done, my lovely wedding coordinator was taking the wedding party to the bride's and groom's room, where we waited to begin the ceremony.

Dangerous eating greasy potato chips wearing my dress, I know,
but words can't describe how hungry I was!! 

Once 5:30, well more like 5:40, came around, the wedding party was all lined up, ready to go.
Everything was perfect. Any dream I had growing up about the perfect wedding was coming true.
It was my turn to take the walk down the aisle, leading me to the love of my life. I would walk down a single woman, and walk back a happily married woman.

As I took my long awaited walk, I tried really hard to look at everything from the decorations, to the natural waterfall created by the pouring rain, to my lovely friends and family, to my lovely groom waiting for me at the altar. I wanted that memory to be etched into my mind forever, as I knew that it was all going to go by way too fast.

The ceremony was beautiful. My father-in-law, Byron Forrest, was our officient and he did a wonderful job. It was all so special with Byron doing the ceremony, my god-father, Mark Landmon, doing our communion, and my god-brother, Nathan Landmon, singing for us.

It seemed like it was over as quickly as it began. We were pronounced "husband and wife", and Riley was told to kiss his bride,  which he was more than happy to do. :)

Both Riley and I had held it together through the ceremony (although I almost didn't make it through our personal vows), but, as if on cue, we both started crying the moment we walked out of the ceremony space and had some time to ourselves. It was a really special moment, taking in everything that just happened, and realizing that we were finally Mr. and Mrs.

Once we signed the documents, making it all legal, it was time to party. And party we did!

We danced our first dance!

We ate delicious cake!

I tossed my bouquet.

Riley tossed my garter, which ended up turning into a sort of dog pile. These guys were getting serious!

We ate delicious food, danced, chatted with friends and family, and danced some more! It was the most fun reception I had ever been to, many thanks to our wonderful DJ, Barry MacGuire!

Then it seemed that it was 10:00 all of a sudden, and our limo, provided by my lovely parents, was there to whisk us off to our honeymoon sweet.

I can honestly say that there was not one thing that I wished was different about my wedding. It was absolutely perfect. From the decorations, to the attire, to the program, it was all superb.

Riley and I honeymooned in Melbourne and Orlando, Florida, many thanks to his wonderful parents. We had a very fun time in Disney World, the "happiest place on Earth", and loved spending time in Melbourne on the beach!

I thank God everyday for the happenings of this summer.
I am the happiest woman in the world!

Bridal Shower and Skydiving!

Last Wednesday was my lingerie themed bridal shower, which was hosted by my Matron of Honor, and sister-in-law, Megan. It was so all so lovely, especially the food! Megan did such a wonderful job putting it all together! My close friends and family were there to support and shower me with pretty gifts! It was so amazing to be surrounded by a group of women who care for me and who are supporting me in this next big step I am taking in my life. I felt so blessed! 

The food was so delicious (and pretty too!)

My best friend from middle school, Elissa, who I haven't seen in 5 years! She did my hair. :)

My god-mother! 

My mommy!

My grandma!

My Matron of Honor, and sis-in-law, Megan! 

I have more pictures of the main group, but they happen to be on Megan's computer! If I can get them, I will definitely post them! I had such a wonderful time!

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Now on to a more thrilling topic: skydiving. 

You are probably asking yourself, "did she really go skydiving the week before her wedding?!" No, I most definitely did not. However, my fiance's brother and Best Man, Jeff, decided to gift Riley with a one way plane trip to the sky. They went today and, although I knew they were both going to make it back ok, it made me a little nervous! Despite my nerves, they came back unscathed, and I have to admit, I would like to go skydiving too. :) 

Riley and his brother Ben mimicking the skydiving instructor. Hee. :) 

Riley getting all strapped in!

Doing ballet? :)

My boy is excited! 

:)

Riley got in last, which means that he jumped first. :)

Ready for take-off! 

There they go!  

 We weren't able to actually see them jump and land, as they had to land a few miles away. I was so excited when the van brought my guy back, that I forgot to take pictures! He said that skydiving was one of his favorite experiences! I'm glad he got to do it. :) 

Well, I am getting married this Saturday! This time next week, I will be Mrs. Forrest. 

It's crazy to think about, but I am so ready! 

Marriage License!

Today, Riley and I went to the Lane County offices to get our marriage license!

It made everything become very real. 

It's funny, because you get engaged and are excited looking toward the wedding and what comes after, yet it's almost like it's pretend until it comes down to getting the marriage license and seeing people begin to show up for the wedding.  

It is then that you begin to realize that you are marrying the man of your dreams. 

You are going to be with him for the rest of your life. 

It is a wonderful feeling.

Back to the marriage license... :) They had us put all of our information in a computer, in which we got to choose how we are wanting to have our names look. 

We decided to not go with Riley and Nikki Knight. Haha!

 It was really cool to see my name with Riley's last name: 

Brenda Nicole Forrest

I absolutely love it. 

We are so excited!! 

I want the next few weeks to fly by. 

I can't wait to take on Riley's last name officially, becoming his wife. 

Only 25 days! 

Wedding Photography

Tomorrow, Riley and I are meeting with our photographer (Jeremy Mabe Photography) for the last time before the wedding to go over desired shots and schedule. 

I still can't believe how close we are to the big day! 

I have been doing research to see what I want for our pictures, there are so many great ideas out there. The ones I have chosen below come from Pinterest (of course). :) 

1. First off, every wedding needs a grooms first look picture. I love this. Riley and I are going to see each other before the wedding. It is just so much more convenient to do all pictures before the wedding, with a couple of "just married" pictures after the ceremony. I am going to make sure my photographer captures this moment. I know I am going to want to hold on to it forever. 

2. I love books. Reading is definitely my thing. I am a Jane Austen lover and can always go for a good period romance story. With that said, I would love to get a picture with me standing on books next to Riley (it would give me an excuse to show off my pink mary janes) and also get a shot of him and I kissing behind a book. It would be so cute! 

3. I love this picture. The bride and groom in the forefront kissing, yet having the focus set on the wedding party. 

4. This picture is so fun. I definitely want a picture like this while taking pictures with Riley's groomsmen. It is far to great to pass up... and another fun way to show off my shoes. :)

5. Every time I see this picture, it makes me laugh. It is priceless. I can picture Riley and his guys taking part in a picture such as this. This is definitely a must have! 

 6. This picture is simply beautiful. My Pride and Prejudice loving self craves owning a lace parasol anyway, but now I really wish I had one so I could take a picture like this! I love the fact that the parasol causes only the silhouette of the bride and groom to be seen. It is very romantic.   

7. Adorable. I can't get over how utterly cute this picture is. I have the perfect little couple to take this shot with. :) 

8. I love this picture. Have I mentioned how I really want to show my shoes off yet? :)

10. Wonderful family photo. All parts of the family in one loving picture. I would definitely put string down in the heart shape so they would know where to go to lessen the chaos. I might want to at least attempt!

I am so excited for my upcoming nuptials! All the festivities are coming so quickly. People said the engagement process would fly by, but I honestly didn't believe them. In the beginning it felt like an eternity! Yet, here I am, nine months after becoming engaged. It has been a whirlwind of fun, and it is not over yet! 

Now I am at that part in the process where I just want the wedding and honeymoon to get here. Once the big day comes, I can take a big breath and let the stress go. On the honeymoon, I will be relaxing for two weeks in Florida. I am so looking forward to that! 

So, here goes the next 27 days!