Dear Laura,

I remember June 2, 1992 like it was yesterday. I raced home from Mrs. Young’s fourth grade class to hear the news of your arrival. Would I have another brother, or would I get a sister? I was so excited that I ran right by the pink balloons on the mailbox. I asked Grandma, “Boy or girl?” “Girl!” she replied. I was ecstatic! I couldn’t wait to meet you.

You were so tiny and just like a baby doll. I learned to change your diapers and feed you from the bottle. And every night around 9:00 Andrew and I would try to calm your cries by singing “Laura Kate, Laura Kate, ooh Laura Laura Kate, badoom boom boom.”

Not long after you learned to walk, you were dancing around the house to “Down on Grandpa’s Farm” from Barney, and we couldn’t keep you from climbing all over the furniture! You were such a ball of energy! Mom and Dad enrolled you in gymnastics, and I tried not to be too jealous when you learned to do a backhandspring before I did.

Sometimes, when I wanted time alone with my friends, you would slide your pudgy little hands under my bedroom door, and I couldn’t help but open it and let you in.

I left for college when you were just 8-years-old. But you visited many times, either with Mom and Dad, or on your own. And I drove back to Dover to chaperone your school field trips and attend family visitation days, and I cheered you on at as many gymnastics meets as I could come to.

During Dad’s battle with cancer, you helped to hold down the fort at home. You were just 12-years-old, but you were so mature and compassionate.

And when you got behind the wheel, I tried to be less motherly and more cool big sisterly. But I couldn’t help pressing the imaginary pedal and telling you things I knew you already knew. Part of me will always want to protect you.

Today you’re sweet and considerate and a good judge of character. You’re artistic and smart and athletic; you’re a superstar in not one, but two, sports — placing 7th in the state in diving and 6th in the state in high jump! You want to be a nurse, and I think you’ll make a fantastic one. I’m so proud of you!

Oh, and you’re the only gal I know who doesn’t mind eating king crab legs while wearing a homecoming gown!

I love you, sis! Happy 17th birthday!

Fantastic find on The Pioneer Woman Cooks! Emily re-fueled with this pasta dish after a long run, and she looks forward to making it for Nick! (Note: Recipe is halved in this version.)

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound thin spaghetti
• 1/4 stick (2 tablespoons) butter
• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste if desired
• Plenty of grated Parmesan cheese
• Flat leaf parsley, chopped
• Extra lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook spaghetti until al dente.
2. In a skillet, melt butter with olive oil over low heat.
3. When butter is melted, add minced garlic.
4. Squeeze lemon juice into the pan. Turn off heat.
5. Add sour cream and stir mixture together. Add lemon zest and salt to taste.
6. Pour mixture over drained spaghetti and stir together, then pour spaghetti into an oven safe dish.
7. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Then remove foil and bake for an additional 7 to 10 minutes. (Don’t bake too long or the pasta will dry out.)
8. When you remove it from the oven, squeeze a little more lemon juice over the top.
9. Top generously with Parmesan cheese, then chopped parsley.
10. Give it a final squeeze of lemon juice at the end.

Served as a side dish alongside tilapia and roasted mushrooms and squash, but it’s also hearty enough to stand alone!

{recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks}

The culinary couple traveled to Massachusetts to spend Memorial Day with two of our favorite people — and did I mention they’re also fantastic cooks? They taught us Pennsylvanians how to clean, steam, and eat fresh mussels. They picked up the recipe at a restaurant in Maryland and added a few touches of their own. The broth was so fragrant and decadent! I don’t think we’ll be able to eat mussels any other way.

Ingredients

• mussels
• butter
• garlic
• shallots
• lemon
• thyme
• clam juice

Directions

1. Clean the mussels by rinsing the shells and removing the “beards.” Also it’s very important that the shells are completely closed, otherwise the little guys are already dead … and inedible.
2. Saute all ingredients.
3. Steam mussels over broth.
4. Serve with more broth on top! The mussels are even yummier when pulled out of their shells and soaked in the broth. The broth was also perfect for dipping bread!

Thanks, Kristen and Eric, for treating us to a wonderful weekend! Read more about our weekend.

Lately I’ve loved everything having to do with trees and birds — one or both may be included in our wedding motif.

{tote via dutchdoor on Etsy}

{jewelry catchall via Red Envelope}

{love birds cake topper via Daisy Days}

{birdhouse via birdhouseaccents on Etsy}

I can’t believe in just three months I’ll be standing in a garden on the banks of the Susquehanna River saying “I do” to the love of my life. Of course, there is A LOT to do before August 28th!

Here’s the checklist for this month:

• Finalize catering details
• Schedule July meeting with coordinator to finalize decor and order of events
• Print invitations and inserts, order envelopes and postage, and mail everything by the end of June!
• Start favors (another ambitious DIY project!)
• Have tons of fun at showers and parties! Between the two of us, we have a wedding-related event every weekend, but one, in June.

{a lovely shot by our photographer Robert Winton}

Nick and I enjoyed a (much needed) long holiday weekend in Massachusetts with our lovely hosts, Kristen and Eric. We arrived late Thursday night and rose early Friday morning to take the T into Boston. The sky was clear and the sun was bright; it was the perfect day to walk the Freedom Trail!

We snapped photos of Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill before wandering through the Granary Burying Ground behind the Park Street Church. Founded in 1660, this burial ground is the final resting place for three signers of the Declaration of Independence and the five victims of the Boston Massacre. We saw the tombs of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin’s parents, and others.

Next we saw King’s Chapel and the nation’s first public school. We passed by the Old South Meeting House where the Boston Tea Party was organized in 1773. And then we arrived at the Old State House — quite possibly my most favorite building in Boston. It was built in 1713, making it the oldest public building in the city, and is now nestled between the tall buildings of the financial district. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence took place here on the east balcony.

We wandered through Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market and enjoyed a lobster roll and a bowl of New England clam chowda’ (we had to have chowda’ despite the hot weather!). After taking a break along the waterfront we walked to the North End to check out the Paul Revere House and the Old North Church. This is the location of the famous, “One if by land, and two if by sea.”

We piggybacked onto a student tour group and heard the story of how Paul Revere and William Dawes rode from Boston to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams and others that “the British are coming!” (Dawes arrived just a half hour after Revere making him less known for the famous “midnight ride.”)

From the Old North Church we followed the Freedom Trail past Copp’s Hill Burying Ground and onto the bridge leading across the Charles River to the USS Constitution. We didn’t make it quite far enough to see the oldest commissioned naval vessel up close; we were just too thirsty. So we went back to the waterfront and enjoyed Samuel Adams Summer Ales (of course!) in the shade.

We arrived back at K’s & E’s apartment in Leominster just in time to start grilling. The home seasoned chicken wings were delish! And it was so relaxing to sit on their back porch and catch up.

We were up early on Saturday for a LONG run. We couldn’t forgo our training program just because we were on vacation, right? Kristen mapped an 8-mile route that took us through rolling country roads past beautiful Cape Cod homes and apple orchards. I emphasize the word “rolling.” But, hey, it was good practice for the Double Creek Half Marathon that we’ll be running in just 3 1/2 weeks!

After finishing the run K & E took us to Wachusett Brewing Company where we rewarded ourselves with blueberry beers. Yes, blueberry — and boy were they tasty! Then it was back to the apartment to prepare an AMAZING mussels dinner. (Did I mention that they really spoiled us?!)

The New Englanders taught us Pennsylvanians how to clean mussels by rinsing the shells and removing the “beards.” Also it’s very important that the shells are completely closed, otherwise the little guys are already dead … and inedible.

The broth that we used to steam the mussels included garlic, shallots, butter, lemon, thyme, and clam juice. It was so fragarant and decadent. And the mussels were even yummier when pulled out of their shells and soaked in the broth. The broth was also perfect for dipping bread.

Oh yeah, and this was just the appetizer! After eating 7 1/2 lbs. between the four of us, we had little room for the marinated steak tips and mushrooms stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese. But not to worry, we didn’t let it go to waste! We went to bed that night early and sufficiently stuffed.

Kristen woke us up at 6am on Sunday to pack the car for our fishing excursion. We had no idea we were going with professionals! Eric has a different rod, bait, and strategy for each fish.

We docked from Weymouth, just south of Boston. The day started out gloriously with calm waters and warm sun. The boys “jigged” for cod a few miles off the coast. Eric caught the first one, but it was just short of the necessary 24 inches, so he had to toss it back in. After several false alarms (i.e. Nick shouting, “I got one!” and then promptly discovering he was only caught on the bottom), Nick caught a cod! This one was slightly larger than Eric’s, but still not quite big enough. After Eric caught two more and Nick caught a baby (yes, he caught both the biggest and smallest fish of the day), we took off for another location.

We unsuccessfully fished for flounder for about two hours before following a crowd of boats to a supposedly sweet spot. We had just dropped anchor and finished lunch when huge storm clouds rolled in over the city skyline. And boy were they moving fast! We quickly put up the roof and moved ourselves and all of our belongings under it. But we still had about a 45-minute ride back to land. It was a race! Every time I turned to look at Nick, the rain was dripping from his hood and the lightning was streaking behind him. But he had a huge smile plastered to his face. I think he was actually enjoying himself! But I was most definitely not. I could not wait to get back to shore. And we finally did — just as the rain slowed. We learned later that night on the news that a house in Weymouth had been struck by lightning, and golfball sized hail had fallen just south of us. So, despite not returning with any fish to fry, it was quite the adventure!

Thanks again to Kristen and Eric for hosting such a fantastic weekend!

This week instead of listing things I wish I had, I’m going to list things I have and adore.

{My stunning one of a kind diamond engagement ring! I tried my best to capture its brilliance in these photos, though you have to see it in person to truly appreciate it. I’m one lucky lady!}

{Hershey’s Extra Dark Chocolate with Pomegranate or Cranberries, Blueberries, and Almonds via Wegmans: Love! The bitter of the chocolate and the natural sweetness of the fruit is a perfect pair. I try to limit myself to two at a time. Thanks, Kirsten, for introducing me to these indulgences!}

{NikePlus via Forty in Four: I bought this device a few weeks ago and am hooked. It tracks miles, time, pace, and calories. And when I record a new personal best, I’m congratulated by the likes of Lance Armstrong or Tiger Woods.}

{Gocco! via Northwood Studios, although I bought mine from the wonderful Amy I: We have a very ambitious DIY plan for our wedding invitations, and it involves this crazy contraption. We’re going to tackle it in two weeks!}

{El Dorado Marmoma: Honeymoon dreamin’! After saying “we do” (in just 100 days!), you can find us here in our luxury suite with a private plunge pool and an incredible view of the Caribbean. We’ll most likely have cocktails in our hands, and we’ll most definitely have huge smiles on our faces.}

I know it was my idea because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. “Let’s run a half marathon before we get married,” I suggested to Nick. I can’t say it was met with incredible enthusiasm. Nick ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach a few years ago, and when he completed it, he told himself he would never do it again. But then I came along.

{Doesn’t he look like a runner?! This was taken before a 5K he ran just a few months before we met.}

I must admit that I’ve enjoyed the peacefulness of running recently. (Peaceful running — is that an oxymoron?) I prefer to go right after work and use the time to clear my head of work assignments and take a break from wedding planning. Occasionally I tune in to my NikePlus to check my time, distance, and pace, but mostly I just let go.

Sometimes I push hard through hills and sometimes I sprint to the finish, but so far the training hasn’t been too terrible. (Although I did lose my big toenail last weekend, and I was told by the podiatrist that it could take between 9 and 12 months to grow back. Looks like I’ll be painting my skin for the wedding!)

I run three times each week, and Nick and I do our long distance run together on Sundays — we’re up to 7 miles this weekend! I’ve noticed a dramatic difference from where I started 7 weeks ago. (We’re on a 12-week training program.) And Nick has definitely improved, too. When we started he huffed and puffed and even got grumpy. He did NOT want to talk while we ran, and he did NOT want to hear motivating phrases from me, like “you can do it” or “keep it up.”

But during our run last weekend, he pointed out to me bird houses and tiki bars; he asked for updates from the NikePlus; and he even said “thank you” when I said “we’re almost finished!”

It’s such a feeling of accomplishment to finish a long run with Nick. I love that we work hard together to meet a common goal. And we always high five and hug, no matter how sweaty and stinky we are.

The Double Creek Half Marathon is in Dover (how convenient that my family can come cheer us on!) on Saturday, June 20th. It’s 10 weeks before the wedding, and I promise not to dress like this:

{credit BBC}

I use del.icio.us several times each day to bookmark my favorite finds on the Web. I have tags for fitness and desserts (because I can’t have one without the other), kitchen gadgets, work-related tags like jQuery and JavaScript, and wedding-related tags like invitations, signature drinks, and ceremony inspiration. I figure it’s time to start sharing my favorites with any of you who might be interested. So, without further adieu, my first installment:

{Love Birds Mugs via Rust Designs: You can combine these with matching dinner plates or dessert plates, and they’re customizable! A great gift idea for newlyweds.}

{Candy Cup Caps via Bakerella: My soon-to-be sister-in-law is planning to make these for her senior students. Aren’t they adorable?}

{Pink Ribbon Folded Notes via Laura Kelly Designs: I love these for the strong female heroes in your life.}

{“For Your Potentially Cold Feet” via Style Me Pretty: What a funny gift idea for your groom … although I’m pretty sure Nick will be hopping and skipping and jumping down the aisle! I think his feet will be nice and warm.}

{Your favorite apps, stuffed! via MySuiteStuff: These belong in my office!}

This Mother’s Day weekend we visited my dear friend, Quinn, her beautiful little girl, Kennedy, and her husband, Dave. We drank pink lemonade, chatted on the deck, and watched Kennedy roll all around the living room floor. I could have played with her all day! Afterwards we surprised Grandma Martin (with the help of Nick’s sister, Kirsten) in Landisville and took her to dinner at Eagles Nest in York. And today we enjoyed a wonderful BBQ with my parents, siblings, and grandparents. The weather was just perfect for eating outside and napping on the hammock.

Happy Mother’s Day to my lovely mother! Thank you for all that you do. Someday I hope to be as good of a mother to my children as you have been to us.