There's just something about a June bride, isn't there?
We have just under three weeks to go until THE WEDDING!!!
In case you haven't heard, daughter Carrie is marrying her guy Josh on June 11.
We had a wedding shower for them over the weekend, and it was as special as could be.
We ate goodies, played a fun "get to know Carrie and Josh" game, and opened presents.
What would a shower be like without presents?
And since the happy couple are big fans of the show "Fixer Upper," I got one of their favorite items from that show to adorn their new apartment.
We had so much fun, and enjoyed pampering our favorite bride. :)
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| A pensive moment. I think she was deciding between a bite of the egg casserole or a cracker with her mom's famous cheese spread. |
Speaking of her mom's favorite cheese spread, that's the recipe I'm going to share with you today. It gets rave reviews whenever I take it anywhere, and not just from my family!
Jan's Wonderful Cheese Spread
(Yes, I shared this recipe back in 2012, but it deserves another showing!)
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese Spread
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing (like Miracle Whip)
2 teaspoons chili sauce
1 teaspoon minced onion
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon ground mustard
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
This goes together very easily using a food processor, but I've also done it by hand and it still works. 
First, blend together the cream cheese, cheese spread and mayo until they're smooth and creamy.
Then blend the chili sauce, onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and ground mustard in a small bowl.
By mixing these ingredients together before adding them to the cheese, you avoid those pockets of garlic powder in one bite and Worcestershire sauce in the next.
I like to avoid surprises like that :)
Add the spicy stuff to the cheese and mix thoroughly.
Finally, add the 2 cups of shredded cheddar and mix some more. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.
Serve it with crackers and enjoy :) It's also good on celery sticks...Mmmmm....
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One thing I love about this recipe is that you can switch it around - make it your own!
For instance, I often switch this ingredient:
For these:
My family loves the kick. You can ramp up the sizzle or tone it down to your heart's content!
You can also shape the whole mess into a ball ~ like one of those pretty ones you spend big bucks on at the grocery store. Just refrigerate the cheese spread, then shape it into a ball and roll it in chopped walnuts or pecans.
Like I said, this cheese spread gets rave reviews everywhere! Take it to your next picnic - folks will love you!
So let's talk brides! Missy has a wedding coming up soon, too, and will be starring as the Mother-of-the-Groom. I get to be the Mother-of-the-Bride for our do.
Does anyone have any advice for us??? Please share!
Jan Drexler loves her family, her home, cooking and just about anything made by hand. But she loves her Lord most of all.
Stop by Jan's website to learn more about her books: www.JanDrexler.com.
So exciting! I don't have any advice except to have fun. I love that sign, too!
ReplyDeleteIt IS exciting! You know what it's like. You wait for what feels like forever, and then you meet this guy - and something clicks. And that's the beginning of your happily-ever-after. :)
DeleteI love Fixer Upper! Joanna and Chip are faves here, they're so funny and normal. I love normal people!!!!! And by normal, I mean slightly dysfunctional but they love God and their kids and they're not afraid to work, so in my book: NORMAL!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe minute I saw that sign, I wondered if Carrie was a fan because I saw that episode on Netflix....:) Beth is a fan, too, and even the older kids love watching Joanna create a new vision. They think she's amazing.
Okay, weddings.... Mine was a rather angst-filled affair for a variety of reasons, so I decided way back then that when my children got married, I would help with anything and everything and be quiet.
You know this is a trick for me, but it's worked for six weddings so far, and two more to go.... And they've been all different and beautiful.
1. You can't change the weather, arrange for indoor venue for pictures if Mother Nature thwarts you and don't worry... It will all be fine.
2. Wedding Day: I got videos (no Netflix then) of funny bridal movies... The Wedding Singer, Father of the Bride, Princess Bride and we watched those while eating breakfast, getting hair done, etc. Each bride had a different level of formality in mind, but these movies made them laugh and remember that life goes on...
3. Don't touch the wedding gown with make-up on. This isn't from my weddings, but several times over my years at Bridal Hall we had to remove Mom's or Auntie's or Bride's mascara, or pricey oil-based lipstick from a gown because they got carried away during fittings or wedding morning... It's not an easy job, and it's time-consuming because both bleed into fabric... so avoid that mistake.
4. Laugh a lot. There's enough to fuss over, and again, depending on bride's personality, there's things that might be upsetting to one that another will shrug off... but if we learn not to sweat the small stuff with weddings and kids, more people stay alive.
:)
Yes! "help with anything and everything and be quiet" Perfect advice!
DeleteI keep telling myself that I had my wedding, it was fabulous (even with a few angsty moments), and this wedding is THEIRS. So we help out where we can and have fun watching it all come together.
And the makeup on the wedding dress!!! My dress did okay until the receiving line. Hugs with makeup smudges...they really do a number on a beautiful dress!
(Is it too late to ask all of the guests to forego makeup on that day?)
And Carrie decided on an indoor venue early on. Weather in the Black Hills is unpredictable at best, and counting on a nice Saturday in June when you're six months out is just asking for trouble! So I think there are plans for a few outdoor pictures - if the weather permits - but everything else is indoors. :)
And we plan to laugh it up to the max! Such a fun, blessed time should never be marred with worries about details. Like Carrie says, as long as she's there, and Josh, and our pastor, everything is fine. All the other details are just extras.
WHAT FUN THIS IS!!! THANKS FOR SHARING.
ReplyDeleteWe are SO looking forward to this wedding, and the shower was So. Much. Fun. Amazing blessings all around. :)
DeleteI could swear I've had this dip before, Jan, though I don't know why. Perhaps I even had the recipe. Then again, I'm not firing on all cylinders yet. Must go look.
ReplyDeleteAs for wedding advice, roll with it. At least one thing will not go according to plan. Do what you can and let God take care of the rest. Oh, and keeping the bride calm is always good, too. ;)
At my sister-in-law's wedding, the organist didn't show up. She had a mix up with her calendar and thought it was the next weekend.
DeleteOh, my. There's nothing like sitting in a beautiful church waiting. And waiting. And worrying - was there an accident? Is she ill?
But hey. They got married without music and all was good.
We expect things to go wrong - so we focus on the essentials.
And keeping the bride calm? We'll see how that goes. ;)
SO thrilled for sweet Carrie! I miss you and your family so much! I'm so happy I can see bits and pieces of her wedding and preparations through the world of technology.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to give the cheese spread a try at the next extended family function. They love cheese!
Many congratulations to Carrie and Josh!
Thanks, Susie!
DeleteIt's a fairly small wedding, so you're not the only loved one watching the happenings from afar. :) Don't you love the internet at times like these?
And yes, you'll have to try this cheese spread. Your extended family will love you for it!
Yum! You just made me hungry. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the fun! We had our first shower yesterday for my future daughter-in-law. So much fun! I'll share it later after the move and our wedding. :)
Aren't showers the best? Celebrating the future with all the hope and joy. :)
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